Photo:The Australian Bee Gees in concert
If a trip to Las Vegas is in your future plans, a must see show is the Australian Bee Gees at the Excalibur on the strip. It is a trip back in time that you will surely enjoy as these musicians are as close to the real thing that you will ever see.
As an avid concert goer I always have an ear out for an artist/group that I have not had the pleasure of seeing. Taking a tip from a friend, I had to see and hear this group for myself. Not that I was doubting his words, but seeing is believing. Making the short trip to Las Vegas a couple days early gave me time to make the rounds. Upon arriving on the second floor at the Excalibur you will find the Thunderland Showroom that does not have a bad seat in it. The band came out and from the moment they started playing I knew this was going to be really good.
Photo: Maurice, Robin, and Barry during the acoustic part of the concert
Originating in 1996, this group has kept and continues to keep the candle burning for one of the greatest musical groups the world has ever seen. It is estimated that the Bee Gees have sold 220 million records worldwide with their best selling album being the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.
Photo: Wayne Hosking as Maurice Gibb
Wayne Hosking, the journeyman of the group, plays the part of Maurice Gibb amazingly spot on. Hosking has been with the group since its inception back in Melbourne, Australia, and is also the producer and music director. Hosking’s portrayal is quite remarkable and you will think so too. Delving into a little bit of the history, Hosking said, ”We started as a band back in 96 and had a few different shows with some original stuff that we were doing. The tribute band stuff was dying to come out back then and no one was doing Bee Gees at the time, so we thought we would give it a try. It was interesting that everybody kind of looked a little bit like the particular Gibb brother and 25 years later we are still doing it.”
Never thinking that they would land and stay in Las Vegas, the group has flourished and recently celebrated their 15th anniversary at the Excalibur. In fact, the group has 4380 performances to date. Hosking said, “We had such a huge reaction from the beginning and it just kept building and building, so we started to tour around Asia and we did some shows here in Vegas and we decided to stay and we really enjoy being here.”
In consideration of getting to play the amazing music that the Brothers Gibb created, “It’s a privilege every night to get out there and do the music and give it our very best. These songs stretch over peoples’ lifetimes and it brings so many memories back to them.”
Photo: Alex Fetzko as Robin Gibb
Robin Gibb is represented by Alex Fetzko who absolutely nails Robin not only with his vibrato-laden tenor voice but his mannerisms. About playing the music, “I believe there is an urgency to give it justice as well. These were incredible song writers. They were out recording and playing for four decades, which is an amazing achievement.”
Photo: Frank Lakoudis as Barry Gibb
Fronting the group as Barry Gibb is Frank Lakoudis who hits those notes with exceptional accuracy. His voice gets all those high-pitched falsetto notes that became a defining sound during the disco era. Regarding what he enjoys about performing the Bee Gees, Lakoudis said, “It is always fun to look out over the audience and see all walks of life, seeing the Bee Gees, and knowing that all their music has transcended every generation and still to this day, and that everyone leaves with a smile. Their music is so uplifting that you can not have a good time, and I love seeing that on people’s faces just having a good time.”
Credit to the musicians that all feed off of each other with light humor that adds to the performance. It also shows off the chemistry that has been working together in Las Vegas since February 2011.
It was one hit after another as the audience took a fabulous trip back in time. “Alone”, was the Bee Gees international hit starting the show off. From there it was a trip to the early days with those wonderful melodies from the 1960s. The early works performed included “New York Mining Disaster 1941”, “Massachusetts”, “I’ve Got To Get A Message To You”, “To Love Somebody”, and “I Started A Joke”.
The group moves on through the years and once they get to the Saturday Night Fever year the crowd is encouraged to get up and dance to “Night Fever”, “You Should Be Dancing”, and “Staying Alive”. There is also a nice tribute to Andy Gibb. Expect something special for the 50th anniversary of the release of the film.
“When we started we were the only Bee Gees group out there other than the originals themselves. Once they quit touring we have become the show to see,” said Wayne Hosking.
“It is quite an honor to be able to play these songs that represent a special time for so many people.”
As with any concert, expect uncertainty when it comes to the fans. So when I asked the three what was the craziest thing that had happened at one of their performances, they all took turns looking at each other. I could see right there that I had asked a perplexing question. After a few seconds Hosking spoke up saying, “We have had underwear thrown at us numerous times back in Australia, but not too long ago there was this elderly lady who was very fragile and she just sat there quietly through the whole show and just stared. I couldn’t gauge if she was enjoying the show or not, then we got to the disco section with Night Fever, she stood up onto the chair and then onto the table and started dancing just out of the blue. Must have been in her mid 80s and she was dancing like crazy. The security had to come and get her off the table, but she had this moment of inspiration.” Fetzko added, “Most of the time when people get up on the tables there is that concern that they could fall. You really hope not, but there is that possibility. People sometimes get very excited and go for it.” Lakoudis concurred, “Yep, getting caught up in the moment.”
So many times when you go to a concert the band leaves the stage and that is it. Not with this group. As you exit the showroom you have an opportunity to get yourself a souvenir, such as CDs, shirts, etc. and get a meet and greet with the boys, and even get autographs along with a photo-op.
You can see the group now at the Excalibur Hotel in the Thunderland Showroom. Tickets available by calling 877-750-5464. Group reservations of 6 or more call 702-701-7778.
There is a plan to bring the group to Scottsdale after the first of the year. Company & Tour manager Stacy Jones said, “It will be an extended version of the Las Vegas show with more songs typically going up to 90 minutes.” Next year being the 50th anniversary of the movie Saturday Night Fever, makes for an even better time to go see the group. Be sure to keep your eyes open for that. More information on tour dates can be found at their website ABGShow.com
