A SELL out audience were in full voice to celebrate 60 years since The Beatles came to Lydney with another memorable performance from Merseyside’s top tribute act.

The Mersey Beatles took the town hall crowd on a “magical history tour” through all eras of the band’s work to mark the 60th anniversary of the now legendary concert on Wednesday, August 31.

When the group asked the audience whether anyone had been present 60 years ago, the organisers said “it was surprising how many hands were raised”.

One of those was town hall Trustee Geoffrey Hyde, who had played drums in support act the Cyril Bailey Band and actually chatted with Ringo, who had invited him to play his drums.

Just like the real thing, the band hail from Liverpool and were the resident Beatles tribute at the world-famous Cavern Club for more than a decade.

Since then the band have toured the world many times over, winning “legions of fans” including John Lennon’s family and The British Beatles Fan Club, who rate them as “the best Beatles tribute band around”.

The concert was almost halted part way through by the band’s own smoke machine which set off the town hall’s fire alarm, but the incident did little to disrupt the “Beatles magic” on stage.

The band performed numbers from the very early beginnings through to ‘Get Back’ from the ‘Let it Be’ album.

The encore was, of course, ‘Hey Jude’ with the “packed” Hall in full voice joining in.

Band member Steven Howard - who plays the role of Paul McCartney - said ahead of their performance: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been asked by Lydney Town Hall Trust to perform on the 60th anniversary of the very day The Beatles played in the town.

“It is really special for us to visit venues The Beatles themselves played, to stand where they stood and play those legendary songs.”

The Beatles’ original 1962 performance came just four days before they recorded their official debut single, ‘Love Me Do’, at Abbey Road Studios in London with producer George Martin, and Ringo Starr had only been in the band for four weeks.

The town hall’s next big event comes in October with the annual return of big band favourites Todd Miller and the Joe Loss Showband, who have performed at the hall for some 40 years now.

The band will perform an “eclectic” mix of dance music from all eras at the smart dress event on Saturday, October 29.

For more information and to book tickets, go to www.tickettailor.com/events/lydneytownhalltrust/540988.