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

Not long after getting back from Atlantic City to see “Yesterday” at the Tropicana, I got a call from Todd Rainey (the McCartney in the band) and also from my friend/business partner/news editor/convention producer Charles F. Rosenay!!! asking me if I’d like to return to the Trop not only to see “Yesterday” in a larger hall, but also to see special guest Larry Kane, author of the book “Ticket to Ride” (a great read by the way). This was August of 2007, and the event was actually a mini-convention.

Along with Mr. Kane’s exhibit, Charles had a table there promoting his tours to Liverpool for Beatles fans (www.LiverpoolTours.com), and a good buddy to all of us, Russ Lease (www.BeatleSuits.com) was there showing his great line of Beatles suits and garb. In a display case was Sir Paul McCartney’s original Shea Stadium jacket, always an eye-pleaser. He also had the collarless suit on display, the Ed Sullivan jacket plus slacks, the Hard Day’s Night suit and others. Russ presented me with a special surprise gift that day – thanks again, Russ.

Larry Kane told some very interesting stories that I’d never heard before. He signed autographs and sold copies of his book. There was talk of Charles bringing both “Yesterday” and Larry Kane to Liverpool to perform a combined, story tell-all of the Beatlemania days, and the band would play a few songs of the time. It was a unique concept, but it never materialized.

As for “Yesterday,” they played sets with the two costume changes, though I liked them better the first time when they played in the smaller Liverpool-themed club. All in all, it was a great event, and we later had dinner together. Again, the line-up was Todd Rainey on bass, Bobby Potter on drums, Jim Lett on lead and Don Bellezzo on rhythm.

I took a big liking to the band’s Harrison. Not only did he do a good job in the role of George, but he also was nice to talk to and be around. Not unlike the real George, he was quieter but a real gentleman. Very similar to Glenn (“Fab Forever” and “Fab Four Live”), another lead guitarist I’ve mentioned in past columns.

It was fun being there seeing their show again and seeing each other. I remember feeling that I would soon be doing some dates with them. Perhaps they were sizing me up as I was doing the same, and similar to the feeling I had when hunging out with “Fab Forever” before I wound up playing with them.

Speaking of that band, in the next article, we visit with them again, but this time the line-up doesn’t include me, but there are a few surprises and it turns out to be the final days of “Fab Forever.”

Peace & Love,
Mike “Ringo” Streeto