LUSTFUL GEORGE AND I NEARLY SWAPPED GALS: CLAPTON

She may have had Eric Clapton on his knees, but it was "Layla's" sister that George Harrison really wanted. It wasn't until a year into his marriage to Pattie Boyd - for whom Clapton would later pen the famous love song - that Harrison nearly took his secret lust for Pattie's sister, Paula, to the next level. Clapton was dating Paula at the time of Harrison's indecent proposal. The near-tryst, chronicled in Clapton's new autobiography excerpted in today's Sunday Times of London, ...more...

Lennon celebrated at remote event

Relatives of John Lennon have joined musicians, artists and poets at a festival celebrating the life of the former Beatle. More than 1,000 people are attending The John Lennon Northern Lights Festival in the far north of Scotland. The three-day event is being held in Durness, a tiny village the superstar used to visit on childhood holidays. The festival features an eclectic mix of contemporary music, poetry and performance in memory of the late musician. Artists include Master of the Queen's Music Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who is presenting a world premiere of a Beatles Prom with the Royal Academy of Music. ...more...

Ozzy Osbourne's Lennon shock

Ozzy Osbourne says his "world stopped" when he found out that John Lennon had been shot. The Black Sabbath rocker has revealed he "couldn't describe" how he felt when he was told the Beatles legend had been assassinated. He told Britain's BBC Radio 1 Legends show: "The world stopped for me when Sharon told me that John Lennon had been shot in New York. I can't even describe how I felt. Ozzy Osbourne's Lennon shock - Music

Abbey Rd On The River

Thank you for a record 1st two days of sales for Abbey Road On The River, 2008. Since we launched our new web site and began ticket sales Wednesday, Beatle fans from 22 states, England and Canada have already purchased their weekend event tickets. Refelcting the popularity of our festival, it is the earliest we have gone on sale, and the fastest response to our program we have ever had. Because other new city wide events and conventions are also booked in Louisville the weekend of Abbey Road On The River, hotel rooms, especially at The Galt House Hotel are going to be in short supply. Conveniently located right on the festival grounds, and with three stages in the hotel, it is the ideal place for you and your family and friends to enjoy the event and the whole weekend.

Ages 21 and Under FREE!

This year we are dedicating the best music ever recorded, and our fab festival, to a new generation of Beatle fans by offering absolutely free admission to everyone 21 and under, when accompanied by a ticket purchaser over 21.

It’s that simple. Buy one Ultimate Ticket To Ride or General Admission, and get another completely free for your Beatle® Loving Child, Grandchild, Niece, Nephew, Neighbor, Co-worker, or Friend.

Event and Program Highlights

Thursday:

Preview concerts, films, and welcome events between 4pm and 11pm. Some or all of these activities may not be on the festival grounds.

Fri-Sat-Sun:
50+ bands, 5 or more outdoor stages, 3-4 indoor stages, films, & speakers from noon - midnight featuring:
LOVE: A double encore to last year's ground-breaking concert!
A 30-member all-star cast performing The White Album as you have never heard or seen it before!
8 or more complete album shows
A Special Concert For John
7 Midnight Concerts, 2 per night (Fri-Sat-Sun), 1 Thurs
Beatle Bee Karaoke…sing and win just like the game show!

Mon:
Back to the Summer of Love: Episode Two

Get Tickets/Learn More



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McCARTNEY AND DOHERTY BOND OVER INTERVIEW

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has made an unlikely friend - recovering drug addict PETE DOHERTY. The odd couple bonded when the former Beatle agreed to be interviewed by Doherty for a British music magazine. And the two got on so well they continued to chat long after the interview ended. A source tells British newspaper the Daily Mirror, "They spoke about everything from music, other singers and ever touched on the subject of women - but that was strictly between the two of them." Source:

Lennon festival gets underway in Sutherland

The John Lennon Northern Lights Festival opens today in Durness in Sutherland, with a host of bands and artists expected to make appearances over the three days. The location was chosen due to the musician’s links with the community – Lennon often visited the village when he was young and has distant relatives still living there. Sir Peter Maxwell Davies will perform a rare piano recital; while King Creosote, Blazin Fiddles and poet John Cooper Clarke are also due to attend. The festival was given the blessing of Lennon’s family and widow Yoko Ono. His sister Julia Baird commented: “My brother would have been proud and flattered by his inspiration being celebrated in such a fantastic way. “Durness meant so much to him and it is wonderful that his links with a part of the world he loved are being highlighted.” Source:

QUENTIN TARANTINO WANTS TO DIRECT RINGO STARR

Quentin Tarantino has revealed that he would love to resurrect Ringo Starr's acting career and have him appear in one of his films. Of course he would - or he may have just been telling the Liverpool Daily Echo exactly what they wanted to hear. What next, a gritty action film starring Joey Boswell and Lilo Lil? Anyway, desperate to promote his clunker of a new film, 'Death Proof', Tarantino revealed his great admiration for the man who made the 'Thomas The Tank Engine' gig his very own. "I'd pick Elvis over the Beatles any day of the week but there's always something special about Ringo," the director bluffed. "I've always thought he had the best stage presence in the band." Given that Ringo's also 50 percent of the surviving band members and the other one is Paul McCartney, a man too cheesy to be committed to celluloid, he's not exactly spoilt for choice, is he? Next week, Quentin attends a premiere in Oxford and demands that Radiohead star in his upcoming romantic comedy.

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Words of wisdom: Let it be

In 1969, English artist Alan Aldridge published "The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics," supplying visuals in the style of "A Child's Garden of Verses" to accompany lyrics of the songs. It was something you flipped through casually, or used to check a questionable line from "Hey Bulldog" -- unless you were stoned enough to find great meaning in the trippy little embellishments Aldridge threw in for the hipsters. Now Julie Taymor, who supplied the trippy visuals to the Broadway adaptation of "The Lion King," the Shakespeare movie adaptation "Titus," and "Frida," the film portrait of artist Frida Kahlo has done her own moving-picture illustrated Beatles in "Across the Universe," which opens Friday. ...more...

Boyd's 'Wonderful Tonight' isn't as wonderful as it could be

As the ex-wife of two rock icons, you would expect Pattie Boyd's recently published memoir "Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me" to be packed with some fireworks. What we get instead, though, is a bit of a wet firecracker. The leggy, blond and busty Boyd became the bride of Harrison, and a symbol of swinging, babealicious London when she married the Beatles' guitarist in 1966. When their marriage fell apart in the early 1970s, she took up with Clapton, one of Harrison's closest friends, and married him in 1979. That union dissolved in spectacular fashion in the late 1980s when Clapton had a child with one of the many one-night stands who bounced in and out of his bed. ...more...

Ohio's 'Beatles' back at the Sunrise

It’s been almost a year to the day since 1964 The Tribute brought their faux Fab Four show to the Sunrise Theatre. The Ohio-based Beatles lookalike, sound-alike band returns to the theater for an 8 p.m. show Saturday. Being somewhat obsessed with the Beatles and their rich history, I caught last year’s performance. These guys are technically very proficient, and the show’s pretty exciting. If you squint, that is, and try to pretend it’s not four performers wearing moptop wigs and doing moves copped from watching endless hours of famous films of the real Beatles onstage. I’ve seen a dozen Beatles tribute bands over the years, and it’s the wigs that always get me. ...more...

Actress plans to cover up Beatles tattoo

Evan Rachel Wood says she enjoyed filming "Across the Universe" so much, she had a tattoo inked in tribute to the Beatles-themed musical romance. Now the 20-year-old actress plans to get the tattoo covered up "because nobody can figure out what it is," she tells People magazine in its Oct. 8 issue. "It's supposed to be a strawberry with leaves in the shape of a bird, but everybody says, `Is that a ferret sticking out of an apple?'" Wood says she has three tattoos. Her favorite is the one she received on Valentine's Day from her boyfriend, 38-year-old goth rocker Marilyn Manson. "It's a lightning bolt — for David Bowie, who inspired me to act and sing — and ...more...

Phil Spector's musical legacy survives

Phil Spector was often described as a music legend during the trial that ended Wednesday with a jury unable to decide whether he was guilty or innocent of murder. The fact is, though, that Spector's glory days - of reinventing rock 'n' roll, and influencing everyone from the Beatles to Bruce Springsteen - had been decades past by the time he landed in a Los Angeles courtroom surrounded by bodyguards and lawyers. Still, if only a few modern-day music fans recall the "Wall of Sound" that Spector created, the impact it had on popular music was staggering. ...more...

Beatles stars return to Liverpool

Beatles stars Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are to return to their home city of Liverpool to take part in the European Capital of Culture concerts. Sir Paul will headline the Liverpool Sound concert at Anfield Stadium on June 1st, which will also feature other global stars to be announced at a later date. Ringo Starr meanwhile will head up Liverpool The Musical with Eurythmic Dave Stewart to mark the opening of the new Liverpool Echo Arena on January 12th. The concerts are part of a programme of events by artists, performers and institutions to mark Liverpool being named as the European Capital of Culture next year. ...more...

Beatles' fans will enjoy trippy 'Across the Universe'

It's a film brimming with affection and over-reaching ambition. And if Julie Taymor's visionary, wrongheaded "Across the Universe" fails, it at least fails on a grand scale. 'Tis folly, to be sure - literal-minded, silly, cliche-riddled folly. But it is glorious folly with purpose. That purpose? To sum up the '60s with a deliriously original musical built on the Beatles songbook. "Can't be done," you say, and you're right. Summing up the '60s in a single film has been a fool's errand since "More American Graffiti," "1969" and "Hair." But from the moment the sad, lonely and "dear" Prudence (T.V. Carpio), as a Dayton, Ohio, cheerleader, sings a mournful "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" through the collisions of a football practice, "Universe" casts a spell, one only occasionally broken by a moment too jaw-droppingly cutesy to believe. ...more...

The Beatles - Rain - History and Information

One of the most acclaimed Beatles "b-sides" ever (although it was never designated as such on the original Capitol and Parlophone 45 rpm singles), this John-written number marks, like its a-side, a significant change in direction for the group. "Rain" can arguably be called the first psychedelic song released by the group; it contains lyrics that are philosophical and anti-establishment, and features sonic techniques the band would utilize in many of their later recordings. ...more...

LENNON'S BIRTHDAY MARKED WITH LIGHT TOWER

JOHN LENNON's widow YOKO ONO will unveil a light tower in Iceland to mark the BEATLES legend's 67th birthday next month (Oct07). Ono, 74, will travel to Reykjavik to reveal the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik on 9 October - Lennon's birthday. She revealed she and Lennon spoke about creating a conceptual light sculpture in the 70s. She says, "This is something that we spoke about 40 years ago. Our dream is finally coming true. "He was visualizing then that it would probably become a reality one day." "This is the biggest birthday present I gave to John. He's very, very happy about it, I know." Lennon was shot dead in New York City aged 40 in 1980. Source:

Beatles join culture celebrations

Former Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will herald the return of European Capital of Culture status to UK shores. Host city Liverpool was unveiling hundreds of events to take place throughout the 12-month celebration. It is the first time since Glasgow in 1990 that the UK has hosted the prestigious title, worth millions of pounds in tourist revenue...more/video...

Bono stars at Beatles film gala

U2 frontman Bono made a surprise appearance at the UK premiere of a new musical film based on Beatles songs, Across the Universe. The film, a love story set in the 1960s, features 33 Beatles tracks including Revolution, Hey Jude, I Am The Walrus, and All You Need is Love. Bono makes a cameo appearance as a shaman called Dr Robert - his first acting role. Comedian Eddie Izzard also features as a circus ringmaster. more

Martin Scorsese to make new Beatles film

Oscar-winning film director Martin Scorsese has been signed up to make a biopic of late Beatles guitarist George Harrison. According to Variety magazine, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr may appear in the film, which will cover both Harrison's time in the Beatles and his solo career, as well as his foray into films. Scorsese is set to begin production for the film before the end of the year. Harrison's widow Olivia will aid Scorsese during the making. "It would have given George great joy to know that Martin Scorsese has agreed to tell his story," she said. ...more...

Photograph: The Very Best Of Ringo

When the Beatles broke up in 1970, it was assumed that John, Paul, and George would have successful solo careers. John's first solo album of popular music was released in 1969. McCartney's album was released the month that the Beatles broke up in April 1970. Harrison's album, Wonderwall Music, was released in 1968. It was uncertain if Ringo Starr would be successful as a solo artist. No one would question his drumming capabilities, or his acting abilities, but as a songwriter and vocalist, he was different than the other Beatles. ...more...

Stella McCartney and Adidas

Paul McCartney, looking slim and trim, stood on the green golf lawn checking off the boxes of his sporting activities. Gym? "Not really." Running? "Not much. But I am going to start now," said the music superhero, looking as though he was about to leap into the golf cart, careering past spectators and around the blue paddling pool, draped with models in cut-away swimsuits. Stella McCartney, expecting her third child, was not about to demonstrate personally the energetic sportswear that she designs for adidas by Stella McCartney. For spring/summer 2008 she added golf wear to the yoga and dance gym pieces, tennis clothes and the post-workout cover ups. ...more...

Mick Jagger: Stone Alone

For most of his forty-five-year career, Mick Jagger has had one songwriting partner: Keith Richards. But outside of the Rolling Stones, he has teamed up with Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Peter Tosh and Bono; gotten production help from Rick Rubin and John Lennon; and scored a movie, Alfie, with Dave Stewart. A new collection, The Very Best of Mick Jagger, gathers Jagger's favorites, including killer solo cuts ("Don't Tear Me Up"), unreleased gems ("Too Many Cooks") and even a track from a shelved 1992 blues album he cut with an L.A. club band. Click through to read what Jagger had to say about some key tracks. ...more...

Peter Fonda & The Beatles

John Lennon couldn't have written the lyrics to "She Said, She Said" without Peter Fonda's help. Fonda was tripping with Lennon and George Harrison in 1965. Harrison and Lennon were both having bad trips and Harrison thought he was going to die. Fonda told him, "I know what it's like to be dead" and "you're not going to die." He was referring to the time he accidentally shot himself as a child and his heart stopped beating three times on the operating table. Lennon then said to Fonda, "What do you mean you know what it's like to be dead? You're making me feel like I've never been born." He ended up using those phrases in "She Said, She Said." Source:

Amnesty International raises Darfur awareness

The human rights group Amnesty International has been celebrating the success of a double album it published with artists from all over the world recording the songs of John Lennon. The rights to the music was a gift from Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the resulting album Make Some Noise - Instant Karma hopes to raise money, along with awareness of the Darfur conflict. In a low key ceremony at Amnesty's headquarters in London, Yoko Ono was presented with a platinum disc to celebrate the success of the Make Some Noise -Instant Karma album. Over 50 artists, including big names such as U2, REM and Youssou N dour have contributed to the project which has already raised $1million for Amnesty's work in Darfur. ...more...

Ob-la-di, Ob-la-sucks

In the pantheon of lost causes in the world, covering The Beatles ranks near the top. You wouldn’t want to hear John Tesh’s orchestra doing Beethoven or look at Bob Ross’s version of the Sistine Chapel, would you? The movie score from “Across the Universe,” the latest all-encompassing Beatles tribute encompassed entirely of unknown songbirds and songsmiths re-imagining the world’s greatest band’s greatest songs, picks up where the “I Am Sam” soundtrack left off. Only this time, the recognizable names like Sheryl Crow and Ben Folds are missing. Not that their renditions were anything but disposable either, but there was a morbid fascination in watching the day’s most popular artists falling flat on their faces covering the greatest songs of all time. ...more...

John Lennon, Yoko Ono polled top rock couple

Beatles legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono have topped a poll of rock couples conducted by music magazine Rolling Stone. Lennon and his avant-garde artist wife were followed by country music couple Johnny Cash and June Carter, at the second spot. Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon, and Jack and Meg White secured third and fourth places respectively, reports Contactmusic. Sir Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda McCartney rounded-off the top five, at the fifth spot. The list of rock couples compiled by Rolling Stone magazine is as follows: ...more...

Beatles film 'could have been X-rated'

Font Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print From correspondents in San Sebastian | September 25, 2007 "We couldn't have shot a film about what the Beatles got up to at night as it would have been X-rated," US producer Richard Lester joked as he presented the remastered version of Help!, starring the Beatles, at the San Sebastian Film Festival. The 1965 work was a follow-up to A Hard Day's Night and thus marked the second big screen appearance of the “fab-four” from Liverpool. Monday saw the remastered work shown in all its restored and digitised glory ahead of the November release of a two-disc DVD set including a documentary on the making of the film. After A Hard Day's Night examined a “typical” day in the life of the four superstars, Lester told a press conference that a look at their nocturnal side risked being ill-advised, hence the decision to make the second film an “adventure”. ...more...

Beatles got it just right

When do you pass from middle age into old age? There comes a point in life when these questions enter your consciousness and refuse to leave. In order to answer these questions I conducted a survey on my website (www.bernardsalt.com.au). More than 350 people responded. Most people think youth ends on your 38th birthday. They also think middle age is entered on your 45th birthday. Middle age ends, apparently, the day you turn 63. The Beatles must have been right when they sang: "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" Of course, these definitions represent no more than the weighted average of the views of a sample. However, it does prompt the question of whether these dates are fixed or whether they are on the move. Indeed, is 40 the new 30? In 1968, John Lennon at the age of 28, said: "Don't trust anyone over 30." ...more...

Yoko Ono to celebrate Make Some Noise/Instant Karma with Amnesty International

Yoko Ono will visit Amnesty International’s London headquarters on 24 September to celebrate the success of Make Some Noise/Instant Karma, which has helped focus global attention on the human rights crisis in Darfur. The Make Some Noise/Instant Karma album, released by Warner Bros. Records in June this year, is part of Amnesty International’s Make Some Noise campaign, a mix of music, celebration and activism in support of human rights. The Make Some Noise/Instant Karma album of John Lennon cover songs was made possible due to the generosity of Yoko Ono who granted Amnesty International the rights to all of Lennon’s post-Beatles songs and donated all music-publishing royalties to the project. Some of the biggest international names in music‹including U2, Green Day, R.E.M., Avril Lavigne, Christina Aguilera, The Cure, Snow Patrol and Youssou N’Dour came together for the album, which will culminate in the release of a digital box set on October 9, John Lennon’s birthday. ...more...

Paul McCartney to write soundtrack for Shrek 4?

Ex-Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney is said to be in talks to pen the soundtrack for 'Shrek 4'. McCartney has been named as being lined up to write the music for the next instalment to the animated franchise and may also have a small speaking role in the film. Previously, the former Beatle's James Bond theme 'Live And Let Die' was sung in Shrek 3, after it had originally been nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1974. ...more...

'I told McCartney that Lennon died'

When radio and TV presenter Richard Skinner was 19, he was offered a job as a reporter at Newsbeat. He joined immediately before Radio 1 launched the 15-minute news bulletin, which was a response to the creation of commercial radio in 1973 and is still in the station's schedule now. He remembers the way the show shook up the traditional image of radio news, the time when censors controlled its output, and how he told Paul McCartney that fellow Beatle John Lennon had been murdered. ...more...

Tarantino a fan of Ringo’s

HOLLYWOOD director Quentin Tarantino has revealed his secret desire to cast Beatle legend Ringo Starr in one of his movies. The Pulp Fiction director declared himself a fan of Elvis over the Fab Four, but said Ringo was his favourite moptop because of his acting ability. The director also revealed his first stage acting role, aged 16, was to play a Brit, and he spent hours honing Ringo's Scouse twang. Tarantino, 44, said: "Now I'm an Elvis over the Beatles man any day of the week, but there's always been something special about Ringo all right. "I always thought he had the best stage presence out of the band.”

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FUNERAL SCENE LEFT WOOD IN A MESS

Actress EVAN RACHEL WOOD struggled to film one scene in new BEATLES movie musical ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - because she couldn't stop crying. The teenager admits she was overcome with emotion during the funeral scene in The Beatles musical Across The Universe and couldn't contain her tears. In the scene, her character, Lucy, was mourning the loss of her boyfriend, who returned dead from the Vietnam War - but her tears were for real. She recalls, "I'm standing there hearing The Beatles sing Let It Be, which already moves you, and then right in front of you, live, I was watching these people fold this American flag. "With that song playing and with that image right in front of me, something snapped and I just broke down. "I could not hold the crying in. I was thinking, 'This is happening every day, where a soldier is honoured at a funeral,' and it was probably happening while we were filming that scene, and it just killed me." The actress tells WENN there were more emotional scenes to come - when her brother in the film was drafted to serve in Vietnam. She adds, "I have two older brothers, so I put myself in her position and thought, 'If that happened, it would just kill me.'"

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Stella McCartney is a girl's best friend: Gwyneth Paltrow

(ANI): Actress Gwyneth Paltrow was all in praises about Stella Mccartney saying she was the best pal a woman could ever find. Paltrow and Mccartney, an English fashion designer have been best pals for quite some time. "Stella's the kind of friend who calls me on the anniversary of my dad's death," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying. The actress revealed how thoughtful her friend was, and picked her up when she felt down. When I was pregnant with my daughter, she said to me, `you sort of eloped, so we never got to do anything. Why don't we go to my house in the country for the weekend?' When I got there, all my high school friends were there. She had plastered my room with pictures from growing up, and she organized amazing games," she said. (ANI)

George Harrison's Handwritten Everly Brothers Lyrics

Sometimes, even after 36 years of buying, selling and collecting rare records and music memorabilia, I get a REALLY special package in the mail--something that just blows me away, that leaves me shaking my head, muttering "unbelievable, just unbelievable" to myself (I know--it's not a pretty picture.) And the humble, 8" folded and creased piece of paper pictured above is just that kind of thing. On it are the lyrics to two Everly Brothers songs, “So Sad” and “Like Strangers,” written out by the not yet famous George Harrison, in 1960. ...more/w/pix...

HAYEK PLAYS 12 NURSES IN BEATLES MUSICAL

SALMA HAYEK was so desperate to land 'any role' in pal JULIE TAYMOR's new BEATLES movie musical, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, she ended up playing 12 nurses in the film. When the Latina heard her Frida director was making a movie featuring the songs of one of her favourite groups, she felt she had to be involved. Taymor says, 'She said, `Julie, what can I play? Isn't there anything?' There were all really young parts but I said, `OK, you can play one of the nurses.' 'She said, `Only one of the nurses?' So I said, `Alright, you can be all of the nurses.' I think there were 12 in the beginning and we cut it down.'

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FOO FIGHTERS GROHL SLAMS 'GRUNGE RINGO' TAG

FOO FIGHTERS frontman DAVE GROHL is stunned by his RINGO STARR comparison, insisting he is nothing like the BEATLES musician. The former Nirvana admits he is not as talented as Starr and believes his success in the 90s band was down to luck. He says, "I've always considered myself a lucky musician. It's funny when somebody calls me the grunge Ringo, but really I'm just a pothead from suburban Virginia who wound up finding his way in a band who became really popular in the early 1990s."

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John Lennon's Sgt Pepper medals on display at Beatles Story

While Paul McCartney and George Harrison proudly sported their MBEs on the sleeve of 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', John Lennon refused to be pictured with the award he would later return to Buckingham Palace in protest at British involvement in Biafra. Instead John was seen wearing six medals he borrowed from the family of original Beatle drummer, Pete Best. Lennon, a fan of military paraphernalia, remembered the medals from when the Beatles played at the Casbah Club which was run by Pete's mother Mona. Long after Best had been replaced as drummer by Ringo Starr, John called Best's mother Mona out of the blue to ask if he could borrow the medals for the cover shoot with artist Peter Blake. ...more...

Stella Mccartney comes back to London

Stella Mccartney made a brief appearence on the catwalk last night after showing her spring summer 08 collection for Adidas in London for the first time. The show, which closed London Fashion Week last night, revealled Stella's latest sportwear creations on a bright green astroturfed catwalk. Not to be outdone by other returning Brits this season (Luella had a live rock band and Matthew Williamson had Prince) Stella had her own rock legend front row for the show, in the shape of her dad Sir Paul Mccartney. We particularly loved the ruffle hem, nude dress...if exercise clothes are going to look like that this season we might actually join the gym!

By Laurelle Gilbert

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Many of today's teens still think the Beatles are fab

"Nothing's gonna change my world. Nothing's gonna change my world," sings John Lennon in "Across the Universe," arguably one of the Beatles's finest songs. "Universe" was recorded in 1968, toward the end of the Beatles' six-year grip on the world's consciousness. Fast-forward nearly 40 years later and it seems the world the Fab Four created is still unchanged. To this day, there hasn't been a single band to reach the same commercial and creative success that those four lads from Liverpool managed to do. Every couple years, yet another remastering or anthology of Beatle songs is released, ...more...

Ex-Beatle Pete Best Still A ‘Rocker’ For Cameo Role

Over the past 45 years, the legend of Pete Best has grown to the point where his name is shorthand for those who couldn’t capitalize on a great opportunity. But when it came to the upcoming movie “The Rocker,” the former Beatles drummer wasn’t about to let it happen again. “It’s a variation on the Pete Best story, and he actually came to set one day and did a line in the movie,” gushed Emma Stone, the “Superbad” actress who appears in the flick alongside Rainn Wilson and Christina Applegate. “I freaked out about it, because I’m a Beatles fanatic. I was very excited.” ...more...

Museum experiences high turnout for McCartney exhibit

More than 200 people from the Pine Belt gathered Sunday at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel to see the photo exhibit, "Linda McCartney's Sixties: Portrait of an Era," which has been extended through Sept. 25. The high turnout, though, was partly because of the companion concert, "Music of the Beatles: Portrait of an Era," performed by a string quartet from the University of Southern Mississippi as part of its Sensational Sunday Series of concerts at the museum. ...more...

Jury deadlocked in Spector trial

After seven days of deliberating, jurors in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector declared Tuesday that they could not agree on a verdict, and the judge said he might let them weigh a lesser charge. Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said he will announce his decision today on whether to declare a deadlocked jury or give the panel more instructions that include a manslaughter option. The tension-filled development marked the latest twist in the trial of Spector, accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson in February 2003 at his Alhambra hilltop mansion. ...more...

WOOD STUNS WITH BEATLES COVERS

Actress EVAN RACHEL WOOD stunned Hollywood as part of a nine-hour marathon to promote her new BEATLES movie musical ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, which ended with a performance at the Viper Room. The teenager, who is dating goth-rocker Marilyn Manson, teamed up with Los Angeles band The Ravers to perform Fab Four hits A Day In The Life and It Won't Be Long, which she sings in the new film, on Tuesday night (18Sep07). She then invited movie co-star Jim Sturgess up onstage at the L.A. rock hotspot for a late-night duet of Ticket To Ride before the private event became a free-for-all for the cast of the film and director Julie Taymor. Guests like Kate Bosworth and British rockers Dave Stewart and Jeff Lynne clapped enthusiastically as Taymor and the cast finished the evening with a rendition of Beatles classics Hey Jude and Twist + Shout. The big Beatles night out was organised by American Idol bosses at media powerhouse 19 Entertainment as part of a week of U.K. themed events in L.A., dubbed called Brit Week. The evening started with a special screening of Across The Universe. Event organiser Martin Lewis says, "It was an amazing night. It was great to hear the cast belting out Beatles tunes, but Evan really wowed the crowd. She has an incredible voice."

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Lennon fans come together

YOU can't hear Julia Baird talking for long before you imagine the voice of her half-brother John Lennon in your head. But for a long time after the former Beatle's death, Julia couldn't bear to listen to his music. Even now, she finds it hard to hear recordings of him speaking: "Well-meaning people would give me tapes of interviews and things all the time out of kindness, but I still can't listen to his voice." But next weekend, Julia will travel to the croft where John spent happy childhood summer holidays in Durness, to read both from his writing and also from the book she has written about her experience of growing up with John as her older brother back in Liverpool. ...more...

Naughty McCartneys part of 'Birmingham' lore

Freelance writer Craig Jolly knows lots of stories about old Birmingham, including one of his favorites about singing legend Paul McCartney's kids dousing well-heeled passersby. Jolly has spent months collecting stories and captioning photos of the city for a new book titled "Birmingham." The 127-page paperback is the latest in the Images of America series by Charleston, S.C.-based Arcadia Publishing. The company has about 50 titles about places in the Detroit area. A similar book, "Grosse Pointe," was released a couple of weeks ago. Books in the series typically feature about 200 historic photographs with large captions but little text. "Birmingham," which reached area booksellers Monday, costs $19.99. ...more...

Zeppelin too old to rock?

Many rock artists can continue doing what they do well long into their careers: Artists like Paul McCartney, Elton John and even ZZ Top don't seem desperate when they plot a new tour. But once a band pledges its allegiance to the dark side (see Black Sabbath, the Stones, the Stooges), twilight-years reunions are more troublesome. Led Zeppelin may be the best rock 'n' roll band of all time, and their reunion is the most hotly anticipated in musical history. Remember when Pink Floyd reunited for a one-off a couple of years ago? Neither does anybody else. My friend has always excitedly postulated that a Zeppelin reunion would happen, featuring seven-eighths of the original band if they enlisted Bonzo's son Jason to play drums (oddly, Van Halen is touring with roughly seven-eighths of its original lineup as well this fall). So now Page, Plant, Jones and Bonham* have announced a reunion in honor of Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun. A worthy cause, to be sure. So why am I discouraged? ...more...

The Verse Nonsense of "Give Peace a Chance"

A friend and I were discussing John Lennon’s ability as a sloganeer. He posited that Lennon’s famous song "Give Peace a Chance," for all its fame, amounted to little more than a slogan. Where was the rest of the song? It’s an understandable criticism. In fact, when Lennon’s first collection of solo material Shaved Fish came out, only the first minute of the song was actually included. With a little more reflection, though, the slap dash simplicity of "Give Peace a Chance" has a lot more going for it than one would think. ...more...

Vegetarian Society launches climate change campaign

The Vegetarian Society is to raise awareness of "emissions" from cattle as a leading cause of global warming with an ad campaign using the strapline "Silent but deadly". Sir Paul McCartney and daughter Stella are patrons of the Vegetarian Society, which argues that "damaging gaseous emissions" from farmed animals exceed those from the world's entire transport system. The campaign, which features a close-up of the rear of a cow, will include a range of "Silent but deadly" postcards and press ads that will run in environmental ...more...

Paul McCartney's Beach tears

Sir Paul McCartney breaks down in tears every time he hears the Beach Boys' song 'God Only Knows'. The 65-year-old Beatles legend has confessed he can't control his emotions whenever he hears the Brian Wilson penned track. Speaking on a special Radio 1 show to mark the British station's 40th anniversary, Paul said: "'God Only Knows' is one of the few songs that reduces me to tears every time I hear it. ...more...

The Beatles: The Biography

The Beatles and the band's music continue to captivate millions to this day. Yet the world may never have heard of John, Paul, George and Ringo if not for a fateful meeting that started it all. VOA's Jeff Feuer explains. Nearly four decades after their breakup, The Beatles remain a global phenomenon. But the world might never have heard the "Fab Four's" many hits if it had not been for a chance encounter on July 6, 1957 in the city of Liverpool, England. ...more...

Unseen Beatles photos go under the hammer

BEATLE photographs never seen before go under the hammer this week. In one shot John Lennon sports a top hat and a huge curly stick-on moustache while Paul McCartney is in a flat cap and wide red braces. George Harrison wears a knitted shawl and a spotted head-scarf while Ringo is in the background with his arms outstretched and hands on his pal’s shoulders. A spokesman for the auction said: “Who knows what The Beatles were really up to in this previously unseen photograph – we'll never know.” It is one of a group of eight transparencies featuring the Fab Four found among a cache of 1,400 images covering subjects from the late 19th century to the Swinging Sixties. The prints and negatives represent the remaining stock of the now defunct Collectors' Photographs Ltd. ...more...

Is it Lennon/McCartney or Lennon vs. McCartney?

A friend of mine just sent me an article from the August 27 issue of the National Review about Paul McCartney entitled "The Bard of Optimism," by Kyle Smith. The article falls into one of the sadder conflicts of modern music history, the seemingly inevitable John or Paul argument. Lennon’s assassination in 1980 would sadly prove to be a staggering blow to McCartney’s musical reputation. Lennon, after five years of silence, had in Double Fantasy just released his strongest work in years. Meanwhile, McCartney was entering one of his tougher creative periods, which would see him release a number of shallow songs like "Press" and "Spies Like Us," as well as an ill thought re-recording of his previous Beatles material for the movie Give My Regards to Broadstreet. This period seemed to show an artist in decline. ...more...

Dead '60s Bond With Paul McCartney

To record their second album, 'Time to Take Sides,' Liverpool rockers the Dead '60s decamped to New York City. Despite the 3,000-plus mile journey across the pond, they still managed to bump into a rather famous fellow from their hometown, one Paul McCartney. At first, it seemed like the Dead boys -- frontman Matt McManamon, guitarist Ben Gordon, bassist Charlie Turner and drummer Brian Johnson -- were just going to benefit from the fab one's kind voicemails wishing them luck in the studio. Then, one day when McCartney was in residence instead of them, their mutual producer Dave Kahne told them Macca wanted them to drop by. "We go down [to] the studio and we walk in and it's just a bit of a different vibe," Johnson told Spinner of the fateful hour. "Walking down the steps into the other room -- it's weird when you know at the other end you're going to be greeted by a Beatle." ...more...

The Beatles in Surround: The Manhattan Center Hosts 5.1 Mixes for Columbia Pictures' 'Across the Universe'

A new way to listen to the timeless songs of The Beatles is always exciting. The soundtrack from the highly anticipated new film from Julie Taymor and Columbia Pictures, Across the Universe, makes that happen with stunning new Beatles arrangements mixed for film release in 5.1 surround at The Manhattan Center. As one of Manhattan's most highly experienced surround mixing facilities, The Manhattan Center was a powerful asset to composer Elliott Goldenthal, co-producer Teese Gohl, and engineers Joel Iwataki, Lawrence Manchester and Brandon Mason in nailing the mixes for the ambitious movie featuring all-new arrangements of songs by The Beatles. The foursome worked in MC's famous wood-trimmed Studio 4 "Log Cabin" with its Neve VR72 console, along with the Grace Design m906 5.1 monitor controller and JBL LSR 6328P monitors to bring the magic of surround to songs like "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" with Bono on vocals, "I am the Walrus" again sung by the legendary Bono and featuring The Secret Machines, "Come Together" featuring Joe Cocker, and "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" with Eddie Izzard. ...more...

Best Beatles song? Tough to say

What's the best Beatles song? The revolutionary tunes of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are back on the big screen with "Across the Universe," a boy-meets-girl musical romance set amid the social turbulence of Vietnam and the 1960s. In advance of its theatrical debut Friday, "Across the Universe" played at the Toronto International Film Festival, where stars were asked what Beatles' song was their favorite. Most hemmed and hawed, some said it was impossible to pick one, and a couple chose a certain post-Beatles Lennon composition. A sampling of what they had to say: ...more...

Pools of Sorrow, Not Waves of Joy for ’60s-Themed Musical

Remember that saying “Even the devil can quote Scripture”? It’s a relevant warning for the Beatles fans who are considering watching “Across the Universe.” Basically, if Lennon and McCartney wrote the Word you think of, this movie gets no love. To be fair, nothing here is hellishly bad, but director Julie Taymor seems to be relying on diehard fans’ loyalty to the Beatles and their music, instead of developing a solid movie that can stand on its own merits. “Across the Universe” follows British dockworker Jude (Jim Sturgess) as he travels to America to find his deadbeat dad, a janitor at Princeton. This father quest is nothing but a pretext for Jude to meet Max (an endearingly delinquent Joe Anderson), a Princeton student who offers Jude some “Ivy League hospitality”—in other words, booze and drugs. ...more...

Liverpool John Lennon wins Airport of the Year award

Liverpool John Lennon Airport picked up the UK Airport of the Year prize at the Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) awards last week. The north-west hub beat other shortlisted airports Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, London Luton and Bristol to claim the award. A group of travel agents had voted for their favourite UK airport, after which the finalists went before a panel of industry experts, including figures from the Federation of Tour Operators and Global Travel Group. They chose Liverpool John Lennon ahead of the others based on factors including passenger and airline growth, public transport improvements, environmental initiatives, work done with the local community, and personal experience of the hubs. ...more...

THAT LOVING FEELING

In 1968, filmmaker Tony Palmer made a documentary, at John Lennon's request, featuring interviews and exclusive performances by the likes of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Who, Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix - the biggest artists in rock at the time. This film, titled ''All My Loving,'' has never been seen in the United States before this year. But what's really surprising is why. ''My previous film had been on the Bell Telephone Hour, which was on NBC,'' recalls Palmer. ''They received a copy of this film, and a letter came back saying, 'We see that Hendrix is very interesting, but can you take out all that stuff with the guitar?'' ...more...

BUY: All My Loving



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Dylan and the Beatles: Together Again!

Question: How much freight should a '60s musical icon have to carry? (Another question: How'd we get through that decade without using the word icon to refer to every pop star?) Forty years ago, the Beatles and Bob Dylan, and a lot of other talented young folks, wrote and performed terrific songs that opened the minds of people my age, expanded the pop-music vocabulary and generally made listeners feel smarter, cooler, better. And now we have two ambitious movies — Julie Taymor's Across the Universe and Todd Haynes's I'm Not There, both of which played this week at the Toronto Film Festival — that are carpeted with the music of the Fab Four and the man from Hibbing, Minnesota. ...more...

The Very Best of Ringo Starr

As a musician, Ringo Starr has always made a great punch line. So I expected this new compilation to be a collection of musical rim shots, along the lines of the "No-No Song." But Beatleologists will find much more than kitsch here. The CD includes every ex-Beatle – even honorary ones such as George Martin and Billy Preston – as writers, producers or, in Paul McCartney's case, mouth sax soloist (on "You're Sixteen"). Many tunes are biographical, from Ringo's evaluation of his former bandmates in "Early 1970" to what sounds like a tired old man getting existential in 2005's "Fading In and Fading Out." The must-have track for fans is "Never Without You," his loving 2003 tribute to George Harrison. Eric Clapton plays guitar, proving that yes, Ringo has always gotten by with a little help from his friends. But you'll enjoy being with them. No joke.

Michael Merschel

IOL: The Beatles taught Gilmour how to rock

Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour learned how to rock by copying the Beatles on a borrowed guitar. Despite carving a niche in prog rock, Gilmour idolised the Fab Four and learned all of their early hits - after borrowing his first instrument from his next-door neighbour. Speaking at the launch of his DVD, Remember That Night - Live At The Royal Albert Hall, the 61-year-old revealed: "I borrowed my first guitar of a neighbour and never gave it back. I've still got it actually. ...more...

1964 - Fab then and now

Say “1964” and any baby boomer worth his rock record collection (or at least the fond memory of it) will flash on the Beatles’ momentous invasion of America. The Beatles’ music lives on, of course, not only through their still-popular recordings but in so many other ways, including the forthcoming Beatles-inspired movie musical “Across the Universe.” Concert audiences aren’t left out, either, thanks to the fastidious efforts of imitation Fab Fours like “1964 the Tribute,” which performs at 8 tonight at the Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway. ...more...

Fab Four still strike a chord with fans, says Beatles guru

Beatlemania is clearly alive and well. Look no further than the new film Across the Universe, told through more than 30 Beatles songs. The movie, opening today, is a love story set in the counter-culture, free-love era of the '60s. Julie Taymor is at the director's helm of the Beatles-inspired musical, which features new renditions of the Fab Four's songs as interpreted by the film's cast. While the Liverpool lads ended their musical union in 1970, their songs continue to strike a chord with music fans that span generations. Beatles guru and university professor Michael Cheney, ...more...

SIR ELTON JOINS PRINCE IN LONDON

Pop legend SIR ELTON JOHN joined PRINCE onstage in London on Thursday (13Sep07) to perform a duet of THE BEATLES' hit, LONG AND WINDING ROAD. John appeared when Prince returned for an encore, during one of his 21 concerts at the capital's O2 Arena. Prince played guitar while the Rocket Man sang and played piano. The pair embraced afterwards, and Prince told the crowd, "You know who it is - Sir Elton John!" Prince's performance at the venue turned into a mammoth event. He worked his way through two long encores - before decamping to neighbouring venue Indigo and kicking off an aftershow performance that lasted more than two hours. The late night set including a cover version of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love, a tribute to the rock band who announced a reunion concert on Wednesday (12Sep07).

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Ringo gets last laugh with greatest hits CD

There is no rational reason why Ringo Starr starts singing "What do you do with a drunken sailor ..." on the fade of You're 16 (You're Beautiful and You're Mine). But Harry Nilsson, who made a habit of getting ex-Beatles drunk, sang background on the track and chances are the pair of them were half gassed on bourbon at the recording session. The sudden sea-shanty quotation is a delightful Ringo-esque moment, and a good reminder why just saying his name makes you smile, even "earl-eye in the morning" as the sailor song has it. ...more...

Ono to unveil Lennon peace tower

Yoko Ono is to unveil a peace tower dedicated to John Lennon, in Iceland, on what would have been his 67th birthday. The statue, making large use of light, will be engraved with the words "imagine peace" in 24 languages, and will be launched in Reykjavik on October 9. Apparently Ono designed the tower 40 years ago and Lennon predicted it would become a reality. The installation will also feature wishes written down by 100,000 people and put in capsules. They will be buried around the area. The ex-Beatle's widow said: "I consider myself very fortunate to see the dream my husband and I dreamt together become reality." She has invited "like-minded friends from all over the world" to the ceremony and said Iceland was ideal because it is "very unique" and "eco-friendly". Source:

He Added Pepper To Beatles

When Paul McCartney wanted to add the sound of a piccolo trumpet to the recording of "Penny Lane," George Martin brought in an orchestra musician to handle the work. Martin, with his classical training, could have written something for the musician to play. After all, none of the Beatles could read music. But that's not how Martin worked. Instead, he told McCartney, the Beatles' bass player and co-writer of most of the band's material, to hum the line he wanted. Martin then wrote out the notes for the trumpet. A team-oriented approach is necessary to achieve success, Martin writes in his book "All You Need is Ears" with co-author Jeremy Hornsby about his years as the Beatles' record producer. "A successful record has to be a real expression of everyone's talent," he wrote. "There were no clear lines of demarcation. It was more a question of being a good team than isolating individuals as being a producer, arranger or songwriter." ...more...

The Very Best of Mick Jagger

Rhino Entertainment will release The Very Best of Mick Jagger on October 2nd, 2007, featuring the previously unreleased track “Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)”, produced by John Lennon. The Very Best Of Mick Jagger, the first overview of his distinguished solo career, is set for release in the U.S. on October 2, on Atlantic/Rhino Records. It’s a vivid reminder of the compelling gifts that brought Jagger fame in the first place. As an embodiment of all that rock ’n’ roll can mean, he is virtually without peer and that is made plain on this compelling 17-track collection, which includes three previously unreleased performances. But Mick, for better or worse, is also one of those figures who has far eclipsed the realm of rock ’n’ roll to become one of the most recognizable names and faces in the world, as celebrated for who he is as for what he’s accomplished. Indeed, he is a “musician and songwriter,” one of the greatest singers in rock ’n’ roll history, and a restless, adventurous artist.


The Very Best Of Mick Jagger
Track Listing



1. God Gave Me Everything

2. Put Me In The Trash

3. Just Another Night

4. Don’t Tear Me Up

5. Charmed Life*

6. Sweet Thing

7. Old Habits Die Hard

8. Dancing In The Street

9. Too Many Cooks*

10. Memo From Turner

11. Lucky In Love

12. Let’s Work

13. Joy

14. Don’t Call Me Up

15. Checkin’ Up On My Baby*

16. (You Gotta Walk And) Don’t Look Back

17. Evening Gown



*Previously Unreleased


Beatlesnumber9.com

'Legends' to gather for Dubuque gig

They were never together on one stage, but thanks to the miracle of tribute performances, a tri-state audience will be able to hear a reasonable facsimile of Elton John, John Lennon and Billy Joel, together at the Grand Opera House. The Rotary Clubs of Dubuque and Galena, Ill., are the joint sponsors of "Legends of New York City," 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. "Legends" pays tribute to a Thanksgiving 1974 performance by Lennon and John in New York's Madison Square Garden. "Legends" adds Joel to the mix. Bill Kropinak has been performing as Lennon in Beatles tribute bands for about 20 years. ...more...

McCartney makes mark on 10ft guitar

He has owned a fair few guitars in his time - but a new 10ft replica instrument was unlike anything Sir Paul McCartney has ever played. The 65-year-old former Beatle paid a visit to the Gibson Guitartown London exhibition to sign the hand-painted, 10ft Gibson Les Paul. The free-standing guitar, and 59 others, will go under the hammer in London later this year to raise money for three charities. Named And The Crowd Goes Wild, the instrument was hand-painted by visual artist Rosie Brooks. ...more...

The Fab Faux recreates the Beatles' classic sounds

For the guys in the Fab Faux, the songs of the Beatles are as much classical music as classic rock. "The way an orchestra would do Mozart or Beethoven?" explains guitarist Jimmy Vivino. "That's how we do the Beatles." And that's how the brilliant Beatles cover band - it's a five-piece, featuring late-night musical stars Vivino (Conan O'Brien) and Will Lee (David Letterman) - approaches its gig this Saturday night: a complete recreation of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" before a sold-out crowd at Manhattan's Beacon Theater. It's their largest headlining show ever, nearly a decade after Lee's obsession with the Beatles led him to seek out similarly crazed New York musicians and 40 years after the Beatles released the album that altered the course of musical history. ...more...

STARRS DRUM THERAPY

Former BEATLE RINGO STARR took up drumming as a teenager after finding it therapeutic. The rocker found he could release his emotions behind a kit. He tells music magazine Mojo, "When I was 13 every couple of weeks a teacher would come in with percussive instruments to keep you occupied for an hour. That's how it started. "Now I feel you can get a lot of your emotions out behind a kit, and you can also bond with people really deeply because you're holding it together. In a band you've got to be solid - and I am one of the most solid drummer around - and lets everyone else fly a bit more."


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Rare Beatles Tickets In Sale

Two rare ticket stubs from a Beatles concert at the Public Hall, Preston on September 13, 1963 will be up for grabs at the Charnock Auction House antiques and collectables sale at Park Hall, Charnock Richard, on Sunday. Expected to raise more than £200, the ticket stubs have been put up for sale by a private collector from Chorley. ...more...

They come together for a hard day's night

For the guys in the Fab Faux, the songs of the Beatles are as much classical music as classic rock. "The way an orchestra would do Mozart or Beethoven?" explains guitarist Jimmy Vivino. "That's how we do the Beatles." And that's how the brilliant Beatles cover band - it's a five-piece, featuring late-night musical stars Vivino (Conan O'Brien) and Will Lee (David Letterman) - approaches its gig this Saturday night: a complete re-creation of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" before a sold-out crowd at Manhattan's Beacon Theater. It's their largest headlining show ever, nearly a decade after Lee's obsession with the Beatles led him to seek out similarly crazed New York musicians and 40 years after the Beatles released the album that altered the course of musical history. ...more...

THE BEATLES TAUGHT GILMOUR HOW TO ROCK

PINK FLOYD legend DAVID GILMOUR learned how to rock by copying the BEATLES on a borrowed guitar. Despite carving a niche in prog rock, Gilmour idolised the Fab Four and learned all of their early hits - after borrowing his first instrument from his next-door neighbour. Speaking at the launch of his DVD, Remember That Night - Live At The Royal Albert Hall, the 61-year-old revealed, "I borrowed my first guitar of a neighbour and never gave it back. I've still got it actually. "I was an enormous fan of the Beatles. I copied everything they did before I started creating my own stuff. I like to have been in the Beatles. They did well. Source:

Jury Begins Deliberation In Phil Spector Murder Trial

Phil Spector tonight awaits a jury to determine whether or not he murdered actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003. Nine men and three women began deliberation to determine the fate of the record producer most famous for his work with the Beatles, which was followed by solo work with John Lennon, George Harrison, and later, the Ramones. Spector, who's development of the Wall of Sound forever changed the sonic landscape of modern pop and rock n' roll, was ironically issued a gag order along with his wife, Rachelle, by Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler. ...more...

Ono to unveil Lennon peace tower

The widow of John Lennon, Yoko Ono, is to unveil a peace tower dedicated to the late Beatle in Iceland on what would have been his 67th birthday. The light tower, engraved with "imagine peace" in 24 languages, will go on display in Reykjavik on 9 October. The musician predicted 40 years ago that the tower, which is designed by Ono, would eventually become a reality. Some 100,000 wishes from people around the world will be placed in capsules and buried around the installation. ...more...

Director Taymor spins Beatles in new film

Julie Taymor has conquered Broadway and won respect in Hollywood, and the groundbreaking director now risks rattling Beatles purists by adapting their beloved songs for a new movie, "Across the Universe." The musical debuts at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, and Taymor told Reuters she was well aware of the wrath she may face when, for instance, Beatles fans see the bouncy pop tune "I Want to Hold Your Hand" sung slowly by one high school girl longing for another. ...more...

A few theses about the Beatles

These were inspired by reading this alternately brilliant and irritiatingly self-involved essay in the Guardian by Jonathan Lethem. 1. George Harrison released the best solo album by a Beatle. This, of course, is Cloud Nine. Okay, it’s All Things Must Pass, and you have to ignore the god-awful third disc of jams appended to it. What this suggests is that Harrison had become the best songwriter in the Beatles by the end of their career, which is borne out by his contrbutions to Abbey Road and maybe even the Get Back sessions prior to that. By the end, McCartney was content to try to rewrite “Hey Jude” style anthems over and over, and Lennon couldn’t muster anything other than rote blues jams for the most part. ...more...

Paul McCartney's funny funeral

Sir Paul McCartney wants people to laugh at his funeral. The Beatles legend is keen for his friends and family to celebrate his life rather than mourn him when he dies. McCartney said: "At my funeral, I want jokes to be told and old funny stories rolled out. I want my family and friends to have a laugh. I want them to celebrate my life rather get depressed about my death." ...more...

STARR BATTLES TO SAVE STREET

Music legend RINGO STARR is spearheading a campaign to save an English street from demolition. The Beatles star has convinced local authorities in Liverpool to save his childhood home in Madryn Street, but has raised concern over plans to demolish the surrounding properties. He says, "I believe they're knocking the rest of the street down. So where are they going to put (my former home)? "I don't think it makes a lot of sense unless it's where it was. This is some of the madness the council thought of."

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Caine And Lennon Had Drinking Binge

Late Beatles legend John Lennon and Sir Michael Caine supposedly got drunk together and misbehaved the first time they met. The two met at the Cannes film festival in 1964 and soon became friends and drinking buddies. 'We were getting through this day of press conferences, me for the 'Ipcress File' while I think he was probably doing 'A Hard Day's Night',' Caine was quoted as saying by contactmusic.com. 'We introduced ourselves to people as John Lemon and Michael Micklewhite, which is my real name. We got very pissed and behaved very, very badly.' Source:

Sir Paul McCartney: I’m useless with technology

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed he's a technophobe. The Beatles legend, 65, would much rather post a handwritten letter than quickly send an email. 'I prefer writing letters,' he tells Radio One. I don't like the way emails look. It's an aesthetic thing – they look so boring and it doesn't look right. ...more...

The Beatles - What Goes On - History and Information

An old John number from the Quarrymen days (specifically, 1957), this Carl Perkins-inspired rockabilly nugget was rescued rom obscurity when a Ringo-sung number was needed for Rubber Soul. (Capitol was always very conscious about giving Ringo, America's favorite Beatle, a vocal spotlight on each album.) Paul's contribution is thought to have been crafting new second and third verses for the existing song, with som help from Ringo -- though the drummer claims he only added "about five words." ...more...

McCartney to play at Electric Proms

Sir Paul McCartney has signed up to perform at this year's Electric Proms. The ex-Beatle joins names including producer-DJ Mark Ronson, the Kaiser Chiefs, and piano star Jamie Cullum who will be playing at the five-day festival. The Electric Proms were launched last year and take place in the Roundhouse and other London venues. AP

Renée Zellweger Comes Clean On Paul McCartney Romance

McCartney and the starlet have had romantic evenings in the past couple weeks but had denied a romantic link since now. Zellweger may have some fierce rivals for the mega-rich McCartney, however, as he has been spotted on the town with various ladies recently. Macca has been pretty cozy with Christie Brinkley, Elle Macpherson, and Natalie Imbruglia of late. McCartney better be wary of Zellweger. Her romances with rockers hasn't fared so well with rockers Jack White and Kenny Chesney. McCartney has still hasn't confirmed a relationship with the 'Chicago' star but if pictures tell a thousand words something is up. ...more...

MCCARTNEY TO PLAY THE ROUNDHOUSE

Paul McCartney is to play London's Roundhouse next month - as part of the line-up for BBC Electric Proms 2007. The Beatles legend will play the Camden venue on October 25. This will be the second time this year McCartney has played an intimate venue in Camden. He previously played at the Electric Ballroom in June - the week before his new solo album 'Memory Almost Full' was released. Festival Director Lorna Clarke says: "It is a real coup to have a true legend and one of the world's most creative artists performing for us at the festival. ...more...

Beatles film Help! set for DVD release

The Beatles' second feature film,"Help!" -- once described by John Lennon as "crap" -- will come out on DVD in October, representatives for the Fab Four said on Tuesday. The zany 1965 follow-up to "A Hard Day's Night" revolved around a gang's efforts to prise a sacred ring from Ringo Starr's finger in order for a human sacrifice to proceed. In the ensuing mayhem, the lads find themselves on the run in such exotic locales as the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas, with a motley crew of religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police in hot pursuit. The film featured such new tunes as "Ticket to Ride," "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and the title track. ...more...

Zellweger has a ‘big crush’ on Macca

“I do have a big crush on Paul McCartney. I feel quite embarrassed saying it because I haven’t even told him yet.” Actress Renee Zellweger has admitted that she has a ‘big crush’ on Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney. The news comes after the two were spotted having a candlelit dinner in New York recently. The Oscar winner said that she is ‘quite embarrassed’ to make the confession because she hasn’t told Sir Paul about it. ...more...

David Gilmour's Beatles wish

Pink Floyd star David Gilmour wishes he had been a Beatle. The legendary guitarist, who achieved global stardom in the psychedelic band, has revealed the Fab Four have always been his favourite group, and admits he would have given anything to join his 60s contemporaries. Speaking at the premiere of his new live DVD 'Remember That Night - Live At The Royal Albert Hall' in London's Leicester Square last night (06.09.07), Gilmour said: "I really wish I had been in The Beatles. I was always a massive fan. ...more...

Fab Four by four

Reliving the days of the Fab Four will be easy Saturday at A Hard Day's Night in Galesburg, an all-day Beatles music tribute festival. The event will bring four Beatles tribute bands, including an all-girl band, to a downtown stage at 471 E. Main St. from noon to midnight. Organizers hope to draw fans of all ages to the family event, which will become an annual one if it's successful, marketing director Joanne Sandy said. ...more...

'Dead Sea Scroll of Rock & Roll' - Rare Beatles Art from Monterey Pop Offered For Sale

"Peace to Monterey," a rare psychedelic sketch by all four Beatles, is offered for public sale by an Indiana marketing company. Bidding on the original artwork begins September 6 at peacetomonterey.com. An art show and sale, "Classic Rock & Roll Art by Tom Wilkes," will open the same day in downtown Muncie, Indiana, home to The Allan Hays Company, who is managing the sale of the original artifact. Lithograph prints of "Peace to Monterey" will be on exhibit, along with other prints of the GRAMMY Award winner's works, through September at Doc's Music Hall. ...more...

Intelligent Design: Is it "Intelligent?"

Has John Lennon’s assassination meant that he is no longer “exists?” Quite the contrary; he (or his “spirit,” if one prefers) is still very much with us whenever we hear a Beatles or Lennon song, even for those who were born after his death. Musicians who were influenced by him keep him alive as well by indirectly carrying on his incredible legacy. The remaining Beatles even brought his “ghost” back by “accompanying” him on unreleased compositions he wrote like “Free as a Bird.” And when BG and I gaze at a Bacon painting in the Museum of Modern Art, his presence and energy are still palpable. ...more...

Apple Event: New iPods, iPhone Price Cut, No Beatles

In a move timed to prepare customers for the 2007 holiday buying season, Steve Jobs today refreshed Apple’s (AAPL) entire line of iPod music and video players, from the tiny $79 shuffle to a new wide-screen iPod Touch -- an Internet-ready device that is basically an iPhone but without the phone. "It's one of the seven wonders of the world, it's just incredible," Jobs told a crowd of about 1,000 analysts, journalists and bloggers gathered at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. But he waited until the end of the program to announce a sharp price cut in the much-hyped iPhone, one that suggests that sales of the device may not be going as well as he hoped. The event capped a week of anticipation and frenzied speculation, and although many of the rumors proved true -- including spy photos of the so-called iPod "fatty" that Apple's legal department ordered removed from several websites -- the one many music fans cared most about did not: Paul McCartney did not appear live from the BBC and the Beatles are not yet available for download on Apple's iTunes Music Store. ...more...

Lighthouse in honor of John Lennon unveiled in Iceland

Yoko Ono, wife of late Beatles member John Lennon, has unveiled a lighthouse in Iceland in honor of her late husband and hoped one day it would serve as an important beacon, media reported Thursday. The Peace Tower, 25-meter high, is erected on Videy island, off the north coast of Reykjavik. It is dedicated to peace and bears the inscription in 24 languages of Lennon's song "Imagine." The waterside structure is due to be lit from the former Beatle's birthday (Oct. 9th) to the anniversary of his death (Dec. 8th). The tower will also be lit on New Year's Eve, during one week in spring and on some rare special occasions agreed between the city and Ono. ...more...

Thousands Flock To Hindu Festival

MORE than 65,000 people, including many from Harrow, attended the largest Hindu gathering outside India this week. Held at Bhaktivedanta Manor, which was owned by former Beatle George Harrison, in Aldenham, the 5,000-year-old festival of Janmashtami took place over two days. The event, which took place on Sunday, September 2, and Tuesday, September 4, is held annually to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna. This year it featured live stage shows, colourful Indian costumes, music, multi-media shows, exhibitions, a bazaar, meditation, traditional dancing and exotic food. ...more...

CAVE RAVE IS SCRAPPED

PLANS to hold a rave in a cave in honour of John Lennon have been scrapped because of safety rules. Organisers of the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival in Durness, Sutherland, had planned to hold a dance event in Smoo Cave on September 29. But council chiefs asked for a safety assessment and the festival team couldn't get it done in time. Durness holds the festival because the Beatles legend used to holiday there when he was a boy.

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Elle Macpherson joins Sir Paul's lonely hearts club

Sir Paul McCartney may have been praised for his musical ability at last night's GQ Men of the Year ceremony, but his skill in attracting the attention of beautiful women also proved worthy of an award. The 65-year-old was spotted keeping company with single supermodel Elle Macpherson, 43, and later attracted the attention of another Australian beauty, singer Natalie Imbruglia. Macpherson, who has spoken of her difficulties in getting a date since splitting for playboy millionaire playboy Arki Busson two years ago, seemed enchanted in his company as the pair chatted cosily. ...more...

Stars come out for Radio 1's 40th birthday

To celebrate 40 years since Radio 1 first came on air, the station has persuaded some music legends to show off their DJ skills. Starting on Monday September 17 with Paul McCartney, the hour-long evening shows will see the stars playing the tunes that inspired them and in some way led them to make music themselves. Dave Grohl, Gwen Stefani, Paul Weller, Paul Oakenfold will follow on subsequent days, with Noel Gallagher, Debbie Harry, Arctic Monkeys, Ozzy Osbourne and Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) lined up for the following week. ...more...

The Beatles' Paul McCartney to make "special announcement"

Paul McCartney, one of the founding members of The Beatles, is scheduled to to appear on BBC Radio 1 later this afternoon to make "very special announcement," AppleInsider has learned. McCartney, whose appearance is likely to coincide with announcements from Apple Inc. around the same time, will join BBC Radio 1’s Edith Bowman at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Rumors that Apple and the Beatles have finally reached terms to bring the Fab Four's music catalog to Apple's ubiquitous iTunes Store received a shot in the arm last week when Apple issued digital invites to its special media event on September 5th, with the caption "The beat goes on." As was previously noted by AppleInsider, "The beat goes on" phrase appears to have been borrowed from the trailing line of The Beatles' final press release, which was issued by Apple Records on April 10, 1970, following the band's split.

"Spring is here and Leeds play Chelsea tomorrow and Ringo and John and George and Paul are alive and well and full of hope. The world is still spinning and so are we and so are you," read the 1970 Beatles release. "When the spinning stops -- that'll be the time to worry, not before. Until then, the Beatles are alive and well and the beat goes on, the beat goes on."

Apple's event begins today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific, 1:00 p.m. Eastern. Source:

Beatles Need Some “Help” - Again

Though the Beatles’ 1965 movie Help! was a flawed, compromised effort in comparison to its genre-pioneering predecessor A Hard Day’s Night, it’s still been a must-watch film for Beatles buffs and novices alike. Granted, long chunks of it are borderline incomprehensible and, in places, just plain boring, the visuals are amazing and it’s also as essential a time capsule piece as Let It Be (which had its own flaws). Now word comes that it’s due to be reissued on Oct. 30 on EMI/Apple Corps Ltd. as a double-DVD set; this will serve as an upgrade and replacement to both the 1997 and 2000 editions, which, according to Billboard.com, went out of print “due to rights issues.” ...more...

Ronson will remix Lennon

REMIX king MARK RONSON will stage a double act with SEAN LENNON at next month’s BBC Electric Proms. Brit pal of the stars Mark and American singer-songwriter Sean, son of THE BEATLES legend JOHN, are among 80 acts who will star during the eight-venue London rock and pop festival from October 24 to 28. Other big names lined up include the KAISER CHIEFS. Tickets for the festival go on sale on September 12, at bbc.co.uk/electricproms. Source:

With Raspberries reunion, Eric Carmen's no longer all by himself

"We thought that before any of us die, this would not be a bad time to do it," says Eric Carmen in describing why the Raspberries chose 2005 to mount a 10-date reunion tour. The last stop on this trek, at Hollywood's House of Blues, was recorded by Mark Linett and recently released as a two-disc set by Rykodisc entitled Live on Sunset Strip. Perhaps Carmen's recent jaunt with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band gave him new urgency to reunite the band. After all, only Starr and Paul McCartney are left from the Beatles, making any Fab Four reunion out of the question. ...more...

Beatallica Don't Know When To Quit

Some of you may have heard of the internet phenomenon Beatallica – a band that does Beatles songs in the style of Metallica – but how many of you knew how high up into the echelons of metal royalty their presence has been felt? The band are made up of singer Jaymz Lenninfield, Grg Hammetson, Ringo Lars and Cliff McBurtony. Guitarist Grg Hammettson (get it?) told Undercover, "It all started as a joke. There is a thing in Milwaukee called Spoof Fest on April Fools Day each year and one year Jaymz [Lenninfeild] thought it'd be a good idea to be Metallica doing Beatles covers and it just took off. ...more...

Lennon portrait attracts £45,000 bid

A portrait of John Lennon by Scottish artist Peter Howson has received a bid of £45,000 – 50% higher than the painter’s valuation. The portrait will go on show at the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival in Durness in Sutherland at the end of September, along with around other 20 works of the ex-Beatle. Howson, who claims the 4x3ft portrait is his finest, has not accepted the bid, with others from around the world interested. “I can’t say too much about things at the moment because there are more offers ongoing, but one gallery has offered £45,000 on behalf of a private collector. And the paint is hardly dry.” The Glasgow artist added: “We’ll have to see what transpires over the next few weeks, but either way it is definitely going to Durness.” The festival is held from September 28 to 30. Source:

Stop Worrying...Help! Is on the Way

Apple Corps Ltd have announced the eagerly anticipated DVD release of The Beatles' second feature film 'Help!' on October 30th (October 29th ROW) which will be marketed and distributed by EMI Music. Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the band's debut feature film 'A Hard Days Night', 'Help!' made its theatrical debut in 1965. The story follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that revolves around Ringo's possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police. In addition to starring the Beatles, 'Help!' has a witty script, a great cast of British character actors and features 7 classic Beatles tracks, including:


-- 'Help!'
-- 'You're Going To Lose That Girl'
-- 'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away'
-- 'Ticket To Ride'
-- 'I Need You'
-- 'The Night Before'
-- 'Another Girl'

The DVD will be a 2-disc set. Disc 1 will feature the original film digitally restored with a newly created 5.1 soundtrack, while Disc 2 contains an hour of extra features, including:


-- The Beatles in Help! -- 30 minute documentary about the making of the
film with Richard Lester, the cast and crew. Includes exclusive behind
the scenes footage of The Beatles on set.
-- A Missing Scene -- Featuring Wendy Richard
-- The Restoration of Help! -- An in depth look at the restoration
process.
-- Memories of Help! -- The cast and crew reminisce
-- Theatrical Trailers -- 2 US trailers and 1 Spanish trailer.
-- 1965 US Radio Spots -- Hidden in disc menus.

There will be 2 editions of the DVD -- a standard digipack and a deluxe boxed set that will contain a reproduction of Richard Lester's original annotated script, 8 lobby cards and a poster, plus a 60-page book with rarely seen photographs and production notes from the movie. Both the deluxe book and the standard booklet feature an introduction by Richard Lester and an appreciation by Martin Scorsese.



Watch the 'Help!' DVD trailer here:
http://emicat.edgeboss.net/wmedia/emicat/beatles/help_trailer_us.wvx

CAST
The Beatles:
John...................................................John Lennon
Paul...................................................Paul McCartney
George.................................................George Harrison
Ringo..................................................Ringo Starr
Clang..................................................Leo McKern
Ahme...................................................Eleanor Bron
Foot...................................................Victor Spinetti
Algernon...............................................Roy Kinnear
Superintendent.........................................Patrick Cargill
Bhuta..................................................John Bluthal
Jeweller...............................................Peter Copley
Doorman................................................Alfie Bass
Abdul..................................................Warren Mitchell
Lawnmower..............................................Bruce Lacey
Cross channel swimmer..................................Mal Evans
Women in street....................Dandy Nichols and Gretchen Franklin

PRODUCTION
Director...............................................Richard Lester
Producer...............................................Walter Shenson
Screenplay.................................Marc Behm and Charles Wood
Story by...............................................Marc Behm
Director of Photography................................David Watkin
Production Manager.....................................John Pellatt
Art Director...........................................Raymond Simm
Colour Consultant and Titles...........................Robert Freeman
Costume Designer.......................................Julie Harris
Musical Director.......................................Ken Thorne
Songs composed by........................John Lennon and Paul McCartney
and by George Harrison
Songs performed by.....................................The Beatles
Songs produced by......................................George Martin


Press Release

Rock 'n' Roll Royal Couples

Newlyweds George Harrison and actress Pattie Boyd in the back seat of a car after their marriage at the Epsom registery office outside London, on Jan. 21, 1966. Harrison, 22, and Boyd, 21, met in March 1964 during filming of The Beatles' "Hard Day's Night." Boyd inspired one of Harrison's best songs, "Something." In her new book, "Wonderful Tonight," Boyd says her marriage to Harrison began to fall apart in 1968 because of his moodiness, infidelities and indifference. She didn't leave Harrison until 1974, despite Eric Clapton's declarations of love. (AP Photo ) ...more...

RINGO STARR SET FOR ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME HONOUR

Veteran rocker RINGO STARR has been tipped to finally be honoured in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next year (08), according to industry insiders. The former Beatles drummer is the only member of the Fab Four not to be inducted into the prestigious Hall Of Fame, with the late George Harrison the last to receive the honour in 2004 - three years after his death in 2001. But experts believe Starr, 67, is likely to be included in the New York ceremony in 2008, after enjoying a string of solo hits such as Photograph, You're Sixteen and No No Song in the 1970s. A source says, "Ringo's work as a solo artist has never been taken as seriously as the other ex-Beatles but he's actually enjoyed a lot of success in his own right, particularly in America. It's hard to imagine, but there was even a point in the Seventies when his recordings were briefly outselling those of John (Lennon), George and Paul (MCCartney). "Having your own place in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is generally considered to be one of the biggest honours a musician can have. Ringo is now among the favourites to be inducted next year."


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Beach Boys Reunion?

It really irritates me when casual observers write off The Beach Boys as nothing more than a nostalgic pop act. Sure, there breezy odes to surfing and California girls will live on in the summers of tomorrow, but Brian Wilson is so much more than just a pop act. He is a musical genius on par with Hendrix, Lennon, and Otis Redding. His magnum opus Pet Sounds is better than any album The Beatles ever released, and it is arguably the greatest masterwork since Handel’s Messiah. Journalists have been speculating for over a decade now on whether Wilson would ever rejoin song writing partner Mike Love, and thanks to some comments from the latter, the beauty school gossip is heating up. ...more...

Heather Mills McCartney fined for parking in disabled bay

Heather Mills McCartney is being fined for parking her £130k Bentley in a disabled bay. The ex-model, 39, was slapped with a £125 ticket by a New York traffic cop. 'The cop saw Heather's fancy car parked in the bay without a disabled permit,' says an onlooker. She tried telling him she was disabled and even ended up hitting her false leg to prove it, but he told her she couldn't park there.' As the officer turned around, Heather managed to let off some steam. 'Heather was absolutely fuming,' a source tells the News Of The World. 'She cheekily stuck her tongue out at him as he walked off.' ...more...

'Summer of Love' Reached Behind Iron Curtain

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the "Summer of Love" -- the summer of 1967, when music, drugs, and rising student rebellion led to the heyday of the hippie counterculture in the United States. The impact of that moment in history was felt around the world -- even behind the Iron Curtain, where the Western music and mood inspired a generation of Soviet youth. "When I heard [American psychedelic guitarist Jimi] Hendrix had died [in September 1970], I wore a black shirt for almost 40 days," said Georgian rock musician Bachi Kitiashvili. "The four of us -- the original members of our band, Bermukha -- were rehearsing in [the southern Georgian town of] Rustavi, in a park. We all wore black." ...more...

Daughter scripts life of her rockabilly dad

When rockabilly legend Carl Perkins died in 1998, he left behind a musical legacy rich with hits including "Blue Suede Shoes," "Matchbox" and "Honey Don't." The Beatles, Elvis Presley and the Judds were among those recording songs he wrote. But it wasn't until Perkins was on his deathbed that he shared what some say is his greatest story of all: "The Thinkin' Place," his view of heaven. Perkins' daughter Debbie Perkins Swift, his business associate Rick Korn and Nashville songwriter Randy Moore spent the last several years adapting Perkins' account of "The Thinkin' Place" into a screenplay of the same title that reflects the guitarist's life and is expected to be in theaters nationwide no later than 2009. ...more...

iTunes adds free music from Paul McCartney

Apple's iTunes Store is offering a free song and video by Beatle member Paul McCartney for one week only. The track "Nod Your Head" is from McCartney's "Memory Almost Full" album and comes with a promotional video, according to Macworld UK. Apple is also offering songs from McCartney's performance at the iTunes Festival which include "Coming Up," "House of Wax," "Jet," and more. Word of McCartney's free track arrives just as rumors are becoming even more abundant about the possibility of the Beatles music catalog arriving on the iTunes Store. Apple yesterday confirmed a special event where it is expected to unveil new iPods, and used an invite with the tagline "The beat goes on" which coincides with a press release issued just after the Beatles broke up in 1970.

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Wanted: A music hero

It's an inconvenient truth: Elvis ponced around in the '60s, the Beatles mopped up the '60s and '70s, there was Pink Floyd in the '80s, along with the Eagles, Michael Jackson and Madonna in the '90s. Every decade had its hero. Now there is a void, and then the crowded place where James Blunt doesn't know what to do. "The age of the superstar is dead," mourns singer Gary Lawyer. "There can never be another John Lennon or Elvis." Even as CD sales soar and songs make money hand over fist, there is a growing feeling among music lovers that something has died. And that something could be called soul, slowly killed by the corporatisation of music. ...more...

Mick Jagger*s Biggest Solo Songs Compiled On New Album

Three previously unreleased songs will be included on Atlantic/Rhino's The Very Best Of Mick Jagger compilation that hits stores on Oct. 2. The most notable is 1973's "Too Many Cooks (Spoil The Soup)," which was produced by John Lennon. It features Cream bassist Jack Bruce, keyboardist Al Kooper and Harry Nilsson on backing vocals. There are also two previously unreleased Rick Rubin-produced tracks on the album: a cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Checkin' Up On My Baby" with Los Angeles blues band The Red Devils; and "Charmed Life," which was remixed by Ashley Beedle. ...more...

MOVIE ABOUT TEENAGE LENNON ON THE WAY

The teenage years of late BEATLE JOHN LENNON are being turned into a movie. The Come Together star's adolescent life in 1950s Liverpool, England will form the basis of the currently untitled film, which is being written by Matt Greenhalgh, who recently penned the script for Joy Division singer Ian Curtis biopic Control. Lennon, who was shot dead in New York City aged 40 in 1980, met his future fellow Beatles Sir Paul MCCartney and George Harrison during this period.


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My Secret Life: Jane Asher, actress & cook

Jane Asher was born on 5 April 1946 in London. Afilm and television actress, she is also well-known for her books on cake-making. She first appeared as a child actress in Mandy (1952), and dated Paul McCartney for five years after interviewing the Beatles in 1963. She met her current husband, the illustrator Gerald Scarfe, in 1971. They have three children and live together in Chelsea. Jane Asher’s new Home Collection is available in stores now. ...more...