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?