By Holly Leber
Staff Writer
On Feb. 9, 1964, in a living room in Rochester, N.Y., 13-year-old Bob Bernhardt was glued to the television as the Beatles made their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” thus marking the beginning of the British Invasion.
Now, 46 years later, Bernhardt is leading the Beatles in concert.
Sort of.
Bernhardt will take the baton when guest artists Classical Mystery Tour, a foursome of Beatles look- and sound-alikes, join the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera for “BeatleMania!”
“Hear ‘Penny Lane’ with a live trumpet section; experience the beauty of ‘Yesterday’ with an acoustic guitar and string quartet; enjoy the rock/classical blend on the hard-edged ‘I Am the Walrus,’ ” reads a news release put out by the CSO. “From early Beatles music on through the solo years, Classical Mystery Tour is the best of The Beatles like you’ve never heard them: totally live.”
Although the full set list is being kept under wraps, the evening will include some requests from the CSO’s maestro himself, including “Dear Prudence,” “Lady Madonna,” “Martha, My Dear,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
“Some of my greatest musical inspirations in my teen years came from the Beatles,” said Bernhardt, who studied classical music and took piano lessons as an adolescent. “It kind of made me see that it’s all music, and it’s all worthy.”
IF YOU GO
* What: “BeatleMania!” featuring Classical Mystery Tour with CSO.
* When: 8 p.m. Saturday.
* Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.
* Admission: $19-$78.
* Phone: 267-8583.
* Website: chattanoogasymphony.org.
WHO THEY ARE
* Jim Owen (John Lennon): rhythm guitar, piano, vocals.
* Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney): bass guitar, piano, vocals.
* John Brosnan (George Harrison): lead guitar, vocals.
* Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr): drums, vocals.