British Invasion Hits Parsippany's Veterans Park

Soaring temperatures weren’t the only thing heating up the bandstand at Veterans Memorial Field Thursday evening.  The township of Parsippany Troy-Hills presented the first of three concerts in its Summer 2011 Series.  With the sponsorship of GlaxoSmithKline, the Mahoney Brothers took the stage with their “Long Live the Beatles” show.

Beatles fans of all ages--a crowd of about 500--braved the heat and spent the evening reliving classics such as “All My Lovin’” and “Eight Days a Week.”

The concert festivities began at 7:45 p.m. with a stirring rendition of the national anthem. The masses were scattered throughout the parched grass field and walking and biking paths that surround the bandstand. The audience sat in lawn and lounge chairs, laid out in colorful beach blankets, and more than a few strollers. The township's firefighters, rescue squad, parademics and police were present as well. Frisbees, kick-balls, glow-bands and bubbles completed the scene. Bottled water was clearly the beverage of choice, in addition to snow cones and ice cream.

The Mahoney Brothers' magical mystery ride is the longest-running Beatles tribute show and covers hits from 1962-1970. The group calls New Jersey its home state since their first Beatles gig, back in 1977, was in a New Jersey nightclub.

They unexpectedly began their career as tribute artists when asked to meet the special request of an agent.  To fill in for another band, the brothers were asked to play full set of music featuring only one artist.  The brothers donned black turtlenecks to emulate the Meet the Beatles album cover, and began a brand new life of touring North America as John (Brian Mahoney), Paul (Tim Mahoney), George (Jay Swanson), and Ringo (Mike Mahoney).

Their memorizing tribute to the Fab Four led to sold-out engagements at Six Flags entertainment venues across the country, a starring role in the casino production show "Legends in Concert" and extensive concert tours throughout the U.S. and Canada.

“Since I was seven years old I’ve been a Beatles fan,” proclaimed Mayor James Barberio, who welcomed the crowd and introduced the band. “I was looking forward to this show as soon as it was announced. I proudly own a vinyl copy of every Beatles album, and now a CD, that was ever released.”

On the way to the show, one of the Mahoney brothers fell ill and had to go to the hospital. Luckily one of the brother’s sons stepped in and the group did not miss a beat.

The show opened with a rousing rendition of "Saw Her Standing There," followed by the first Beatles song seen on U.S. television (on the Feb. 4, 1964 "Ed Sullivan Show," "All My Lovin'," and the most recorded song in history, "Yesterday." The concert featured 25 songs in all, a combination of the band's Number 1 hits and a few cult favorites. 

The Parsippany Troy-Hills Free Concert Series has been an ongoing summer tradition for many years.  According to Mayor Barberio, the outdoor summer concerts were “one of things I did not want to cut from the budget.  It brings the community together.”  Corporate sponsors gave the township enough funding for three concerts this summer.

For those who missed concert or did not want to venture out into the sweltering heat, don’t fret.  Two more concerts will be making their appearance at Veterans Field this summer.  On Aug. 4, The 3 Po’ Tenors perform. Hotel California: The Eagles Tribute Band hits the Veterans' Park bandstand on Aug. 18.