05 Oct 2026
It takes Gordon Elsmore 90 minutes in make-up to get ready to play Ringo Starr, writes Deborah Heath.
Just to get the nose right involves silicone glue, primer and foundation. In fact, he says, “A show can last a fraction of the times it takes to get ready!” To me, this sums up what makes The Bootleg Beatles the most successful Beatles tribute act of all time – it’s about attention to detail.
“Everything that can be done to make it seem like the Beatles are live on stage is done,” Gordon confirms. From their costumes to the meticulous consideration that goes into replicating the Fab Four’s performance style – not to mention the live orchestra – you can be sure of a show that will make you forget they aren’t the real deal.
“The Bootlegs started in 1980 when all the real Beatles were still alive. Tribute acts for popular bands are common-place now but at the time, it was an obscure idea,” says Gordon.
The line-up has changed over the years, with newest member Miles Frizzell from Nashville joining the team as Paul last year. I asked if it was difficult to adapt to a new member but Gordon assured me that it wasn’t and explained how good it is when “each new muscian brings some new details”.
It’s lovely to know that Neil Harrison, the original “John”, is now their managing director – ensuring a strong continuity as the band continues to develop. They are always on the go with 120-130 shows each year taking them all over the world which can sometimes provide a welcome change of scene for their long-suffering partners and children!
Gordon’s musical journey started at the age of eight when he began to learn the clarinet. This didn’t stick but it was the pathway to drumming – he got into the school band and quickly realised it was the kit, not the clarinet he wanted to be behind!
His early career pathway was similar to Ringo’s – both were gigging musicians, learning on the job.
He moved from Gloucestershire to London as a young man and quickly found work in a Beatles tribute band. In fact, over the years he has worked for 20-30 such acts, including being in the West End stage show ‘Let it Be’ with Stephen Hill who plays George. Gordon finally joined the Bootlegs in 2016 and feels
he is a good match for Ringo. Some of the band have mused that watching ‘Get Back’ (the documentary about the making of the album ‘Let It Be’), both drummers have similar qualities – very loyal, reliably turning up on time and often taken for granted!
Over the years, many people have dismissed Ringo’s quirky drumming technique but happily, Gordon and I agree that he was the most influential drummer in rock and pop history.
“With the jazz era came the fashion of virtuoso drumming with the likes of Buddy Rich,” explains Gordon, “But what Ringo started was something different – supporting a song rather than showing off and being a thoughtful member of a team. It might seem simplistic but was actually a pioneering style.”
Add to this was the quirk of Ringo being left-handed but playing a right-handed kit making the grooves in songs like ‘Come Together’ so interesting. More interesting still for Gordon, who is naturally right-handed but has had to learn to play left-handed on a right-handed kit!
I asked what the Bootlegs enjoy about playing in St Albans. It turns out that the Arena is one of their smallest show venues but one of their favourites, boasting the legacy of many incredibly big names. In Dressing Room 1 there is a famous picture of Morecambe and Wise posing on a bench, which is surrounded by many Polaroid shots blue-tacked to the wall of other famous names who subsequently used the space – sitting on the actual bench that Eric and Ernie used!
Gordon recalls that he once met Pete Best (The Beatles’ original drummer) in St Albans, after being the support act for his show. It’s clearly a special place to be!
So what can we expect from this year’s show? Well, this time, there won’t be any early hits. Instead, the Bootlegs are focussing the Beatles’ five best selling albums – Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sergeant Pepper, The White Album and Let It Be.
“We can’t do over 200 songs so we have to have a focus. Just doing number 1s becomes boring after a while – we wanted the chance to perform songs like ‘Dear Prudence’ to set the bar higher.” says Gordon.
On this point, I asked the whole band if they could choose to perform any song from the Fab Four’s post-Beatles career, what would it be?
Stephen Hill (George), went for George Harrison’s ‘What is Life’ – “Just to play those slide guitar lines would be great.”
Paul Canning (John) chose Lennon’s ‘Instant Karma’, and continuing the theme of staying true to the character they play, Miles Frizzell chose McCartney’s ‘Live and Let Die.’ Gordon Elsmore, joined him in this choice citing it as “The best Bond theme ever” What a shame that no one chose one of Ringo’s songs!
No matter who your favourite Beatle is or your most-loved Beatles’ song, you can be sure of a fabulously entertaining night when the Bootlegs visit the Alban Arena on Tuesday (October 6). Tickets have almost gone so don’t leave it too late to book yours!
