It was almost 41 years ago that The Beatles first landed on U.S. soil to ultimately become arguably one of the most influential bands of all time.

In remembrance of their music, 1964 The Tribute will play 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall.

Mark Benson, who plays the role of John Lennon in 1964 said they try and make their sound as authentic as possible.

"We've got the same amps, speakers, guitar strings and drum sticks that the Beatles used, so the sound coming off our stage is the same as theirs was," Benson said.

Gary Grimes, who plays the role of Paul McCartney, learned how to play left-handed bass just for the show and drummer Greg George learned to play right handed since Ringo had been left handed playing a right-handed drum set.

He said that, when playing the earlier Beatles songs, the band plays as if they had been playing for only a short time since the Beatles had only been together for a few years.

"You have to mimic the style of the person you're imitating," Benson said. "Even though we had been playing longer than they had played, we have to be able to emulate that kind of raw way of playing."

Professor of music and producer for the concert, Carl Rath said he has been bringing 1964 to the stage for nine years and the shows always sell out.

"You can't see them for under $20 anywhere," Rath said.

Rath said he brings the band in as part of his Beatles seminar class. He said it is a requirement for the students to go to the show. He doesn't make the students follow up the concert with an assignment, because he believes just seeing them is enough.

"For people that haven't seen them [the Beatles] before, they will be seeing them live in their minds and hearts," Rath said.

The band Midlife Crysis, to which Rath and other music professors contribute, will serve as the opening act. Rath said they play classic rock covers including The Who, Herman's Hermits and Don Henley among others. Rath calls the band, "The World's Most Educated Rock 'n' Roll Band," since most of their current and former members have a doctorate degree.

There will be a presentation at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the equipment used by the Beatles by author of "Beatles Gear," Andy Babiuk, and Beatles collector Russ Lease will be bringing part of his collection including the original drumhead used by Ringo on the "Ed Sullivan Show," glasses worn by Lennon and some written documents of the Beatles.

Rath said Lease will talk about the history of all of the items.

"He has some of the most valuable items," Rath said. "We bought the drumhead a seat on the plane."

This is a rare chance to see this memorabilia since Lease does not tour much.

"I have a really nice relationship with Carl, so I probably will come down to Oklahoma whenever he wants me to, at least for the time being," said Lease in an earlier interview. "But other than that, I don't really tour it around or exhibit myself."

1964 The Tribute was named "Best Tribute Band on Earth" by Rolling Stone last year, and Louise Harrison, sister of George, said they have "captured the essence of The Beatles live on stage."

The Ohio-based band has been together for 25 years and has been touring for 21. They currently tour around the country and recently played at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

"We thought it would just be a fun thing to do on the side. We thought we'd do it once every month or every two months," Benson said. "I think by the second year together it was full time. We never thought it would be this big."

Tickets are still available at the Fine Arts Center Ticket Office. Call 325-4101 for more information.

Visit www.1964thetribute.com for more information on 1964 The Tribute.

Student tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Adult tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
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