Beatles News
Two of Paul McCartney's most recent records, along with one of his most obscure efforts and a Wings compilation, will be included in his next batch of albums to be reissued. New, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, Thrillington and Wings Greatest will be re-released on CD and vinyl on May 18.
Thrillington is the one that will likely have the most appeal to collectors. In 1971, McCartney produced a lounge-jazz instrumental version of his newly released Ram LP. But he formed Wings shortly after completing the record and decided to shelve it until 1977. He used the pseudonym Percy "Thrills" Thrillington and created a backstory in the liner notes (written by McCartney under the name "Clint Harrigan") about a U.K. socialite who was friends with McCartney. The former Beatle even took out newspaper ads that chronicled Thrills' adventures. It was believed at the time that McCartney was behind Thrillington, but he didn't admit his role until 1989.
Source: ultimateclassicrock.com
A brand new stage comedy telling the fascinating story of John Lennon’s missing childhood banjo is coming 24 April.
It makes its world stage premiere at the city’s Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 24 April, continuing through until Saturday 5 May. Tickets are already selling fast. An intriguing mix of fact and fiction, Lennon’s Banjo is set in present day Liverpool and features an all-star cast.
It makes its world stage premiere at the city’s Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 24 April, continuing through until Saturday 5 May. Tickets are already selling fast!
The Beatles original drummer Pete Best, will play himself in three special performances of the show’s two-week run.
So where do the facts end and the fiction begin? Everything will be revealed in this fast paced, comic caper of a play.
“The intrigue and mystery surrounding Lennon’s missing banjo, and the logic that it could be sitting in somebody’s attic right now, has the potential to make headlines around the world. The story crosses over beautifully from fiction to fact and back again to tease and tantalise the reader that every word is true.”
Source: videomuzic.eu
Steven Tyler turned 70 years old Monday and got a happy birthday wish from a very famous friend.
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr raised a glass to his fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, who formed Aerosmith in Boston back in 1970.
“Peace and love, Steven Tyler, love you man – happy birthday.” Starr said. “Want you to know we’re thinking of you and I want to raise my cup and drink on your behalf.”
Peace and love, Steven Tyler, love you man – happy birthday.” Starr said. “Want you to know we’re thinking of you and I want to raise my cup and drink on your behalf.”
“THIS WILL BE THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVAH,” Tyler replied.
Tyler had to cut his South American tour short last year due to “unexpected medical issues.” But that hasn’t slowed him down in 2018. Last week Tyler announced he would be doing a summer tour with Nashville’s Loving Mary Band in North American and Europe.
Source: CBS News
Artistically, John Lennon is often credited as being the most avant garde of the Beatles. Indeed, his involvement with Yoko Ono and their subsequent collaborations (Two Virgins, “Revolution 9,” and numerous experimental films) support that conclusion. Paul McCartney affirmed his early interest in the 1960s art movement through supporting the Indica Gallery and his interest in noise music pioneers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen.
However, George Harrison also dabbled in experimental music, such as his 1969 album Electronic Sound. In his 1987 interview with the late Billboard editor-in-chief Timothy White, Harrison claimed that the album was “a load of rubbish” and added “the word avant-garde, as my friend Alvin Lee likes to say, really means, ‘Aven’t-got a clue!’ So, whatever came out when I fiddled with the knobs went on tape — but some amazing sounds did happen.”
Source: by Kit O'Toole/somethingelsereviews.com
In 1969, when EMI decided to hire “Wall of Sound” producer Phil Spector to work on the Beatles “Let It Be” album, Spector hired British musician Richard Hewson to add orchestration to “The Long and Winding Road.” They paid him $73.00 for his work.
In the process Hewson, who is now 74, changed the Beatles sound with his added orchestrations and managed to annoy Paul McCartney in the process. McCartney wanted just piano and voice and Hewson says Paul and Beatles producer George Martin were livid when they found out what he’d been up to. But they got over it when “Winding Road” became a huge hit.
Hewson went on to work with Diana Ross, Chris Rea (REE-ah) and many others.
Source: zoomerradio.ca
Years after his bossa nova version of Paul McCartney's song The Fool on the Hill, Sergio Mendes received a letter from the Beatle thanking him for his interpretation.
Burt Bacharach was similarly appreciative of what Mendes did with The Look of Love.
In the late 1960s, Mendes and Brasil '66 were a kind of machine for making hits, thanks to the pianist's ability to "Brazilianise", as he puts it, other people's songs.
"Brazilian music is a special kind of music," he says on the telephone from Los Angeles, where, now 77, he has lived for many years. "I'm making a new record right now, and people come in to listen and they immediately have a smile on their face because it makes them feel good.
"It's joyful and it's positive, and I like that very much. That's what I've been doing for a long time: beautiful songs, great melodies, great harmonies and rhythms."
Source: John Shand/canberratimes.com.au
The Beatles: How Richard Hewson changed their sound
A musician has told how he was paid just £40 for his work turning The Beatles' The Long and Winding Road into a number one hit.
Richard Hewson, 74, who was born in Norton, Stockton, helped add soaring orchestration to the track in 1969 - much to the annoyance of Paul McCartney.
The producer, who now lives in Washington, West Sussex, went on to work with Diana Ross, Chris Rea and many others.
49 Years ago today Beatle John Lennon and his new bride, Yoko Ono, began their self-styled "Bed-In For Peace" in Amsterdam.
Married just five days before in Gibraltar, and frequently attacked for both their beliefs AND their appearance, the honeymooning couple bedded down in the Amsterdam Hilton as a public protest against the Vietnam War -- and invited the whole world to watch:
"We're going to stay in bed for seven days, instead of having a private honeymoon," Lennon said. "It's a private protest ..."
"For the violence that's going in the world," said Ono. "Instead of making war, let's stay in bed."
"And grow your hair!" added Lennon. "Let it grow until peace comes!"
Needless to say, their Bed-In didn't end the war.
And as for the personal criticism, John later answered it with a song called "The Ballad of John and Yoko":
One year after the Bed-In, The Beatles split up.
John and Yoko eventually moved from Britain to New York, where he was shot and killed in December of 1980 at the ago of 40.
Yoko Ono, now 85, still lives in New York.
And in long-overdue recognition, just last year she received official co-writer credit with John for their 1971 song, "Imagine."
Source: CBS News
Former Beatle Ringo Starr, who was knighted for his service to music last week by Prince William at Buckingham Palace, will be performing with his All Starr Band at the City National Civic in San Jose on Sept. 28.
Each year, Ringo adds new personnel to his All Starr Band. The 2018 All Starr Band features Colin Hay ("Who Can It be Now", "Land Down Under"), Steve Lukather ("Africa", "Hold The Line", "Roseanna"), Gregg Rolie ("Black Magic Woman", "Evil Ways"), Graham Gouldman of 10cc ("I’m Not In Love", "Things We Do For Love"), Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette.
"There is no greater joy for me than playing great music with great musicians," Starr said in a news release. "Every night we get to play for all those loving people and it makes the hassle of touring worth it. It is a Peace & Love fest and I can’t wait to see you all out there this summer and fall."
At typical All Starr concerts, Ringo performs some songs from both his solo career and his years with The Beatles. Then each band member takes turns performing two to three hits from their own career. Bay Area Beatles fanatics should be excited for what’s in store at the San Jose concert.
The San Jose date is part of a nationwide tour, and tickets for the show can be purchased on Ticketmaster beginning on March 30 at 9 a.m.
One of the last people alive to have worked with legendary English rock band, The Beatles, has lifted the lid on his time spent with the group.
Famously quoted by Paul McCartney back in 2004 as “being better to ask about it [information on The Beatles]” than McCartney himself, Tony Bramwell grew up in Liverpool with George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
Mr Bramwell, said: “Me and George lived about half a mile apart. He was about seven and I was five, and we would play Robin Hood – I’ve still got the scar on my neck.”
However, it wasn’t long after when Bramwell began noticing Harrison (the youngest of The Beatles), becoming musically orientated before his eyes.
By the age of 11, Harrison was having guitar lessons and would regularly visit Bramwell’s home to trade records, between his job delivering meat on a bicycle.
Recalling the early years, Bramwell, added: “I would lend him my Buddy Holly’s [records], he would lend me his Chuck Berry’s. He used to come round and he would be playing his guitar along to the records.”
Source: Cameron Hale/staffslive.co.uk
