IN MY LIFE. AS RINGO!
Part 4
By Mike Streeto

Shortly after my last ‘chosen’ show with “Fab Forever” – although I was offered a few more gigs from the band’s producer Jerry – it was time to move on. I had my reasons for passing on future shows, which others who worked on this production already knew. I was sure going to miss working with Todd (bassist) and Glenn (lead), but it’s like leaving a job where you don’t miss the place, but you miss the people you worked with, and became friends with.

Shortly afterwards, I hear of the next line-up of “Fab Forever,” and I’m surprised that Glenn didn’t continue on, as he was always a mainstay alongside Todd, with new John and Ringo players. The new version of the group was Todd Rainey and Gary Gibson again as Paul and John, but with Jimmy Poe (from “Beatlemania,” “1964” “Britishmania” and presently “Beatlemania Now”) playing George. Jimmy is someone I’ve always admired as a musician, but somehow I never worked with him. He’s someone I call a friend, and hope to work with someday. On drums was Ringo veteran Carmine Grippo from the same part of Connecticut as me. Actually, we have a lot in common – we’re both drummers, both Italian, both from the same town and we even lived on the same street. In fact, when he was younger, Carmine took drum lessons from my Uncle Charlie Morro. It’s a small world! Carmine played in a local trio called “The Sons of Elvis” for years, a classic rock cover band with a spoof name, before he moved to California to be an actor. He did some film and TV work, and landed a gig as Ringo for “The Moptops.” He played with them for years, and did some very entertaining promo videos, before playing with other groups, most notably filling in for “Classical Mystery Tour.” Carmine always let people know that I inspired him to be a drummer, which is very nice of him to say.

This line-up of “Fab Forever” was playing downtown Vegas, and Todd was moonlighting with another show with the name of “Yesterday” or “Legends of Yesterday.” I had never heard of them before that, and I tried to make it my business to know all of the productions out there whenever possible. Some of my favorites over the years were “1964,” “The Fab Four,” “The Cast of Beatlemania,” “Fab Faux,” “Beatlemania Now,” “Strawberry Fields” and the great “Rain.”

Todd called me up to see the show at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. I was always interested in seeing a new act and I hadn’t been to Atlantic City since the 80’s. I guess AC lost its lure when the casinos in CT opened, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun (where “The Fab Four” have played numerous times). The CT casinos are less than an hour away, and Atlantic City takes 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic.

I was most impressed by the way the Tropicana decorated the room where the band played with Beatles photos in the front, and a non-stop loop of Beatles music playing in the area. The inside is even better, or you could say it’s Fab and Gear. The room is called The Liverpool Club and is located in the North Tower of the hotel casino across from the box office.

As for the band, “Yesterday” played two sets with two-costume changes, covering ’63 to ’66. They did a good job with the basic song sets that most everybody else does. The only two non-traditional (what I call odd-ball numbers) choices were “Slowdown” and a favorite of mine, “Baby’s In Black.” I felt that Lennon, played by Don Bellezzo, and Todd as Paul sounded good together. Don is the band leader and co-founder of the production company. After the show I joined them for dinner, and met Jim Lett (Harrison) and Bobby Potter (Ringo) plus the director/producer Barbara McKeown. She was very nice, a class act. Todd told them I was a Ringo, so I felt that they were sizing me up for something in the near future. And why not? If it was a chance to work with Todd again, I’m all for it. We really played well off each other.

I was mistaken about one thing. I thought Todd was just filling in with “Yesterday,” yet Don kept telling him how glad he was back, and it was the right way to go and the right show. Don told Todd that he was better off and would be better taken care of, and to not look back at “Fab Forever.” I was looking forward to, but I remembered how much fun it was.

It was also fun being back in Atlantic City. Besides seeing a new Beatles show (for me) and reuniting for an evening with Todd. I think the getaway was something I needed at the time. Perhaps I needed the fix of an ocean and a boardwalk. I remember telling “Yesterday” producer Barbara that there’s nothing like it, and she agreed about the shoreline (possibly because she lives in Vegas).

Next time ... I “Get Back” to Atlantic City, where “Yesterday” came suddenly again.

More next time…
Peace & Love,
Mike “Ringo” Streeto