Beatles drummer Pete Best signs Lennon Wall in Prague

Pete Best, former drummer of The Beatles, signed the John Lennon Wall on Kampa island in Prague's historical centre Tuesday. Later on Tuesday, Best had a concert with his current band in the Czech Music Museum in Prague that was held within the "Beatlemania" exhibition. He said he came to Prague to add his signature on the Lennon Wall and to support the link between Prague and Liverpool because many Czechs visit Britain but do not go to Liverpool. [read more]

Phil Spector documentary is essential viewing

The song encapsulates the paradox of Phil Spector: a catchy and propulsive performance by the great girl group, the Crystals, with a message so disturbing and inappropriate that it was soon removed from most radio playlists. As such Spector-produced classics as "Then He Kissed Me" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" saturate the soundtrack of this film, one is reminded just how wonderful his musical legacy is, only to have one's breath taken away by the megalomania he exhibits in the rare interview that director Vikram Jayanti was able to obtain during his first trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. [read more]

Ono: 'Lennon's songs are still relevant'

Yoko Ono is hopeful the remastering of John Lennon's albums will introduce the late star to a new audience because his lyrics are still as "relevant" as they were during his lifetime. Eight of the Beatles star's solo records have been digitally remastered by his widow and a team of music experts to mark what would have been his 70th birthday in October. And Ono is delighted Lennon's work will reach a new generation of music lovers, who she hopes will gain inspiration from the iconic tracks. [read more]

John Lennon Catalog Gets Sonic Upgrade

To mark what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday this October, Yoko Ono and EMI will reissue eight of Lennon's solo records, plus a greatest hits collection and a four-disc anthology titled Gimme Some Truth. The reissues and compilations, each digitally remastered from the original mixes, will hit stores on October 5th (four days before Lennon's 70th birthday) and will also be available for download through all major digital retailers. Unique to the Lennon reissues is a new "stripped down" mix of his final album Double Fantasy. Like the Beatles Let It Be…Naked, Double Fantasy Stripped cuts down on the instrumental embellishments of the production to give the music a more raw and intimate feel. [read more]

Coming To The Met: Ringo's Gold Drum

On July 7th, former Beatle Ringo Starr will turn 70 years old—and starting on that day the Metropolitan Museum of Art will display his gold-plated snare drum in a special exhibition running through December. According to 1010Wins, "the instrument was presented to the drummer by the Ludwig Drum Company in Chicago during the Beatles' 1964 U.S. tour. It was given to him in appreciation for popularizing the Ludwig name." (Where was John Bonham's golden drum?!) On the Beatles 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Ringo played a black pearl Ludwig drum set (FWIW, Bonham made the Ludwig Vistalite drums popular when he was kicking ass on tour with Led Zeppelin.) [read more]

Went Back to the City But My City Was Gone

But something had changed since we had moved from there a few years back. The grand liberal city had turned to the right. Yes, I kid you not to the right. Now residents would hardly have noticed the change but someone who been away and now had perspective could see the change clearly. This was not the same city that John Lennon and Yoko Ono and countless others had risked all to move to. Let's look at the local news stations and their angry but pretty talking heads with their aerosol dry hair. Yes, they were speaking from the right spending most of their time interviewing people from the suburbs. Just like the network morning shows gathered up Midwesterners as backdrops to their shows pushing real city people out of sight. [read more]

Cleveland: The museum where the gods of Rock 'n' Roll rock on

John Lennon's old leather jacket, David Bowie's daring pants, Jim Morrison's downright presentable school report cards and Michael Jackson's famous glove are among the exhibits. "It was important to me to present the roots of rock music," said museum curator Jim Henke. Among other items dating to the early days are the sound mixing desk and tape recording machines of the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee - the place where Elvis Presley was discovered and where blues greats like BB King and country music star Johnny Cash achieved fame. Inside the rock scene, Cleveland was always known," Henke said. For example, it was here that David Bowie had his first-ever US concert. Alan Freed, a local disc jockey made the music of the 50s popular via the radio waves. [read more]

The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil Commemorates 4th Anniversary with Ringo Starr

In celebration of the show's anniversary, four cast members from LOVE traveled to Niagara Falls earlier this week to join Ringo Starr at the launch of his upcoming North American concert tour. While visiting Niagara Falls, cast from LOVE were photographed with Ringo Starr in honor of this special milestone, captured exclusively by legendary music photographer, Rob Shanahan. An excerpt from Ringo Starr, featured in the critically acclaimed, GRAMMY® winning documentary ALL TOGETHER NOW, explains the catalyst LOVE's Director Dominic Champagne used in creating LOVE with a premise of "four": [read more]

From The Beatles To The Rolling Stones: Experience The British Invasion All Over Again!

British Invasion featuring those major acts from the UK who dominated the American Music Charts from 1964 – 1966. Specifically The Beatles, who started it all, Herman's Hermits, The Dave Clark Five, Chad & Jeremy, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Herman's Hermits, The Moody Blues, Petula Clark, The Searchers, The Kinks, The Who, The Yardbirds, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, and many others. Fred Net and it’s affiliate, Baltimore Net Radio will stream the broadcast from http://www.frednetradio.com on Monday, July 19, 2010 at 3 and 8 PM NYT. A rebroadcast will follow on Saturday, July 24 at 10 AM and 3 PM NYT. [read more]

1964 The Tribute “Loving”

The group is more than a Beatles “Cover Band.” They transport you back in time when the Beatles first came to America close to what it was like to be at a historic Beatles concert; from the equipment, to the hilarious banter, and the outfits and hair, they have this gig down. They even use Gordon Millings, The Beatles’ tailor in England to make their suits every six months. The band is made up of four guys from Akron, Ohio. Since 1982 Mark Benson as John Lennon, Gary Grimes as Paul McCartney, Tom Work as George Harrison and Terry Manfredi as Ringo Star bring the beloved rock icons to life. (Todd Rainey has temporarily replaced Gary Grimes this year due to a medical leave.) [read more]

Video: Paul McCartney plays George Harrison ‘Something’ on ukulele

There was a certain sense of sadness at Hard Rock Calling last night when Sir Paul first mentioned John Lennon and played a tribute to him, but then reminded us further of our mortality by moving on to a celebration of Beeatles guitarist and all around musical inspiration Mr George Harrison, who again is no longer with us. McCartney told the crowd: “as many of you will know, George was a very talented Ukulele player”. Apparently on one occasion they were both sitting together with said instrument and Paul said, “I’m going to learn one of your songs in the ukulele” … and so he did. Here’s a video taken from the crowd which gives you a feel for the performance. Macca starts on his own with nothing more than a ukulele, his voice and the crowd participation, before being joined by the whole band in what becomes a beautiful version of a great song: [read more/watch video]

A Cheeky Request For Mccartney

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY refused a fan's cheeky request to sign her bottom during his show in London on Sunday (27Jun10) - because he didn't want to be distracted from his set. The former Beatle was headlining the Hard Rock Calling music festival in the British capital's Hype Park, which had seen performances from Stevie Wonder and Pearl Jam over the weekend, and 50,000 loyal devotees turned out to see him sing. MCCartney laughed when he spotted one woman's banner, which asked him to sign her bottom, telling the crowd, "We got one here that says, 'Sign my butt and I'll get it tattooed'. The answer to that is no." more

My bizarre life with the Beatles, by sculptor who immortalised the good, great and even gorillas

Thousands of frenzied girls were swarming on the pavements around the George V hotel in Paris – I needed a police car and outriders just to get through the throng. The screaming teenagers were there that day in January 1964 to catch a glimpse of The Beatles; I was there to sculpt them. Halfway up the hotel staircase, a beautiful young American woman slipped out of her room and stopped me. She knew I was going to see the band. ‘Listen,’ she said.
‘I’m a photographer. Just give me five minutes with The Beatles and you can do anything you want for the rest of the day in my bed.’ [read more]

Starr power

Ringo Starr has celebrated 69 birthdays and has received all the presents he could possibly want. For his next birthday, July 7, the former Beatles drummer is asking his fans for just one thing. “At noon,” Starr said, “I’d love everybody, wherever you are - in your office, on the bus, or whatever you’re doing - to stop for one moment. Put your fingers up in the peace-and-love way and say, ‘peace and love.’ ”[read more]

Chicago author creates Beatles monster mash-up

In the fall of 1969, a rumor began to circulate alleging that Paul McCartney, of Beatles fame, had died. In fact, he was still very much alive. But that didn’t stop rampant speculation from spreading far and wide. Seizing in part on that well-known urban legend, Chicago author and longtime music writer Alan Goldsher combined his Beatles mania with his love of horror writing. [read more]

Sir Paul McCartney Doesn’t Feel His Age

Sir Paul McCartney doesn’t feel his age. The 68-year-old singer, who penned a track called ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ with his former band The Beatles, still loves performing and claims music feels as fresh to him as it did when he was first starting out. He said, “Do I feel my age? No. It feels weird to say 68. It’s funny, I wrote the song ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ when I was in my twenties. I was thinking, ‘That age will never arrive.’ “Now I’m four years after it. It was always my ambition to plug in my electric guitar, play with some people and write songs and that hasn’t left me. I play the first chord, turn it up loud and it still feels like a rebellious thing to do – playing a bit louder than you should.” [read more]

John Lennon's 'Bed-in' self-portrait sells for $55,726 in London

The ex-Beatle's sketch sold alongside Pete Townsend and Eric Clapton's guitars at Christie's. Christie's turned everything up to '11' at its Popular Culture: Rock and Pop memorabilia auction, held in London's South Kensington on Thursday, June 24. Unsurprisingly, three of rock's biggest icons headlined the sale: The Who's Pete Townsend, The Beatles' John Lennon and blues guitar legend Eric Clapton. [read more]

Paul McCartney Says Nowhere Boy Is Not Accurate

Sir Paul McCartney has commented that many movies about The Beatles including the recent Nowhere Boy are not accurate. The legendary musician who was joined in the band by Ringo Starr, and the late John Lennon and George Harrison - insists many pieces about the Fab Four are inaccurate and misleading to fans. Speaking about two dramas Nowhere Boy and Lennon Naked - Paul said [read more]

Liverpool celebrates legacy of Lennon

THIS year marks 70 years since the birth of Beatle John Lennon in Liverpool, England, and 30 years since his death in New York City. Liverpool is hosting the John Lennon Tribute Season, a series of cultural events -- live music, film, poetry and art events -- to celebrate his life. It will start on his Oct. 9 birthday and end on Dec. 9, the day after the anniversary of his murder. Some of the events planned are the Lennon Remembered tribute concert, a birthday celebration at the Cavern Club, an international poetry competition, film festival and visual art exhibitions. [read more]

Paul McCartney refuses to apologise for Bush gag

Sir Paul McCartney has refused to apologise for a joke he cracked on former president George W Bush during an appearance at the White House earlier this month. "After the last eight years, it's great to have a President who knows where the library is," Macca said. This comment by McCartney infuriated top US politician John Boehner, who demanded McCartney make a public apology for the gag. [read more]

Ringo Kicks Off North American Tour

Ringo Starr kicked off his annual summer tour at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario, this week. The singer performed the tour's first two shows on Thursday and Friday night. The ex-Beatle, 69, will be joined by previous All-Starr Band keyboard/sax player Edgar Winter, drummer Gregg Bissonette and keyboardist Gary Wright, as well as new bandmembers Rick Derringer on guitar, Wally Palmar on guitar and Richard Page on bass. [read more]

Phil Spector Film Poses Fair Use Questions

BETWEEN recording sessions here in 1973, John Lennon called Phil Spector and told him to come back down to the studio. “Someone’s ripped you off, Phil,” Mr. Lennon said. When Mr. Spector arrived, a projector had been set up, a film began to roll, several familiar drumbeats were heard and then, the wail of the Ronettes. The song was “Be My Baby,” the movie was “Mean Streets,” and no one had told Mr. Spector anything about it. [read more]

It's time for true women's liberation

In 1972, John Lennon diagnosed the problem accurately enough, singing that "woman is the n—- of the world." His analogy of the condition of women to black slavery was frightening to people. Many of us, in developed and undeveloped nations alike, have internalized the idea that women are second-class humans. Across the political spectrum, we find ourselves making apologies for religions, cultures and political structures that limit freedoms for women, without their consent or input. [read more]

Mal Evans, a True 'Fifth Beatle,' Gets No Second Act

John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for 'A Day in the Life' sold in June 2010 at Sotheby's for $1.2 million. The pricey scribbles had once been in the possession of former Beatles road manager Mal Evans, one of the more legitimate claimants to the title "the fifth Beatle." If producer George Martin helped the Beatles achieve their expansive sound, if manager Brian Epstein gave them their rascally image, and keyboardist Billy Preston added gospel overtones to 'Let It Be,' Mal Evans bought the socks.[read more]

Paul McCartney's Sunday London show to be streamed live on YouTube for free

Paul McCartney's June 27th show headlining Hard Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park will be streamed free through the BORN HIV FREE channel on YouTube, McCartney announced today. The broadcast, the first time a European concert has been streamed live on YouTube, is to show McCartney's support of the Born HIV Free campaign. [read more]

Yoko Ono sends personal 'thank you' to students involved with John Lennon garden history project

Yoko Ono has sent a personal message to the group of University of Chester history students who have been working on restoring the garden at John Lennon's childhood home to the way it was when Lennon lived there thanking them for their efforts. [read more]

Gibson.com’s Top 50 Beatles Songs – 10-1

Today, Gibson.com completes the Herculean task of ranking The Beatles’ best work, revealing the Top 10 greatest Beatles songs. We’ve already traveled across The Beatles’ universe from #50-41 through #40-31 and #30-21 to #20-11. Here we stand at the end, with the 10 tunes voted the best Beatles songs of all time – and, as a result, 10 of the biggest pop songs in music history. [read more]

Ringo at his best in selection of bandmates

One thing you could always say for Ringo Starr — he knows how to choose his bandmates. Back in the early 1960s, he signed on as drummer with three guys named John, Paul and George, and they wound up with the most popular and successful rock band of all time. Thursday night — just 13 days shy of his 70th birthday — Ringo kicked off a new tour with his latest All-Starr Band. And once again, the former Beatle finds himself in wonderful company. [read more]

Michael Jackson Estate Decides to Keep Beatles Song Rights

Executors of Michael Jackson’s estate have decided to keep a 50 percent stake in a music publishing venture with rights to more than 250 songs by the Beatles, two people with knowledge of the situation said. Since Jackson’s death a year ago, the executors had considered selling the stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, the estate’s most valuable asset, to address about $500 million of debt the late pop singer left, according to the people, who declined to be identified because deliberations aren’t public. The decision to keep the business signals the estate can refinance a $300 million loan due later this year, the people said. Sony/ATV, which also holds rights to songs from Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan, is valued at $1.5 billion to $2 billion, making Jackson’s half worth more than enough to settle all the estate’s debt, said Ivan Thornton, a New York-based financial adviser who has worked with Jackson and his family. [read more]

Gibson.com’s Top 50 Beatles Songs – 20-11

Gibson.com continues the Herculean task of ranking the Top 50 Beatles Songs, revealing another 10 of the Fab Four’s greatest works. We’ve already carried that weight from #50-41 through #40-31 to #30-21. Now we’re day tripping through #20-11, highlighting songs that feature prickly sitars and weeping guitars. Check back every day this week, as we reveal 10 more Beatle classics, with the Top 10 arriving on Friday morning. [read more]

Paul Mccartney Laughs At Beatles Facts

Paul McCartney says many films about The Beatles are "not true". The legendary musician - who was joined in the band by Ringo Starr, and the late John Lennon and George Harrison - insists many pieces about the Fab Four are inaccurate and misleading to fans. Speaking about two dramas - 'Nowhere Boy' and 'Lennon Naked' - Paul said: "It's a great tribute that whatever we did is so lasting and people can still make films about The Beatles which can still be successful. For me, though, they're not true and that's the unfortunate thing about them. John never punched me out like he does in 'Nowhere Boy', but my character is kind of cool in the film so I don't mind being punched out. I told the film director Sam (Taylor-Wood) all of that but she said, 'Yeah. But Paul, it's just a film.' " Another rumour Paul has quashed is that he told John not to pose naked on the cover of his and Yoko Ono's 1968 album 'Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins'. He said: "It's like the rumour I told John off for posing nude for the 'Two Virgins' cover as in 'Lennon Naked'. I never told him that - that's another legend. What John and Yoko did was always up to them."

Ringo's ready to rock

It's the return of Ringo. Two years after he launched the 10th edition of his All-Starr Band tour in Niagara Falls, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr is back for another go-round. Local Fab Four fans have been on high alert the past two weeks as he rehearsed in town with the latest version, which launches a six-week tour at the Niagara Fallsview Casino Thursday and Friday. "I love looking out the window and seeing those Falls," said the 69-year-old icon, introducing the band to the media Wednesday. "We have a really relaxed time (here). We're well looked after, and as far as I'm concerned, we'll come back every other year." [read more]

Ringo relishes post-Beatles career

Ringo Starr says playing with his old Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney on Starr’s 2010 album, Y Not, came naturally — despite the passage of time since they’d actually been in a recording studio together. Macca came to Starr’s L.A. home when he was in town for the Grammys in 2009 and laid down bass on the song Peace Dream and spontaneously sang backup on Walk With You. “It was exactly like riding a bike — he’s a really fine player and so am I,” said Starr, 69, at Fallsview Casino Resort on Wednesday in a chat with QMI Agency after a news conference to introduce the 11th version of his All Starr Band. Starr and his players launch their 31-city North American tour on Thursday with two back-to-back sold-out shows at the venue overlooking Niagara Falls. [read more]

Meet Benjy Greenberg

If you grew up in the 60s, and you watched TV . . . well, then you've probably seen Benjy Greenberg before. How so? Well, just like Mr. Whipple, the Jolly Green Giant, and the Doublemint Twins, Benjy was seen on commercials we watched while anxiously waiting for Dick Clark's Where the Action Is to come back on. His image also appeared on several of the product boxes. Benjy's kept his hand in show business, with a stand-up comedy act that landed him on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. But I'll let Benjy tell his own story . . . [read more]

A Night In The Life: A John Lennon 70th Birthday Celebration

The Fab Faux will celebrate John Lennon's birthday at Radio City Music Hall on September 25th when they present 'A Night In The Life: A John Lennon 70th Birthday Celebration.' The special event will feature two sets of John Lennon's greatest music from The Beatles and his solo career. Expect a diverse set list, ranging from possible selections including Lennon's 'Instant Karma' to 'Jealous Guy' to 'Give Peace A Chance,' to The Beatles' 'Girl' and 'Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me & My Monkey.' For those of us who never got to see The Beatles in concert, we're fortunate to have The Fab Faux dedicate themselves to faithfully recreating some of the most extraordinary music ever written. [read more]

Previously Unreleased Beatles Footage From Their Landmark Appearances on Ed Sullivan TV Show Is Coming to DVD

At this point, one would have thought that all of the Beatles-related material from their appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" would have made it to market. Not so, according to USAToday. "On Sept. 7, UMe will reissue "The 4 Complete Ed Sullivan Shows Starring the Beatles" with 13 minutes of previously unreleased footage...," USA Today reports today, June 22, in its print edition. The additional footage, the article says, "includes an ad for Beatles dolls and [Sullivan's] interview with members of the band, not seen since it aired on May 24, 1964." Also, the story says, the reissue is newly remastered, with audio in mono and a 5.1 remix. Furthermore, the four episodes have the original commercials included from 1964 and 1965. The Beatles' appearance on Sullivan's show on Feb. 9, 1964 was seen by 73 million viewers, which represented 86% of all TVs turned on at the time, and was the most-watched TV program of all-time up to that point in time.

All we are saying is give Yoko a chance

Almost everyone in the world knows who Yoko Ono is. Famous for being the wife of legendary Beatle John Lennon, she is also a multifaceted artist in her own right. The Japanese artist’s field of activity is diverse, ranging from performance art to film and music. And now, an event featuring Ono’s works is currently being held in Seoul. [read more]

Gibson.com’s Top 50 Beatles Songs – 40-31

Gibson.com continues the Herculean task of ranking the Top 50 Beatles Songs, revealing another 10 of the Fab Four’s greatest works. Yesterday (back when love was such an easy game to play), we unveiled #50-41 on the countdown. Today, we reveal songs #40-31, including a bit of car driving, some paperback writing and plenty of twisting and shouting. Check back every day this week, as we reveal 10 more Beatle classics, with the Top 10 arriving on Friday morning. [read more]

Mike Love Claiming That Brian Wilson Will Reunite With The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys will be celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band (though about 35 of those years don't actually count) next year, and seeing the opportunity to make some serious bank, Mike Love has started talking up the group's new project: He's claiming in news stories that Brian Wilson will be rejoining the band he essentially left in the late '60s, once he finishes up a George Gershwin album. [read more]

Yoko actress got drunk to get naked

According to the Assoicted Press Torchwood star Naoko Mori has confessed she had to get drunk to film all the nude scenes in new BBC drama Lennon Naked. The Japanese-born actress plays Yoko Ono alongside former Doctor Who Christopher Eccleston as Beatles legend John Lennon in the BBC Four film, and told The Sun she was so nervous she drank half a bottle of tequila before 8am, to get naked on camera. John and second wife Yoko used a time delay camera to capture full frontal images of themselves for the cover of their controversial 1968 album Two Virgins. Naoko, 34, said: "I can't really remember much of that day. Maybe it was the half bottle of tequila. I've always sworn I'd never do nudity on screen." Lennon Naked will be shown on BBC Four at 9.30pm on June 23.

Paul McCartney Records Duet With Fan

The former Beatles legend met singer Glenn Aitkin while he was staying at the Hilton Rangali Island hotel in the Maldives, where Glenn was employed as an entertainer. Paul was married to his now ex-wife Heather Mills at the time, and was so impressed with Glenn’s voice he asked him to sing for them while they dined. It was a dream come true for Glenn, who is a lifelong fan of the 68-year-old. Glenn decided to perform one of his own tracks, and Paul praised it. “How can you describe coming face-to-face with the star who inspired you and who is now telling you you’ve got the talent to be a star yourself?” Glenn marvelled. [read more]

Best Album Art of All Time

As with pretty much everything the band did, The Beatles set a trend, this time for LP covers, with the release of 1966’s Revolver. Employing the illustrations of their pal Klaus Voorman and the photography of Robert Whitaker, Revolver ushered in the psychedelic era with force. Its name was even agreed upon while all four members worked on a psychedelic painting. But The Beatles’ influential 1967 record Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band blew minds wide open. [read more]

Gibson.com’s Top 50 Beatles Songs – 50 to 41

Legendary Liverpudlians, sonic superstars and ingenious innovators – The Beatles did more for popular music than any group before or since. But if you had to narrow all of that down to just one song, what would it be? What is the best Beatles song ever? That’s the Herculean task Gibson.com has taken on, asking our editorial staff, readers and big-time musicians (Beatles fans all) to tell us which song they think is the most fab. Some of the results might surprise you. So, today we begin unveiling Gibson.com’s Top 50 Beatles Songs. Check back every day this week, as we reveal 10 more Beatle classics, with the Top 10 arriving on Friday morning. [read more]

Beatle widow backs down over fence

THE widow of Beatle George Harrison has re-fenced part of the boundary at her Henley home without the razor wire that caused controversy last year. South Oxfordshire District Council planners granted permission for Olivia Harrison to renew 985m of razor wire fence at Friar Park. This was despite protests by neighbours in West Street and Hope Gardens led by actor Rodney Bewes who blamed the old fence for injuring his cat, Maurice. Mr Bewes, who starred in Seventies sitcom The Likely Lads, said he was disappointed with the council’s decision but that he was “quite stoic” about it because the fence was due to have holes at the bottom to allow animals through. [read more]

Beatles Doing Others: 10 Cover Songs that Shaped the Fab Four’s Music

It’s a safe bet that no band’s songs have been covered more than those written by The Beatles. By the same token, however, as John Lennon and Paul McCartney were perfecting their writing skills, they were leading the band in cover versions of songs penned by writers they especially admired. The 10 songs below don’t necessarily represent the very best of those renditions, but the range of styles of these tracks helps explain the eclectic nature of The Beatles’ body of original work. [read more/watch videos]

Sir Paul Mccartney: End The Cruel Slaughter Of Whales!

Sir Paul McCartney has joined the global battle to save whales and the whaling ban, issuing a statement through the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). Sir Paul said: "It's time to end the cruel slaughter of whales and leave these magnificent creatures alone. In the 21st century how can we even contemplate killing whales - or any animal - in such barbaric ways? Governments should act on their responsibilities and protect these beautiful creatures." [read more]

Still with The Beatles

When I first borrowed The Beatles’ “Anthology 2” from my father when I was six, I found really great music that I thought no one in my generation knew about. At the expense of not following any current sounds outside of the stray Blink-182 and Smash Mouth albums my younger brother would buy, I listened to it and the other installments of “Anthology” over and over and over, as if it were something new. And when it came time for me to buy my first album, I bought “Revolver,” which ranked at the top of some best-albums-ever lists but never got much radio play in my own childhood. [read more]

Michael Jackson Is Worth More Dead Than When He Was Alive

During his four decades as a global superstar, Michael Jackson made - and spent - millions. Both extravagant and unfailingly generous, he was as famed for his outrageous spending habits - once blowing £100,000 in a single shopping spree at Harrods - as he was for the sheer brilliance of his music. Michael's earning potential was unprecedented. The 1982 Thriller album alone made him an estimated £75m. He broke a world record in 1991, when he renewed his contract with Sony for £40m, and in 1993 he sold the rights to his Dangerous World Tour to TV station HBO for a reported £10m. [read more]

On the Box: Lennon Naked

You can see why Christopher Eccleston might have felt drawn to the role. This John Lennon, in a script by Robert Jones, is darker than some of the portrayals: self-pitying, melancholy, arrogant, selfish. You want to shake him as he moans yet again about his parents' abandonment while ignoring his own son Julian. But it's far from a stitch-up as the sheer fascination of the man comes through, too: his wit and intelligence, too fast to be constrained by the comfort of mainstream popularity ("The Beatles, all that, it's music hall," he says here); and the intriguing contrast between his constantly defensive banter and the openness of his emotions. [read more]

A Beatles Tribute & Charity Fundraiser for Shelter Pets

The Actors & Singers Studio of Thousand Oaks is proud to present a very special event for the whole family. The “All You Need Is Love” Concert & Charity Fundraiser for Shelter Pets, will take place on Tuesday, June 22 at the MUVICO Theaters multiplex (Auditorium 2) at the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks. The musical concert will be a celebration of the songs of The Beatles, performed by members of the Actors & Singers Studio, who range in age from children and teens, to adults. [read more]

Mash-Up of the Week: Monkee-ing Around with The Beatles

Back when MOG first rolled out, I posted the mash-up in question, "Paperback Believer" - British mash-meister Mark Vidler's delicious and tuneful meeting of the 1966 Beatles single "Paperback Writer" (a Lennon-McCartney roof-raiser) and one of the first hits by The Monkees, the 1966 chart-topper "I'm a Believer" (written by no less than Neil Diamond). Since the stream at my post has been lost in the backwash of numerous technological advances at MOG, I thought it deserved another go-round. [read more/video]

I stand in a cinema queue like anyone else: Paul McCartney

HE’S arguably the world’s most famous musician who’s enjoyed success beyond most people’s wildest dreams but, in a week’s time, Sir Paul McCartney will tick another ambition off his list – playing the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. “I’ve had my eye on it for a long time – since it was built,” admits the man who’s played some of the biggest arenas across the globe. I’ve often said to my promoter, ‘What about Cardiff and the Millennium Stadium?’ but it’s always been booked. So it’s been a long-term ambition of mine (to play there).” McCartney’s forthcoming gig has been hugely anticipated by his Welsh fans since details were announced earlier this year. [read more]

Coin collector Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed the Beatles were once pelted with coins during one of their early concerts. Sir Paul McCartney once had pennies thrown at him by a group of "unruly youths". The Beatles legend admits the group - also comprising Ringo Starr and the late John Lennon and George Harrison - played some "miserable" shows in their early days, but swiftly turned the situation to their advantage. He explained: "There were dreadful gigs that were memorable. "We played a little village near Stroud once, but not a lot of people turned up. A few unruly youths threw pennies at us, so that was kinda miserable, except at the end we decided to pick up the pennies and pocket them, which stopped that practice fairly quickly." Having been a solo artist for much of the last 40 years, Paul claims he now enjoys touring but makes sure he is ready to do it before he commits. He said: "I don't tour as rigorously as I used to. I have periods when I can tour and it makes me actually enjoy it better and therefore makes it seem a little easier than it used to. And also when the tickets sell out in four seconds, as some of them have done, it makes me think, 'These people want to come and see me,' and that helps."

Linda's photos exhibited; no McCartney-like show for Jay-Z

LINDA PHOTOS ON DISPLAY: The Hard Rock International in London will display some rare photos by Linda McCartney June 25-27, Paul McCartney's website announced on Friday. The photos will feature the Beatles, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Neil Young, Jim Morrison and the Rolling Stones. The display will coincide with a similar display of photos from the Hard Rock's collection. Paul McCartney will be the headline performer at the Hard Rock Festival June 27. [read more]

On Hendrix and the early days

In the course of a 45-minute interview with the Gazette, Eric Burdon, a man with strong opinions, had much to say about his almost 50-year career. Here are a few more highlights. On dangerous anti-racism pranks played by the Animals during their early American tours: "We had a black road manager. At his expense, I realize now -he must have been terrified -we would leave places like Arkansas and carry him on to the plane draped in a Confederate flag ... It got pretty bad. There were guns drawn later on down the line." [read more]

The most ambitious John Lennon film yet

We do, literally, get to see Christopher Eccleston as John Lennon naked in BBC Four’s upcoming Lennon Naked. It is not a particularly pretty sight, but then neither was the original when he notoriously photographed himself and Yoko Ono in their birthday suits for the album cover of Two Virgins in 1968, a scene recreated by the BBC in all its pimply glory. However, the title of the latest Lennon drama is not meant to be taken quite so literally, instead representing a portrait of the star stripped to his psychological essence. As interpreted by writer Robert Jones and director Edmund Coulthard, the BBC Four showpiece drama portrays rock’s greatest icon of peace and love as a selfish, paranoid, insecure, cruel, narcissistic, messianic genius. [read more]

The origins of Scouse

A Scouse accent is instantly recognisable, marking out the speaker’s origin in the same way that a Geordie or Cockney is immediately obvious. But where did the accent come from and what does the future hold as society becomes more and more homogenized? Will there even be Scouse accent in fifty years time? Speaking with a Scouse accent is a fairly recent trend, up until the mid 19th century Liverpudlians spoke pretty much the same as their Lancastrian neighbours, and traces of the warm Lancashire sound can still be heard in the accent of older residents. The Scouse accent like much else in the city owes its roots to Liverpool’s position as a port. The melting pot created by the influx of people from far and wide was the foundation of the distinctive Scouse sound. [read more]

Sound check: The John Lennon legend rewritten

The man is inexhaustible source material, adored by millions but pretty much abandoned by his parents, the dark-hearted cynic who thought all we needed was love. Yes, he wrote some pretty decent tunes too, but to the film-maker staring deep behind those little round glasses, that's almost beside the point. [read more]

Ringo sells out State Theatre for the third time

Beatle Ringo Starr got a little help from his friends Friday, finally selling out his upcoming show at the State Theatre in Easton two weeks before he takes the stage. The sell-out means it’s the third time Starr and his All-Starr Band show has sold out the venue. He also did it for shows in 2003 and 2006. This time, it took Ringo more than four months to sell out. His tickets went on sale in February, and after selling two-thirds of the show, including all the highest-priced seats, in the first day, the sales lagged before the final six seats went in the past two days. [read more]

RAIN - A Tribute to The Beatles On Broadway

RAIN - A Tribute to The Beatles On Broadway will play a limited 11-week engagement this fall at the Neil Simon Theatre ( 250 West 52nd Street ). Previews begin Tuesday, October 19 with the official opening scheduled for Tuesday, October 26 at 6:30 PM. The engagement will run through Sunday, January 2, 2011. TICKETS GO ON SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 19! As “the next best thing to seeing The Beatles!” (Denver Post), RAIN performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage, including the most complex and challenging songs that The Beatles themselves recorded in the studio but never performed for an audience. From the early days of their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 through Sgt. Pepper and on to the Abbey Road years, RAIN performs it all. The multi-media concert recaptures the era through all phases of The Beatles astounding musical career including Shea Stadium, the psychedelic late 60s and The Beatles long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. A fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups.

While the music of The Beatles has touched millions of people around the world for the past 45 years, the Fab Four were experienced live in concert by very few. Their final concert tour was in 1966 long before the release of many of their classic albums such as “Sgt. Pepper,” “The White Album” and “ Abbey Road .” Today, all the songs from that time are now performed live by RAIN. As the Chicago Tribune cheered “The enraptured audience relives the soundtrack of its life!”

In a show the Los Angeles Times calls “a two-hour homage to pop music’s most brilliant gem!” RAIN performs such beloved songs as “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” “Yesterday,” “Twist and Shout,” With A Little Help From My friends,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Strawberry Fields,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Hey Jude,” “When I’m 64,” “I Am The Walrus,” “Revolution,” “Come Together” and much more from their repertoire of over 200 Beatlemaniac favorites.

For the creators of RAIN – the original band - Joey Curatolo (vocals, bass, guitar, piano), Joe Bithorn (vocals, lead guitar, guitar synthesizer), Ralph Castelli (vocals, drums, percussion), Steve Landes (vocals, guitar, piano, harmonica) -- all of whom performed in the hit Broadway and touring productions of Beatlemania -- and Mark Lewis (RAIN’s co-founding member, keyboards, percussion), the music is first and foremost. For more than two decades, RAIN has distinguished itself by focusing on details, always being faithful to The Beatles with the ultimate goal of delivering a perfect note-for-note performance. All the music is performed live, with no pre-recorded tapes or sequences. RAIN approaches The Beatles music with the same respect a classical musician treats Mozart. They worked hard for many years, studying each song, each note, movement and nuance…both vocally and musically.

Like The Beatles, the onstage members of RAIN are not only supreme musicians, but electrifying performers in their own right. In addition to members of the original RAIN band, at certain performances the concert will also feature the talents of Graham Alexander, Mark Beyer, Joe Bologna, Doug Cox, Jim Irizarry, David Leon, Jimmy Pou, Mac Ruffing and Tom Teeley.

RAIN is presented on Broadway by Annerin Productions, Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions and Nederlander Presentations, Inc.

RAIN begins previews at the Neil Simon Theatre on October 19 with the official opening on October 26. The performance schedule will be Monday at 8PM; Tuesday at 7PM; No shows on Wednesdays; Thursday through Saturday at 8PM with a matinee Saturday at 2pm; Sunday at 3PM and 7PM. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 19 and range from $25 to $120 and are available online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/, by calling 877-250-2929 or by visiting the Neil Simon Theatre box office.

For more information visit http://www.raintribute.com/

"Lennon lyrics fetch $1.2 million"

Read the news today? John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to the final song on the classic Beatles album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” were purchased by an American collector on Friday for $1.2 million. The winning bid for “A Day in the Life” was placed by phone at Sotheby’s auction house, which declined to identify the collector further. The price exceeded the pre-sale estimate of $500,000 and $800,000. The double-sided sheet of paper features Lennon’s edits and corrections in his own hand — in black felt marker and blue ball point pen, with a few annotations in red ink. [read more]

Beatles Interview Paul McCartney vs John Lennon

If Yoko had not entered the picture, I think it is quite likely that the group would have lasted longer. Coming into the studio and intruding on the group’s music was a disaster from the start, and Yoko was either too naïve or too arrogant to realize she should have not been there. Yes, John invited her there, but that does not excuse her totally. I am not saying that The Beatles would have lasted only as a group, as it may have been a good thing for some solo releases, but I think they could have continued in some form as a group. They talked at various times in the ten years after the breakup about getting together, so I feel confident that it could have worked for them to remain as a group. [read more]

DISCAIMER: NOT MY VIEWS HERE. WRITTEN BY JOHN CHEERY/CLICK READ MORE...

My favourite Beatles songs? Blackbird and Here, There And Everywhere, says Paul McCartney

His 500-plus catalogue of songs has generations of music-lovers questioning which is the best. But it's a question Paul McCartney has no problems answering. The former Beatle, who celebrates his 68th birthday today, surprisingly chose Here, There And Everywhere and Blackbird. McCartney said he is proud of the first, although 'strangely enough' he isn't playing it on his tour of Britain and Ireland. ]read more]

Stella McCartney pregnant with 4th Child

Fashion designer Stella McCartney, the daughter of Beatles legend Paul McCartney, is expecting her fourth child with husband Alasdhair Willis. Stella McCartney is pregnant with her fourth child. The fashion designer and her husband Alasdhair Willis - who already have two sons, Miller, five, and Beckett, two, and a daughter, three-year-old Bailey - is expecting her fourth child, due to be born later this year. A source close to Stella - the daughter of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and the late Linda McCartney - told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Stella loves the idea of having a close-knit family, just like the one she grew up in. [read more]

10 Children of Famous Musician Fathers

This Sunday is The Day of Heinous Neckties And Obligatory Sentiment (otherwise known as Father’s Day). But while you’re taking your ‘Pop’ out for a steak dinner and forking over a greeting card, there are others out there who are watching their father from the side stage, bathed in spotlight and adulation. These are the children of famous musicians and many have felt compelled to venture down that same career path. Here we’ve pinpointed 10 family trees in which music has been the most dominant gene. Which father-child pairings did we leave out? Tell us in the comments section below. [read more]

EMI unveils restructure plans

British recording company EMI Group PLC says it is planning to reposition itself as a wider rights management company and has appointed Roger Faxon as group chief executive. Revealing the results of a strategic review on Friday, EMI said that it plans to combine EMI Recorded Music and EMI Music Publishing under one global head. Faxon has been chairman and chief executive of EMI Music Publishing since 2007. Charles Allen, former EMI Music chairman, will become an adviser to EMI and its shareholder, Terra Firma. EMI — home of the Beatles, Lily Allen and Norah Jones — revealed last month that financier Guy Hands' private equity firm, Terra Firma, was investing additional money to fend off foreclosure by its main lender, Citigroup. ©AP

Paul McCartney’s Greek Escape Blocked

Sir Paul McCartney realized how famous he was when he could no longer holiday in Greece. The ‘Hey Jude’ hitmaker admits he loved escaping to Europe when The Beatles, also comprising Ringo Starr and the late John Lennon and George Harrison, became hugely successful in his native UK but had to stop when their chart domination spread. He said, “We used to go to Greece on holiday. I remember going with Ringo, my then-girlfriend Jane Asher and Ringo’s wife Maureen. [read more]

Battles FBI Over Lennon Photos

A two-year battle to obtain John Lennon surveillance records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation has led a Sunnyside author to take legal action against the agency in the effort of informing the public of what took place on the day of the famed musician’s death. In an interview with the Times Newsweekly, Danny Carlson, 46, spoke of how his yet-to-be released book recounts his relationship with Lennon during the last 18 months of the former-Beatle’s life, and why so many people viewed Lennon as a threat to the United States. [read more]

Paul McCartney writing music for ballet

Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he's been commissioned to write the music for a ballet. Details still need to be fleshed out but he's already started work on the score and says he's "enthusiastic" about it. "I'm interested in doing things I haven't done before," he said. "That offer came up and I love writing music, the two went together and I said, 'Yeah,' so I just accept things before I even know what I'm doing." There's no set deadline yet and when asked what the ballet would be about, McCartney admitted it was early days. [read more]

"Remember Lennon: Imagine 70" Tribute Concert at Shubert Theater

John Lennon would have turned 70 years of age on October 9th, 2010. On the evening of his birthday, a very special theatrical concert event entitled "Remember Lennon: Imagine 70" will be staged at the historic Shubert Theater in New Haven, Connecticut. With one of the greatest John Lennon impersonators in existence, a world-class backing band, and audio-visual accompaniment, the show is a respectful tribute recreating the concert John may have performed had he still been with us.

Tickets are priced from $12-$55 with special optional VIP packages also available. There is a special pre-sale through Monday, June 21st, at which time tickets go on sale to the public. To obtain tickets in advance and have access to the best seats in the house, pre-sale tickets may be purchased with the special code: "imagine" from: http://protected.tickets.com/buy/TicketOnsaleorgi=1598&agency=SHUBERT_CAPA
&poid=22686. Proceeds Benefit the Ethnic Heritage Center.

For further information, visit the Shubert Box Office, 247 College Street, Downtown New Haven, CT or call 203.562.5666 or 888.736.2663. Tickets to the general public go on sale this Monday, June 21 at 9:30am.

Don't miss "Remember Lennon: Imagine 70," a unique extraordinary musical theater experience celebrating the music, the memories and the magic of John Lennon.

Imagine...70.

http://www.rememberlennon.com/

The Paul McCartney interview

It's not every day a Beatle phones the ShortList office. Andrew Dickens shares an encounter with a legend. A 63-year-old man stands at the microphone. Hair slicked back and dressed impeccably in a dark suit, he raises his hands in an effort to hush the screaming cacophony of 55,600 infatuated young Americans, many of whom are passing out with excitement. Realising he’s got more chance of eating his own head, he carries on with his introduction. He may as well mime it. Click to Read More at ShortList.com

Brits bring pub feel to revamped Grosse Pointe Farms eatery

Inspired by the Beatles' song, the new proprietors of the former Lucy's Tavern on the Hill are marking the regime change with the catchy title Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. Richard Allen and his family, including wife Christine, daughter Rosie and son Benjamin, come naturally to the pub genre. They hail from Coventry, England. They've added personality to the 95-seat restaurant on a stretch of Kercheval Avenue that has truly become a restaurant row. In the same block with Lucy are Jumps Restaurant, Bambu, Café Nini and The Hill, giving diners an interesting array of choices within mere steps of one other. [read more]

Ken Brown R.I.P.

Jun 9, aged 70. Former guitarist with the Quarrymen, the Liverpool group featuring John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison which was the precursor to the Beatles. In 1959 Brown, shown below right with McCartney, secured the band a residency at the Casbah club, but fell out with the others over money. When he caught flu and was unable to play, Brown was stationed at the door to take the entrance fees instead. The other three objected when – like them – he was paid 15 shillings for the evening's work, even though he had not played a single note. Brown recalled McCartney shouting: "Right, that's it, then!" before storming out. Later formed another group, the Blackjacks, with Pete Best, who became the first drummer for the Beatles before being replaced by Ringo Starr. Ken Brown is to the right of Paul, left of John, wearing glasses ...more...

Seth Swirsky: Meet the Beatle!

Now, for the past five years I've been making a documentary called Beatles Stories, which consists of filmed interviews I've done with a myriad of people who have a cool story about themselves and The Beatles. While trying not to fall off the treadmill, I was thinking of who I've interviews who would impress you. Graham Nash? No. I needed someone more personal to you, Sir Paul. Perhaps, Sir George Martin? No. You've known and worked with him for so long. Mention of his name wouldn't intrigue you. Sir Ben Kingsley, Art Garfunkel, Justin Hayward? My mind was scrambling as I noticed you ramping down your machine. Six miles per hour, five miles per hour...I had better think of someone quickly... [read more]

Give Peace A Chance!

Reviled by some for his political views and positions on several of the “hot” topics of his day, Beatle John Lennon is, nevertheless, admired on a nearly universal basis for his contributions to music and to song. Indeed, so much of his handiwork has become part and parcel of our musical history and heritage. This week, I take the title of my column from that of one of John Lennon’s most popular and frequently recollected songs. Aside from its melodic value, this song pronounces some common sense and constructive wisdom to the inhabitants of a world that appears to be hell-bent on mindless violence in far too many ways as of late. What mindless horror and violence we all have witnessed -- and some have had to endure -- in recent days and weeks! [read more]

Former Panic at the Disco members explore the ’60s and sunshine as new band the Young Veins

Taking cues from the sunniest bits of the Beatles and the Beach Boys and the rock ‘n’ roll urgency of the early Kinks and Stones, the Young Veins, the new band from ex-Panic at the Disco members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker, is undoubtedly a sound you’ve heard before. By Ross’ account, that’s not such a bad thing. While the guys’ former band broke barriers by introducing emo kids to vaudevillian-tinged dance-punk, these days Ross seems content in mining the past while decrying what he sees as a lack of quality on today’s airwaves. [read more]

Mary McCartney marries without even telling dad

Even her father Sir Paul knew nothing about it until after the event. And the rest of the world was only let in on the secret of Mary McCartney's marriage three days later, with a quick posting on the groom's Twitter page. It is perhaps not surprising that Miss McCartney, 40 - who wed second husband writer and director Simon Aboud, 44, at Marylebone Register Office in London on Saturday - decided to keep it quiet. [READ MORE]

Christopher Eccleston on playing John Lennon in new BBC4 biopic Lennon Naked

Playing John Lennon for BBC4’s new biopic brought Christopher Eccleston to tears, he tells Kate Whiting: MOST actors would understandably be nervous about portraying one of their icons stark naked. Yet when Christopher Eccleston was approached about stripping off in a one-off TV drama about John Lennon, he had no such qualms. Instead, he dived right in, quite literally, as BBC Four’s Lennon Naked opens with a shot of a long-haired Eccleston swimming, albeit fully clothed, in Lennon’s indoor pool. [read more]

Shock death of Ken Brown - the man who brought the Beatles together

A LIVERPOOL musician hailed as being responsible for bringing the Beatles has died. Former Quarrymen guitarist Ken Brown was discovered at his home in Essex on Monday after a concerned relative had raised the alarm. Police forced their way in through his front door and found the 70-year-old, who suffered from emphysema, lying on the living room floor. It is thought he may have died five days earlier. Ken played an integral part, in 1959, in persuading George Harrison to introduce his two friends - Paul McCartney and John Lennon - to form a new band. [read more]

Paul McCartney's 'humbling' performance

Sir Paul McCartney found performing for Barack Obama a "humbling" experience. The former Beatles frontman - who recently sung hit tune 'Ebony and Ivory' alongside Stevie Wonder for the US president - said when he wrote the track, there was "no chance" there would ever be a black president. Speaking at the Isle of Wight festival, he told Absolute Radio Hometime DJ Geoff Lloyd: "Me and Stevie Wonder sang 'Ebony and Ivory' and that was like the first time we'd done it live. [read more]

John Lennon: Here, there and everywhere

Is everybody looking forward to the new John Lennon biopic on BBC4 next week? It's called Lennon Naked and stars a slightly too old Christopher Eccleston as the acerbic mop-top, in a drama charting the demise of Lennon's marriage to Cynthia, his bonding with Yoko Ono, and his tricky relationships with son Julian and absentee father Alfred – a merchant seaman played by Christopher Fairbank of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet immortality. But then maybe you still haven't got round to watching Sam Taylor-Wood's 2009 Lennon biopic, Nowhere Boy, which harked back to John's boyhood and the influence of his mother substitute, Aunt Mimi (a slightly too posh Kristin Scott Thomas). [read more]

Best of both worlds: I came for Sgt. Pepper, but stayed for Cheap Trick

I came for Sgt. Pepper, but stayed for Cheap Trick. The band who gave us one of rock’s greatest live albums (Live at Budokan) rendered a completely yeoman’s effort at reproducing the Beatles’ game-changing 1967 album at Le Theatre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas, ably assisted by a small orchestra perched atop one end of a tall set and a men’s chorus on the other end. Yet, Cheap Trick did so much more, borrowing not only from other Beatles’ albums, but from their own, as well. The only way to describe the evening is the “best of both worlds.” To set the scene, the band began with a performance of “I Am the Walrus” from the band’s Magical Mystery Tour album, nearly letter perfect in reproducing the Beatles’ sound. [read more]

Teenage Beatle Bandmate Ken Brown Dies

Mersey Beat founder Bill Harry is reporting that Ken Brown, who played guitar in the early Beatles band The Quarrymen, passed away last night. Harry reported that Brown suffered from emphysema. Brown played guitar alongside George Harrison in the Les Stewart Quartet, which dissolved just as the group was due to play a Brown-booked gig at Mona Best’s Casbah Coffee Club opening in August 1959. Harrison pulled in his old bandmates John Lennon and Paul McCartney to do the gig, under the name of Lennon’s band The Quarrymen. [read more]

Paul McCartney: 'What a Father Says to His Son'

Despite their harmless façade, The Beatles symbolized the generational revolt—even an estrangement from parents—that marked the 1960s. "My mother hates them, my father hates them, my teacher hates them," said one young fan. "Can you think of three better reasons why I love them?" However, this was not the intent of John, Paul, George and Ringo. With the exception of John Lennon, The Beatles grew up in loving, stable homes. And they generally respected and revered their parents, which came through in their music—especially Paul McCartney's. [read more]

Interesting questions about Lennon’s murder

This is a play that has been in development for a year and the time spent has obviously paid off. Tightly written, tightly directed and sensitively portrayed, this is a claustrophobic hot house of a piece that draws you in and twangs at your nerves. It is December 7 1980. Mark Chapman calls a prostitute to his room. The next day he shoots John Lennon dead outside the Dakota building. No one knows who that woman was – she never sold her story – so this is a fictional take on what happened in that hotel room on that fateful night. [read more]

Design for new Lennon peace monument in Liverpool unveiled

The design of a global peace monument to former Beatles member John Lennon was revealed to the public for the first time at the Liverpool pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo on Tuesday. A hand-painted scale model of the actual monument was unveiled by its creator, American teen art prodigy Laurean Voiers, to a crowd of guests and journalists gathered at the pavilion. The finished monument to be displayed in October this year in Lennon's hometown of Liverpool will stand almost 20 feet tall and weigh nearly 10,000 lbs. [read more/video]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Mojo

How many of you have acts that you'd never call yourself a fan of, would never buy one of their records, or pay money to see in concert, yet recognize that the acts have been around for so long and written songs that eventually became a part of the cultural landscape such that you wind up actually liking them? I'd argue that The Beatles would be the prime example. Most people like The Beatles, but even those who say they don't actually do, because The Beatles' songs are so much a part of our lives. We can't help but sing along, even if we're not technically a fan. In other words, you pretty much have to like The Beatles. [read more]

Paul McCartney travels with a portable Buddha statue to maintain his zen while on tour

He’s had a somewhat stressful private life in recent years, including a highly acriminious and expensive divorce. So it is, somewhat, unsurprising that Sir Paul McCartney has decided he needs to have a zen-like calm when he is travelling. The Beatles legend, who is part way through a series of British concerts, has admitted he has a Buddha statue in the temporary dressing room that the veteran takes with him from venue to venue. [read more]

Paul McCartney adds second Toronto show

Paul McCartney has added a second Toronto show to his upcoming tour after his first date sold out. The 67-year-old rocker will add an Aug. 9 show at the Air Canada Centre. He'll also play the night before at the same venue. It'll mark his first visit to Toronto in more than five years. McCartney will also play Montreal's Bell Centre on Aug. 12. Tickets are on sale now.

CTV News

What's hot and what's not: Merseyside Tourism Oscars

Almost 50 years after John, Paul, George and Ringo moved away from Liverpool to rule Heaven and Earth, the Fab Four were the toast of the town at the city's annual tourism Oscars. The Beatles Story scooped not one, but two of the big gongs at The Mersey Partnership’s glittering awards night down at the BT Convention Centre. And for non-lovers of the mop-tops, expect plenty more to come. A frenzy of Beatlemania is planned between October 9, on what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday, right up to the 30th anniversary on December 8 of his death in New York. [read more]

Former Beatle Paul McCartney is coming to Denver!

Win a pair of Paul McCartney tickets! Paul McCartney, arguably the most commercially successful performer and composer in popular music, will bring his Up and Coming 2010 Tour to Pepsi Center in Denver on July 15. Metromix is offering you a chance to win two tickets to see this legendary performer live! All you have to do to win tickets is answer the question below creatively by Monday, June 21. We'll call the winner who makes us laugh the hardest with their answer by or around Monday, June 21. Yes, we're not yanking your chain—you can be heading to Paul McCartney for free just by answering one question. If only life was this easy. GO TO WEBSITE

Young rappers ask Yoko Ono to give their piece a chance

A group of young Fulham friends who recorded an anti-violence rap based on John Lennon's Imagine are hoping to win permission from Yoko Ono to release it as a charity single. The four 10-year-olds recently went back into a professional studio to lay down their updated lyrics, and the new recording has already been passed on to Yoko by her lawyers, raising hopes that she will give the nod for its release. [read more]

The day Jimi Hendrix died

I REMEMBER vividly the day Jimi Hendrix died. It was September 18, 1970, and I was working on a London newspaper covering a student demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in South Kensington. A policeman who knew me came up and said: “I’ve got a real story for you. Jimi Hendrix is dead and his body is in St Mary Abbots Hospital down the road.” I rushed to the nearest phone box and rang my newsdesk. “Yes, we know,” I was told. Back to the demo, then. [read more]

The best show seen by too few people

Obviously, with such excellent source material as the Beatles’ legendary studio opus, it seems like it would be impossible to go wrong, but material that well-known is a decidedly double-edged sword. It’s almost impossible to live up to a suite of music that well known, and if you try, your performance is automatically put under microscopic scrutiny. I think tonight’s show easily survived that scrutiny. Without the CSO and conductor Robert Bernhardt, The Waybacks and company might have fallen short of achieving the Beatles brilliance. There’s a reason “Abbey Road” was never performed live. Its intricacies and nuances were so heaped upon one another that to attempt to recreate it live would require, as it did tonight, a full orchestral backing. [read more]

Lennon Naked & Depictions Of The Beatle On The Screen

Christopher Eccleston came under perhaps the greatest scrutiny of his already impressive career when he emerged from the Tardis five years ago. In the forthcoming BBC4 drama Lennon Naked he finds himself once again stepping into a cultural icon's shoes previously worn by several other actors. The difference between The Doctor and a Beatle, however, is that there is no definitive template for the former. Depending, for the most part, on the age of the individual Dr Who fan, any newcomer to the role will be held up to the benchmark of a personal favourite, be it Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, David Tennant or (unlikely as it sounds) Sylvester McCoy. With the latter, audiences are inescapably familiar with the original Beatle, the real John Lennon. [read more]

University students to do up John Lennon's Liverpool garden

Five university students are hoping to recreate the authenticity of the garden at John Lennon's childhood home. A mecca for Beatles' fans, Mendips is looked after by the National Trust with house retaining its 1950s look, while the garden has a more modernised feel. The property was handed over by John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono in 2002, but Simon Osborne, the property manager of the site, feels the time is right to restore the authenticity of the garden. [read more]

All it took was a little help from Julian Lennon to help finish song for upcoming album

A song that remained unfinished for three years will be released in July thanks to the assistance of Julian Lennon. Lennon is co-writer of one of the songs on Scott Grimes' forthcoming album, "Drive," to be released in July. Lennon's contribution is to the song "(I Don't Wanna) Let You Go," on which he shares co-writing credits with Grimes and Dave Harris, a close friend of Julian's. [read more]

Canadian's Beatles recording fails to sell at auction

A Canadian man's reel-to-reel recording of a Beatles news conference in Toronto in August 1966, expected to fetch between $20,000 and $25,000 at a U.S. auction of pop culture memorabilia Sunday, failed to attract the minimum bid and was left unsold. The 14-minute recording, made at a Toronto hotel between two shows at Maple Leaf Gardens on the Beatles’ last concert date in Canada, is believed to be the only audio record of the question-and-answer session between the famous British band — then at the height of its popularity — and a bemused Canadian press corps. [read more]

"Photos: Cheap Trick leads the party in Sgt. Pepper Live at Paris" by Robin Leach

The biggest surprise from the first night of Cheap Trick’s Sgt. Pepper Live at Paris on Friday? Lead singer Robin Zander’s voice, which is surprisingly strong, versatile and adept at singing Beatles songs, yet still sounds very much like Cheap Trick. This from the singer of “The Flame” and “I Want You to Want Me,” no less. Last night was media night at Sgt. Pepper Live, but this write-up is based on the first-night performance Friday. [read more]

Paul McCartney closes 2010 Isle Of Wight Festival with Jimi Hendrix tribute

Paul McCartney closed the 2010 Isle Of Wight Festival tonight (June 13), headlining the Main Stage. Taking to the stage after a pre-recorded video introduction from comedian James Corden, he kicked things off with 'Venus And Mars Rockshow' before diving straight into 'Jet'. "Good evening Isle Of Wight, we're going to have fun tonight," he told crowd before playing his first Beatles' song of the night, 'All My Loving'. [read more]

Legendary Gig Captured on Double Album Featuring McCartney, Pink Floyd, Clapton, Elton, Tears for Fears, Robert Plant and More

On March 23, Eagle Rock Entertainment will drop a British bombshell, when the Live at Knebworth 2CD hits stores. On June 30, 1990, the best of the Brits flooded the Knebworth House in Hertsfordshire to perform a benefit concert for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the Brit School Of Performing Arts. Heralded as "The Best British Rock Concert Of All Time," this aggregate of talent included Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Robert Plant, Elton John, Phil Collins, Genesis, Dire Straits, Tears For Fears, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, and Status Quo. [read more]

Paul McCartney Really Is Dead Reviewed

I, not quite as mysteriously as Highway 61 Entertainment, received my package yesterday. Inside was the newly talked about find of the century, George Harrison's Last Testament telling us that Paul McCartney Really Is Dead (also the title of the DVD). Only, I knew it was coming in return for a review, an HONEST review, and here it is: This is complete rubbish! Besides the historical mistakes (Let It Be was not the last album recorded by the Beatles, It's Only A Northern song was written by Harrison, not Lennon/McCartney, and there's more - but besides those screw ups, the voice couldn't sound less than George Harrison if I'd have done the voice myself. The man who sang harmony on Maxwell's Silver Hammer can't even say Maxwell on this tape, it's "Moxwell." I could knock this DVD forever, but my biggest disappointment is that wienerworld.com is somehow involved in this crap, a company with a good reputation with it's Rare and Unseen series. I can't even label this movie. It's not comedy, not entertaining, it's not serious, not satire, it's not documentary, it's not worth seeing - Wait, I just stumbled upon a label: Not Worth Seeing, and it's really not. I got a massive headache sitting through it till the end. The main gist, it seems to me, is that someone thinks Paul is an arrogant bastard and wants to knock him down via this video. Most all Beatles fans will surely hate this movie. And, for those in the know, I think I now know who 'iamaphoney' is on Youtube's Rotten Apple series. The similar video style is unmistakable 'in places', but even if you like those videos, this will disappoint even you. If you want to throw your money away, you'll be able to buy it Sept 1st. ~ #9

Students to come together to study Beatles

Hey Jude, James Istvanffy is having a hard day’s night choosing his top song by The Beatles. But he’s willing to give a little help to his friends in a continuing education course exploring the Fab Four at the University of Calgary this fall. Simply titled The Beatles, the course is a multi-media-interactive examination of the music and lyrics of the Fab Four. “They’re the greatest rock band of the last 100 years, and they’ve affected millions of people so profoundly,” said Istvanffy who will be teaching the course with his brother Robert Istvanffy. [read more]

Lennon Lyrics Set for Sale

Handwritten lyrics for the Beatles song "A Day in the Life" are ready for auction at Sotheby's in New York. John Lennon penned the song in 1967, and on June 18 the lyrics are expected to sell for between $500 and $700 thousand dollars. Sotheby's considers the lyrics an incredibly rare item. [Marsha Malinowski, Senior Vice President of Sotheby's]: "Number one, they are completely in his hand, a well worked draft completely in his hand, but then what he does afterwards is he flips the page over and writes out the lyrics in block print, completely clean, completely refined and that's what he used in the recording studio to see exactly what he needed to sing." [read more/video]

You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) (original length)

You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) is a comical 5-part experiment John Lennon and Paul McCartney put together that resembles the craziness heard on their Christmas flexi-disc messages to their fan club. It had actually been recorded over a few years, mainly in May and June of 1967 and April of 1969, but not revealed to the public until it appeared as the B-side of The Beatles Let It Be single in March of 1970. As The Beatles were finished recording together by this time, it was almost released as a single by John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, but that idea was aborted after John instead came up with a replacement called Instant Karma! (We All Shine On). It never appeared on an album/CD until the Past Masters CD collection surfaced in 1988. Read More At Beatles Rarity/Listen

Backstage with Beatles legend Paul McCartney

As the countdown continues to Paul McCartney’s gig at the Millennium Stadium, Karen Price is invited to his show in Mexico City to see what really happens behind the scenes on tour with a music legend. IT’S early on a Friday evening at Foro Sol Stadium in Mexico City and thousands of people are pouring through the gates. Many are clutching banners or Mexican flags as they prepare for one of the biggest events of the year. But while there’s plenty of hustle and bustle front of house, backstage is a haven of tranquility. [read more]

Nowhere Man: A Rock and Roll Epistle

The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility." John Lennon (194080), British rock musician. Interview, 8 Dec. 1980, for KFRC RKO Radio, given the day of Lennon's death. "What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god--the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!" [read more]

Manic Street Preachers to join McCartney at the Millennium

THE Manic Street Preachers will support Sir Paul McCartney in his Cardiff concert later this month. The three-piece band will join the former member of The Beatles for his Up and Coming tour, which will hit the Millennium Stadium on June 26. It is the first time Sir Paul will have taken to the stage in Wales since 1975, when he came to the city’s Capitol Cinema with his band, Wings. The show coincides with the Millennium Stadium’s 10th anniversary. In a joint statement released yesterday, Blackwood band the Manics – made up of Nicky Wire, James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore – said: “It is a massive thrill to play the stadium again and an even bigger one to be playing it with the legend that is Sir Paul.” [read more]

Sir Paul McCartney: I know it'll be time to quit when I don't get buzz from Hampden roar

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY has threatened to quit making pop music if the Hampden roar doesn't give him a thrill on a par with Shea Stadium. Ahead of the Beatles legend's show at Scotland's national stadium, I joined Paul, his crew and entourage in Mexico City. Paul, 67, insisted he still gets a thrill from playing to big crowds and is looking forward to the racket of the Glasgow crowd on June 20. When Paul, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr performed live at the height of Beatlemania, they admitted they couldn't even hear what they were playing. But despite the din of stadiums such as Shea in New York, Paul told why the Hampden roar will still impress. [read more]

PS That's not the way I saw his statement. Think For Yourself, leave me a comment.

Pete Doherty Turned Away On Arrival in North America

Did anyone really think Pete Doherty was going to be allowed into the United States to play a show? Apparently the organizers of a launch for a new magazine named Corduroy in New York City thought they could get around any visa problems that might arise from Doherty’s various drug offenses. But it turns out they were wrong. The Libertines singer was reportedly turned away when he reached JFK yesterday (June 10), which was confirmed from the stage at the event by Sean Lennon and Irina Lazareanu. According to Brooklyn Vegan, “Sean said that Pete made it as far as JFK, but was met by cops who forced him to turn around and fly home.” [read more]

“Paul is Dead” conspiracy makes its way to DVD

Paul McCartney Really Is Dead: The Last Testament of George Harrison, released by MVD Visual, supposedly offers up new evidence that the rumor of McCartney’s 1966 death and subsequent replacement with a double is, in fact, true. In case you’re unaware, that’s the same hoax that claims John Lennon was so guilt-ridden over duping Beatles fans that he placed hints and revelations in backwards messages and in album artwork. MVD has taken it one step further and exposed the greater truth behind the plot. [read more]

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL-STARR BAND TO PLAY HARD...

Since 1989, Ringo Starr's All Starr tours have rocked sold out venues with great musicians who share Starr's love of performing. Each All Starr member lends his most popular songs to Ringo's already impressive hit list which includes such classics as "With A Little Help From My Friends," "Don't Pass Me By," "Octopus' Garden," "Photograph," "It Don't Come Easy," "Back Off Boogaloo," "You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful And You're mine)," "Don't Go Where the Road Don't Go," "The No No Song" and "Never Without You". With a new decade, comes a fresh band featuring Edgar Winter, Gary Wright and Gregg Bissonette returning on drums with All Starr newcomers Rick Derringer, Richard Page (Mr. Mister) and Wally Palmar (Romantics). [read more]

First Beatles Liverpool Tour Guide App released for the iPhone

To mark the 50th anniversary of the year The Beatles were first billed under that name, Clay Interactive Ltd have developed The Unofficial Beatles’ Liverpool, the complete guide to more than 60 fascinating, Beatle locations in the band’s home city. The Cavern, Strawberry Field, Penny Lane, Beatle homes, statues, pubs, clubs and the group’s own interactive visitor attraction The Beatles Story are all included, mapped out across a 12 mile area of the capital city of pop, on the banks of the River Mersey.

This new guide comes complete with maps, descriptions and more than 100 pictures of Beatles locations now enshrined in pop music folk lore. The app can be used as a series of walking tours for those lucky enough to visit the city or browsed as an informative fact-packed guide to the places where John, Paul, George, Ringo, Pete Best, Stuart Sutcliffe, Brian Epstein and many more helped develop the world’s greatest pop group.

The Unofficial Beatles’ Liverpool is the second in a series of pop location iPhone® Apps developed by Clay Interactive Ltd and is written and compiled by former Guinness Book of British Hit Singles Editor David Roberts and Beatles tour expert Colin Unwin.

The Unofficial Beatles’ Liverpool (and Beatles Walk London) is available to download now at the Apple App Store http://www.itunes.com/app/UnofficialBeatlesLiverpool

John Boehner Will Not Stand For Some Classless Knight, Former Beatles Included, Bashing His Hero George W. Bush; But Torturing Muslims Is A-Okay!

“Getting this prize would just be good enough, but getting it from this president..." McCartney gushed, praising President Barack Obama for umm, not being a retarded f-up among other things. “After the last eight years, it’s great to have a president who knows what a library is,” McCartney joked after receiving an award for his influence on American culture. Well this sort of tomfoolery does not sit well with neon Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner, whose sharp humor extends only to drowning terrorist suspects, not pointing out glaring intellectual deficiencies of former Republican presidents who may not be able to pronounce nuc-u-lar, but sure as sh*t knows how to use 'em! [read more]

Jack Osbourne Surprises Ozzy With Paul McCartney's Tribute

Jack Osbourne shocked his father Ozzy Osbourne by convincing Paul McCartney to film a piece about the rocker for an upcoming documentary. The reality TV daredevil is using his own company, Jacko Productions, to give fans a real insight into the legendary Black Sabbath singer. Jack asked a string of Ozzy's pals to pay tribute to him in the film but there was one surprise addition. Ozzy tells the U.K.'s Daily Record, "It is common knowledge I am a big (The) Beatle(s), McCartney and (John) Lennon fan. He asked me a couple of weeks ago if there was anyone I would like him to interview for the film. I said, 'No mate, you've got just about everyone, you've been working on it for about four years and there's only about four people on the planet you have not interviewed'." [read more]

Why America's youth felt such kinship with Rolling Stones

Larry King scored a big one on TV recently, hosting Mick Jagger for the better part of an hour. As front man for the Rolling Stones, who are in their fifth decade of making music, Jagger was there to promote the reissue of one of the greatest British exports of my generation: "Exile on Main Street." The Rolling Stones' career can basically be divided into three parts, each affected by the influences of their three lead guitarists: Brian Jones, Mick Taylor and Ronnie Wood. Although steeped in the blues, the Stones somewhat gravitated away from their roots during the 1960s in an effort to establish artistic identity and keep step with the Beatles, who were their mentors and rivals. [read more]

CMU school ready to give peace a chance

Much like iconic musician and anti-war activist John Lennon, the folks at the Canadian Mennonite University want to give peace a chance. The university is preparing to host its second annual Canadian School of Peacebuilding at its south Winnipeg campus in Tuxedo between June 14 and July 2. CMU is a Christian-based organization that is rooted in the historic Anabaptist tradition of peace, justice and service. The school is aimed at a broad audience, including workers from a wide range of non-governmental organizations and students interested in the peace process. According to one key organizer, the three-week long event will serve as a diverse think-tank for peace strategies and "create a space where people from different backgrounds and perspectives can connect in positive and respectful ways." [read more]

Every Beatles album to be performed live at Liverpool’s Mathew Street Festival

EVERY Beatles album will be performed live in one day for the first time in history to mark 50 years since the band played under the name. The one-off extravaganza is among the highlights of this year’s Mathew Street Music festival. The August bank holiday weekend event – now in its 18th year – will also mark the 25th anniversary of Live Aid and celebrate the MOBO awards, which Liverpool is hosting in October at the Echo Arena. Organisers of the Mathew Street festival said this year’s seven new themed stages are the strongest and most diverse ever seen. More than 80 hours of live outdoor music has been programmed in total, across six outdoor stages over the Sunday and Monday of the August bank holiday. [read more]

LENNON LEGACY one of the themes of ROCK CON: WEEKEND OF 100 ROCK STARS

The three-day fanfest, “Rock Con: Weekend Of 100 Rock Stars” is turning into one of summer 2010’s most anticipated music events. Tickets for the 3-day show (July 30 – Aug. 1st ) at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in E. Rutherford, NJ are now on sale, modestly priced on a daily basis, starting at $20 in advance. There are also special weekend “Gold, Silver and Platinum Record” discounted packages available. One of the themes of the convention is the "Lennon Legacy" with special guests Sid Bernstein (World-famous promoter who brought The Beatles to America), Dennis Ferrante (John Lennon's Recording Engineer), Shaun Weiss (Beatles attorney Nat Weiss' son - the only person who attended both Ed Sullivan shows, the Shea Stadium concerts and the Beatles' final rooftop concert), Gary Van Scyoc (Elephants Memory, John Lennon's Live In NYC band), Earl Slick (legendary David Bowie guitarist who also played on John’s “Double Fantasy” & “Milk and Honey” albums), May Pang (John Lennon's personal assistant/girlfriend), and Clay Cole (legendary New York area Rock & Roll TV host and DJ who had both The Beatles & The Rolling Stones on the very same telecast). The Smithereens, who have recorded Beatles cover albums, and members of the Garage Band Beatles series, will also be appearing.

Below is a partial list of confirmed “guest stars” attending this summer’s Rock Con: “Weekend Of 100 Rock Stars” in alphabetical order:

Marty Balin – vocals (along with Grace Slick) in Jefferson Airplane - Jefferson Starship
Sid Bernstein – legendary rock impresario, manager and promoter
Tommy Bia – The Thunder Road Band
Karina Bradley – “Dance Floor Diva” – pop star and model
Beverly Bremers – hit single “Don’t Say You Don’t Remember” 1972, starred in “Hair”
Pete Bremy – Vanilla Fudge – Cactus (bassist) – originally from Paterson, NJ
Lala Brooks – The Crystals, lead singer on “Da Doo Ron Ron”
Eli Brown – The bassist for the newly-reformed Vagrants
Glen Burtnik – Styx, member of LaBamba And The Hubcaps, The Orchestra (ELO)
John Butcher – John Butcher Axis
Kristen Capolino – Tenn heavy metal guitarist/singer/songwriter – “All That I Am”
Jim Carrick – Spanky & Our Gang member
Peppy Castro – Blues Magoos vocals and guitar wiz
Clay Cole – The Clay Cole Show (1959-68) – the rock and roll studio dance TV show
John Ford Coley – hit single “I’d Really Like To See You Tonight” 1976
Clarence Collins – Little Anthony & The Imperials – 2009 Rock HOF inductee
Gene Cornish – The Rascals (guitarist) -1997 Rock HOF inductee
Paul Cotton – from Poco (need we say more)
Scott Cummings – Michael Jackson’s bodyguard for 15 years
Ron Dante – The Archies lead singer - #1 hit in 1969 with “Sugar Sugar”
Dinky Dawson – rock’s most famous sound man – The Beatles, Led Zep, Pink Floyd
Lezlie Deanne – Scary Cherry And The Bang Bangs (she also starred in horror films)
Pat Dinizio & The Smithereens – the NJ rock & roll band
Demon Boy – have a ghoulish greeting with Long Island’s own metal shock rocker
Peter DiStefano – Porno For Pyros guitarist
Walter Egan – “Magnet and Steel”
Silvio Ennella – The Thunder Road Band
Charlie Farren – Joe Perry Project – Farrenheit singer
Johnny Farina - one half of Santo & Johnny (famous instrumental hit “Sleepwalk”)
Dennis Ferrante – recording engineer extraordinaire, and Grammy winner 2000
William Finley – “Phantom Of The Paradise” – The Phantom in the rock musical
John Ford – The Strawbs – joined in 1970 adding his percussive style to the band
Pete Fornatale – WFMU – WNEW-FM radio personality – “Mixed Bag” radio specials
Kat Gilbert – West Coast songstress debut CD “It Keeps Changing” – single “Fallen”
Robert Gordon – hit singles “My Gal Is Red Hot” – “It’s Only Make Believe” 1976-78
“Little Anthony” Gourdine – Little Anthony & The Imperials – 2009 Rock HOF inductee
Charlie Gracie – Philadelphia’s first rock n’ roller “Butterfly” – ask Van Morrison
Gerrit Graham – “Beef” in “Phantom Of The Paradise” – composed with Bob Weir of Grateful Dead
Gerry Granahan – Dicky Do & The Don’ts, The Fireflies (“You Were Mine”)
Barbara Harris – hit single w/The Toys “A Lover’s Concerto” 1965 international hit
John Hawken – Renaissance – Spooky Tooth – Strawbs keyboardist
Pat Horgan – Thunder Road’s lead singer/guitarist – producer Garage Rock Band series
John Idan – The Yardbirds – 1992 Rock HOF inductee – joined in 1994 as lead vocalist
Tommy James & The Shondells – “Mony Mony” “Hanky Panky” 1966 (14 Top 10 hits!)
Jay & The Americans – multiple hits including “She Cried” 1963 (12 Top 10 hits)
Randy Jones – The Village People’s original “YMCA Cowboy”
Andy Kim - "Rock Me Gently" "Baby I Love You" "Be My Baby"
Eddie Kelly – American Bandstand regular dancer everyone remembers – late ‘50s-‘60s
Bruce Kulick – Kiss guitarist 1984-96 – currently in Grand Funk Railroad
Linda Jansen – former original lead singer of The Angels “Til” and “Cry Baby Cry”
Dan Lavoie – Harp-guitarist virtuoso – “Harp Guitar Dreams”
Bryan Laye – “Tangerine Lane” 2009 LP – recently recorded with Dave Mason
Victoria Levy – The Hoosier Mamas
Ian Lloyd – Stories – “Brother Louie” 1971, also singer with Foreigner
Vince Martel – Vanilla Fudge’s lead guitarist – born in the Bronx, toured with Hendrix
Louiche Mayorga – Suicidal Tendencies bassist
Spanky McFarlane – Spanky & Our Gang - Mamas & Papas vocalist
Mike “Mac” McNenney – The Thunder Road Band
Ian Mitchell – Bay City Rollers – “Saturday Night” 1976
Rick Mullen – Commander Cody – Don McLean – Van Morrison – Savoy Brown
May Pang – was John Lennon’s girlfriend and personal assistant
Peg Pearl – lead singer of the band Aura
Andy Pratt – hit single “Avenging Annie”1973 and more than a one-hit wonder
Paul Peterson – hit single “My Dad” 1962 - starred in the “Donna Reed Show” 1958-66
Tiffinni Saint Ranae – singer/songwriter/actress, was produced by the Sugar Hill Gang
Peter Sabatino – The Vagrants – one of the originals
Beki Brindle – Grace Pool, guitarist for Jerry Lee Lewis, Rick Danko Band, many others
Ralph Scala – The Blues Magoos
Nelson Slater – “Wild Angel” LP produced by Lou Reed is a collaboration to note
Earl Slick – David Bowie’s legendary guitarist – John Lennon’s featured guitarist
Tom “T-Bone” Stankus – Dr. Demento – the comedic “Existential Blues” 1980
Stewkey – Nazz’ original lead singer
Kasim Sulton – Utopia & Meat Loaf’s bassist
Terry Sylvester – The Hollies – 2010 Rock HOF inductee – replaced Graham Nash
The Angels – hit single “My Boyfriend’s Back” 1963 – they’re featured in “Jersey Boys”
The Delicates – “Submarine Race Watcher’s Theme” and grew up in Belleville, NJ
The Detergents – “Leader Of The Laundromat” one-hit wonder (Ron Dante vocalist)
The Dovells – “Bristol Stomp” “You Can’t Sit Down”
The Fifth Estate – hit single “Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead” 1967 – an international hit
The 1910 Fruitgum Company – “Simon Says” 1968 #2 hit, also “1 2 3 Red Light”
The Human Beinz – hit single “Nobody But Me” 1967 - featured in 2004 “Kill Bill” film
The Rip Chords – hit single “Hey Little Cobra” 1964 - worked with Terry Melcher
The Soul Survivors – “Expressway To Your Heart” 1967 sold a million copies
Jonathan Tiersten – Jonathan Tiersten &The Ten Tiers – Queens-born and bred, Jonathan is a singer/musician/actor (hint: name “Ricky” mean anything? See “Sleepaway Camp”)
Tuff Darts – Tommy Frenzy – John DeSalvo – J. Morrison are back
Hilton Valentine – The Animals (guitarist) – 1994 Rock HOF created a classic riff
Eerie Von – Danzig – Samhain bassist
Gary Von Scyoc – Elephants Memory – John Lennon’s 70’s band – featured on Lennon’s “Live in New York” and The Mike Douglas Show w/John and Yoko
Shaun Weiss – son of Beatles’ attorney Nat Weiss was at Shea/Sullivans/Apple rooftop
Mary Weiss – The Shangri-Las “Leader of the Pack”
Johnny Winter w/guitarist Paul Nelson – two legendary guitarists – “Live/Johnny Winter And…” (1971) is Johnny’s best and Grammy nominated “I’m A Bluesman” which features Paul Nelson, is his best – meet them in person. Due to conflicts, a few announced guests cannot appear this year although they were previously listed in our initial news release. Guests are continuing to be added. For info, email rock@nationalrockcon.com or call (203-891-8131).

Website: www.NationalRockCon.com.

Jay Lustig of the Star Ledger (5/5/10) calls Rock Con “the Woodstock of Rock Conventions”