THE long and winding road of The Bootleg Beatles' celebration of "The White Album's"50th anniversary leads to York Barbican's door tomorrow night.

Joined by string and brass players, the present Bootleg line-up comprises 2018 recruit Tyson Kelly as John Lennon, 2016 arrival Gordon Elsmore as Ringo Starr, 2014 addition Stephen Hill as George Harrison and the aptly named Steve White, the longest-serving member, playing Paul McCartney since 2012.

"The White Album's" half century fell on November 22 last year and the Bootleg tour began soon afterwards in December, but the latest Bootleg re-boot has been so well received, the inevitable decision was taken to add a spring leg of 20 dates in March and April.

"Yeah, it's gone really well," says Steve, delighted by the response to the tribute show's special segment that turns the spotlight on the 1968 double album, focusing not only best-known songs but also on the "more obscure tracks in an attempt to bring to life the breadth and depth of this incredible LP".

Revolution 1, Helter Skelter, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Back In The USSR, Blackbird, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Dear Prudence, Julia, Rocky Raccoon...what a choice to have to make!

"There are so many songs to choose from [30 in all], which really made it a difficult task, so we tried to pick a cross-section of songs that even the casual fan will know and other songs that will please the die-hard fans," says Steve. "We'll do Dear Prudence and Savoy Truffle, as we blend the popular with the not so popular, and we also wanted to choose songs that would utilise the orchestra, so we're doing Martha My Dear [the one named after McCartney's dog, apparently]."

Known as the Pepperland Sinfonia, the Bootleg touring orchestra features three brass musicians and two string players. "By having these musicians on stage with us, as opposed to using a synth sound board, people get to enjoy the visual aspect of them playing," says Steve.

York Press:

Unbeatable: The Bootleg Beatles paying tribute to John, Paul, George and Ringo

This tour finds him approaching his eighth year as Bootleg Beatle Paul. "It's gone by so quickly," he says. "On average we do 100-plus shows a year, and we've done some wonderful things over the years and met some wonderful people. Last year we were on this Greek island and there was this knock on the door. It was Russ Abbot, wanting to congratulate us on the show!"

Steve loves the honour of being a Bootleg Beatle. "First and foremost, I'm a huge fan of The Beatles and have been ever since I was nine or ten, when I discovered them through my father's record collection," he says.

"I was hooked from a young age, collecting records. I loved the Sixties' era, when songs were songs and songs were heartfelt. For me, The Beatles were always the forerunners. The Beatles and The Stones were both admirable, but my feet are definitely in The Beatles' camp when it comes to who's better.

"The Beatles were much more inventive; there was lots of imagination and loads of experimental ideas that were so, so clever, and in such a primitive time in music, that was incredible, whereas The Rolling Stones were foremost a great rock'n'roll band and still are."

Steve continues: "For all the technical advances that go on, musicians like myself go back to the valve sound as we've never been able to produce anything else that has sounded so good – and The Beatles were just experimenting with it!"

Looking forward to playing York Barbican again, he concludes: "I do love York. It's one of the highlights of the March/April tour, such a beautiful place, and often when we're not touring, my wife and I like to come up there because it's so pretty."

The Bootleg Beatles play York Barbican tomorrow (April 5) at 7.30pm. Tickets update: still available on 0844 854 2757, at yorkbarbican.co.uk or in person from the Barbican box office.

Did you know?

The official title of "The White Album" was simply The Beatles.