Meet The Beatles At New Jersey Theatre

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’s release, Glen Burtnik and Friends will be recreating the classic album in its entirety—note for note—based on the original Beatles recording (never performed “live” by the Beatles themselves). Considered to be one of the most important albums in rock and roll history, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band song highlights include “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “Fixing a Hole,” and “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”. The Smithereens will be performing the Beatles’ U.S. debut album, Meet The Beatles! Meet The Beatles! song highlights include “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “All I've Got to Do,” “All My Loving,” and “Hold Me Tight”.

The Smithereens

Brandishing heavy guitars and an unabashed fetish for British Invasion pop, The Smithereens—Pat DiNizio (vocals, guitar), Dennis Diken (drums), Jim Babjak (guitar), and Mike Mesaros (bass)—were an anomaly in the American college rock scene of the late 80s. Lead singer Pat DiNizio stood out with his catchy hooks were haunting, not punchy, and because his lyrics were morose. As time wore on, the group became more straightforward, turning into an excellent concert band, one that attacked pop songs with the weight of AC/DC.

By the end of 1980, they had independently released Girls About Town, an EP featuring four songs with “girl” in the title, which was a moderate local success. For the next three years, the group played around New Jersey and New York, not releasing another record until 1983’s Beauty and Sadness. While the EP earned some play on college radio and received a positive review in Rolling Stone, they still had trouble gaining an audience.

In 1986, the band released their debut album, the Don Dixon-produced, Especially for You, to positive reviews. On the strength of college airplay, as well as MTV's airing of “Blood and Roses”, the album became a hit, leading to a major-label contract with Capitol.

The Smithereens made their attempt for big-time album-rock success with their third album, 11. Hiring producer Ed Stasium brought a heavier guitar sound, which made “A Girl Like You” a Top 40 hit, sending 11 to gold status.

The group retains a sizable cult following which helps them tour successfully through today, with all original members. The Smithereens most recent album, Meet The Smithereens! is homage to The Beatles’ groundbreaking album, Meet The Beatles!, re-recorded in pure Smithereens style.

Glen Burtnik & Friends

Known to many New Jersey music fans as only “Glen”, Glen Burtnik is a musician whose history is filled with great musical talents. One of Burtnik’s first gigs was touring on the West Coast with the show Beatlemania as Paul McCartney. After leaving the West Coast to return to New Brunswick, Burtnik regularly performed at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. It was common for Bruce Springsteen to join Burtnik and his band in their performances on Sunday nights. During this time, another famed musician, Jon Bon Jovi asked Burtnik to join his band, though Burtnik declined. Burtnik was rewarded with his own recording contract through A & M records, but was soon asked to audition for the group Styx. Burtnik joined the group, recorded an album, wrote many of the featured songs on the album and participated in a tour with Styx in the early 1990s.

Performing alongside Burtnik will be Wings alumnus Steve Holly on drums (formerly of Paul McCartney’s band) and members of renown Beatle impersonator band Liverpool (most recognized as house band for the nationally acclaimed “Fest For Beatles Fans” formerly “Beatlefest”), as well as a surprise cast of other instrumentalists, singers, and musicians, in order to meticulously recreate this classic album “live” in concert. -- www.statetheatrenj.org