Beatles News

It was 60 years ago today… that The Beatles played to a roaring crowd in Wellington’s town hall. Alex Casey’s dad was there, straining to hear a single note.

Normally my Dad answers my calls with a cheery “Sunny Takeaways” – a reference to the local fish and chip shop that hasn’t been called that for about two decades. But this week, he was trying something new. “Cavern Club”, he answered, referring to the iconic Liverpool bar that played host to hundreds of early Beatles gigs. Given that today marks 60 years since my dear old Dad went to see the fab four live in Wellington, it was a fitting way to start our interview.

As he fussed about the kitchen, I asked what his pop consumption was like prior to Beatlemania. Having moved to Petone in the early 1960s, he recalled weekends at the roller rink listening to The Yardbirds and The Animals. “Strap on”, he said. Pardon? “Strap-on roller skates.” His first movie was Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock, first record was Doris Day’s ‘Everybody Loves a Lover’ and he watched TV through the window of Hanlon’s radio shop.

I told him it sounded like he grew up on details

The Beatles are not going to let it be.

At least Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the two surviving Beatles are not. Neither are Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono, the spouses of George Harrison and John Lennon — and that’s a good thing for music fans.

They’ve all on board for the release of a new film “The Beatles: Get Back,” directed by Academy Award-winner Peter Jackson, whose previous works include “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy: and “The Hobbit.”

Jackson has been working from 60 hours of footage originally shot by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, from which Lindsay-Hogg put together The Beatles’ 1970 documentary film, “Let It Be.”

Fans of the group were disappointed last year when the planned theatrical release of the “The Beatles: Get Back” ended up being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Producers scheduled a new theatrical release date set for Aug. 17, 2021.

Now, that’s apparently been put on hold, because Disney+ and Apple Corps, along with WingNut Film Productions, issued a joint statement June 17 saying “The Beatles: Get Back” is now set to air over three days — Nov. 25, 26 and 27 details

Given Paul McCartney’s apparent love affair with all things Jewish — including collaborators, business associates, girlfriends and wives — the title of the artist’s 2013 album New could well be meant as a transliteration of the all-purpose Jewish word nu.

Recently, McCartney was in New York with his wife Nancy Shevell who is not in fact the first Jewish Lady McCartney; that honor belonged to McCartney’s first wife, Linda Eastman. Born in New York City and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y., Linda Eastman was the daughter of Lee Eastman — the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, born Leopold Vail Epstein — and Louise Sara Lindner.

When Linda Eastman and McCartney’s daughter, Stella McCartney, became a fashion designer, she followed family footsteps into the rag trade; her maternal grandfather, Max J. Lindner, was founder of the Lindner Company, the largest women’s clothing store in Cleveland, Ohio. Lindner was a member of the most prominent Reform temple in Cleveland and president of its Men’s Club; active in the Jewish Welfare Fund and in the Jewish country club; and a major philanthropic force in Cleveland’s Jewish community.

McCartney married Linda details

John Lennon rarely minced his words when expressing his opinions, and his opinions of his fellow bandmates, like Ringo Starr, were certainly no exception. Starr joined Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison to form the final lineup of the Beatles in 1962, adopting a somewhat shadowed but musically crucial role in the band.

Meaning Behind “You’re in My Heart' by Rod Stewart and the Famous Girl Who Inspired It

Compared to the guitar-playing trio in front of him, Starr stayed in the background. His writing contributions were scant, with only two solo compositions: “Octopus’s Garden” and “Don’t Pass Me By.” But just because he wasn’t the star of the show doesn’t mean Starr didn’t have the respect of his bandmates—even the more opinionated ones like Lennon.

Source: americansongwriter.com

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This month marks the 60th anniversary of the Beatles‘ historical visit to Australia, which began on Thursday, June 11th, 1964, at 7:45am when John, Paul, George, and Ringo landed at Sydney’s Mascot Airport.

To celebrate the landmark anniversary of what would sadly be the Beatles’ only Australian tour, a new book takes fans inside the extraordinary cultural moment.

Written by UK-based writer Andy Neill (whose previously worked on books about The Who and Rod Stewart & the Faces) and Melbourne-based Beatles expert Greg Armstrong (co-host of the world’s longest-running Beatles radio show), When We Was Fab: Inside the Beatles Australasian Tour 1964 tells the story of the Liverpool band’s two-week trip Down Under in unprecedented detail, including hundreds of evocative and mostly previously unseen images, original documents, press clippings, and vintage memorabilia.

Based entirely on first-hand research spanning two decades, Neill and Armstrong’s process involved sourcing hundreds of original newspapers, magazin details

Inside Sir Paul McCartney's birthday celebrations as he marked turning 82 with his wife Nancy and his five children at a luxury restaurant rather than a glitzy bash.

Sir Paul McCartney celebrated his 82nd birthday in style with a low-key dinner surrounded by his closest friends and family.

The legendary Beatles singer opted for an intimate affair rather than a star-studded bash for the occasion. He headed to a posh restaurant with wife Nancy and his five children to mark his birthday this week. They dined at the 17th century Boys Hall hotel in Ashford, Kent, shocking other diners when they rocked up.

Paul is a proud dad to fashion designer Stella, musician James, 20-year-old Beatrice, photographer Mary and adopted daughter Heather. The icon married Nancy Shevell, 64, in 2011 following his marriages to Linda McCartney and Heather Mills. His family are said to have joined him for a quiet dinner in a private room at the restaurant.

“They were quietly ushered in on Tuesday night and were taken to the Drawing Room, where the chefs cooked a three-course feast for them," a source told The Sun".

Source: Mia O'Hare/mirror.co.uk

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A 1962 letter from Ringo Starr detailing his welcoming to the Beatles is one of several highlights of a Christie’s auction next month of books, manuscripts, and other memorabilia from significant cultural figures across several centuries.

The letter, written to teenage girlfriend Doreen Walker, is an interesting early look at Starr’s life after joining the band around the release of their first single “Love Me Do.” It begins, “I got a phone call asking me would I join the Beatles and I said yes…” The letter goes on to detail upcoming tours and a performance in Walker’s home of Manchester, England. The item was offered last year at a Heritage Auctions sale but did not find a buyer. At Christie’s, it’s estimated to sell for between £30,000 and £40,000 (US$38,000 and US$50,800).

Source: Geoff Nudelman/barrons.com

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It was Paul McCartney's 82nd birthday!

In honor of his 82nd year around the sun yesterday on June 18, the former Beatle posted to Instagram and revealed he's certainly hoping to be showered with gifts in celebration of the big day.

They say it is my birthday," wrote McCartney, referencing the Beatles' 1968 track "Birthday" from the iconic White Album, "and I’m looking forward to being spoilt rotten by my loved ones!"

 He also received celebratory wishes on social media from some of his kids. His son James, 46, posted a photo of him and Paul hugging to Instagram alongside the message, "Happy Birthday Dad. I will always love you. You are a guiding light that shows me how to move forward. You love me, I love you and that's all that matters."

Paul's daughter Mary, 54, shared a slideshow featuring photos of her father on his own and them together to Instagram, writing in the caption, "Happy Birthday Dad x with all my love x."

His daughter Stella, 52, posted photos taken by her mom Linda, Paul's first wife, to Instagram. "PAUL’S BIRTHDAY: Looking at my Dad @PaulMcCartney through my Mum’s lens today… His day…," she wrote. "Happy birthday, Papa Smurf xx."

John Lennon’s son Julian paid tribute to Sir Paul McCartney in a sweet social media post marking The Beatles star’s 82nd birthday.

It follows an announcement from the veteran singer that he will be performing in the UK for the first time since headlining Glastonbury in 2022.

Musician and photographer Julian, who is the son of the late John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, posted a selection of photos on Tuesday that appeared to show him with the Beatles singer and bassist Sir Paul when he was a child.

He wrote: “Hoppy Birdy Uncle Paul! Only Love… Jude x.”

Credited to the Lennon/McCartney partnership, The Beatles’ song Hey Jude was written by Sir Paul for Julian Lennon after his father John left his mother for Yoko Ono in 1968. An evergreen classic, the song is currently being sung by England fans at Euro 2024 in honour of the Three Lions star Jude Bellingham.

Sir Paul’s daughter Mary, who is a professional photographer, wished her father a happy birthday and shared a series of images on Instagram, including a photograph of the singer with American rock star Bruce Springsteen and another of him playing drums.

Source: Lisa McLoughlin/stan details

Professor Of Rock has released the new video below, along with the following introduction...

"When one of the biggest bands in history, The Beatles, broke up, all the members of the band released solo projects almost immediately. The first of the band to have a number-one hit was a bit of a surprise though... George Harrison. He ended up having one hell of a solo run but his biggest hit, 'My Sweet Lord', would also become his greatest trial. Harrison got sued for sounding too much like another big hit from years before… It was a catastrophic lawsuit that nearly destroyed George and plagued his career for years because it put him in a never-ending bout with writer’s block. And it stopped him from recording for years. But in the end, Harrison would have the last laugh. Rock’s most honest songwriter dealing and allegations of plagiarism... This is a story you have to hear to believe, next on Professor Of Rock."

Source: bravewords.com

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The Beatles have spent much of 2024 trading one album for another on the charts. In several countries, the band usually manages to place at least one of their projects on the ranking of the most-consumed full-lengths, but which one stands out as the most popular changes fairly regularly.

This week, The Beatles’ 1 is back on the U.K. albums chart. The compilation reappears at No. 74 on the 100-spot list.

Last time around, The Beatles filled twice as many spaces on the same tally. Two related projects from the group were present last time around, but now, they’ve fallen away as 1 returns.

Last week, The Beatles sat on the U.K. albums chart with both 1962-1966 and 1967-1970. The aptly-named compilations are filled with the biggest hits from the rock band released during the years included in their titles.

1967-1970 was the bigger of the two compilations, as it was found at No. 59 last time around. 1962-1966 ranked lower, appearing at No. 86.

1 remains The Beatles’ longest-running hit album in the U.K. It has thus far spent 446 weeks on the chart, which is more than 100 frames longer than any other release from the band. Their second-longest-charting effort is Sgt. Pepper&rs details

The rare vinyl was unveiled at Strawberry Fields on Monday

A rare vinyl by former Beatle John Lennon which was gifted to a charity by his widow and son has been unveiled in Liverpool.

The Salvation Army’s Strawberry Field will display the 12 inch vinyl acetate of John Lennon's GIve Peace a Chance and Remember Love, recorded with Yoko Ono, ahead of its 55th anniversary.  It is one of 50 limited edition records gifted to charities by Ono and Sean Ono Lennon to help raise funds for the Salvation Army's Step to Work programme.

Mission Director of Strawberry Field, Major Kathy Versfeld said to be chosen to display the rare record was a "singled out" was a "special blessing".

The vinyl will help raise funds for the Salvation Army's Step to Work programme.  She told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's a fabulous gift from Yoko and Sean.

"It's a real privilege for us here at Strawberry Fields as part of our work we do across the country, and this place that John seemingly loved to frequent, to be able to unveil it and to invite the general public to come and see it."

Originally released on 4 July 1969, the double-sided 12 inch acetates were hand-cut on the lathe at Abbey Road Stud details

Paul McCartney has announced a run of UK and European headline shows for later this year. Find all the details below.

The soloist and Beatles legend is due to perform in Paris and Madrid this December as part of his ‘Got Back’ tour. He’ll then play two gigs at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester (December 14, 15) and a pair of concerts at The O2 in London (18,19).

Tickets go on general sale at 10am local time this Friday (June 21) – you’ll be able to buy yours here. A fan pre-sale will take place at the same time on Wednesday (19) for the UK dates – find more information here.

In a statement, McCartney said: “I’m excited to be ending my year and 2024 tour dates in the UK. It’s always such a special feeling to play shows on our home soil. It’s going to be an amazing end to the year.”

He added: “Let’s get set to party. I can’t wait to see you.”

See the announcement post below, along with the full itinerary.

Paul McCartney’s 2024 UK and European tour dates are:

DECEMBER
04 – La Defense Arena, Paris, France
05 – La Defense Arena, Paris, France
09 – W details

Some albums have cool stories surrounding their making that garner attention for them. The 1966 Beatles’ album Rubber Soul doesn’t really fall into that category. By all counts, it was the same-old, same-old for the Fab Four when they made the record, squeezing it into their busy schedule and churning out the latest material they’d written.

Instead, Rubber Soul demands your attention based on nothing other than its pure brilliance. It was an undeniable high point for The Beatles, as their songwriting, playing, and record-making all took giant leaps. Let’s take a look back at the creation of this masterpiece of an album.

Even as they were advancing to heights previously unmatched by other rock artists, The Beatles weren’t taking themselves all that seriously. The album title Rubber Soul was derived from the phrase “plastic soul.” It’s an oxymoron of sorts, putting something artificial up against an innate human quality, and it makes it seem as if they were downplaying what they were about to present to the public.

But the aural evidence on Rubber Soul suggests depth and profundity the likes of which pop music fans hadn’t yet experienced. An details

By the mid-1960s, John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote their songs apart, but they turned to each other for help perfecting them. According to Lennon, he helped a great deal with some of McCartney’s most popular songs. He explained that while one song was McCartney’s “baby,” he helped write all but the first verse.

McCartney began working on “Eleanor Rigby” based on the image of someone picking up rice after a wedding. He believed this was so poignant that he wanted to write a song about loneliness.

When asked about the song, Lennon said it was “Paul’s baby, and I helped with the education of the child.” By this, he meant that the song would never have grown and matured if it hadn’t been for him.

“Ah, the first verse was his and the rest are basically mine,” Lennon said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono. “But the way he did it … Well, he knew he had a song. But by that time he didn’t want to ask for my help, and we were sitting around with Mal Evans and Neil Aspinall, so he said to us, ‘Hey, you guys, finish up the lyrics.'”

So details