What do you do if your favorite legendary rock band disbands or the members begin to pass away? It’s simple: form a tribute band! A tribute band is a musical group that specializes in performing the music of a single band, usually one that is well-known. Some of the bands that have been honored are no longer performing, but others are still touring.
The Beatles are one band that has spawned dozens of tribute bands. Imitating The Beatles is big business, as evidenced by the Broadway musical Beatlemania and other shows such as 1964. It is also influenced by a passion for music.
Some Beatles cover bands simply perform the songs. Other bands imitate the original Fab Four with wigs and make-up, and hire members based on how much they sound like John, Paul, George, or Ringo. In some Beatles tribute bands, being able to keep up with The Beatles as a musician is also crucial.
Another well-known tribute band pays homage to the KISS rock band from the 1970s. These guys dress up as original members, complete with theatrical make-up, and rock out to “Dr. Love” and “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” while spitting fire from the stage in Gene Simmons’ style. Led Zeppelin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, the Monkees, and even the Osmond Brothers all have tribute bands traveling around.
The majority of what brings musicians together to form a tribute band is a shared passion for the music of one band. Many bands begin with this simple premise and go on to achieve success. Whether Elvis Presley impersonators are truly a band is a topic for another article, but they are certainly a unique genre of tribute band.
It’s also a good idea for a tribute band to hire a good lawyer just to protect their performance rights to the songs they love. An attorney can assist the band in navigating the legal quagmire of music copyrights, ensuring that their performances are legal and do not cause any issues for the venues where they perform. The tribute band is a modern variation on the venerable garage rock band, and is available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, class reunions, and occasionally, gigs in real stadiums.