In the late 1960s, rumors surfaced alleging music legend Paul McCartney had died in an automobile crash. Those claims were backed up by the supposed backward message "Paul is dead" in the Beatles' song "Getting Better" from their album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

With or without the real McCartney, the Beatles continued until officially breaking up in 1975.

John Lennon's death in 1980 put to rest any discussion of a Beatles reunion, but it created a permanent place for the slew of tribute bands, one of which will be playing two shows at the Santa Ana Star Casino today. The Stars of Beatlemania, with shows at 3 and 7 p.m., features two men reprising the rolls they played in the Broadway version, which ran from 1977 to 1979.

David Leon, who adopted the persona of Lennon on Broadway, and Alan LeBoeuf, who took on the likeness of McCartney, will be joined by David Brighton as George Harrison and Carroll Parker as Ringo Starr.

Leon answered some questions for The Observer during a phone interview Tuesday.

Leon, who released one album in the band Helmet Boy before playing for stints in groups such as Herman's Hermits, touted the Beatles' universal appeal for the success of Beatlemania.

"The Beatles are the most popular rock and roll band of all time, and people want to hear the Beatle music," he said. Of his Beatlemania, he added, "It's a fine substitute."

If not for the Beatles, there is no telling what music Leon would be playing. He listed his influences as the Kinks, the Zombies, the Beach Boys and Elton John.

"God, I like all kinds of music from the 60s," he said. "I like any music that's good."

Leon was also confident in his ability to imitate other vocalists, but he doubted he would be as successful.

"I'm sure I could, I mean I can," he said. "I can even sing like Elvis if I have to. No one's going to pay for it."

It's Beatlemania's musical ability that sets it apart from other bands, he said.

"With this band, musically, that is our strength," Leon said. "They can buy the wig, and they can buy the suit and some of them can sing Can't Buy Me Love a little bit, but they miss the nuances of the music."

Of course, some nuances cannot be part of the live show for the sake of practicality. Many of the studio elements of the songs, including the use of an orchestra for "A Day in the Life," cannot be utilized easily.

Calling the Broadway shows limiting, Leon said he enjoyed touring. He's played shows all over America, Europe and Asia, with some in the ocean on cruise ships.

He had some difficulty thinking of a place he has yet to play and wants to. Eventually, he found one: "Decatur, Ill. I'd like to spend a month there. Just kidding."

Actually, Leon has never performed the Beatles music in London. He said he thought the British resented the Beatles being portrayed by Americans. In Germany, where he's played five times, they think the singers are British.

Not all of the Brits, however, were opposed to the show. Leon relayed a story of another member of the Beatlemania show who bumped into the real Lennon on the street. Lennon, the man said, was not against the show, even though he had not seen it. His son Julian, however, had seen it.

Beatlemania takes the audience through all of the Beatles eras, from their early music to their last works - Leon's favorite is around the time of the "Rubber Soul" album - but one part of the life of the Beatles will not be included: Yoko Ono.

"I don't think that would add anything to the show," he said.