Local Beatles tribute band to mark ‘Rooftop Concert’ at Pike Market

January 26, 2009 1:53 pm
Local band Creme Tangerine will play a Beatles tribute to commemorate the historical 'rooftop concert' this Friday at Pike Market. From left: Dan Grant; Chuck Dorsett; Tim Mushen; Jeff Lockhart and Dustin Shirley.
Local band Creme Tangerine will play a Beatles tribute to commemorate the historical 'rooftop concert' this Friday at Pike Market. From left: Dan Grant; Chuck Dorsett; Tim Mushen; Jeff Lockhart and Dustin Shirley.

It’s the darkest, coldest part of the year and the bad economy seems to have everyone in a somber mood. So local Beatles enthusiasts Jeff Lockhart and Tim Mushen of Kirkland decided to brighten things up by recreating a little rock n’ roll history this weekend.

Forty years ago on Jan. 30, the Beatles ambled up the stairs and onto the roof to play their last public performance, famously known as the “Rooftop Concert,” to the bewilderment of the London lunchtime crowd five stories below. This Friday starting just before noon, drummer Lockhart, guitarist Mushen and the rest of their band Creme Tangerine will play the same songs from a rooftop balcony overlooking Seattle’s Pike Place Market at the Copacabana Cafe.

The idea for the free impromptu concert came when the band met up over the Christmas holidays and someone mentioned the upcoming anniversary.

“Their music – it’s the soundtrack of people’s lives,” Lockhart said. “Times are tough … We thought it would be a great way to lift some spirits and have some fun.”

The other members of Creme Tangerine include singer Dan Grant, bassist Dustin Shirley and keyboarder Chuck Dorsett.

The historic musical performance, famously emulated by a U2 music video for their 1987 hit “Where the Streets Have No Name,” will feature the same six songs the Beatles played – such as “Get Back” and “Don’t Let Me Down” – as well as a few other songs for the planned hour-long tribute. Issaquah resident rock drummer Alan White, who played with John Lennon and George Harrison in the past and is current drummer with rock band Yes, is also expected to join the performance.

In addition to the music, they’ll be introduced by former Beatles record-label manager Ken Mansfield – who witnessed the original Rooftop Concert in person — and former KBSG 97.3 rock DJ and radio personality Mark Christopher. Mansfield recently published a memoir titled The White Book (named after the Beatles album by the same name) and will sign his book inside the cafe following the event.

Over the years, the cover band has become a regular fixture at outdoor events around the Eastside, including Kirkland’s own Summer Concert Series. Their second album, “The Abbey Road Project,” is set to be released as a CD and on iTunes in April/early May.

“We’ve found a lot of people are fans of the Beatles – especially in Kirkland,” Mushen said.

For information, visit www.cremetangerine.com.