The Beatles on iTunes!!!

Sorry for the longtime no post - grad school is busy and I'm hoping to update soon. Just had to post this link from the NYTimes reporting that Apple may be announcing that it has finally come to a deal with the Beatles to sell their music on iTunes. Are you excited about this?

[Image via horrorshowtunez]

John Lennon's 70th Birthday

John Lennon's Birthday was celebrated around the world:



Here is a video of the unveiling of a statue celebrating John Lennon's life and commitment to peace in his hometown of Liverpool. His son Julian and ex-wife Cynthia were present at the ceremony.




Rolling Stone also highlighted events and releases celebrating Lennon's birth including the reissue of all of Lennon's newly remastered solo albums. There is also a film called Nowhere Boy about to be released which focuses on Lennon's early years in Liverpool. Reportedly, Paul and Yoko both approved of the film and liked the portrayal of Lennon's early life. Would you see it?


Here is a trailer:



[Image via amazonaws.com]

  

The Beatles Cover Lady Gaga?

Just found this video on Youtube. Through some very creative editing, it looks like The Beatles covered Lady Gaga during their famous rooftop concert.

Happy Birthday John Lennon!

In 1961, John spent his 21st birthday in Paris with Paul.

Check out this photo of John and Paul from their trip to Paris.

This year marks John's 70th birthday, and it is being celebrated all around the world.

I will post some of the celebrations later on.

[Image Beatlesource.com]

Off to Paris!

On September 30, 1961, Paul and John set off to hitchhike to Paris. John had been given 100 pounds as an early birthday present and decided to go to Paris, inviting Paul to go with him. He told his Aunt Mimi he was going to sell his paintings. Paul bought him a hamburger to celebrate the occasion, but John could not find much reason to celebrate: 


"I wasn't too keen on reaching twenty-one. I remember one relative saying to me, 'From now on, it's all downhill,' and I really got a shock. She told me how my skin would be getting older and that kind of jazz." 


-John Lennon, Anthology, 1963. 


[Image via mybeatlescollection.com]

Casbah Coffee Club

On September 10, 1961, The Beatles played the Casbah Coffee Club, West Derby, Liverpool.

Mark Chapman Denied Parole

Check out this story from AP about the recent decision to deny Mark Chapman parole. He will be eligible for parole again in 2012.

Do you think Chapman will ever be released? I hope not...

[Image via ben-rocks.com]

Two Gigs Today

Happy September everyone! While kids are getting ready to return to school, probably to their parents delight, The Beatles were busy plugging away on their music career on September 1, 1961. On this day in Beatles history, the band played a lunchtime gig with Karl Terry & The Cruisers at The Cavern.

I didn't know much about Karl Terry before reading his name on the bill with The Beatles. However, after some quick internet research, I found that Karl continues to perform in and around Liverpool and Germany. He was a contemporary of The Beatles and remains a performer who continues the legacy of the beat scene.

Karl Terry & The Cruisers formed in 1957 and were voted no. 7 in the MerseyBeat band poll in 1961. Despite their popularity, the band split up in 1963, with Karl Terry joining the Delameres.

Karl Terry still performs today. Here is performing something called "Cigarettes, Cold Beer and Sexy Ladies."



Later on September 1, 1961, The Beatles performed an evening show at The Cavern with Dizzy Burton's Jazz Band.

[Image via Flickr]

Yoko Lashes Out At John Lennon News Conference

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono launched into a rant during a press conference after a reporter asked why she's still living in the apartment block where the Beatles legend was murdered.
The singer/artist held a junket in Los Angeles on Thursday to promote a new TV documentary about her late husband.
But she pounced on one journalist who questioned why she still lives in The Dakota building in New York 30 years after Lennon was shot at the entrance to the apartment block by Mark Chapman.
She shouted, "I think people say, 'Why are you still living on Dakota?' You know, I think it is a slightly racist remark, and maybe sexist, too. Because I'm sure that many people are living in their own home, that he or she shared with their spouses, even after the spouse has passed away. Especially because they passed away. Because there's a lot of memories, and also you built the place with the spouse. I'm not going to leave that and go to some strange house."
And despite the press conference moving on, Ono refused to let the red-faced reporter off the hook.
She added, "Wait a second. I want to answer more fully about what he said, because that's sexist and racist. The thing is... when somebody like me, who is probably not part of your culture, how you think, 'Why is she still living there? We wouldn't live there. Well, maybe because she has a different tradition and she doesn't care about the fact that he died there.' You know, something like that. A little bit more barbaric or something.
"The other thing is, for you to be able to say something like that, 'How dare she's living there?' (sic) is sexism, because I know that all guys wouldn't care... They would just live in the house, and no one's going to comment. No one's going to comment that you would go to maybe a whorehouse or something like that right after your wife died. 'I'm so sorry. He must be so sad.'"

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?entry_id=70249#ixzz0wq3JkUza

Who Will Open the 2012 Olympics in London? Paul McCartney or the Rolling Stones

Here is an article from the India Times that discusses the tough decision the London Olympic committee is trying to make regarding the opening of the 2010 London games. Both Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones are interested in playing the opening ceremonies to represent the host country. Both have played the Super Bowl half-time show, so neither are strangers to large venues. Who do you think should represent London at the opening ceremonies? Paul's daughter Stella McCartney has been commissioned to design the English uniforms for the games, so maybe they'll pick Paul to keep it all in the family. What do you think?





[Image via onethirtybpm]

Beatles Play Lunchtime Set at the Cavern- Later Play the Aintree Institute

Today in 1961, the Beatles played a lunchtime set at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Later in the day, they played a set at the Aintree Institute, Liverpool.

I've never heard of the Aintree Institute in Liverpool, so I did a little research. The Institute was a hall that hosted dances and concerts. Since January 1961, The Beatles played fairly regular sets at the Institute. It wasn't until August 12th, 1961, however, that "The Dynamic Beatles were hired as Saturday night regulars by promoter Brian Kelly. They played 60 gigs at the Institute in 1961 alone!

Below are some pics from The Beatles' performances at Aintree Institute. Notice that they are still wearing their Hamburg leather gear (this is their pre-polished suits look). They also were occasionally accompanied by a group known as the Shimy-Shimy Queens.

[Images via beatlesource.com]

Paul McCartney on Glee?

Check out this article on MSN about Paul McCartney. Apparently, he contacted Glee creator Ryan Murphy to say how much he admires the show and to offer the use of some of his songs in future episodes. Ryan Murphy wouldn't elaborate, but he did say that the show definitely intends to do something with Paul's songs. What do you think about Paul's music appearing on Glee?

Paul McCartney at the White House

As promised, here are some more videos of the tribute to Paul McCartney at the White House that aired last night on PBS.

Dave Grohl with "Band on the Run"



Jack White with "Mother Nature's Son" and "That Would Be Something"



Here is Paul serenading Michelle Obama with "Michelle"



End of "Hey Jude":

Yoko Wants Mark David Chapman to Stay In Jail

Countless news outlets are reporting that Yoko Ono has asked once again that John Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, be denied parole. December 8th marks the thirty year anniversary of Lennon's murder, and Chapman is serving a sentence of twenty years to life. Since Chapman became eligible for parole, Yoko has been submitting a letter to the parole board every two years asking that he not be released. In the letter, she says, "I am afraid it will bring back the nightmare, the chaos and confusion once again. Myself and John's two sons would not feel safe for the rest of our lives." Chapman becomes eligible for parole during the week of August 8th. I don't think he'll ever get out, if for no other reason than the hysteria it would cause. 

Read more: New York Daily News

[Image via huliq.com]

Paul McCartney Honored at White House

The ceremony honoring Paul McCartney with the Gershwin award for song at the White House airs tonight on public television (for those in the USA). Here is a video showing the Jonas Brothers' prep for their performance of "Drive My Car." Not sure why Paul requested them, maybe to appeal to the younger crowd...but I don't really get it. That said, here it is:

*I will try to find videos of the other performances. 

Beatles on the Cover of Mersey Beat!

On July 20, 1961, The Beatles appeared on the cover of the second issue of the Mersey Beat magazine. The group gave an interview about their recording work with Tony Sheridan. Brian Epstein ordered 12 dozen copies of their record with Sheridan for his record shop.

[Image via history.absoluteelsewhere.net]

Happy Belated Birthday Ringo!

July 7th was Ringo's 70th birthday! Since I didn't have the blog then, I thought I'd celebrate it anyway (no matter how late).

Ringo has been touring the last few months with his All Star Band. ( I saw them last month and they were great) Paul McCartney surprised Ringo on his birthday by coming out at the end of the show to play "Birthday" with/for Ringo. It's touching to see how flustered and surprised Ringo is at the beginning, and how clearly touched his is at the end of the song. There were several special guests at Ringo's birthday performance including his son Zac Starkey, who can be seen playing drums with his father.

Here is a pretty good video of the performance from Youtube:



[Image via Boston.com]

Welcome!

Welcome to my Beatles blog!

In my years as a Beatles fan I've learned that the only thing more cliche than saying you're a Beatles fan is to claim that your devotion has been lifelong. I can make no such claims, but I have been a fan since the age of 10. A boy in school made me a mixtape with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" on it, and I haven't been the same since. My crush on the boy may have faded, but I continued to grow up with the Beatles.

That said, the purpose of this blog is part news reporting/ part almanac. I will post current news, audio and video about the Beatles while also marking the history of the Beatles starting in 1961.

I'd love to hear anyone's Beatles related stories, or get links to any related sites.

Enjoy!