Greg Hawkes of The Cars - short Q&A
Published today in the Weekend section of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Speaking With: Greg Hawkes
August 14, 2009
BY JEFF ELBEL
When touring with New Wave pioneers the Cars, Greg Hawkes required a back-breaking number of beefy road cases to haul the synthesizers used to recreate the signature riffs of hits including "Shake It Up" and "Drive." These days, he often travels much lighter.
Hawkes' intricate "The Beatles Uke" CD features 15 Fab Four favorites rendered solely on the instrument many still associate with Tiny Tim's plinky "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." Hawkes, whose discography also includes Paul McCartney's "Flowers in the Dirt" LP, will perform Beatles and Cars favorites on ukulele at this weekend's Fest for Beatles Fans.
Musician Greg Hawkes, formerly of the Cars
Question: Are you a lifelong Beatle fan?
Greg Hawkes: My first concert was seeing the Beatles in 1964, when I was 11. It was September in Baltimore, Maryland. They started with "Roll Over Beethoven." I remember they did "Things We Said Today," and Ringo sang "Boys." They played "She Loves You," but they did not do "I Want to Hold Your Hand" [both were U.S. No. 1 singles].
Q: What sparked your interest in ukulele?
GH: It was a Valentine's Day gift from my wife. Once I started playing it, I was hooked. It's such a charming little instrument. After I'd been playing for just a couple of months, I found that George Harrison was a big uke fan and thought, "That's pretty neat!" And later, Paul started using it as a tribute to George in his shows, playing an arrangement of "Something."
Q: Do you have more ukuleles than keyboards now?
GH: Yeah, I'm afraid so. [Laughs] I've got over 30 of them. I've become friends with a guy who's got over 280, though, so I feel like a mere novice.
Q: Maybe your friend should join you in Chicago. Have you heard about the Guinness record attempt for largest ukulele ensemble scheduled during the fest?
GH: Yes. Apparently, there was a gathering in London [in June] where about 850 ukulele players got together. So, they've got their work cut out for them. But I'll be right up there; how could I not? Everybody should come out!
• The Fest for Beatles Fans, today through Sunday, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr. Tickets, $32-$47. Call (866) 843-3378; thefest.com.
Speaking With: Greg Hawkes
August 14, 2009
BY JEFF ELBEL
When touring with New Wave pioneers the Cars, Greg Hawkes required a back-breaking number of beefy road cases to haul the synthesizers used to recreate the signature riffs of hits including "Shake It Up" and "Drive." These days, he often travels much lighter.
Hawkes' intricate "The Beatles Uke" CD features 15 Fab Four favorites rendered solely on the instrument many still associate with Tiny Tim's plinky "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." Hawkes, whose discography also includes Paul McCartney's "Flowers in the Dirt" LP, will perform Beatles and Cars favorites on ukulele at this weekend's Fest for Beatles Fans.
Musician Greg Hawkes, formerly of the Cars
Question: Are you a lifelong Beatle fan?
Greg Hawkes: My first concert was seeing the Beatles in 1964, when I was 11. It was September in Baltimore, Maryland. They started with "Roll Over Beethoven." I remember they did "Things We Said Today," and Ringo sang "Boys." They played "She Loves You," but they did not do "I Want to Hold Your Hand" [both were U.S. No. 1 singles].
Q: What sparked your interest in ukulele?
GH: It was a Valentine's Day gift from my wife. Once I started playing it, I was hooked. It's such a charming little instrument. After I'd been playing for just a couple of months, I found that George Harrison was a big uke fan and thought, "That's pretty neat!" And later, Paul started using it as a tribute to George in his shows, playing an arrangement of "Something."
Q: Do you have more ukuleles than keyboards now?
GH: Yeah, I'm afraid so. [Laughs] I've got over 30 of them. I've become friends with a guy who's got over 280, though, so I feel like a mere novice.
Q: Maybe your friend should join you in Chicago. Have you heard about the Guinness record attempt for largest ukulele ensemble scheduled during the fest?
GH: Yes. Apparently, there was a gathering in London [in June] where about 850 ukulele players got together. So, they've got their work cut out for them. But I'll be right up there; how could I not? Everybody should come out!
• The Fest for Beatles Fans, today through Sunday, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr. Tickets, $32-$47. Call (866) 843-3378; thefest.com.