BeatleTracks Band

 

MEET THE FAB BAND

 

 

Photo by Genna Sandler

www.gennasandlerphotography.com

 

 

 

KEN SANDLER

Rhythm Guitar and Vocals

Along with being the bands rhythm guitarist, Ken is also the founder and leader of the band.  Since 2002 when Ken started working on building a Beatles tribute band, it has been Ken's vision, leadership, and persistence that has driven the band forward each year to greater successes.  Ken brings solid vocals to the band along with expert "John Lennon style" rhythm guitar, which his has played all his life.

 “I picked up my first guitar at age five and I’ve been playing ever since.  I’ll never forget that night watching the appearance Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in my living room on my family’s little black and white TV.  I could hardly contain my excitement.  The Beatles have had a huge influence on me as a guitarist and singer.  I’ve been playing and singing these songs most of my life.  Since that Ed Sullivan show, I’ve wanted to be in a band playing Beatles music.  Playing in a Beatles band and re-creating this great music continues to be a lifelong passion for me.”

 

 

 

Photo by Genna Sandler

 

 

 

 

JOHN HABERSTRÖH

Bass Guitar, Vocals, Beatles Trivia, and MC

Along with being the band’s rock solid bassist and singer, John Haberstroh is a walking Beatles encyclopedia.  Audiences love his interaction with Beatles Trivia and slide show!  Check out John's BeatleTracks blog http://blog.beatletracksband.com  John truly captures the style of Paul McCartney's bass style, even playing most bass licks with a pick.  John owns several bass models that were used by the Beatles and uses them in our shows!

“My first exposure to the Beatles was in 1964 during the Invasion.  I was aware of the I Want to Hold Your Hand and She Loves You hits, but then life intruded and for some odd reason I zoned out on the Beatles until 1969.  In the meantime, I started trombone lessons in 5th grade and remained on lessons for 5 years getting a solid background in F clef and general music theory.  The summer of 1969 rolled around.  It was a mid-August afternoon and my buddy played this song and I made him play it two more times. I was shocked.  “What was that!?”  I finally asked.  He said “Eleanor Rigby.”  His brother then played Sgt. Pepper and that was it, I turned into a Beatlmaniac on the spot.  Depending on what author you read, this was about the time Lennon quit and the Beatles folded.  I began playing a cheap 6 string at the time and by 1973, I bought my first cheap bass guitar since I really wanted to play was bass and began teaching myself.  I continued with the 6 string and took it from there.  I played in dozens of bands throughout the years and even found time to become a chiropractor in 1983 Boston Spine Clinics).  I also have recorded a number of original songs over the years, one of which was a number one hit in several countries called "Pride."  It is a reggae piece.  I had started collecting bass guitars including my vintage Hofner that I picked up in 1974.  In 1989 I moved to Boston and eventually made my way into BeatleTracks together with my guitars, amps and the still exciting thrill and magic of listening to and playing Beatles music.”

 

Photo by Genna Sandler

 

 

 

 

BRIAN PIKE
Lead Guitar, Harmonica and Vocals

Brian Pike brings an unmatched excellence to Beatles lead guitar performing George Harrison’s riffs to a tee. He also plays great harmonica. Audiences delight at the live harmonica in Love Me Do.


“My first recollection of hearing The Beatles was when I was 5 years old and my older sister received the Rubber Soul album for her birthday. But it wasn’t until I was 14 when my older brother returned from his first semester of college and played the “White Album” for me that I became a Beatlemaniac. I decided then I wanted to play the guitar, and bought a Beatles songbook to teach myself how to play. I’ve been playing their music for over thirty (!) years now, and continue to find it just as exciting as when I first started playing. I’ve been very fortunate to hook up with a great group of people who are involved in recreating some of the greatest
music ever written, and have loads of fun doing it to boot! Yeah! (Yeah, Yeah!)

We call him "our George"

 

 

Photo by Genna Sandler

 

 

 

BILL BETZ

 

Drums and Percussion

Bill Betz is a highly skilled drummer and percussionist.  Bill expertly brings Ringo’s drumming style to BeatleTracks, never overplaying the parts.

Bill has been playing drums since grade school.  He has been playing in bands of various styles since the 60’s and has been a Beatles fan since the early days.  Bill studied percussion at Ithaca College and is interested in a wide range of musical styles.  He loves Ringo’s minimalist approach and strives to present the same level of intelligent backbeat and fills to the BeatleTracks song list. “Ringo’s playing is so natural and unforced.  He makes an essential contribution to each song’s structure and feel.”  Bill enjoys playing with BeatleTracks and looks forward to sharing this music with as many Beatles fans as possible.

 

 

Photo by Genna Sandler

 

 

 

CAROLINE KILLOH

 

Keyboards and Vocals

 

Caroline Killoh is a highly accomplished keyboards player and by far one of the best.  She is truly "the best" that BeatleTracks has ever had the pleasure of working with!

 

“Growing up in a very musical household set the foundation for my lifelong obsession with playing piano.  As a teen, I got the bug to play rock and roll and haven’t really turned back since.  My earliest Beatles memory is at about age 8 singing the backup part to Help! with my friend Chrissy while she sang lead on a drive up to a family vacation.  My father bought me a Paul McCartney piano book, which I wore out in high school.  Why they don’t make those books spiral bound I’ll never figure out!  I’ve been playing in bands since 1985.  What amazes me about the Beatles is their broad range of style, which makes playing keyboards really interesting.  My favorite material is that which includes Billy Preston on the keys because I feel he added so much to the Beatles’ recordings.  My dream is to have a studio space large enough to house all of my analog keyboards including my Hammond Colonnade, 1975 Rhodes Mark I Stage 73, and my someday inherited Steinway baby grand!”

 

 

 

Photo by Genna Sandler

 

 

VINCE CAVASENO

 

Vocals, Percussion, Harmonica and Guitar

 

Along with bringing his own refined vocals to the band (truly one of the best vocalists in the band), Vince Cavaseno is an expert in Beatles vocal harmonies.  Vince studies every detail and nuance of the originals and brings them to life for  BeatleTracks.

 

“I started singing on the streets in Queens, NY…wherever we could find a good echo. Beside the doo-wop groups of the ‘50s, my earliest influences were Elvis and Duane Eddy. When the Beatles arrived in America, I knew it was a whole new game. I’m sometimes accused of being a fan of only one group—and that’s not far from the truth. I’m thrilled to have found a group of like-minded individuals who cherish and preserve the sound of the Fab Four. Their melodies and harmonies continue to turn me on and I delight in our ability to recreate them. I’m always asked the time-worn question: who’s your favorite Beatle. My answer: they all are”

 

 

 

BeatleTracks Behind the Scenes

Lisa Sandler: BeatleTracks Business Manager, LCS Management Bookings

Band Sound Engineer: Fred Boucher

BeatleTracks Band

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