Dexter Resident Gears Up for Paul McCartney's Visit to Detroit

As thousands of fans prepare to welcome Sir Paul McCartney back to the Motor City on Sunday, Dexter resident Tom Diab is planning a grand celebration for the former Beatle.

Diab and his tribute band, Toppermost, have been selected as the official opening act for McCartney and will perform for free at Cheli’s Chili Bar across from Comerica Park from 5-8 p.m. Sunday. McCartney will take to the stage at Comerica Park at 8 p.m.

“The concert promoter did not want to mess with Paul’s stage, so they moved us across the street,” Diab said. “The rumor is, though, Paul's band will be in attendance.”

Diab, a die-hard Beatles fan since he was 10, performs 70 shows a year across the state with his Farmington Hills-based tribute group.

“I was 10 when John Lennon was assassinated, and I just started playing Beatles music and instantly fell in love with it,” he said.

His love affair with the Beatles’ music led Diab to learn guitar, and at 19, he began performing at various clubs. At 28, Diab toured professionally for 12 years with a British Invasion tribute act before branching off to co-found Toppermost four years ago.

“Toppermost is gaining popularity,” he said. “Every year, we do more shows.”

Donning Beatle wigs, suits modeled from the original Beatles’ stage outfits and similar instruments, Toppermost transports fans back to the 1960s and the height of Beatlemania.

“I don’t think the popularity of the Beatles will ever die,” Diab said. “At least 40 percent of our audience are teenagers or younger and you can see the kids singing along to the songs. It’s really a lot of fun.”

Speaking on the longevity of the Beatles, Diab said he believes McCartney’s charisma, strong vocal talent and lyrics have been a chief catalyst.

“McCartney is a great solo artist, but the magic was The Beatles,” he said.

Diab’s longtime friend Dudley Holmes agrees.

“I think a lot of people are getting back into spending time with their family, and what better way than to attend a Beatles show?" he said. "The music is clean, and the kids love songs like ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘Octopus’ Garden.’ ”

Diab said it’s always a thrill to perform Beatles classics.

“I always say it’s an act and a concert. This year, we’ve been inundated with autograph requests and photos with fans,” he said.

For his part, Diab said portraying his childhood hero is a dream come true.

“I always modeled my life after Paul,” he said. “He has a style that’s kind but cool. I didn’t want to be mean to people, but I didn’t want to be introverted, either.”

When he's not performing, Diab can be seen at the Gourmet Chocolate Cafe in Chelsea, which is decked out in Beatles posters and where Beatles music plays over the loudspeaker most of the day.

"The Beatles are more popular now than they were in the 1960s, I believe," he said. "They are a worldwide phenomenon with fans across the globe."

Diab will perform with Toppermost at 6:30 p.m. July 30 at the Chelsea Sounds & Sights Festival behind the clock tower complex. For more information and booking on Toppermost, visit the band's website.