Sir Paul McCartney was advised to retire at 50

McCartney, 69, who is still recording and touring, said he refused to listen to the advice and decided to continue because he was still “enjoying” his career. He told Mojo magazine that he ended up parting company with the manager who suggested he stopped making music.

“One of my old guys who I used to have as my manager, I was knocking 50 and he said ‘I think it’s time you retired’. I thought, I know what you mean, but I don’t really feel like it, you know,” the Independent quoted the singer as saying. And if I’m really enjoying this, why retire? So I decided against it, and got rid of him. I wonder what he thinks today. Perhaps that he was right, but hopefully not,” he said. --ANI

George Martin receives his honorary degree (From thisisoxfordshire)

THE man behind The Beatles yesterday proved the long and winding road had all been worth it. Sir George Martin, 85, known as the “fifth Beatle”, was awarded an honorary degree from Oxford University. He produced all but one of The Beatles’ original albums, including The Beatles, Help! and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Read More - (From thisisoxfordshire)

John Lennon was a closet Republican

Most ridiculous story filling my inbox for three days now: Report says John Lennon was a closet Republican. LMAO!!

The Day Pink Floyd Met The Beatles

Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason recently talked about his memories of the first time the guys in Floyd bumped into The Beatles. Mason remembers being wowed by the chance to meet the biggest band in the world, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. [read more]

Macca on the run: Sir Paul still working full-time at 69 - The National

Paul McCartney, left, has barely stopped working since his rise to fame with the Beatles in the 1960s. Waiting for Paul McCartney to phone is a nail-biting experience. Whole days pass. Timetables are agreed, then rescheduled, then cancelled altogether. As the most successful pop musician in history, and still one of the most famous men on the planet, the former Beatle clearly operates by his own rules. Read More - The National

Groves gets interest from Yoko Ono in speedskater's "bed-in for sustainability"

A "bed-in for sustainability" by speedskater Kristina Groves has drawn the attention of Yoko Ono, the originator of the protest-in-a-bed concept with late husband and Beatles member, John Lennon. Groves received an e-mail from Ono prior to Friday's bed-in at a downtown Calgary bed boutique. Groves, a winner of four Olympic medals, entertained civic leaders and politicians in a bed and discussed ways to make the city more environmentally sustainable. Ono and Lennon held two-week bed-ins in 1969 in both Amsterdam and Montreal to promote peace. They invited the world's press to join them. Groves was stunned to receive a message from Ono. Read More

Five years later, 'Love' proves recession-proof while 'Phantom' makes concessions - ReviewJournal.com

Granted, it was one of the more amazing feats of show business: getting the four business interests of the Beatles to agree on anything, much less a show in Las Vegas. Through much of his life, Canadian director Dominic Champagne notes, "the big question was when the Beatles are going to get back together?" Even with John Lennon and George Harrison gone, "We knew we had the opportunity to at least play at this great reunion." Read More - ReviewJournal.com

Fun facts fuel ongoing fascination - The Columbus Dispatch

If you grew up a Monkees fan, you might think you know everything about them. You might know that, 45 years ago, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith were brought together for a TV show inspired by the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night. You might know that Nesmith had the idea that spawned MTV or that his mom, Bette Nesmith Graham, invented Liquid Paper. Here are things you might not know: Read More - The Columbus Dispatch

Gig review: Ravi Shankar at Barbican - Tottenham Journal

There aren’t many 91-year-old musicians who can pack out the Barbican to capacity, but then again there aren’t many still making music. Ravi Shankar is no ordinary performer. A star of classical Indian music, he famously collaborated with George Harrison and popularised Indian music in the West. Shankar’s performance on Tuesday defied many odds, not just age and ill-health. Read More - Tottenham Journal

Beatle George on Film - The West Australian

A documentary on the life of George Harrison, directed by Martin Scorsese, is expected to premiere later this year. George Harrison: Living in the Material World, after the ex-Beatle’s 1973 song and solo album of the same title, will be the latest in a string of music documentaries handled by the director of such classics as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Goodfellas. Read More - The West Australian

Reunion with Ringo? Why would I want to do that? says Sir Paul McCartney - Liverpool Echo

The music legend was more than happy to meet his fans and chat as he was leaving. Some were clearly getting their hopes up for a reunion between the pair but they were left disappointed after asking Paul if he would be joining his old bandmate on stage. “Why would I want to do that?” he shrugged. “I wish him luck but there's no chance of me jumping on with him.” Read More - Liverpool Echo

The Mouse is Mine: Paul McCarthy Blocks Auction of His Adorable Cartoon Critter Drawings - Yahoo! News

According to Chris Albury of Dominic Winter Auctioneers, the auction house attempted to contact McCartney about the sale back in March but received no reply. Then, shortly before the items were to go up for auction on Thursday, McCartney's lawyers blocked the sale, saying that the images are the property of the musician's company, MPL Communications. Read More - Yahoo! News

BBC News - Liverpool links to Elvis tourism

Liverpool tourism venues are to link with counterparts in Memphis as the cities look to use The Beatles and Elvis as a way to increase visitors. Venues promoting the city as the birthplace of The Beatles will join with attractions in Elvis' hometown. The attractions will become "Rock 'n' Soul Mates", promoting one another. Jerry Goldman, of The Beatles Story said: "The big issue is attracting more tourists to Liverpool - that's why we're doing this... "BBC News - Read More

EMI Likely Up for Sale (Again)

EMI, the record label who has released music by Katy Perry, The Beastie Boys, Coldplay, and the Beatles (and who were famously dissed on the Sex Pistol’s Never Mind the Bollocks), might be up for sale yet again, a number of outlets are reporting. With its lucrative catalog of music copyrights, EMI has seemed like a sure moneymaker to a number of financial minds in recent years, all of whom have been confounded by how hard it is to make money selling music in the 21st Century. [read more]

The Beatles Rarity – Remember (out-take from Plastic Ono Band sessions, 1971)

John Lennon’s first project after the April 1970 official breakup of The Beatles was to attend primal therapy sessions with his wife, Yoko. Under the guidance of psychotherapist Arthur Janov, who created this trauma-based therapeutic treatment, the Ono-Lennons learned how to resolve the trauma and suppressed pain that they experienced in their childhoods, by reliving it and fully expressing the emotions that occurred at that time. Read More/Listen - The Beatles Rarity

For fifth birthday, Cirque reveals more 'Love' secrets - CNET

"Love," Cirque du Soleil's successful celebration of The Beatles, is five years old this month. Now that the show has reached this milestone, Cirque du Soleil is willing to unveil more of its secrets. Last week, Leu Strope, operations production manager for "Love," served up an all-access, stat-soaked, guided tour of the show's backstage world now it's had five years to settle and grow into its surroundings. "Love" is the only Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show performed in the round, and the three-level theater seats 2,013 visitors, all within 98 feet of the stage. Read More - CNET

Saxophonist Clarence Clemons dies - TheCelebrityCafe.com

The saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Clarence Clemons, died Saturday in Florida. Clemons died of complications he faced from a stroke, according to People. The famed saxophonist has performed and recorded with various artists including Aretha Franklin, Ringo Starr and Lady Gaga. Just last month he performed with Gaga on the season finale of American Idol.

Clemons has dealt with a string of medical problems, including several surgeries he recently had to undergo for his spin as well as knee replacement operations, reported USA Today. Even though it was being reported he was improving and well on his way to recovery after the stroke that left him hospitalized last week, his health took a turn for the worst later in the week. He was 69. RIP ~~

Art Garfunkel advised John Lennon on Beatles reunion - Online News

Garfunkel, 69, had set aside his ongoing feud with Paul Simon for a series of reunion concerts and Lennon wanted to pump him for information about the get together after revealing he was receiving offers to team up with Paul McCartney. The 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters' singer recalls his chat with Lennon - in the bedroom of the Dakota building home he shared with Yoko Ono. Read More - Online News

The Beatles Breakup According to Paul McCartney - Long Island Press

So, who is really responsible for the breakup of The Beatles? Well, if you ask Paul McCartney that question, he apparently will tell you that John Lennon is the man who should take the blame for the breakup of one of the most successful bands in the history of music. Read More - Long Island Press

John Lennon On Copying Others' Music: It's Not A Rip Off, It's A Love In - Techdirt

'Money', 'Twist 'n' Shout', 'You really got a hold on me' etc, were all numbers we (the Beatles) used to sing in the dancehalls around Britain, mainly Liverpool. It was only natural that we tried to do it as near to the record as we could - i always wished we could have done them even closer to the original. We didn't sing our own songs in the early days - they weren't good enough - the one thing we always did was to make it known that these were black originals, we loved the music and wanted to spread it in any way we could. in the '50s there were few people listening to blues - R + B - rock and roll, in America as well as Britain. Read More - Techdirt

It’s about time Ringo Starr is knighted, says Sir Paul McCartney - DNA

Sir Paul McCartney has expressed his disappointment after his Beatles band mate Ringo Starr was not included in The Queen's Birthday Honours List this year. He said that Starr, whose real name is Richard Starkey, should have been knighted because “it was about time” his friend received the honour. McCartney had expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview on the radio when he was asked why Starr had missed out on the knighthood again. Read More - DNA

Fans Line Up To Score McCartney Tickets - WLWT Cincinnati

The first person in line was Jennifer Girdler, of Finneytown. She lined up at 11:30 p.m. Thursday in order to get her chance to see McCartney. Girdler has been waiting for a chance to see the Beatles since she was 4 years old. When asked why she would line up so early, knowing she would have to wait 12 hours or more to buy a ticket, she said it was the love of the music that brought her to the ballpark. "The Beatles' music, there isn't anything better in the world to listen to," Girdler said. Read More - WLWT Cincinnati

Ringo Starr: I asked Paul and George to join my All Starr band - Liverpool Daily Post

WHEN Ringo Starr puts together his touring band, he can pretty much have his pick of any musician in the world. Who wouldn’t want to share a stage with one of the Beatles? His All-Starr Band is billed as a line-up where “everybody on stage is a star in their own right”. At each show, Ringo performs solo and Beatles songs, and then each band member will take turns performing two hits from their own career. But there’s one person in his address book who he’s never managed to recruit – Sir Paul McCartney. Read More - Liverpool Daily Post

Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band Begin UK Leg Of Tour This Week

Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band return to the road for what is their 12th All Starr tour. Joining the ex-Beatle is Rick Derringer on guitar, Richard Page on bass, Wally Palmar on guitar & harmonica, Edgar Winter on sax and keyboards, Gary Wright on keyboards and Gregg Bissonette on drums. Read More - Glasswerk National

First Beatles U.S. Concert Photos To Be Auctioned

Photographs from the first U.S. Beatles concert will be auctioned off at Christie's next month. The photographs were taken by photographer Mike Mitchell, who took the shots at the British band's September 3, 1964 Washington Coliseum concert (held two days after the Ed Sullivan Show performance). [read more]

Sir Paul McCartney says that he is “having a ball” recording new music.

The 68-year-old Beatles legend is planning to release an album of standards and has revealed the songs remind him of singing with his family. Standards are classic pop hits, usually deriving from the era before rock and roll became popular, but the term can also describe any pop song that has become very widely known within its mainstream genre. Read More - Musicrooms

Five Life Lessons From John Lennon's "Lost Weekend" - Houston Music

Rocks Off would like to wish a very happy 70th birthday to one of the coolest pop cats out there, Harry Nilsson. Four times out of five, whenever we play the jukebox at Warren's, we put on something from his Greatest Hits - like Martin Scorsese, we usually leave the lime in the coconut and jump into the fire, but you can't really go wrong with "Without You," "One" or "I Guess the Lord Must Live In New York City" either. Read More - Rocks Off

Paul McCartney ‘Not a Popular Bunny’

Coming up on his 69th birthday and busily preparing for his wedding to girlfriend Nancy Shevell, Paul McCartney has also been looking back at the Beatles breakup. According to the Huffington Post, McCartney realizes he was “not a popular bunny” with his Beatle cohorts at the time of the split. The terse “press statement” questionnaire he delivered containing news of his debut solo album,McCartney, was probably a mistake in retrospect. Read More - Gibson.com

When Macca, Lennon mulled reuniting to perform on 'SNL' for 1,875 pounds

Beatles star McCartney has revealed that it was band mate John Lennon who suggested they should accept Lorne Michaels' offer to perform on his show in the mid-1970s. The 'Saturday Night Live' producer had earlier offered to pay the 'Fab Four' 1,875 pounds to perform three Beatles numbers on his weekly comedy show as part of a SNL skit, reports the Daily Express. "He (Lennon) said, 'We should go down, just you and me... We'll say, 'There's only two of us, we'll make half the money...' And for a second..," McCartney told Access Hollywood. However, the plan was never implemented, as McCartney said, "it would have been work and we were having a night off and so we elected to not go... It was a nice idea. We nearly did.'' ANI

Giving a second listen to McCartney's first disc - CBS

It's hard to think of how Paul McCartney could have given his first solo album a bigger publicity hurdle to overcome, unless he'd been arrested for some vile crime on the week of its release in April 1970. The newly ex-Beatle distributed a questionnaire that was treated by fans and the media as definitive word that the world's most beloved rock band — true today as it was back then — had broken up. The music in "McCartney" was quickly overshadowed by anger and disappointment. Read More - CBS MoneyWatch.com

E Street Band sax man Clarence Clemons 'improving' after massive stroke in Florida - latimes.com

E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons continues to battle the after-effects of a massive stroke he suffered over the weekend at his home in Florida, but associates on Monday said they are more hopeful about his prospects for a recovery than they had been initially. “Yesterday it did not look good at all,” a source described as “a close friend” told the Bruce Springsteen fan site Backstreets.com. “Today... miracles are happening. His vital signs are improving. He's responsive. His eyes are welling up when we're talking to him. He was paralyzed on his left side, but now he's squeezing with his left hand. This is the best news we've heard since [the stroke] happened — it's nothing short of miraculous. The next five days will still be critical. But he's a fighter." Read More - latimes.com

Paul McCartney on Playing Yankee Stadium - gibson

Paul McCartney made a high-profile stop at the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this week to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles show, Love. The appearance gave McCartney a chance to open up about his recent announcement that, for the first time ever, he will play Yankee Stadium on July 15. Read More - gibson.com

Mccartney's Brother Mike To Be His Best Man

Sir Paul Mccartney has asked his brother Michael to be his best man when he marries his fiancee, Nancy Shevell. The Beatles legend, who announced his engagement to the New York socialite last month, has asked Michael to stand at his side at the forthcoming ceremony.

Paul McCartney news: Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon and Olivia Harrison delight Beatles fans with singalong at Paul McCartney show

McCartney performs the Lennon song as a medley with The Beatles' "A Day In The Life." In the embedded video below, Ono, Lennon and Harrison become visible on the video screens at about the five-minute mark. The John Lennon and George Harrison family members were in town along with Beatles producer George Martin and his son Giles to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Cirque Du Soleil's "The Beatles' Love" production, which continues its permanent staging at the city's Mirage hotel and casino. Read More - SoundSpike Concert News

John Lennon's ex-lover's favourite Beatle was Ringo Starr, not him!

The dark secret would be revealed in Seth Swirsky's new movie 'Beatles Stories', where Pang admitted that Lennon once asked her who her 'Fab Four' favourite was, and wasn't pleased with her answer. "John said, 'Who is your favourite Beatle?' and I said, 'Ringo'. I was so embarrassed. I said, 'But your songs were it. I loved your songs'. Which is true. I loved his songs but my favourite Beatle was Ringo, Contactmusic quoted her as saying. John was quite upset, actually," she added. Pang was in a romantic relationship with Lennon in the mid-1970s after he split from Yoko Ono. --ANI

John Lennon's "favourite trophy"

The first GOLD DISC presented to THE BEATLES in America said to be John Lennon's "favourite trophy" is being auctioned by Chiswick Auction House, 1 Colville Road, London, England on the 28th June,2011. This Gold Disc was last sold at Sothebys in 1981 and the present auction has generated much interest and excitement from Beatles fans world wide. For further information: www.chiswickauctions.com

Scorsese wrapping up Harrison documentary - UPI.com

U.S. director Martin Scorsese is in the home stretch of his documentary about the life of George Harrison, the Beatle's widow said this week. Olivia Harrison told the Los Angeles Times she had seen the latest version of "George Harrison: Living in the Material World" and indicated she liked what she saw. "We're real excited about it. Marty is such a great storyteller, and of course he always finds the story that you don't expect," Harrison said Friday in Las Vegas. Read More - UPI.com

Quick thoughts on last night’s Paul McCartney show

The word “surreal” gets thrown around too often these days, but sitting a few feet from Yoko Ono as she watched Paul McCartney’s Friday night MGM Grand Garden Arena concert was nothing if not that. She mostly sat—next to son Sean Lennon—and watched from behind her sunglasses, but the famous “Hey Jude” “Na na na na” coda got her singing. She also stood up and waved peace signs when Paul transitioned from the John-sung Beatles classic “A Day in the Life” into John’s solo song, “Give Peace a Chance”—a scene captured on the production’s giant video screens. Seated near Ono in Section 117: George Harrison’s widow, Olivia, and Beatles producer George Martin, all in town to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Cirque du Soleil’s Love show. Read More - Las Vegas Weekly

The Beatles develop their own look for the first time

In October 1960, a German student took five young Britons to a Hamburg fairground for a photoshoot. Astrid Kirchherr had only just met the Beatles through her friend Klaus Voormann. She was determined to find common ground through the language barrier. Many of the negatives are now lost but one group shot remains: caught in a grid of metal, the Beatles stand and sit in a line. Dressed in leather, Read More - Guardian

Here comes the son: Dhani Harrison is dead-ringer for his father at Beatles show - Mail Online

It's all right if he doesn’t match his father’s musical success – because Dhani Harrison has at least perfected his look. The 32-year-old musician is a dead ringer for late Beatles guitarist, George, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 58 following a battle with lung cancer. Read More - Mail Online

Here comes the son: Dhani Harrison is dead-ringer for his father at Beatles show - Mail Online

It's all right if he doesn’t match his father’s musical success – because Dhani Harrison has at least perfected his look. The 32-year-old musician is a dead ringer for late Beatles guitarist, George, who passed away in 2001 at the age of 58 following a battle with lung cancer. Here comes the son: Dhani Harrison is dead-ringer for his father at Beatles show Mail Online

'A Hard Day's Night' Was Released In 1964 - digtriad.com

On June tenth, 1964, the Rolling Stones met two of their idols during a recording session, when they ran into bluesmen Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters at Chicago's Chess studios. Also in 1964, The Beatles released "A Hard Day's Night," both the album and the single. In 1966, a Beatles record featuring a new audio effect was released. "Rain" used a tape played in reverse. John Lennon said the reverse-tape effect wasn't planned; the tape was just put on the wrong way. read more - digtriad.com

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney’s original drawings to go on sale - Liverpool Echo

A SELECTION of original drawings by Sir Paul McCartney are expected to fetch up to £25,000 at auction. The former Beatle created the characters of Bruce McMouse and his family who lived under the stage where his band Wings were playing. The finished animated film shows interaction between Wings and the family of mice but the final version was never released. The set of sketches of Bruce and his clan, done by Sir Paul and other members of his family, will be sold by Dominic Winter auctioneers in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, next Thursday. Read More - Liverpool Echo

Unseen pictures capture outbreak of Beatlemania - Reuters

They have been gathering dust in a basement for more than 40 years, but now U.S. photographer Mike Mitchell has decided to auction a group of pictures which capture the moment the Beatles became a worldwide phenomenon. Mitchell, now in his mid-60s, was given a press pass to the Fab Four's first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum in 1964, just two days after their breakthrough television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Read More - Reuters

Beatles music to be used in Brian Epstein movie

In a historic nod, the surviving members and estates of the Beatles have granted the producer of an upcoming movie about ill-fated manager Brian Epstein the right to use the band’s songs in his film. Except for John Lennon’s first song Hello Little Girl, credited to Lennon/McCartney and performed in the 2010 biopic Nowhere Boy, films in which the Beatles figure as characters (Backbeat, The Hours and Times, Two of Us) have done without Lennon/McCartney songs. [read more]

Beatles "Love" Red Carpet - ReviewJournal.com

On the “Love” anniversary red carpet on Wednesday at The Mirage: Sir Paul McCartney and fiance Nancy Shevell, Olivia Harrison and son Dhani Harrison, Yoko Ono Lennon and Sean Lennon, Sir George Martin and Giles Martin, Cirque du Soleil president and CEO Daniel Lamarre, “Love” director Dominic Champagne, and Gilles St. Croix, artistic guide of Cirque du Soleil, The Killers, Rita Wilson, Gayle King, Mark McGrath, Rosanna Arquette and Patricia Arquette, Slash and wife Perla, Marcia Gay Harden and family, Elijah Wood,Criss Angel, Carrot Top, Matt Goss, Robin Antin, Terry Fator and his wife Taylor Makakoa, and chef Kerry Simon. More/Slideshow Pics- ReviewJournal.com

Keith Moon partied too hard for Alice Cooper - Musicrooms.net

The 'School's Out' rocker used to be a member of a drinking club called the Hollywood Vampires, which saw him joined by John Lennon, Ringo Starr and The Who drummer Keith, whom he said was like a "battery who never ran out" when it came to partying. He explained: "There was only one rule at our club. Out-drink the other members and be the last man standing - which wasn't easy with Keith Moon around. Read More - Musicrooms.net

Beatles exhibit at redesigned Rock and Roll Hall of Fame includes jackets, guitars they used

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland says it is exhibiting the world's most comprehensive collection of items from The Beatles as part of a redesign. The exhibit announced Wednesday features nearly 70 items, including several being displayed for the first time, such as Paul McCartney's handwritten arrangement for the song "Birthday." Visitors also can see clothing worn by The Beatles, guitars played by John Lennon and George Harrison and the logo drum head from the kit Ringo Starr used on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in February 1964. The items have gone on display as part of the first redesign in the facility's 15-year history. The redesign is funded by the Rock Hall's $35 million capital campaign and is expected to be complete by next year. AP - Canadian Press

Ology Exclusive: Interview with Sid Bernstein – The Man Who Brought The Beatles To America

Impresario Sid Bernstein is largely credited as the man behind the British Invasion, bringing The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, The Moody Blues, and The Kinks to America, while organizing concerts such as The Beatles’ Carnegie hall and Shea Stadium performances along with numerous other acts over the years. He was honored Sunday, June 5th, at Rockography in New York City. Read More - Ology

Al Pacino May Star as Aging Rocker in Imagine

In an announcement Monday, Warner Bros. confirmed they approached Pacino and are now in negotiations. If he signs, Pacino will play the part of an aging rock musician who receives a letter from his idol, John Lennon, 40 years after it was written. This sudden revelation prompts him to change his life and track down his son, who he's never met. [click for more]

Biopic Of Beatles Manager Moving Forward, Secures Rights To Beatles Songs

Doing a biopic of The Beatles is probably the end-all be-all of musician biopics, because it's hardly like you'd need to detail any other band if you tell the story of the most popular band of all time. But instead of just doing a movie about the Beatles, a production company is going a different direction: there is a biopic of Brian Epstein, manager to the Beatles, in the works, and it's close to coming to fruition, as it has secured rights to at least 10 Beatles songs, and gained tons of financing. Expect to hear some casting news soon, probably. But there is apparently another Epstein biopic in the works too, so there's a chance we could end up dealing with two different accounts of the man who handled the Beatles' money. prefixmag

George Harrison’s first love still remembers how his kiss made her tingle

Late George Harrison's first girlfriend has revealed that she still remembers the first kiss he gave her, and how, till date, it was the best kiss ever. Iris Caldwell revealed in new documentary 'Beatles Stories' that it was only years later that she realised that Harrison was perhaps dating her in a bid to get into her brother's band, Rory Storm and The Hurricanes. Read More ANI

Johnson snubbed Beatles White House invite - Toronto Sun

The Beatles to the White House - because he felt the timing was all wrong following the assassination of his predecessor John F. Kennedy in 1962. Luci Baines Johnson, then 16, was convinced the Fab Four were a good thing for a grieving America when Beatlemania first swept through the U.S., and she urged her father to book them for an official visit. Read More - Toronto Sun

Would It Really Be So Bad If The Beatles Were In The Public Domain? - Techdirt

Clearly, the point she was trying to make was that you never know what amazing works of history the major labels are suddenly going to dredge up and repackage in a profitable way -- and that's the reason why such works should remain under copyright (and under the control of the major labels) for as long as is humanly possible. But does this make any sense? Read More - Techdirt

How ex-Beatle Ringo Starr cheated death in Liverpool - Click Liverpool

Beatles legend Ringo Starr cheated death when a Nazi bomb exploded just yards away from the house where he was living, researchers have discovered. The revelation comes as The Fab Four drummer is preparing for a return to his native Liverpool where he will play a concert at the city's Empire Theatre on 18th June. And as controversy rages in the city over plans to demolish his birthplace an author has unearthed details of a previously untold drama. Read More - Click Liverpool

BBC One to air unreleased Lennon - Music Week

BBC One is to air previously unheard studio recordings from the sessions for John Lennon’s Double Fantasy album when flagship arts show Imagine returns later this month. The series, which is fronted by Alan Yentob, will run to five programmes, starting on June 28 with The Man Who Forgot How To Read And Other Stories. The third show, which airs on Tuesday July 12 on BBC One, is called Lennon In Limbo and examines Lennon and Yoko Ono’s move to New York, including their battles against the US immigration services and Lennon’s “lost weekend”. [read more]

McCartney revisited: I’m carrying (that weight) - Only Rock 'n Roll

“Boy – you’re gonna carry that weight/Carry that weight a long time”, sang Paul McCartney on the Abbey Road album in 1969. His words proved prophetic; the weight he carried was the burden of public expectation based on his legendary past as one of the two leading lights in the Beatles, and the most musical member of the group. Read More - Only Rock 'n Roll

Liverpool ballroom where Beatle John Lennon was married to become hotel - Liverpool Echo

A LANDMARK former ballroom in Liverpool which hosted the wedding reception of John and Cynthia Lennon is to be brought back to life as a hotel. The Reeces Ballroom, in Parker Street in the city centre, is to be refurbished over four floors as budget accommodation with 127 beds. The building is described as an “impressive neo-classical structure” and sits close to the Tesco store in Clayton square. It is the second application for a budget hotel in the city centre in recent months. The former Wade Smith store in Button Street is also in line to become a “five-star hostel”, as the developments are being dubbed. Read More - Liverpool Echo