100th party for Albert 'The Beatles' Bonici
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A TRIBUTE night will celebrate the 100th birthday of the man who brought The Beatles to Moray.
Albert Bonici succeeded in attracting many famous names to his venue, The Red Shoes ballroom in Elgin.
As well as the Fab Four, the rollcall also included The Who, Pink Floyd, The Yardbirds, The Animals and Cream.
Albert died in 1990. However to mark what would have been the centenary of his birth several popular local bands from yesteryear will be reforming to play at Elgin Town Hall.
The line-up at the tribute gig on July 18 – the day before Albert's birthday – will include Johnny and The Copycats, Windy Miller, The Jacobeats and Apaches.
David Dills, one of the organisers of the tribute night, has thoroughly researched the era on his website Scotbeat.
The Elgin resident said: "Albert was a visionary who loved music of all types, including jazz, skiffle and soul.
"The evening is going to be a celebration of his life and all the things he did for Moray."
Billed as the 'Love Me Do Boys', The Beatles still had just one hit to their name when they played The Red Shoes on January 3, 1963.
By the end of that same year, they were well on their way to becoming virtually the most famous people on the planet.
A public meeting will be held next month to further advance the preparations for the tribute night. More details to follow soon.
An exhibition about Albert Bonici is also planned for Elgin Museum next Spring.
In the meantime, David can be contacted at david.dills@yahoo.com
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