Ep 10: Something About Tribute Bands with Dave Lempke

In our latest edition of Something Will Happen, Melissa talks with Dave Lempke of New England’s most popular British Invasion tribute band, Union Jack. Union Jack has been playing the music of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and more of your favorites for twenty years. They will be celebrating their 20th anniversary alongside ours at AROTR this year. We can’t wait to see them at AROTR in May!

Dave starts by telling Melissa how Union Jack came to be. The band started as a cover band playing top 40 hits. It wasn’t until the band took a trip to New York and saw a Beatlemania show that they realized there was a market for tribute bands. They all loved the music already, so decided to give it a shot. Union Jack played as a tribute band for one year. After the year, they decided to work primarily as a wedding band and gave up the idea of being a tribute band. They played weddings for the next twenty years. As life pulled members in other directions, the band took a break. 

Luckily for us, in 2002, Dave was asked to play a festival and Union Jack was revived. The band decided that if they only got to play one more show, it would be as the tribute band they created all those years ago. After leaving the stage, they were surprised to find multiple people waiting to book them for other shows!

Eventually, an AROTR regular who saw them perform asked why they weren’t at Abbey Road. Through some Myspace digging (yes Myspace!) Dave found AROTR producer Gary Jacob. Gary found them a slot and Union Jack was welcomed into the AROTR community with open arms. 

Also in this interview, Dave reminisces with Melissa about past AROTR events and the other bands he has met through the festival. He talks of the midnight shows and special sing-a-longs that AROTR has organized at the festival. According to Dave, his personal highlights were seeing the Beach Boys and being part of the Love Concert (a can’t miss!). 

Dave confides in us some plans for the upcoming festival in May, including a Swinging 60s show with Joan Burton that Thursday! If you haven’t already, grab your tickets to see it. It’s sure to be a groovy time!



For more information on Union Jack, check out their website and Facebook page.



Producers: Gary Jacob, Melissa Brumm

Editor: Emily Clopton

Theme Music: King Mixer

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Melissa Brumm