If John Lennon were alive — and turning 80 on Oct. 9 — it’s highly unlikely he would still be gallivanting around the world.
Touring? Definitely for the almost-spry 78-year-old Paul McCartney.
The only touring half of one of history’s greatest songwriting duos would be doing is likely around his garden, hints Drew Harrison, a Lennon-o-phile who portrays the late Beatle not only in the tribute band, The Sun Kings, but with the nine-piece Plastic Fauxno Band.
“I don’t think John would be doing what McCartney does,” said Harrison.
As an octogenarian, “he probably wouldn’t be singing,” Harrison said, musing that it’s anyone’s guess what Lennon would be doing 40 years after he was assassinated Dec. 8, 1980.
“You might find him wasting away at the craps table at some Denny’s in Reno,” joked Harrison.
Actually, more likely contemplating global challenges with surviving peers.
“He was a pretty intelligent guy and a voracious reader,” Harrison said. “And though he would probably be off the grid, Lennon never lacked for having an opinion, so we might have seen him on a TV show or something. He would be happy speaking about any topic.”
Harrison, 59, was a kid when he became interested in the music of the Beatles. With striking Lennon-like features, he gravitated to the guitarist and vocalist. And, with the Plastic Fauxno Band, he turns the spotlight on Lennon’s own songs with a live-stream “Love Is the Answer: The Music & Legacy of John Lennon” birthday concert from the Downtown Theatre in Fairfield.
The Alameda resident is preparing for the performance and, expecting an audience from all corners of the globe, will even dye his hair. This time it’s not personal, Harrison said.
“I don’t mind the gray. But nobody wants a gray Lennon,” said Harrison, acknowledging the intense rehearsals going into the Oct. 9 production.
“I’m expecting a lot of people to watch this,” Harrison said. “This is the show I think John might have given … his original material.”
Harrison said he’s assembled musicians “who are far more talented than I am,” including: Grammy-nominated vocalist Tammi Brown; guitarist/vocalist Mark Blasquez of Fleetwood Mask; keyboardist/vocalist Tony Stead, who played with Tommy Castro and Sly & The Family Stone; sax player Rob Sudduth, formerly with the Doobie Brothers and Huey Lewis & The News; bass player Scott Southard of the Sun Kings; vocalist Alisah Ripatti; percussionist Mike Shiplet; and drummer Donn Spindt.
Yes, emphasized Harrison, the musicians will be socially-distanced on the vast Downtown Theatre stage. And yes, there won’t be anyone in the audience other than the sound, lighting and video crew.
“You have to imagine the audience is there. That, in turn, gives you the energy,” Harrison said. “I’m one of those performers that gets charged by the audience being there. My energy comes from that.”
As producer, the concert expenses fall on Harrison “so there are a lot of hats,” he said. “At some point, I have to let go and just think, ‘I’ve done the best I can’ and hope for the best. Bands aren’t just about one guy or one guy. It’s about the team.”
The 6:30 p.m. concert is a ticketed event, but it’s free, although viewers are encouraged to donate something during the performance. Harrison hoped to minimize expenses via IndieGoGo crowdfunding, with various levels that range from earning a T-shirt to an in-person home concert by Harrison.
With nobody in the seats, “it’s work,” Harrison said. “And there’s cameras all around you; there’s the technical crew in front of you.”
Since Harrison has done a handful of live-streamed concerts, “I’ve gotten used to communicating with nobody,” he said. “And turning 60 next year, I’ve gotten used to talking to myself. So the older I get, the better.”
Harrison attended a half-dozen conventions last year promoting the Plastic Fauxno Band and landed a several gigs from the legwork.
Then came the pandemic.
“The COVID howitzer hit and just blew that out of the water,” Harrison said.
Because of the virus, the Fauxno Band is somehow rehearsing via Zoom meetings before doing the real rehearsals at Sound Wave in Oakland.
Harrison said it will be a night of celebrating Lennon and his music — not a somber evening recalling his tragic death.
“We all have an end date and his was too soon,” Harrison said. “We all know it, so I don’t make any reference to it during the show. It’s absolutely about celebrating the music.”
“Love is The Answer: The Music & Legacy of John Lennon” with the Plastic Fauxno Band celebrating Lennon’s 80th birthday, Friday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m., live-streamed from the Downtown Theatre, Fairfield. Free ticket at ftpresents.com/events; Indiegogo Crowdfunding: igg.me/at/lennon80th; and info at plasticfauxnoband.com and drewharrison.com.
