NEWBURYPORT - When Beatlejuice takes the stage at the waterfront tomorrow night, most of the same faces familiar to longtime fans of the local Beatles cover-band will be there: Boston-area music veterans and good friends John Muzzy on drums, Steve Baker on guitar, Dave Mitchell on guitar and keyboards, and Newburyport's own Joe Holaday on bass.
But there will also be a glaring absence.
Frontman Brad Delp, the former singer of Boston and the vocalist for Beatlejuice throughout its 18-year history, committed suicide in March, leaving his friends and band-mates bereft and bewildered.
"It's been really tough for everyone who knew Brad and loved him," Holaday said. "He was such a wonderful guy. He was like the anti-rockstar rockstar. There was no ego there."
But in addition to the personal loss of its friend, the band also had to confront some practical considerations: Beatlejuice had gigs booked two years in advance. Would they throw in the towel, or find a way to fulfill their existing obligations?
The band opted to carry on, beginning with a three-night May engagement in Arlington to honor Delp. A collection of friends and loved ones took turns filling the void left on lead vocals. The concerts were painful and cathartic, but also pointed a way forward, Holaday said. Over the past months, the band has continued to play with a rotation of guest singers.
And as it turns out, the decision to carry on without Delp's distinctive vocals has been the right one for the band and for its fans.
"Music is curative in its very nature," Holaday said. "We have to move ahead. These gigs like the one (tomorrow) give us a chance to revisit some of our favorite songs, and to say goodbye and thanks to everyone for supporting the band for 18 years," Holaday said.
Holaday said the guest vocalists performing with the band are all excellent, but Delp's presence is still missed.
"Those are big shoes to fill," he said. "He had a world-class voice but, more than just his instrument, he brought a loving attention to detail. He was a real Beatles geek. We always felt like we were curators in an aural museum."
Re-emersing themselves in the music they loved together, the band members remember what brought them together in the first place. Playing live concerts, they still feel the presence of their missing member.
But there will also be a glaring absence.
Frontman Brad Delp, the former singer of Boston and the vocalist for Beatlejuice throughout its 18-year history, committed suicide in March, leaving his friends and band-mates bereft and bewildered.
"It's been really tough for everyone who knew Brad and loved him," Holaday said. "He was such a wonderful guy. He was like the anti-rockstar rockstar. There was no ego there."
But in addition to the personal loss of its friend, the band also had to confront some practical considerations: Beatlejuice had gigs booked two years in advance. Would they throw in the towel, or find a way to fulfill their existing obligations?
The band opted to carry on, beginning with a three-night May engagement in Arlington to honor Delp. A collection of friends and loved ones took turns filling the void left on lead vocals. The concerts were painful and cathartic, but also pointed a way forward, Holaday said. Over the past months, the band has continued to play with a rotation of guest singers.
And as it turns out, the decision to carry on without Delp's distinctive vocals has been the right one for the band and for its fans.
"Music is curative in its very nature," Holaday said. "We have to move ahead. These gigs like the one (tomorrow) give us a chance to revisit some of our favorite songs, and to say goodbye and thanks to everyone for supporting the band for 18 years," Holaday said.
Holaday said the guest vocalists performing with the band are all excellent, but Delp's presence is still missed.
"Those are big shoes to fill," he said. "He had a world-class voice but, more than just his instrument, he brought a loving attention to detail. He was a real Beatles geek. We always felt like we were curators in an aural museum."
Re-emersing themselves in the music they loved together, the band members remember what brought them together in the first place. Playing live concerts, they still feel the presence of their missing member.
"To this day, I still have these misty moments on stage when I feel like I'm going to look up and see Brad there," Holaday said.
Beatlejuice performs
When: Tomorrow, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: Waterfront Park, Newburyport
Cost: Free
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