ERIC IDLE - RUTLES PLAY LIVE - AT LAST

RUTLES PLAY LIVE - AT LAST

LATEST: Funnyman ERIC IDLE's mock BEATLES, THE RUTLES, performed live for the first time in Hollywood on Monday night (17Mar08). Following a question-and-answer session at the Egyptian Theatre, which marked the first time the quartet had appeared together since making 1978 mockumentary All You Need Is Cash, Idle and bandmates Neil Innes, John Halsey and Ricky Fataar took to the stage at a VIP party. The sold-out event was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the film, which the four-piece introduced at the beginning of the evening. Celebrities who turned up to salute the mock rockers included Andy Summers, Jeff Lynne, Peter + Gordon star Peter Asher and The Simpsons regular Dan Castellaneta. Asked about their 'reunion' after 30 years apart, Idle quipped, "This is the first time in history that a band has reunited before they have actually united in the first place!" There was a surprise in store for the Rutles - 'reunion' instigator and 30th anniversary celebration host Martin Lewis read out a message from Sir Mick Jagger. Jagger appeared as himself throughout the original 1978 film and, in the closing scene of the film, he was asked if he thought the Rutles would ever reunite. His response: "Hope not!" Playing on that, Jagger sent the band the following message: "After all the on and off promises and cancelled shows, I can't believe you have finally decided - at your great age - to defy all the odds and recreate your magnificent past. I wish I could be there. If only to laugh!"