THE Beatles have had many imitators over the years, and probably more tribute acts than any other band in pop history.

When it comes to spoof tributes, though, The Rutles are in a league of their own.

Created for the 70s TV series Rutland Weekend Television, the "other" mop tops - including former Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band member and Python contributor Neil Innes, pictured - had their finest hour in the movie All You Need Is Cash, originally made as a TV special for NBC Television but now a cult icon in its own right.

In terms of hits, they lag some considerable way behind the original Fab Four, and are only able to "boast" two low-charting singles in the UK, I Must Be in Love and Shangri-la.

But the group's reputation as tongue-in-cheek homage-payers has continued undiminished for more than 25 years.

In 1978 they even recruited former Beatles press officer Derek Taylor to orchestrate a massive publicity campaign for their first album (having first rechristened him Eric Manchester).

Eerily mirroring the Beatles' own career, in the mid-1990s the Rutles leapt back to prominence with a retrospective collection, The Rutles Archaeology.

Like the Beatles, the Rutles legend looks set to live on.

Support for their Brook gig is by Wreckless Eric.

April 6, The Brook, Southampton. Tickets: £11. Box office: 023 8055 5366.