Backbeat

Backbeat is a musical about the Beatles before they became the Fab Four.  It takes place in Hamburg, Germany where they play in dive bars frequented by drug addicts and hookers.  They are dressed in jeans and black biker jackets with greased back hair, looking more like Elvis.  The first song is like a blast and I said, “Whoa!”  It even hurt my ears and I can imagine how much it hurt Max’s hearing.  Since they spoke in a cockney, British or Scottish accents, I had a hard time understanding.  But I did catch a word hear and there so that I got the gist of what was going on.

Originally, Stuart Sutcliffe was brought into the band because he was a very good friend of John.  They also add Pete Best to the group.  Most of the story dealt with Stu who is really an artist, but he plays with the band because of John.  He then meets Astrid Kirchherr who tries to convince him to follow his heart.  So he is torn. He finally leaves the band and is accepted at an art school.  But it turns out that he is suffering from headaches and seizures.  He eventually passes away.  Astrid is key to their look.  She gives them the haircuts and clothes that make them famous. 

It was good to understand the background of one of the greatest bands in history.  I also enjoyed the music, especially afterwards, they got the audience on their feet and played 4-5 songs that we all sang and danced to.  At least I did…Max stood there and of course, he doesn’t shimmy.  I asked afterwards and he said he enjoyed himself.  But, “It isn’t Rigolletto”. 

Because of the intensity of the sound, I don’t know if I would see it again.