Mammoth Blog

For Beatlemaniacs and video game fans, it won't be long.

"The Beatles: Rock Band," a video game that takes players on a simulated magical mystery tour through The Beatles' remarkable evolution, appears in stores Sept. 9. And to celebrate, Blockbuster in Montclair will hold an event leading up to the midnight sale.

The free event will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight Sept. 8 and will include guitar sing-a-longs from 8 to 9 p.m., trivia and games from 9 to 10 p.m. and prize giveaways. "The Beatles: Rock Band" goes on sale from midnight to 1 a.m.

From 6 to 8 p.m., Alameda-based Beatles cover band The Sun Kings will perform at the Blockbuster parking lot. Residents driving to the event will be allowed to park across the street on the upper floor of the Safeway parking lot.

"We're hoping it'll be an intergenerational celebration of The Beatles," said Dawn Stranne, who is coordinating the event for Blockbuster. "We hope people can hang out until midnight. We're going to give away some really great stuff. There are a lot of big prizes, but they do have to be present to win, like (game) bundles being given away."

From "I Saw Her Standing There" to "Get Back," the latest title in the "Rock Band" video game franchise will allow players to play and sing along with Beatles songs, playing along on toy instruments.

The look of the instruments will be based on the band's real gear -- John Lennon's Rickenbacker 325 guitar, Paul
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McCartney's Hofner bass, George Harrison's Gretsch Duo Jet guitar and Ringo Starr's Ludwig kit with a black oyster finish and classic Beatles insignia branded across the bass drum.

Store manager Kathleen Peterson said her store will have about five units containing the instruments as well as the game. The remaining 30 to 35 units will contain the game without the instruments. The game will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. The "Rock Band" game costs $60, while the limited edition version, with the replica Beatles instruments, runs $250.

Those 18 and over can enter to win one of six stand-alone game guitars as well as one of 12 copies of "The Beatles: Rock Band" game, three of which will include the game's instruments, Stranne said. Those dressed in '60s or Beatles garb can enter a separate contest for a chance to win a year's worth of free rentals.

Residents are asked to bring a musical instrument that will be donated to Music in Schools Today. Those who donate will receive a coupon for a free video rental.

"It'll be interesting to see how well it does," Stranne said of the new video game. "In this economy, people are looking for ways to have entertainment value. Having it at home adds a whole lot of entertainment value, so it's worth it. The price tag might stop you at first, but it will pay off in the long run. I think the grandkids will appreciate it."

Despite breaking up nearly four decades ago, The Beatles seem to be as popular as they ever were, said Drew Harrison, who sings and plays guitar as John Lennon in The Sun Kings.

"It's great music," Harrison said. "How can you deny it? It's obvious, it's great music. It's supremely crafted."

He said the new video game is introducing Beatles music to the a new generation -- "in the latest format, the 21st century medium of choice, and that's video games."

Still, Harrison said he's far more adept at playing the music live on real guitars, than he is at the game.

"I wasn't trained on video games, I was trained on pinball games," he said with a laugh. "I'm sure my family and other folks -- nieces and nephews -- are into it."
# IF YOU GO WHAT: Concert by The Beatles cover band The Sun Kings
# WHEN: 6 p.m. to midnight Sept. 8
# WHERE: Blockbuster Video, 2110 Mountain Blvd., Oakland
# INFORMATION: 510-530-7110 source>>>