Friday, June 5, 2020

Abbey Road Studios reopens after quarantine Abbey Road Studios, the historic recording studio best known for producing tunes from The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Radiohead, has resumed operations following a 10 week closure due to Covid-19. The first session after the reopening was jazz artist Melody Gardot, whose recording session was canceled when lockdown restrictions were put in place. Related Articles  Source: Broadway World

New beetle species named after The Beatles Last year, a group of entomologists and scientists surveyed a city park in Amsterdam, and discovered a beetle species that was new to science. Found only a stone's throw away from the Amsterdam Hilton, where 50 years previously John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their Bed-Ins For Peace, the beetle was named "Ptomaphagus thebeatles". Source: BBC Wildlife, UK

Guitar previously owned by a Beatle worth a staggering amount of money Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could play one of the guitars once owned by members of the Beatles? BBC's Antique Roadshow valued the guitar previously owned by George Harrison and John Lennon at a hefty price. It's safe to say you'll probably never own it, but hey, one can dream, right? Source: Gent Side, UK

Drummer recalls playing on John Lennon's final performance In a new interview, original Dio drummer Vinny Appice looks back on an early moment of his career when he ended up recording in the studio with John Lennon of The Beatles. The session took place in the summer of 1974 as part of the recording process of Lennon's fifth solo album "Walls and Bridges," released in September same year. Source: Ultimate Guitar

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Beatles DJ Ken Michaels hits milestone of 2000 shows In May, 2020, Beatles DJ Ken Michaels hit the biggest milestone of his career by finishing his 2000th radio show on the Beatles! Beginning in March, 1982 on college radio station WNYT, Ken created "The All-Request Beatles Show," one of the longest-running Beatles programs on radio, and certainly, one of the first weekly Beatles programs on radio. Source: Beatles News

Pattie Boyd memoir, My Life Through a Lens, delayed A book described as an "extraordinary visual memoir" is coming from perhaps the most famous muse of all time, Pattie Boyd. It was originally scheduled for last April 7, on June 3, Boyd noted on her Twitter account that her "editor has been unwell and more work was needed with the finishing touches." Source: Best Classic Bands

How R&B created a foundation for the Beatles For John Lennon, there would been no Beatles without R&B. In fact, they'd have been no rock 'n' roll at all. "I'll never stop acknowledging it: Black music is my life," he told Jet magazine in 1972. "When I heard [Chuck Berry's] "Johnny Be Good," when I heard Bo Diddley. That changed my life completely." Source: Ultimate Classic Rock

Life photographer and chronicler John Loengard dies at 85 When Life magazine sent John Loengard to Miami to photograph the Beatles in February 1964, he wanted to pose them in a swimming pool, as a Fab Four of bobbing heads. But on a very chilly day, he could find only an unheated pool. The Beatles were reluctant to take the dip, but their manager, Brian Epstein, urged them in, citing Life's importance. Source: NY Times

Monday, June 1, 2020

Record Store Day to include John Lennon and Paul McCartney releases It was announced that Record Store Day 2020 would be three separate "Drop" dates, allowing shoppers to socially distance and support independent music retailers. In August, an exciting array of titles will include a 2020 remix of John Lennon's Instant Karma! and a special half-speed master of Paul McCartney's 1970 solo debut, McCartney. Source: U Discover Music

Ringo Starr joins Judy Collins' call to sing Amazing Grace Over the past two weeks, 1,000 singers from across the globe, professional and amateur alike, have answered Judy Collins' call to sing "Amazing Grace" with her as a sign of solidarity in this unprecedented time. Moving messages have been posted about what Judy's recording means to them, including a message from Ringo Starr. Source: Best Classic Bands

Newly enhanced never published last images of John Lennon At 4pm on December 8, 1980, as John Lennon leaves his home on Central Park West, he pauses to autograph a record album for a 25-year-old man, without a suspicion in the world. The moment was caught on camera by Paul Goresh, one of the knot of hardcore Beatles fans always to be found loitering outside the Dakota Building. Fan Content Warning  Source: The Daily Mail, UK

The Beatles are technically part of the Marvel Universe The Beatles have continuously crossed over in pop culture ever since the mid-60s. Appearing in everything from television, movies, novels, and comic books, Batman even broke up a parody version of the Beatles in the DC Universe. In the Marvel Universe, the real-life band made an appearance in an issue that featured a double-date gone wrong. Source: Screen Rant

Friday, May 22, 2020

Video: Wallows covers the Beatles' With a Little Help from My Friends On Friday, the three-piece indie/pop band Wallows premiered a cover of the Beatles classic "With a Little Help from My Friends," and its video is another heavily '90s-styled clip, from the Windows startup screen to the whole bit. The song features drummer Preston on lead vocals, matching Ringo Starr's lead vocal duties on the original track. Source: Rock Cellar Magazine

Writer claims Richard Curtis took all credit for Yesterday film Screenwriter Richard Curtis "insisted" on having full credit for the script for the hit rom-com Yesterday, according to struggling writer Jack Barth, who has accused Curtis of "taking credit for everything" during the blockbuster film's promotional tour, and "damaged me financially" by allegedly sidelining him. Source: The Daily Mail, UK

John Lennon family feud: Is Julian close to Yoko Ono? Julian has spoken openly about his father's second wife Yoko and son Sean although some of his comments are far more thinly veiled. In an interview with The Telegraph in 1998, asked about whether he had a rivalry with his half-brother, Sean, he replied, "It's news to me. I love Sean to death. He's a very smart kid. Source: The Express, UK

Paul McCartney pays tribute to Astrid Kirchherr In the days following the passing of Beatles photographer Astrid Kirchherr, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Pattie Boyd wrote tributes to her. On May 21, Paul McCartney wrote that her passing "brought back memories of our days in the clubs in Hamburg." He added, "We fell in love with [her] style." Source: Best Classic Bands

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Video: Lizzo covers The Beatles for new Facebook ad Facebook is staking a bigger claim on 2020's video chat boom with newly expanded features—and an ad backed by serious star power. The 30-second spot, "Pictures," is set to a cover of The Beatles' All Together Now by Lizzo, recorded specifically for the ad. The ad announces the launch of Facebook's Messenger Rooms. Source: Adweek

Author Q&A: John Lennon 1980 book coming John Lennon's final year, one initially of hope and renewal, yet ultimately of tragedy, is the subject of an upcoming book, John Lennon 1980: The Last Days in the Life. The new title, from noted Beatles historian Kenneth Womack, arrives October 29, a few weeks after what would have been Lennon's 80th birthday. Source: Best Classic Bands

Video: Let It Be film premieres 50 years ago today 50 years ago today, The Beatles' last film, Let It Be, premiered. The film was basically a documentary of the group's break-up, including footage of their last ever public performance on the roof of their Apple Corps headquarters in London. Video of the Beatles with Billy Preston performing Don't Let Me Down is now on the internet. Source: Glide Magazine

Monday, May 18, 2020

The true story behind John Lennon's Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Not many people were as wealthy as John Lennon in 1969, in fact, his net worth was estimated at over $800 million, not including his estates that he owned at the time of his death in 1980. So, of course, he had the means to get... whatever the hell he wanted. He subsequently called up Mercedes-Benz and asked them for a special order. Source: Hot Cars

Comic book explores Paul Is Dead Beatles myth In one of rock's oldest conspiracy theories, Paul McCartney died in a car crash during the making of Sgt. Pepper's and was replaced by a lookalike because the Fab Four wanted to keep going without admitting the truth. A new comic book will explore a fictional world where the "Paul Is Dead" myth is true. Source: Ultimate Classic Rock

BBC's Maida Vale Studios granted Grade II listed status The BBC's Maida Vale Studios, one of the broadcaster's oldest buildings, has been granted Grade II listed status in a decision that will make it harder to sell the building if the corporation puts it on the market. The music recording studio, once used by The Beatles, has been given the listed status despite objections by its owner. Source: The Telegraph, UK (Subscription)

Dire Straits' Mark Knopfler shows the priceless relic of the Beatles In a new video, the famous frontman of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, looks into old recording machines in the studio and explained how they are working. Also, he stated that these machines are representing the rock n' roll history because they had used for the bands like The Beatles, Wings, and more. Source: Metalhead Zone

Friday, May 15, 2020

John Lennon and Paul McCartney on the Tonight Show in 1968 52 years ago today,John Lennon and Paul McCartney appeared on The Tonight Show. Quite a coup to have two of The Beatles in the studio at one time but that wouldn't stop the tapes from being lost for decades. Thankfully, however, one Beatles super fan recorded the fascinating interview and would upload the content onto the internet years later. Source: Far Out Magazine, UK

Jeff Lynne's ELO cancels 2020 tour Jeff Lynne has canceled his upcoming 2020 tour of Europe and U.K. The May 15 announcement cited the Coronavirus pandemic. The 15 dates, dubbed the "From Out of Nowhere Tour," for his recent studio album, were first announced on Jan. 24. Several days later, he revealed his opening act would be Dhani Harrison, George's son. Related Articles  Source: Best Classic Bands

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