photo by Steven Gardner

Mac Ruffing was born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio and as a young child started listening to his older sisters' Beatle records. The first album he ever bought was "The Beatles 1962-66," which is exactly what 1964 The Tribute does, and is still his favorite music. 

Mac started playing the drums at 15, and at 17 he bought a Kingston violin bass (a Hofner knockoff) at a local music store and unknowingly started his roll as "Paul." 

He played in several Southern California original, Top 40 and Beatle cover groups, including 'Help!,' 'Imagine,' 'The Yanks' and 'ATP', all while working full time as a land surveyor. 

Mac, not a natural 'south paw', spent the better part of a year training himself to play the bass guitar left handed, like Paul McCartney. In 1993 he joined the Beatles tribute 'Beatlemania Live!,' touring the world which led to his "passing the audition" in 2009 and joining the touring cast of the Beatles show 'RAIN' on Broadway and in theaters and Performing Arts centers all over the world. 

In 1982 he met 1964 The Tribute co-founders, Mark and Gary, and over the years subbed on occasion with the band. He joined the band full time in 2013, and has since been performing some of the world's best music with the world's best Beatles tribute band. 

Mac is naturally a right-handed player, but taught himself to play the bass left-handed. He also plays the piano and guitar. Mac has immersed himself in the role of Paul McCartney and looks forward to recreating the magic of the Beatles at every 1964 The Tribute show.