Friday, July 4, 2008

Actor returns to Liverpool to pay tribute to John Lennon Mike McGann is returning to portray John Lennon for the first time in 16 years. The Liverpool actor who famously first played the ex-Beatle the year after says he is "chuffed" to be part of the Lennon tribute, but acknowledges the fresh challenges. "I am seven years older now than Lennon was." [more...] Source: Liverpool Echo

Ringo Starr at Seminole Hard Rock in Florida last night Ringo appeared in Florida last night. He emits an inextinguishable flurry of enthusiasm, while genuinely appearing to be having a good time. Introducing the title track of his current LP, Liverpool 8, he jokes he probably has more copies stashed at home than the amount purchased by those in this house. [more...] Source: Miami New Times

Head back to the 1960s on Beatles Day A huge number of Sixties acts from the halcyon days of the Merseybeat scene are set to pay homage to The Beatles on Beatles Day in Liverpool. Acts signed up for the tribute to the Fab Four include Gerry Marsden, The Quarrymen, The Original Fourmost and Kingsize Taylor and The Dominoes. [more...] Source: The Chester Chronicle, UK

New book looks at the power of Ed Sullivan For 20 years Ed Sullivan was the biggest musical tastemaker in American TV, and thus the world. From 1948 to 1971 his TV show was required viewing. He made Elvis and the Beatles. Comedian Joan Rivers, who appeared on the show 19 times, tells the story in a new book, Ed Sullivan and the Gateway to America. [more...] Source: The Times, London

The day the Beatles fled Imelda Marcos On July 4, 1966, the Fab Four were in the Philippines, afraid for their lives. You see, they were there to play a concert. But when manager Brian Epstein declined the band's invitation to a luncheon with Imelda Marcos, it was broadcast as a snub by the fabled shoe obsessive and her nation's media. [more...] Source: Wired Blog

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Paul and Ringo to Honor Beatles' Sir George Martin at USC On July 12, The Grammy Foundation will honor Sir George Martin on the USC campus. It is the signature, annual "Starry Night" – a special benefit dinner and concert. Scheduled to attend are Sir Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, and Olivia Harrison. [more...] Source: Hollywood Today

Lennon's Indian talisman may fetch up to $500,000 t was the only thing that John Lennon wore when he scandalised the world by posing with partner Yoko Ono for the cover of his album Two Virgins. John's lucky charm, which he acquired on a journey to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India in the 1960s, is expected to fetch up to $500,000 at an upcoming online auction. [more...] Source: DNA India

Paul McCartney out of tune with EU royalties plan New EU competition rules on the collection of royalties have hit a wrong note with top songwriters such as Paul McCartney, who have threatened to pull their songs off the airwaves if they go ahead. A draft of the plan said two dozen royalty collection societies would be given 90 days to terminate their national monopolies. [more...] Source: Reuters, UK

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Peace and Love with Ringo on July 7 Ringo is asking for a little help from his friends! On Monday, July 7, Ringo would like everyone, at Noon local time wherever they are in the world, to join him in making the peace sign and saying, singing, shouting, whispering or quietly thinking one simply beautiful and universal message: "Peace & Love." [more...]

Beatles bands to sing from Liverpool rooftops Beatles tribute bands will pay homage to the Fab Four from Liverpool's rooftops during this month's Beatles Day. They will recreate the famous January 1969 Savile Row rooftop appearance by singing some of the band's most famous songs on top of city buildings, including the ECHO Arena. [more...] Source: Liverpool Echo

After 43 Years, Israel welcomes Paul McCartney Paul McCartney is no longer a threat to Israeli youth. More than four decades after the Beatle and his famous band mates were told they couldn't perform in Israel for fear that they would corrupt the country's young people, Paul has signed on for a September concert in either Tel Aviv or Ramat Gan in Israel. [more...] Source: The Jewish Daily Forward

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Paul McCartney to help mark Quebec's 400th It was announced Monday that Paul McCartney would appear at a July 20 concert to mark Quebec City's 400th anniversary. "I am doing a big gig in Quebec City. That is to help Quebec celebrate their 400th anniversary -- that's a long time!" The show will be Paul's only North American performance this year. [more...] Source: Canada.com

Paul says George was like his baby brother In a new interview, Paul McCartney says George Harrison was like his "baby brother." Paul also spoke about the last time he saw George. "I sat with him for a few hours when he was in treatment. He was about 10 days away. But it was lovely and the years just stripped back. We joked about things." [more...] Source: All Headline News

First sighting of Paul McCartney's new eco-car Paul McCartney was spotted with his much-talked about eco-car, an Lexus LS600H, for the first time today. A car of similar size, such as an XJ Jaguar, has much higher emissions. Paul was said to be furious after the vehicle was flown 7,000 miles from Japan to Heathrow Airport on May 1. [more...] Source: The Daily Mail

Secret life of Paul McCartney revealed - as an Everton fan One of the biggest sports rivalries is between Liverpool and Everton. Paul McCartney says he supports both, but, "Here's my deal: my father was born in Everton, my family are officially Evertonians, so if it comes down to a derby match or an FA Cup Final between the two I would have to support Everton." [more...] Source: Liverpool Daily Post

The day the Beatles went out with a bang Did someone throw a firework at the Beatles in Memphis, and did it end their touring career? After Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, it was all about the vinyl. The Cherry Bomb Tapes are much more than just a live recording. They are history, the sound of a collective, immediate decision. [more...] Source: The Guardian, UK

Monday, June 30, 2008

Interview: Paul McCartney supports the British team Paul McCartney is soon to become the unofficial face of the British team, fronting a TV ad campaign that aims to showcase England's top athletes and raise £2m to send them to Beijing. He said, "I like the Olympics, I like that it stands for the unification of people through sport." [more...] Source: The Guardian, UK

Ringo's All-Starr Band's road trip hits Westbury, NY These days, for Ringo Starr, a good show includes being able to have contact with the crowd. "I like to see the audience - that's the deal now when I'm out there," he says. "But I'm comfortable wherever we are. Once they say, 'Billy Shears,' then I'm on. I go on and do my job." [more...] Source: NY Newsday

Audio: Lost Beatles interview unearthed For 44 years a canister of film had been stored in a damp garage in South London. But, finally, somebody took a look inside, and realised they had unearthed a piece of pop history. The lost Beatles interview is to be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday for the first time since it was originally recorded. [more...] Source: BBC News

British MP's go mop-top for Beatles Day The most heated debate in Enland's Parliament has been in answer to the question: What's your favourite Beatles song? After an initial stunned silence they realised it was to promote the first-ever Beatles day in aid of the ECHO's Liverpool Unites campaign and the Alder Hey Imagine appeal. [more...] Source: Liverpool Echo

Friday, June 27, 2008

Breakfast With the Beatles reaches 25 years in Los Angeles Breakfast With the Beatles went on the air in 1983 at long-defunct rock station KMET-FM. The show is now on 95.5 KLOS, and has been hosted by Chris Carter since 2002. Carter plays a wide range of alternate takes, performances from radio and TV broadcasts, bootlegs and solo music by former Beatles. [more...] Source: Los Angeles Times

Of God and a Beatle: talking to a Muse One of her husbands was called God in popular graffiti and the other was a Beatle. Maybe you don't recognize the name Pattie Boyd. But you certainly know the songs written about her. They include the Beatles' "Something" and Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" and "Layla." Boyd will be in Las Vegas for Beatles Fest this weekend. [more...] Source: Los Angeles Times

It still comes easy to Ringo and pals Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band shows are like a dinner party. Ringo invites a few friends over and, with hope, the mood is lively, awkward lulls are avoided, and everyone goes home happy and hoping to do it again some time. Wednesday night at the Bank of America Pavilion, each of the All-Starrs was in fine form. [more...] Source: The Boston Globe

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Neil Innes: Still wacky after all these years Over the last four decades, Neil Innes has fronted the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, performed and written songs for Monty Python's Flying Circus and played Ron Nasty in the 1979 Beatles' spoof "The Rutles." So it's fitting that Innes is front and center at the ninth edition of the Mods & Rockers Film Festival at the Egyptian Theatre. [more...] Source: Los Angeles Times

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