Journal & Topics Media Group

Liverpool-Bound: Mount Prospect Resident Who Sounds Like John Lennon Will Perform At Beatlefest


Jay Goeppner of Mount Prospect in front of statues of members of The Beatles during a trip to Liverpool in 2017.

A smiling, shoulder length haired Jay Goeppner confidently claims he has the best of both worlds.

During the day, the 54-year-old resident of Mount Prospect loads luggage into parked American Airlines planes at O’Hare International Airport — a job he has been doing for the last 30 years.

“At night,” says Jay, “I sing.”

Goeppner’s specialty is singing songs written and performed by the late Beatle John Lennon along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Even though he’s American, Goeppner sounds just like Lennon, who through his songs pays tribute to the famous Beatle every time he takes the stage, whether performing in one of his bands or when going solo.

For the 10th consecutive year, Goeppner will be traveling to Liverpool, England, on Aug. 20 to be part of the world’s largest celebration of Beatles music, the International Beatle Week Festival. He, along with 100 other Beatle tribute bands, will play and sing the music of the Fab Four during the eight-day event that brings people together from all over the globe.

This year traveling with Goeppner are the five other members of Backdated, a band of which he is its lead singer. Backdated, whose members are all Chicago area residents, performs 1960s and ‘70s rock n roll music throughout the summer at various community festivals. Goeppner also sings for the local band, Class of 68, and with his friend, Phil Angotti in the two-man group Beatle Brothers.

“My whole career has been a magical ride from the beginning when the Beatle Brothers sang on the Jonathon Brandmeier radio show,” Goeppner explained. “I’ve been performing since I was 14, so that’s 40 years. I’ve always focused on John Lennon,” added Jay, whose daughter, Amanda, lives in the Los Angeles area and works for the TV show “The Voice”.

Goeppner and Backdated will entertain Beatle lovers in various locations throughout Liverpool including the rustic looking The Cavern Club where the Beatles performed many times. Goeppner said he has taken his fluid voice and wavy hair to 18 different countries where he has entertained. In November, he will travel to Brazil.

While in Liverpool, Backdated will take advantage of their lead singer’s familiarity with the famous town by touring Beatle venues such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, which are the names of two Beatle songs of places that actually exist. They also plan to meet up with Julia Baird, John Lennon’s sister. In all, Goeppner will perform in 12 shows. Crowds for the shows range from 100 to 5,000, he said.

“My plan is to keep performing as long as I can,” related Jay. He said that he and his bandmates also plan to watch other Beatle tribute groups entertain.

“When not performing, we’ll be busy all the time,” remarked Jay. “When I’m in the audience watching a show, the bands always call me up to sing a song with them. It’s great being invited.”

Goeppner had high praise for his employer, American Airlines, for providing air transportation to and from Manchester, England, which is only a short drive from Liverpool. Cavern City Tours.com is setting up the performers with lodging.

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6 responses to “Liverpool-Bound: Mount Prospect Resident Who Sounds Like John Lennon Will Perform At Beatlefest”

  1. andycason cason says:

    dear jay geopppner next time icome and seebackdated how about we sing yelllow sumarine and ibring the bubles your friendd andy

  2. andycason cason says:

    dear jay geoppner if you need some bubles for your buble machine ihave big bubles and abuble stick your friend andy

  3. andy cason cason says:

    dear jay geopppner if you need some bubles for your buble machine ihave big bubles and abuble stick your friend andy

  4. andy cason cason says:

    dear jay andy says we willbe comeing tooseeyou play on june 2 mont prospect keep on rocking tom h

  5. Grace Bak says:

    Dear Jay! I have seen you perform at the Des Plaines theatre on August 24th., and I was at a loss for words how talented you are…I loved, loved your entire concert!! I also had a privilege of meeting you after the concert, and even told you that “I am not sure who is more talented…John Lennon or you”…your talent is equal, or even grater than John’s. Your energy and your manner were truly as outstanding as your singing. It was an outstanding concert, and an honor to have met you in person. BRAVO and a Huge Thank You for sharing your wonderful talent, and keep on singing Jay!

  6. andy cason cason says:

    dear jay geopppner ihave abirthday comeing up and iwillbee 45 your friend andy

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