Sixties supergroup the Beatles were an international phenomenon, but in Communist China, which was in the grip of the Cultural Revolution, few would have been aware of their existence.
Fast-forward 50 years however, and a group of expats known as the Beijing Beatles are spreading the love for the Fab Four right across this vast country.
The tribute band – who go by the stage names John, Paul, George and Gringo – have played close to 250 gigs in 20 Chinese cities since forming in 2010.
Frontman Ian Burns (John), who hails from Billingham in north-east England and runs a graphic design company in China, explained that the group was set up after they spotted a "four-headed gap in the market". It slowly started building up a following among Chinese and expats fans alike.
The Beijing Beatles (thebeijingbeatles.com) are so realistic that some Chinese believe they are the real Fab Four. Burns, 49, said: "It’s quite surreal to be honest. We played a gig a few days ago in Guangzhou and as I walked off the stage a Chinese guy asked me to sign his shirt! What do you do?’’ Full story...
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Fast-forward 50 years however, and a group of expats known as the Beijing Beatles are spreading the love for the Fab Four right across this vast country.
The tribute band – who go by the stage names John, Paul, George and Gringo – have played close to 250 gigs in 20 Chinese cities since forming in 2010.
Frontman Ian Burns (John), who hails from Billingham in north-east England and runs a graphic design company in China, explained that the group was set up after they spotted a "four-headed gap in the market". It slowly started building up a following among Chinese and expats fans alike.
The Beijing Beatles (thebeijingbeatles.com) are so realistic that some Chinese believe they are the real Fab Four. Burns, 49, said: "It’s quite surreal to be honest. We played a gig a few days ago in Guangzhou and as I walked off the stage a Chinese guy asked me to sign his shirt! What do you do?’’ Full story...
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