A promotional poster for the show

Shillong, July 3: Come July 14, the Scotland of the East will turn the musical clock back to the golden era with an Elvis and Beatles Show. Singers and musicians will belt out the golden oldies, performing in costumes that the stars of yesteryears used to wear.

Aldus Mawlong, a member of the organisers, Fashion of Shillong (FSS), said the show will bring together ?many talented musicians?, who will relive the legendary days of American singing icon Elvis Presley and the British rock band, The Beatles.

?Singers and groups will not only sing songs by Elvis and the Beatles, but will also dress up like them and imitate their performances,? he added.

The gig, to be held at the State Central Library auditorium, will bring together four rock bands and 12 artistes from Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

Some of the top bands that will perform include Shillong-based groups like Rebel Souls, Colours, Snow White, Felixes and Bandsman and solo singers Gracyl Ropmay, Headingson Ryntathiang, Marvel Lyngwa and Rilang Jyrwa, Stacy Passah, Halcome Tariang and Rapborlang Kharbihkhiew.

Nagaland will be represented by Bubu and Liu while Wuliet, Spi Mami Varte and Mini Renthlei will represent Mizoram.

A similar show was organised by the FSS in 2002 at the Crinoline Swimming Club. That was the first edition. Since then, there has been a massive demand from city residents as well from people of other parts of the region to host the show in Shillong. According to Mawlong, the show is aimed at ?providing meaningful entertainment and quality music? to the people of Shillong. Mawlong is confident that the gig would add to the popularity of Shillong as ?one of the most sought-after music destinations in the country?.

?Singers and members of rock bands will dress up as Elvis Presley and also put together acts of The Beatles,? Mawlong explained even as he recalled how even during the launch of the event four years back, the organisers were overwhelmed by the response.

?It was almost like a day out, when families preferred to sit outside the venue (which was full) and listen to songs of the King of Rock and Roll and the Fab Four, which were belted out by singers from Shillong and outside,? he added.

A special attraction of the show will be ?a quiz on the life and times of Elvis and The Beatles? for members of the audience. Attractive prizes have been lined for winners of the quiz.

Incidentally, Great Society of Shillong, a band which was formed by its Lou Majaw, has been ?very successfully? organising Bob Dylan?s birthday bash in the town for over 30 years.