By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on August 24, 2018
AUSTRALIAN actor and musician John Waters says he has no intention of “being” Beatles superstar John Lennon when he’s up on stage during his show Lennon – Through a Glass Onion in Albany next month.
The 69-year-old has been performing Lennon’s and The Beatles’ songs alongside pianist and singer Stewart D’Arrietta for 25 years and has done so for his pure love of British rock music.
He says the “interpretive” concert takes the audience on a “mental journey” of Lennon’s life, rather than delivering music in the format of a tribute band, and says he still enjoys it just as much as when he designed the show in the 1990s.
“When everything goes dark and the lights come on us, we are in a different world and I love that,” he said of performing the show.
“People have said it’s as if they are sitting down with [Lennon] and are having a beer or cup of tea with him.
“It’s had a lot more impact on people than I thought it would.”
Waters acknowledged he was treading on “sacred territory” by performing Lennon’s songs, but said he wanted to preserve the music legend’s memory in one way, shape or form.
“In late 1991, I wanted to go back to being a singer and musician,” he said.
“Lennon made a big impression on me when I was 16 during the British rock scene, and after he died, I realised nothing had been done on him since then.
“But we aren’t a cover act; I appear as myself and I channel his voice, and the thoughts flashing through his head.
“I don’t claim to be John Lennon.
“I imagine the way he thought about his music.”
Tickets to the September 18 performance can be purchased at the Albany Entertainment Centre box office or online via Ticketek.
