Articles
Music in the Park 2016
Saturday 9th July 2016, Halstead Town Park
Gates open at 7.00pm, Tickets £12 on the gate, £10 in advance
The Annual Fund Raising event for the Empire Theatre, and what a night in prospect...
The Stones
and supporting act Ransom
The legendary Rolling Stones were formed in London in 1962. The original line up of Brian Jones, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman was later added to, first by Mick Taylor and then by Ronnie Woods, both in turn replacing Brian Jones.
Universally known as 'The Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World', they have sold over 200 million albums worldwide, with hits such as 'Satisfaction', Start Me Up', Honky Tonk Woman' and Jumpin' Jack Flash', to name but a few - all known the world over. ‘The Stones’ are the UK’s No.1 and most authentic tribute to The Rolling Stones, bringing all the hits and timeless Rolling Stones tracks to the big stage - from ‘Satisfaction’ and ‘Jumping Jack Flash’, to ‘Ruby Tuesday’, ‘Start Me Up’ and ‘Brown Sugar’ - the Greatest Tribute Band in the World pays tribute to the World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.
With all the energy and charisma of The Rolling Stones themselves, ‘The Stones’ pay an accurate and faithful tribute to the sound and look of an authentic Rolling Stones show. Far from being simply ‘look-alikes’; though, ‘The Stones' have the closest Mick Jagger look-alike on the scene, the group also pay great attention to the sound and feel of the music, all performed with the same accuracy, passion, energy and verve of the originals.
Complete with authentic vintage instruments, costume and mannerisms, the members of ‘The Stones’ are all experienced musicians in their own right, and the group has vast experience of the world of Festivals, Theatre, Live Music Venues and also Private Functions, tailor made to each client's requirements.
Since forming in 2007, ‘The Stones’ show has grown into a full-scale Rolling Stones concert, leaving audiences mesmerised up and down the UK, Europe, and further abroad. The group have experienced audiences of over 30,000 people while headlining festivals, and also regularly tour Europe, embarking on Theatre and Festival Tours of Holland, Belgium, Germany and Spain.
‘The Stones’ perform the music of The Rolling Stones faithfully, accurately, and with all the excitement an audience expects from ‘The World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band’.
Mick Jagger - Benjamin Wattam
Ben is the frontman of The Stones, and has more than just a passing resemblance to his counterpart. Coming from Eckington, Derbyshire, Ben has been influenced by Sir Mick Jagger for many years, even before ‘The Stones’. This was due to Mick’s relatives being from Eckington and the local area. Mick’s grandmother lived and died in the same village, and Mr Jagger has been known to visit her grave from time to time, even popping into the local pubs for a drink with the locals.
Appearing on stage since the age of three has left Ben in good stead to follow in Jagger's giant footsteps. From the church and school choir, to various covers bands, he then eventually progressed into the world of Tribute Bands. His first being a tribute to The Commitments, he finally found himself with ‘The Stones’ as Mick Jagger, giving his all onstage to capture the magic and energy of one of the first and greatest front men in musical history. Ben has studied the moves and the voice of the great man himself, aiming to give an accurate and faithful interpretation of Mick Jagger in his prime.
Keith Richards - Richard Jordan
Richard Jordan plays the role of Keith. Richard has been a professional guitarist since leaving school. After travelling the world with his Brother, James, in the same Beatles Tribute Band, he found his home in The Stones and hasn't looked back. He has worked with other Tributes to artists such as Elvis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and the Travelling Wilburys, and has also spent time writing his own material, successfully recording an album which eventually appeared on iTunes.
He takes his role as Keith seriously, paying fine attention to detail with Guitars and equipment, the parts he plays, and costumes, to create the image of Keith in his prime. He has a keen interest in the Blues and early Rock and Roll.
Brian Jones / Mick Taylor – Jason Wood
Brought up on good old RnB, Rock & roll and Blues music, Jason started playing guitar at the age of 15, joining his first band at 19 and has been playing to audiences the world over ever since. Spending more than twenty years playing guitar as a ‘Cruiser’ with 60’s artist Dave Berry (Dave Berry & the Cruisers) and while working as a Cruiser backing other well-known artists such as Susan Maughan, Screaming Lord Such, Tommy Bruce, Jet Harris, Zoot Money, and Billie Davis to name but a few. Jason then ventured on to a new project with The Stones, and playing guitar in the style of two of his all-time favourite players; Mick Taylor, and Brian Jones. Jason pays a lot of attention to detail in both his playing style, and also of the instruments he uses, to keep his performance authentic.
Bill Wyman - Steve Bircumshaw
Bass was only thing Steve was interested in playing from an early age, he just loved the sound and effect of the instrument. He and friends used to pretend they were in bands as kids, making guitars out of wood in his Dad's garden shed. Steve always made a bass, painting them and miming to the top records on Pick of the Pops on the radio!
His first big influence was (dare he say!) Suzi Quattro, the only female bass player he knew of at the time. He remembers seeing her on Top Of The Pops and thinking...wow! Soon after this he started to really listen to music, and the players who influenced him began to emerge....John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, Andy Frazer of Free, Geezer Butler,but also old Motown players like Duck Dunn and Carol Kaye. It wasn't long until the Bass Guitars became real and Steve was jamming along to Status Quo, Dr Feelgood and other 70 s bands.
Steve has played in many groups over the years, both professionally and semi-professionally, but finally found his home in The Stones. Steve has spent a lot of time analysing the way Bill Wyman plays, his distinctive style, and his sound, picking up authentic Guitars and Amps along the way.
Charlie Watts - James Jordan
James is the youngest member of The Stones, and has been a professional drummer for 12 years, starting out at home playing cardboard boxes while his brother Richard played Guitar. When he turned pro aged just 15 he started his first Beatles Tribute Band, which saw worldwide success including trips to France, Belgium, Holland, Belarus and they twice embarked on a six week tour of New Zealand.
James has also performed on numerous Radio shows, and even made an appearance on BBC’s Blue Peter.
Following this James continued to work on the “Beatles scene” with different groups that saw him work on Cruise Ships, travelling around the globe and doing extensive Theatre work in the UK. He has also worked with other groups and artistes including Tributes to Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and now of course, The Stones.
For this event, we have to thank the outlets in Halstead who will be selling tickets, in advance for us, go to Steves Hardware, Hardys Menswear, Lobbs Cycles, The Icing Shop and Whispers Wine Bar, all of which will have tickets available.
In the meantime thanks you to everyone once again who supported the event in 2015...get your tickets for 2016!!!
You can also get tickets by calling the Box Office between 12 noon and 10pm daily for this event...