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After five months on the drawing board, and with invaluable hard work
from our musicians, volunteers and friends, our ambitious plans for a
Beatles tribute concert finally became a reality.

The idea for the event came from David, a very talented singer who we’ve worked with since 2005 when we met in Guys Marsh prison. David discovered and developed his vocal skills while singing along to Beatles records and since then he has held an ambition to do a whole concert of Beatles material. He also wanted to put on an event to raise money for Changing Tunes and suggested doing this concert as a fundraiser.

Careering through two hours of music that included 33 of the best-known Beatles songs, the band didn’t have to try too hard to get the audience participating, and the 350-strong crowd had clearly come ready for a good night out, singing along from start to finish. Thank you to all who were there for making it so much fun - all our hard work was worth it!

David responded: “Can I just thank everybody for being here and supporting Changing Tunes. I’m just so grateful to be standing here, it’s like a dream come true. When I landed up in prison I thought that was it; life was over, so it’s quite astounding how in five years not only have I been helped by these guys but I’ve had an opportunity to give something back. I think the work they do is astounding and it’s a privilege and a blessing to be able to support them in something I love doing.”

Playing alongside David were Changing Tunes musicians Gareth, Jonathan, Matt, Ralph, Myrtle and Hannah, and volunteers Liam and Neil. It is testament to the skill of our musicians that they were able to pull off such an ambitious performance with so few rehearsals. Matt and Hannah had not actually met Liam and Neil until the afternoon of the concert, and it’s this seat-of-the-pants approach that is necessary when working in a prison environment, but also essential for keeping costs down when putting on an event like this.

Top, left to right: Myrtle, David, Liam, Gareth, Jonathan, Matt, Hannah
Bottom: Ralph and Neil

A surprise for David came in the form of a Louis Sherwood Award for Recording, presented by our founder and Chair of Trustees Richard Pendlebury (pictured right). Louis was a friend and supporter who left a legacy to Changing Tunes, and part of that legacy will go to awards for ex-prisoners who have a key involvement in recording projects. David’s award, the first to be given, was for the Beatles EP, a 3-track CD that we sold at the concert.

The event raised over £3,000 in tickets, CD sales, and the auction of a pair of drumsticks, very kindly donated and signed by Nick Mason of Pink Floyd. This money will go a long way to funding our work in Bristol prison over the coming year. We are also hoping to release a recording of the concert as an album, which will help support our on going work in Bristol and further afield.

In typical fashion, our Director Tim is already looking for ways to better this event and there are plans to book a larger venue for a concert that combines the popularity of a tribute concert with the gritty, heart-rending aspects of a “normal” Changing Tunes concert where ex-prisoners tell their stories between the musical items. Watch this space for more developments, and see the Events page for upcoming shows.

There are a few copies of the Beatles EP left, featuring the songs Help!, She Loves You, and Blackbird.
If you’d like a copy of one of this limited run please contact us here.