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]

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.

Casbah Coffee Club

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

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]

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]

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]

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!