By Jeff Maisey
Unsuspecting audience members often do a double-take when Virginia Beach-based Wilder Horses take the stage.
“Is that who I think it is?,” you’ll likely overhear. Or, “It couldn’t be.”
No, it’s not, but, yes, singer Bobby Alderman is the spitting image, a dead ringer for The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
No only does Alderman look the part, he’s got the mannerisms down, and nails Jagger’s vocal tone and delivery.
On Saturday, May 30, Alderman and his 10-piece supporting cast of musicians dubbed Wilder Horses: the Ultimate Rolling Stones Experience will headline Hampton Arts big-time fundraiser at The American Theatre. Proceeds will support next season’s programming at the historic theatre. (Tickets are available through hamptonarts.org)
In advance of the event, which opens with Lucky 757, I caught up with Alderman for a conversation about his tribute to The Rolling Stones.
VEER: Were you a Rolling Stones fan as a teenager?
Bobby Alderman: Yes.
The Rolling Stones have always been a musical influence of mine even in my younger days.
I’ve always enjoyed blues rock music. My favorites growing up were Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and The Rolling Stones.
VEER: What were your favorite Stones tunes at that time of your life?
Bobby Alderman: “Paint It Black” would have to be my all-time favorite. Along with “Honky Tonk Women” and “Brown Sugar.”
VEER: You bear an uncanny resemblance to Mick Jagger. When did you and/or others notice this?
Bobby Alderman: A close friend of mine, Rodney Blevins, was the first person to tell me I looked like Mick, and that was in the 7th grade
VEER: Tribute bands have become popular over the past 5 to 7 years. What led to the formation of Wilder Horses?
Bobby Alderman: Nigel Holland of Right On Band and Evil Woman was instrumental in getting me to start the band. I quote him: “Bobby you’ve got to do this! You look more like Mick Jagger than Mick Jagger looks like Mick Jagger!”
So I reached to a couple of players, set up an audition, and voilà.
VEER: Were any other names considered for the band and how did you finalize the decision?
Bobby Alderman: No, it seems Wilder Horses was the first and only choice. After checking online to see if there were any other bands with the same name and at the time believe it or not there wasn’t.
VEER: Did you watch old Rolling Stones live video/film to observe Mick Jagger’s onstage body movements and fascial expressions?
Bobby Alderman: Oh, yes, hours of studying his moves. I’m not as fluid as Mick but I’m working on it.
VEER: Who are the other players in the band and is it as important for them to “look the part”?
Bobby Alderman: Wilder Horses is a 10-piece band…
Michael Mosgrove plays the part of Keith Richards. Michael is the ultimate expert on the Rolling Stones.
David Hunter is our very own Charlie Watts; the heart beat the glue that holds those intertwined syncopated guitar parts together. David claims his style was strongly influenced by Charlie.
David’s also a wealth of Rolling Stones knowledge
Paul Johnson plays the part of Ron Wood. The first time Paul rehearsed with us we were all floored by his abilities — pure rock and roll talent. Paul often claimed the only music he knew was his own original music and the Rolling Stones’.
Patrick Meyers holds the low-end down playing the part of Bill Wyman. Pat captures the part of Bill perfectly from his instruments to his wardrobe and capturing the sound.
Chris Ambrosino — our I can play anything guy — adds percussion, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals. On top of all that he’s our graphic artist designing our ads and posters for every show.
Bill Beach, playing the parts of some of the greatest keyboardist of all times, like Ian Stewart, Nicky Hopkins, and Billy Preston. Bill also acts as our business manager doing the daily work of keeping this stampede going.
Steve Stelmaszek our very own Bobby Keys — bluesy, soulful and just downright a badass on the sax.
Joel Joyner is a trumpeter extraordinaire and also fills out playing percussion and backing vocals for the band. Joel served in the Army playing music all over the world.
Gina Dalmas is beautiful inside and out, and man can she sing, and plays guitar to boot.
Totally worth the ticket price just to hear Gina sing “Gimme Shelter.”
VEER: Is it important for Wilder Horses’ versions of songs to sound as close to the studio album version?
Bobby Alderman: Yes, we feel most people have been exposed to the Rolling Stones through their recorded music verses seeing the Rolling Stones live, although many of our audience members have seen the Stones in concert multiple times But staying true to their recorded versions of their songs is very important.
VEER: What songs in your setlist are the most popular with your audiences?
Bobby Alderman: “Paint It Black” and “Under My Thumb” are big crowd pleasers as well as “Honky Tonk Women.”
And “Miss You” seems to always get the crowds moving, but I’d have to say “Satisfaction” is the most popular song we perform — fitting that it’s the Stones’ biggest hit.
VEER: Do you include any of the Stones’ ballads such as “Lady Jane” or “Angie”?
Bobby Alderman: We don’t do either “Lady Jane” or ‘Angie,” although we’ve talked about each. At this time they aren’t on the set list. We do “Wild Horses” — our band’s namesake.