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Being in show business since early childhood and
touring the world "As John Lennon" (since 1988), Tim's
motto is (from the words of his mentor), "A Splendid Time Is
Guaranteed For All!" His credits range from Sir Paul McCartney,
in person, saying, "Keep up the good work, lads!," to
performing at private functions for Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Stephen
Spielberg, and many other Hollywood celebrities. Tim's fun-loving
charm, his professionalism, and passion to entertain transports
audiences far beyond the wigs and mere impersonations. Tim captures
the very essence of John Lennon, whose music and melodies provide
the soundtrack for an era and to win the hearts of millions. Whether
it's performing before an audience of 100,000 (Virginia Beach -
July 4, 2001), or showcasing their talent before intimate gatherings
at community theatres or private events, Tim Piper and Working
Class Hero shines above the rest as "The Star's with Diamonds."
TV CREDITS INCLUDE:
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Cast for starring role as John
Lennon in CBS TV Movie of the Week “The
Linda McCartney Story”
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Cast as John Lennon in E! Network
Television production of “The
John Lennon Story” (Hollywood,
CA)
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Cast as John Lennon in E! Network
Television production of “Beatle’s
Wives” (Hollywood, CA)
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Cast as “singing voice”
of John Lennon for the NBC TV Movie of the Week, “In
His Life - The John Lennon Story”,
recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, CA., Studio A. |
My professional career started when I was 19. Now, I'm with Working
Class Hero, a John Lennon Tribute Band. We play shows &
concerts all over the United States and we've been to India twice
to play a number of concerts to thousands of enthusiastic fans.
We played the "Rock 'n Roll
Hall of Fame" in Cleveland, Ohio on
John Lennon's Birthday in 2001! We performed a theatrical production
about John Lennon in Hollywood, CA. Sept. & Oct. 2002! We appeared
live on numerous radio programs and we are now represented by "The
William Morris Agency".
I've also had the privilege to play guitar with
sixties legend Gordon Waller of
"Peter & Gordon", Spencer Davis of "The Spencer
Davis Group" and Chris Montez (who toured with The Beatles
in the U.K. in 1963).
I am a Gretsch Guitars Artist, and endorse and
use exclusively Vox Amps, Pyramid Strings, Fulltone Pedals &
Epiphone "Elite Series" Guitars. I am on the Editorial
Board of The Tonequest Report magazine.
I also have my own column/section on The
Rickenbacker Forum called Talk to the Toneman.
I'm a proud sponsor of The Gretsch Pages. I'm also owner of "Toneman"
vintage valve/tube amp & guitar service.
You can visit my website www.tone-man.com.
Greg was born in New York City to a "show biz" family
whose parents were traveling actors in their own theatre company,
performing with Red Skelton on his television show, and then becoming
co-creators of the game show "Concentration."
His true love for music began in 1964 after seeing The Beatles perform
on the Ed Sullivan Show in front of all those screaming fans. The
music and their message entered his heart and soul immediately,
and has remained there ever since. Greg picked up a guitar and started
to pretend that he was a Beatle too, always dreaming of the day
fans would respond to his music.
Greg played in several rock bands since graduating
high school, but it was in 1988 when he began performing professionally
in 'Beatle Shows,' touring the world with leading groups like "Revolution
- The Beatles Tribute," "Working Class Hero - The John
Lennon Experience," and most recently, a new theatrical
production, "A Day In His Life." Greg manages "Working
Class Hero" and "Revolution,"
and performs in these productions as a guitarist, bassist and vocalist.
He fulfills his dreams presenting the qualities of his favorite
groups to all fans, old and new alike. Greg's biggest thrill is
seeing generations of people sing along as he performs this great
music.
Greg's other endeavors are graphics and multimedia.
He is co-founder of Unsigned Records Multimedia, specializing in
animation, music video, enhanced CD's and websites, including: Papercuts
- The Illustrated Lyrics Online Magazine.
Born in New Haven, CT and now residing in Los Angeles, CA, Actor/Musician
Carmine Grippo has appeared on Television and in Motion Pictures
such as the "Tom Arnold Show",
"Evening Shade", "Waynes
World II", and "The Last
Man Standing". In mid-1994 he joined "The
Moptops" and has since appeared on numerous television
programs such as NBC's "Dark Skies"
as Ringo Starr. Carmine also toured with various Beatle Shows to
Japan, Italy, France and all across the United States.
Though admittedly without the hangdog expression, but with a nose
similar to that of the famed Beatles drummer (“Maybe Ringo’s
secretly Italian!” he muses), Carmine Grippo delivers an authentic
sense of fun and a steady backbeat. The New Haven, Connecticut native
knew he was destined for the traps … “since I could walk.”
He was mainly influenced by his family and, in no small part, by
that paragon of pop culture in the early 1970s, “The Partridge
Family.”
Lessons at age seven led to his first public shows five years later
in a drum-and-bugle corps – in high school, where friends began
calling him Ringo, he performed in the marching band and even had
the chance to play in a parade at Disneyland. Grippo soon embraced
the showmanship of KISS (and subsequently backed up Gene Simmons
in the studio), channeling his talents during the 80s in several
New England pop and rock bands. Only a week after coming to Los
Angeles he was also bit by the acting bug, an appearance on “Love
Connection” leading to roles in “L.A. Law,” six episodes
of “Evening Shade,” the Bruce Willis film Last Man Standing
and Wayne’s World 2. He also had his first chance to portray
Ringo Starr on-screen in an episode of “Dark Skies” after
joining his first Beatles tribute band, The Moptops, in 1994. The
gig took him to Japan, France, even Liverpool, England where he
crashed, and played, The Cavern, as well as recreations at Dodger
Stadium and Candlestick Park (“The Beatles drew 27,000 there
in 1966,” says Grippo. “We drew 19,000 for the 30th anniversary
show... not too shabby!”). He spent a year in Atlantic City
in the Ed Sullivan tribute A Really Big Shew before performing nationwide
in the orchestral Classical
Mystery Tour and the musical biography All
You Need Is Love, recently playing as Ringo in large venues
across Germany, Italy, Switzerland, China, Australia and New Zealand.
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