The fans of Sir Paul -- older, but still as devoted

Bill Drake may be a suit-wearing professional now, but it only takes two words -- Paul McCartney -- to take him back to his high school days in Denver. That's when the 39-year-old, who now lives in Arlington, met a girl who still holds a special place in his heart because she introduced him to the music of the Beatles and Paul McCartney. "Before that, I didn't listen to much music. I liked Duran Duran," he said. "As soon as she gave me a mix top of the Beatles, I fell in love with Paul's music and I started gradually building my collection. I liked it all, but I liked Paul most right away." [read more]

Beatrice Mccartney Begins Vegetarian Campaigning

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY's young daughter is beginning her vegetarian campaigning career early - she was shunned by fellow holidaymakers in France after badgering them about eating meat. Animal rights activist Heather Mills recently took five-year-old Beatrice, her daughter with the Beatles legend, to the south of France for a vacation - and was amazed when the little one began lecturing fellow guests about food. But Beatrice's helpful advice backfired - and she was soon shunned when her new friends grew frustrated with her questioning. Mills says, "Beatrice questions everybody who eats animals. When we were in the south of France, there was a buffet for kids, and by the end of the week no one would sit near us because she would go over and say, 'Why are you eating that cow's bottom?' or 'Oh, look at that little shrimp with little eyes.' Mills opened a vegan cafe, VBites, earlier this summer (09) in East Sussex, England. SOURCE - Contactmusic News

The Beatles follow Austen in zombie mash-up

Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison are starring as zombies and Ringo Starr as a ninja in the latest addition to the publishing's hottest, and oddest, new craze: the monster mash-up. Alan Goldsher's Paul is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion has been snapped by US publisher Pocket Books for publication in June next year, following in the footsteps of the surprise hit Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which was published this spring, and the forthcoming Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, Queen Victoria: Demon Hunter and I Am Scrooge: A Zombie Story for Christmas, all out this autumn. [read more]

"Funny People" Soundtrack Features Rare John Lennon Track

"Funny People" will not only feature funny people in Hollywood, but also a rare John Lennon track. The Adam Sandler film boasts the acoustic demo of the slain Beatle's "Watching the Wheels" 1981 single. Moviegoers will be treated to the rare single, released after Lennon's death in 1981, as one of the highlights of the original motion picture soundtrack to the Universal Pictures comedy film. The Concord Records soundtrack became available from July 28. It will showcase two exclusive new live tracks: A James Taylor on-cam performance of "Carolina in My Mind" from the film and Wilco's "Jesus, etc." featuring Andrew Bird on violin recorded during their summer tour last year. [read more]

John Lennon’s jackets go on sale in New York

JOHN LENNON’S leather jacket is set to sell for around £40,000 in an internet auction of pop memorabilia. The black three-quarter length jacket, by “John Michael of Bond Street” was seen on the cover of a rare French EP which see “Les Beatles” pose with baguettes. The “sandwich cover” jacket, given to Lennon’s cousin David Birch, in the 1960s, is expected to be the top lot when the auction ends on August 5. More outfits worn by the former Beatle, and available to buy, include a black suit jacket and striped trousers combination, worn in the band’s 1964 debut film A Hard Day’s Night, which is expected to sell for around £15,000, and a donated collarless grey jacket which is valued at £30,000. [read more]

Paul McCartney planning farewell tour?

Paul McCartney is planning to quit touring, according to gossip. The former Beatle will bow out by playing a massive worldwide farewell tour next year. Among the places he's keen to play are China's Tiananmen Square and Berlin's Checkpoint Charlie. A source claims that Macca doesn't want to carry on touring into his old age - he's 67 at present - though "he might play the odd benefit gig if the likes of President Obama gives him a bell". McCartney himself hasn't commented on the reports (The Sun). [read more]

The Abbey Habit: How Beatles' most famous album cover inspired dozens of imitations

It's the most imitated image in pop history. Forty years on, how the Beatles' Abbey Road has inspired an astonishing array of 'cover' versions... Their record label said it wouldn't sell because it did not feature the names of the band or the LP. But 40 years on and 12million sales later, the most famous album cover of all time has been copied all over the world. Dozens of bands - ranging from Booker T & The MGs to the puppet characters from TVs Sesame Street - have recreated their own versions of John, Paul, George and Ringo striding across the zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road studios on August 8, 1969. [pictures]

London: Still loving them, yeah yeah yeah!

He's so Beatles-besotted, he owns and runs the Beatles Coffee Shop in Finchley Road (next to the St Johns Wood Underground station on the Jubilee line) and started the London Beatles Fan Club. You'd expect him to know a thing or two about the Fab Four and he doesn't disappoint in the next two and a quarter hours. On this less-than-inviting day and with brolly at the ready, Porter is talking while walking to a Kiwi, an Aussie, two Canadians and four Americans. He does this most days of the week with London's four-decades-old and still going strong original walking company, London Walks. [read more]

History worthy of a song

When Paul McCartney takes the stage Saturday night at FedEx Field, he will become the latest in a long line of world-renowned musicians to perform in Prince George's County. The 67-year-old former Beatle comes to Landover as the third stop on his seven-city North American tour. He is expected to play many of the Fab Four's iconic chart-toppers along with hits from his solo career and former band, Wings. McCartney is the first of two shows scheduled at FedEx Field during the next two months, but it's hard to get bigger than either of them. The Irish rock band U2 plans its 20th stop on a 31-city world tour at the 90,000-seat stadium Sept. 29. [read more]

Pop pair covers the classics

Both Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs (of all-girl band The Bangles) have each found the sweet taste of critical success in their respective music careers over the past two decades. The duo has paired up for two volumes of music where they revisit some of their most favourite songs from decades past. Enlarge Photo Susanna Hoffs (right), seen with her band The Bangles. The most recent volume of these songs, Under The Covers Volume 2, sees the pop pair covering songs from the 1970s. And a diverse set of artists they cover: The Raspberries, The Grateful Dead, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Yes are among the 15 bands and musicians covered on the 16 tracks on the record. (The duo covers two tracks from musician and producer Todd Rundgren). [read more]

Coldplay to appear on The Simpsons

Coldplay join an elite list of celebrities to have appeared as guests on the programme over the years. They include the Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sir Elton John, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Aerosmith and U2. Since it was first broadcast in 1989, 441 episodes of The Simpsons have been shown, making it the longest-running American sitcom in history. It is not the first time that the band have made guest appearances. Martin and the band's guitarist Jon Buckland made cameo appearances in the film Shaun of the Dead as supporters of the fictional charity ZombAid and Martin has a second cameo in the film as a Zombie. [read more]

Grand Beatles gala

In 1968 The Beatles released one of the most diverse and compelling albums of all time. In 2009 a collection of Australia's most gifted musicians will pay tribute in a 40th anniversary concert touring nationally. Backed by a 17-piece band Chris Cheney, Phil Jamieson, Josh Pyke and Tim Rogers join their considerable musical forces for an unforgettable evening of music. The White Album ranged from rock 'n' roll, soul, blues, country, folk and vaudeville to reggae, and was a spiritual, political and personal revelation that still reverberates today. Recorded in the months after The Beatles returned disillusioned from India, this provocative major work contains 30 songs from the world's greatest band at the intense peak of their creative journey. [read more]

Beatles artist Shannon among those attending benefit at S.R. Riley's in Bridgeton

S.R. Riley's, the city's "Beatles Restaurant" at 101 E. Commerce St., has added internationally-known artist Shannon to its guest list for this Saturday's benefit event for cerebral palsy patient Dara Roberts. The Beatles-themed benefit, to be held Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the restaurant, aims to help Roberts with expenses for much-needed equipment as she attends Stanford University this fall semester. Shannon's art has become as familiar as the celebrities she showcases in her paintings. Shannon created more than 100 paintings for the first ever Beatles-themed hotel, the Hard Day's Night Hotel in London, U.K., which opened in 2008. [read more]

Time to remember Elvis again

Every November 1st, which is as we all know is All Saints’ Day, RJ FM and later also RJTV would do its rock ’n roll bit about commemorating the departed. They would conduct a poll about who is the more important artist or the bigger star between the departed Elvis Presley and The Beatles, one of whose members, John Lennon has also gone to the great beyond. Listeners would phone in their choice and give the reason why. The one who gets the most votes is declared the winner. I thought of this because, Aug. 15, the date of Presley’s death, 32 years ago, is fast approaching and also because of the recent passing of King of Pop Michael Jackson. Should RJ radio or RJTV decide to do this poll again, will they now make it a three-way bout? Like they would now ask, who is the greatest among Elvis, John Lennon and new addition Michael Jackson. Whoever wins is actually irrelevant but choosing and defending one’s choice can be quite fun. [read more]

How To… SMILE by Yoko Ono

It’s too bad people can’t come down here and individually to see how you’re living.
John: Well, that’s it. I didn’t see Ringo and his wife for about a month when I first got together with Yoko, and there were rumors going around about the film and all that. Maureen was saying she really had some strange ideas about where we were at and what we were up to. And there were some strange reactions from all me friends and at Apple about Yoko and me and what we were doing -”Have they gone mad?”. But of course it was just us, you know, and if they are puzzled or reacting strangely to us two being together and doing what we’re doing, it’s not hard to visualize the rest of the world really having some amazing image. [read more]

1964 The Tribute- The Best Beatles Since The Beatles

For the eighth time “1964 ...The Tribute”, with Gary Grimes as Paul McCartney, Mark Benson as John Lennon, Tom Work as George Harrison and Terry Manfredi as Ringo Starr rocked Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium which was packed to capacity with over twenty-eight hundred happy fans, dancing and screaming in excitement. Opening the show was brilliantly talented, Emmy nominated guitarist Peter Huttlinger, a veteran guitarist, session player, songwriter and arranger who has performed with John Denver, Lee Ann Rimes, and at the Eric Clapton Crossroads guitar festivals. Combining the style of country genius Merle Travis together with the music of George Gershwin, Huttlinger’s rendition of “I Got Rhythm” set the pace for an utterly amazing show. Taking the stage before a restless crowd eager to hear their favorite Beatle tribute band is no mean task and it is to the credit of the producers of this show that each year, the opening performers have been exceptional. The crowd was suitably enthralled as Huttlinger continued with a funky adaptation of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” and an eerily chilling version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. [read more]

Murderer Phil Spector left terrified after receiving 'creepy' prison note from notorious killer Charles Manson

Phil Spector used to take calls from Tina Turner and John Lennon, but now the only person who wants to work with him is mass murderer Charles Manson. Manson is anxious to make music with the 69-year-old producer, who is serving life in prison for the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson. Spector’s wife Rachelle told a U.S. newspaper: ‘A guard brought Philip a note from Manson.‘He said he considers Philip the greatest producer who ever lived. It was creepy. Philip didn’t respond.’ [read more]

Not afraid to rock 'The Who’s Tommy'

Based on The Who’s 1969 double album, “Tommy” was recorded in the mid-1970s by the London Symphony Orchestra with artists such as Ringo Starr and Rod Stewart. It was made into a film in 1975 starring Roger Daltry and Elton John, and the musical debuted on Broadway in 1993. The show tells the story of a little boy, Tommy, who is becomes deaf, dumb and blind after seeing his father (played by Eric Parker) shoot and kill a man in self defense. The road to recovery leads Tommy down a strange road involving strange characters and eventually, to a pinball machine. Tommy becomes something of a pinball wizard and an overnight sensation. [read more]

Buzz about a Beatle

The idea stemmed from Susan Lane, Manager of Lane’s Privateer Inn, who brought the idea forward to the South Queens Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee about two weeks prior to McCartney coming to Halifax for his concert on July 11. “There seemed to be some excitement around the idea, so I pulled the tourism committee to see what the logistics were and could we really pull this off,” says Donna Hatt, chair of the tourism committee. They decided any invitation like that would have to come from Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe, and he agreed. “We don’t know if Paul actually received the actually invite, but we sent it to all of his people.” [read more]

Sir Paul reveals Beatles drug use

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney has revealed he once tried heroin at the height of the legendary band's success. "I didn't realise I'd taken it - I was just handed something and smoked it," he told Uncut magazine, adding: "It didn't do anything for me." The musician said he also took cocaine "for about a year" but was "never completely crazy" about the drug. In an interview published in this month's Uncut, Sir Paul admitted drugs "informed" much of the Beatles' music. [read more old but gold news]

LENNON'S LOST LYRICS

Lyrics penned by John Lennon at the height of Beatlemania have been unveiled for the first time. Scribbled on a postcard sent to fellow Beatle George Harrison by a fan in Japan, the mysterious seven lines read... "Little girl I've come to stay/And this time I just have to say, I love you "If she turns you down and you'rejected/Try again the best you can "Call to see her when you're least expected/Tell her now she'll understand." Experts believe the lyrics were penned in 1966 - the year the band released their critically-acclaimed Revolver album. [read more]

Saucy Lennon Snap On Sale

Fans of JOHN LENNON have been offered the chance to buy a rare naked photo of the BEATLES legend. The candid shot is an outtake from a nude shoot for Lennon's Two Virgins album, featuring his wife Yoko Ono. An original print is onsale on memorabilia website Momentsintime.com for $54,000 (£36,000). The snap is deemed "too graphic to be shown online" but sources have suggested it features Lennon's erect penis. One insider tells the New York Post the shot "shows John and Yoko sitting down and looking straight into the camera and smiling." The source adds, "He's in an excited state, and let's just say you can tell that he's not Jewish." SOURCE - Contactmusic News

Mccartney Honours Young & Mcgann On Graduation Day

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY honoured singer WILL YOUNG and actor JOE MCGANN when the pair was made Companions of the Liverpool, England arts institute he helped create in 1996. The former Beatles star hosted graduation day at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) on Friday (24Jul09). Joining MCGann and Young were choreographer Natricia Bernard and costume designer Richard Hudson. MCCartney is LIPA's lead patron. SOURCE - Contactmusic News

'New' John Lennon song could be released

An unfinished John Lennon composition could be completed by his son Julian to mark the 30th anniversary of his death. The former Beatle wrote the lyrics to Tell Her Now at some point during the 1960s but never completed the track, Click Liverpool reports. Julian Lennon has suggested that he could honour the memory of his father - who was assassinated in New York in 1980 - by finishing the song. "If the time was right, if it felt right, I would consider looking at the lyrics and maybe trying to work with them," he commented. This would not be the first time that a John Lennon song has been completed posthumously. [read more]

"Yellow Submarine" art director dies

Graphic designer Heinz Edelmann, best known for his work as art director of the 1968 Beatles film "Yellow Submarine," has died, his former employer said. He was 75. Edelmann died Tuesday afternoon in a Stuttgart hospital, according to the city's State Academy of Art and Design, where he had worked as a professor until 1999. No cause of death was given. Born in Aussig in the former Czechoslovakia in 1934, Edelmann studied at the Duesseldorf Art Academy and became a freelance graphic designer in 1958. In addition to his work on "Yellow Submarine," Edelmann designed many book covers, including the first German edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings." In 1989, he won a competition to design the mascot of Seville's Expo '92 world fair, beating 23 other entries with his illustration of a pudgy bird with a rainbow plume and conical beak named Curro. There was no immediate word on survivors or funeral arrangements. SOURCE AP

Mills Taunts Press With Cancer Jibe

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY's ex-wife HEATHER MILLS has re-ignited her feud with the British press - by insisting journalists who write "horrible things" about her will be struck down with cancer. Mills and MCCartney endured a messy public divorce last year (08) after six years of marriage, and the former glamour model later accused the U.K. tabloids of vilifying her - insisting she received "worse press than a paedophile or a murderer". In an explosive interview on British TV in 2007, Mills said: "They make up such lies. They’ve called me a whore, a gold-digger, a fantasist, a liar, the most unbelievably hurtful things." Mills has now revived her war of words with the media - insisting people who spread "lies" about her will be punished. She tells U.K. newspaper The Observer, "The truth always outs in the end... no one gets away with those things. Certain journalists have written horrible things, and then they've got cancer, or they've had a tumour, or they've died. And it's terrible for them, but they've done really evil things. I truly believe things come back round." SOURCE - Contactmusic News

“The Beatles: Rock Band” Announces 15 New Tracks

The debut of The Beatles: Rock Band is still well over a month away, but early glimpses of the video game suggest another wave of Fab Four hysteria can’t be far off. On his current tour (and at Coachella), Paul McCartney has already revealed some charming animated footage from the game. And at a recent preview session at MTV in Santa Monica, California, Rolling Stone got an up-close look at the most exciting version of Rock Band yet. As RS previously reported, the game comes with 45 remastered tracks, and Abbey Road will become available for download at the same time as the title’s September 9th release for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. “[read more]

Beatles fans will walk in Fab Four’s footsteps

Hundreds of Beatles fans are to walk over the Abbey Road zebra crossing to mark the 40th anniversary of the famous album cover picture. They will start crossing at 11.35am on 8 August, exactly four decades to the minute after the Fab Four began the photo shoot that created one of pop hi story's most celebrated images. The crossing, close to the studios in the St John's Wood street that gave the LP its name, is a leading tourist attraction — an estimated five million visitors have stopped to have their pictures taken on it. The walk will be the centre of a day of celebrations. A tribute band, Sgt Pepper's Only Dart Board Band, will lead the procession dressed as the Beatles appeared in the Sgt Pepper's film. [read more]

McCartney wants Lohan to drop fur

Fashion designer Stella McCartney is urging Hollywood wildchild Lindsay Lohan to stop wearing fur. Lohan has been snapped wearing animal pelts and leather on numerous occasions, and last year campaigners in Paris, France, threw flour over her in protest at a fur coat she was sporting. McCartney, daughter of Beatles legend Paul and his late wife Linda, is a strict vegetarian and a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who have also contacted Lohan. Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper reports McCartney is concerned about Lohan's love of fur and leather goods. [read more]

Big Hitters Mccartney And Joel Reunite At Baseball Stadium

Legendary rock duo SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY and BILLY JOEL reunited on Sunday night (19Jul09) to open New York City's Citi Field baseball stadium - a year after they helped tear down its predecessor. MCCartney was booked to perform the first concert at the New York Mets' new home, and introduced local resident and Mets fan Joel to join him onstage, to the delight of the sold-out crowd. The pair then performed Beatles hit I Saw Her Standing There together, before MCCartney took over and filled out a three-hour set with Fab Four tracks, songs from his time in Wings, and recent solo efforts, as well as his most recent incarnation, as The Fireman. The 67 year old has a special association with the venue; not only did the Beatles perform the first gig at its previous incarnation - Shea Stadium - back in 1965, but Joel invited him onstage last summer (08) during his run of gigs there, the last before it was demolished. SOURCE - Contactmusic News

What The Hell Happened To... Dylan in the 1970s

In 1967, Bob Dylan released Blonde on Blonde and forever changed the way all avid music fans would look at song structure and album creation. This was the height of Bob Dylan's influence on music. His visage was absolutely iconic on the cover of Blonde on Blonde. So, perhaps it was universal justice that he be thrown back into the underground. Shortly after the release of Blonde on Blonde Dylan was in a fairly severe motorcycle accident (the severity of which is up to dispute to this day). After which, he would go into seclusion in Woodstock, NY with his new wife, Sara. Little was heard from Dylan for two years, until the release of John Wesley Harding in 1969. This low-key, folk album was released in an environment supporting the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the Rolling Stones' Their Satanic Majesties Request, and Jefferson Airplane's After Bathing at Baxter's. In an era celebratory with the transcendent psychedelic path that he had started with Blonde on Blonde, Dylan released an album that was entirely unconcerned with keeping up and received armies of critical acclaim. John Wesley Harding was well-received across the board by critics and fans, but made a clear attempt to fall under the radar with little promotion, or pomp and circumstance, at Dylan's request. This is a theme that Dylan would continue for the next decade, as he continued a prolific path. According to revisionists however, Dylan would only make three albums in the 1970s; 1975's Blood on the Tracks, 1976's Desire, and 1979's Slow Train Coming. I disagree. I think there was a lot more to what Bob Dylan produced in that decade. Let's begin…
[read more/watch videos/ excellent article by C.A. Bell]

Blinding demise of a superstar

It figures indeed. When the tragedy-plagued creator of such timeless tunes as "Blue Bayou," "Crying," "Oh, Pretty Woman," and "Only the Lonely" died of a massive heart attack at 52, he got a respectable amount of recognition, but nothing that couldn't have been easily missed. If you did happen to catch his obituary in the New York Times, however, you would have read this comment from Bruce Springsteen: "His arrangements were complex and operatic. They had rhythm and movement, and they addressed the underside of pop romance. They were scary. His voice was unearthly." [read more]

Waller of '60s pop duo Peter and Gordon dies at 64

Gordon Waller of the pop duo Peter and Gordon, who were part of the 1960s British Invasion and had a string of hits including several written by their friend Paul McCartney, has died. He was 64. Waller died Friday at The William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, Conn., nursing supervisor Nity Oris confirmed Monday. The duo's Web site says Waller, who lived in Ledyard, Conn., went into cardiac arrest Thursday night. Waller and Peter Asher hit No. 1 on music charts around the world in 1964 with their debut single "A World Without Love." McCartney, who at the time was dating Asher's sister, actress Jane Asher, wrote the song. The duo also hit the charts with other songs written by McCartney, including "Nobody I Know" and "I Don't Want To See You Again." Although McCartney wrote the songs, they were jointly credited to him and John Lennon, as was all their work at the time. [read more]

Rock Album Designer Wilkes Dies

Music photographer and art director TOM WILKES, who designed album covers for the ROLLING STONES, JANIS JOPLIN and GEORGE HARRISON, has died. He was 69. Wilkes died after suffering a heart attack on 28 June (09) in Pioneertown, California according to his daughter, Katherine Wilkes Fotch. He designed album covers including the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet, Dave Mason’s Alone Together, George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh, Neil Young’s Harvest, Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen, and Janis Joplin's Pearl - which he shot just hours before the singer's fatal drug overdose in 1970. Marking another moment in rock 'n' roll history, Wilkes - hired by the Mamas and the Papas manager Lou Adler - designed what became iconic imagery for a pioneering music festival in 1967. Posters for the First Annual Monterey International Pop Festival - which took place two years before Woodstock - promoted acts including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Otis Redding, among others. In addition to his daughter, Wilkes is survived by a brother, Dennis, and three grandchildren. SOURCE - Contactmusic News

Paul McCartney Is a Hit at Mets Stadium

If all historic events were as fun as Friday night's Paul McCartney concert, text books would be a lot more popular. Some 44 years after the Beatles performed the world's first concert in a sports arena at New York's Shea Stadium to a record 55,000 screaming fans on August 15, 1965, McCartney returned to the same plot of land for another first -- the inaugural concert at the Mets' brand new Citi Field. The three-hour set was a Beatles diehard's fantasy come true, all delivered with Macca's cheeky stage demeanor. "It's been a while since I've been here," he joked after set-opener "Drive My Car." "I have a feeling we're going to have fun tonight." [read more]

McCartney plays first concert ever at Citi Field

Sir Paul McCartney knighted another New York Mets ballpark Friday night, playing the first concert ever at Citi Field. "Long time since I've been here," the former Beatle told the crowd, then paused to take it all in. Citi Field is the successor to Shea Stadium, where the Beatles played a historic concert in 1965 that's regarded as the precursor to the stadium rock concert. Patty Parker attended Friday night's show and remembers the 1965 show well. "I was three rows from the top. I was 10 years old," she said. "He captured that same tune; I'm so blown away." Several times on Friday, McCartney alluded to that magical night 44 years ago. But he was also made it clear that it was less than perfect at times. "The first time we played here, we couldn't hear a thing because of all the girls screaming and the stadium sound system." [read more]

Paul McCartney on Letterman: Historic Return to Ed Sullivan Theater

Paul McCartney has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman at the Ed Sullivan Theater - the same stage where The Beatles made their US debut 45 years ago. When he was asked if being back at the New York venue stirred up any memories, McCartney said he was impressed by the size of the studio. "When we first came here we’d never seen this kind of thing. TV studios in England were always on one floor – but here it is like an apartment block. The memory of being here is great.” McCartney revealed one scary moment, which was when a floor manager reminded him how many viewers would be watching him perform a solo song. “I had to do my song Yesterday on my own. [read more]

Why Letterman's McCartney show was special

After watching Paul McCartney on David Letterman Wednesday, I posted my run-and-gun rave review of the show, and went to bed. I woke up five hours later and was off and running with the Emmys, so I did not get much chance until last night to reflect on what made that performance such a special evening of TV for many viewers. So far, it is the event of the TV summer, in my opinion. I was especially moved by some of comments from readers Thursday about McCartney's appearance -- once I actually had time to read them last night. Check out this one: [read more]

Here Comes The Walrus: The Art of John Lennon

John Lennon’s legacy has spread far and wide, mostly through his music. But this weekend, the Island will receive the late Beatle’s legendary wit, candor and artistry in another form: his drawings. "What many people don’t know about John was that he was an artist before he was a rocker,” his widow and artistic collaborator Yoko Ono told the Gazette. “When he graduated high school his teacher saw that he was uniquely talented in art and said, ‘Maybe we can try to send him to art school,’ — probably because he could not get into regular school — and so maybe try Liverpool Art School, which was a very good school. And they did. And John was very proud.” [read more]

Yoko Ono Supports Call For Oneness Day

The petition has already been signed by Desmond Tutu, Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama, and Ono has called it "Potentially the most important petition ever launched . . . toward a New Spirituality, a new humanity, a new earth.“ Humanity’s Team – a spiritual movement whose purpose is to communicate and implement the belief that we are all one, one with God and one with life, in a shared global state of being, so that the behavior of humanity may shift to reflect this understanding – is collecting 50,000 signatures to “persuade the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day, a day set aside and embraced by individuals, communities and nations for humanity to celebrate, discuss and experience our commonality, while still acknowledging and respecting our beautiful cultural diversities…a day to unite in Oneness for the greater good of the Human Family.” [read more]

Paul McCartney Stuns Manhattan With Set on Letterman’s Marquee

Paul McCartney played a surprise mini-concert for thousands of New Yorkers in midtown Manhattan yesterday from the top of the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where he was taping a performance for Late Show With David Letterman. News of the event spread via Twitter and word of mouth, and nearby street corners were closed off to accommodate fans for the 5:30 p.m. set that recalled the Beatles’ famed Savile Row rooftop gig, when the Fab Four played atop the former building that housed Apple studios. In 1964, the Beatles made their U.S. television debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in the same studio Letterman now inhabits. [read more]

Apple Puts a New Spin on the Old 45

All those years ago — in a time of jukeboxes and Elvis, record players and Jerry Lee Lewis — “45” said it all. Formally, it was the single, a nine-inch slice of vinyl that spun on a not-very-sophisticated turntable at 45 revolutions per minute, and we listened to the same song over and over. It was the days long before the rewind button. It was the less expensive alternative to buying an album (if indeed there was an album), and now Apple is trying to reinvent the 45 experience with a collection of “D45s” (digital 45s) on iTunes. The idea extends the iTunes concept of buying just the song you want, except in the case of D45s, it’s two songs, an A-side and a B-side. The B-side was usually a disposable song from the same artist, but sometimes it clicked: The Beatles’ “Rain,” on the flip side (or “c/w,” for “combined with”) of “Paperback Writer,” or The Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday” (c/w ‘Let’s Spend The Night Together’). [read more]

The Mayor of Strawberry Fields

The bum you pass every day, could be the artist responsible for one of New York's most colorful monuments. The Mayor Of Strawberry Fields is a moving look into the quirky homeless subculture living in Central Park. Gary, the self-proclaimed "Mayor" of Strawberry Fields, has lived at John Lennon's Imagine Memorial and decorated it with flowers for the past 14 years. Thousands of tourists see his labor of love daily, while he sits on as the "silent" artist. This short documentary delves deep into Gary's euphoric yet dysfunctional life on the streets, and takes the audience into a world only a true rock and roll fan would understand. Whether it's the searing city heat or blistering cold of winter, Gary stands by the memorial with flowers from bodega dumpsters, and gives the world, as he says, "the peace sign it needs."

Like any average Joe, Gary has a wife, a dog and a happy job. His unorthodox profession has started to make his artwork yet another landmark of Manhattan, and through his own self promotion, made him a celebrity in his own rite. Just google the words "John Lennon Mosaic" and see over 55,000 examples of Gary's art. Does he deserve money for this? Is he a real artist? Should he be taken seriously? Maybe this "bum" actually has more to say than you'd think...[more/watch trailer/purchase dvd or download]

Yoko Ono Talks With Rosanna Scotto

the many passions legendary singer and songwriter John Lennon had was his love for New York City. Yoko Ono- his widow and former partner in life- spoke with Rosanna Scotto as they toured a new exhibit in SoHo honoring Lennon: "John Lennon: The New York City Years." "He was passionately in love with New York City," Ono tells Rosanna. The exhibit includes one of Lennon's Grammy awards, guitars and the piano he once had in the bedrom he shared with Ono on Manhattan's West Side. Many of the items on exhibition have never been seen publicly. Handwritten lyrics to hits like 'Working Class Hero' are kept in a glass case. "When I see all these works that he did in that period in New York City... he was so prolific.. he was also a loving husband and father... suddenly it was cutt off," Ono says. [read more/watch video]

MARQUEE McCARTNEY Paul wows 'em at theater where Beatles arrived

THE TEENYBOPPERS have grown gray and soft, but Paul McCartney still made them twist and shout yesterday when he returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater 45 years after he and The Beatles first performed there. The aging rocker mounted the famed theater's marquee and revived Beatlemania with almost a full set of songs for the "Late Show With David Letterman." A crush of fans, many of whom learned of the not-so-secret event through the Internet, jammed the sidewalks of Broadway between 53rd and 54th Sts. to get a free glimpse of Sir Paul's lofty performance. "Shouldn't you be at work?" McCartney, 67, hollered at the adoring crowd, who yelled back in unison, "No!" Over a cacophony of screams, honking cars and occasional sirens, McCartney wowed the crowd with a generous half-hour, seven-song set that included Beatles' classics "Get Back" and "Back in the U.S.S.R." Wearing a pink button-down shirt with a white collar and playing his trusty Hofner bass, McCartney also sampled a single off his new album, "Electric Arguments." [read more]

The Beatles Recall Making of “Revolver” In Reissue Doc

We’ve been so excited about hearing the remastered sound of the Beatles reissued catalog on September 9th that we forgot all about another of the reissue’s perks: Each of the 13 proper albums being re-released on 9.9.09 will be accompanied by a mini-documentary featuring the Beatles and producer Sir George Martin talking about how each album was created. On the Beatles’ official site, the Fab Four are offering up an excerpt of the mini-doc that accompanies Revolver. While it appears that the docs won’t feature any actual footage from the studio, the Revolver short film artfully dissects and reassembles the LP’s iconic collage cover art as the voices of Starr, Lennon, McCartney and Harrison drop in and out give insight into what it was like recording the album. [read more]

The Irish heritage of Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney recently chose a Dublin band, The Script, to open for his show at the Mets' Shea Stadium (Citi Field) this summer. McCartney's choice makes sense, being that his Irish roots run deep. The career of Paul McCartney hardly needs an introduction. The Beatles and Wings member is an insanely successful singer-songwriter, musician, composer, producer, painter, entrepreneur and peace and animal activist. One of Britain’s wealthiest and most famous men, McCartney is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold albums and sales of 100 million singles. McCartney’s success is familiar to all. His Irish roots, on the other hand, are not so well-known. [read more]

Life with a legend

She left more than 40 years ago and he was too young to remember living there, but Cynthia and Julian Lennon, first wife and first son of Beatle John chose their Liverpool birthplace as the setting for a new exhibition about their tortured life with Beatle legend John. The White Feather exhibition, housed in a shiny new edifice at the Pier Head’s ferry terminal, charts the rise and fall of John and Cynthia’s marriage against the rise and rise of Lennon’s fame. It evokes the art school romance that brought the two together and Julian into the world, the shotgun wedding – on the night of which the fab four rushed to Chester for a gig – and the inevitability of the destruction of the family as John departed into a psychadelic world of stardom, drugs and Yoko. [read more]

Watch: Paul McCartney warms up on Letterman

This weekend, Paul McCartney will begin his three-night stint at Citi Field in Queens, New York. To warm up, he took the subway into mid-town — just go with it — to play a mini-concert for Dave. Atop the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater — the venue where he and his former bandmates would make their musical debut some 40+ years ago — and overlooking a massive crowd, McCartney and his current band performed five selections, including “Coming Up”, “Band on the Run”, “Let Me Roll It/Purple Haze”, “Helter Skelter”, and “Back in the USSR”. Watch: Paul McCartney warms up on Letterman

The King of Pop, Sir Paul, and the Right to Reclaim Copyrights

This may be a shocking revelation to all but the most avid news-followers, but it is apparently true: pop star Michael Jackson recently passed away. A handful of media outlets found time to cover the story, and some of them have mentioned Jackson’s feud with Paul McCartney over Jackson’s ownership of the publishing rights to some of the Beatles’ biggest hits-rights acquired when Jackson outbid Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono in the mid-1980’s. People not familiar with copyright law might be surprised to hear that McCartney-one-half of music’s most-successful songwriting duo-must pay royalties to perform his own hit songs. The fact certainly seemed to grate on McCartney, who frequently made mention of it in interviews. But even more surprising, at least to those not acquainted with the intricacies of copyright law, is that Sir Paul will one day be able to re-acquire the rights to his music without even having to pay to buy them back. [read more]

The Beatles unveil its new Vision

You still can’t buy ‘em love, but for a hefty fee, you’ll be able to buy ‘em all — their records, of course. This September, your ticket to ride The Beatles’ re-mastered catalog comes in both digital and CD format. But wait, it’s only getting better. In anticipation of the bad boy release, Apple Corps Ltd. will release an accompanying book — err, box set — of artwork, historical information, and what have you, all to make fans hippy hippy shake. Or make you feel fine, at least better than the night before. We’re just getting started with the puns, folks. Titled The Beatles Box of Vision, the timely gift set features a variety of goodies that should leave you crying, waiting, and hoping for the new re-mastered sets. What’s in store, exactly? For starters, there’s a 200-page book, chock full of the group’s original LP artwork — restored, of course. Everything from front covers to back covers, gatefolds to inserts, Apple Corps has you covered. They know this is for no one else but the fans. [read more]

Live and let dye

The tattoo artist was booked solid for five months but when he heard Audrey McCombs got her arm autographed by Sir Paul McCartney, he cleared his schedule. McCartney concertgoers watched Saturday night when Ms. McCombs’s dream came true. The ex-Beatle spotted the 19-year-old in the crowd as she held a sign asking him to sign her arm so she could get it tattooed. Ms. McCombs was pulled on stage, got a hug from the star and got his autograph on her skin. “I just hugged him, I could have stayed there forever,” said Ms. McCombs. “Being that close to someone who has influenced me more than anybody is the greatest feeling.” [read more]

Musicians gather in Liverpool for the love of Beatle George Harrison

A CONCERT celebrating the life and career of George Harrison takes place next month. In the opulent surroundings of the small concert room in St George’s Hall, the tribute will take place on the anniversary of Harrison’s trailblazing Concerts for Bangladesh – the first large-scale musical event dedicated to charity awareness, which took place in 1971. The Liverpool show, on August 1, takes place alongside an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia dedicated to the former Beatle. Organiser Denise Theophilus said: “We are celebrating the fact we had someone like George on this earth. “People think he was just the quiet Beatle, maybe a bit dull, but that’s so very far from the truth. He was a fantastic person who lived a fantastic life and was a great inspiration to many people. He came from nothing and went beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.” [read more]

Concierge thrilled to work for Sir Paul

Ron Ring’s middle name is probably not discretion, but it could be. As a concierge at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, he has looked after his share of famous guests, some more demanding than others. And while attention to detail and anticipating guests’ needs may be important, keeping his mouth zipped is probably one of the biggest attributes he brings to the job. Especially if his client for the weekend is Paul McCartney and his entourage. "It’s difficult to hold it in because you want to tell somebody," Mr. Ring said Monday, still high from meeting and serving one of his musical idols. "But you always have to keep in mind that you’ve been given their trust." The concierge said friends and family know better than to pester him with questions about famous guests before or during their stay, but he said by Sunday his phone was ringing. Asked whether supergroup Kiss and the gang will be at the hotel this weekend for their big concert on the Commons, there went the zipper again. [read more]

Beatles fans to sign giant replica of first contract

If one memorabilia company has its way, hundreds of Beatles fans will sign the mop-tops' first contract later today (Tuesday 14 June). An 11ft replica of John, Paul, George and Ringo's contract with Brian Epstein will be erected on Carnaby Street, giving fans the chance to pretend they too were part of the deal – leading to fame, fortune and a Sgt Pepper uniform. The giant contract is the work of the Imagine Corporation, which that claims to have launched "the most exciting, innovative, transparent, skill-based website on the internet". Or perhaps just a fancy British Invasion-themed carnival game. [read more]

Yoko Ono signs U.N. Oneness Day petition

Yoko Ono has joined other prominent people signing a global grassroots petition appealing to the United Nations to declare a Oneness Day, her Web site says. Other famous or influential signers include South African Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, spiritual authors Deepak Chopra and Neale Donald Walsch, sportscaster Gary Bailey, Dalai Lama envoy Sonam Tenzin and U.N. adviser Janis Roze, the petition organizer said Monday. Michael Jackson fans also signed the petition in honor of the late singer, whose 1985 song "We Are the World" says "the world must come together as one," the petition list indicated. [read more]

Andy Prior's Yellow Sub Graffitti

Friday, 10 July, at Beatles Day at Cavern Walks, just off Mathew Street, graffiti artist Andy Prior worked for almost six hours creating a new Beatles portrait on a huge canvas 7m by 3m. Inspired by the yellow submarine and the Fab Four in more their psychedelic era, the new work really brightens up the boutique shopping centre. Cavern Walks was built 25 years ago on the site of the original Cavern Club and also houses the official Beatles statue. It's also home to the famous boutique Cricket, Solely Shoes, which also houses the famous sixties beatwear brand, Kids Cavern and Vivienne Westwood. Andy began work at 9am, putting a rough sketch onto the canvas and then carried on working right through until just before 4pm. Visitors and shoppers in the centre took time out of their day to watch the work being completed.

.

Halifax cashes in from Paul McCartney concert

Local businesses reaped benefits as tens of thousands of fans gathered at the Halifax Commons this weekend to rock out with the legendary Paul McCartney. The open-air concert attracted at least 60,000 fans on Saturday, giving a much needed boost to the local economy and tourism. "It was the busiest, craziest night I've ever had in this restaurant," Erin Ringling, waitress at a nearby restaurant, told CTV Atlantic. She said the rush started around 2 p.m. and didn't stop. "It's the most money I've ever taken home," she said. [read more]

Lennon and McCartney Beatles reunion scuppered by Yoko Ono, according to new book

John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney planned a Beatles reunion in 1974 but it was scuppered by Yoko Ono, a new book claims. In Paul McCartney: A Life, author Peter Ames Carlin suggests that he missed working with Lennon and tried to orchestrate a comeback. Carlin claims that thirty five years ago Sir Paul, paid a surprise late night visit to a studio in California where Lennon was recording. According to the book the pair played music into the early hours of the morning with Stevie Wonder, who was also working there. The session went so well Lennon invited Sir Paul, now 67, and his first wife Linda over for dinner at his rented house in Malibu with girlfriend and assistant May Pang, According to reports Mr Carlin spoke to Miss Pang, who the late singer was seeing during a break in his marriage from Miss Ono. [read more]

The Smithereens Are Named I-BFD Artist of the Month

New Jersey based veteran rockers; The Smithereens have been named Artist of the Month by the International Beatles Freak Day organization for July 2009. The band’s release of ‘Meet the Smithereens’ (a song-by-song cover of ‘Meet the Beatles’) and ‘B-Sides The Beatles’ (covers of Beatles B-sides) show that this band, known in the 80’s for it’s underground following, can embrace the music of their youth while still maintaining their identity. “I’m delighted that The Smithereens were chosen to be the I-BFD artist of the month!” said Dennis Diken. “The Beatles set the template for all rock’n’roll bands that followed and we still take inspiration from them every time we take the stage or enter a recording studio. Thanks for the honor!”

The Smithereens are Jim Babjak-lead guitar; Pat DiNizio-lead vocals and guitar; Dennis Diken- drums and Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion-bass. The Smithereens recently release their own version of The Who’s Tommy to rave reviews. They will be releasing a new original album later this year. Dennis Diken is releasing his first solo album on September 29th and Jim Babjak and a painting he did of the Fab Four are featured in the current issue (#32) of Weird NJ magazine. For more information about The Smithereens, go to: www.OfficialSmithereens.com or visit them on MySpace at www.myspace.com/officialsmithereens or follow them on Twitter @TheSmithereens.

Young fans flock to see veteran rocker

When Sir Paul McCartney belted out a lively version of Drive My Car for more than 50,000 fans at the Halifax Commons on Saturday there was a surprising number of young people in the audience singing along word-for-word with the lyrics of the entertainer’s classic hit. When it comes to demographics, this rock ’n’ roller is a promoter’s dream. There were lots of young faces among the many seasoned fans on hand to cheer for the 67-year-old former Beatle when he took to the five-storey stage for the beginning of what many long-time fans believe will be his last North American tour. [read more]

McCartney returns to Ed Sullivan Theater

Paul McCartney is going back to the Ed Sullivan Theater. The former Beatle will appear on David Letterman's "Late Show" on Wednesday. He'll be interviewed and perform, part of a promotion for some shows he's doing this summer. The theater is where McCartney and the rest of the Beatles made their famous American debut on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 45 years ago. It will be his first appearance on Letterman's CBS show. AP

Ringo his own star

Regarding the excellent article "In praise of Ringo Starr, one drummer to another," I couldn't agree more with drummer Dennis Diken of the Smithereens (Life, Monday). Starr offered a drummer's voice to the Beatles songs: very distinctive and recognizable, with not one unnecessary beat or fill out of place. For years, I have cringed at the mockery of Starr's ability and place in the Fab Four. The often repeated quote, "Ringo's just famous for being famous," belittles his value. Not just anybody could be a Beatles drummer. Just ask Pete Best. Thanks, USA TODAY, for Diken's perspective. This guitarist wishes Ringo a happy 69th birthday Tuesday. READ SOURCE/USATODAY

Beatles Day 2009 goes with a bang around Liverpool city centre

CONCERTS, impersonators and art are all going on in Liverpool as the city celebrates Beatles Day 2009. In the second annual extravaganza mop tops have taken to the streets as the hum of classic Fab Four anthems are played from open air stages. The day was officially launched at 7am. John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird joined Merseyside football legends, Big Brother’s Craig Phillips and Lord Mayor Mike Storey as band the Backbeat Beatles played for commuters on a Mersey ferry. Bands are also playing on four stages in the city. Phillip Marshall, who plays John Lennon in the tribute band Beatles Forever, played a set in Williamson Square including the mega hits Hey Jude and Lennon’s Imagine. A throng of fans watched the group play hits in front of a red double decker bus. Marshall, 45, and from Esher in Surrey, said after his set: “It was a great vibe. There were around a hundred people watching. [read more]

Paul McCartney adds 'final' summer shows in Tulsa, Dallas

Paul McCartney [ tickets ] will close out his impending tour with two new dates that have been dubbed his "final" US performances of the summer. McCartney, who is preparing to kick off the loose 10-gig outing Saturday (7/11) in Halifax, will now conclude the US swing with an Aug. 17 concert in Tulsa, OK, and an Aug. 19 gig in Dallas. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer's three shows planned for New York City's CitiField starting July 17 will mark the first concerts at the stadium, while his Aug. 15 gig in Atlanta is a benefit for the Piedmont Park Conservancy. The full schedule is shown below. The summer performances will include a mix of classics from his solo catalog and by The Beatles, as well as some songs from "Electric Arguments," McCartney's album released last year under the alias The Fireman. [read more]

Not Quite Jim Morrison, though longer

As I sat in the studio and started my board shift, I knew I'd play at least one selection from the Double Fantasy album. I offered sadly that it wasn't the record he would, or should, be remembered for and left it at that. What I had no way of knowing was how the station switchboard lit up as listeners reacted. The following morning my boss attempted to explain to me why trying to step back and out of the maelstrom the evening before was in poor form. He conceded nearly everyone calling had agreed with my observations and then added 'but don't let it happen again.' I asked him what he meant by 'it'-Lennon's murder or the casual contempt with which we take one another's lives. Now, twenty-nine years too late, I realize, he meant neither. Fast forward to the days leading up to the video pyre in LA. Who really believed Larry King gave a fried rat's hindquarters about Michael Jackson? Did you catch any of his incredible interview with Sean Coombs ('How are you handling this?' I think he says in this snippet) whom he called 'P Daddy'? [read more]

Old chum recalls McCartney's school days

When Halifax resident Iain Taylor went to school in Liverpool, he had a classmate who drew guitars on the margins of his notebooks, sang Little Richard songs in the cafeteria and dashed across the road to play music with John Lennon after school. His name was Paul McCartney and Taylor thought his musical ambitions were ludicrous, he told CBC News in an interview Thursday. "I said to him: 'Surely there's no future in the music industry in Liverpool.' It was all in London at the time and that seemed such a long way away," Taylor recalled. Those were words he'd never live down. [read more]

'Abbey Road' photo shoot all in good fun

Yesterday was likely a once in a lifetime chance to see Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Peter Kelly walking across the street barefoot, a candy cigarette dangling from his right hand. Not to mention a long-haired Premier Darrell Dexter, looking like he’s ready to rock out on some drums. It was all in good fun, say the politicians, who took on the role of Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to re-enact the iconic Abbey Road album cover, to promote another once in a lifetime experience: this Saturday’s McCartney concert on the Halifax Common. [read more/watch video]

Macca on Jacko's Beatles catalogue

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed he was never under any illusion that Michael Jackson would leave the rights to the Beatles back catalogue to him. The star said he wanted to "put the record straight" and did not ever believe suggestions his old friend would pass the lucrative catalogue on to him. Jackson's 50 per cent share in the Beatles catalogue was one of the late singer's most valuable assets and, together with other song rights, was estimated to be worth in the region of £300 million. SOURCE: Macca's blog

Abbey Road studio throw Beatles and Pink Floyd facilities open to new bands

The legendary Abbey Road studios are to offer the mastering facilities that the likes of and The Last Shadow Puppets have used to new bands via the internet. The studio, famous for recording seminal albums by the likes of The Beatles and Pink Floyd, have launched an online mastering service which will allow new acts to submit their recordings via a secure server. Engineers at Abbey Road will then mix the tracks using the studio's mastering suites. ”It’s easy for new bands to undervalue the importance of quality mastering, but it really is the final stage of the recording process and getting it right makes a huge impact to the sound of your recordings," Alex Wharton, Mastering Engineer at Abbey Road, told NME.COM. [read more]

Singer To Receive John Lennon Prize

Granted, this is hardly a local story--but it's kinda interesting, and it's happening tomorrow night at the Meyeson Symphony Center so cha-ching! Anyway: At tomorrow night's Brian McKnight show at the Meyerson, McKnight will present his tour support, Matt Cusson, with the Maxell Song of the Year prize from the 12th annual John Lennon Songwriting Contest for his jazz effort, "One Of Those Nights." Sure enough, the song's a pretty legit jazz number--check it out--so, y'know, good on him. [read more]

The Madness of King Michael

But if Michael was the supreme purveyor of unadulterated megalomania, he was also the victim of it. In a country where entertainers are treated as royalty and public discourse is keenly steered by a handful of media-conglomerates, Michael was yet another example of how Americans can take a good thing and run it into the ground. As a child, Michael was a trick pony, a very talented trick pony, but a trick pony nonetheless. He never had a normal childhood and as such, was completely shielded from the everyday realities the rest of us live by. Like so many other kid actors/musicians who have excessive and superficial acclaim heaped on them (ahem, Britney?), Michael was led to believe the world revolved around him. What's worse, our culture's incessant demand for anything and everything titillating insisted Michael act like a god when he wasn't. Alone with such delusions of grandeur, Michael lived in a fantasy world that only got more far-fetched and harder to prop up as he aged. [read more]

Paul McCartney Won't Get Beatles Songs Back From Michael Jackson

Sir Paul McCartney is "devestated" that he won't be able to claim back his ownership of the Beatles back catalogue following the death of Michael Jackson. The former Beatle had hoped he would be able to buy the rights to some of his most famous songs back following Jackson's death, but it has now emerged that the late singer sold nearly all of his rights to the songs. Jackson outbid Macca and purchased the rights to the song's in 1985 after the two had collaborated on two songs - The Girl Is Mine' and 'Say, Say, Say' - but secretly sold them before his death to help alleviate his financial troubles. A highly placed source at the Los Angeles HQ of Sony/ATV, the music publishing company which shares responsibility for the hits with Jackson’s estate, said Jackson had dispensed with all but five per cent of his remaining 25 per cent of the catalogue. The news is likely to be a blow to Macca, who complained earlier this year: "The annoying thing is, I still have to pay to play some of my own songs. Each time I want to sing Hey Jude, I have to pay!” SOURCE

Happy Birthday RINGO

Yesterday I said that there’d be another entry, and it would be BIG. Don't anyone say "Ringo who?" Ringo Starr is 69 today. I will state for the record right now, that I am one of those people who have never been particularly fond of Ringo’s playing. I think every drummer who started playing after the Beatles became famous has to come to terms with Ringo, because he’s just . . . there. You cannot ignore him even if you try, if for no other reason that other musicians won’t let you. Most of the drummers I’ve profiled in this series can probably be called "monster" players. For example, yesterday you can watch that clip of Louie Bellson and see him play a single-stroke roll with his left hand faster than a lot of drummers can play with both. He also plays double-stroke rolls that are so smooth they sound like one long note. The same goes for John Bonham, Ian Paice, Chick Webb, and all the others. read more

Yellow Submarine stolen from outside Beatles Story

The Beatles Story has experienced a sad loss this week with the theft from outside our main entrance of a 5ft wooden reproduction of the iconic Yellow Submarine as featured in the famous 1968 animated film of the same name. The Sub which has featured in thousands of tourists' holiday snaps since the Beatles Story opened in 1990 is a popular backdrop both for visitors to the attraction and passers by to pause and capture a memento of their trip to Liverpool and the Beatles Story are anxious for its safe return. "We're very upset and angry that someone would perform such a selfish act" said Beatles Story MD, Jerry Goldman. "We would like to offer a £100 reward to be donated to the Linda McCartney Centre on behalf of anyone who can return our Submarine safely." If you can help the Beatles Story please contact 0151 709 1963 or email info@beatlesstory.com SOURCE

Hard day's night: Paul McCartney left a little weary after dining out with daughter Stella and Madonna

It had been a long day for the singer, 67, who was spotted at another restaurant earlier in the day and the tired rocker was forced to jump into a cab while Madonna and Stella - in higher spirits - chose to leave in a more civilised manner. Madonna, 50, trendy as usual in a white suit and trilby hat, emerged smiling from the front, but didn't appear to have time to find a tailor - as her trousers dragged on the floor despite her high heels. The pop star, who accessorised with a hand-shaped necklace and Louis Vuitton handbag, spent the day at the Kabbalah centre before heading to meet her fashion designer friend for dinner. Stella, 37, opted for the more sophisticated look, in a classic little black dress and high heels. [read more]

New Beatles Song Ready

A lost track by The Beatles, 'Now And Then', is set to be released after Sir Paul McCartney spent the past two years working on it. A new Beatles song is to be released. 'Now And Then' - which was composed by John Lennon in 1978 and later worked on by Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr when they reunited to work on the Beatles Anthology project in 1995 - never got released, but McCartney has been adding to it and is now keen for fans to hear the track. [read more]

Beatle legend Paul McCartney hits out at Joe Jackson

Beatle legend Sir Paul McCartney has hit out at Joe Jackson for contributing to his son's problems through his overbearing and violent nature during Jacko's childhood. Macca caused a storm earlier in the week when he failed to mention Joe in an official statement, sending his condolences to Michael's "Mother and rest of the family". But although Sir Paul claims the snub was "not on purpose", the music legend reckons Joe's physical abuse on Michael contributed to the King of Pops problems in life. [read more]

Praising Ringo Starr, one drummer to another

The Beatles maintain a stronghold on the imagination and hearts of music lovers. They win over new generations without trying, and their appeal shows no signs of waning. So when Ringo Starr turns 69 on Tuesday, his status as one of rock's most renowned drummers is secure, if only by association with the greatest show on earth. Yet inexplicably, Starr's legacy is clouded by misconception and ignorance. Some say he was the luckiest guy on earth, a competent player who stepped into a million-dollar quartet. Why the bum rap? Was it because he didn't overplay and shunned solos? Or was it his unassuming, Everyman countenance? Think about it: Could The Beatles have conquered the world with a mediocre sticksman? NO! [read more]

Paul McCartney Posts Tribute to Michael Jackson

Paul McCartney posted a tribute to Michael Jackson over the weekend. McCartney, of course, dueted with Michael on "The Girl Is Mine" from the Thriller album and on "Say Say Say" from McCartney's Pipes of Peace. Paul remembered the first time he spoke with Michael and the coincidental lodging choice he made at the time of the "Say Say Say" video: I first heard from Michael when he phoned me over the Christmas holiday season in 1980 and my initial reaction was “who is this and how did he get my private telephone number?”. Michael laughed and explained who it was and, as we talked and I asked him why he was ringing, he said “Do you wanna make some hits?” and that was the start of our adventure together. [read more]

Mills Climbs Onto Roof To Open Cafe

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY's ex-wife HEATHER MILLS is going to great heights to promote her new vegan cafe - she scaled its roof to celebrate the grand opening on Saturday (04Jul09).
The animal rights campaigner, who wears a prosthetic leg after losing her limb in a motorcycle accident in 1993, stunned onlookers as she climbed up a ladder to launch her new restaurant, V-Bites, in East Sussex, England. [read more]

Philip French on John Lennon's rise and fall

I returned from my holidays to read colleagues' reviews of Abbas Kiarostami's Shirin. In this picture an audience of Iranian women are observed for some 90 minutes reacting to a romantic movie (based on a 12th-century Persian poem) that we, the real audience, are not shown. It isn't particularly original. In numerous movies characters respond to films we don't see. But in his Observer review last Sunday, Jason Solomons remarked: "What if the camera turned on a roomful of film critics?" His question took me back 40 years to a press screening of two minimalist movies by Yoko Ono at a smart private cinema in Mayfair. One film had the camera simply staring at Lennon's penis. Lasting some 40 minutes (it seemed like an eternity), it focused upon the unaided tumescence and detumescence of his member, reaching some sort of climax with a pearl-like drop of semen. [read more]

What George Harrison Thought Of Allen Klein

Allen Klein died on the weekend (July 4, 2009). Klein was one of the most notorious music businessmen ever. At one stage he simultaneously managed both The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Many knew him, few respected him! He was in it for himself and made a fortune along the way. In my 1993 interview with George Harrison, a man who had nothing bad to say about anyone, even George had nothing nice to say about Allen. Here is the part of the Harrison interview talking about how Klein, acting at the time as George’s business manager, went behind George’s back during the famous ‘My Sweet Lord/He’s So Fine’ plagiarism case, and bought copyright of the original Chiffons songs so that no matter what happened in the case it would go his way: Paul Cashmere: How do you feel about "My Sweet Lord" these days. How did the court case surrounding that song affect your songwriting? [read more]

Manager to Beatles/Stones dies in New York

The former manager of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones has died in New York at the age of 77. Alan Klein died after suffering from Alzheimer's. In the mid-1960s, he managed The Rolling Stones and then the Beatles, earning himself the reputation of a ruthless businessman. Even though he extracted lucrative deals from record companies for his clients, he never managed to secure the copyrights for Beatles compositions, which were later bought by Michael Jackson. Klein’s relationship with the Rolling Stones had soured some years earlier when he bought the rights to the band's 1960s songs and recordings without their knowledge. Klein was known to have a plaque on his desk that read: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because I'm the biggest bastard in the valley.” [read more]

Halifax preps for McCartney's lone Canadian date

A music lover since childhood, Peter Tingley has seen dozens of great acts in concert over the years, from the Stones to Pink Floyd and everyone in between. But he expects all of them could be eclipsed on Saturday when he and his wife and two children travel to Halifax from his home in New Brunswick to see Paul McCartney for the first time. "To be able to see a legend live and close to home is beyond belief," said Tingley, 53, of Moncton in a weekend interview. I would have loved to have seen Paul, George, John and Ringo play together some time, but obviously that can't happen, so this is the next best thing." McCartney and his four-piece band will perform on a massive stage being erected this week on the Halifax Common, a large recreational space in the heart of the Nova Scotia capital. [read more]

New release caters to Beatles fan

The Beatles were the most popular band in the world, but in reality they were much more than a band. They changed how people felt about themselves, and everything that they did and said was taken to heart by their fans. People could not get enough of the Fab Four. How they started and where they came from are all part of their history. To that end, Beatles fans can learn about their heroes in this five-disc set that includes more than 13 hours of programming. An overview of the set includes: "The Beatles Liverpool," in which Beatles historian Ray O'Brien takes you to more than 60 key Beatles sites including Abbey Road, 3 Savile Row, film sites for "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help," their former homes, clubs where they used to hang out, inside their recording studio and more. [read more]

Who Owns the Beatles Songs Now That M.J.'s Dead?

The publishing rights to most of the Beatles' biggest hits are owned by one entity, a joint venture between the late Michael Jackson and the music arm of Sony Corp. It's called Sony/ATV, and it also owns the rights to songs written by Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Taylor Swift and, oh yes, the Jonas Brothers. But Sony/ATV does not handle the recordings of Beatles songs. Two other companies do that, so whether you'll ever download "Come Together" off of iTunes has nothing to do with M.J.'s death. I'll have more info on that for you later in this story. As for what happens to Jackson's portion of that legendary publishing catalog, welcome to the big, hot mess that is Jacko's estate...Why? Well, because Jackson was also, according to reports, mired in some truly epic financial drama. Even the value of Sony/ATV is unclear, with analysts and media placing it somewhere between the rather widely spaced poles of $500 million and $1 billion. [read more]

Ex Beatle John Lennon’s Liverpool-bought guitar sells for twice its estimate at a pop auction in London

ONE of John Lennon’s earliest guitars sold for more than £205,000 at a pop memorabilia auction. The murdered Beatle continued to thwart 1960s rock rivals The Rolling Stones nearly 30 years after his death, His 1958 acoustic Hofner Senator outsold Brian Jones’ electric Stratophone, which went for a paltry £79,250, and guitar hero Jimi Hendrix, whose 1970 Fender Stratocaster was also up for sale. Lennon’s guitar, bought at Hessy’s Music store in Liverpool, was used to compose songs rather than play at gigs. An accompanying letter from Beatles bandmate George Harrison confirmed it was one of Lennon’s earliest guitars, dating from the early 1960s. Christie’s pop culture expert Neil Roberts told the ECHO: “You don’t get many of John Lennon’s guitars appearing for sale. [read more]

Stevie Wonder & Sir Paul McCartney to attend Jackson's memorial?

It is believed that approx 1 million people will flock to the centre which holds 20,000. For fans who are concerned they are going to miss the service, Phillips said that screens would be installed at the nearby Nokia Plaza. 750 million viewers are set to watch the event on television. Access Hollywood has reported that a tribute performance is being planned by Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin and James Ingram. It is also rumoured that President Barack Obama and Sir Paul McCartney will be amongst invited guests. [read more]

Budweiser ads to feature cover of Beatles song All Together Now

Budweiser is to launch a TV advertising campaign, shot over five days from a regularly scheduled metro train in Chicago, featuring a cover of The Beatles' All Together Now. The campaign, "Lyrics", which launches in the UK and Ireland during the third Lions rugby Test against South Africa on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday, features people all over a city coming together to spell the phrase "all together now". Indie rockers The Hours have recorded a version of All Together Now for the TV ad. The band recorded the song in their hotel room with some of the percussion made from "organic" noises such as banging a fire extinguisher against a metal heater. Behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the commercial will appear at www.alltogethernow.ie. [read more]

The Beatles Story launches second site

Called Beatles Story Pier Head, the attraction features a new 4D theatre supplied by Simworx, gallery space showcasing Beatles memorabilia and a Fab4Store retail outlet. The 40-seater Fab4D theatre will take guests on a multi-sensory 4D journey, created in partnership between Simworx and Red Star Studios, through the music of the Beatles. It is the first 4D theatre in Liverpool. Beatles Story Pier Head is also home to the world premiere of White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon, a personal new exhibition, presented by Julian and Cynthia Lennon, showcasing previously unseen Beatles heirlooms. Jerry Goldman, managing director of the Beatles Story said, "The Beatles Story's expansion in 2008 was incredibly beneficial, both to the business and to Liverpool and we were determined to continue this growth with significant investment in our second site and in the 4D experience at Pier Head.” [read more]

New Ono billboard comes to downtown

A new version of Yoko Ono’s “Imagine Peace” billboard has been installed in downtown Youngstown at Wick Avenue and Wood Street. It was installed by Youngstown State University’s McDonough Museum of Art. Billboards urging peace have been an important component of Ono’s artwork over the past 40 years, beginning in 1969 when Ono and John Lennon placed “War Is Over! If You Want It” billboards in several major cities across the United States and Europe. More recently, Ono transformed the “War Is Over!” message into the universally positive statement “Imagine Peace.” Previous installations of this message featured the text in black Helvetica typeface on a stark white background. [read more]

Schoolchildren get Ticket to Ride at Beatles concert

CHILDREN from three Surrey schools are among thousands taking part in a unique Beatles concert to raise money for youngsters in Third World countries. St Paul’s Primary School in Dorking, Cardinal Newman Catholic Primary School in Hersham and Ashley Primary School in Walton will all have pupils at the O2 Arena in London on Wednesday night for the Voices for a Better World event, called The Long and Winding Road. The children will be backed by a live orchestra and conductor Robert Hyman in performing 34 of the Fab Four’s classic tracks, including Ticket to Ride, A Hard Day’s Night and Can’t Buy Me Love. The event aims to raise funds for two international children’s charities, Global Angels and Arts by Children. [read more]