Let It Be: The Beatles songs of Lennon & McCartney

Roy Thomson Hall, Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale to FriendsFirst on Thursday, May 22, at 10 am

Tickets on sale to the GENERAL PUBLIC on Saturday, May 24, at noon

Tickets: $74.50 ’Äì $94.50

National Arts Centre, Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale to the GENERAL PUBLIC on Friday, May 23, at 10 am

Tickets: $79.50 ’Äì $89.50

Lennon. McCartney. Rescuers of rock ’Äôn’Äô roll. Leaders of a generation. No songwriting duo ever ’Äì or since ’Äì has made such an indelible imprint not only on people around the world but also across generations. This October, Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Rik Emmett, mesmerizing singer/songwriter Damhnait Doyle, Prairie Oyster’Äôs celebrated frontman Russell deCarle and renowned multi-instrumentalist Andrew Craig come together for Let it Be, a once-in-a-lifetime concert celebrating the legacy of Lennon and McCartney.

Let it Be marks the first time these four talented vocalists will take the stage together. They will be accompanied by the 9-piece Day Tripper Band, which includes the exceptional musicianship of Canada’Äôs best touring and studio artists: Tim Bovaconti (lead guitar), Kevin Fox (cello), Blake Manning (drums), Maury LeFoy (bass), Kevin Adamson (keyboards), and Marcus Ali (saxophone). Musical Director Fergus Hambleton, best known as Sattalites’Äô front man, lends his own talents on rhythm guitar and vocals.

Let it Be features a cadre of outstanding vocalists representing a wide spectrum of musical backgrounds from gospel, and jazz to pop, rock and country. ’ÄúCanada is one of the richest and most diverse musical communities the world over and this unique collection of artists have touched every corner of that spectrum. The fact that each of these accomplished musicians has been influenced by what Lennon and McCartney gave to the world is a testament to the power of this music,’Äù Hambleton, a life-long Beatles fan, explains. ’ÄúWe are all excited about putting on a show that honours the history of this songwriting phenomenon.’Äù

John Lennon and Paul McCartney comprised the most important songwriting partnerships of the 20^th century. In total, the duo co-wrote an astonishing 23 No. 1 singles, and changed the voice of popular music forever. Some of these hits will be featured in Let it Be, including Yesterday, In My Life, Eleanor Rigby, Let It Be, Hey Jude and Magical Mystery Tour.

Produced by Phil Bathols and Andrew McKinnon, Let it Be was an unprecedented hit in their native Australia. Featuring a lineup of some of their country’Äôs beloved vocalists, including the legendary Leo Sayer, Let it Be: Australia gave audiences a unique chance to re-live the Beatles’Äô music with the help of multitalented artists who lent their style and vocal ability to some of the most famous lyrics, and who shared their own personal and captivating connections to the music of Lennon and McCartney, creating an unforgettable concert event.

Let it Be features:

Rik Emmett

One of the most proficient and eclectic guitarists of his generation, Rik Emmett is best known as a rocker with an approach that incorporates blues, jazz and classical styles. Rik is a founding member of the Canadian Hall of Fame rock band Triumph, who are heading back out on their first tour dates since '88 later this year. A versatile vocalist and recording artist he also has two new projects in the works: a follow up to the melodic-rock hit ’ÄúAirtime’Äù, with Mike Shotton, as well as a new follow-up CD to ’ÄúStrung-Out Troubadours’Äù, a duo with Dave Dunlop, which earned the 2006 Canadian Smooth Jazz Album and Group Of The Year honours.

Damhnait Doyle

An award winning artist, Damhnait Doyle has just released a new solo cd ’ÄúLights Down Low’Äù which is getting rave reviews across the country. A hit-making songwriter with covers by numerous Canadian artists and placements in film and television, Damhnait is also a member of Shaye. Damhnait has toured Canada extensively, opening for legends such as Willie Nelson and sharing the stage as special guest with Nelly Furtado, Dido and Jann Arden, among others.

Russell deCarle

Lead singer, bass player, and founding member of Prairie Oyster, one of Canada's most enduring and celebrated country groups, Russell has received the Canadian Country Music Association’Äôs All-Star Band Bass player of the year citation nine times, has earned numerous CCMA, Juno and SOCAN awards. deCarle’Äôs latest project is ’ÄúUnder The Big Big Sky’Äù, a solo album slated for release later this year. The album is produced by John Sheard and engineered by Juno Award winning L. Stu Young, known for his work on Prince's album Musicology among others.

Andrew Craig

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, director, composer, broadcaster and impresario, whose work in jazz, world music, R & B, gospel and classical music has won him acclaim in North America and abroad. He has worked with a diverse range of musical artists, including Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Measha Brueggergosman, Ashley MacIsaac and Wynton Marsalis.

LET IT BE

Roy Thomson Hall, Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale to FriendsFirst on Thursday, May 22, at 10 am

Tickets on sale to the GENERAL PUBLIC on Saturday, May 24, at noon
Tickets $74.50 - $94.50

National Arts Centre, Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 8 p.m.

Tickets on sale to NAC Members on Thursday, May 22, at 10 am

Tickets on sale to the GENERAL PUBLIC on Friday, May 23, at 10 am
Tickets $79.50 - $89.50

For tickets and information

Roy Thomson Hall National Arts Centre
60 Simcoe Street, Toronto 53 Elgin Street, Ottawa
(416) 872-4255 (613) 755-1111
www.roythomson.com www.ticketmaster.ca