A night out watching live music in Liverpool's Legendary Cavern Club held a surprise for popular York band Flashback, who were suddenly aware that Pete Best, the Beatles' original drummer, was standing close by.

They eventually got into conversation with Pete, who was interested to know that the band has its roots in the music of the early 'sixties beat groups, and he was not surprised when they told him how those raw early sounds continue to excite audiences of all ages today.

Flashback saw Pete's band last year and were so impressed that they decided to turn their act into a full-on, authentic tribute, and have never looked back since. The chance encounter ended with Pete wishing the band well and signing autographs.

Flashback have been a household name on the York music scene for more than 20 years.

Guitarist/lead vocalist Pete Willo, who has fronted the band in its various guises, says their current line-up, providing a hard-hitting portrayal of the early 'sixties Beat groups, has never been so much in demand, playing several times a week at venues throughout Yorkshire. Along with Kev Benson on bass/lead vocals and Phil Calvert on drums, the trio has a hundred years playing experience between them.

Using instruments and amplification of the 'fifties and 'sixties, including period microphones and a full-size backdrop of the stage wall of the Cavern, they set out to try to recreate the sights and sounds of those halcyon days. Their repertoire ranges from the raw R&B of Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Elvis, through to early Beatles rockers, including some of the songs that made them famous. Also represented are the likes of Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer, The Hollies, Rolling Stones and even The Kinks, all of which is combined with a great deal of light-hearted banter to create a "stompin' night out", as they used to say!

Currently, Flashback are having another stroke of luck! Recently they were seen by some of the cast of the touring John Lennon/Beatles tribute show "Come Together Right Now" and as a result they have been invited to the final show of the tour at Liverpool's Empire Theatre on Sunday 11 December. Later that evening they will be back down the Cavern Club to play in front of an invited audience at the after-show party. All the hard work the band has put in this year seems to be paying off now with gigs in the diary as far ahead as December next year, including a rock-and-roll weekend at a top Blackpool hotel in the Spring.

If you want to hear what everyone was raving about in 1962, you can see Flashback in two of their all-too-rare local performances on Friday 28th October at The Fulford Arms, and on Saturday 29th at The Flag and Whistle, Huntington. Sample the music of that period at its raw, earthy best - and not a backing tape in sight!

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, October 20, 2005