Rubber Soul performs at MCC Jan. 19

    Travel back to the 1960s when Meridian Community College’s Arts & Letters Series presents the group Rubber Soul in concert on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m. in the College’s McCain Theater.

    Tickets are $10, adults; $5, students, and are available at the door.

    When musicians list their influences, The Beatles are rarely overlooked. Electric guitar, bass and drum sales exploded when The Beatles hit the scene because everybody wanted to be like them. 

    Pop music as we now know it was literally “created” by The Beatles, and they were the first to play in stadiums and appear in music videos in addition to the live performances.

    Rubber Soul is a celebration of The Beatles’ music, but its performances include the visual imagery of the Beatles. Using accurate reproductions of the gear used by the Fab Four, as well as vintage equipment — Gretsch, Hofner, Epiphone, Gibson and Rickenbacker guitars, Vox amplifiers, and an original ’60’s Ludwig drum set — Rubber Soul recreates The Beatles’ sound, look and the excitement of a Beatles concert. 

    Stage banter is done with Liverpool accents, and costumes range from the black turtlenecks and jeans favored by the Fab Four in their early days at Liverpool’s Cavern Club to the famous velvet-collar suits as seen on that famous Ed Sullivan show in 1964, as well as military-influenced Shea Stadium jackets from the 1965 tour and the stylishly mod “Budokan” suits from 1966.

    Rubber Soul, named after a favorite Beatles album, was formed in 2001. A Rubber Soul performance lets the audience be transported back to the exciting days of Beatlemania!

    Rubber Soul members include Brad Johnson, rhythm guitar, harmonica and vocals; Marc Speed, bass and vocals; Steve Deaton, lead guitar and vocals; David Zettler, drums and vocals.

    Johnson is from Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, who was a big influence on The Beatles. He has the style of John Lennon down pat from his stance behind the microphone to his sometimes sarcastic but always hilarious sense of humor. Johnson’s pride and joy is a vintage Gibson J-160e guitar as used by John Lennon.

    Naturally right-handed, Speed learned to play bass left-handed so he could better present the image of Paul McCartney. His Hofner violin bass and Vox amp are identical to the gear Paul McCartney used during the Beatles’ touring days. Speed also plays guitar and keyboards.

    Deaton, a resident of Madison, grew up in a musical family, started playing at a young age and just never stopped. Even before joining Rubber Soul, George Harrison was his favorite Beatle. In addition to mastering the guitar style of the quiet Beatle, Deaton is an accomplished songwriter.

    Zettler is a drummer with a gift for comic relief. He lightens up every performance with a smile and a joke. He has played in every sort of band imaginable, and his vocals are a high point in each Rubber Soul show. The “beat” was the heart of the music of the Beatles, and Dave’s drumming dares you to stay in your seat — it makes you want to move.

    This concert is suitable for audiences of all ages. For additional information about this concert or any other Arts & Letters Series event, call (601) 484-8696.