Tassie Not ‘Left’ Off the List

Tasmania has not been left off the list and will be getting a visit from a left-handed Beatle, not to mention the other three as well.

The Beatles Anthology performer Leo Alterelli had a chat to me about the origin of the tribute band and his part in it. To further authenticate the band Alterelli is a Brit himself, having moved to Australia in 2014 after he met his Australian wife in England. Without sounding too ‘Ob-la-di, ob-la-da’ with ‘they have built a home sweet home, with a couple of kids running in the yard’. Alterelli, his wife and two children have lived those lyrics and now call Brisbane, home sweet home.

Six months ago, “an unexpected and exciting project” presented to Alterelli, a tribute act to The Beatles. Having grown up listening and playing their songs in “different bands” over the years this was something he could not say no to.

Alterelli believes the band “has got a nice balance” between a tribute to the Beatles music, but with respectful impersonation of the fabulous four in authentic costumes, which Alterelli believes adds to the overall experience. Those that come to see the show will witness a journey through Beatles eras from rock and roll to their later work. The show will include some commentary and visual footage.

Alterelli says to patrons “you can sit and enjoy or dance in the aisles” and reflects that so far the response to the show has seen a mixture of people at the concerts, the fans replete with t-shirts to families sharing their love of the music to another generation and this has been the case in Leo’s own family, with his nine year old daughter already a fan declaring ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ as her favourite Beatles song.

“These songs,” says Alterelli, “I guess first and foremost, are so good – so timeless – that they appeal to all ages.”

After Birmingham University, where he trained as a musician, (Alterelli, a kind of triple threat performer, who modestly says is “not really a dancer”) honed his craft in shows with a combination of original songs and cover tributes, including one show called ‘Where’s Elvis’ where he played different performers, such as Buddy Holly and Otis Redding. The dancing was in a show for children that toured the UK, Europe and Broadway.

However, with his eclectic background, Alterelli adds he is “a musician. first and foremost,” and loves the Beatles show and playing Beatles songs. because “they are such a joy, with very iconic storytelling” such as in his daughter’s favourite ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ as well as ‘Please, Please, Me’ and ‘Come Together’ the latter together with ‘Get Back’ will be part of the second set of the performance.

You can see ‘The Beatles Anthology’ at:

• Wrest Point Casino, Saturday 18 April
• Launceston Country Club, Sunday 19 April