Posted on Sat, Jan. 31, 2004

Today in Kansas City: FAUX FAB FOUR CONCERT

FAUX FAB FOUR CONCERT

On Feb. 7, 1964, the Beatles arrived in America to make their first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." It turned out to be a pretty big deal.

In the days ahead Fab Four fans around the world can expect a host of 40th-anniversary tributes. Each will recall how the Beatles changed the rules of the game with their dynamic music, free-spirited attitude and hip appearance, including (gasp!) long hair. Anyway, it was over their ears.

Kansas Citians looking for a way to celebrate the looming pop-culture landmark can't go wrong with a dance concert by local Beatles tribute band Liverpool at 7:30 tonight in the school gym at Rockhurst High School, 9301 State Line Road.

Liverpool consists of Larry Kips as John Lennon, Jimmy Bond as Paul McCartney, Steve Davis as George Harrison and Gary Butler as Ringo. Not only do these guys make music that sounds remarkably like the Beatles -- from "Please Please Me" to "Let It Be" -- they painstakingly dress, talk and even move around onstage like the moptops.

The fake Fab Four have been doing this gig for 14 years.

"This is going to sound really bad," Bond once told The Star, "but if you keep the lights low...we don't look as old as we are."

Good luck, lads.

Tickets cost $10 to tonight's show, which is designed to advance programs and raise funds to offset the gap between student tuition and the actual cost of an education at Rockhurst High School.

The evening's fund-raising festivities include a pre-show shrimp dinner in the school cafeteria for $15.

For more entertainment events, go to kansascity.com

To reach Brian McTavish, Arts & Entertainment writer for The Star, call (816) 234-4766 or send e-mail to bmctavish@kcstar.com