Post by wingsj0 on May 3, 2006 19:55:29 GMT
2005 International BeatleWeek Special.
International Beatles Week wouldn’t be the same without Bob Bartey’s Banned On The Run. This much loved musician from Halifax has been paying tribute to his musical hero Paul McCartney for the past twenty years. Bob Bartey doesn’t try to be a Paul McCartney look alike however hundreds of McCa fans who attend Beatle Week agree he dose have Paul’s doe eyes and his voice to perfection.
Banned On The Run have rocked audiences up and down the country and have played to packed arenas around the world, as well as headlining at the world famous Beatles Festival in Liverpool each year.
They have recorded in Studio 2 at Abbey Road, with top producer Will Schillinger and shared the same stage as members of Wings too. And while Sir Paul was rocking the Mersey on his 2003 tour, Banned on The Run were asked to keep the party going long into the night at The Cavern after the show. (We at the Beat Goes On And On attended both gigs, and a splendid time was had by all. Ed) Just recently the band gained even more fans by supporting sensation McFly and Lamar during Liverpool’s Summer Pops. In October of last year I managed to catch up with Bob Bartey to talk about all things, Beatles, Wings, and to find out what he thinks about International Beatles Week.
Banned On The Run - International Beatlesweek 1996. - Too Many People - Paul McCartney and Wings.
Banned On The Run: International Beatlesweek 2005 - Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles.
How old where you when you first encountered the music of The Beatles and why was it such a memorable event?
Bob Bartey: I was eight years old when The Beatles first hit the scene….I had been into music previously Elvis, Cliff Richard Adam Faith and the rest of the “stars” of that period. When I first heard The Beatles I was knocked sideways they just blew everything else away it was a magical time…
What is it about the Beatles music you love?
Bob Bartey: Everything, there’s so much variety, something for everyone.
What is it about Beatles and Wings you love?
Bob Bartey: I’m a big Beatles fan so I was obviously kept the interest going when they split up. Their solo output blew me away again! Plus I was a bit older too which meant that their music was present in the bars and clubs that I frequented and I actually got to see Wings live at Wembley Arena in 1976.
How old where you when you discovered you had the ability to play an instrument and who influenced it?
Bob Bartey: I was always interested in playing an instrument but could never discipline myself to learn. After I saw Wings live that was the moment when I made a definite decision to learn the guitar. Nothing intense just got a mate to show me a couple of chords and picked the rest up myself. I will never be a great musician but then I never wanted to be, just wanted to play a few tunes I liked.
Can you remember the first Beatle/Wings song that you learnt to play and how did it feel?
Bob Bartey: It was ‘Baby It’s You’ from the Please Please Me album. I figured that if I started with the early stuff then I would have a better chance of picking them up by ear, and I haven’t progressed really as I still do that now!!
How did you meet the new line-up of Banned On The Run?
Bob Bartey: Just through mutual friends really.
Your shows in Liverpool were awesome. How long dose it take you to compile a set list for Beatle Week?
Bob Bartey: It varies a lot. This year came together quite quickly. I find myself having to go more and more obscure as more and more bands are coming on the scene doing solo stuff! Not that I mind, it gives me a chance to try songs that I normally wouldn’t consider.
Why is it important to you as a band to keep the sound of the Beatles/Wings/Paul McCartney alive?
Bob Bartey: Purely selfish I’m afraid. I love the stuff so much that it doesn’t interest me to do anything else. There is so much material there to do I haven’t got time to do anything else!
What dose playing at International Beatle Week mean to Banned On The Run?
Bob Bartey: Ahh this is the one….It’s the appreciation that you just don’t get anywhere else. I’m a fan just like everybody else that attends and it’s the best party I’ve ever been to!
If you where asked to describe Beatle Week to someone who had never been to the festival before, what would you tell them?
Bob Bartey: The best party ever with the best party dwellers ever!
What’s the highlight of Beatle Week for you?
Bob Bartey: Ha…Ha…Too many to count!!
Who were your favourite bands from Beatle Week 2005?
Bob Bartey: Fab Faux, Rutles, Lawrence and his new band, Ringer and many that I saw and don’t know who they were. Oh and Rock’s Off, and of course the Queen band. I missed The Beatbrothers show this year because of gig time problems but I think they are important as they are the future of Beatleweek. All the young bands have so much energy!! I like The Prellies too…I’ll stop because this could go on……..
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Bob Bartey: What career?? I have an outstanding memory, headlining a show with Henry McCullough, Denny Siewell, Steve Holley, Howie Casey…that’s a great memory. I also remember with some fondness the first convention I ever did….in 1988!!! I remember thinking how BIG the whole event seemed…..ha…..ha….
Why do you think the Beatles music has stood the test of time?
Bob Bartey: Simple…it’s GREAT music.
If you were asked to describe Banned On The Run’s show how would you word it?
Bob Bartey: I’m having problems with that myself……answers on a postcard please.
Where can people who attend Beatle Week, and the one’s who love the sounds of the 60’s see you live?
Bob Bartey: Just keep checking the web site www.bannedontherun.co.uk though I don’t know how long I’ll live for!!
Who is your favourite Beatle and why?
Bob Bartey: I haven’t really got one, I like them all for different reasons. I like Paul’s solo work obviously, but then I like John’s better. Sometimes I’m really into George’s solo stuff…and Ringo is Ringo.
I’d like to thank ‘Bob Bartey’ for taking time out to answer my questions, and before I close (I’ve have a request.) (Sally G).
Jo Rishton
With Bob Bartey
Official Site: www.bannedontherun.co.uk
[Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
To book tickets or to find out more about International Beatles Week visit here: www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk/beatleweek
International Beatles Week wouldn’t be the same without Bob Bartey’s Banned On The Run. This much loved musician from Halifax has been paying tribute to his musical hero Paul McCartney for the past twenty years. Bob Bartey doesn’t try to be a Paul McCartney look alike however hundreds of McCa fans who attend Beatle Week agree he dose have Paul’s doe eyes and his voice to perfection.
Banned On The Run have rocked audiences up and down the country and have played to packed arenas around the world, as well as headlining at the world famous Beatles Festival in Liverpool each year.
They have recorded in Studio 2 at Abbey Road, with top producer Will Schillinger and shared the same stage as members of Wings too. And while Sir Paul was rocking the Mersey on his 2003 tour, Banned on The Run were asked to keep the party going long into the night at The Cavern after the show. (We at the Beat Goes On And On attended both gigs, and a splendid time was had by all. Ed) Just recently the band gained even more fans by supporting sensation McFly and Lamar during Liverpool’s Summer Pops. In October of last year I managed to catch up with Bob Bartey to talk about all things, Beatles, Wings, and to find out what he thinks about International Beatles Week.
Banned On The Run - International Beatlesweek 1996. - Too Many People - Paul McCartney and Wings.
Banned On The Run: International Beatlesweek 2005 - Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles.
How old where you when you first encountered the music of The Beatles and why was it such a memorable event?
Bob Bartey: I was eight years old when The Beatles first hit the scene….I had been into music previously Elvis, Cliff Richard Adam Faith and the rest of the “stars” of that period. When I first heard The Beatles I was knocked sideways they just blew everything else away it was a magical time…
What is it about the Beatles music you love?
Bob Bartey: Everything, there’s so much variety, something for everyone.
What is it about Beatles and Wings you love?
Bob Bartey: I’m a big Beatles fan so I was obviously kept the interest going when they split up. Their solo output blew me away again! Plus I was a bit older too which meant that their music was present in the bars and clubs that I frequented and I actually got to see Wings live at Wembley Arena in 1976.
How old where you when you discovered you had the ability to play an instrument and who influenced it?
Bob Bartey: I was always interested in playing an instrument but could never discipline myself to learn. After I saw Wings live that was the moment when I made a definite decision to learn the guitar. Nothing intense just got a mate to show me a couple of chords and picked the rest up myself. I will never be a great musician but then I never wanted to be, just wanted to play a few tunes I liked.
Can you remember the first Beatle/Wings song that you learnt to play and how did it feel?
Bob Bartey: It was ‘Baby It’s You’ from the Please Please Me album. I figured that if I started with the early stuff then I would have a better chance of picking them up by ear, and I haven’t progressed really as I still do that now!!
How did you meet the new line-up of Banned On The Run?
Bob Bartey: Just through mutual friends really.
Your shows in Liverpool were awesome. How long dose it take you to compile a set list for Beatle Week?
Bob Bartey: It varies a lot. This year came together quite quickly. I find myself having to go more and more obscure as more and more bands are coming on the scene doing solo stuff! Not that I mind, it gives me a chance to try songs that I normally wouldn’t consider.
Why is it important to you as a band to keep the sound of the Beatles/Wings/Paul McCartney alive?
Bob Bartey: Purely selfish I’m afraid. I love the stuff so much that it doesn’t interest me to do anything else. There is so much material there to do I haven’t got time to do anything else!
What dose playing at International Beatle Week mean to Banned On The Run?
Bob Bartey: Ahh this is the one….It’s the appreciation that you just don’t get anywhere else. I’m a fan just like everybody else that attends and it’s the best party I’ve ever been to!
If you where asked to describe Beatle Week to someone who had never been to the festival before, what would you tell them?
Bob Bartey: The best party ever with the best party dwellers ever!
What’s the highlight of Beatle Week for you?
Bob Bartey: Ha…Ha…Too many to count!!
Who were your favourite bands from Beatle Week 2005?
Bob Bartey: Fab Faux, Rutles, Lawrence and his new band, Ringer and many that I saw and don’t know who they were. Oh and Rock’s Off, and of course the Queen band. I missed The Beatbrothers show this year because of gig time problems but I think they are important as they are the future of Beatleweek. All the young bands have so much energy!! I like The Prellies too…I’ll stop because this could go on……..
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Bob Bartey: What career?? I have an outstanding memory, headlining a show with Henry McCullough, Denny Siewell, Steve Holley, Howie Casey…that’s a great memory. I also remember with some fondness the first convention I ever did….in 1988!!! I remember thinking how BIG the whole event seemed…..ha…..ha….
Why do you think the Beatles music has stood the test of time?
Bob Bartey: Simple…it’s GREAT music.
If you were asked to describe Banned On The Run’s show how would you word it?
Bob Bartey: I’m having problems with that myself……answers on a postcard please.
Where can people who attend Beatle Week, and the one’s who love the sounds of the 60’s see you live?
Bob Bartey: Just keep checking the web site www.bannedontherun.co.uk though I don’t know how long I’ll live for!!
Who is your favourite Beatle and why?
Bob Bartey: I haven’t really got one, I like them all for different reasons. I like Paul’s solo work obviously, but then I like John’s better. Sometimes I’m really into George’s solo stuff…and Ringo is Ringo.
I’d like to thank ‘Bob Bartey’ for taking time out to answer my questions, and before I close (I’ve have a request.) (Sally G).
Jo Rishton
With Bob Bartey
Official Site: www.bannedontherun.co.uk
[Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
To book tickets or to find out more about International Beatles Week visit here: www.cavern-liverpool.co.uk/beatleweek