THE GREATEST Take That Tribute

It's not pretty and it's not clever, but as long as people aren't conned into mistakenly believing they're booking or attending a show of the real 'THE GREATEST' then it's not a problem....is it???

Okay you search the internet for a tribute group you've been recommended by a friend who saw them at a major event.  What were they called again....'the best', 'the no.1', yes that was it 'The Greatest'. If you're lucky the right and official website www.takethattributeband.com comes up first time, top of the google list, result! If not, you could be led down the garden path of a multitude of TT so called tributes who are trying to jump on the success and reputation of the UK's No.1 tribute band!

Tribute-ing an original band is one thing, but tribute to a tribute of an original band is rather a compliment, or so you may think!  There are now tribute bands to Take That who are doing just this by describing themselves as 'The Greatest' tribute to Take That, and using this term in their advertising!  It's interesting when one group can be so successful and build up such a reputation & following that other tribute bands feel the need to attempt to ambush their name.  Is work really that hard to come by? Is a lack of ability the reason they clamour to use someone elses reputation?

The Greatest go out of their way in ensuring that clients are fully aware they are a tribute band and are in no way associated with the real Take That.  They are not lookalikes but pride themselves on their renowned soundalike qualities, and ability to re-create the stage presence, persona's and magic of Take That at their recent arena tours! It is this that has them re-booked for major corporate events & outdoor festivals throughout the UK and has made them the number one band of choice for event organisers!

Slick...yes!  Professional...yes!  A cheesy tribute band...most definitely not!  Which is why when the cheese thinks they can jump on the band wagon it becomes a little infuriating!

There is only one Take That tribute band called THE GREATEST, and make no mistake about it, they are called this for a reason! So the next time you're surfing the net....please don't be mistaken!!

HELLOOOOOO EVERYONE!!!

Wow, what a crazy ride we've been on this year so far!!

We've performed in-front of our largest crowd to date, which was 8000 strong at Worthing Festival, supported 'Scouting For Girls' for The National Lottery, performed at Awards Ceremonies & had a few obstacles to jump over along the way... members feeling really ill before, during & after a show, our Jason forgetting his black socks (LOL!!), & me losing my voice!! Not good, but hey... we came through strong & still had our most successful year so far.

Once again, we've met some really nice people along the way & we just keep getting the most amazing receptions at each & every show, so once again thank you!!

Of course, the big news this year has been Robbie re-joining TT!! A lot of people are asking us what our plans are, so here it is... we ARE looking to recruite a Robbie next year to join 'The Greatest'. But as we pride ourselves on replicating the actual Take That, we are going to wait & see how they perform as a five piece & see how they perform the songs we all know & love, plus some new ones from the new album due for release in November. Our shows currently booked for 2011 as the 4 piece will be given the option to add Robbie (subject to availability) for an additional fee. As a result we're all very excited to be getting back into that rehearsal studio & re-arranging our show with an added element of Williams!!

We are also still going to be available as a four piece through-out next year because as we all know, not everyone is overly excited about Robbie re-joining, so for those that like the original comeback kings as a four piece... Mark, Jason, Howard & Gary can still be yours for a night!!!

Can you believe 'The Greatest' have been together now for over a year & a half!!?? Crazy, but I can't tell you how much fun we've had along the way. Some shows we've performed have even made an imprint on our memories too, making them impossible to forget, so a massive THANK YOU to all those people that are making these memories possible for us.

Got to go now, don't forget you can now follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thegreatesttt - Add us on Facebook as part of our official group page or become a member on our members section on our official website at www.takethattributeband.com/apps/members

Till next time...

Lee. (AKA Gary)

Wow,

2010 has proven to be a very successful start of the year for us. Not only have we given the show a lick of paint with new costumes, songs & dance routines which the crowds seem to love, but we've also been lucky enough to get some of the nicest audiences yet, our website is having the most hits it's ever had, more people are following us on Twitter (Even Peter Andre is following us now!!) & the comments page has never looked so good. SO THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

Can you believe we've been together for almost a year now! My feet are still sore from 10 weeks of non-stop rehearsals back in March 2009, but i know i speak on behalf of all the boys when i say... what we've achieved, seen & heard over the past year, there's no rehearsal in the world that could have prepared us for it.

Like the real Take That, we are quickly becoming a 'Thank You' Tribute band, but we mean it every time from the bottom of our hearts... so again... thank you.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to be performing at festivals, theatres & going into a recording studio to lay down more promo tracks for you all to hear on our website.

So make sure you keep an eye out on our gig guide for shows near you, coz without you guys & girls screaming & singing along to 'The Greatest' singing your favourite Take That songs, there's no point in doing it.

Well, I've got to go, so i hope to see you at a show near you soon.

Till' next time.

Lee (aka Gary)

x

Wow, long time no blog huh!

Sorry about the wait, Christmas was especially busy for us, touring all the way from Devon to Inverness... crazy!! But, with the festive period over for yet another year, I can get back to boring you all with my monthly blogs!! Ha!

We really didn't expect to have such an amazing 1st year, performing at celebrity do's, glamorous weddings & an 8000 strong crowd all singing 'Rule The World' at the top of their lungs at the Worthing festival... which we are so lucky to be performing at yet again this year. But the response you have all given us has been incredible, so a massive thank you for all your support & encouragement through 2009.

We are currently looking at the show & thinking about giving it a bit of a spit & polish with new tracks, costumes & dance routines, so for all the people that have already seen our show... we hope to bring you a new TT experience in 2010.

Big events for 'The Greatest' this year are performances at the Splash FM Festival alongside the worlds number one MJ tribute - Navi, & the Plymouth Pavilions on the 11th of September with our live band & being supported by the UK's most popular RW tribute - Millennuim to name but a few. One things for sure, it's gonna be the most amazing year for 'The Greatest' Take That Tribute & hopefully, if you're in the crowd, you will walk out feeling the same way TT make you feel after a show. That's our goal.

So until next time guys & girls, we hope to see you real soon & don't forget to check our Gig Guide regularly to find out when & where we are on the road.

Lee (aka Gary) x

I just love a game of Stage Invaders I do!

Haha, well that was something 'The Greatest' Take That Tribute had to play at this weekend. I've always said, Take That's music does something to you & for the girls of Warrington last night... it made them want to be that bit closer to us I guess.  Not that we were complaining of course!

Norwich on Friday night had an electric atmosphere.  I would describe the crowd as HARDCORE TT fans... & Thatters never disappoint. Screaming at the top of their lungs to our songs & dancing like mad in the routines, it was a dream audience, a pleasure to entertain that night.

Don't forget guys & girls that you can now follow us on Twitter at - www.twitter.com/thegreatesttt

Please check out the comments page to see what the crowd thought about the fantastic night we all had in Norwich & if you were there, or you've seen us before... please feel free to add your thoughts on the show.

So for now...

Big wave!

Lee. (aka Gary)

'The Greatest Take That Tribute Band' stamped a big TT symbol on the towns of Ipswich & Bristol this weekend.

Friday night we performed at Trinity Park, Ipswich in conjunction with local radio station Town 102FM & what a great night we all had (see the Photo Gallery page).  The staff & crew were very helpful & a crowd of screaming women from the front of the stage all the way to the back of the venue always puts a smile on our face!  Although, I'm sure we weren't the only ones to have a massive grin on our faces after our Jason showed off his six pack to the audience while Mark sang the chorus to 'Mysterious Girl'... Good times for the girls me thinks! 

Saturday night we performed in Bristol with an almost theatre like experience for us. There was a feeling of great respect coming from the audience as they all sat there singing along in their seats.  But as soon as 'Relight My Fire' came on, they couldn't resist their dancing shoes anymore, the dance floor was calling them & the room was soon filled with dancers up & down the isles!

Anyway, before I go I'd just like to say a big thank you to all the staff & crew at both venues this weekend including Audrey from the kitchen in Bristol... she made a cracking cup of coffee, & Lucky The Cat... what a lucky cat you were.

Till' next time...

Lee (aka Gary) x

The Cafe De Paris + 500 Celebs + 'The Greatest' Take That Tribute = AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT!

We have just got back from the most amazing celeb bash 'The Greatest' have performed at so far.

Following Andrea McLeans wedding a few weeks ago, she & a number of Loose Women invited us to be guests & perform at the 10 year anniversary party of Loose Women at The Cafe De Paris in London. It was an absolute honour & we are still on a high from such a fantastic night.

All the Loose Women looked amazing in their high heels, glitzy dresses & pumped up hair styles & the atmosphere was electric! Especially when 'The Greatest' took to the stage... the room filled with singers & dancers.

'Back For Good' was definately a highlight of the night, with the current line up from Loose Women singing along with us on stage in front of all the guests. It was a very memorable moment for us.

As you can see by the images in our photo gallery, we came across many other celebs through out the night & can I just say that Peter Andre was one of the nicest guys we have ever met. I can officially announce that 'The Greatest Take That Tribute' are now backing 'Team Andre', haha!!

Anyway, the night ended perfectly for us with some amazing comments coming from everyone we bumped into and we're extremely happy with the fact that the majority of the audience felt that we gave them a TRUE Take That experience.

We feel that our show just seems to be getting stronger & stronger, the audiences getting louder & louder & the moments becoming more & more memorable... but last night has definately got to be... THE GREATEST NIGHT OF OUR LIVES!! 

Lee (aka Gary) x

Wow, what a weekend!!

Friday night 'The Greatest' performed at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton where I think we had the most photos taken ever! Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves because we find it hard to believe this is all happening to little old us, but the comments given to us after the show by the audience were just fantastic so thank you to everyone we spoke to.

Saturday night we were pleased to perform at an NHS event at The Manchester Central Convention Centre where we performed on our tallest stage yet!  It was built to elevate members during the show & I've got to say, it was an incredible feeling.  I have never experienced that before, the fact that I could see every person of the 1500 strong crowd singing 'Back For Good' & 'Rule The World' was just incredible. I felt absolutely fine up there, but Danny (aka Mark) started to feel a tiny bit of vertigo in 'Shine' so he decided to come down a little earlier... bless him!!

Well, the next stop for 'The Greatest' Take That Tribute will be London where we will be performing at a very high profile event with plenty of celebs & maybe some clown outfits!!!! Keep an eye out for the next blog for some more details.

Till' then...

x

Lee (aka Gary)

'The Greatest' Take That Tribute went right back to it's roots this weekend.

On the 20th of May 2009 'The Greatest' made history by performing our first ever show at The Westgate Suite in Long Eaton, Nottingham, and last night we performed there for a second time almost four months on. We were overwhelmed at how many people that were there on the launch night of the show were there again, plus a whole new bunch of ' The Greatest' & Take That fans, so to all the people that came to support us on both nights... we can't thank you enough.

This time around there were less nerves, but much more excitement. Apart from Simon Cowell (yes, that's his REAL name!) our sound & light technician, who was extremely nervous about controlling the technical side of things, but then if you've seen the set & the lighting etc, you'd be nervous too!!

All in all, it was an absolutely brilliant night that we are all going to be talking about for a long time to come.

Thank you to the crowd, thank you to Simon & thank you to the boys.

Long live 'THE GREATEST'

Lee. (aka Gary) x

Hi everyone,

Well, I'm writing this blog to you on a gloomy Sunday afternoon, drinking a hot Latte watching 'The Witches' on the telly. Can't believe this film used to scare me as a kid! (Only joking... it still does!!)

Yesterday was pretty amazing! We were lucky enough to celebrate 100 years of The Girl Guides in Cumbria by performing on a big stage in front of 2000 screaming past, present & future Girl Guides.

To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen as many hands in the air for Never Forget as there was yesterday, so thanks girls!!

I've got to say, if there was a 'Female Attention Award' given out at the end of every gig, our Jason would have won it yesterday!! He was very pleased by the amount of girls calling him 'A Fittie' in the signing session we had after. Not everyone lost out to him tho, Matt, (aka Howard) Danny, (aka Mark) & I had to be pretty much pulled away from the barriers at the end of the day, as there were so many people that wanted signatures, & pics. So we are sorry if we didn't get round to you, as we all had to get back to the car & travel home to Nottingham. It wasn't a long drive, but it does tend to drag out when you've got Danny (aka Mark) singing at the top of his voice when you're trying to listen to your music on your iPod on the way home!! Thanks Marky!!

Before I go, as you can see there is a new addition to The Photo Gallery on 'The Greatest' Take That Tribute website that I've created just for you! It's called - FAN PHOTOS, & you can now upload any pics you took of us either performing, backstage or after the show & place them into the FAN PHOTOS gallery.

We would love to see what you saw & it's also great to share them with other fans along the way on our tour.

Until next week...

See you soon.

Lee. (aka Gary) x