Rain Beatles Tribute Band

[Rockmusician]

Saw The Beatles Tribute Band "Rain" today. They put on an amazing show. They have several different casts that they use. The guy playing Paul today was Mac Ruffing. He is one of the best bass players I have ever seen. He played all of Paul's bass lines flawlessly and his vocals were great. The amazing thing is that he is naturally right handed but taught himself to play lefty so he coulld be more authentic. Most players struggle with playing and singing at the same time. Imagine trying to do it while playing opposite from the way you would play naturally. I've been playing for over 30 years and have seen many of the greats. I'm usually not very impressed when I see somebody playing in a cover or tribute band but this guy is amazing.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

They have several different casts that they use. .

Wait, seriously? It's a franchise?!?!?! I now have even less respect for that show than I did before...if that's even possible.

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

The amazing thing is that he is naturally right handed but taught himself to play lefty so he coulld be more authentic.

If he taught himself to play lefty after he was hired for the gig, I'm impressed. If he taught himself to play lefty just so he could emulate Paul McCartney more authentically he's a guy who needs to move out of his parents' basement and get a life.

I saw the Rain telecast that PBS was running a couple months ago (featuring a right-handed bassist) and thought it was so funny how, during a post-show interview one of the band members was saying "We're not at all like Beatlemania (the Broadway show from the 1970s)." LOL! Guess what, silly man? You're exactly like Beatlemania!

[Febs]

Originally Posted by Hoover

If he taught himself to play lefty after he was hired for the gig, I'm impressed. If he taught himself to play lefty just so he could emulate Paul McCartney more authentically he's a guy who needs to move out of his parents' basement and get a life.

This is one of the silliest things I have ever read on TalkBass.

[Steve S]

I saw them in Vegas years ago. They sound just like the records..

[tangentmusic]

Yes... Rain is the best Beatles act I have ever seen. And yes, they are now a "franchise".
Joey Curatolo is the best "Paul" they ever had. He plays righty, but once he starts singing, you overlook that detail.
Joe Bithorn playing "George" is great also. Ralph Castelli plays "Ringo" and was actually in Beatlemania in the '70's

[crijan]

I saw them in Dallas last year with a right handed bass player, which is a pet peeve of mine for Beatles tribute bands, and the guy totally blew me out of the water. His vocals, mannerisms, and even speaking voice were dead on perfect for Paul McCartney.

Reading the show program it didn't sound to me like they were a franchise, but more like a production with a rotating cast so the show can go on even if someone is sick, etc.