tribute acts, off topic - nothing to do with itm

[john]

i picked up a record years ago called 'sounds like bowie'
it's a bowie soundalike doing hits up until about 77 which i think is about when it came out
what i'm interested to know is if this sort of 'tribute' act existed before
i'm sure we're all familiar with abba/beatles/stones/floyd inspired acts who make a living out of performing live long after the acts they're copying have disbanded or died (with the exception of the stones who are still going strong)
also there were a series of facsimile recordings in the seventies like the 'top of pops' ones where the performers (studio musicians) did their best to play note-perfect covers of hits like bohemian rhapsody but i think the reason for these had something to do with producing cheap compilation records before the likes of 'now here's what i called music' (up to about no. 80 now i think)
anyway could anyone enlighten me as to the history of tribute acts - i tend to think of it as a 90s phenomenon - am i wrong?

[chas]

Around the same time (mid-late 70's), I remember seeing a very good Steely Dan cover band. I don't remember thinking the idea of a tribute band being especially novel; this one stood out because they were so doing music that was more interesting/complex than your standard pop.

[s1m0n]

The proper arena of tribute acts is the bar, not the recording studio. The point was to reproduce the experience of going to the imitatee's stage show.

Unusually for rock, extra style points get awarded for wit & wordplay in the tribute band's name (cf Bjorn Again, the Abba Tribute act). This kind of humour has been a big part of country since Hank, but it's rare in pop or rock.

[Denny]

[brewerpaul]

I'm a fan of Hayseed Dixie, which is a bluegrass AC/DC tribute band. They don't just reproduce the old songs though-- they treat them to some kickass bluegrass chops, creating a whole new thing.

[Denny]

more of a cover band than tribute maybe.

I like a lot of the stuff that bluegrass has redone.

[john]

reminds me of a zep covers band called dread zeppelin who also don't do straight covers

[Whistling Willie]

Have only seen one tribute act and I can't remember their name but they were a Beatles act on in Belfast one night and they were fantastic.Costume changes the whole way through reflecting the different styles that Beatles went through.

[Denny]

"Rain" or "The Return"?

[dwest]

Clarence Giddens is the Black Elvis form the Eastern Shore Of Virginia, much better than the "original." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MogeIMX ... tube_gdata

[The Weekenders]

Clarence Giddens is the Black Elvis form the Eastern Shore Of Virginia, much better than the "original." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MogeIMX ... tube_gdata

I think that's hyperbole but he is pretty good. It would take a lot of songs to prove that point. Elvis had one of the most interesting voices ever and he was endlessly inventive with it. Elvis' voice also had a velvety side that the video doesn't demonstrate with this guy, though I know the sound quality is just Net-ty.. It is logical that a black guy could cover him best because that's the style he sang.

I know that Elvis' schtick and his descent into his own caricature (and come to think of it, Michael Jackson did something similar) is off-putting and I am not of the school of idolizing him with velvet paintings and conspiracy theories. But Elvis really had an incredible, unique voice and great singing talent. I have an almost identical respect for Patsy Cline, though she never got so melodramatic before her death. Both could sing anything popular and find something interesting to do with it.

[Denny]

atta boy!!

[mutepointe]

abba/beatles/stones/floyd

I'm still composing myself and trying to come up with some reason why you would group Pink Floyd with anyone else. Could someone please get me a glass a water and an aspirin?

[BillChin]

Here in Southern California, tribute bands and acts are quite popular at outdoor fairs and such. At most of these events, the music is background. Having familiar music is usually much more popular than original music. Part of it is demographics. The majority of the population is baby boomers and they like their old music.

Heck, even on the major concert circuit, the top money makers include many 20, 30, even 40 year old acts.

[brianormond]

-Saw a 50's/60's pop/rock cover band in Washington state a few years ago whose music was good and danceable. Musicianship & vocals- all fine. They followed headliners Mark O'Connor & Frank Vignola playing Hot Club swing but we weren't so receptive to them after watching Mark & Frank first. The volume was too abrasive after such sweet acoustic sets from Mark & Frank so we didn't stick around.

-Now James Brown is gone Frank Vignola may be the hardest working man in show business. There should be a cabinet position of Fretboard General. I'd nominate Frank for it and be confident of bipartisan support. If rejected then a nomination of Duke Robillard would succeed.



*edited to remedy flagrant misuse of "whom"