Working Class Hero, a tribute to John Lennon

The audience will experience the most incredible likeness of John Lennon yet to be seen. Beatles fans (and casual John Lennon fans) are very impressed with the uncanny vocal similarity Otto has to John's real voice naturally. People who are generally fans of John Lennon in particular are also incredibly impressed with the nuance of Otto's portrayal of John, from how he chewed gum to the attitude and energy represented in his facial expressions. Many people have described the show as "something more than a tribute, John is actually there." The show allows the audience to experience what a John Lennon concert might have been at any given "post Beatles" time in his life. While many Beatles songs are performed, they are handled in a nostalgic manner as if John were playing them at his own concert (much like Paul McCartney does today in his). So, what audiences won't see is a Beatles band with collarless suits and Beatles wigs and Rickenbacher guitars - there is no George, Paul or Ringo in this show. This show is a "John Lennon" show.

Working Class Hero is a production show paying tribute to the music of John Lennon. Based in Phoenix Arizona the show features multiple costume changes, over thirty songs performed by top notch musicians and supported by world class orchestral backing tracks. This sets the stage for Lead Vocalist/Emcee Otto D'Agnolo whose vocal style, physical appearance and stage presentation make Working Class Hero “The definitive Lennon experience”!

Although Otto looks and sounds eerily like Lennon, it is not an act he turns on and off, it is simply who he is. D’Agnolo’s goal has never been pretending to be John, but to respectfully try and give every audience the opportunity to share a dream, to recreate an experience that none of us can ever have again: a brief moment to relive and celebrate the music of one of the greatest Singer/Songwriters of our time: John Lennon
You’ll hear songs written by John from his years with The Beatles, from his rebellious and politically motivated early 70’s and songs from his last works shortly before his untimely passing.

The Working Class Hero Show has been carefully crafted to embrace all members of the audience no matter their level of familiarity with John's body of work. Songs like "Hound Dog" and "Ain't That A Shame", once recorded by John but originally recorded by others, are also included in the show along side forty minutes of John Lennon's greatest Beatles hits.

Cast as John Lennon in this non-stop theatrical presentation is platinum award winning music producer and recording engineer, Otto D'Agnolo (aka OttoD) who began his music career in grade school on trumpet. Eventually moving to electric guitar and bass, he spent his teen years playing in bar bands based out of Peoria, IL. His music recording career has included work with Glen Campbell, Waylon Jennings, Billy Preston, Jordin Sparks, Kenny Rogers and many, many others. As a songwriter, Otto’s work has been released by a number of record labels and featured in various TV shows (Jersey Shore, LA Ink, Punk’d, E! True Hollywood Story, The Office, The Mentalist and others).

Co-creator and Musical Director, Gordy Deems plays guitar and sings in the show while handling all of the music production and recording as well as sound design, transition design, orchestral and vocal arrangements required for the show. Some of Gordy’s other successful music production shows have included: Liverpool Knights, Jersey Rocks, Motown Memories, Vegas Taboo, Showstoppers Live as well as tribute acts Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, Dean Martin, The Supremes and others.

Prior to his successful career in producing shows, Gordy was a member of the band Rage N Rox who were signed to the Dark Horse/Nu Vision Records Label and released the hit single “Drive It In” which was produced by Marlin McClean and Mike Maverolas.

Minimum stage size: 24'X12'

Backline requirements for the
WORKING CLASS HERO show. (we can provide this backline for you as an option)

Gordy Deems – Guitar/ Vocal
Red Knob Fender Twin Reverb
if not available, a Marshall JCM 900 (100 watt) 2 x 12 closed back cab
if not available, Peavey Classic 50 4 x 10 – last choice
Guitar stand to accommodate 3 electrics and 1 acoustic

Otto D’Agnolo – Guitar/ Vocal/ Piano
Fender Hotrod Deluxe
if not available, a Red Knob Fender Twin Reverb
if not available, a Marshall JCM 900 (100 watt) 2 x 12 closed back cab

Guitar stand to accommodate 2 electrics and 1 acoustic
Keyboard stand to accommodate sitting position.
Keyboard stool
Yamaha P80 or similar keyboard.

DBAZZ – Bass/ Vocal
Ampeg
Speaker cabs- 1 (8x10) or 2 (4x10)
Amp- SVT4 pro
if not available, Aguilar
Speaker cabs-DB 1 (8x10) or 2 (4x10)
Amp- DB 751
if not available, Gallien Kreuger
Speaker Cabs- 1 (8x10) or 2 (4x10)
Amp- 2001RB or 1001RB
one bass guitar stand

Todd Chuba – Drums/ Percussion
Yamaha If Possible
DRUMS
Kick: 22x14 or 22x16
Tom: 8x12
Floor Tom: 16x16 or 16x14
Snare: 5x14

HARDWARE:
3 Cymbal Stands
2 Snare Drum Stands
1 Hi Hat Stand
1 Kick Pedal
1 Drum Throne

CYMBALS:
Paiste If Possible
22 inch med ride
20 inch med crash
18 inch med crash
15 inch hi hats

Danielle Cooke – Keyboards
Keyboard stand to accommodate sitting position.
Keyboard stool
Yamaha P80 or simil

Input List

Kick
Snare
HiHat
Rack Tom
Floor Tom
Over Head Left
Over Head Right
Bass DI
Computer Left DI
Computer Right DI
Keyboard DI
Electric Guitar 1
Electric Guitar 2
Acoustic Guitar 1
Acoustic Guitar 2 (dummy lead)
Keyboard 2 (dummy lead)
Vocal 1
Vocal 2
Vocal 3

Lighting requirements: depends on the venue
Front of House requirements: depends on venue
Monitor requirements: five separate monitors and mixes