Andre Barreau Explained

Andre Barreau
Birth Date:	16 April 1956
Instrument:	Electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals
Genre:	Pop, rock
Occupation:	Musician
Years Active:	1980–2023
Past Member Of:	The Bootleg Beatles

Andre Barreau (16 April 1956 – 25 August 2023^[1]) was a British musician who was a member of The Bootleg Beatles, in which he played George Harrison from the group's formation in March 1980 until his departure in 2017. In 1997, Barreau performed the slide guitar solo on Robbie Williams's song "Angels".^[2]

The Bootleg Beatles

Following the final show of the West End musical Beatlemania, Barreau formed The Bootleg Beatles with fellow cast members Neil Harrison and David Catlin-Birch. The band invested their dwindling finances in two guitars – an Epiphone and a Gretsch – as well as two Vox amplifiers, four black polo-necks and a wig.^[3]

Barreau left the performing lineup of the band in 2017 but continued with the show's production. His death was announced on 25 August 2023.^[4]

Death

Andre Barreau died in August 2023, at the age of 67.^[5]

Credits

Stage

• Beatlemania (1979–1980) – George Harrison
• The Bootleg Beatles (1980–2014) – George Harrison, audio visual research, and artistic Director

Discography

• Le Beat Group Electrique by Wreckless Eric (1989) – Bass guitar
• The Donovan Of Trash by Wreckless Eric (1993) – Bass guitar, backing vocals
• 12 O'Clock Stereo by The Hitsville House Band (1995) – Guitar, backing vocals
• "Angels" by Robbie Williams (1997) – Lead guitar
• "Call Me a Fool" on the original soundtrack for Sliding Doors (1998)
• As I Was Saying by John Howard (2005) – Guitars
• Same Bed, Different Dreams by John Howard (2006) – Guitars
• Dangerous Parking (2007) – Composer

Notes and References

1. https://www.silvascreen.com/andre-barreau-apr-16-1956-aug-25-2023/ Andre Barreau Apr 16 1956 – Aug 25 2023
2. Life thru a Lens. Life thru a Lens. Robbie Williams. 1997. UK CD album booklet. Chrysalis Records. CDCHR 6127, 7243 8 21313 2 8.
3. The Bootleg Beatles Souvenir Programme 2004–2005
4. Web site: It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and founding member, Andre Barreau... . www.facebook.com . The Bootleg Beatles . 26 August 2023 . 25 August 2023 . It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and founding member, Andre Barreau. Andre co-founded the band with Neil Harrison in 1980 and played the role of ‘George' until 2017. In recent years he was heavily involved in the creation of audio visuals for the band's theatre shows and the design and copy of the programme as well as personally representing the band on their hectic tour schedules around the globe..
5. Web site: André Barreau, 1956 – 2023. The Bootleg Beatles. 6 September 2023.