British Invasion Tour 2015 from Maggie Clarke in New York

The music of the Beatlemania years and the British Invasion is living again through the British Invasion 2015 tour shows on the East Coast and Maggie Clarke, who attended shows in Rahway, New Jersey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Tarrytown, New York, told Beatles Examiner she had a fantastic time. "The show in Rahway featured many of the same players as last fall, but they changed up a lot of the songs,” she said. "And Peter Asher was also emcee and had his own part of the show He wore his CBE medal onstage in Rahway, mentioning how he'd gotten it from Prince William the day before.”

"First up was Terry Sylvester, and as Peter said, he had the enviable position of having been in three legendary British bands of the 60s. -- the Escorts, Swinging Blue Jeans, and the Hollies. He performed a couple of Hollies tunes starting with a rousing 'I Can't Let Go,' 'Just One Look' (YouTube) and 'Bus Stop,' 'The Hippy Hippy Shake,' and 'You're No Good,' which Peter Asher later mentioned he had nicked for Linda Ronstadt. He also did some lesser known covers like 'Just One Look.' The backing band was strong with Jeffrey Alan Ross, Peter's band leader, keyboardist and occasional guitarist, and Billy J. Kramer's (formerly Billy Joel's) drummer, Liberty de Vitto along with Erik Paparozzi on bass, and Brian Pothier the lead guitarist,” said.

The music of the Searchers was next on the bill. "Next up was Mike Pender of the Searchers, with his signature 12 string Rickenbacker. Singing lead, picking leads, and strutting across the stage, he did a few from the Searchers catalog and some covers, including 'Every Time That You Walk Into The Room' (by Jackie DeShannon) 'Take Me For What I'm Worth' (by PF Sloan), 'Don't Throw Your Love Away,' 'Needles and Pins,' and 'Love Potion Number Nine.'

”Next came Chad & Jeremy, the only British Invasion act that is still intact. "As a duo they started with 'You Are She,' followed with'Distant Shores' after some stories about being on the 'Batman,' TV series, and Chad living near Adam West, then 'Willow Weep For Me,' and Jeremy's song, 'For a While There' off his new CD, 'Bottom Drawer Sessions No.1'. They ended with 'Yesterday's Gone' and 'Summer Song.'”She said the show then took an intermission break. When it resumed, Peter Asher talked a little more about musical history, including the role of rhythm and blues in 1960s groups. "He then mentioned Denny Laine, who then came on stage, and the early Moody Blues as one of the best. Laine started with 'I'll Go Crazy,' which was originally written by James Brown, 'Lose Your Money' and an early Moodies tune, 'Say You Don't Mind,' written for Colin Blunstone who had a #1 with it, and then performed 'Go Now.'

"Billy J Kramer came next on the show with the longest set of the night, she said. "He was the most active performer, commanding the stage, and in one case, the audience, too, and going down the steps up and down the aisles and across in front of the front row, inches from me. He started with "I Won The Fight" from his latest CD, then sang 'I'll Keep You Satisfied,' 'From a Window,' 'I Call Your Name,' 'To Liverpool With Love,' also off his new CD, 'Little Children,' 'Bad to Me,' 'Trains, Boats and Planes,' and ended with a powerful rendition of the Walker Brothers' 'The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore.'

”Closing the show was Peter Asher. "He performed most of the Peter and Gordon hits: 'I Go to Pieces,' 'Nobody I Know,' 'I Don't Want to See You Again,' 'Lady Godiva' with Peter on banjolele, and ending with 'World Without Love.'” She said the show at Rahway, which had a big screen available, had a multimedia show going on through the show much like the Monkees tour. It also featured Peter Asher singing an electronic duet with Gordon Waller on "True Love Ways.” The encore number was "Band on the Run,” with Denny and the band playing the opening riff that he wrote. Peter adding his acoustic guitar, and then the rest of the performers taking to the stage starting with the first chorus.

She said the Lancaster show, two days after Rahway, almost didn't happen because of airline problems. The show started a half hour late.

The third and final British Invasion show Clarke saw was in Tarrytown and she says it was the best one. "I had a great second row seat just off center. The sound was the best, and the background harmonies were stronger too.

"The tour continues with five more dates: March 4 in Kent, Ohio; March 6 in Milwaukee; March 7 in Chicago; March 8 in Minneapolis and March 9 in Seattle.

Set list: Terry Sylvester, "I Can't Let Go,” "Bus Stop,” "Just One Look,” "You're No Good,” "The Hippy Hippy Shake.” Mike Pender, "Every Time That You Walk Into The Room,” "Take Me For What I'm Worth, "Don't Throw Your Love Away,” "Needles and Pins,” "Love Potion No. 9.” Chad & Jeremy, (as a duo) "You Are She”, "Distant Shores,” "Willow Weep For Me, Jeremy's new song, "For A While There,” "Yesterday's Gone” and "Summer Song.” Denny Laine, "I'll Go Crazy,” Lose Your Money (an early Moodies tune), "Say You Don't Mind,” "Go Now.” Billy J Kramer, "I Won the Fight," "I'll Keep You Satisfied,,” "From a Window,” "I Call Your Name,,” To Liverpool With Love,” "Little Children,” "Bad to Me,” "Trains, Boats and Planes,” "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore.” Peter Asher, "I Go To Pieces,” I Don't Want To See You Again,” "Nobody I Know,” "Lady Godiva,”World Without Love.” (When screen was available, Peter sang electronic duet of "True Love Ways” with Gordon Waller.) Finale, "Band on the Run.”

Review by Maggie Clarke in New York