Macca furious over Mills' George Harrison documentary plans

Heather Mills' plans to star in a George Harrison documentary have left her estranged hubby, Sir Paul McCartney furious, it has been revealed. According to reports, the ex-Beatle is not too happy with her estranged wife's plan to be a part of the documentary, to be directed by Martin Scorsese. Mills is quite keen on appearing in Scorsese's factual film about the late Beatle and believes that she could provide a "different perspective" on George's final days, as she was among the last few people to visit him before he died in 2001. [...more...]

THE BEATLES, THE WHO AND ERIC CLAPTON DONATE ITEMS TO HARD ROCK

The Beatles' harpsichord which appeared on the recordings of hit singles “All You Need Is Love” and “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” is to join a collection of music memorabilia at London’s Hard Rock Vault. Other new items added to the vault include Keith Moon’s western style shirt, Eric Clapton’s silver suit from the cover of Cream’s final album “Goodbye Cream” and the costume and guitar used by Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash in the video for “November Rain”. [...more...]

Heather in George documentary?

Heather Mills is apparently planning to appear in a Martin Scorsese documentary about George Harrison. Sir Paul McCartney's ex-wife allegedly believes she can give a "different perspective" about the final days of the late Beatle's life as she was one of the last people to visit him before he died in 2001, according to The Daily Express. George died in the Los Angeles mansion Sir Paul reportedly bought Heather as an engagement gift, and that is where the couple visited him. Now the 40-year-old ex-model - who was last week awarded a £24 million divorce settlement - is said to be keen to meet with Scorsese to help him with his factual film. [...more...]

Sgt. Pepper's troops storm N.J. Beatles fest

All you need is love for thousands of Beatles fans to come together - although it certainly helps to have cash or a credit card. The Fab Four’s magical history tour made its annual stop at the Crowne Plaza Meadowlands hotel Saturday, and there was something in way the merchandise moved that said The Fest for Beatles Fans was a smashing success. There were Beatle dolls, Beatle lunchboxes and even some Beatle concert tickets for sale. But mostly, there was Beatles music that the people sang in the hallways during impromptu jams in the spirit of John, Paul, George and Ringo.[...more...]

Hating Heather Mills

I realize divorce is ugly and can be highly acrimonious. I've had one divorce and it was enough for me despite the fact that it was settled very amicably. Heather Mills is giving divorce a bad name with her absolute lack of personal dignity and her grasping ambitions. Really, she was a class C personality at best when she met her sugar daddy. I remember when the media began trashing her. They'd gotten an earful from the fiance that she dumped to go with Paul McCartney. And, her press has been down hill ever since. I took every negative article/story about her with a grain of salt b/c I figured it was due to the fact that she was the successor to the beloved wife of a Beatle. However, her behaviour during the divorce has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is EXACTLY what PM was warned about. [...more...]

Songs, Pictures and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles

I remember my brother and me talking my mom into buying us a copy of Songs, Pictures and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles on a weird label called VeeJay. It was at Montgomery Wards in Portland, Oregon sometime late in 1964. I can still remember looking up at it and thinking, "Wow. This looks good!". My family only had one other Beatles album at the time, the Second Album, so needless to say, Songs, Pictures was much loved and much played by me and my big brother. ...more...

Heather Mills among celebrity judges for Miss USA Pageant

Heather Mills soon will be back in front of the cameras. The former Mrs. Paul McCartney, who recently wrapped up a very public divorce from the ex-Beatle, is among the celebrity judges just announced for the upcoming Miss USA Pageant. Other judges for the April 11 competition include actor/comedian Rob Schneider, actor/musician Joey Fatone, actress Kristian Alfonso, Olympic-champion swimmer Amanda Beard, actress Kelly Carlson and San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman. Donny and Marie Osmond will host the telecast of the 57th annual pageant, aired live from Las Vegas on NBC. Contestants from 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in the swimsuit, evening gown and interview categories.

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Heather Mills = Pathetic Gold Digger

Heather Mills is just as crazy as she looks. Her recent divorce settlement with Paul McCartney gave her fifty million dollars but she is after more. In court, Sir Paul claimed that his total assets were worth 800 million. With this number, the court decided to grant Heather the 50 mil. But now she wants to appeal that decision after her forensic investigation team that she hired finds out that he’s worth more. From Celebrity Dirty Laundry, [...more...]

Heather Mills Makes ‘Furious’ Phone Call to Paul McCartney

Heather Mills reportedly “went absolutely crazy” on her ex-husband Paul McCartney after she heard of his vacation with Nancy Shevelle. Sources say Mills was mad that the Beatles star paid for Shevelle to travel first class but won’t do the same for their 4-year-old daughter Beatrice. “She’s obsessed by the first-class thing and thinks Paul is treating their daughter with less care that he treats his women,” says an insider. “Heather got on the phone to confront him about his mad spending. She demanded to know whether he paid for Nancy to go first-class. But he said she had her own money and could afford to pay for herself.” [...more...]

New Book by May Pang, sheds New Light on Lennons Lost Weekend

Authors May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews, both long time companions of John Lennon and Ringo Starr, will hold an exhibition and book signing at Rock Star Gallery. Nancy Lee Andrews met Ringo through Lennon who introduced them in May of 1974. The photographs, taken over a decade starting in 1970, are a personal journey through her life at the peak of pop culture history. May Pang was requested to become John Lennon's companion in June of 1973. Pang's memoir recounts stories of her former lover in vivid detail. [...more...]

Octopus’ Garden

I was reading Sea Stories (Classic Illustrated Edition) Compiled by Cooper Edens. Its a really nice compilation of stories inspired by the sea. Like the 20,000 Leagues under the sea, Captain Blackbeard, The Old Man and the Sea, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner... What attracted me to book was the front cover.. it was a nice painting. One of the entries for the book was this Poem by Richard Starkey. Turns out to be Ringo Starr from the Beatles. [...more/video...]

Macca and Mills recorded rap song in happier times

(ANI): Long before their relationship got doomed, Sir Paul McCartney and estranged wife Heather Mills had recorded a rap song, it has been revealed. The song, which never saw the light of the day, was supposed to be a track for charity but Mills ruined it with her inappropriate rapping attempt. The song, which she named Disability Rap, makes for uneasy listening as Snooty Dog tries “spit lyrics” over tacky techno music. “Talk about being blinded by love. Macca hated the idea of the record but at the time he was so crazy about Heather he agreed to help her out, News of the World quoted a source, as saying. She was determined to grab all the glory by doing the rap, so the best that he could do was backing vocals and helping with the arrangements. Heather insisted upon Paul using his connections to get it heard, as she thought it was the greatest track ever recorded. Heather really wanted to release it but Macca eventually persuaded her to see sense and it stayed secret, the source added. (ANI)

Pang/Andrews to Hold Book Signing

Authors May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews, both long time companions of John Lennon and Ringo Starr, will hold an exhibition and book signing at Rock Star Gallery. Nancy Lee Andrews met Ringo through Lennon who introduced them in May of 1974. The photographs, taken over a decade starting in 1970, are a personal journey through her life at the peak of pop culture history. May Pang was requested to become John Lennon's companion in June of 1973. Pang's memoir recounts stories of her former lover in vivid detail. The photos by May Pang in Instamatic Karma portray a lighthearted Lennon, blithe, flirtatious, casual and unguarded; they're the kind of photos one lover takes of another. [...more...]

Heather Mills Partying and on the Prowl

Heather Mills has been reportedly celebrating in New York after receiving her divorce settlement from Sir Paul McCartney. On Thursday, she was spotted looking at condos and later partying with three girlfriends at Pastis. A source told the NY Post Page Six: "She looked like a full-on tart. She had on a tight bustier, really tight pants and four-inch-high boots. She looked ready for anything." Mills was seen drinking red wine and stepping in and out of the restaurant "talking on her cellphone." Maybe she was talking to her next victim...yikes! Source:

I've Just Seen A Face, The Beatles (1965)

For some, the most perfect Beatles album is Revolver, but I've always reserved that honor for Rubber Soul, which in the eyes of many marked a sea change in the way the Lads from Liverpool presented their gifts to the world. I still remember my heart pounding the day I bought the glorious-looking package to the right, my anticipation over its contents was that intense.I[...more...]

'Rutlemania': Musical Mystery Tour Proves You Can Kid a Kidder

You could call it a concert by a band re-creating the music of a fake band that satirized the songs of a real band. Or maybe it's a reenactment by four men of four men farcically reenacting the lives of four other men. Or maybe it's a new genre of rock: heavy meta. However you describe it, "Rutlemania," which tonight ends a four-night stand in New York, is a hall of mirrors set to a beat, laugh track sold separately. The nominal point was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of "All You Need Is Cash," a mockumentary that told the fictional story of Dirk, Nasty, Stig and Barry of a band called the Rutles, whose lives, music and follies closely track the lives, music and follies of the Beatles. [...more...]

US Beatles show comes ‘home’ to Liverpool

A SENSATIONAL photographic exhibition chronicling The Beatles taking the United States by storm is to get its British debut in Liverpool. The Beatles Story, at the Albert Dock, has acquired the rights to show the exhibition of over 80 photographs which were previously shown at Washington’s Smithsonian Institute, where 3m fans paid to see them. They have never been displayed in this country before. [...more...]

Yoko Ono To Host Solo Exhibition In New York

Yoko Ono will present 'Touch Me', an interactive exhibition of paintings, film, conceptual photography and sculptures at New York's Galerie Lelong next month. The 'Touch Me' exhibition will be one of Yoko's first in New York since 2003. The central message of 'Touch Me' is for women to rethink the personal connection of the current situations they face. [...more...]

The Death and Life of John Lennon

he news arrived like fragment of some forgotten ritual. First a flash on television, interrupting the tail end of a football game. Then the telephones ringing, back and forth across the city, and then another bulletin, with more details, and then more phone calls from around the country, from friends, from kids with stunned voices, and then the dials being flipped from channel to channel while WINS played on the radio. And yes: It was true. Yes: Somebody had murdered John Lennon. And because it was John Lennon, and because it was a man with a gun, we fell back into the ritual. If you were there for the sixties, the ritual was part of your life. You went through it for John F. Kennedy and for Martin Luther King, for Malcolm X and for Robert Kennedy. [...more...]

Stella McCartney to Expand into India

Designer Stella McCartney has signed a long-term distribution deal giving exclusive rights to Delhi, India-based TSG International Marketing Pvt. Ltd., according to the Hindustan Times. As part of the deal, Stella McCartney will open two freestanding retail stores in India by the end of the year. The stores will likely be located in Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore. Over the next several years, Stella McCartney will reportedly open an additional four stores in India. "The agreement follows a significant momentum for the Stella McCartney brand, which achieved profitability last year," said Marco Bizzarri, president and CEO, Stella McCartney. "The new store openings strategically complement the brand's portfolio of stores in New York, London, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Singapore and Moscow."

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Heather Mills' Macca post

Heather Mills has posted an old video clip on her website of ex-husband Sir Paul McCartney praising her. In the footage, Paul is seen recalling how he was nearly moved to tears as he overheard Heather - who lost her left leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident in 1993 - talking to the father of an amputee victim. He is seen saying: "It was very emotional for me, hearing how strong she was. I don't know about him, but I was nearly crying." In contrast, Paul has removed every reference to Heather from his official website. [...more...]

Loathing Heather Mills

You either love her or you hate her but the chances are that if you are British and you have ever heard her or seen her - you probably hate her. Heather Mills - the ex-Mrs Paul McCartney - is our latest willing export across the Atlantic. We loathe her - I mean really, really loathe her. It has been such a long time since our country's collective venom has been directed towards one small person. On the surface she seems nice enough. Blonde, quite pretty, once a model in fact. One legged after a road accident, surely worthy of our sympathy and quite a good dancer. [...more/video...]

Heather Mills - Use Some of That Newfound Fortune to Buy Some Class

Unless you live in a tree in the middle of the Amazon, you have no doubt heard about the nasty divorce battle between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. I have grown very weary of Heather and her woe-is-me antics and on-air rants about how horribly she has been treated by McCartney, the press, the public, blah, blah, blah… So, as you can imagine, I was greatly relieved to hear that the situation was finally coming to an end this week, and we would be able to move on to someone else’s drama. However, after hearing about the details of the final hearing and settlement, I wonder if Heather will be able to use any of her newfound fortune to buy some class and grace. [...more...]

If anyone deserved to be called 'the fifth Beatle,' it was Aspinall

When the officially sanctioned "Beatles Anthology" was shown on ABC-TV and released to home video a little more than a decade ago, a few observers noted that it contained a relatively small number of interview subjects given its mammoth length.Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all had their say, and John Lennon was represented through archival interviews. But there were no ex-wives, groupies, concert promoters, recording studio janitors or any of the hangers-on who proclaimed themselves "the fifth Beatle" when, in actuality, they were somewhere around the 78th or 92nd Beatle.[...more...]

The real faux Fab Four

Can you feel nostalgic about something that never existed? That was one of many questions posed by "Rutlemania," which began a four-night stand at the Blender Theater at Gramercy on Wednesday. The multimedia show celebrates the music of fictional band the Rutles, whose Beatles-like rise and fall was imagined in the 1978 film, "All You Need Is Cash." In the manner of the Broadway show "Beatlemania," though, four actor/musicians impersonate the Rutles. The jobs went to the members of the California-based Beatles tribute band, the Fab Four. [...more...]

Animator draws from experience with the Beatles.

I have to admit that I simply love the Beatle cartoons. As this article states, the Fab Four themselves were not too happy with the campy cartoons that beared their likeness. The animated Beatles were simply a way to cash-in on the mania and hoopla surrounding the group. The accents were horrible, the storylines, if you can even call them that, were paultry. Yet, there is something loveable and endearing about the show. It was a moment in time, and silly, but you had to love it. It’s a shame that this series has not gotten the full-treatment on DVD. I would love to see it with extended commentary, and in pristine video format.[...more...]

Fab forms: Northwestern University displays images of rare Beatles lyrics

Growing up in Liverpool, the Beatles took pieces of all the pop music they could find - country, Motown, rhythm and blues, rockabilly - and turned it into rock immortal. But as for their lyric manuscripts, the scraps proved the stuff of everyday ephemera: used envelopes, torn note pads, folded sheets splattered with blue-ink doodles and pink psychedelic swirls. No one knows how many Beatles drafts went the way of the wastebasket. But seven handwritten specimens from the group’s creative peak survive, thanks to John Lennon’s second wife,[...more...]

Oliva Harrison interview about George

Not much I can say about George Harrison. He had an interesting career after the Beatles as well and struck an interesting balance between musical entertainment and life. The Traveling Wilbury’ is definitely a part of my musical history and something, still, only the likes of George Harrison could have pulled off. Click the headline to watch the video with Olivia. [...VIDEO...]

A new Tomorrow' for Beatles fans

You can watch John Lennon's final television interview on YouTube, but it's maddening. The picture's grainy, the sound is tinny and the buffering issues will make you pull your hair out. No more. Shout! Factory on Tuesday will release the entire interview, in pristine quality, on a two-DVD set titled "The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom & Ringo." The package also features sit-down chats with fellow Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. All three were broadcast on Snyder's late-night "Tomorrow Show."[...more...]

Beyond soup cans: A visit to the Andy Warhol Museum

The Andy Warhol Museum, in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, is seven floors of Warhol's work, time capsules, archived "Interview" magazines (which he founded), Warhol quotations, Warhol films, Warhol's silver wig and phones splattered in paint and cameras.
I found myself in a snowy downtown the day before Easter, brought there by the intent to visit family and visit Andy Warhol. So there I was, staring up at his rendition of the Last Supper -- a black screen print on a hot pink background, times two, next to which was a glass case of his various crosses and Bibles.[...more...]

Yoko Ono To Host Solo Exhibition In New York

Yoko Ono will present 'Touch Me', an interactive exhibition of paintings, film, conceptual photography and sculptures at New York's Galerie Lelong next month. The 'Touch Me' exhibition will be Yoko's first since 2003. The central message of 'Touch Me' is for women to rethink the personal connection of the current situations they face. [...more...]

Don’t Expect Heather Mills To Be Charitable Anytime Soon

Just when you thought a $50 million divorce settlement might finally put an end to all the drama, Heather Mills is apparently going back for seconds. Why? Well apparently it just isn’t enough for her to survive on. Seriously. The now ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney is claiming that it’s just not possible to look after her three-year-old daughter on the nearly $70,000 provided for her care. Wha? My God, I could actually afford to look at the expensive part of a sushi menu for that amount! What exactly does a three-year-old require? Well, according to Heather, she doesn’t want her child to be seen to have a different lifestyle when she is with Mom compared to with Dad. Ah ha, so it’s all about the image. Yea, that’s pretty important to someone under five. It gets better:[...more...]

The media strikes back

Rarely has British television played host to such a comprehensive kicking as the one handed out to Heather Mills McCartney on ITV earlier tonight. McCartney vs McCartney - the Ex-files - was the media's revenge on Heather Mills. It was just under 30 minutes of non-stop recollections of Ms Mills' distortions, deceptions and breathtaking self importance. As far as TV dinners go, this was a dish served ice cold in clinical fashion. Although most of what it contained was previously in the public domain, the 'revelation' that Heather had thought herself so important that commenting on American politics could sway the last US Presidential election, had me cringing. So too was Heather's claim that Tony Blair wanted to make her a people's peer - and that she was only 50-50 about accepting![...more...]

Heather Mills digs for more gold!

Heather Mills has told friends that she is employing a team of forensic accountants to go through Sir Paul McCartney's finances using a fine tooth comb, to prove his assets exceed $800 million, reports Daily Mail. She married him out of love and divorced him because of differences but now she is just digging for gold. Heather believes her former husband has $1600 million and she claims to have recording of Paul telling her as much. "We all know he's worth £800 million ($1600 million). He's been worth £800 million for the last 15 years," Mills told the press recently. The Sunday Times Rich List also put the former Beatle's wealth last year at $1650 million. Dr Philip Beresford, who compiles the Sunday Times Rich List, feels that Paul may have transferred some of his assets to his children. [...more...]

LENNON SNUBBED 'SILLY' ACTING CAREER

Late BEATLES legend JOHN LENNON turned down a career as an actor - branding the profession "silly". Lennon starred in a variety of movies throughout his career, including A Hard Day's Night and Help! along with his Beatles bandmates. And Richard Lester, who directed both movies, found that Lennon was a natural in front of the camera and attempted to persuade him to become a full-time thespian. But Lester admits the star was less than impressed with the idea. He says, "I had enormous respect for John. While we were working on How I Won The War in 1967 I said to him, 'You know, if you wanted to be a straight actor, you could do that. You've got the ability'." But Lennon retorted, "But it's a bit silly, isn't it?"

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Thirteen Reasons to Give Ringo Some Respect

This is an excellent list of reasons why Ringo Starr was much more than “an average drummer,” as he is often labelled by music critics. Ringo was an integral and indipensible part of The Beatles, and he continues to be hugely influential to contemporary musicians of diverse musical genres, whether they realize it or not. He is one of the most consistent, song-oriented drummers of all time. He is the perfect example of a drummer playing economically (without ever overplaying) to make each song as powerful as possible. He has a relaxed, dynamic, and solid feel that even more technically advanced drummers would kill for. His drumming was consistently in the pocket, emotive, and musical. And beyond that, he was always the member of the band that the other three Beatles could talk to, even during the band’s most tumultuous times. I honestly do not believe The Beatles would have developed into the same band by jamming with any other drummer. [...more...]

Mills did 'throat-slash signal' in court

Heather Mills reportedly made a throat-slashing gesture at Paul McCartney's lawyer in court. The animal rights activist allegedly swiped two fingers across her throat and stared at solicitor Fiona Shackleton after her divorce settlement was reached last week. A source told The Sun: "Paul thought Heather had gone completely off her rocker. He was shocked because it was so completely out of order and just not the way to conduct yourself in court. "Heather obviously blames Fiona for the payout and the way her image has been ruined." She was apparently upset that Shackleton suggested she was trying to earn extra sympathy by using a wheelchair.[...more...]

U2 TOP BEATLES COVERS POLL

U2's cover of HELTER SKELTER has topped a new online poll of reworked BEATLES songs. The Irish rockers' rendition of the 1968 track beat Oasis' cover of I Am The Walrus in the RollingStone.com poll. Joe Cocker's With A Little Help From My Friends, Across The Universe by Fiona Apple and Aerosmith's version of Come Together round out the top five. Source:

Heather Mills Has Her Alphabet Confused

Oh, the hits just keep coming from our favorite peg-legged British hoooooah. (Anyone who saw her rant on British morning television will get that last one.) Turns out that while she lambasted Sir Paul for not giving their daughter Beatrice enough money to fly “A” class (I assume that is first class), it is actually Heather who is relegating her to the back of the plane: Mucca slammed ex Sir Paul McCartney on Monday for forcing the four-year-old to travel “B Class” after their bitter divorce — while he flew “A Class”. She haughtily vowed to pay for Beatrice’s first-class travel herself. But details obtained by The Sun show the one-legged gold-digger has ALREADY failed to live up to her pledge. [...more...]

Yoko Ono pays tribute to Beatles pal Neil Aspinall

Yoko Ono Lennon has paid tribute to The Beatles' 'fixer' Neil Aspinall, who died yesterday (March 24). Aspinall, who began as the band's roadie in 1961, graduated to being their closest confidante. In a personal statement Ono said: "Neil was an important member of The Beatles family. John [Lennon] loved him. I continued to treasure his wisdom and support in the years after John's passing. "My love and deepest sympathy go to Neil's wife Suzy, and to his children. With love, Yoko Ono Lennon".[...more...]

Paul McCartney's divorce: the computer game

A computer game based on the court case involving the divorce settlement between Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills has been released online. The game, named Mucca Chucka, involves players playing the part of Heather Mills. Points are scored by throwing virtual water over depictions of Sir Paul McCartney and his lawyer, Fiona Shackleton, in scenes echoing the incident in which Mills threw water over Shackleton in court following Mills being awarded £24.3 million of McCartney's fortune.[...more...]

Heather Mills' peerage claim

Heather Mills claims she was offered a peerage by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The former model boasted Blair and someone called Lord Macdonald promised to make her Baroness Mills in 2001. The prestigious title of Baron or Baroness is often awarded to people who have shown loyalty and service to Britain. Heather, the ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney, claimed she couldn't decide whether to accept the honour because she felt a "bit odd". However, new ITV documentary 'McCartney vs McCartney: The Ex Files' tracked down three Lord Macdonalds - none of whom could remember ever meeting Heather. [...more...]

Paul McCartney makes Neil Aspinall statement

The Beatles' long-time friend and former manger Neil Aspinall has died. Aspinall, who was often referred to as the 'Fifth Beatle' and was chief executive of the band's company Apple Corps Ltd, passed away at New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center where he had been receiving treatment for lung cancer on Sunday night (23.03.08). He was 66. His death was announced in a joint statement released by surviving Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, Apple Corps and George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison yesterday (24.03.08). [...more...]

Heather Mills To Appeal For The Lifting Of Gag Order Against Her

Heather Mills will return to court to appeal against her gag order. The ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney is planning to ask the London's High Court to lift the gagging order that prevents her from speaking publicly about the details of their divorce case. The former glamour model, who had just won approximately $50 million as a divorce settlement from the Beatles legend last week, is "frustrated" when Judge Justice Bennett published his findings on the trial. He had slammed Mills as "unreliable" and a "fantasist." Mills then responded to the judge by publicly condemning him. She said that his reports violated her human rights. Her attorney David Rosen says, "Heather is very frustrated. She feels that it's very unfair that the judgment should be printed in full when she cannot defend herself. She's planning to apply to lift the ban. It was damning enough that the judge made his judgment so clear and vividly - no one deserves that. It's like a prolonged hanging for her." The hearings were covered by a confidentiality agreement that neither party, beyond what the judge chose to disclose, is allowed to elaborate on what was said in the case.

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Beatles fixer and friend takes secrets to the grave

Neil Aspinall, who died yesterday aged 66, was one of only two people of any importance in the Beatles saga who never told their story. Which is strange, when you think we've had a thousand Beatles books these last 40 years, from people who never met them, to lawyers who did in passing, chauffeurs who once drove them and scruffs who stood outside their offices hoping for autographs. Neil knew everything, everybody, and now, alas, has taken it all to the grave. Unless there is a posthumous memoir, waiting to be released, which I doubt. I asked him countless times, saying he should get it all down, before it's too late, if just for his children. He always said no. Neil was there from the very beginning, a constant friend and associate, never leaving the magical mystery circle, until a few months ago when he retired as head of Apple Corps, looking after their business interests. Quite a job, when you think of all the legal dramas after the Beatles split, and the personality differences at one time between Paul and Yoko.[...more...]

Dream Job: Neil Aspinall 1942-2008

As a non-musician who has it bad for rock ‘n’ roll, I felt a hint of sadness when I read of Neil Aspinall’s death today. Aspinall, to naïve outsiders and fans anyway, had the coolest job ever – he was an aide to the Beatles from the Fabs’ early Liverpool days to “Abbey Road,” and managed Apple Corps, the band’s company post-breakup until he retired last year. Aspinall died while undergoing treatment for cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York. According to the BBC, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Apple Corps paid tribute to "Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance". Aspinall was at the helm of Apple while the company dealt with a series of inter –Beatle lawsuits, as well as lengthy copyright infringement battle with that other company called Apple, the one with the Macs and iPods. [...more...]

'FIFTH BEATLE' ASPINALL DIES

NEIL ASPINALL, the man widely acknowledged as the 'Fifth Beatle', has died. He was 66. Aspinall had reportedly been receiving treatment for lung cancer at Manhattan's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York before his spokesperson announced his death on Monday (24Mar08). The 65-year-old had been fighting for his life at the weekend (begs21Mar08) when he received a visit from longtime pal and school friend Sir Paul McCartney, according to reports. Aspinall is fondly referred to as the fifth member of the Fab Four because of his close ties to bandmembers McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. He served as the former road manager and business advisor for the Fab Four for over 40 years, and even sang backing vocals for the group's hit Yellow Submarine. He continued to look after the Beatles' interests as head of their record label Apple Corps until he stepped down from the post in 2007 to start up his own production company. In a joint statement, McCartney, Starr and Lennon's widow Yoko Ono say, "Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy." Aspinall is survived by his wife of 39 years, Suzy - the daughter of film producer Bud Ornstein - and a son, Vincent 'Roag' Best, from his relationship with Mona Best, mother of original Beatles drummer Pete Best.

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Sir Paul McCartney song written about Heather Mills?

Fans of The Beatles and Sir Paul McCartney are debating whether a song featuring on his recently album, ’Memory Almost Full’, is about his ex-wife Heather Mills, who was recently awarded £24.3million of his fortune in a divorce settlement. The title of the song ’Mister Bellamy’ is an anagram of “Mills betray me”, and fans are speculating as to whether lyrics in the song refer to Mills. Lyrics in the song include the lines, “I’m not coming down, no matter what you do”, and, “No-one to tell me what to do, no-one to hold my hand”.
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R.I.P. Neil Aspinall

Neil Aspinall, known to many as the 'fifth Beatle', has passed away in New York City. He was 66. Mr. Aspinall, who lived in England, was receiving treatment for lung cancer at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center when he died. A school friend of the Beatles' Paul McCartney and George Harrison, Aspinall was the band's first road manager and would drive them to gigs in his van. He later became their personal assistant, and in 1968 was given a management role at Apple Records — The Beatles' own record label. The BBC reports that despite no musical training, he sang in the chorus of the classic song, Yellow Submarine. In a joint statement the surviving band members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, proclaim: "All his friends and loved ones will greatly miss him, but will always retain the fondest memories of a great man…As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come."

John Lennon and His Rolls-Royce Art Car

John Lennon's Art Car was manufactured in 1965 by the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Crewe, Cheshire. This Phantom V was then delivered to John Lennon on June 3, 1965 that was 19 feet long and weighed three tons. In 1966, the car had the rear seat modified to convert to a double bed. A custom interior/exterior sound system was installed along with a "loud hailer." Other features that John Lennon had installed at this time were: Sony television; telephone and a portable refrigerator.[...more...]

A hard day's wife - The fab four wives' club

Interesting piece from Saturday's Independent about the various rather un-fab crackpots, hussies, bimbos and harlots, with whom the fab four got hooked up. Some of em were very naughty indeed! Money sure can't buy you love!! (a load of moolah'll do me just fine though!) The Beatles' management must have known from the start that the Fab Four's fans would not take kindly to seeing their idols domesticated. Why else would Brian Epstein have tried to keep John Lennon's first marriage – and the existence of his son, Julian – a secret as Beatlemania erupted in 1963?[...more...]

Fab Four Autographs Up For Sale

A FULL set of autographs signed in Amesbury by The Beatles is expected to make up to £3,000 when it goes under the auctioneer's hammer in just a fortnight's time. The autographs were scrawled on a "tatty" birth certificate belonging to a serviceman stationed on Salisbury Plain during the mid 1960s. He met the Fab Four when they were filming Help! With the Royal Scots Greys and shared a few drinks with them in an Amesbury pub before getting John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr to sign the certificate. [...more...]

Ex-Beatles urged to help save their fan club

THE founder of a group dedicated to the Fab Four has called on Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney to thank them and save them from closure. The Liverpool Beatles Appreciation Society is celebrating 30 years but will close unless new volunteers are found. Founder John James Chambers said it was time the former Beatle members gave official recognition to the group and thanked them for their tireless Beatle campaigns. Mr Chambers added: “We need a rallying call from the remaining Beatles to give their seal of approval because the society might fold up and die. Ex-Beatles urged to help save their fan club - Liverpool Daily Post.co.uk

McCartney and Starr pay tribute to Neil Aspinall, the 'Fifth Beatle'

Neil Aspinall, the man often described as the “Fifth Beatle” because of his role as confidant and mastermind of the Fab Four’s business empire, has died, aged 66. Sir Paul McCartney had visited Aspinall, a former schoolfriend who drove the Beatles’ battered blue Commer van, shortly before his death from lung cancer. For more than 40 years the bespectacled accountant advised the band, overseeing the often chaotic finances of their Apple holding company. He also took part in many of the Beatles’ pranks and sang backing vocals on Yellow Submarine. Taking on the role of guardian of the Beatles’ business interests at Apple Corps in 1968, on the condition that he would do it “only until they found someone else”, he quit the role only last year. [...more...]

Julian Lennon - Help Yourself

When Virgin/Atlantic released Help Yourself in 1991 they must have known that it was Julian's best record to date, yet they chose to not get behind the album. Go figure. The album was produced by the legendary Bob Ezrin, and includes at least a half dozen terrific tracks, particularly "Get a Life", "Help Yourself", and "Saltwater", which features an amazing uncredited solo by George Harrison. [...more...]

Neil Aspinall Beatles' Friend And Apple Mastermind Dies

Neil Aspinall, a close friend of the Beatles and the man who ran the Apple music empire, has died, his family has revealed. The 66-year-old worked as a roadie and accountant for the band before becoming chief executive of Apple Corps. He was known by some in the industry as the real "Fifth Beatle". In a statement released on behalf of Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the company described him as a "great man" who would be missed. In the statement, also on behalf of Beatle widows Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison, Apple Corps said: "As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil's trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come.[...more...]

I'M NOT A MONSTER: 'POOR' MILLS

After taking a beating in the press over her sensational divorce from Paul McCartney, Heather Mills wants the full transcripts of the hearings released - to prove to the public that she is not a villain. "As this judgment is now being used to further my vilification, details contained within the transcripts and evidence will paint a far fairer and truthful picture, which is surely in the interests of justice," she said Friday in Britain, according to London's Daily Mail. Mills says tabloids have painted her a monster ever since she agreed to a $48 million settlement with Sir Paul last week. If allowed to read the transcripts, the public will change its opinion, she believes. [...more...]

See Story Below

Mills eyeing tell-all TV deal in U.S.

Former model Heather Mills reportedly is seeking a profitable U.S. TV deal as a platform to expose private details of her divorce from singer Paul McCartney. Mills, who was awarded a $48 million divorce settlement this month, allegedly wants a $1 million TV deal in the United States to allow her sister, Fiona, to release secret details about the legal battle,The Sun reported Sunday. A U.S. TV source told the British newspaper Mills is planning to start a U.S. media tour with an April interview on the CNN's "Larry King Live" before moving on to "Entertainment Tonight." [...more...]

New TV show to expose Heather Mills shocking sex secrets

(ANI): A new tell-all TV show is set to reveal the shocking sex secrets of Heather Mills. The ITV1 documentary has been put together round the clock since Mills won 24.3 million pounds divorce payout from Sir Paul McCartney. Old boyfriends and lovers of the former model have been recruited by ITV1 to tell all about Mills, reports the Daily Star. According to sources, researchers have found some embarrassing, never-before-seen facts and footage after delving into Mills murky past. Steve Anderson, executive producer, said that the former Beatle should have seen the 30-minute film before getting married to Mills. Anderson refused to comment about the exact content of the show but revealed that it would focus on Mills years when she was a struggling model. (ANI)

Paul McCartney’s 67 second meeting with Heather Mills

It seems that Sir Paul McCartney is determined not to waste any more time on Heather Mills, for the legendary singer spent just 67 seconds on the first parental handover of daughter Beatrice since his court victory. And out of those 67 seconds, the former Beatle spent just 25 seconds with the former model outside her home in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, reports News of the World. Sir Paul told senior aides: "I'm delighted I only have to see her twice a week for two minutes at most... for the rest of my life." [...more...]

McCartney flies to bedside of 'Fifth Beatle' as he fights for life

Sir Paul McCartney has flown to New York to be at the bedside of the man known as "the Fifth Beatle" who was last night fighting for his life in hospital. For more than 40 years, Neil Aspinall controlled the vast empire of the Fab Four. A quiet, bespectacled accountant, he was their chief confidant and business adviser, took part in some of their more rebellious pranks and even sang backing vocals on Yellow Submarine. But Mr Aspinall, 65, is believed to be suffering from lung cancer and has flown to New York from his London home for treatment at Manhattan's prestigious Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre. A family friend said that Sir Paul had been to visit. "I understand that Paul saw him in hospital in New York," the friend said. "Paul will be devastated if he doesn't beat this. They have been mates ever since they were schoolboys in Liverpool." [...more...]

Heather bids to star in Beatles film

HEATHER Mills is making a bold bid for Hollywood – by trying to muscle in on a documentary about late Beatle George Harrison by director Martin Scorsese. The one-time glamour model, who secured £25million in a bitter divorce battle with Sir Paul McCartney this week, says she is one of the last people to visit Harrison before his death from cancer in November 2001. Unpopular and discredited at home, Ms Mills, 40, is now pinning all her hopes for stardom in her own right on America, where she believes she is still “appreciated”. [...more...]

Northwestern to display images of rare Beatles lyrics

Growing up in Liverpool, the Beatles took pieces of all the pop music they could find — country, Motown, rhythm and blues, rockabilly — and turned it into rock immortal. But as for their lyric manuscripts, the scraps proved the stuff of everyday ephemera: used envelopes, torn note pads, folded sheets splattered with blue-ink doodles and pink psychedelic swirls. No one knows how many Beatles drafts went the way of the wastebasket. But seven handwritten specimens from the group's creative peak survive, thanks to John Lennon's second wife, Yoko Ono (who gathered them in the late 1960s), and composer/musician John Cage (who donated Yoko's gift to Northwestern University, along with his collection of 400 music manuscripts).[...more...]

APPLE SUES ONLINE MUSIC STORE OVER BEATLES RARITIES

THE BEATLES' label Apple Records is taking legal action to try and stop an online music store from releasing 15 lost songs the Fab Four recorded live in Germany. Fuego Entertainment executives were recently reported to have entered into a joint venture with British producer Jeffrey Collins, who claims to own the rights to the never-before-heard Beatles tracks recorded at the Star Club in Hamburg in 1962. But in legal documents filed in Miami, Florida, Apple bosses claim The Beatles were already under exclusive contract to EMI at the time of the recordings and so Fuego doesn't have the rights to release them. Apple is seeking at least $10 million (GBP5 million) in actual and punitive damages and an injunction preventing the recordings' release. But Collins tells Billboard, "Apple does not own the rights to the tape. They're trying to bully us into giving up the masters, which they have no right to... "We haven't used the trade name - we haven't released it. We just made it known to the public that this tape is available." Earlier this year (08), Fuego bosses upset Jimi Hendrix's estate, Experience Hendrix, LLC, over their plans to release 200 live tracks. The Hendrix officials threatened legal action in a bid to prevent the "inferior quality bootleg recordings" tarnishing the guitar great's legacy

[...more...]

For You Blue -- History and Information

Another rescued track from the "Get Back" sessions (eventually released as Let It Be), this is a standard 12-bar blues written by George about his wife, Pattie Boyd, who inspired George's "It's All Too Much" and, eventually, Eric Clapton's "Layla" (Clapton carried on a affair with Pattie and eventually wooed her away from his best friend, George).[...more...]

Beatles Sue to Block Release of 1962 Tapes

Lawyers for the Beatles have sued to prevent the distribution of unreleased recordings that were supposedly made during Ringo Starr’s first performance with the band back in 1962. The recordings were made during a performance at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany. Apple Corps. claims the songs were recorded without the consent of the band, and that Fuego Entertainment Inc. and sister companies Echo-Fuego Music Group LLC and Echo-Vista Inc. have no right to distribute the recordings. However, Fuego argues that the recordings were legally made. The lawsuit is seeking at least $15 million in damages. It is said that eight unreleased tracks are among these recordings, which include: Paul McCartney singing Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues” and Paul McCartney and John Lennon singing “Ask Me Why.”

Source

Heather Mills Falis To Buy Daughter First Class Ticket

London (ANI): She has been awarded millions of pounds in royalties by Sir Paul McCartney, but Heather Mills failed to buy first-class ticket for her four-year-old daughter Beatrice. Moments after her 24.3 million pounds settlement with Macca, Mills accused him of failing to provide enough cash for Beatrice to go first class. "Beatrice only gets 35,000 pounds a year, so obviously she"s meant to travel B class while her father travels A class. But obviously I will pay for that," The Sun quoted Mills, as saying. The former model jets to New York this weekend to rest after her court war with the 65-year-old legend and Beatrice is being sent home early with a minder and nanny in the 409 pounds seats at the back of a Virgin jet. However Mills' travel itinerary reveals that, while she flies in the upper class, Beatrice's seat is reserved in the economy section.

Source:

Hard day's wife: The Fab Four wives' club

It's not just Heather Mills who has had a rocky relationship with the British public. We've struggled to accept most of the Beatles' other halves. Cynthia: The Beatles' management must have known from the start that the Fab Four's fans would not take kindly to seeing their idols domesticated. Why else would Brian Epstein have tried to keep John Lennon's first marriage – and the existence of his son, Julian – a secret as Beatlemania erupted in 1963? [...more...]

The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom, Ringo

On April 25, 1975, John Lennon gave what was to be his last televised interview on “The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder.” No one knew then that Lennon would be taking an extended hiatus from public life, taking time to raise his son and live a less public life. Speaking openly on the subjects of drug use, the breakup of the Beatles, and his immigration problems while seeking permanent residency in the U.S. , the interview Lennon gave Tom Snyder in 1975 revealed he had tremendous humility and an affecting sense of humor.

Five years after that interview, Lennon was fatally shot while coming home from a recording session. The day after the shooting and Lennon’s tragic death, “The Tomorrow Show” re-aired that last interview in tribute to him. Shout! Factory’s “The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom And Ringo” contains the complete interview with Lennon as rebroadcast on December 9, 1980, along with interviews from that day with journalist Lisa Robinson and Lennon friend and producer Jack Douglas. The show is a poignant remembrance of the aftermath of his murder and the huge void his passing had on music, and indeed, the world.

The 2-DVD set “The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom & Ringo” also includes a 1981 interview with Ringo Starr, who discusses his film and music career, as well as remembrances of his band mate and friend John Lennon, and a 1979 interview with Paul and Linda McCartney, Denny Laine & Laurence Juber, from a stage in London, who were then enjoying huge success with Wings.

“The Tomorrow Show with Tom Snyder” premiered in October 1973 in the late-night time slot following Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” and continued in one form or another until January 1982. Also available on DVD from Shout! Factory are “The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: Punk & New Wave,” featuring Elvis Costello, John Lydon, Iggy Pop, The Jam, Patti Smith, The Ramones, Joan Jett, and The Plasmatics, and “The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: Tom Snyder’s Electric Kool-Aid Talk Show,” featuring interviews with Timothy Leary, Tom Wolfe, Ken Kesey, and performances by The Grateful Dead.

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica , Calif. For more on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.

“The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom And Ringo”

Distributed by Vivendi Universal

Selection Number: SF 10129

Suggested List Price: $24.99

Release Date: April 1, 2008

Total Running Time: 2¾ hours

Disc One:

John Lennon Tribute Original Air Date 12/9/80

Additional Guests: Lennon Immigration Attorney Leon Wildes, Journalist Lisa Robinson & Music Producer Jack Douglas Disc 1: Total Running Time: 65 minutes

It was December 9, 1980, and John Lennon had been shot and killed just one day earlier outside his New York apartment. Not since April 25, 1975, on The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder had Lennon sat with anyone for a television interview. Snyder re-aired his conversation with the former Beatle while new guests Lisa Robinson and Jack Douglas provided additional commentary in light of the previous day’s tragic event.

Disc Two:

Paul McCartney Interview Original Air Date 12/20/79

Features Wings Music Video “Spin It On”

Additional Guests: Fellow Wings members Linda McCartney, Denny Laine & Laurence Juber

Live via satellite from London , it’s Paul McCartney! By 1979 Wings was already a great band with a solid following, but that didn’t stop Tom Snyder from asking Paul about a Beatles reunion. This conversation took place via satellite from London just prior to Wings going onstage for a holiday concert.

Ringo Starr Interview Original Air Date 11/25/81

Features Ringo Starr’s Music Video “Wrack My Brain”

Additional Guest: Actress (and Ringo’s wife) Barbra Bach, Actress Angie Dickinson Disc 2: Total Running Time: 95 minutes

Interviewed in Los Angeles , Ringo talks about his then-current album Stop And Smell The Roses—a title that reflects what Ringo was in effect doing at that time after years of “turmoil, ecstasy, frenzy and confusion,” as Tom notes. Ringo also speaks out about his dear friend John Lennon.

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The Beatles Rarity Of The Week

This week I thought we'd have a listen to an acoustic ballad from the Beatles '65 album called I'll Follow The Sun but a more historic account of it - before it was an acoustic ballad. This recording dates from Hamburg in 1960 and includes John, Paul, George and Stu Sutcliffe. Paul, all of 18 years old is on the lead vocal. The estimated recording date is known to be between Aug. 17 and Nov. 30 1960. It's not really clear what they were calling themselves at the time as that was the transitional year where they were The Beatals, The Silver Beats, The Silver Beetles, The Silver Beatles and then by year's end, The Beatles.[...more/MP3...]

'HYPOCRITE' MILLS FLIES FIRST CLASS

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY's estranged wife HEATHER MILLS has been accused of hypocrisy after boarding a first class flight to New York - and reportedly leaving daughter BEATRICE in economy. Mills attacked the former Beatle following their divorce settlement on Monday (17Mar08) for failing to give their four-year-old daughter enough maintenance to travel first class and vowed to pay for the expensive travel costs herself. The former model said: "Beatrice only gets $70,000 (GBP35,000) a year so she is meant to travel B class while her father travels A class.[...more...]

Heather Mills Condemns Divorce Publication

Heather Mills has publicly condemned a judge's decision to publish details of her divorce battle with Paul McCartney - insisting it has added to her media "vilification" and violated her "human rights". Mills lost an appeal at London's High Court on Tuesday to stop details of the case from entering the public domain and Judge Mr Justice Bennett subsequently published his findings. The 40-year-old won $33 million cash and assets worth $15.6 million following the breakdown of her four-year marriage to the former Beatle on Monday, but faced a barrage of criticism in the press after the judge slammed her evidence as "unreliable" and accused the former glamor model of indulging in "make-belief". [...more...]

Beatles sue Miami firm over historic recordings

Despite new-found fame from their hit single Love Me Do in fall 1962, The Beatles agreed to return for a few final gigs at a German club where they had performed as a fledgling band. Those dates at Hamburg's Star-Club were, in a word, historic: Ringo Starr had replaced Pete Best on drums in what is believed to be the first set of live performances of the Fab Four. Now a Miami Lakes company, Fuego Entertainment, Inc., along with a British promoter, says it plans to sell the eight ''lost'' club recordings of The Beatles in late 1962. Among them: Paul McCartney and John Lennon singing Ask Me Why. But The Beatles' company, Apple Corps Limited, is trying to stop them in federal court in Miami. Citing copyright, trademark and other recording infringements, The Beatles' London-based firm filed suit Friday seeking $15 million in damages from Fuego, its president, Hugo Cancio, and the company's partner, British promoter Jeffrey Collins. [...more...]

Heather Mills fails to keep settlement details with Paul McCartney secret

HEATHER Mills failed in her bid to stop the publication of the divorce judgement which was highly critical of her as witness and of her financial claims against Sir Paul McCartney. According to presiding judge, Mr Justice Bennett, her evidence in the case was “not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid”.[...more...]

Heather Mills Does Not Keep Her Word

When Heather Mills was on Dancing with the Stars she pledged to donate ALL of her fee to animal rights groups. Once Mills got paid she gave VIVA USA less than half of her $220,000 fee. This fact was revealed in the scathing 56-page judgment that the judge in her divorce-settlement case made two days ago. In my opinion, Mills might be constantly bragging about charity to find work, but then only gives away part of the money, while keep the rest for herself. If that is true, then she’s a scam artist.

Source:

Paul McCartney's miscarriage revelation

Heather Mills suffered a miscarriage while married to Sir Paul McCartney. The Beatles legend, who must pay his ex-wife £24.3 million in their divorce settlement, revealed in his High Court battle that Heather had a miscarriage in the first year of their marriage. Paul, who has a four-year-old daughter Beatrice with Heather, told the court: "We stopped using contraception the night we were married. There was never any question of us doing so before the wedding. "Heather had one miscarriage before Beatrice was conceived. Neither of us contemplated children without marriage." The 65-year-old musician's statement was published in Mr. Justice Bennett's explosive 58-page judgement yesterday (18.03.08).[...more...]

HEATHER JUST WON'T GIVE UP

HEATHER Mills isn't satisfied with her $48.6 million divorce settlement from Paul McCartney - so the peg-legged money-grubber has been "calling around British magazines and television shows to sell her exclusives." One insider said Mills is demanding 1 million British pounds - or slightly more than $2 million - to not only talk, but share intimate photos and tape recordings she made of the ex-Beatle without his knowledge. Mills is also said to be pitching to American networks, which could get around their "we don't pay for news" proclamations by paying for her pictures and tapes. "She's greedy," said a person who knows of Mills' dealings. "She should just go away, but she loves the spotlight and the attention." Yesterday, the judge on the case, Hugh Bennett, castigated Mills as a greedy fantasist and a "less than candid witness" whose claims were "devoid of reality." "Extra" reports Mills will exercise her taste as a judge of the Miss USA pageant April 11 from Las Vegas. [Source:]

Basement Songs: Wings, “Silly Love Songs”

Last year my friend John Burland questioned my sanity when I told him of my devotion to Wings’ smash hit “Silly Love Songs.” I’ll admit that it may not be Paul McCartney’s deepest composition, but it is a finely crafted tune with different layers of pop sheen displaying the former Beatle’s knack for arranging and producing radio-friendly material that makes you feel good. Yes, the lyrics are simple and, well, silly, but McCartney wasn’t setting out to write “Yesterday.” His passion to remain a touring act meant he needed material other than Beatles songs for his audience to respond to in concert. ...more/MP3...]

Club Wants Its Beatles Photo Back

A photograph of the Beatles in Oxford is believed to have been stolen as part of a student prank. The photo, which shows the Fab Four and a young Jeffrey Archer at Vincent's Club in 1964, went missing from the club, in King Edward Street, after the Oxford and Cambridge Varsity boxing match. Students at Oxford suspect the photograph, which has been described as "priceless" by experts specialising in Beatles memorabilia, was taken by their Cambridge rivals in revenge for losing the match earlier this month. Vincent's manager Radha Gopalan said: "The members are very upset. Some people believe it was stolen by someone who came from Cambridge University. "We were in utter shock when we found out. [...more...]

Beat for the Beatles and Pink Floyd

IN JUNE 1962, recording engineer Norman Smith was assigned to a test recording by an unknown Liverpool group for EMI's Parlophone label. "Go and pick up George from the canteen," said Smith to tape operator Chris Neal after hearing the demo, "and see what he thinks of this." The "George" was George Martin, head of artist and repertoire for Parlophone, and he was equally impressed by what was to be the Beatles' first EMI single, Love Me Do. From then on, Martin and Smith supervised all the Beatles' recordings until the end of 1965, concluding with the Rubber Soul album — in all about 180 songs. Smith, who has died of cancer in East Sussex, England, aged 85, was later entrusted with remixing Beatles tracks into stereo sound. He had been a teenager in the 1930s, a world away from the the Beatles and their contemporaries from the early 1960s.[...more...]

Beatles for sale: Paul’s big chance

I wasn’t going to write a column this week, but I read the news today. Oh, boy. And even before the Honourable Mr. Justice Bennett called her “inconsistent and inaccurate” in his ruling on the McCartney divorce case, I hated Heather Mills. I hate everything about her. I hate how her influence has tainted the reputation of my favorite band of all time, I hate that she’s getting 25 million pounds in her divorce settlement with Sir Paul McCartney and I hate her disgusting surgically enhanced face. Most of all, I hate that Sir Paul decided to involve this terrible excuse for a person in his life and run the risk of ruining the legacy of the one truly great rock ‘n’ roll band of all time, which is precisely what’s happening right before our very eyes. Really, he should have learned the first time.[...more...]

Heather Mills Will Not Leave the Media Alone

Heather Mills is a disgustingly selfish person, who constantly lashes out at the media, but won’t shut her big mouth. Heather wants two things, more free money, and attention. Page Six has the latest: Heather Mills isn’t satisfied with her $48.6 million divorce settlement from Paul McCartney - so the peg-legged money-grubber has been "calling around British magazines and television shows to sell her exclusives." One insider said Mills is demanding 1 million British pounds - or slightly more than $2 million [...more...]

Paul McCartney Imagines

I guess the McCartney divorce story has hit news bulletins around the world now... Mr. McCartney was sleeping fitfully in his lonely bed, drifting in and out of dreams, taunted by memories of how insanely wrong his life had gone. As he tossed and turned he suddenly became aware of an image forming in his mind. It seemed as if he was looking down a long dark tunnel at the end of which was a pinpoint of bright white light. The light gradually grew larger as if he were floating down the tunnel towards it. As he drew closer he could discern a figure, plae and slender, clad in a white kaftan. The figure had long dark hair and a beard.....and round pink-lensed spectacles. When the figure came close to Paul it began to sing:[...more...]

Dylan biographer in talks for McCartney book

The biographer who wrote an acclaimed biography of Bob Dylan is in talks to publish a sensational new book about the life of Sir Paul McCartney. Howard Sounes' 2001 tome Down The Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan was well received by critics and now the author is planning on penning a tell-all book about the Beatles legend. Sounes' agent confirmed the book will give the singer the "epic treatment" and will cover all aspects of his life and career including his recent divorce battle with Heather Mills. Representative Gordon Wise says, "Howard will be putting everything into context. John Lennon has been given the epic treatment several times over but no one has talked about Sir Paul in that way."[...more...]

Shouldn't it be Heather Mills paying Paul McCartney?

In a fair world, Lady Mucca, aka Heather Mills, would be charged with perjury and assault for her behaviour in the courtroom, and instead of getting any money at all in her own name (as against for her daughter, of course) ordered to pay back Sir Paul McCartney some of the large amount of money she has made off the back of his name; and to pay an additional amount as consideration for her lying attempts to damage his reputation, and to cover some of his loss of income through the blunting of his creative edge as a result of the marriage.
Some commentators have compared Mucca to a prostitute, but this is being very unkind to that profession. [...more...]

McCartney judge says Mills was 'explosive and volatile'

A judge's ruling in the bitter Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce case shed new light Tuesday on a miserable marriage, saying Mills twisted the truth when convenient and made "exorbitant" financial demands. "To some extent she is her own worst enemy," wrote Judge Hugh Bennett. "She has an explosive and volatile character." Mills, who lost part of her leg when she was hit by a motorcycle, cast McCartney as an abusive, alcoholic husband who cruelly made fun of her disability. But the judge made clear the angry assertions rang hollow. In a devastating indictment, Bennett called Mills's testimony "not just inconsistent and inaccurate, but also less than candid. Overall she was a less than impressive witness." [...more...]

Revealed: How divorce judgment laid bare details of Macca's fabulous wealth

The staggering wealth of Sir Paul McCartney has been revealed for the first time as details of his divorce settlement was made public. Described as "fabulously wealthy by even the standards of the very rich", the one-time Beatles's assets were laid bare in extraordinarily detailed court documents. These include a string of luxurious properties spanning the globe, a collection of priceless art and his earnings from half a century as a world class musician. [...more...]

Rock and roll museum planned

A museum celebrating the music of the 1950s, '60s and '70s, especially the music of Neil Young, will open May 17. The Youngtown Rock and Roll Museum will open at 45 King St. E., in Omemee, at 11 a.m. The museum is being organized by T.R. Hosier, of Lindsay. "It's only rock and roll but we love it," states Hosier, in a press release. The museum will showcase rare, vintage and one-of-a-kind artifacts, documents, autographed items, trade ads, photos, memorabilia and more. Calling it an educational experience it will feature Neil Young, Canadian artists, a Beatles collection plus personally owned and worn items from John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Cher, Bob Dylan, Rick Danko, Roy Orbison, KISS, Stevie Nicks, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jerry Garcia, Elvis Presley, Ed King and others. [...more...]

Paul McCartney walks away from divorce with his dignity

BEATLES fans visiting Liverpool are backing Paul McCartney after full details of his bruising divorce were made public. A Liverpool Beatles tour guide said fans had shown their support to the musician, and had branded Heather Mills a “gold digger” and a “fantasist”. The comments came after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against publication of the details of the settlement.[...more...]

Lawsuit Over Lennon Film Has Florida Ties

The battle over an unfinished documentary featuring John Lennon has lead to a new lawsuit against Yoko Ono and a Florida man. The lawsuits claims Ono illegally obtained the copyright to a documentary shot of her and Lennon in 1970 by her ex-husband Anthony Cox. The lawsuit filed last week in Federal Court states that Anthony Pagola, whose last known address was in Pembroke Pines, sold the documentary to Ono without the permission of its rightful owners. The movie was shot over a three days and is, "the granddaddy of reality shows," said Ray Thomas an executive producer with World Wide Video and is one of only a few people in the world who has actually seen the film.[...more...]

Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney: dirty tricks

In the months before the divorce hearing came to court, various damaging allegations about the behaviour of both Sir Paul and Miss Mills appeared in tabloid newspapers, which each accused the other of deliberately leaking. Miss Mills claimed that "prior to their separation at the end of April 2006 the husband treated the wife abusively and/or violently ... he abused alcohol and drugs. He was possessive and jealous." She also claimed he leaked court papers to the media and that from June 2006 he "plotted against her" and locked her out of his homes.[...more...]

DO NOT COVER THE BEATLES!

am not a huge fan of American Idol. I haven’t really watched it since Bo Bice was robbed back in season whatever that was. Bice was the last Idol contestant who truly owned the show. From the moment he stepped on stage, he ruled it. He was the standard by which all other performers had to be measured by. (Sadly, his recording career is marred by the mundane production that plagues pop/rock/country today.) Recently, however, I found out that they had finally gotten permission to do some Beatles tunes. I was interested in how they would do. Truth be told, I was more than a little concerned what they would do to my beloved Fab Four’s music. [...more...]

Judge Says Mills Twisted the Truth

A judge's ruling in the bitter Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce case shed new light Tuesday on a miserable marriage, saying Mills twisted the truth when convenient and made "exorbitant" financial demands. "To some extent she is her own worst enemy," wrote Judge Hugh Bennett. "She has an explosive and volatile character." Mills, who lost part of her leg when she was hit by a motorcycle, cast McCartney as an abusive, alcoholic husband who cruelly made fun of her disability. But the judge made clear the angry assertions rang hollow. In a devastating indictment, Bennett called Mills' testimony "not just inconsistent and inaccurate, but also less than candid. Overall she was a less than impressive witness." By contrast, the judge praised McCartney, 65, for "consistent, accurate and honest" testimony in the ruling, made public after he rejected Mills' attempt to block its release.[...more...]

Judge slams Beatles' estranged wife in divorce ruling

A judge branded Paul McCartney's estranged wife Heather Mills as "less than candid" Tuesday and said she had made "wholly unrealistic" demands on the former Beatle in their bitter divorce battle. In a ruling describing her as "a less than impressive witness," the British High Court judge said evidence given by Mills -- who won a 24.3-million-pound (31.1-million-euro, 49.1-million-dollar) deal Monday -- was also inconsistent and inaccurate. The 40-year-old former model, who had sought 125 million pounds from the multi-millionaire singer-songwriter, had tried to keep the full ruling from being made public. But judge Hugh Bennett rejected the claim, and set out in detail why he thought she had sought excessive compensation given that the couple had only been married for four years.[...more...]

RUTLES PLAY LIVE - AT LAST

Funnyman ERIC IDLE's mock BEATLES, THE RUTLES, performed live for the first time in Hollywood on Monday night (17Mar08). Following a question-and-answer session at the Egyptian Theatre, which marked the first time the quartet had appeared together since making 1978 mockumentary All You Need Is Cash, Idle and bandmates Neil Innes, John Halsey and Ricky Fataar took to the stage at a VIP party. The sold-out event was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the film, which the four-piece introduced at the beginning of the evening. Celebrities who turned up to salute the mock rockers included Andy Summers[...more...]

Judge to Heather - Those Pants on Fire?

The judge who decided the loot in the Heather Mills-Paul McCartney divorce slammed the shrill-ionaire amputee today in a ruling, saying that Mills' claims of being rich before Paul were "wholly exaggerated," and that she wasn't as "charitable" in her giving as she claimed. Justice Hugh Bennett called Mills a "less than impressive witness" in his 56-page ruling, largely because several of her claims were "not just inconsistent and inaccurate but also less than candid." Paul, on the other hand, was deemed "consistent, accurate and honest." He feels fine![...more...]

Bob Dylan and The Band, "Before The Flood" (1974)

Public Broadcasting always delves into its musical archives, come pledge-drive time, and this week was no different. The local station presented an edited version of "The Concert for Bangaladesh," the early 1970s proto-benefit show organized by Beatle buddy and future Wilbury bandmate George Harrison - and it was a special moment for Dylan fans. Not just because this would become the basis for Dylan's first live album ever, when the commemorative three-album release appeared. Or that he did muscular versions of "Just Like a Woman" and "Blowin' in the Wind," both part of the PBS presentation.[...more...]




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Another side of a working class hero

The mystery of a poppy-seller in one of the Beatles’ greatest songs will be revealed in the memoir of a boy whose feet were once parted by John Lennon’s knife. COME to my New Year’s party, he’ll be there” said the pretty girl, who had been a dear friend of the man since their playground days of skipping ropes and cap-guns. That night the man pressed the door-bell once, twice, again and again, but there was no answer. Maybe the music was too loud, perhaps she had been engrossed in conversation with her glamorous guests. [...more...]

Mills 'chucks water' at McCartney lawyer

Heather Mills threw a glass of water at Paul McCartney's solicitor at their final divorce hearing yesterday, say reports. According to The Sun, Mills reacted angrily to comments made by lawyer Fiona Shackleton and decided to soak her when the hearing ended. "Heather tipped the water over Fiona’s head," said a witness. She didn’t throw it. It was cool, calm and collected. It trickled down Fiona’s neck. She waited until the hearing was over. The judge would have taken a very dim view of it if he’d seen it." [...more...]

The girl is fine, as is Paul

The divorce settlement between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills is likely to be debated for some time. But those closest to the case say both sides ended up getting a good deal. Plus, a source very close to Mills told me something Monday that was not mentioned in the initial reports coming out of London. According to that source, that overall judgment award to Mills of $48.6 million does not include an estimated $5 million in jewelry the ex-model is being allowed to keep. It also omits an important collection of artwork -- said to be worth several million dollars more. That includes paintings by Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, several John Lennon pencil sketches and what is being called ''an important work'' by artist Julian Schnabel, who recently has carved out another career as an Oscar-nominated director of such films as ''The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,'' ''Before Night Falls'' and ''Basquiat.''[...more...]

Ringo Starr Announces Additional North American Cities and On Sale Dates for His 10th 'Ringo Starr & His All Starrs' Tour

Ringo Starr announces the addition of several cities to his North American 'Ringo Starr & His All Starrs' tour, as well as on sale dates for the majority of the shows. This summer's outing, Starr's 10th All Starr-studded tour, will include returning All Starrs (in alphabetical order): Colin Hay, Billy Squier, Hamish Stuart, and Edgar Winter, and first timers Gary Wright and Gregg Bissonette. The All Starr tour will bring its newest chart-topping lineup to more than 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada, including New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.[...more...]

Ono 'drugged' Lennon, claims his ex mistress

John Lennon's former mistress claims that the late Beatle's wife Yoko Ono 'drugged' him during his attempts to kick the butt. Lennon dated Pang for 18 months from 1974 to 75 in what is famously known as his 'lost weekend'. However, he eventually returned to his wife. Pang now claims that Ono's methods of getting the singer to stop smoking were rather unconventional. "He wasn't ready to go back. It wasn't as clear cut as, 'I'm going to leave you and go home.' He went over there for this method she had to quit smoking. He was going to come back. He said, 'Don't worry, I'll be gone for a couple of hours. I'll be back, we'll go for dinner.' He was gone all weekend," Contactmusic quoted her, as saying. [...more...]

May Pang And John Lennon

Today's entertainment gossip is that May Pang, John Lennon’s former assistant, lover and the woman for whom John Lennon left Yoko Ono for at least for a brief period of time, a time that John had called his lost weekend, has written a book. The book, which is called “Instamatic Karma”, is of photos May Pang took Of John Lennon and his family. A big launch party was held for the books launch and was hosted by Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia Lennon. Cynthia said that she and May Pang have become very good friends in the past 30 years many because of their love of John Lennon. The book launch party was a standing room only event that included many stars and celebrities. May Pang’s affair with John Lennon lasted for 18 months in which time May Pang claims she came close to reuniting the Beatles. Pang also claims the John Lennon had several one-night stand affairs on her in the brief time they were together. Yoko Ono is the one who actually put May Pang and John Lennon together in an attempt to save her Marriage to the rock star. John did eventually come back to Yoko. What a love story huh?

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Heather Mills torn to shreds by judge over Paul McCartney divorce

Heather Mills' reputation has been torn to shreds after the High Court judge presiding over her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney accused her of "make-belief", inconsistency and inaccuracy. Mr Justice Bennett said she was a "less than impressive witness" during the six-day hearing last month who "wholly exaggerated" the extent of her wealth before she met her now ex-husband. Telegraph TV: Outside court Heather Mills yesterday spent 11 minutes attacking the legal system. In contrast, he described the former Beatle's evidence as balanced and said he "expressed himself moderately though at time with justifiable irritation, if not anger". [...more...]

Lennon was a secret womaniser

Lennon's romance with Pang went on for about 18 months after his wife Yoko Ono set them up, in a bid to save her marriage. Pang says that she and Lennon spent time in New York and Los Angeles during their relationship, where she caught the singer cheating twice. "I know he had a couple of affairs. But he would come back. And when I found out, he'd say, 'I'm sorry.' And I forgave him. It was his insecurity. He was like, 'I'm with somebody, am I making the right decisions?' and he did something stupid, and he came back," Contactmusic quoted her as saying. [...more...]

Time Travel Tuesday: Buddy Holly

Hearing Buddy Holly's delightful little "Dearest" on the Juno soundtrack prompted me to search for other jewels by one of the founding fathers of rock and roll. I much prefer the ones with less orchestra, the plainer ones with less production. I was alive but not even a teenager yet at the time of his death. It's surprising to read that Buddy Holly played rock and roll for only two years and died at the young age of 22. The reason his career seems much longer is that he had written and recorded so many songs that his record company was able to keep releasing new material for another ten years. These songs were a huge influence on other artists who developed rock and roll more fully.[...more...]

McCartney divorce ruling to be released

A British court ruled Tuesday that the full legal ruling on the divorce of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills should be published. Two Court of Appeal judges rejected an appeal by Mills to keep the ruling private. It was expected to be released later Tuesday. McCartney's lawyers didn't object to publication, but Mills claimed details in the ruling could compromise the security of her 4-year-old daughter Beatrice. "Miss Mills believes her daughter will be put in real danger. [...more...]

Guitar Hero: The Beatles (I want you so bad)

According to an online report from the Los Angeles Times, Sony/ATV Music Publishing would consider bringing The Beatles’ music to Activision’s popular Guitar Hero games. "It's something we have talked about and something I'd like to pursue," the article quoted CEO Martin N. Bandier as saying. The comment may seem surprising, given Sony/ATV’s history of closely guarding digital distribution of The Beatles’ catalogue.[...more...]

Extracts from Mills', McCartney's divorce ruling

KEY extracts from the summary ruling on the divorce between former Beatle Paul McCartney and his estranged wife Heather Mills, issued by the court. "The fundamental issue was what financial provision should be made for Ms Mills. She sought an award of almost £125 million ($A269 million). Sir Paul proposed that the wife should exit the marriage with assets of £15.8 million ($A34 million), inclusive of any lump sum award. The judge decided that the husband should pay the wife a lump sum of £16.5 million ($A35.5 million) which, together with her assets of £7.8 million ($A16.8 million) (which include her current properties),[...more...]

Heather Mills Divorce (VIDEO)! Live Video of Mills McCartney Divorce Settlement

Heather Mills VIDEO Live from Heather Mills Divorce Settlement. LALATE now has a video of Mills leaving the courthouse steps moments ago. The London Mirror says Mills may appeal her ruling and is not happy. God help us all. ... [...SEE THE VIDEO...] Your comments are welcome.

Bad Day For The Beatles

We mentioned just minutes ago how lackluster SNL was this weekend. This was, in part, thanks to Janet Jackson’s sudden flu, requiring Mariah Carey to step in as back-up Diva and deliver some boring performances of new singles off her new album. The current single is “Touch My Body” which may end up being another thorn in Paul McCartney’s side. After losing $50 million dollars to his ex, Heather Mills, he might also soon lose his Top Singles placement. If “Touch My Body” goes to number one, Mariah Carey will have her 18th Number One Single, tying her with top-dogs the Beatles and pushing her over her current #2 tie with Elvis Presley.[...more/video...]

Fab Four signatures up for auction

A full set of autographs by The Beatles scrawled on a "tatty" birth certificate is expected to fetch up to £3,000 when it goes under the hammer, it was announced. The owner was serving at Salisbury Plain in the mid-60s and met the band when they were filming Help! with the Royal Scots Greys. He went to a pub in the High Street, Amesbury, and shared a few drinks with them before getting the autographs of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Amy Brenan, a valuer at Duke's auction house, in Dorchester, which is handling the sale, said: "When a local gentleman pulled out a tatty bit of paper from the pocket of his wax jacket, I was rather surprised he thought it was something special."[...more...]

John Lennon Self-Portrait Revealed

A rare self-portrait worth one million dollars has been unveiled to reveal a unique insight into Lennon’s early years as the Beatles frontman. Lennon finished this one-off painting when studying at Liverpool College of Art right before forming The Beatles with original Beatles bassist Stuart Sutcliffe. The abstract portrait was displayed at the rock memorabilia auction “We Will Rock Ascot” and the Ascot Race Course. Do you think it looks better in person? Picture by SplashSOURCE:

LENNON, YOKO AND THE 'DIVORCE' THAT ALMOST HAPPENED

YOKO ONO and JOHN LENNON began divorce proceedings five years before he was murdered - the late Beatle's ex-girlfriend claims. The star dated his former assistant May Pang for 18 months from 1974 to 75, with Ono's consent and encouragement - because the couple's own marriage was in turmoil. They spent time together in Los Angeles and New York - described later by Lennon as his "lost weekend" - before the star unexpectedly returned to Ono. Thirty-three years later, Pang is promoting a book of intimate snaps she took during her fling with Lennon - and recounting memories of their time together. She claims Lennon never wanted to reunite with Ono and had already agreed to divorce her. She says, "We had just returned to New York from Los Angeles and she asked for a divorce and he said 'yes'. She wanted a party to announce it. John was very laid back. He said, 'Do whatever you want. Whatever makes it easy.'" Pang claims Lennon was so keen to make the split permanent - he grew frustrated when Ono began to stall: "It got so complicated that he said, 'Let's get the f**king divorce over with.' Then we didn't hear about it. And then she told him, 'The stars aren't right right now.' Maybe in her mind, she thought he wasn't going to go through with it: 'Let's test him.'"

Press Release Source:

THE BEATLES ALMOST REUNITED BY LENNON'S 'LOST WEEKEND' LOVER

JOHN LENNON's ex-girlfriend MAY PANG came within days of reuniting THE BEATLES during her 18-month relationship with the star. May Pang dated Lennon during his "lost weekend" in 1974 and 1975, after working as his assistant for three years. They came together after Yoko Ono encouraged them to date because her marriage to the rocker was faltering. Pang claims it was her objective during their romance to reunite Lennon with his estranged writing partner Paul MCCartney - and bring the Fab Four back together.[...more...]