Beatles News

He had no idea he was about to become part of an unprecedented global phenomenon, which perhaps explains his nonchalance. In a week before his new band’s first single was to be released, this young drummer wrote to a friend and told them: “I got a phone call asking me would I join the Beatles and I said yes”.

The letter from Ringo Starr is one of two lots in a sale at Christie’s which capture the Beatles in an era of pre-fame naivety. A banjo played by John Lennon, which was present on the day he met Paul McCartney, will make its first appearance at a major auction house on July 10.

Jack Blackburn/thetimes.com

Donovan is a folk/psychedelic rock singer who became famous for 1960s tunes such as “Atlantis,” “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” “Sunshine Superman,” “Mellow Yellow,” and “Season of the Witch.” He famously went on The Beatles’ trip to India to study meditation. Donovan’s personal website says that he taught George a descending chord pattern that the Beatle would later use on the ballad “Something.”

Gold reports that, during a 2024 interview with Record Collector Magazine, Donovan discussed his influence on the “My Sweet Lord” singer. “I became George’s mentor for songwriting,” the Hurdy Gurdy Man recalled. “He was in the shadow of John and Paul for so many years and I said, ‘Look, I’ll show you a few tricks, how to encourage the songs.’

“There’s a way to encourage the song to come,” he added. “You can tease it, like fishing. I told him how to play a chord then put your ear on the guitar, listen to the open chord and try a tempo. You can hear melodies, believe it or not. Melodies appear, but you’ve got to be quick to catch them.”

Source: MSN

We tend to think of the relationship between The Beatles and producer George Martin as one of support and mutual goodwill and, for the most part, it was. But in the earliest going, Martin tried to sneak a song past The Beatles and was rebuffed, not once, but twice.

This is a story about a song called “How Do You Do It?” that Martin tried to foist upon The Beatles as their first single and then, failing that, their second. The Fab Four had other ideas, which was a good thing, because who knows how music history might have been altered otherwise.

Before we get into the tale of “How Do You Do It?” it helps to know The Beatles weren’t exactly in demand as a group when they signed with EMI Records. They had been turned away by other labels before finally getting a deal in 1962. In other words, it’s not like they came into their relationship with the label in a position of strength.

Source:Jim Beviglia/americansongwriter.com

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Taylor Swift fans are convinced that she will bring out Sir Paul McCartney as a special guest in Anfield.

The American singer-songwriter is heading to Liverpool to for three nights from Thursday, June 13 to Saturday, June 15 for The Eras Tour. Swifties think that on her 100th show on Thursday, June 13, Taylor has a big surprise planned and it could be a Paul McCartney performance.

Speculation was already rife but was whipped up when Taylor was spotted hanging out with Paul's daughter Stella McCartney. The fashion designer posted a picture of the Reputation singer wearing one of her dresses backstage with their friend Cara Delevingne at her last Cabaret show in London.

Commenting underneath the post, one fan said: "Paul at Liverpool with Taylor? (eyes emoji)." At the Super Bowl 2024, Taylor was also pictured chatting with the Beatles star.

Posting to TikTok another fan said: "I don't know why no one's talking about this" and then shared a video added: "the 100th show of the Eras Tour is on the 13th of the 6th month of the year aka Taylor's half birthday and is in Paul McCartney's hometown."

Source: Ellen Kirwin/liverpoolecho.co.uk

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Listen, I want my (okay, fine, Sabrina Carpenter’s) tiny, handsome boyfriend Barry Keoghan to stay booked and busy as much as the next Banshees of Inisherin stan. However, I think I have to draw a tenuous personal line in the sand at seeing him in filmmaker Sam Mendes’s series of four interconnected biopics following each member of the Beatles, the cast of which is alleged to include Harris Dickinson as John Lennon; Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney; Charlie Rowe as George Harrison, and Keoghan as Ringo Starr.

As a lifelong Ringo girl, I should be thrilled to see one of my favorite actors portraying the legendary drummer—not to mention the Paul Mescal of it all! (A surprisingly apt McCartney, IMO.) But loath as I am to sound like one of those old cranks who need you to know that they saw the Stones live in 1970-something—and also that pizza used to cost a dollar—I just can’t help feeling somewhat disheartened at the prospect of the real-life Beatles getting the full-on, glossy biopic treatment. (Beatles movie musicals, however, I’m strangely okay with; just ask me how many times I saw Across the Universe as a teen.)

No part of American life is too sacrosanct for the biopic t details

Just a few days ago, Rihanna earned quite a few new honors from the RIAA, the organization that certifies songs and albums gold, platinum, and beyond. Included in her latest collection of wins was one of her most unlikely collaborations with a rock legend. While the Barbadian pop star celebrated the just-awarded plaques, the musicians who helped her reach the milestone don’t share in the wealth.

Included in Rihanna’s many new RIAA honors is her single “FourFiveSeconds,” which was released nearly a decade ago in 2015. The tune advances from four-times platinum to five-times, as it’s now shifted five million equivalent units in the U.S.

Oddly, Rihanna is the only musician credited on “FourFiveSeconds,” at least according to the RIAA. The song is a collaboration between RiRi and both Ye—previously known as Kanye West—and Paul McCartney. The three turned the laidback tune into a smash, but for some reason, she’s the only one who earns this honor.

Both Rihanna and Ye have plenty of hits that have advanced beyond five-times platinum status, but the same can’t be said for McCartney. He misses out on earning the biggest certification of his career details

The music mogul, who was also The Beatles' tour manager, died on June 2 after a short illness - with Sir Paul McCartney leading tributes.

Tony Bramwell, the legendary music mogul known for his pivotal role as The Beatles' tour manager and for discovering Queen, has passed away at the age of 78.

A childhood friend of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, Bramwell was integral to the Fab Four's journey, serving as their road manager before making his mark as a music industry titan. Hailing from Liverpool, Bramwell was close to the group even before they skyrocketed to global fame and changed music history. He died on June 2 following a brief illness.

Sir Paul McCartney paid heartfelt tribute to Bramwell, calling him a "good companion" throughout the Beatles' era. In his tribute, McCartney said: "Sad to hear of the passing of Tony Bramwell. He was a good companion to us through the Beatles journey. Always up for a laugh and I'm sorry to see him leave. Thanks Tony. Love ya! From Paul."

The Beatles' official Instagram also honored him, noting: "Tony worked on many NEMS and Apple projects, from music videos to photo shoots, PR and more and will be missed by many friends and colleagues." In details

John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono's New York City loft is on the market for the first time in more than 50 years.

The two-story loft-style building at 496 Broome St. was purchased by the duo in 1971, not long after The Beatles broke up and Lennon released one of the most influential songs of the 20th century, "Imagine."

At the time, Lennon was eager to break free from The Beatles and make a name for himself as a solo artist while creating a new identity with Ono – an artist and peace activist – by his side.

While the couple only lived there until 1973, the building has often been used as a workspace throughout the years.

"The building on Broome Street was sort of like a base for their artistic ventures," Philip Norman, the author of "John Lennon: The Life," said via the New York Times. At the time, the couple was also renting an apartment at 105 Bank St. in the West Village. "Bank Street was their salon, where people could just walk in," Norman added.

Located in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, the Broome Street loft features a gallery-like ground-floor space with 14.4-foot. ceilings, an open kitchen plus a bedroom loft in the rear.

The top floor has another large details

Earlier this year, the world learned of Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes’ plans for a full-on Beatles cinematic universe. Mendes — whose past credits include American Beauty, 1917, and two of the Daniel Craig James Bond movies — is working with Sony and the Beatles’ Apple Corps movie to make four different biopics, one about each Beatle, and they’ll all supposedly open theatrically in 2027. Now, we’re getting unconfirmed reports that Mendes has cast all four Beatles.

According to ScreenRant, Harris Dickinson, the young British actor who recently appeared in Triangle Of Sadness and The Iron Claw, will play John Lennon. He’ll also appear in Steve McQueen’s forthcoming World War II film Blitz. In his young career, Dickinson has shown a real gift for playing doomed, sensitive dirtbags. John Lennon could credibly be described as both doomed and sensitive; the “dirtbag” part is more up in the air.

Paul Mescal will reportedly take the role of Paul McCartney, which is a nice little first-name match-up. Mescal already has an Oscar nomination for Aftersun, and he’s known for being extremely hot and for playing intricate, internal roles in things like All O details

Although gaining the title of “the quiet Beatle”, George Harrison used his words for songs as he helped write hits like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, “Taxman”, and “Here Comes the Sun.” While landing a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his contributions to the Beatles, the musician also gained entry in 2004 for his solo career. Considered an icon in the music industry, Harrison’s Washburn acoustic guitar, which he used to play “Here Comes the Sun” is finding its way to auction after John Lennon’s guitar recently sold for nearly $3 million.

While Lennon’s guitar brought home a staggering amount of money, which set a record, Harrison’s guitar looks to go around $100,000. With the guitar for sale at gottahaverockandroll.com, the auction will run until June 7. And given its historical significance to the Beatles, there is sure to be a bidding war to bring up such a memorable instrument held by an iconic musician.

Much like Harrison, actor Jeff Daniels knows the pressures that come with being in the spotlight as he starred in iconic films like Dumb and Dumber. And while both found careers in different spaces in entertainmen details

George Harrison decided to throw his hat back in the ring with Cloud Nine in 1987. After years of steering clear of the fame game, he enlisted Jeff Lynne to help him out in his quest to his return to the pop/rock limelight.

Mission accomplished, thanks to rejuvenated songwriting and sparkling guitar work. Let’s look back at the five songs that reign supreme on Cloud Nine, one of the ‘80s most successful comeback records.

5. “This Is Love”

Let’s face it: You can’t really have a Beatles solo album if there’s not at least one ode to love on it. Harrison keeps this from getting too wishy-washy thanks to an insistent beat and urgent melody that dips into moody minor keys in the chorus. Lynne’s touch with arranging backing vocals is all over the album, and it’s especially effective on this track. “This Is Love” was a minor hit when released as a single in the UK towards the end of the album cycle, and it’s aged pretty well thanks to a message of positivity that never really gets dated.

4. “Devil’s Radio”

For the most part, Cloud Nine is a pretty easy-going album. It kind of sails along on the s details

The Beatles are the most-covered artists of all time, and it makes sense why. They’re the biggest band of the 20th century, and they popped out hit after hit before they finally disbanded in 1974. These are four of the most covered Beatles songs of all time, and we can expect their numbers to just keep growing!

It’s worth noting that internet lore asserts that “Yesterday” is the band’s most covered song of all time. However, it’s widely believed that this record is outdated and inaccurate.

1. “Here, There And Everywhere”

This 1966 hit from Revolver has been covered 562 times (as of 2023). The track was penned by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. McCarney is on record saying that “Here, There And Everywhere” is one of Lennon’s favorites that McCartney composed. One of the most famous covers of the song was done by Davis Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame, where the right amount of psychedelia was added to the already dreamy track.

Source: Em Casalena/americansongwriter.com

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A swipe at Prince Harry's book Spare led to death threats aimed at John Lennon's son, the musician said in a social-media post.

Seán Ono Lennon told followers on X, formerly Twitter, that he had been targeted after he suggested the Duke of Sussex should have called his memoir "Spare Me."

He wrote: "I've had 3-4 death threats since making fun of Harry's book title and then later saying it was justified because he's an idiot and that he and I both deserve to be mocked. Yay internet."
 
One response that Lennon highlighted read: "Mark david chapman should've dealt with your father before he had a chance to p*** you out of his womb."

Mark David Chapman murdered John Lennon in December 1980, and was sentenced to 20 years to life before being repeatedly denied parole, including as recently as March.

Source: Jack Royston\newsweek.com

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Escaping the behemoth shadow of the Beatles seemed nearly impossible for its former members following their 1970 breakup, but John Lennon credits one facet of his life, in particular, for helping him break out of the music industry’s toxic cycle of endless creation, production, and promotion.

One decade after the band’s official split, John Lennon and his second wife, Yoko Ono, sat down for a 1980 interview with Playboy that was as unfiltered and uncensored as one might expect for a magazine of that ilk. Lennon didn’t mince his words, regularly pushing back against the journalist’s questions of potential Beatles reunions and retrospectives.

But amidst the at-times confrontational interview, Lennon offered a glimpse into how he managed to break free from a musical regimen he had been locked into since his early 20s.

By the time John Lennon and Yoko Ono sat down with Playboy writer David Sheff, the pair had already diverged musically from Lennon’s former band. Lennon had released several albums, both as a solo artist and with Ono under the Plastic Ono Band. Eventually, Lennon stepped away from the music industry to focus on raising his and Ono’s son, Sean. He details

Ringo Starr is on the phone from Las Vegas and he’s got lots of fab things to talk about, including some that have been largely kept under wraps.

“I’m giving away all the secrets here!” said Starr, who has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist and as a member of The Beatles.

Simultaneously thoughtful and animated, the illustrious drummer, vocalist and bandleader happily discussed a number of topics. They included his upcoming country album with “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” music mastermind T Bone Burnett; a possible new Beatles’ project with Oscar-winning film director Peter Jackson; and the yet-to-be-determined future of “The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil,” which on July 6 will conclude its 18-year run at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

And there’s more.

Source: Gazette Extra
 

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