The band
BACKBEAT is four mates from Victoria, BC. Four pretty fab guys who live and breathe the most exciting decade in music history. The boys have been thrilling audiences since 1988 with their loving and most authentic musical tribute to the 60's.
Students of music, casual listeners and fans of all ages know all these songs. In fact, many of them have been singing them since they were school kids, when things were so much simpler and memories were being made.
BACKBEAT honors the music, honors the memories with an uncanny sense and sensibility for each and every song on the repertoire which by the way is substantial to say the least. From the Beatles to the Zombies and everything in between, these are the songs you remember, the way they were played, absolutely live. For BACKBEAT, it's all about paying homage to these great artists and this incredible catalogue of music.
The guys are all experts at their craft, honing their chops on dusty stages and in smoky cabarets all across the country for over 4 decades. In fact, collectively and singularly each of these artists has graced the stage with some of the worlds foremost artists including Sheena Easton, Celine Dion, Loverboy, Fee Waybill, Nigel Olsson, Honeymoon Suite, Steven Tyler and David Foster...yes, THAT David Foster. BACKBEAT has also been a featured opening act for Trooper and 54-40, two of Canada's most successful artists.
BACKBEAT, authentic... genuine and honest just like the music they play. It's been quite the journey hasn't it? From a small noisy dank cavern in Liverpool to 50,000 screaming fans at Shea Stadium and beyond, BACKBEAT let's you re-live every moment, every memory and the most amazing decade in music history. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!
GEORGE PENWARN
guitar
Entertainer Extraordinaire
George is not only BACKBEAT's frontman, he's the group’s resident musicologist. You wouldn't want to compete against him in a game of music trivia! He eats, breathes and sleeps 60's music and with more than four decades of playing experience, George is at his best when he is on stage. He joined his first band when he was 14 and his mom never forgave him. George has shared the stage with Nigel Olsen of the Elton John Band, Fee Waybill of The Tubes, members of Honeymoon Suite, Esai Morales and Dweezil Zappa. George has also appeared as an extra on episodes of SCTV. Former founding member of Reunion Jack.
DUNCAN MEIKLEJOHN
guitar - keyboards
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Maestro Fresh Meiklejohn
Multi-talented producer, vocalist and instrumentalist, Duncan has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. He has recorded or performed as a backup vocalist with Sheena Easton, Celine Dion, David Foster, Loverboy, Michael Bolton, Nelly Furtado and more. Dunc also mentors and plays in several other local groups. You are more likely to recognize Duncan's voice if you were to hear some of the jingles he has sung. He has produced or performed on more than 2,500 jingles over the past 30 years. In fact, he may hold the record for singing on more advertising jingles across North America than any other vocalist!
KELT ECCLESTON
bass & more
Rhyme or Rhythm
Kelt is another multi-instrumentalist in our band and has played bass since he was a kid. A great singer too. Bass, mandolin, guitar, penny whistle, harmonica, recorder, it's hard to find an instrument he doesn't play, and play well! Kelt's roots are in Celtic music, growing up with his older sister Colleen who is a world renowned Folk singer and songwriter. Kelt plays with Colleen in "The Eccleston's" too. Kelt is also an Actor which makes him a natural on stage anchoring our rhythm section. You may have seen him on TV or in the movies.
JON BAGLO
drums - keys - percussion
Meet The Beat
Jon has been playing musical instruments since he was just a wee lad, and growing up in his Dad's world class recording studio helped him to become a master of all of them. Jon plays the drums, guitar, bass, keyboards and an assorted collection of other music makers. Perched behind his Ludwig kit, Jon is also an accomplished singer, and his great backup vocals complete the BACKBEAT sound. Jon is world renowned for his YouTube sensations, "Jon's One Man Band", with over one million views and critical acclaim. Jon is BACKBEAT's youngest member but he may have the oldest soul with a love for classic artists like the Beatles, Genesis and Phil Collins.
ROB MAYOR
production manager
Rob is our puppet master behind the curtains. Having toured or mixed live shows with K.D. Lang, Murray McLaughlin, David Foster, Aaron Neville, Duke Robillard, B.B. King and so many more, Rob puts our production together specifically for each show that we perform, operates sound and lights during our live performances and does our recordings and web site. He schedules and books our events and looks after all of our logistics. He's the magic in our mystery tour!
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JEFF SCOTT
stage manager
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Jeff is the hardest working and most welcome member of the group. All of our gear doesn't get setup by itself and Jeff is instrumental in getting our stage the way we need it and making our players feel comfortable to perform. A mix engineer himself and a former guitar player and road warrior in the 80's hair band "Don Tron", Jeff has years of experience playing and dealing with the technical side of the musical world.
Thank you Jeff!
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DALE BAGLO
videographer
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Dale is not just Jon's dad. He is a world renowned, award winning videographer for the likes of David Foster, his entourage of celebrities and countless other artists including BackBeat! Dale also produces radio commercials and programs, performs voice overs for radio and TV, produces songs for aspiring singers, and has written and produced thousands of advertising jingles. We are thankful to have him around to help us with our music videos, live show video presentations, promotional videos, filming our shows, and providing lots of perspective and feedback on building our shows. Heck, the whole Baglo family chips in and helps with everything needed from running cameras to sewing our costumes including wife Elaine, son Justin and daughter Kirsten.
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PAST MEMBERS - HONOURABLE MENTION
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We would like to thanks every player who has been in the band and helped BackBeat to become the great musical group that we are today. Since our inception in 1985, and transitioning from Reunion Jack, many different players have been performing and contributing to our many live shows and events. We would also like to mention those who have have been instrumental in helping us along this journey like ZOSHA ECCLESTON for doing graphics design work for our posters and T-shirts and our families for putting up with the noise and disruption of practicing, recording, mixing down songs and videos and for allowing us to work the unruly schedules and late nights that the music industry revolves around.
CHUCK SIMS bass, vocals, TIM DAVID drums, percussions, vocals, JON BAGLO bass, vocals, DEAN MELANSON drums, percussions, vocals, BRUCE WAPOLA bass, vocals, LEON BATEMAN keyboards, guitars, vocals, CRAIG PRESTON drums, percussions, vocals, JAY PERRY keyboards, sound and production, DAVE DEGRASSI drums, precussions, guitar, vocals, TONY ALEXANDRUIK keyboards, guitar, vocals, TONY MELIZZA drums, precussions, vocals, PETER BOB guitar, vocals, DAVE KIDD drums, GORD PENDELTON guitar, vocals, PETER GILLESPIE drums, JIM GRAHAM guitar, JEFF GERMAIN drums, BRIAN WARNOCK guitar, vocals, KEITH MURRAY guitar, vocals, DON RESTALL drums, vocals.
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