McCartney recounts emotional farewell to Harrison

London, June 30 (IANS) Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney had bid an emotional farewell to former band mate George Harrison shortly before he died in 2001. McCartney had held his hand and spent hours with Harrison when he had gone to see him, reports contactmusic.com. He says: 'With George, I got to see him a short time before he died. And it was just the best because we sat stroking hands. And this is a guy, you know, I had known since he was a little kid. 'You don't stroke hands with guys like that. You know, it was just beautiful. We just spent a couple of hours and it was really lovely. It is a favourite memory.'

Wish list: We want you back

This year's reunion tours sound like the radio play-lists for half the stations in the Twin Cities -- the Police, Genesis, Stray Cats, Crowded House, Rage Against the Machine and Smashing Pumpkins, to name just the biggest. It makes us dream of more: The Beatles ...more...

All you need is 'Love'

Reverberations from a 15-minute conversation with John Lennon in 1974 are just now washing over Las Vegas. Mark Lapidos was a young record store manager with a business plan when he met Lennon in New York City. The brief encounter launched a career spanning 33 years. "It started in 1974 as a 10th anniversary celebration of their arrival (in the United States). He (Lennon) said quote, 'I'm all for it. I'm a Beatles fan myself,'" Lapidos recalled. "It appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone that first year. It sort of mushroomed from there and became a career." ...more...

Review: Lennon lives up to legacy

Sean Lennon will forever live in the light -- and darkness -- of his father, John. Although he was just a few years old when he lost his father to the hands of an infamous murderer, the musical lineage was there at birth, and he has brought it to life over the last decade. Lennon appeared Thursday night at Higher Ground, delivering an exquisite set of music that was at times dreamy, alternately sizzling with bold strokes of bravado -- but always intense, no matter the volume or pacing of the individual song. For those who remember The Beatles or John Lennon's solo music as part of a present tense context, it is impossible to not make comparisons with his second son. Sean's compositions are filled with irony, and his on-stage presence is witty. ...more...

McCartney in the frame as late wife and daughter's photos appear

Sir Paul McCartney turned his latest magazine photospread into a true family affair - the then-and-now snapshots were taken by his late wife Linda and daughter Mary. The new Interview spread features rare archive shots of the former Beatle, taken by his late wife, while daughter Mary captured the 65-year-old as he is today. In the accompanying article with Interview editor Ingrid Sischy, McCartney recalls his late wife's special photographic gift. He says, "She was like no other photographer I've ever encountered... Linda would just sit around and talk to you. It wouldn't be like a session. "She's just sit down, raise her camera, and go, 'Click.'" ...more...

Sean Lennon blasts rock 'n roll, political art, but champions beauty

The death of rock 'n roll has been greatly exaggerated before, but when John Lennon's son says it's in a perilous state, maybe it is time to worry. Singer Sean Lennon told a news conference on Friday that there is little room for innovation in the genre that his father helped make famous as a member of The Beatles. "I mean rock 'n roll is already kind of played out," he said at a news conference at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. "I wouldn't even be doing it if my mission was to be a pioneer." The real appeal of rock 'n roll for Lennon lies more in the aesthetic challenges of songwriting than in the desire to forge new sounds. "I'm only worried about creating beautiful songs," he said. "I'm not trying to reinvent songwriting." The singer will play at the city's annual jazz festival while also promoting his new album "Friendly Fire" - his first since the 1998 release of Into the Sun. ...more...

MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK AS McCARTNEY SITS ON LENNON STOOL

The fondest Beatles memories came flooding back for PAUL MCCARTNEY as he wrote tracks for his new album - because he composed songs on JOHN LENNON's old stool at the same old upright piano he played SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND hits on. MCCartney realised he was sitting at his father's old piano, which he used to compose tracks for Memory Almost Full, as Sgt. Pepper took off. And his piano stool was extra special too. He says, "It's a little stool that my kids gave me, which was John's stool. They found it at an auction. "I've got it sitting in front of my dad's old piano."


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P.S. We love you too

By George Martin: What was I doing on July 6, 1957, when 15-year-old Paul McCartney went along to hear 16-year-old John Lennon performing with his band at a church fête in Liverpool? Most likely I would have been working at Abbey Road Studios in London, unaware of the significance of this seemingly uneventful meeting between a couple of teenagers carefully sizing each other up and looking forward to showing off what they could do on their cheap guitars. John and Paul must have been wary of one another, wondering if they could play together, both trying to be cool yet excited, keen to get better at what they both loved - writing and performing songs. At the time I may well have been in the Number Two Studio making an album with Peter Sellers, a member of The Goon Show, the immensely popular radio program. The Beatles adored the Goons and consequently treated me with some reverence when we met in June 1962. Not too much reverence, mind! ...more...

Sir Paul offers glimpse into McCartney divorce

Paul McCartney, who turned 65 on June 18, hasn't let the world pass him by. Memory Almost Full, McCartney's first release on the Starbucks label Hear Music, is surprisingly good. The album is pure McCartney -- he wrote all 13 tracks and with the exception of a handful of pieces, also played all the instruments on the CD. The disc is as eclectic as McCartney himself, displaying everything from pop to electronica to classical to rock. In "Dance Tonight," McCartney shows off his whistling prowess while "Only Mama Knows" features a classical opening with violins which turns into powerful electric guitar riffs. "Mr. Bellamy" is powered by brooding horns and McCartney's staccato lyric phrasing. In the liner notes McCartney admits to writing many of the songs in retrospection. If you're looking for him to purge about his divorce from Heather Mills McCartney, you will be disappointed. There are, however, some lyrics that will give you a glimpse of McCartney's feelings on the divorce. In "Ever Present Past," McCartney sings "I've got too much on my plate/Don't have no time to be a decent lover." And in "Gratitude," he sings, "I'm so grateful for everything/You've ever given me/How can I explain what it was/To be loved by you." ...more...

Stella McCartney's virtual fur protest

Stella McCartney will co-host a virtual anti-fur protest next month in the online fantasy world known as Second Life. The week-long protest will begin July 12 on a dedicated island in the computer-generated alternative universe, it was announced this week by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The island will feature stables, a lake, picnic tables and Linda McCartney mini-veggie-burger stalls. ...more...

Paul McCartney - No Love for Jennifer Love?

It was a bizarro scene last night in Hollywood -- with Kenny G getting better V.I.P. treatment than Jennifer Love Hewitt. Sir Paul McCartney must not be a "Ghost Whisperer" fan, because poor little JLove waited in line with everybody else who showed up for his "secret" performance last night at Amoeba Records in Hollywood. Hewitt didn't seem to mind, as she was seen happily signing autographs from the queue. ...more...

McCARTNEYS DYING FAREWELL TO HARRISON

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY said an emotional final goodbye to his former BEATLES bandmate GEORGE HARRISON as he lay on his death bed. MCCartney held hands with Harrison before he lost his battle with cancer in 2001. The rocker reveals, "With George, I got to see him a short time before he died. And it was just the best because we sat stroking hands. "And this is a guy, you know, I had known since he was a little kid. You don't stroke hands with guys like that. You know, it was just beautiful. We just spent a couple of hours and it was really lovely. It is a favourite memory."


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'Surreal' night for Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney had a word to describe the scene at Amoeba Records in Hollywood Wednesday night: surreal. The ex-Beatle employed that adjective twice during his hour-and-a-half long set, gazing out at the delirious crowd pushed up against the record racks during what might just have been the greatest in-store performance this Ground Zero of in-stores has ever seen. "I'd just like to take a little moment to...just take this all in, OK?" McCartney said, having departed the piano after "The Long and Winding Road." He sang a quick "Happy Birthday" to somebody near the front, then opted for some audience participation. "You look like the creatures in 'Village of the Damned,'" he joked, referring to the English horror flick featuring alien humanoids known as the "Sinister Children." ...more...

CNN to repeat Larry King's interviews with Beatles, Paris Hilton

Did you miss Larry King's interview with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr? Were you away when King questioned Paris Hilton? CNN will give you more chances to see these headline-making programs. The Beatles program, which features Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, will repeat at 7 p.m. Friday and 9 p.m. Saturday. The show originally aired Tuesday. The Hilton interview repeats at 8 p.m. Friday and 9 p.m. Sunday. Hilton's first TV interview since leaving jail was shown Wednesday. There are more big-name guests in what has been a high-profile week for King. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell will be King's guest at 9 p.m. Thursday. Filmmaker Michael Moore, who is promoting his new "Sicko," is the guest at 9 p.m. Friday.

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King bumbles through Beatles show

Maybe he was just deep into show prep for his that's-hot interview with Paris Hilton, but CNN talker Larry King didn't get off to an auspicious start when he hosted a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Beatles-themed Cirque du Soleil show Love at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Two of the Fab Four -- Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr -- were there to unveil plaques honoring their late bandmates, John Lennon and George Harrison. But when King stood before a buzzing media crowd to introduce the ex-Beatles, Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and Harrison's widow Olivia, he referred to Harrison as '' George Hamilton.'' Oops. Fortunately, McCartney and Starr, who appeared on King's show later Tuesday with Ono, ...more...

Ringo watches Macca

Ringo Starr was amongst the audience at a low-key show in Los Angeles yesterday as Paul McCartney continued his whistle-stop promo tour of the world. The former Beatles were reunited at a gig in Amoeba Records in Hollywood, as Sir Macca aired tracks from his new album "Memory Almost Full". The free concert attracted a crowd of 900 devotees, many of whom had camped out overnight to see the pop legend. The concert was the latest in a series of shows in recent weeks in America and the UK, with McCartney again plundering his and The Beatles' back catalogue during the set. ...more...

Yoko Ono hails McCartney as a 'magnificent man'

(ANI): Though reports have already raked up the long-standing feud between Beatles legend John Lennon's wife Yoko no and Sir Paul McCartney, the avant-garde artist has described cCartney as a 'magnificent man' during the unveiling of a plaque n honour of her late husband and George Harrison. The 72-year-old also posed for a photograph with Harrison's idow, Ringo Starr and McCartney. Ono said that her late husband would have been very happy that he show has been a great success and another 'magnificent man' s introducing him. "John would have been very happy and glad that this show is such success, and also that another magnificent man introduced him - I'm very thankful to him," the Daily Mail quoted her, as saying. In 2002, when McCartney released the album, "Back In The U.S. Live 2002". ith reversed credits, Ono is said to have wanted to sue him. The album that had 19 classic songs by Beatles was released by Paul as 'McCartney and John Lennon', instead of 'Lennon-McCartney'. However, Ono's lawyer said there was no legal issue in it. "This is not an issue involving a legal matter ... She is secure n the knowledge that the agreement that has been in place for he past 40 years stands," her lawyer said. (ANI)

McCartney fans camp out for show

Hundreds of Sir Paul McCartney fans are camped outside a Los Angeles record shop for a free in-store concert by the former Beatle. Sir Paul is to play to 300 fans at Amoeba Music in Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard later - but some have been waiting outside since Monday. One, Toni Johnson, 55, said she had flown in from Chicago for the gig. "It was noisy, cold, I was trying to sleep upright on a chair. But for Paul, it's worth it," she said. "His music touches my soul and puts a smile on my face like no-one else can." ....more...

George Harrison to receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

George Harrison will receive a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame next year. The late Beatle will be honoured at a 2008 induction ceremony, along with Christina Aguilera and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who will also receive stars in their names. Hollywood's honourary mayor, Johnny Grant, said that these artists were chosen "for a combination of professional achievement and community involvement." The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Los Angeles and is embedded with the names of more than 2,000 celebrities recognised by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their contributions to the entertainment industry.

SOURCE: NME.COM

Paul, Yoko and Ringo let it be as they honour dead Beatles

It's well documented there's no love lost between Yoko Ono, the widow of the late John Lennon, and his estranged Beatles bandmate, Paul McCartney, but at the unveiling of a plaque in honour of her late husband, and Beatle George Harrison, she hailed McCartney as a 'magnificent man'. A smiling Yoko stood shoulder to shoulder with McCartney, drummer Ringo Starr and George Harrison's widow, Olivia, by portraits of her murdered husband, and George Harrison, two of the rock world's most famous sons. At the unveiling of two plaques commemorating the dead Beatles, Yoko said: "John would have been very happy and glad that this show is such a success, and also that another magnificent man introduced him - I'm very thankful to him." The dedication ceremony coincided with the one-year anniversary of circus troupe Cirque du Soleil's Beatles musical "LOVE" at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. ...more...

Beatles Lennon and Harrison honoured

Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr turned out for a special ceremony in honour of John Lennon and George Harrison. The pair were joined by Yoko Ono Lennon, Olivia Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté at The Mirage in Las Vegas where two plaques were unveiled. The two former Beatles were recognised for their contributions to the production LOVE, which celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles and is presented exclusively at The Mirage. The project was born out of a personal friendship between George Harrison and the Cirque du Soleil founder. ...more...

It's Beatle night on 'Larry King'

Larry King couldn't reunite The Beatles, but he did the best he could, assembling surviving group members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and Beatle widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison for a CNN interview on Tuesday night. Serving as "fifth Beatle" for the evening was Guy Laliberte, founder of Cirque du Soleil, which is celebrating the first anniversary of its Beatles-soundtracked LOVE production in Las Vegas. That was the location and pretext for the King interview. Structured teasingly, the show was opened by the duo of Ono and Harrison. Laliberte joined them for the next segment. Then McCartney and Starr came on together, without the widows; the actual "reunion" was saved for the final segment. Source...

BROWN REFUSES TO MENTION THE BEATLES

Incoming British prime minister GORDON BROWN has refused to tell reporters he listens to BEATLES mp3s - for fear of being accused of music piracy. The politician - who replaces former leader Tony Blair on Wednesday (27Jun07) - admits he was almost charged for illegally downloading the Fab Four's works. But now insists the band no longer features on his portable music device. He says, "Lots of the music I grew up with (is on my ipod); Mowtown, Sinatra, and lots of Sixties and Seventies classics. "The last time I was asked this, I mentioned the Beatles and some people tried to get me prosecuted for illegally downloading their albums so I won't mention them!"

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LOVE SPECTACULAR REMINDS McCARTNEY HOW GOOD THE BEATLES WERE

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY loves checking out circus troupe CIRQUE DU SOLEIL's Las Vegas BEATLES tribute spectacular, L.O.V.E, because the show reminds him how good the Fab Four were. The Yesterday singer reveals technical surround-sound improvements made to Beatles hits for the show, which celebrated it's one-year anniversary at the Mirage hotel on Tuesday (26Jun07), help give the music a fresh, impressive sound. He explains, "The music in this show is so clear that, for instance, Ringo's drums, which were like the central glue in the whole band, you hear them so clear; it's like a miracle. "They were often buried in mixes and you just realise just how good we were." Bandmate Ringo Starr, who joined MCCartney for Tuesday's celebrations, adds, "You can hear everything now. Things that we buried a lot, it's all very clear, so it's really great to hear it."


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McCARTNEY BERATES KING FOR GEORGERINGO SLIP-UP

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY poked fun at U.S. talk show titan LARRY KING during a rare TV interview on Tuesday (26Jun07) when the CNN host accidentally called BEATLES bandmate RINGO STARR "George." King insisted he was getting ahead of himself after asking the two Beatles where they were when John Lennon was shot, and planning his follow-up question about George Harrison's death. But fun-loving MCCartney wasn't going to let the veteran broadcaster get away with his slip-up. He said, "No, this is Ringo... He's got your name wrong, Ringo, on national television. We can't cut it, it's live." The moment of brevity reminded many fans of the Beatles' early U.S. TV interviews - when the bandmates poked fun at reporters. Starr later poked fun at King when he told the host, "He's (MCCartney) still the most melodic bass player on the planet," prompting the newsman to ask, "What does that mean." The drummer shot back, "It means he's melodic!"


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Beatles White Album sells for +$20k at record collecting auction

It was an amazing week with two one-of-a-kind vinyl treasures selling above $10k. I believed the Sex Pistols had a shot at overtaking the Beatles, but of course fate never shows the good taste it should, and the Beatles White Album #0000006 sold for $21,411.15 with 74 bids from a starting bid of $1452.34. The Sex Pistols "God Save The
Queen" promo 45 sold for $11,798.00 with 22 bids from a starting bid of $1025.00. The graph above shows sales of White Albums numbered less than 100 over the past four years. Two selling points of this record were first that it came from the collection of John Lennon's former limo driver. And second, it was sold by Beatles expert Perry Cox, so one can be as sure as sure can be that the record indeed came from the afore mentioned limo driver. ...more...

Beatles, Beatles everywhere

The Beatles are everywhere again. Last week, I did a check of the UK charts and found Collection, a compilation of songs by the all-star band Traveling Wilburys, which included George Harrison at No. 1. The list of the Top 10 albums also had CDs by other acts like Paul McCartney, The Who, Genesis, which reunited in a concert in Paris and Police, which staged its reunion in Vancouver. Last Monday morning, I found myself in a nostalgic Mea Culpa moment: A message from reader Luke Tejeros called attention to my gaffe regarding the Traveling Wilburys. He says: “Johnny Cash was never with the Traveling Wilburys. It was formed by George Harrison with Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra and later included Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan.” Sorry. The newly-released album includes a DVD and cuts from Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 and Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3. For some unknown reason there is no Volume 2 album by the group. To this day, fans are still wondering why they chose to have a Volume 3 without a Volume 2. Maybe with this compilation charting No. 1 in the UK and now also in theTop 10 in the US, surviving members Lynne, Dylan and Petty might finally come up with an explanation. ...more...

*Viewer reminder: Beatles on "Larry King Live" Tuesday *

This is a must for Beatles fans: Tuesday's "Larry King Live" will feature Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr along with Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison. The program can be seen at 9 p.m. on CNN. The quartet will discuss the lasting appeal of the Beatles music and the contributions of the late John Lennon and George Harrison. McCartney, Starr and the women will be celebrating the first anniversary of the Cirque du Soleil's "Love" show, a Las Vegas production that celebrates the Beatles' music. Will Tuesday's show draw a bigger audience than King's Wednesday show with Paris Hilton? She is giving her first post-jail interview to King. CNN

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PAUL MCCARTNEY TO PLAY RECORD SHOP GIG

Paul McCartney is to make a 'surprise' appearance at a record shop in Los Angeles tomorrow (June 27). The superstar musician will play tracks from his latest album 'Memory Almost Full' at Amoeba Records in Hollywood at around 7.30pm. The record store gig is not the first intimate show that the former Beatle has performed. To promote the new album, McCartney has played several hastily arranged special shows in small venues. ...more...

McCartney + Starr come together for chat with bandmates' widows

Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will make TV history on Tuesday night in America when they join George Harrison and John Lennon's widows for a panel chat. The quartet will join CNN anchorman Larry King for an hour-long interview on Larry King Live - it marks the first time the foursome has agreed to be interviewed on TV together. The four stars agreed to come together to honour the first anniversary of The Beatles-inspired L.O.V.E. stageshow in Las Vegas

Reflections of a Renaissance Man: An Interview with Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney suddenly requests a warm beverage and, to my astonishment, it is not a cup of tea. “Have I got my Starbucks? This is only ‘cause I wanted a coffee and there’s one across the road. This is not a commercial,” he assures me, minutes after we sit down for our interview. Nestled inside the recording studio of David Kahne, who produced McCartney’s 21st non-Beatles album Memory Almost Full, he admits, “I’ve become more of a coffee person, though not because of Starbucks.” This scenario illuminates a couple of facts: one is that, even in the self-consciously hip Meatpacking District where Kahne’s studio stands anonymously, you can hardly turn a corner in New York City without encountering that annular logo of the meditative mermaid. The other is that for coffee drinkers and sexagenarian musicians alike, all roads eventually lead to Starbucks. In a joint venture with Concord Records, Starbucks’ Hear Music imprint promises what Paul McCartney’s old record company, EMI, cannot: frontline sales in the 10,000 stores Starbucks operates worldwide, serving a constituency that doesn’t frequent record stores like they used to. (Though Concord is an independent label, it’s served by a major label’s distribution system—Universal—in traditional retail outlets.) ...more...

John Lennon's sons are speaking again

Half brothers Julian and Sean Lennon have begun speaking to each other again. Their reconciliation follows Julian's eight-year feud with Sean and Sean's mother, Yoko Ono, the widow of the men's father, Beatle John Lennon, the New York Post reported in Sunday's editions. The rift stemmed from comments Julian made about Yoko Ono, he told the Post. Julian's mother is John's first wife, Cynthia. "I thought it time to make big changes in my own life," Julian, 44, told the Post in what the paper said was his first interview since 1999. "Part of that has been to get Sean back into my life, because I love him so much." After contacting Sean's tour manager this year, Julian surprised his half brother backstage after a show in Prague. "We just hugged and held each other," Julian recalled. Julian joined Sean, 31, on the tour bus, sleeping on the floor and travelling through Croatia and Slovenia, he said.

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Paul McCartney Wings ‘Band On The Run’ Grammy Award to be Auctioned July 3

Paul McCartney Wings ‘Band On The Run’ Grammy Award to be Auctioned July 3 ItsOnlyRocknRoll.com Auctions will present a Live Auction of Beatles memorabilia at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas on July 3, with The Fest for Beatles Fans including Denny Laines Wings Grammy Award. A rare opportunity to acquire a real Grammy award from one of the members of Paul McCartney’s band Wings. The engraved plaque reads: “National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences…Paul McCartney & Wings...Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal...Band On The Run” Considered by critics and fans as, perhaps, McCartney’s finest post-Beatles album, “Band On The Run” remains his best selling album since the breakup of The Beatle; the #1 album selling more than three million copies in the U.S. alone. “Jet,” “Helen Wheels,” were both top ten hits, while “Band On The Run” hit the #1 position on the Billboard singles chart. The trio that comprised Wings at the time; Paul, wife Linda and guitarist/vocalist Denny Laine, each received Grammy trophies in 1974. This particular Grammy, originally the property of Denny Laine, comes with Laine’s letter of authenticity. ...more...

Summer of Love

Way back when the world was younger than yesterday, the youth of America put forth a manifesto of peace, love and understanding. We were defiant, irreverent, stoned, anti-war and free-lovin' upstarts trying to set the night on fire. There was never a better time to be young. For what it's worth, the Summer of Love is 40 years old. History, however, hasn't been so understanding of the love generation - historians have turned off, tuned out and dropped the big one on the Haight-Ashbury scene - which calls for a rewrite, since the good vibrations weren't limited to San Francisco. The fervor was global - felt even by a kid back east who was just old enough to realize there was something happening here. ...more...

'LENNON BE': SIBS RECONCILE

Julian Lennon has finally given peace a chance after an eight-year feud with half-brother Sean (far left) and Yoko Ono, the widow of his Beatle father, John. This comes as Yoko revealed recently that she considered an abortion to be rid of Sean, now 31, "because maybe John didn't want it." Julian, 44, can appreciate the problem. He and his mother, Cynthia, John's first wife, were kept secret when the Beatles were first topping the charts in the early 1960s. ...more...

Paul McCartney Eyes Second Deal With Starbucks

Sir Paul McCartney is reportedly planning to sign a second record deal with coffee chain Starbucks, because he is thrilled with the sales of his latest album Memory Almost Full. McCartney caused controversy among his liberal fans when he signed a one-album deal with Starbucks' Hear Music label after 43 years with music giant EMI. Music industry insiders claim McCartney refused to sign more than a one-album deal with Hear Music because he was concerned the venture might not work. But after the disc went to number three in the U.S. album charts earlier this month (Jun07), the former Beatle is delighted.

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Paul McCartney: I won’t junk love song even though marriage ended

Paul McCartney has said he’s included a love song to estranged wife Heather Mills on his new album because he doesn’t want to forget the good times the couple shared. Speaking about the song ‘See Your Sunshine’ on his new album ‘Memory Almost Full’, he said this week: “That is pretty much an out-and-out love song for Heather. A lot of the album was done before, during and after our separation. I didn’t go back and take out any songs to do with her. That one was written during a good time with Heather. I don’t want to deny those times. When you’re going through a separation it’s always tempting to put all that behind you, but I don’t think that’s right. I’m not a great grudge-holder. It’s just unfortunate it didn’t work out.”

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RARE PHOTOS OF THE BEATLES UP FOR AUCTION TO AID DARFUR

Bidding has opened for the UNHCR online charity auction. UNHCR has partnered with Charity Folks, the leading online marketplace for nonprofit fundraising, to auction five never before seen photographs of the most notorious group in music history, The Beatles. These incredible photos were taken by photographer, Wallace Clark. When The Beatles hit the scene, Clark was 24 years old and working in a camera store in Miami . Through his relationships with professional photographers who would frequent the store in which he had worked, he found out that the Fab Four would be at the Deauville Hotel on Miami Beach . Using fake press credentials, Clark had access to the Ed Sullivan show where The Beatles were performing, and found his way to several more shoots in the Miami Beach area- including the Time Magazine shoot that immortalized The Beatles.

"Only later, when The Beatles became “musical legends in their own time,” did I realize that I had been part of a historical event. Now that’s a really cool lifetime memory,” said Clark . Almost identical to that of Time Magazine, these one-of-a-kind photos are a keepsake honoring one of the most influential bands in history.

Bidding ends on Thursday, July 5th at 6PM EST at www.charityfolks.com.

About UNHCR: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency) protects and assists the world's 20 million refugees. Today, 80% of the world's refugees are women and children. In more than a half century of work, UNHCR has helped more than 50 million refugees restart their lives, winning two Nobel Peace Prizes in the process. Today, the agency works in some of the most dangerous places on earth, from Darfur to Iraq , Afghanistan to Colombia . In all, the agency works in 116 countries with a staff of 6,600 - most serve in conflict zones. When a refugee crisis emerges - as it did in Darfur , Sudan in 2003 - UNHCR is on the ground immediately: interviewing refugees who cross a border, assessing needs, coordinating with government officials and other UN entities, providing direct services to refugee families, and coordinating work of partner agencies.

About Charity Folks: Charity Folks is the leading online marketplace for nonprofit fundraising, corporate cause marketing campaigns and celebrity-driven charity events; a cross-market penetration that has made them the "go-to" in the field of ePhilanthropy. Among their special partners are hallmark nonprofits, including Entertainment Industry Foundation and The World Wildlife Fund; A-list celebrities, such as Alicia Keys and Morgan Freeman; and top-brand corporations, including Toyota and Esquire Magazine.

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Fergie Presents $20,000 John Lennon Songwriting Contest 'Maxell Song of the Year' Prize to First Latin Category Winner in 10 Year History

Gaby Moreno, Ari Shine and Victor Indrizzo of Los Angeles made history as the first Latin category winners to take home the "Maxell Song of the Year" Award for their song "Escondidos". They were presented with the $20,000 Maxell Song of the Year check at Roseland in New York City, where Fergie made a stop on her Verizon VIP Tour. For the first time, the winner of the coveted prize had the opportunity to open a show for an award winning multi-platinum artist. The Maxell Song of the Year was selected, from the Lennon Award winners in 12 musical categories, by the JLSC Executive Committee of performers and songwriters that includes The Black Eyed Peas, Elton John, Wyclef Jean, Carlos Santana, Tim McGraw, Carole Bayer Sager, Enrique Iglesias, Bacon Brothers, John Legend, and Macy Gray, to name a few. ...more...

Paul McCartney’s new album has love song for Mills!

(ANI): Sir Paul McCartney’s latest album also has a love song that he composed for now estranged wife Heather Mills. In the song ‘See Your Sunshine’, Macca croons: "She makes me feel glad/I want her so bad." Macca revealed that the reason the song is on the Memory Almost Full CD is because it was composed before the couple’s acrimonious split last year, after four years of marriage. "That is pretty much an out-and-out love song for Heather. A lot of the album was done before, during and after our separation," the Mirror quoted him, as saying. The singer, who recently celebrated his 65th birthday, also revealed that he had left the song on the album is because he didn’t want to negate the fact that Mills and he shared a lot of happy memories. "That one was written during a good time with Heather. I don't want to deny those times. When you're going through a separation it's always tempting to put all that behind you, but I don't think that's right," he said. "I'm not a great grudge-holder. It's just unfortunate it didn't work out," he added. The couple’s divorce battle got increasing acrimonious with both sides making some very ugly accusations against each other. However, they called a truce last month and deciding to deal with each other with civility, fearing the toll it was taking on their young daughter Beatrice. (ANI)

BEATLE HARRISON RICKY MARTIN SET FOR 2008 STAR HONOURS

Late BEATLES star GEORGE HARRISON, RICKY MARTIN, country duo BROOKS + DUNN, TIM ROBBINS and CATE BLANCHETT will be among the stars honoured with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008. Hollywood's honorary mayor Johnny Grant announced the list of 2008 inductees on Wednesday, noting recipients were chosen from hundreds of nominations received by the Walk of Fame Committee. Others featured on the 2008 roll-call include Christina Aguilera, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Angela Bassett, comic book guru Stan Lee and the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz.

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Now Heather accused of lying about attack

SINCE being catapulted into the public eye, Heather Mills-McCartney has enjoy­ed her reputation as a fearless crusader. But yesterday the former model, now estranged from husband Sir Paul McCartney, came up against a formidable opponent in court. The 39-year-old blonde was forced to deny lying on oath after she accused photographer Jay Kaycappa of assaulting her. She insisted repeatedly that Mr Kaycappa, 32, did chase her into a subway and manhandle her so that he could take her picture. Accused by Anya Lewis, defending, of making up the allegations, Ms Mills-McCartney retorted: “Why would I lie? I do not need to spend time in court to defend this. ...more...

Rare Beatles documentary to screen at LA film festival

A rare Beatles documentary is one of the highlights of the upcoming Mods & Rockers film festival, set to take place July 13 through August 1 in Los Angeles. The festival will open with 'What's Happening! The Beatles In The USA', a documentary about the fab four's first visit to the US in 1964. This screening will be one of the first occasions when the documentary has been shown in its entirety. Renowned documentary filmmaker DA Pennebaker will be honoured at the festival. He will appear at screenings of his two Bob Dylan documentaries -- 'Don't Look Back' and 'Bob Dylan '65 Revisited' -- on July 20. ...more...

Vote for Paul McCartney on VH1

I’m trying to help the promotion for the new Paul McCartney Memory Almost Full CD and I thought you might be interested in joining me and helping Paul. VH1 allows viewers to vote online for their Top 20 countdown and it would be REALLY great if we could all join together and vote for Paul’s “Dance Tonight” video. Let's blow them away and get Macca to number 1. If you have to write him in as a wild card and drag and drop him in the #1 slot then do it. Come on. The link to vote for Paul McCartney’s “Dance Tonight” is: http://www.vh1.com/shows/series/top_20_countdown/vote.jhtml

VOTE!!!

Paul McCartney: I Don't Know What I'm Writing About

Sir Paul McCartney has told his fans not to try and interpret what his songs are about - because often he doesn't have a clue himself. The ex-Beatle who released his new long-player 'Memory Almost Full' at the start of the month, says he has no fixed ideas when he writes the lyrics to one of his songs. Macca said: "When I write something, half the time I don't have a specific idea what it's about. "I've always had a wave of people who interpret things and say 'Oooh he's talking about Yoko' and I'm thinking 'What? No I'm bloody not! I'm talking about a car.' Yoko, Volvo - easy mistake." Source...

Ringo Starr Returns to Capitol/EMI With Exclusive Global Signing Agreement

Ringo Starr has signed an exclusive global recording contract with Capitol/EMI, returning to the world's largest independent music company to release and market his new solo recordings, as well as his EMI-managed catalog titles and new catalog compilations. EMI Music will also make Starr's EMI works available in digital format for the first time on a global basis. On August 28, Starr's EMI catalog, including the albums Sentimental Journey (1970), Beaucoups Of Blues (1970), the platinum-certified Ringo (1973) and gold-certified Goodnight Vienna (1974), will make their digital debuts. Fans will be able to purchase Starr's EMI catalog works from all of EMI's digital distribution partners, and the titles will also be part of EMI's premium download offering (free of digital rights management and in a higher-quality bit rate) from participating retailers. Six Ringo Starr ringtones will also debut on August 28. ...more...

There's a Beatles anniversary every day

Well, maybe not everyday, but there are plenty of them around at the moment... It was around this time in 1964 when The Beatles were sending people (mostly young, female people) completely potty around the country. It was 40 years ago today (well, just the other day) when Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band redefined everything we thought we knew about pop music (again). And it was Paul McCartney's birthday the other day (he was 65). So it was the perfect opportunity to let Derek indulge one of his greatest passions and enjoy all things Beatles. Beatles impersonators Rubber Soul joined us to play live, Andy Muirhead and Professor Adrian Franklin from ABC TV's Collectors show were thrilled to hear from people with all kinds of Beatle-related-rarities, and Mark Copolov, who's spoken to just about everyone who's had anything to do with The Beatles, phoned up his friend Richard Lush who just happened to be at work at Abbey Road when we rang, putting the finishing touches to a Sergeant Pepper's tribute. ...more...

McCartney to sign long-term deal with Starbucks

London, June 21 (ANI): Former 'Beatle' Sir Paul McCartney is reportedly planning to sign a long-term multi-million pound deal with Hear Music, a record label owned by coffee giant Starbucks. The singer, who celebrated his landmark 65th birthday at his London home on June 18, had earlier refused to sign more than a one-album contract with the company because he wanted to see if the record label would make a good job of promoting his latest album. An Insider at the company says now that McCartney has seen his new album 'Memory Almost Full' ranking third on the prestigious US Billboard chart, he has decided not to retire. The source also said that Starbucks would be responsible for McCartney's albums over the years after the signing of the multi-million pound deal between the two parties. "Paul always had the business brain in the Beatles," the Daily Express quoted the source as saying. "Now that the new album is selling well, Paul has finally been convinced to sign a long term deal with Starbucks and is expected to put pen to paper in the coming weeks. This means Starbucks will be responsible for Paul's albums for many years to come," the source added. (ANI)

HISTORIC DOCUMENT UNCOVERED: REVEALS THE BEATLES WERE ORIGINALLY NAMED THE "BEATALS"

Before they were the Beatles, the Fab Four went through numerous name changes. A very little known fact is that the first time the band ever referred to themselves as The Beatles, the band spelled it "Beatals." A copy of a historic letter written by original fifth Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe in March 1960 is now available as part of a new limited edition fine art reproduction entitled "Meet the Beatals." "Meet the Beatals" is a watercolor painting (circa 1957 – 1960) featuring the early Beatles in their "Skiffle" days taken from Stuart Sutcliffe's personal sketchbook. The historic letter is superimposed over the bottom of the painting. In the letter from late March 1960, Sutcliffe who refers to himself as the manager of the band, writes, "This is a promising group of young musicians who play music for all tastes, preferably rock and roll." Sutcliffe begins to refer to the band as the Quarrymen, then crosses it out and writes "The Beatals" – the first time the band ever called themselves by that name! The artwork is hand signed by Pauline Sutcliffe, who is executor of the Stuart Sutcliffe estate and Stuart's sister. This is the first limited edition art piece ever released by the Sutcliffe estate and only 175 numbered and signed copies will be produced. The work is being officially released on June 23 on what would have been Stuart's 67 th birthday and is available at www.rockartshow.com.

Stuart Sutcliffe's influence on the Beatles was extraordinary. Stuart was coaxed into joining the band by his roommate, art school classmate and closest friend John Lennon. Stuart, an accomplished artist at a young age, sold one of his paintings and used the money to purchase a bass guitar. During Sutcliffe's time with the band, he gave them their name (Beatals), designed their collarless jackets and with his fiancée Astrid Kirrchher, created the "Beatles Mop Top" haircut. He quit the band while in Hamburg, Germany to pursue his art career and stay with Astrid. Tragically, Stuart died in 1962 at the age of 21 from a brain hemorrhage. In 1994, the film "Backbeat" was produced dramatizing Stuart's short life. In 2006, BBC commissioned a new documentary about Stuart's life and art, entitled, "Stuart Sutcliffe, The Lost Beatle." It received the "Creative Excellence" award at the US International Film and Video Festival.

"Meet the Beatals" is proudly published by Celebrity Arts , (www.ArtCelebs.com) publishers of Ringo Starr's artwork and distributors of Paul McCartney's artwork in conjunction with Right Brain Revenue, Inc. presenters of "The Rock Art Show ", (www.rockartshow.com) the largest touring rock and roll art show in the world.

You can see and purchase "Meet the Beatals" at the Fest for Beatles Fans at the Mirage in Las Vegas from July 1 – July 3 and at "Revolution – featuring the Art of the Beatles" at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, New York from June 29 – July 8. Pauline Sutcliffe will be making an appearance at both of these shows. You can also order it online at www.rockartshow.com.

HIGH RESOLUTION JPG (300 dpi) OF THE ART PIECE IS AVAILABLE AT http://www.rockartshow.com/stuIMG/Beatals-Sutcliffe-HiRes.jpg


© Beatlesnumber9

Strawberry Fields Forever

When John Lennon was a child, he would come from his home where he was being raised by his Aunt Mimi and her husband George on Menlove Avenue, Liverpool, and would climb over the wall into nearby Strawberry Field and escape from all his problems and play in the grounds there. He went on to add an “s” to the correct name of the place and write his famous song, “Strawberry Fields Forever.” I recently visited Strawberry Field and can report that it is now a lively Salvation Army Prayer Center and Church. It had been closed for a while when the Salvation Army closed down an orphanage there. But now it has opened again and is humming with activities with Christians coming from around the world to pray and worship the Lord there. ...more...

Beatles photographer talks about life behind the camera

On June 22 internationally renowned photographer Bill Eppridge will be at the Crooked Tree Arts Center for a Coffee at Ten lecture at ten a.m. and a gallery talk at 7 p.m. He will discuss his life as a photojournalist and his time spent with The Beatles on their first U.S. tour, which is captured in the current exhibition at CTAC entitled: "The Beatles! Backstage and Behind the Scenes." Revisit the beginnings of the magical mystery tour with a fine art photography exhibition from the archives of CBS and LIFE photographer Bill Eppridge. Eighty-four never-before published images of The Beatles are showcased in this exhibition, magnifying a condensed 1964 time-frame as the Fab Four won new North American audiences and revolutionized rock music at an unprecedented pace. ...more...

Yoko Ono's Beatles worries

Yoko Ono is reluctant to write her autobiography because she is worried it will hurt people close to The Beatles. The 74-year-old singer - the widow of murdered former Beatle John Lennon - admits she will have to tread carefully with her memoirs, to avoid upsetting the Fab Four's children and families. She said: "I want to write my autobiography one day, but still don't have the time. ...more...

Larry King to reunite living 'Beatles' with bandmates' widows

For the first time since the 'Beatles' split Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison will be interviewed together on Larry King Live next Tuesday. Cirque du Soleil founder and CEO Guy Laliberte, whose Love show at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas is celebrating its one-year anniversary, will also join them on the sets. Laliberte show is known for featuring digitally remixed recordings of the Beatles' music. Since the interview will bring McCartney and Ono together, television columnists believe that it will be a must-watch telecast. "McCartney and Ono together? That's a must-see, isn't it?" Contactmusic quoted Orlando Sentinel TV columnist Hal Boedeker as commenting about the interview. ANI

McCartney buried the hatchet with Lennon before his demise

Washington, June 20 (ANI): Former 'Beatle' Sir Paul McCartney says that he had made peace with late bandmate Sir John Lennon before he was assassinated by an obsessed fan. McCartney insists he had buried the hatchet with Lennon before December 1980, when Mute Dick Crapface shot him dead. He also stresses that his relationship with Lennon would have prospered if his former bandmate had been alive. ...more...

JACKO $MACKO IN BEATLES CASE

Michael Jackson chose to keep his glove on, settling a $48 million lawsuit with a New Jersey finance company rather that duke it out in federal court. Lawyers in the case announced the settlement for an undisclosed sum yesterday as Manhattan federal Judge Kevin Castel prepared to select a jury to decide whether The Gloved One swindled businessman Darien Dash and Prescient Acquisition Group out of fees. ...more...

Not everyone wore flowers in their hair

Forty years ago this week Jimi Hendrix set his guitar aflame at California's Monterey Pop Festival. That iconic act is burned into memories of an iconic time, the so-called Summer of Love. Let's be honest. Most of us baby boomers weren't there to see it. Wherever we were that summer of '67, we probably weren't living it. After 40 years, it's high time for myth-busting. I was 13 that summer. The reality of my life was no match for Haight Street. No sex, no drugs, for me it was just rock 'n' roll from the tinny radio in my upstairs bedroom in sleepy Spokane. ...more...

Ringo Starr 'Best of' Out This August

It will be a special collector's edition album called Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr with a DVD and 20 songs that span his entire musical career. The move to digital will be a first for Starr, as the Beatles as whole had previously decided collectively not to release any Beatles' material in a downloadable format. Starr has also signed a contract with label Capitol/EMI to allow them to release all the rest of his preceding solo work online on the same date that the 'Best of' will be out. He also agreed to release his future solo work via digital download as well. ...Source...

Kate Moss at Paul McCartney's 65th birthday celebration

Kate Moss looked stunning at last night's celebrations for Sir Paul McCartney's 65th birthday. The event took place in north London at Macca's St Johns Wood home. Moss looked stunning and elegant in a vintage cream dress with simple jewellery and black clutch. Other guests at the party included his daughters Stella and Mary, Sir Elton John, brit actor Mackenzie Crook (who features in his latest music video) and Sharleen Spiteri. [source: Metro]

NEWS McCARTNEY WRITES WITHOUT PURPOSE

Musician SIR PAUL McCARTNEY laughs at fans who claim to understand the songs he writes, because most of the time they mean nothing. The former Beatle claims he sits down to write songs with no idea about he wants to create. He says, "When I write something, half the time I don't have a specific idea of what it's about. "I've always had a wave of people who interpret things and say, 'Oooh...he's talking about Yoko.' And I'm thinking, 'What? I'm bloody not. I'm talking about a car.' Yoko, Volvo, easy mistake."

PRESS RELEASE

Fans given a chance to “chat” with Paul McCartney on his website

Fans have been given a chance to step into an interviewers shoes and “talk” with Paul McCartney one on one with the new “You Tell Me” tool exclusively on the ‘Memory Almost Full’ website. The renowned musician is experiencing a career renaissance with ‘Memory Almost Full’ earning critical praise and strong support from radio with the first U.S. single, “Ever Present Past.” The video single, “Dance Tonight” has been added in medium rotation at VH1 and part two of McCartney’s exclusive interview with ABC’s Good Morning America aired Thursday, June 14. ...more...

Yoko Ono says she still might write a memoir

Yoko Ono may yet write her autobiography despite a reluctance to deal with hostile critics -- Beatles fans who still blame her for breaking up the band. But she is also worried about hurting the people she would write about. "I want to one day do that probably, but still don't have the time," Ono, the widow of slain Beatle John Lennon, said at a forum in New York. "There are things that I can't write because it may hurt someone," Ono said. "I think about how it might hurt (their) children and I don't want to do that." ....more...

George Harrison's Son Records Lennon Tribute

The son of late Traveling Wilbury George Harrison has recorded a cover of his father's bandmate John Lennon's 1971 song Gimme Some Truth. Dhani, whose mother is Harrison's widow Olivia, has teamed up with Bob Dylan's son Jakob to record the track for the upcoming Lennon tribute charity album Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur. A music industry insider says, "Dhani and Jakob's version has been heard by fans on the internet and has gone down very well indeed. It's very apt to have the son of a Beatle singing the song and the pair have known each other for years, as their fathers were close friends and were both in the Traveling Wilburys."

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A Beatles Reunion For The Sake Of 'LOVE'

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (June 18, 2007) -- The surviving members of the world's most celebrated rock band, The Beatles, will attend a special dedication ceremony in honor of the late John Lennon and George Harrison, in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of Cirque du Soleil's "LOVE." Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will be joined by Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison for the dedication, taking place on June 26 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. "LOVE," which celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles, was born out of a personal friendship and mutual admiration between George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté, who will also be on hand for the event. During the show's rehearsals in May of last year, McCartney and Laliberté discussed how best to recognize Lennon’s and Harrison's contributions to the show. Cirque du Soleil designers have since created two plaques that will be unveiled at the dedication ceremony, and then permanently displayed in the "LOVE" Theatre lobby at The Mirage. ...more (plus video)...

'I threw away Lennon's drawings'

ART teacher Geraldine Brock didn't get much work out of a tall teenager with glasses. He was polite but not interested. His studies of flowers and foliage usually incomplete because he left the class early. She said: "They were OK, but unfinished and he left them and I used to bin them. I wish now I had kept them because they would have made me a lot of money." For that 17-year-old was John Lennon. And Liverpool Art College, where he was a first year student, stood next door to Liverpool Institute where fellow Beatle-to-be Paul McCartney was a pupil. ...more...

Artist gives the Beatles new direction

Many Beatles fans and readers have expressed outrage that the 36-foot-tall sculpture of the Beatles that will soon grace Interstate 10 near the Shepherd exit has John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the wrong positions. The sculpture has Lennon standing on the left side of the stage (facing the audience) and McCartney on the right. Fans note that when the Beatles performed live, Lennon was on the right, McCartney on the left. From the mail I'm getting, you would have thought the sculptor had the Beatles standing on their heads. Here's the artist, David Adickes, explaining why he flopped Lennon and McCartney: ...more...

McCartney tells Mills to keep away from his birthday bash

(ANI): Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has reportedly asked estranged wife Heather Mills to stay away from his birthday bash. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is set to throw his 65th birthday party at his Peasmarsh country estate, and it was rumored that since the couple has decided to call a truce for daughter Beatrice’s sake, they are on such good terms that they might be celebrating together. However according to a source, McCartney and Mills, who are involved in some pretty nasty mud-slinging divorce battle, see each other only for their daughter’s sake, and Mills is not invited to the party. “They see each other to hand over their daughter Beatrice and that’s it. Heather has been made aware she will not be welcome at his party. It’s for family and close friends only,” the Sun quoted the source, as saying. The source insisted that Mills is just trying to gain public support by publicizing that she is friendly with the singer.

“Heather’s trying to win the public over by letting people think she’s all chummy with Paul. She reasons that if people think Paul has forgiven her then they will too. But Paul’s not happy. There is no way he and her are buddies. Not now, not ever,” the source added. Macca and Mills, who tied the knot in 28 October 2002, announced their split on May 17, 2006. (ANI)

McCARTNEY LENNON LOVED ME YEAH YEAH YEAH

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY insists he had settled his differences with JOHN LENNON before his BEATLES bandmate was shot dead. The pair's friendship was famously fraught with tension throughout their working lives, but MCCartney is adamant they rekindled their relationship before Lennon was murdered by obsessed fan Mark David Chapman in December 1980. And MCCartney believes the pair's friendship would've prospered had Lennon been alive today - and referenced a Beatles lyric to prove his point. He says, "We had a good relationship when he died and I think it just would've got better. "It's one of the tragedies of him being killed. I think he was mellowing. He was a great man and I was very lucky that we healed our relationship. So that's something that's very precious to me. It would've been a real problem if we hadn't. Y'know, he loved me...he loved me yeah yeah yeah."



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McCARTNEY ARRANGES HIS FUNERAL

Music legend SIR PAUL McCARTNEY has already planned his own funeral - he wants to be laid to rest in Ireland. The former Beatle, who celebrates his 65th birthday today (18Jun07), confesses he was consumed with thoughts about his own death while writing new album Memory Almost Full. He says, "I fancied looking at death as a subject for myself. And then I thought, I like the kind of Irish approach where you have a wake and it's kind of celebratory. "I remember an Irish woman wishing me well once and she said, 'I wish you a good death.' When I thought about that, that's actually a great thing to wish someone."

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Wilburys Get UK Number One

The Traveling Wilburys have made a triumphant return to the charts as the supergroup scored a number one UK album with a collection of their past hits. The band - which included Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Bob Dylan - formed in 1988 and produced two albums. Bon Jovi also scored a high new entry at two with Lost Highway, while the Police's greatest hits album reached number three. Barbados-born singer Rihanna still has the number one single with Umbrella. Rihanna held off a challenge from the White Stripes with their latest single Icky Thump, which moved from 13 to two. Enrique Iglesias, Kelly Rowland and Mutya Buena were also in the top five. New entries in the singles chart included Kelly Clarkson with Never Again at nine, The Holloways with Generator at 14 and Marillion's Thankyou Whoever You Are at 15. © NewsRoom 2007

Ringo Starr plans downloads of song catalogue, greatest hits album

Ringo Starr is going digital. The ex-Beatle has signed a deal to release his Capitol/EMI catalogue as downloads on the internet, including his hit 1970 album "Beaucoups of Blues" and "Ringo" from 1973, his publicist said in a statement Sunday. The downloads will be available Aug. 28, along with a compilation album, "Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr." The best-of collection, with tracks like "It Don't Come Easy" and "Sentimental Journey," will also be released on CD and as a collector's edition CD/DVD package featuring a film and video clips. Six Ringo Starr ringtones will also be offered. A solo album, called "Liverpool 8," is planned for a January 2008 release. Starr's first solo recording contract after the Beatles broke up was with Capitol/EMI, from 1970 to 1975. His former Fab Four bandmate Paul McCartney released his 21st solo album, "Memory Almost Full," on June 5. The Beatles catalogue remains unavailable for downloading, though EMI has said it is working on a deal to put the songs online.

© The Canadian Press 2007

NEWS McCARTNEY STUDIES YESTERDAY COVERS

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY caught up on the phenomenon that is his YESTERDAY tune recently after a pal recorded the 10 most amazing covers for him. The former Beatle still can't believe the song he wrote after waking one morning with it playing in his head has become the most covered tune of all time, and admits he hadn't heard many of the renditions by other artists. McCartney says, "I realised I'd hardly heard any of these 3,000 cover versions, so I had someone make me a CD of the 10 most amazing covers... Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles." But in playing the covers, perfectionist McCartney realised the greats had tweaked his lyrics. He explains, "The funniest thing was, three or four of them changed the lyric very subtly. Fabulous. "In the middle I go, 'I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday...' But they don't. They go, 'I must've said something wrong,' like, 'I doubt very much whether I did.' "Certainly Elvis does. He's not admitting a thing."

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Happy Birthday to...Paul McCartney

There's one chart-topping music star who will be able to pick up his pension today - Sir Paul McCartney. The former Beatles star has reached the age where he could finally hang up his guitar and put his feet up - but he shows no signs of slowing down. The singer and songwriter, whose new solo album Memory Almost Full was released last week and is already a hit, recently thrilled fans with private gigs in London and New York. Last week he said: "I always feel like there are so many more songs to write. I have never thought about quitting." And the musician revealed that music has helped him through the hard times - he is currently divorcing Heather Mills, with whom he has a three-year-old daughter. I am going through a divorce at the moment, that is big pressure," he said. "And when The Beatles were splitting up, that was big pressure. So there are times when I feel very pressured by life, but music is the good side, music is my saviour." It looks like he will rocking the crowds for a few more years to come.

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'Sgt. Pepper' at 40, from A to Z

It was 40 years ago this week — to be precise, June 1, 1967, in Britain, a day later in the former colonies of America — that the Beatles changed the world. Of course, the Beatles had changed the world many times before, but the release of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was different. It was called “a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization,” one of its tunes (“She’s Leaving Home”) was credited with being one of the three great songs of the 20th century, and in the week after the album came out, “the irreparably fragmented consciousness of the West was unified, at least in the minds of the young.” ...more...

Lennon’s tunes to aid Darfur relief

John Lennon once sang, “Nobody told me there’d be days like these,” a sentiment that could easily apply to an age in which rock stars such as Bono and Bob Geldof are receiving serious face time with world leaders – instead of being derided by politicians for their incursions into politics. Lennon’s music is the focal point of “Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur,” a double CD released Tuesday to benefit Amnesty International’s relief efforts in the war-torn region of Sudan. Initially, Amnesty International officials had approached Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, for permission to use his “Imagine,” a song she’d never approved for any philanthropic project. ...more...

Paul McCartney finds love on the charts with debut of ‘Memory Almost Full’

On June 18, Hear Music will release a one-a-kind video tribute filmed at the Global Listening Event in honor of McCartney’s 65th Birthday and distributed via a host of viral video portals. The video features well-wishes from celebrities, music lovers and McCartney fans from London, New York, Berlin, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Miami. Widely hailed by critics as one of the best albums in Paul McCartney’s solo career, ‘Memory Almost Full’ sold 160, 541 copies across all retail outlets in the U.S. in its debut week, landing the record at #3 on Billboard Top 200 chart. The inaugural release from Hear Music brought McCartney his highest chart debut in ten years as a solo artist (1997’s ‘Flaming Pie’ debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart). This week’s sales saw a significant increase over McCartney’s 2005 release, ‘Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,’ which peaked at #6 on the Billboard chart with first week sales totaling more than 90,000 copies. In addition, ‘Memory Almost Full’ is the first McCartney album to be made available digitally, selling 15,598 digital albums in its first week. ...more...

Far from a cracka by old Macca

IT IS almost 40 years to the day since The Beatles' epochal Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was released in June of 1967 . . . And I have just wasted an hour or so of my life listening to Paul McCartney's new album, Memory Almost Full. Listening to Memory, it is hard to fathom that the Scally icon actually played on one of the greatest slabs of vinyl thus far created. Easier to understand is that he will be 65 on June 18. I hate being cruel to the aged but he is showing his age with this eagerly unawaited new release. Rather than hear Macca claim on Vintage Clothes that "Check the rack/ What went out is coming back" or on That Was Me that "When I think that all this stuff can make a life, it's pretty hard to take it in"; there are other songs I would like to hear theex-Beatle sing, not least because of the legal battle with his estranged wife, Heather Mills. Like? Help! Can't Buy Me Love. While My Bank Manager Gently Weeps. You've Got To Hide Your Royalties Away . . . I would feel sorry for Paul McCartney after what Heather appears to be doing to him through her divorce lawyers. But I cannot muster any sympathy after listening to this dreadful pile of doo-doo. ...more...

'The U.S. vs. John Lennon' a sad, yet hopeful movie

John Lennon never wanted to be a threat to America, he just grew up wanting to be a rock star. Lennon always liked politics, but he received a taste of the American government from 1969 to 1975. The documentary "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" gives people insight into the real story. Lennon loved America but hated what was happening in Vietnam. So he peacefully protested against the war. President Nixon was bothered by all of the marches led by powerful radical leaders such as Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman. Packed with facts and interviews of friends and radical leaders of the time, "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" is a unique experience. The documentary shows Lennon in a new light. ...more...

The case for John Lennon film

Imagine a film with scenes of John Lennon sitting on his bed, acoustic guitar in hand, crafting the music and lyrics to a song that would eventually be released as the title track on his album "Mind Games." Imagine Lennon rehearsing before an appearance on the BBC show "Top of the Pops," getting ready to perform his eventual hit "Instant Karma" for the first time. The scenes are part of footage gathered by Yoko Ono's former husband, Tony Cox, during four days in 1970. And only a handful of people may ever see them. Cox got approval to record video of Lennon and Ono, but never released anything. In 2000, three Boston-area businessmen say they purchased both the copyright and footage from Cox for about $1 million. Since acquiring the film, Rye resident Ray Thomas, John Fallon and Robert Grenier — partners in World Wide Video LLC — have edited it down to a two-hour documentary they had intended to debut at Berwick Academy in March. ...more...

Paul McCartney busiest at 65

London: Paul McCartney, who turns 65 Monday, is getting back to where he once belonged. A year after his split from Heather Mills, the ex-Beatle is enjoying life - still rocking and spending a lot of time with his children. While divorce proceedings and childcare commitments for his three-year-old daughter Beatrice prevent him from undertaking a full tour, the Beatle has recently thrilled fans with private gigs in London and New York. The star's daughters, Mary and Stella, are unfailingly spotted among his celebrity-studded audiences, and frequently seen in his company in the bars and clubs of London. Heather, meanwhile, appears to have relented in her scathing public attacks on her estranged husband, and the couple is reported to be on friendly terms. "Music is my saviour, and the guitar is my healer," Paul told London's Big Issue magazine on the launch of his latest album "Memory Almost Full". ...more...

McCartney offers festival fashion

Festival fans will be able to indulge their passion for fashion as well as music this year after Stella McCartney designed a vest for Glastonbury. The 5,000 shirts, costing £30 each, will only be available at the event, which opens its gates on Wednesday. They will be on sale at just one Oxfam stall, in the new Park area, to raise money for the charity. ...more...

His days with The Beatles

Call him the normal Beatle. Forty-five years after he left the band, 65-year-old Pete Best is happy with his place in history, happy with his family life, and about as down-to-earth as a person can get. Once described as being even quieter than George Harrison, Best now doesn't mind talking about those years. "There are people who know at what second John Lennon squeezed his toothpaste on the 14th of December and what colour it was and what flavour he had," Best says. He laughs and adds with a shrug, "There are people who probably know more about Pete Best than I do." Best joined the band in 1960 when there were five Beatles: bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, who later left the band for art school, died suddenly in 1962. ...more...

Keep out Mucca, says Macca

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY has told HEATHER MILLS to stay away from his birthday party on Monday. The former BEATLE is celebrating turning 65 with a bash at his Peasmarsh country estate. And in contrast to ridiculous claims from Heather’s camp, she has been told she is NOT welcome. Lady Mucca’s pals have been trying to suggest the pair are back on good terms after bitterness flared in their divorce battle. But the truth is the singing legend still wants as little contact with her as possible. A source told me: “Heather’s trying to win the public over by letting people think she’s all chummy with Paul. She reasons that if people think Paul has forgiven her then they will too. But Paul’s not happy. There is no way he and her are buddies. Not now, not ever. ...more...

Woman acquitted of Beatles poster murder

A woman charged with arranging to have a man killed because she believed he had stolen a Beatles poster he once gave her has been found not guilty of first-degree murder, according to a media report. Kathryn B Kelly, 31, burst into tears, put both hands over a wide smile and whispered, "Thank you so much," to the Spokane County Superior Court jury, The Spokesman-Review newspaper reported. Prosecutors said Kelly was homeless and broke before Robert "Bud" Johnson let her move in with him. They had a brief romantic relationship and he gave her a framed Beatles poster with a celebrity autograph as a Valentine's Day present in February last year. ...more...

Joe Cocker's troubled soul

British rhythm and blues singer Joe Cocker has created a virtual musical sub-genre with his gritty covers of classic rock tracks. He first made his name with a gospel-tinged version of The Beatles' With A Little Help From My Friends in 1968. The original, sung by Ringo Starr, pales into insignificance beside Cocker's gravelly, soulful performance. The Fab Four were so impressed, they sent the singer a telegram of congratulations when it hit number one. ...more...

Paul McCarntey And Heather Mills Remain Frosty

Sir Paul McCarntey has apparently banned his estranged wife Heather Mills from his birthday party after all. It had been reported that the pair were to spend McCartney’s 65th birthday together at his Peasmarsh country estate on Monday, but a source close to the former Beatle has claimed this is merely Mills propaganda. They tell The Sun, “Heather’s trying to win the public over by letting people think she’s all chummy with Paul. She reasons that if people think Paul has forgiven her then they will too. But Paul’s not happy. There is no way he and her are buddies. Not now, not ever. “They see each other to hand over their daughter Beatrice and that’s it. Heather has been made aware she will not be welcome at his party. It’s for family and close friends only.” So now she knows.

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OSBOURNE DEFENDS OASIS

OZZY OSBOURNE has leaped to the defence of OASIS, whose critics claim they are a BEATLES tribute band. Osbourne believes the English rockers' music is original, despite claims to the contrary that they attempt to copy their idols John Lennon and Sir Paul MCCartney. The former Black Sabbath frontman tells London's Time Out magazine, "Everybody says they rip them off, but I don't think so. "It's dead easy to start a forest fire in this game. You say, 'Ozzy's got a false nose.' All of a sudden, everyone looks the same. Same thing with Oasis. Everyone just kept saying it and it stuck."


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SHEARS UPLIFTED BY BEATLES

Musician JAKE SHEARS credits THE BEATLES' classic album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band for uplifting him when he had nothing. The Scissor Sisters frontman was taken away from his life of poverty whenever he listened to the album. He says, "I was 20 and living in what was virtually a crack house in Brooklyn. I'd hear children being beaten on the floor below, people being murdered on our block. "I'd play Getting Better while I was in the shower, briefly forgetting my circumstances and concentrating on the message: if you believe it strongly enough, it comes true. And, soon enough, things did start getting better for me."

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Paul McCartney iTunes ad spotted, removed

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney stars in the latest iTunes ad to appear on US network television. 'Macca' appears in the ad to sing Dance Tonight, the title track from his latest album. Memory Almost Full. The advertisement features pastel backgrounds with a non-silhouetted McCartney singing and dancing along a traditional English street. Apple posted the ad briefly online, though the ad itself is no longer functional as of this morning. Visitors to the webpage will see the song and artist named, but appear unable to access the video. The move to feature the Sir Paul in an iTunes ad is bound to set tongues wagging in hope of an imminent online debut for Beatles catalogue music. ...more...

Paul McCartney Stole Bono's Wardrobe

Paul McCartney took a jacket intended for Bono to wear during their 2005 Live 8 duet without his permission. The U2 frontman was stunned to see the former Beatle sporting his clothes when they teamed up on stage for "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - but was too starstruck to demand it back. He says, "(McCartney) asked our wardrobe person whose it was, and she says, 'Bono's, he's wearing it today.' And (McCartney) says, 'No he's not. I'm wearing (the jacket).' Now, I'm used to being the big guy, but not in front of a Beatle. I went out in a denim jacket instead."


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McCARTNEY RELIES ON HIS CHILDREN FOR SUPPORT

Former Beatle SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has grown closer to his children through his current divorce battle with HEATHER MILLS. MCCartney's children reportedly had a difficult relationship with Mills, and are glad to be back in their father's life since they split up. He says, "I'm going through great struggles. I have a lot of support, particularly from my family. "We're close, anyway, but when you go into something difficult, it does bring you closer."

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Paul McCartney Clears Up Rumors About Talking To The Dead

Paul McCartney is bemused by reports he talks to his dead Beatle bandmates and late wife Linda. The musician admits earlier confessions about talking to lost loved ones have been misinterpreted, but he still finds it hard to move on following the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison. As his very public divorce from Heather Mills drags on, McCartney immerses himself in the memory of past family and friends. He explains, "I remember it got retranslated and reprinted and people used to say, 'Is it true you talk to Linda and John Lennon?' It's not really talking to them, in a sense, but you think about people you have loved. I think about my mum and my dad, about Linda, about John. I think about George now."

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Price of Yoko Ono’s peace column triples

The estimated cost of the Imagine Peace Tower, which the artist Yoko Ono plans to establish on Videy island off Reykjavík, has tripled as revealed Monday. Ono announced she will cover part of the excess costs herself. The original cost estimation was ISK 30 million (USD 472,000, EUR 354,000) which Reykjavík City and Reykjavík Energy Company (OR) had agreed to cover. It has now become clear that establishing the tower will cost about ISK 100 million (USD 1.6 million, EUR 1.2 million), Fréttabladid reports. Ono, who created the project to honor the memory of her late husband, the Beatle John Lennon, has announced that she is willing to cover ISK 70 million (USD 1.1 million, EUR 826,000) herself. IcelandReview - Online

Paul McCartney dedicates song to Lennon and Harrison

The former Beatle played a mix of new solo songs and Beatles tracks at the 700 capacity venue - slightly smaller than his Camden Electric Ballroom gig last week. Opening with 'Drive My Car', the set almost mirrored that of the London date, finishing with five Beatles classics, 'Get Back', 'Hey Jude', 'Let It Be', 'Lady Madonna' and 'I Saw Her Standing There.' Midway through the set, Macca dedicated 'Hear Today' to "fallen heroes" John Lennon and George Harrison and his late wife Linda. McCartney charted at number three in the Billboard charts last week with his latest effort 'Memory Almost Full.'

McCARTNEY NO ONE WILL BE BIGGER THAN THE BEATLES

PAUL MCCARTNEY chuckles every time a newcomer promises fans their act will be bigger than the BEATLES - because there will never be another Fab Four. The British star admits he was amused when Oasis rockers Liam and Noel Gallagher boasted they'd become more famous than his group - because there's no such thing. He tells Newsweek magazine, "When they started out, Oasis... said they were going to be bigger than the Beatles. And I felt sorry for them. "It's a prediction that doesn't come true. It's a fatal prediction. I sort of sit by and go, 'Good luck, son.'"


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McCartney's Starbucks album heats up U.S. charts

Paul McCartney reached his highest spot on the U.S. pop charts in a decade on Wednesday with his first album for coffee retailer Starbucks Corp., a sign that veteran artists can thrive outside major labels. "Memory Almost Full," the 21st solo album of McCartney's career, debuted at No. 3, his highest ranking since the No. 2 start for "Flaming Pie" in 1997. The album's first-week sales of 160,541 copies marked a 33 percent improvement over those for "Flaming Pie," which kicked off with 121,000 units sold. The former Beatle's "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," released in 2005, opened at No. 6 with 92,000 copies. McCartney's performance is especially notable because the music industry has been in a freefall for much of the past decade. Many artists have seen their chart fortunes fade as consumers turned to online piracy and other forms of entertainment. Labels and retailers have shrunk accordingly.

"Memory Almost Full" marks the first release on Hear Music, the new label formed by Starbucks and privately held jazz specialist Concord Music Group. McCartney, who turns 65 next Monday, had spent most of his 45-year career with EMI Group Plc., which still distributes the Beatles' catalog. Starbucks, which aims to turn itself into a leisure destination that does more than sell coffee, signed McCartney about three months ago after learning that his EMI contract had lapsed. Its innovative marketing plans melded with McCartney's desire to find a fresh way to promote his albums. Last Monday, the day of its international release, Starbucks played the album all day in its 10,000-plus stores around the world. The album was released the following day in the United States. In Britain, "Memory Almost Full" arrived at No. 5, surpassing the No. 10 debut and peak of "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard."

Music industry consultant Clark Benson said the partnership benefits both sides. For Starbucks, there's a "brand benefit" in being associated with an icon like McCartney. For his part, McCartney can be assured of a better marketing push and probably a more generous royalties deal than he could get at a major label, said Benson, CEO and founder of market research firm Almighty Institute of Music Retail. A spokesman for McCartney declined to discuss the financial terms of the musician's deal. Starbucks helped Concord market the posthumous Ray Charles smash "Genius Loves Company." But Starbucks has backed developing artists with limited success, while its foray into movies last year with "Akeelah and the Bee" was a flop. The latest chart was led by new releases from two R&B singers: T-Pain's "Epiphany," which sold 171,000 copies in the week ended June 10, and Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad," which narrowly beat McCartney with sales of 162,000 copies.

McCartney's first-week tally compares favorably with the recent debuts of other veteran acts. Ozzy Osbourne's "Black Rain" opened at No. 3 last month with over 150,000 copies sold, while the Elton John retrospective "Rocket Man: Number Ones" entered at No. 9 with 49,000 copies in April, and Neil Young's "Live at Massey Hall 1971" landed at No. 6 in March with 57,000.

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Paul McCartney brings 'secret' show to New York City

Paul McCartney (music) will throw himself a party tonight (6/13) in New York City, staging a not-so-secret "secret" show to celebrate the release of his latest album, "Memory Almost Full." The show at the 700-capacity Highline Ballroom will follow the format of last week's "secret" McCartney show in London, with a limited number of free admissions distributed to those lining up in front of the venue's box office for a wristband giveaway. Wristband distribution for the NYC show began at 12:30 p.m. EDT today. McCartney hopes to gather momentum for his new studio effort, which was released with great fanfare on June 5 in the US. "Memory" is the first release on the Starbucks-owned Hear Music label. The album can be purchased at any of the coffee retailer's locations, as well as traditional retail outlets. ...more...

McCARTNEY SLAMS RISE OF THE MP3 PLAYER

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY is disappointed by the rise of the MP3 player - because it stops listeners interacting with nature. The former Beatle admits he's not a fan of portable music devices, as it reminds him of hard work in the studio - and believes headphones shut people off from the world when they should be enjoying the world around them. He says, "Headphones remind me of work - whereas for most people it's the opposite. "The thing is, you get sealed off from the world, and that's fine when you're making a record. But, when you're actually just walking around, you're gonna miss birdsong, and that's so special. But his hatred of headphone-based music doesn't extend to that performed on a guitar: "Guitars are different. It's a very embraceable instrument - even looks like a woman."


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The Traveling Wilburys

THE Traveling Wilburys – Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne – happened by accident when Harrison was asked for a B-side. When he came back with Handle With Care featuring the all-star cast, the label knew they had a monster on their hands.
Even more miraculously, the first album, Vol 1, has a kind of innocent, easygoing charm that overcomes the expectations created by those taking part. A second album, Vol 3, recorded after the death of Orbison, wasn't as much fun, but by that time Petty and Dylan were invigorated by their success and recording some of their best albums in years. ...more...

Untold stories of the 'British Invasion'

For fans who weren't around yet, or who want to revisit a definitive chapter in rock history, an insider's look at the music scene during the heyday of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones - with a tour guide who helped define that era - is yours for the price of a ticket to "Behind the Scenes with Pete Bennett." Scheduled for June 30 at 8 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre, "Behind the Scenes" is a look back at the music business hosted by the man who was promotional manager for the groups that led the British Invasion. Joining Bennett live onstage will be Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group ("Gimme Some Loving"); Denny Laine of the Moody Blues ("Go Now") and Terry Sylvester of The Hollies ("The Air That I Breathe") to tell their untold stories using words, sound clips and vintage video footage. ...more...

Yoko Ono's Latest Cause

AL PACINO AND YOKO ONO? We never thought we'd be saying these two names in the same breath, but these days anything seems possible. Aside from nibbling on Corgie and guilt-tripping her son, Yoko Ono's latest crusade is protecting the images of dead celebrities. She and Pacino are backing a New York measure that will punish those who use deceased stars' images without their estates' permission. Although it's a fine line. Says one lawmaker: "You want to stop the bobble head dolls. You don't want to stop the plays." Speaking of bobble heads, we wonder what Pacino thinks about his doll. We weren't able to find one of Yoko. Sigh. [NY Daily News; AP via WaPo; Free Ride/Express]

BEATLES METALLICA SALUTE TRIBUTE ACT

The publishers behind the BEATLES' back catalogue and rockers METALLICA have given tribute 'mash-up' act BEATALLICA permission to revamp classic album SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND. The quirky group has cleverly given Beatles classics like Taxman and Helter Skelter a heavy metal makeover - creating a new album of Metallica-fuelled Fab Four tunes. And the powers that be get the joke - and have given the band their blessing. The result is new album Sgt. Hetfield's Motorbreath Pub Band, which features tunes with titles like Blackened In The U.S.S.R, Sandman, Helvester of Skelter and Leper Madonna. Beatallica, comprised of Jaymz Lennfield, Grg Hammettson, Kliff MCBurtney and Ringo Larz, are currently touring America on their Twist + Mosh 2007 trek.


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