| Beatles British Invasion 60's American Pop 60's Beach Surf 60's Motown Soul 70's Funk Disco 80's British New Wave |
The
Premiere Party Band
A desire to recreate the spirit and enthusiasm of the British Invasion and America's subsequent retaliation led to the formation of The Fab 5. With its timeless tunes, 60's period costumes, authentic sounds, style and humor representative of the times packaged in tight, production based performances, The Fab 5 have gained recognition as a leader in the fun-oldies tribute market. It is a sincere dedication,professionalism, & attention to detail that have become hallmarks of The Fab 5, as evidenced by an impressive client list. Along the way, The Fab 5 have had the good fortune to share the stage with such great acts as The Beach Boys, Peter Noone & Hermans Hermits, The Turtles, The Temptations, Three Dog Night, Tommy James & The Shondells, Chubby Checker, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Little Richard, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and many more. Whether it's a festival concert, private corporate function, reunion or nightclub engagement, The Fab 5 consider it a great pleasure to bring to life some of the very best music of the 60's, 70's, and 80's and to rekindle those special memories. To enjoy these anthems live and in color is what audiences of all ages have twisted, shimmied, and shaked to for over 15 years (...and counting)! Remember, The Fab 5 is "where the action is" and they look forward to seeing you at the next "Shindig"- Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
BEATLES/BRITISH INVASION, 60's AMERICAN POP, 60's BEACH/SURF, 60's MOTOWN/SOUL, 70's FUNK/DISCO, 80's BRITISH/NEW WAVE The
Fab 5 successfully works in the following applications:
Electric Bass Guitar/Guitar and Lead Vocals Joe originally hails from New York City. Joe started playing professionally at the age of 12 (beginning in the wedding band circuit). His first love was playing the drums but soon taught himself to play the guitar and piano. Joining up with friend Omar Sanders, Joe began playing in various high school bands in the 70s like Reeper & Centaur. By 1979,he formed Rubber Soul (1979-1983), a successful Beatles tribute band. Joe always wanted to perform Beatles music ever since he met John Lennon in 1976 on Broadway & 52nd street in Manhattan. Rubber Soul toured up and down the east coast playing Beatles conventions and dinner theaters in the early 80s. Joe and Rich Testa (who played "John" in Rubber Soul) also began writing together and wrote such lovely songs like "She's Changed" featured on the new FAB 5 cd . In 1983 after Rubber Soul disbanded, Joe joined The Elevators (1984-1987), a new wave pop group in Manhattan which wrote and recorded original dance music. The band played all of Manhattan's hot spots like The China Club, CBGB's and The Bitter End. One of the bands songs "Whatcha Gonna Do" was also featured in the 1984 movie "Perfect" starring John Travolta and Jamie Leigh Curtis. It helped that their lead singer Brant Mewborn was also a senior editor with Rolling Stone Magazine. The Elevators were about to be signed to EMI's new MANHATTAN label, but were beat out by BALTIMORA (who had the hit "Tarzan Boy"). In 1988 Joe relocated to Houston, Texas. Brant Mewborn died in 1989. Rest In Peace my good friend. Joe took a break from playing in bands until 1992, when he then joined Troy Hess & Dangerous Livin' (1992-1996) and continued on with Troy Hess in Zebra Three (2000-2002). In 2000, he was also offered the "Paul" role in the national Beatles tribute act Come Together. This also lead to performing with The Cast of Beatlemania as their "Paul" fill in for original cast members Mitch Weissman and Lenie Colacino. His love and appreciation for The British Invasion bands of the 60s will always remain his first true love, which is what lead him to join The Fab 5 in February 2003. That magical musical chemistry between the current line up makes The Fab 5 one of The Premier Party Bands in the nation!
Drums and Vocals Rod was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, one week before the Beatles first performance on the ‘Ed Sullivan’ show. The son of a military man, he moved to Italy as a young boy during the period when much of the music he plays with The Fab 5 was new. “I think that’s why this music is so familiar to me--my mother loved the Beatles and all of the British Invasion bands. She played her records in our house, on base, all the time so, I got a good dose of it as a kid very early on. I think it was a connection to home, back in the states. She sang professionally at officers clubs, supper clubs--sang all styles--from big band tunes to all the popular hits of the day. She did a mean version of ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’. After returning from over seas, Rods’ family opened a musical instrument store in Houston in the early ‘70’s. Growing up and working in the family business, it seemed only natural that Rod would pursue music as a profession, both as a player and business owner. Today, he is the proud owner of Humble Music Center--Music Services and specializes in the collection and restoration of vintage guitars and of course, drums and drum sets. However, it is performing on stage that gives Rod his biggest thrill--and there have been many stages spanning his 25 year career. From extensive touring around Texas and throughout the southern portions of the U.S. in the 80’s to as far away as the United Arab Emirates (Persian Gulf) in ’89 & ’90 on what was described as a good-will tour of American culture. Rod has always stayed active performing everything from country and rock to swing, blues and R&B. This versatility has led to opportunities in the studio, recording with the likes of Texas singer/songwriter/stylists Davin James and Clay Farmer, along with musicians extraordinaire Paul Burnett and Robert DiBlanco. With characteristic enthusiasm, Rod says, “SHOWTIME—that’s when the music comes alive!” Call him ‘RingoRod’ or ‘ModRod’, he has the uncanny ability to mimic the drummers he portrays, while keeping solid, steady time, and always flashing that Cheshire-cat grin. Rod, who joined the band in March ‘91after a phone call from a go-getter who would turn out to be ‘Hullabaloo’ Bill, is responsible for the bands foray into costuming as he is"The Idea Man". The Fab 5 is so much fun, the tunes are timeless, the camaraderie is great and like-minded with years of experience. When we play, I just embody that spirit. As the drummer, its got to groove to be Groovy Baby!” Rod’s drumming influences include: Ringos’ musicality, Keith Moons’ intensity, Mitch Mitchells’ style, John Bonhams’ kick, Ian Paices’ snare, Mel Taylors’ class, and Sandy Nelsons’ “Let There Be Drums”! 
Bill
Staats Keyboards and Vocals Bill
is an original founding member of The Fab 5, along with Dwaine
Abraham. Bill and Dwaine dreamed up The Fab 5 in 1990 with the
avowed purpose to be in a band “that WE’D like to
see!” Bill also handles the business affairs of The Fab
5. In 1971, Bill joined The Fabulous Flippers, a popular and famous regional touring act that was inducted into several state Rock’N’Roll Halls of Fame in 1999. Traveling throughout the central USA, Bill entertained large audiences. Eventually departing The Flippers to return to college, his last show was at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, the site of the final performances by Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. “The Surf Ballroom is hallowed ground,” says Bill, “and I’m fortunate to have played there for a capacity crowd. The atmosphere of a Flipper dance was usually pretty crazy anyway, but it was almost overwhelming to do my last Flippers show at a packed Surf Ballroom with old photos of Buddy staring at me backstage!” Returning to Oklahoma State University, Bill knew what to do. He merged his Bartlesville bandmates with a group called The Harlem Riot and they rocked on as an 11 piece funk/rock band -- later shortening the name to RIOT. During the early to mid 70's, RIOT played gigs statewide in Oklahoma and Texas. Following the Flippers formula, by 1975 RIOT was the best known and best loved party band in the Southwest. The arrival of disco music in the late 70's slowed down live music considerably and eventually RIOT disintegrated as the players moved on with their lives. Bill’s job transfer to Houston in 1982 severed all ties with his fellow musicians and strong musical past, sending him into semi-retirement. When longtime business associates Bill and Dwaine finally discovered each other’s extensive musical backgrounds and a mutual interest in playing again, it was 1990. Now thirteen years later you can still see and hear the results of these motivated experienced musicians and entertainers in The Fab 5 show! 
The
Mysterious Dr. C Lead/Rhythm Guitar, and Vocals At age nine, Dr.C stuck his head into a stereo speaker to better hear "I Want To Hold Your Hand", and the rest as they say is history. His first bands in middle and high school won numerous talent show prizes and played at local venues all over town. In the late 70s he moved up onto the club and party circuit with his band Crystal, a highly sought after black Top 40 band touring the southeast. Dr.C then took a 20 year hiatus from music while he earned a Master's Degree and began a career & family. In 1996 he formed the legendary North Houston band Strange Brew, in which he still plays lead guitar. Dr.C joined The Fab 5 in 2000, and his style of guitar playing was a refreshing burst of energy to the band. He is a certifiable lunatic onstage, jumping and dancing and frequently leaving the stage to party with the dancing crowds! A welcome addition of talent to The Fab 5 family.
Lead/Rhythm Guitar, and Vocals Dwaine originally hails from Chicago, Illinois. He has been playing professionally since the age of 16. His first group The Chantels (later called The Good Griefs) (1963-1967) had a regional hit with "Shy Girl" and opened up for Chad and Jeremy, The Turtles and were even close friends with The Buckinghams. Dwaine had also played a few shows as lead guitarist for Eddie Arnold. Besides performances and touring, Dwaine had also recorded vocals tracks for such legendary commercials for Nestles Quick and Fruit Loops Cereal besides teaching guitar at three Chicago music studios. His second band The Choir (1968-1970) featured 6 vocalists and were the hottest band to book for dances & college parties at that time. During the 70s Dwaine joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed everywhere from New Orleans to Florida, but he still managed to form bands and do what he loved to do........play guitar. In 1990 he played in the band Sign of The Times and decided to form The Fab 5 along with Bill Staats. The rest as they say....is history. |
Arenas
& Stadiums 
Joe
Baiardi
(Ringo)
Rod Robert
Dwaine
Abraham