The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The debate over the relative greatness of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has been going on ever since they first crossed paths on the charts 54 years ago.

The argument at the time, and one that still persists, was that the Beatles were a pop group and the Stones were a rock band: the boys next door vs. the bad boys of rock.

So who’s better? These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage, throwdown — a musical showdown if you will — on Tuesday, February 18 at the Tower Theatre courtesy of tribute bands Abbey Road and Satisfaction — The International Rolling Stones Show.

The show has played to capacity audiences at the Tower Theatre in each of the last three years.

Taking the side of the Fab Four is Abbey Road, one of the country’s top Beatles tribute bands. With brilliant musicianship and authentic costumes and gear, Abbey Road plays beloved songs spanning the Beatles’ career. They face off against renowned Stones tribute band Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show, who offer a faithful rendition of the music and style of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the bad boys of the British Invasion.

Where did the idea for the show come from?

“Music fans never had a chance to see the Beatles and the Rolling Stones perform on the same marquee,” said Chris LeGrand, who plays Mick Jagger in the show.

“Now, music aficionados can watch this debate play out on stage.”

The Bend show is part of a 125-stop tour of the U.S., Australia and Canada and has been touring since 2011. The show also performs long-term residencies for a number of the Harrah’s Casino properties. The production includes some of the more popular songs from the two rock pioneers and covers the scope of their musical careers, although the set list for Satisfaction usually includes Rolling Stones songs up to the 1980s.

“They certainly have more pop songs but we’re a really great live show. The fans are in for an incredible night of music!” said LeGrand.

During the two-hour show, the bands perform three sets each, trading places in quick set changes and ending the night with an all-out encore involving both bands. The band members have their outfits custom-made, since avid fans know exactly what the Beatles and Stones wore onstage during different time periods in their careers. There’s a lot of good-natured jabbing between the bands as well.

“Without Beatlemania, the Stones might still be a cover band in London,” said Chris Overall, who plays Paul. “There’s no question that the Beatles set the standard.

“It’s just a fun time and a cool back-and-forth nonstop show,” Overall said.

“We’re going to bring it all. It’s going to be an evening of high-energy music,” said LeGrand.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 to $75 and available online at www.towertheatre.org, or 541-317-0700 or at the Theatre Box Office. The Tower Theatre is located at 835 NW Wall St. in downtown Bend. The show is appropriate for all ages.