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The 1967 Beatles track A Day In The Life has been hailed the best British song of all time.
The song, which featured on the classic Beatles album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, topped a survey of music experts by Q magazine.
The magazine called the track "the ultimate sonic rendition of what it means to be British".
The Kinks' song Waterloo Sunset came second in the poll, ahead of Oasis' Wonderwall in third place.
Earlier this year, in a survey to find the greatest tune between 1955 and 1964 BBC Radio 2 listeners overlooked two Beatles singles in favour of The Kinks' You Really Got Me. A Day In The Life, the Beatles' most ambitious work to date, featured what Lennon described as "a sound building up from nothing to the end of the world".
In fourth place in the Q poll was the Sex Pistols' controversial hit God Save The Queen, with Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody rounding out the top five.
Robbie Williams' Angels, described by the magazine as "virtually our alternative national anthem" polled at number seven - two places ahead of British rockers the Rolling Stones, with Sympathy For The Devil at number nine.
Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4235010.stm)
Scousemouse
09-12-2005, 02:21 AM
D'you know, the term 'expert' really irks me, gets up my nose, is a pain in the butt. What the hell is an 'expert'? Some pillock that can never be wrong? Someone who's 'vast knowledge' supersedes everyone elses opinion? What 'expert' decides who the 'experts' are in these 'polls'.
If you ask me (and as you know, I'm no 'expert'):tear: these polls are a load of, er,...tosh, (for want of a better word). Pick another bunch of 'experts' and I'll lay odds they'll come up with a whole load of different answers!
Tell you what, let's run our own poll...TELL US WHAT YOU CONSIDER THE BEST FIVE SONGS ARE EVER
I'm going to lie down now to think...
I expect a long list from our 'expert' contributors, so get yer thinkin' caps on...
Sorry for the outburst — I think I'm pished. :D
D'you know, the term 'expert' really irks me, gets up my nose, is a pain in the butt. What the hell is an 'expert'? Some pillock that can never be wrong? Someone who's 'vast knowledge' supersedes everyone elses opinion? What 'expert' decides who the 'experts' are in these 'polls'.
If you ask me (and as you know, I'm no 'expert'):tear: these polls are a load of, er,...tosh, (for want of a better word). Pick another bunch of 'experts' and I'll lay odds they'll come up with a whole load of different answers!
Tell you what, let's run our own poll...TELL US WHAT YOU CONSIDER THE BEST FIVE SONGS ARE EVER
I'm going to lie down now to think...
I expect a long list from our 'expert' contributors, so get yer thinkin' caps on...
Sorry for the outburst — I think I'm pished. :D
Go on then - start a new thread :)
The Beatles
The Beatles were a pop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_music) and rock (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music) music group (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_group) from Liverpool, England (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool%2C_England), who continue to be held in the very highest regard for their artistic achievements, their huge commercial success, and their ground-breaking role in the history of popular music (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popular_music). Consisting of John Lennon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon) (1940-1980), Paul McCartney (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_McCartney) (1942- ), George Harrison (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Harrison) (1943-2001) and Ringo Starr (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringo_Starr) (1940- ), the group's innovative music, films, and style helped define the 1960s.
The Beatles were, by most definitions, the biggest musical act of the twentieth century, charting more than fifty top 40 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_40) hit singles in the ten years they were together and twenty-seven #1 hits in the USA & UK alone.
EMI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI) estimated that by 1985, the band had sold over one billion records worldwide.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatles#_note-0) Their ballad Yesterday (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yesterday_%28song%29) (written by McCartney) may be the most-covered (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cover_version) song in the history of recorded music (about 3,000 versions of it exist).[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatles#_note-1)
They composed songs and arranged them in a wide array of musical styles – occasionally fusing genres. The constant factor in the vast majority of their songs was their focus on melody (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melody). They were also pioneers of new musical directions such as psychedelia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychedelia) (Strawberry Fields Forever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberry_Fields_Forever)) and heavy metal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal) (Helter Skelter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helter_Skelter_%28song%29), Revolution (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_%28song%29)). Their use of chamber and baroque orchestrations (scored by producer George Martin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Martin)) on recordings such as A Day In The Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Day_In_The_Life), Eleanor Rigby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_Rigby), In My Life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_My_Life) and For No One (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_No_One) was another first in contemporary popular music. They pioneered many production (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_producer) techniques, and their (1967) LP Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._Pepper%27s_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band) is often cited as one of the first concept albums (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concept_albums).
Their clothes, hairstyles, and choice of instruments made them trend-setters throughout the decade, while their growing social awareness, reflected in the development of their music, saw their influence extend far beyond the music scene into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s.
The group disbanded in 1970, amid much internal strife. Thirty-five years later, in 2005, the American entertainment industry magazine Variety (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variety_%28magazine%29) named them the most iconic entertainers of the 20th century.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatles#_note-2)
Much more info on The Fab Four: Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatles)
================================================== ====
The Beatles' debut US TV appearances on the Ed Sullivan show 40 years ago are still among the most-watched programmes in US history, according to a study.
The band's first two appearances on the show in February 1964 have the second and third highest viewing figures ever.
About 40% of the US population - about 70 million - saw the historic shows that sparked Beatlemania in America.
They were beaten only by the 1983 finale episode of war comedy M*A*S*H which drew nearly 106 million viewers.
In fourth place was the 1982 Super Bowl - seen by more than 85m viewers - and fifth was the famous 1980 episode of the Ewing family soap Dallas in which villain JR was shot (83m).
The 1993 finale of comedy Cheers and various Super Bowls made up the remainder of top 10.
Next week sees the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show on 9 February.
They performed the songs All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There and I Want To Hold Your Hand.
According to reports at the time, the crime rate in US cities dropped dramatically during the broadcast as criminals stopped their activities to tune in.
The top 10 study, calculated using the percentage of population viewing, was compiled in part by data from the US Census Bureau.
The first group to have 5 top records in the American Billboard Charts.
The first British pop group to receive MBE's
First pop group to be seen simultaneously on tv by 4 million people.
Seargant Pepper was the first concept album with no breaks between the tracks...
The first pop group to be given the freedom of Liverpool.
Paul McCartney was the first western artist to record an album exclusively for the Soviet Union.
The Beatles were singled out on Friday as the most influential entertainers of the past 100 years, beating out the likes of Elvis Presley, Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Mouse, according to a survey conducted by show business newspaper Variety.
Variety said the Beatles were named "Icons of the Century" because they were the entertainment personalities who made the biggest impact on the industry and the world in the past 100 years.
Source: Here (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/15102005/325/beatles-top-entertainment-poll.html)
lindylou
10-15-2005, 09:37 PM
Here, here !
victorialush
10-18-2005, 08:44 PM
Reading a few threads in this forum I decided to start my own...
My fave tune by the Beatles is I am the Walrus...
Don't ask me why, the words are gibberish but the song as a whole gives me goosebumps! :)
http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/reuters_molt/465835937.jpg
Ethan Russell is the only rock photographer to have shot album covers for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who.
But of all the pictures of rock icons he has taken over the years, just one adorns his house in California. It is of John Lennon, crouching deep in concentration listening to a recording of the Beatles' White Album.
More: Here (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/28102005/325/lennon-top-icon-u-s-rock-photographer.html)....
John Lennon was born on 9 October 1940 in Liverpool, England. On December 8th 1980 former Beatle John Lennon was shot dead outside his New York apartment. The news of Lennon’s assassination reached the UK in the early hours of the morning of December 9th. 40 year old Lennon was shot several times by Mark Chapman, as he entered the Dakota building in Manhattan, he was rushed to in a police car to St Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center where he died.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/images/2005/12/06/lennon_home1_203x152.jpg
Any comments to make? Do you have any memories of this?
A.D.Williams
12-08-2005, 10:52 PM
Two pictures for this fine forum.
http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/lennon/lenbig.jpg
A.D.Williams
12-08-2005, 10:53 PM
http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/lennon/lenbig1.jpg
victorialush
12-08-2005, 11:08 PM
Bloody Brill Dave :p
Aren't they!! :D
victorialush
12-08-2005, 11:13 PM
Can I... Pleeeeeaaasssseeee? :D
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/fifi_wants_more/coolpic.jpg
A.D.Williams
12-08-2005, 11:19 PM
Feel free to have that picture as a desk top image, Victoria.
Fantastic - :) Looks beautiful - your desktop
Scousemouse
12-08-2005, 11:57 PM
Makes a cracking screensaver. Thanks Dave
Scousemouse
12-09-2005, 01:00 AM
The most famous interview Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner ever did was an extensive interrogation, on tape, of Lennon shortly after the Beatles had broken up.
If you missed this interview you can hear it HERE (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/lennon_wenner.shtml)
What do you think of the man after listening to this.
:cool: I see you have an Ipod too Victoria.
MSN Messenger as well.:p
Gnomie
12-09-2005, 03:13 AM
John lives on, like the moon and the stars and the sun
god bless you John
victorialush
12-09-2005, 10:21 AM
I see you have an Ipod too Victoria.
MSN Messenger as well.
Yep, I have a pink ipod mini, I love it :D
And yes, I have messenger too, are you dropping the hint to swap some music :unibrow:
Thanks for that picture Dave, my desktop is literally fab now!! :)
victorialush
12-09-2005, 10:25 AM
John lives on, like the moon and the stars and the sun
god bless you John
Did anyone watch the documentary on Channel 4 last night about the shooting of John Lennon. I found it interesting, especially as there were quite a few recordings from Mark Chapman, what a strange character he was :shock:
I was reading the metro this morning and it mentioned that 1000 messages attached to white balloons where released into the sky at Albert Dock, one of them read "Looking around at all thats happening in the word today, we need his voice more than ever!" :sad:
How touching I thought!
I got the silver mini ipod can blast the tunes lowd on it.:cool:
Did anyone watch the documentary on Channel 4 last night about the shooting of John Lennon. I found it interesting, especially as there were quite a few recordings from Mark Chapman, what a strange character he was :shock:
I was reading the metro this morning and it mentioned that 1000 messages attached to white balloons where released into the sky at Albert Dock, one of them read "Looking around at all thats happening in the word today, we need his voice more than ever!" :sad:
How touching I thought!
I saw it :doubt: what a weirdo - the fella is still enjoying his 'fame' from inside a prison cell. He acheived what he had set out too :sad:
victorialush
12-09-2005, 04:40 PM
I got the silver mini ipod can blast the tunes lowd on it.:cool:
I bet you have Eye of the Tiger on loop don't you?! :D
victorialush
12-09-2005, 04:42 PM
I saw it :doubt: what a weirdo - the fella is still enjoying his 'fame' from inside a prison cell. He acheived what he had set out too :sad:
Complete narcissism, I still find that hard to get my head around. :angry:
A.D.Williams
12-09-2005, 08:18 PM
Thanks for that picture Dave, my desktop is literally fab now!! :)
Maybe this is a better one? It's one of my favourites.
http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/lennon/lenbig3.jpg
victorialush
12-09-2005, 08:49 PM
Thanks Dave, I have to agree with you there ;)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/fifi_wants_more/coolpic.jpg
victorialush
12-09-2005, 08:52 PM
why is it showing the old pic :(
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/fifi_wants_more/coolpic1.jpg
A.D.Williams
12-09-2005, 10:49 PM
Looks like the newer pic to me.
victorialush
12-09-2005, 11:27 PM
Looks like the newer pic to me.
It is now, the post before was showing the old pic and I couldn't edit it out :)
lindylou
12-10-2005, 12:20 AM
Just seen these pictures, fabulous photos Dave - thanks for sharing :)
THEY are worth £20m a year to Liverpool and are vital to the city's tourist industry. But Beatles fans were seemingly forgotten when a new map was drawn up to help visitors navigate their way round major attractions.
The 2006 Liverpool Visitors' Guide fails to include the legendary Cavern Club, regarded as the band's birthplace, or Mathew Street in its fold-out chart.
Even the new Kings Dock conference centre and arena, not due to be completed until the start of 2007, makes it on to the city centre plan.
The only Beatles attraction included in the map for visitors is the Beatles Story museum. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16786776%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=beatles%2don%2dtourist%2dmap%2d%2d%2dbu t%2dwhere%2ds%2dthe%2dcavern%2d-name_page.html) :retard:
What a load of incompetent wing nuts
Paul D
04-28-2006, 06:08 PM
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7821/castrolennonstatueap7dj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Here's a picture of Fidel Castro unveiling a statue of John Lennon in John Lennon park in Havana Cuba and I know Hamburg are about to unveil a statue to The Beatles soon,and of course there's Strawberry Fields in New York,and I was wondering how many other places around the world have similar Beatles tributes does anyone know of any more.:question:
I don't, maybe someone can help :PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Beatles and Apple Computer await court decision
http://eur.news1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/xp/reuters_ids/20060508/t/889600312.jpg
Judgement is due on Monday in a High Court battle between the Beatles' record company Apple Corps and Apple Computer Inc..
The music firm says the computer company has violated a 1991 trademark agreement by moving into the music business through its market-leading iTunes online store.
Apple Computer argued in court hearings in London earlier this year that iTunes was primarily a data transmission service, permitted by the agreement.
Apple Corps counsel Geoffrey Vos argued that Apple Computer could go "into the recorded music business in any way they want".
"What they cannot do is use the Apple (trade)mark to do it," he said.
Apple Corps, owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and the estate of George Harrison, has sued Apple Computer twice before.
The 1991 out-of-court settlement, which included a $26 million (14 million pounds) payment by Apple Computer, set out areas in which each party would have exclusive use of their respective fruit-shaped logos.
Apple Corps is seeking a judgement of liability and an injunction against Apple Computer. If it succeeds, a subsequent trial will assess damages.
Apple Computer has become a major force in the music industry, selling some 14 million iPod portable music players and more than one billion songs from the iTunes Music Store.
The Beatles have consistently refused to licence their songs to any online music services.
But it emerged during the High Court proceedings that Apple Corps was digitally remastering the entire Beatles catalogue, paving the way for selling the songs online.
John, Paul, George and Ringo have been reunited once more - and as you can see they've been doing some travelling. The Fab Four's waxwork doubles have made the trip from London to their spiritual home in Liverpool. After going on display in the capital, they're packing their bags - and guitar cases - and making their way to the city's Beatles Museum.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410350.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410351.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410349.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410348.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410346.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410347.jpg
John, Paul, George and Ringo have been reunited once more - and as you can see they've been doing some travelling. The Fab Four's waxwork doubles have made the trip from London to their spiritual home in Liverpool. After going on display in the capital, they're packing their bags - and guitar cases - and making their way to the city's Beatles Museum.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410350.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410351.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410349.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410348.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410346.jpg
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410347.jpg
Those dummies are spooky looking.
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1410348.jpg
You use these heads to fake a murder scene by covering them with fake blood and leaving them in a seedy hotel bathub full of ice!:celb (23):
Browneyes
05-26-2006, 02:38 PM
Max you twisted young individual :Colorz_Grey_PDT_16:
It would look cool though.:celb (23):
Too many movies.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
julia
05-26-2006, 07:42 PM
If the four lads go a-missing, I don't think the police will be searching hotel bathrooms first. More than likely, they will start the search in my flat! :hug:
Paul D
06-04-2006, 08:54 PM
The Beatles are the best-selling musical group of all time, estimated by EMI to have over one billion discs and tapes sold worldwide.
The Beatles have notched up the most multi-platinum selling albums for any artist or musical group (thirteen in the U.S. alone).
The Beatles have had more number one singles than any other musical group (23 in Australia, 23 in The Netherlands, 22 in Canada, 21 in Norway, 20 in the U.S., and 18 in Sweden). Ironically, the Beatles could easily have had even more number ones, because they were often competing with their own singles. For example, the Beatles' "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" were released as a "double A"-sided single, which caused sales and airplay to be divided between the two songs instead of being counted collectively. Even so, they reached number two with the singles.
The Beatles have had more number one albums than any other group (19 in the U.S. and 15 in the United Kingdom).
The Beatles spent the highest number of weeks at number one in the albums chart (174 in the UK and 132 in the U.S.).
The most successful first week of sales for a double album (The Beatles Anthology Volume 1, which sold 855,473 copies in the U.S. from 21 November to 28 November 1995).
In terms of charting positions, Lennon and McCartney are the most successful songwriters in history, with 32 number one singles in the U.S. for McCartney, and 26 for Lennon (23 of which were written together). Lennon was responsible for 29 Number One singles in the UK, and McCartney was responsible for 28 (25 of which were written together).
During the week of 4 April 1964, The Beatles held the top five positions on the Billboard singles chart. No one had ever done anything like this before, and it is doubtful that the conditions will ever exist for anyone to do it again. The songs were "Can't Buy Me Love", "Twist and Shout", "She Loves You", "I Want to Hold Your Hand", and "Please Please Me".
The next week, 11 April 1964, the Beatles held fourteen positions on the Billboard Hot 100. Before the Beatles, the highest number of concurrent singles by one artist on the Hot 100 was nine (by Elvis Presley, 19 December 1956).
The Beatles are the only artist to have 'back-to-back-to-back' number one singles on Billboard's Hot 100. Boyz II Men and Elvis Presley have succeeded themselves on the chart, but the Beatles are the only artist to 'three-peat'.
The Beatles' "Yesterday" is the most covered song in history, appearing in the Guinness Book of Records with over three thousand recorded versions.
The Beatles even had their own stamp commissioned, featuring a tribute to Yellow Submarine.The Beatles had the fastest selling single of all time with "I Want To Hold Your Hand". The song sold 250,000 units within three days in the U.S., one million in 2 weeks. (Additionally, it sold 10,000 copies per hour in New York City alone for the first 20 days.)
The Beatles have the fastest selling CD of all time with 1. It sold over 13 million copies in four weeks.
The largest number of advance orders for a single, at 2.1 million copies in the U.S. for "Can't Buy Me Love" (it sold 940,225 copies on its first day of release in the U.S. alone).
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the best selling album of all time in the UK (over 4.5 million copies sold).
With their performance at Shea Stadium in 1965, The Beatles set new world records for concert attendance (55,600+) and revenue.
The Beatles broke television ratings records in the U.S. with their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
On 12 June 1965, the Beatles were made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Queen.
On 30 June 1966, the Beatles became the first musical group to perform at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo. They performed five times in three days gathering audiences of about 10,000 per performance.
The Beatles appear five times in the top 100 best-selling singles in the UK. No other group appears more than twice.
THEY started out as four unknown lads in a Liverpool basement and played their last gig on a London rooftop, the city's most famous sons.
Today the Daily Post reveals the first of 110 paintings specially commissioned to depict John, Paul, George and Ringo's musical journey.
The canvases, the first somewhat biblically titled "the birth of Ringo", will be exhibited in chronological order on seven floors at Liverpool's new £17m Hard Days Night hotel (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=1553).
Paul D
06-08-2006, 08:21 PM
I'm loving this new hotel and the artwork looks absolutely amazing.:celb (23):
Paul D
06-18-2006, 04:52 AM
any pics?
I've only seen them in the echo so far but hopefully they might get a website up and running soon hey.:snf (41):
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney turns 64 on Sunday.
The singer, who wrote When I'm 64 for The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album, says his children have urged him to disappear for the day, which is sure to trigger a flurry of press attention.
Here is how his life has changed over the last seven decades.
CHILDHOOD: 1942 -1951
James Paul McCartney was born to a working class family on 18 June, 1942, at Walton Hospital in Liverpool.
His mother, Mary, had been a nursing sister at the hospital, and was given a bed in a private room for the birth.
Sir Paul was baptised as a Roman Catholic, his mother's faith, but religion did not play a strong part in his upbringing.
His father, Jim, was a gifted musician who played with a jazz band in the evening while holding down a day job as a cotton salesman.
Both Sir Paul and his younger brother Michael received piano lessons during their early years, but neither kept up the instrument.
TEENAGE YEARS: 1952 - 1961
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775164_home_2.jpg
Sir Paul's childhood home is now owned by the National Trust
The McCartneys moved several times during Sir Paul's early life, but eventually settled in a terraced house in Liverpool's Forthlin Road in 1955.
Just one year later, the family was struck by tragedy when Sir Paul's mother died of breast cancer, aged 47.
Her death had a huge impact on Sir Paul. He referred to her in the lyrics of Let It Be, singing: "When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me".
Soon after she passed away, Sir Paul asked his father to buy him a guitar, and the young musician learnt to play by imitating American R&B hits he heard on the radio.
In October 1957, Sir Paul auditioned for John Lennon's band, The Quarrymen, at a church fair and was asked to join as the group's third guitarist.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775046_beatles_early.jpg
One of the band's earlier names was Johnny and The Moondogs
The pair began writing songs together and several of their earliest hits were composed in the house on Forthlin Road, including Love Me Do and I Saw Her Standing There.
It was also about this time that Sir Paul wrote When I'm 64, and the band are reported to have played it early concerts.
After decamping to West Germany to play a residency in the Indra Club in Hamburg, the band - now rechristened The Beatles - returned to Liverpool in 1960.
It was at a gig in the Cavern nightclub that they were seen by Brian Epstein, who offered to become their manager.
BEATLEMANIA: 1962 - 1971
Epstein secured The Beatles an audition with Decca on New Year's Day 1962, but the record company decided not to offer the band a contract.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775062_moptop.jpg
The Beatles got their famous "moptop" haircuts in Germany
However, the manager eventually persuaded producer George Martin to sign the group to Parlophone Records in May 1962.
Beatlemania was not long coming. The group's first single, Love Me Do, reached number four in October, and by August 1963 they spent seven weeks on top of the charts with She Loves You.
By then, The Beatles were household names, with Sir Paul as the band's main pin-up.
Around this time, he started to date actress and party cake designer Jane Asher. Several Beatles songs are thought to be about their relationship, including We Can Work It Out and Here, There and Everywhere.
The band conquered America in 1964, after an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show was seen by a reported 73 million people.
When I'm 64 was featured on the band's milestone album, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775050_beatles_psych.jpg
The Beatles played to 400m people on the first global TV link-up.
The vaudevillian song is atypical of the album, featuring a clarinet trio, rather than the psychedelic rock that characterised the rest of the record.
Many speculated it was a love song to Linda Eastman, who later became Sir Paul's wife, but the couple didn't meet until a launch party for the Sergeant Pepper album.
Sir Paul married Eastman in a low-key register office ceremony in 1969.
The musician claims he nearly forgot to buy a wedding ring after becoming engrossed in a recording session.
The couple had three children together, and Sir Paul adopted a daughter from Eastman's previous marriage.
By the time of their wedding, The Beatles were becoming more and more fractious, with musical and personal differences tearing the band apart.
Sir Paul released his first solo album, McCartney, in 1970 at around the same time as The Beatles' swansong, Let It Be.
Some copies included a self-written interview explaining the break-up of the band.
WINGS: 1972 - 1981
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775038_wings.jpg
Sir Paul's wife Linda was a member of Wings
In the year that he turned 30, Sir Paul found two of his singles banned by the BBC.
Give Ireland Back To the Irish, released in February, was blacklisted for its political content, while December's Hi, Hi, Hi was thought to contain drugs references.
Both singles were recorded by the musician's new band, Wings, which went through a variety of line-ups during the 1970s.
Sir Paul's songs of this period were often derided by critics for being overly-sentimental, but they found great favour with the public.
Mull of Kintyre, a paean to his Scottish retreat with Linda, stayed at number one for nine weeks in 1977 and for several years held the record for being the highest-selling single in the UK.
Wings' other hits included the James Bond theme Live and Let Die, and Band On The Run.
In 1980, Sir Paul was arrested in Tokyo's Narita airport for possession of marijuana. He spent ten days in prison before being released and deported to the UK.
In December that year, Sir Paul's former bandmate and writing partner, John Lennon, was shot dead on the steps of his New York home.
SOLO: 1982 - 1991
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775058_mccartney_70s.jpg
In the 1980s, Sir Paul's hits included Pipes Of Peace
After Wings disbanded in 1981, Sir Paul had continued solo success with his albums McCartney II and Tug Of War.
His duets with Stevie Wonder, on Ebony and Ivory, and Michael Jackson, on The Girl Is Mine, were big hits - but critics were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the saccharine nature of Sir Paul's work.
Even the public turned their backs on the 1984 film Give My Regards to Broad Street, written by and starring Sir Paul - although a single from the film, No More Lonely Nights, was a huge hit.
The artist's reputation for creating groundbreaking music took another blow in December that year when he released We All Stand Together, a waltz for Rupert The Bear credited to Paul McCartney and the Frog Chorus.
1989's Flowers In The Dirt, which featured several collaborations with Elvis Costello, was better received, and was followed by Sir Paul's first world tour in a decade.
As he approached 50, Sir Paul made his first foray into classical music, scoring the Liverpool Oratorio with composer Carl Davis.
LEGEND: 1992 - 2001
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775042_anthology.jpg
The remaining Beatles recorded new songs for the Anthology albums
The emergence of Britpop saw many artists citing The Beatles as an influence.
And, as fans of new bands such as Oasis started to investigate Sir Paul's back catalogue, so did he.
He helped to compile the Beatles Anthology albums, which unearthed alternative takes and forgotten recordings, and took part in the accompanying TV series.
Perhaps as a result, Sir Paul's next album, Flaming Pie, saw him go back to the skiffle and R&B songs that inspired The Beatles 30 years earlier.
He also kept up his interest in classical music, and released two albums of dance music under the pseudonym The Fireman.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775052_concert_2005.jpg
Sir Paul's music has made him one of the UK's wealthiest entertainers
In 1996, Sir Paul opened the Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, which was built on the site of his old school.
The following year, he received a knighthood.
However, the honour was overshadowed by the death of his wife, Linda, who succumbed to breast cancer, at the age of 56.
NOW I'M 64: 2002 - Present
Sir Paul's diverse interests came to the fore after his wife's death. He publicly exhibited his paintings for the first time, and released a book of poetry, Blackbird singing.
He has continued to record and tour, and headlined the Glastonbury Festival in 2004.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775060_mills.jpg
Sir Paul and Heather Mills became engaged in 2001
But Sir Paul's music has been overshadowed by his marriage to the model Heather Mills.
The couple tied the knot amid considerable secrecy in Ireland in 2002.
Following their marriage, Mills and Sir Paul devoted much time to charity work, and recently campaigned against the slaughter of seal pups in Canada.
The couple had a daughter, Beatrice, in the autumn of 2003.
However, they separated last month, blaming press intrusion for putting a strain on their relationship.
source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/5087006.stm)
Lucky Old ******* married and divorced a model!:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
The Beatles Story exhibition marked the occasion with a weekend-long party, including a karaoke competition to find the best singer of Sir Paul's classic When I'm 64, which was won by a Filipino man on his first visit to the city.
Rhoel Tupaz was on a pilgrimage to the home of his idols and visiting the exhibition when he decided to take part in the contest, held at the venue's replica Cavern.
And he put his experience of singing Beatles' hits in the karaoke bars and streets of his home town of Butuan to good use by walking off with the top prize.
Rhoel, 38, said: "In the Philippines, The Beatles are more popular than ever and we are still singing their songs on the streets and in the bars.
"When I was a child, when my parents gave me money for school dinner, I would use it to buy their albums instead. I've been singing their songs ever since John Lennon died.
"This is my first visit to Liverpool and it was great to walk off with the top prize, especially as the standard was so good. It's a brilliant way to mark my time here."
The Beatles Story was the hub of the celebrations for the landmark birthday immortalised in Sir Paul's song, with an American CBS camera crew filming the festivities, which included balloons, birthday cake, and a chance for visitors to have their picture taken on the Cavern stage with the first ever Madame Tussauds waxwork of the former Beatle.
Director Jerry Goldman said: "We were initially uncertain whether to do anything or not, given current circumstances, but we got so many phone calls we realised the fans wanted something to mark the event.
"People have been bringing in birthday cards for Sir Paul, and our Cavern was full all the time, with about 30 people taking part in the karaoke competition over the weekend.
"Rhoel Tupaz won it against stiff competition because it was such a professional, confident performance.
"Joe Flannery, a booking agent who worked for Beatles' manager Brian Epstein, also got up on the stage and told a story about how the boys were in his house before they were famous, and were joking about what they wanted to do when they were 40.
"Apparently, Paul said he would be a window cleaner."
alanweston@dailypost.co.uk
A GUITAR plectrum believed to be one of the earliest creations of John Lennon is going on display at Lennon's childhood home, Mendips. more (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/breakingnews/tm_objectid=17259327%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=lennon%2dplectrum%2dgoes%2don%2ddisplay-name_page.html)
Paul D
06-21-2006, 05:16 PM
The birth and early history of The Beatles is interwoven with the Casbah. Beatles fans everywhere acknowledge that the Casbah was truly where it all began.
Instruments, hand-drawn posters, microphones and amps are still at the Casbah, more than forty years on. The silver stars on the ceiling of the bar area, painted by John, Paul, George and Pete, John's name carved into the wall are all poignant reminders of the enduring mark made on history by Mona Best and her Casbah Coffee Club.
Take a trip down memory lane and visit key moments in the life of the Casbah. Follow the links and find your favourite facts and images.
This is a must for any fans of The Beatles.
http://www.casbahcoffeeclub.com/
Paul D
06-30-2006, 03:26 PM
Beatles families come together at new show.
THE remaining Beatles and their families will prove that love is all you need when they attend the premier eof Cirque du Soleil extravaganza LOVE in Las Vegas tonight.
Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Olivia and Dhani Harrison, Julian and Sean Lennon, Cynthia Lennon and Sir George Martin are all expected at the gala event.
More than 4,000 guests will watch two performances of the multi-million pound production, which showcases more than 100 Beatles songs, before going on to an aftershow party.
Among them will be Paul's brother Mike McCartney and wife Rowena.
Mike McCartney has also pledged to ask bosses of the Canadian acrobatic troupe if they will bring the fantasy tribute show to Liverpool's new Kings Dock arena for Capital of Culture year.
He said: "Our kid and I came across Cirque du Soleil when they weren't really that well known.
"Rowena and I saw them in Manchester and Paul saw their show in London or Vegas. Neither of us knew the other had seen it, but my brother fell in love with it." lOVE has a fine Beatles pedigree.
It was born from a friendship between the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Lalibert?, agreed by Paul, Ringo and Yoko, and brought to the stage by Sir George Martin.
It links together 60 international artists from the Cirque du Soleil and more than 100 Beatles songs to present, in its creators' words, "a vivid, intimate and powerful entertainment experience".
The unique soundtrack has been created using original master tapes from Abbey Road studios.
Sir George, who worked on the project with son Giles, said: "We wanted to make sure there are enough good, solid hit songs in the show, but we don't want it to just "best of's".
"We also wanted to put in some interesting and not well-known Beatles music and use fragments of songs."
Each of the seats in the Mirage is equipped with three speakers to give fans an intimate experience.
It is expected lOVE could run for at least 10 years, packing 2,000 people into the theatre twice a night, five nights a week, with ticket prices ranging from $69 (£38) to $150 (£82).
lindylou
08-29-2006, 10:36 PM
Aug.29.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/rubinda/tn_S.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/rubinda/tn_strawberryfields06004.jpg
Are those gates ever open?"
lindylou
08-30-2006, 04:41 PM
I've never seen them open all the times I've been there.
I'm sorry, I don't live in Liverpool. What is so great about it again?
I'm sorry, I don't live in Liverpool. What is so great about it again?
The Beatles....
Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army orphanage in Woolton, England, founded in 1936. Strawberry Field has had an annual fête, which John Lennon and his aunt Mimi regularly attended. It closed its doors as a children's home in early January, 2005 and is now a church and prayer centre. The famous gates marking its entrance still stand.
The name of the orphanage became world famous in 1967, with the release of The Beatles single "Strawberry Fields Forever", written by John Lennon. Lennon grew up near the orphanage and used to play in the wooded area behind the building with his childhood friends, Pete Shotton and Ivan Vaughan.
Strawberry Fields....yada...Lenno....yada....
Yeah, I knew all that. I assumed there would be some kind of mamorial to the REAL strawberry fields. I thought it would be a bit more grand than that so I just assumed that some kid had scrawled 'strawberry fields' on some wall somewhere next to some gate and y'all were calling it great. But if that is the only remaining part of the real place then.....it's kind of great....I suppose.
Joaquin
08-30-2006, 05:15 PM
Brilliant!
The ''Strawberry Field'' bit does look like graffiti, though. I thought a rant about kids defacing old gates was coming up when I first saw the picture.
lindylou
09-03-2006, 12:21 PM
I don't normally hold with graffiti, but in this case it's allowed ! :)
The graffiti is in fact signatures by visiting tourists. It can be interesting reading the names from visitors from all over the globe; USA, Japan, Holland, etc, etc. There are little messages and 'Beatle quotations'
victorialush
09-03-2006, 01:49 PM
Yeah, I knew all that. I assumed there would be some kind of mamorial to the REAL strawberry fields. I thought it would be a bit more grand than that so I just assumed that some kid had scrawled 'strawberry fields' on some wall somewhere next to some gate and y'all were calling it great. But if that is the only remaining part of the real place then.....it's kind of great....I suppose.
:disgust:
johnlemmon
09-04-2006, 12:36 PM
Hello Lindylou...
is the building still there and is it being used still by the Salvation Army...?
and is the address beaconsfield road... what number..
Lemmo...:037:
Urban
09-04-2006, 03:03 PM
As the site is now empty what do people think are the chances of transforming it into a tourist attraction?
lindylou
09-04-2006, 06:26 PM
Hello Lindylou...
is the building still there and is it being used still by the Salvation Army...?
and is the address beaconsfield road... what number..
Lemmo...:037:
Yes, it is Beaconsfield rd, but I never thought of what number it would be. :)
The building hasn't been in use for some time and just lately there has been some talk about building houses or apartments on the site.
Urban
09-05-2006, 12:20 AM
Probably flats
When I say tourist attraaction I don't mean camelot, I think a peace centre would be good where people can look at the evils of war in line with Lennon's philosophy.
johnlemmon
09-05-2006, 01:51 PM
I heard it was being used by the Salvation Army for a prayer room called the Boiler Room 24/7...
does anyone have a phone number or link
I have some ideas for a plan for its future if anyone is interested...
johnlemmon...:snf (41):
johnlemmon
09-05-2006, 04:09 PM
Does anyone here live near this place...?
johnlemmon...:037:
Beatles to feature on set of stamps
The Beatles are to appear on a set of stamps. The six stamps, issued by the Royal Mail, feature images of the band's most famous album covers.
The collection, which goes on sale in January, includes Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Abbey Road, Revolver, Let It Be and With The Beatles.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The Beatles special stamps promise to be a big hit with fans the world over when they go on sale in January 2007.
"Royal Mail is featuring some 1st Class Beatles album covers to commemorate the UK band that stands for all that's great in popular culture."
I seen the stamps in this mornin's Daily Mirror .. great stuff..
"Letter be" :D
http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/uk_enl_1158071888/img/1.jpg (http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/uk_enl_1158071888/img/1.jpg)
They'll be great attached to letter sent to relatives and friends afar or abroad bearing a Liverpool postmark eh?
Having said that... woul'nt it also be great if the GPO issued a series of commemrative stamps celebrating Liverpool in 2007/2008
Paul D
11-18-2006, 06:10 PM
Love unveils new angle on Beatles
The Martins said their first concern was to do justice to the Beatles
There was more than a twinkle of emotion in George Martin's eye when he was asked what John and George would have thought of Love, the new album of reworked Beatles' songs.
"I think they would have liked it," he said. "To be honest, I believe they were there with us as we worked on it,"
And whether the idea of newly mixed version of the Fab Four appeals or appals, there is no arguing about the - well, love - that has gone into it.
The legendary producer was speaking at the album's launch in Abbey Road's Studio 2, where he helped to craft many of the Beatles most iconic tracks.
When approached, three years ago, to create a soundtrack to a Beatles-themed show by Cirque Du Soleil, Martin enlisted help from his producer son, Giles.
It was an honour to be able to work with the Beatles in this way
Martin, 80, said: "The condition was that we could use any sound we liked that had been recorded by the Beatles.
"This gave us an enormous palette to work with while keeping us disciplined in not doing anything unsuitable to the rightly treasured Beatles songs."
The project was backed from the beginning by the surviving members of the band as well as widows Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono.
Giles, 37, said: "It was an honour to be able to work with the Beatles in this way but it was especially good that Paul, Ringo, Olivia and Yoko were so enthusiastic.
"They would keep encouraging us to go further, try something new and, as Yoko said, if we did something they didn't like, no one was going to hear it."
The Beatles constantly reinvented their sound and image
The result is a "soundscape" of familiar Beatles' songs. Some, like Help!, are used in almost their original form, whereas others have been ambitiously remixed.
The keyboard of Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite dissolves into the plodding guitar of I Want You (She's So Heavy).
Strawberry Fields Forever builds from Lennon's acoustic demo into a psychedelic swirl of sounds that incorporates bits of Hello Goodbye, Baby You're a Rich Man, Penny Lane and Piggies.
Only one track broke the rule on using no new music. An early recording of While My Guitar Gently Weeps was preferred but Olivia Harrison felt it was too "raw".
I never thought I would get this deeply involved with the Beatles again
George Martin
To bridge the impasse, Martin scored a new orchestral backing.
All about love
"It was strange, writing this for an old friend who was no longer with us," said George Martin.
"Yesterday was first score I ever wrote for a Beatle song way back in 1965 and this, 41 years later, is the last. They bookend an extraordinary time."
He acknowledged that some fans might be alarmed at the idea of "playing with perfection".
"But if you worried about what might upset some of the fans, you would never do anything and we have simply done what we thought was right.
"I never thought I would get this deeply involved with the Beatles again. It's been a real journey but we were doing something worthwhile.
"We were trying to create a feeling of what the Beatles were all about, and what they were all about was love."
Love will be released on 20 November.
shytalk
11-18-2006, 06:18 PM
I remember the Beatles well, they ruined a great jazz club.
Please don't all batter me at the same time, :)
Paul D
11-18-2006, 06:35 PM
I remember the Beatles well, they ruined a great jazz club.
Please don't all batter me at the same time, :)
Aye Aye we'll have less of that.:D
A ONE-OFF Beatles record rarity created from cheeky opportunism, and worth thousands of pounds, is to go on display in Liverpool.
The only copy of the Beatles "White" Album recorded on blue vinyl has been donated to the The Beatles Story, by the album's owner, 49-year-old TV cameraman Colin McDonald.
In 1978 Mr McDonald worked at a record pressing plant in Hayes, Middlesex. It was used to produce a 1,000 limited edition in white vinyl of the double album, originally recorded in 1968, for the management of the Beatles' record company EMI.
But before they were returned to the vaults in London, Colin got overseers to turn a blind eye while he pressed a single album.
He explained: "I never thought about how much money it would make. As a Beatles fan I just wanted to have something that was unique. In fact, until the mid-90s it was in my loft next to my old vinyl copies of Zeppelin, Floyd and Purple."
He was curious about its value and went to Sotheby's for a valuation. "But EMI got a bit humpy about it. I really didn't care about the money so I thought it would be better to put it on display where all Beatles fans could see it," said Colin, who now lives in Buckinghamshire.
The cover has even been signed by Paul McCartney - a passionate collector of his rare past work.
"We couldn't believe our eyes," said Louise Collier, operations manager at The Beatles Story. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime find. Colin's generosity has enabled fans from all over the world the chance to see this unique album."
Pete Nash, the Beatles expert for Record Collector, the world's pop valuation bible, said Beatles oneoffs were at the top of the collectors' tree and valued Colin's specimen at a conservative £5,000. He said there were other Beatles collectables but they were difficult to evaluate as they had never come on to the market but were undoubtedly worth a mint.
"For instance there are covers of the songs Fever and Summertime recorded for a disc in Hamburg in October 1960.
"It had Lou Walters of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes singing with Ringo - still with the Hurricanes - on drums plus John, Paul and George. There are only five known to exist"
George Harrison's Maton MS-500 Mastersound which he played throughout 1963 will go under the hammer at Copper Owen's Music Legends auction at Air Studios in London on Thursday, November 30. It is expected to fetch £100,000.
THE blue "White" album will be on display at the Beatles Story from tomorrow.
Record Collector magazine's Top Five Most Expensive rarities
1 The Quarry Men That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger (10-inch 78 rpm acetate plain sleeve one copy) 1958 £100,000/priceless.
2 The Quarry Men That'll Be The Day/In Spite of All the Danger(7 inch and 10 inch copies of 1958 acetate Parlophone sleeves) 1981 £10,000. 25 copies of each.
3 Sex Pistols God Save The Queen/No Feelings (A&M AMS 7284) £7,500+. 300 copies only. Beware: much bootlegged.
4 The Beatles "White Album" (Apple PMC/PCS 7067/8) Initial plain white sleeve embossed with numbered copies 1 to 1,000. £5,000 to £8,000 for those numbered 1-10. Next 900 numbered copies usually fetch around £1,000 each.
5 Sex Pistols Anarchy In The UK/No Fun (EMI 401) 7 inch 1976 £6,000+ Double sided acetate three copies of which are known to exist.
source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/liverpooldailypost/news/regionalnews/tm_headline=fab-four%2Ds-album-rarity-given-to-beatles-museum%26method=full%26objectid=18129700%26page=1% 26siteid=50061-name_page.html).....
Waterways
11-21-2006, 12:13 PM
A ONE-OFF Beatles record rarity created from cheeky opportunism, and worth thousands of pounds, is to go on display in Liverpool.
The only copy of the Beatles "White" Album recorded on blue vinyl has been donated to the The Beatles Story, by the album's owner, 49-year-old TV cameraman Colin McDonald.
What is blue vinyl? The colour of the plastic?
I have a tape reel given to me by an artist. He said it was of the Beatles between acts, when recording something at I think Wembley studios - and other bits. He kept the tape rolling - he was working on the set or something. I have never got round to getting the tape transferred to cassette to see what is on it. I'l have to one day.
I also have a plastic cheapie guitar cover with the Cavern on it from circa 1963/64. Bought from Hessey's. It may be worth £50 at an auction.
Paul D
11-21-2006, 03:04 PM
You want a Revolution
A BEATLES-inspired nightspot is being opened at a Las Vegas hotel and casino.
The Mirage promises visitors to its new Revolution Lounge - due to open its doors for the first time next month - will be able to relax in a "psychedelic sensory environment".
The lounge is aimed at people who visit The Mirage to see the Cirque du Soleil's stunning Love production, based on the Beatles' music, and will extend the experience before and after the show.
Jean-Francois Bouchard, creative director of the Cirque du Soleil Experience, said: "The inspiration for Revolution began with the Beatles' message of love, but the atmosphere will be a modern twist on their era of freedom, self-expression and free-love."
The new 400-capacity venue, which will open next month, is being billed as an 'ultra lounge', with a revolutionary design and atmosphere.
It will create a contemporary interpretation of The Beatles era, and each night both the music and interior will transform into something different, with the music starting with a strictly Beatles playlist and then moving through lounge, house, rock, electro, new wave and Brit pop.
The Abbey Road Bar, in front of the main entrance of Revolution, will be open from 11am eachday, while the lounge itself will be open from 5pm until 5am.
It is the first time Canadian company Cirque du Soleil has created a nightlife experience in Las Vegas.
ChrisGeorge
11-21-2006, 03:18 PM
You want a Revolution
A BEATLES-inspired nightspot is being opened at a Las Vegas hotel and casino.
The Mirage promises visitors to its new Revolution Lounge - due to open its doors for the first time next month - will be able to relax in a "psychedelic sensory environment". . .
Jean-Francois Bouchard, creative director of the Cirque du Soleil Experience, said: "The inspiration for Revolution began with the Beatles' message of love, but the atmosphere will be a modern twist on their era of freedom, self-expression and free-love." . . .
Yeh, I am sure that will go down well with Bushies with their evangelical "family values." :PDT_Xtremez_12:
Chris
Paul D
11-27-2006, 05:51 PM
This is a new building in Brazil called Liverpool residence with a slight Beatles theme,they get everywhere.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=414140&highlight=Liverpool
john kelly
11-28-2006, 11:46 PM
Hi folks
Hope you'll all forgive for me for pluggin my online galleries - i'm a fellow scouser - born in Kensington (opposite Littlewoods - edge lane) and i studied art at the college in Hope Place in 1976 - anybody remember the gaff!!!
used to drink at ye olde crack :PDT_Aliboronz_24: and the phil - the cracks got the worlds greatest jukebox collection of 60's classics - including the wonderful 'waterloo sunset'.
anyway - im a big Beatles fan - i said a quick hello to Macca at an art preview in London last year - hes a nice guy - very down to earth and easy going.:celb (23):
please take a quick look at my work if you get the chance - and if theres any old geezers like me who were at the college back then please do say hello!!
have some work at the liverpool design initiative:
http://www.designinit.org.uk/creative/shw-detail.asp?id=1204
and have some work on this website....
http://www.blogtext.org/JJKportraiture/profile.html
bye for now
john kelly (ps - not quite used to this bloggin thing as yet as you can tell!!:unibrow:
lindylou
11-30-2006, 05:23 PM
Hi there. I went to Liverpool faculty of Art & Design, Hope Place. :) .. not those years tho' ... that building has been converted into something else now.
MissInformed
11-30-2006, 07:12 PM
:) :)
What is blue vinyl? The colour of the plastic?
I have a tape reel given to me by an artist. He said it was of the Beatles between acts, when recording something at I think Wembley studios - and other bits. He kept the tape rolling - he was working on the set or something. I have never got round to getting the tape transferred to cassette to see what is on it. I'l have to one day.
I also have a plastic cheapie guitar cover with the Cavern on it from circa 1963/64. Bought from Hessey's. It may be worth £50 at an auction.
blimey!
you could be sitting upon a small fortune there!! i am so jealous!!:)
ChrisGeorge
11-30-2006, 07:23 PM
What is blue vinyl? The colour of the plastic?
I have a tape reel given to me by an artist. He said it was of the Beatles between acts, when recording something at I think Wembley studios - and other bits. He kept the tape rolling - he was working on the set or something. I have never got round to getting the tape transferred to cassette to see what is on it. I'l have to one day.
I also have a plastic cheapie guitar cover with the Cavern on it from circa 1963/64. Bought from Hessey's. It may be worth £50 at an auction.
I agree. Forget about the plastic cheapie guitar cover with the Cavern on it - have those tapes checked out! Sounds as if they could have great potential if not to market as such but a goldmine for researchers and documentary makers for future books and documentaries on the Fab Four.
Chris
Veteran musician Sir Paul McCartney is one of three British celebrities in the running for the title of the nation's greatest living icon.
The former Beatle will go up against singer Morrissey and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough in the BBC poll.
The three were ranked ahead of David Bowie, Sir Michael Caine and five other famous faces in the survey, conducted by BBC Two's Culture Show programme.
The eventual winner, decided by public vote, will be announced on 16 December. continues (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6201352.stm)....
Sloyne
12-02-2006, 01:31 PM
It seems to me that the whole world celebrates the Beatles, except Liverpool. Even here, in west central Florida, we have a "Beatles Festival", however, Liverpool it's self has a "Mathew Street Festival". The world knows the Beatles but who other than Beatles officianados and Scousers know the significance of Matthew Street in Beatles folk lore? The name Mathew Street in Beatles lore is like "Merseyside" is to the name "Liverpool".
ChrisGeorge
12-02-2006, 01:59 PM
It seems to me that the whole world celebrates the Beatles, except Liverpool. Even here, in west central Florida, we have a "Beatles Festival", however, Liverpool it's self has a "Mathew Street Festival". The world knows the Beatles but who other than Beatles officianados and Scousers know the significance of Matthew Street in Beatles folk lore? The name Mathew Street in Beatles lore is like "Merseyside" is to the name "Liverpool".
Hi Sloyne
There is or there used to be in Liverpool the annual International Beatles Week Festival, usually held in August, but when I try to call up the URL I get an error at
http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/whats-on/international-beatles-week-festival-p16220
Perhaps someone can clarify where things stand in regard to holding another International Beatles Week Festival.
Chris
Sloyne
12-02-2006, 02:26 PM
Perhaps someone can clarify where things stand in regard to holding another International Beatles Week Festival.I believe it is an annual event held in September and organised by the world wide 'Beatles Fan Club' and, although, with lots of help from the 'Merseyside Tourism Board" and other official city departments, is still a privately organised affair. I think last years affair was headquartered in the Adelphi Hotel.
Remember the 'Yellow Submarine' that was situated on Chavesse Park and now reposes at Liverpool John Lennon Airport? Well Liverpool City chief executive (since retired) a David Henshaw, actually boasted, on another forum (SSC) that he was responsible for having the submarine removed and sent to the scrapyard. This was probaly the most photographed piece of Liverpool public art, while it stood on Chavasse. It took a Manchester corporation, Peel Holding, owners of Liverpool Airport and Liverpool Docks, to see the potential and significance of the Beatles and thier draw, commercialy, to Liverpool.
ChrisGeorge
12-02-2006, 05:14 PM
I believe it is an annual event held in September and organised by the world wide 'Beatles Fan Club' and, although, with lots of help from the 'Merseyside Tourism Board" and other official city departments, is still a privately organised affair. I think last years affair was headquartered in the Adelphi Hotel.
Remember the 'Yellow Submarine' that was situated on Chavesse Park and now reposes at Liverpool John Lennon Airport? Well Liverpool City chief executive (since retired) a David Henshaw, actually boasted, on another forum (SSC) that he was responsible for having the submarine removed and sent to the scrapyard. This was probaly the most photographed piece of Liverpool public art, while it stood on Chavasse. It took a Manchester corporation, Peel Holding, owners of Liverpool Airport and Liverpool Docks, to see the potential and significance of the Beatles and thier draw, commercialy, to Liverpool.
Hello Sloyne
Well the ultimate "diss" by the City of Liverpool toward the Beatles might be the demolition of the original Cavern club for the new James Street station. It was only when the City began to realize, belatedly, the tourist potential of the Beatles, that Cavern Walks was built.
Chris
Paul D
12-22-2006, 04:47 AM
Here's an online petition to get Ringo Knighted
Or in short, here's 10 simple reasons why he should be:
Quote:
1. The Beatles are not just another pop group they changed popular culture.
2. Ringo has an MBE. Tom Jones has a knighthood.
3. The Beatles are a symbol of this country's creativity that is recognised in every part of the globe.
4. Ringo has an MBE. Cliff Richard has a knighthood.
5. Have you heard the drumming on Abbey Road?
6. Ringo has an MBE. Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate has an MBE.
7. Before Ringo joined the Beatles they were nothing.
8. Ringo has an MBE. Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers has an MBE.
9. Have you seen Help?
10. Ringo has an MBE. Jeffrey Archer has a peerage.
Please take time out to vote.:)
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Ringostarr/
shytalk
12-22-2006, 04:54 AM
I am against entertainers getting honours, but if the others have them he should too. I'll give him a vote.:037:
P.S. I've copied this to the Sailors home site.
MissInformed
12-22-2006, 10:16 AM
just signed it.
I am gonna post it on myspace too
Waterways
12-22-2006, 10:51 AM
I am against entertainers getting honours, but if the others have them he should too. I'll give him a vote.:037:
I am against anyone getting an honour at all. Honours, knighhoods and peerages should be all scrapped. The system is ludicrous and open to abuse. There again I am a confirmed republican too.
The Mathew street festival is held every August bank holiday monday and is bigger and better every year. It started out as the very first Beatles Convention on 9th/10th Oct, John's birthday 1977) which as a Beatles nut, I attended. I'm hoping to actually play at it next year.
It's a pity that Free as a bird and Real Love only made the No.2 and No4 slot upon their release at the time of the Anthology albums in the mid 90s - I'm surprised that Paul didn't buy up a good few thousand copies to help them on their way - we all know it goes on. He doesn't need the money but the prestige and possible record breaking feat it would have achieved 3 decades after their last No1 single would've been great.
A shame too that Elvis' 'A little less conversation' albeit via a dj remix was allowed to overtake the Beatles as most UK No1's but of course if we add all the solo No1's together, they're still well out in front.
As for the new 'Love' cd - fantastic, though I would've added 'Flying' to the 'A day in the life' fade out to include yet another track but who am I?
Paul D
12-22-2006, 06:18 PM
just signed it.
I am gonna post it on myspace too
Well in girl.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
ChrisGeorge
01-08-2007, 08:26 PM
A capsule review by my friend, David O'Flaherty, of "Imagine: John Lennon":
This documentary was released in 1988 and is one of my favorites. A friend gave me the DVD for my birthday. If you have even a passing interest in The Beatles, watch this movie. It turns out that Lennon had himself filmed constantly (a rock star, a narcissist? you bet), and these private home movies form the basis for this film, narrated by Lennon himself from countless interviews he gave over his lifetime.
The narration has been edited seamlessly and it's as if Lennon has purposefully provided a voiceover for a documentary of his life. The movie begins with Lennon putting "Imagine" together at Tittenhurst Estate and recording songs with crazy Phil Spector (Lennon even has Spector sing background, I suspect to his great regret).
One of the things I liked about this is that it's not afraid to show Lennon at his worst (happily sitting with George Harrison while cattily sniping about Paul McCartney "I see Beatle Phil is making a pig of himself") before the two record Lennon's famous putdown of McCartney, "How Do You Sleep?" "How do you sleep, you ****?" Lennon asks during one outtake (answer: probably not very well after seeing this footage).
There's also Lennon at his most humorous and warm, and the film captures a wonderfully weird moment when Lennon confronts a burned-out fan who it turns out has been living in the garden of Tittenhurst (I strongly suspect this man went on to become Dan Quayle).
"Imagine: John Lennon" is a warm and complicated portrait of an imperfect human being, from birth to death, and told in that person's very own words.
I give it 10 out of 10 white pianos.
David O'Flaherty
Yes a great movie. I have one dvd/cd/book cabinet just seperate for the Beatles/solo stuff. You think you know everything until the next day.
Sorry if this has already been posted ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE7TTJxFBuU
9min segment of The Beatles... and Liverpool.
It is possible to save this video to your hard drive as a flash movie,using a little program called videodownloader http://videodownloader.net/
The compleat set for the entire Beatles video is here click here (http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compleat+beatles&search=Search)
ChrisGeorge
01-09-2007, 06:06 PM
Yes a great movie. I have one dvd/cd/book cabinet just seperate for the Beatles/solo stuff. You think you know everything until the next day.
Hi Ged
Thanks, Ged. I sense a bit of a blasé attitude among Liverpudlians towards the Beatles, and I do know that in the Sixties when I was living in Liverpool there was an open attitude that the Beatles had "abandoned" Liverpool. Of course they had to go to London to make it and they did what everyone would have, and then of course the world beckoned. I do think that Sir Paul McCartney particularly has more than made up for what might have been viewed as any neglect of the 'Pool. What do you think?
Chris
I totally agree. London was THE place. The t.v. studios were down there, the recording studios, the heads of the record company - what could they do?
I'm always miffed by people who say 'I preferred the stones' as though you couldn't have liked them both which I do. They were also good friends and in fact the Beatles gave the stones one of their earliest top 20 hits with with 'I wanna be your man' which they'd written for Ringo to sing on their own 2nd album.
Most groups have 3 or 4 single standard songs on their albums with the rest being throwaways. The Beatles for me usually have an album full of single worthy songs and when you think that in the UK, the likes of I'm a loser, In my life, Eight days a week, Michelle, Yesterday and none of the Sgt Pepper album tracks were ever singles during the Beatles time, you can hopefully see what I mean.
ChrisGeorge
01-11-2007, 03:55 PM
Hi Ged
I totally agree that Beatles albums are strong throughout without dud tracks, the exceptions perhaps being experimental or throwaway things like "Revolution No. 9" and "Why Don't We Do It In the Road?" on the White Album, "Her Majesty" on Abbey Road, and "Maggie May" on Let It Be-- though nice to hear the snatch of John essaying that famous Liverpool song!
Circa 1964-1965, I similarly liked the Stones, Beatles, Animals, Kinks, etc, and did not prefer one group over the other -- they all had something to offer. I think possibly the disjunction between the Beatles and Stones was partly a result of the groups' publicity with Brian Epstein consciously trying to portray the Beatles originally as cleancut (belying the leather and ciggies image they had adopted in Hamburg and for their pre-Epstein Merseyside gigs!). While Andrew Loog Oldham's publicity machine pushed the Stones and the longer haired bad boys of rock.
Chris
Yes, the highly manufactured Good v Bad personas.
I think in the period 63 - 65, there wasn't much to choose between the groups you mention and a few others(even though they'd done the U.S. billboard all time record) . The Beatles for me came into their own from 66 onwards which is why it's usually the albums from this era that feature high up in the all time listings of best albums of all time.
After the Beach boys Pet Sounds in 66 which influenced the Sgt Pepper recordings, Brian Wilson was writing and about to record the legend which was known as/to become 'Smile'. Upon hearing Sgt Pepper though he basically threw his hand in saying it could not be bettered and went into his mass depression period. Pink Floyd too were in the next studio at Abbey Road recording Piper at the gates of dawn when they too were blown away by what was coming out of No. 2 studio.
christy
01-11-2007, 05:56 PM
I agree Its a weird one between the Beatles and the Stones and I like both myself for different reasons. Can't understand the whole 'which one is better?' etc as they are so different. Maybe in the very early days of the bands when they recorded old blues songs etc and then had the poppy tunes you could say they were competing in some way but otherwise they are such different styles of music. The Beatles so went ther own way and all ways while I feel the stones stayed pretty much along the lines of their R'n'B thing (Satanic Majesty era apart) which no one can beat them at.
As for the Beatles as a band, it amazes me when I see these top 10O lps of all time etc things and see Radiohead and Oasis at number 1. They may have recorded good albums but when a band changes the way chart music sounds across the world, rescues America from its depression after Kennedy was shot, then releases something like Riubber Soul, follows that with Revolver, then changes everything again with Sgt Peppers, how can any other band compare.
Having said all that, Im sure some will disagree, which is cool:)
By the way Chris, The International Beatles week is still going as strong as ever and takes place in the week running up to the Matthew street festival with conventions and auctions etc.
ChrisGeorge
01-11-2007, 06:56 PM
Hi Christy
I am pleased to hear you say that the International Beatles Week is proceeding as strong as ever. Whatever one thinks of the Beatles and their music and the innovations that they brought to popular music, for much of the rest of the world, it was the Beatles who put Liverpool "on the map."
Chris
"Oh I do like to be beside the seaside..."
:D
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/379062500_2a71bf5f96_o.jpg
It seems that with the Apple dispute over and the Beatles songs to be available on itunes as dowloads, they could feasibly have the full top 40 placings. That would be brilliant and so fitting and would let them overtake Elvis in the all time UK No.1 spot where he is one ahead (I think) cos of that 'a little less conversation' remix.
Gerard
02-06-2007, 05:34 PM
My Beatles Stuff..Including the Earlier Red Label Please Please Me..McCartneys Choba B..George Harrison's My Sweet Lord and his Concert for Bangladesh LP box set..The Bad Finger singles are a bit rare..
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/MyBeatlesstuff020.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/MyBeatlesstuff017.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/MyBeatlesstuff018.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/MyBeatlesstuff016.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/MyBeatlesstuff014.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/MyBeatlesstuff021.jpg
Great stuff Gerard, good idea to post your memorabilia.
Paul D
02-06-2007, 05:46 PM
Elvis in the all time UK No.1 spot where he is one ahead (I think) cos of that 'a little less conversation' remix.
I can't believe they actually count that song for Elvis,It would have never got to number 1 without the remix.Remember the Beatles would often put 2 classic songs on one single,I think Penny Lane was a B-side that probably would have ended up as number 1.
That's some collection that Gerard.
Gerard
02-06-2007, 05:55 PM
Thanks Lads, Glad you like my Collection.
That's true Paul. It was regarded by George Martin in retrospect that it was a mistake to put those 2 (Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever) as a double A side because it meant they only each received 50/50 radio airplay which meant it only got to No.2 - beaten by Engelbert Humperdinck's Please Release Me. It was also regarded a mistake not to release any of the Sgt Pepper album tracks as a single. I often wondered why Macca never 'made sure' that Free as a bird didn't make No.1.
Paul D
02-06-2007, 08:56 PM
Someone mentioned to me the other day that McCartney had a tape of a Lennon song that was supposed to have been a duet between John and Yoko.He reckons that he is going to release it as a duet between John and Paul have you heard anything about this?
Gerard
02-06-2007, 09:06 PM
Someone mentioned to me the other day that McCartney had a tape of a Lennon song that was supposed to have been a duet between John and Yoko.He reckons that he is going to release it as a duet between John and Paul have you heard anything about this?
Never heard about that one Paul,But if its got Yoko on it I reckon Pauls in for a bit of a Battle..
Paul D
02-06-2007, 09:16 PM
I don't think it has got Yoko on it but it was originally meant to have her on it,it's supposed to only have Johns vocals on it,it may just be a rumour.In fact I think McCartney was going to add the music as well now that I think about it.
This is a song that was suppossed to have come out with Anthology 3. If you remember 'Free as a bird' came out with Anthology 1 as a reworked song of John's now featuring the other 3 Beatles, 'Real Love' came out with Anthology 2 and the 3rd one, the name escapes me for a minute was blocked by Paul at the last minute (rumours being because George blocked Pauls 1967 avante garde instrumental from appearing) - seems then it may resurface after all.
Paul D
02-07-2007, 11:47 AM
I hope so Ged it would be great too see Lennon and McCartney back at number 1.
ChrisGeorge
08-10-2007, 09:07 PM
Could this be true???? Posted by someone on another forum. Gerrard, anyone??? :PDT_Xtremez_12:
A little known fact:
When the Beatles were making their last proper album, a publicity man came into the studio and announced that they were going to be flown to the Himalayas and helicoptered up a mountain and photographed in climbing gear and that the album would be called EVEREST. Ringo looked up from his drums and suggested that it might be better to take the photo outside the studio and call the album ABBEY ROAD .
John(Zappa)
08-11-2007, 10:01 AM
Isn't it time Liverpool got by without the Beatles ?
ChrisGeorge
08-11-2007, 01:59 PM
Isn't it time Liverpool got by without the Beatles ?
The Beatles are part of what makes Liverpool GREAT, mate.
Chris
shytalk
08-11-2007, 02:28 PM
The Beatles are part of what makes Liverpool GREAT, mate.
Chris
Liverpool was great before the Beatles.:handclap:
ChrisGeorge
08-11-2007, 02:31 PM
Liverpool was great before the Beatles.:handclap:
Shy, you are of course correct, mate. Let's just say that the Beatles and the other Mersey stars -- Ken Dodd, Gerry, Cilla, Billy Fury, etc. -- have added to the greatness.
Chris
John(Zappa)
08-11-2007, 02:36 PM
Liverpool was great before the Beatles.:handclap:
You bet.The Beatles were only a group,not even a talented one.
They never made this city great.Liverpool would have had no problems being recognised as a great city.Look around.
ChrisGeorge
08-11-2007, 02:54 PM
Hi John
Is your avatar in memory of Frank Zappa?
Chris
John(Zappa)
08-11-2007, 05:55 PM
Hi John
Is your avatar in memory of Frank Zappa?
Chris
It is that Chris.
FRANK ZAPPA DAY IN BALTIMORE I HEAR ITS OFFICIAL.
ENJOY IT!!
JOHN
Gerard
08-11-2007, 11:19 PM
You bet.The Beatles were only a group,not even a talented one.
They never made this city great.Liverpool would have had no problems being recognised as a great city.Look around.
I agree John (Zappa) when you say the Beatles never made this City Great..
As for not talented your avin a laugh aren't yer..
She's leaving home..Eleanor Rigby..The long and Winding Road...Yesterday.....etc etc etc..
Them songs John and many many MANY more will be played long long after you and I bite the dust
Not Talented ?..Frank Zappa never wrote a song that will come close to anything Lennon and McCartney wrote.
Bottoms up..:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Gerard
08-12-2007, 12:19 AM
""""
wsteve55
08-12-2007, 02:40 AM
Ask most people in the world,WHERE,the Beatles come from, and they'll say Liverpool!!! Thier synonomous with the place,can you say that about anyone else? you cant buy that sort of publicity, love them or not!!!!!!!
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 12:21 PM
I agree John (Zappa) when you say the Beatles never made this City Great..
As for not talented your avin a laugh aren't yer..
She's leaving home..Eleanor Rigby..The long and Winding Road...Yesterday.....etc etc etc..
Them songs John and many many MANY more will be played long long after you and I bite the dust
Not Talented ?..Frank Zappa never wrote a song that will come close to anything Lennon and McCartney wrote.
Bottoms up..:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Ok Lennon married Yoko (very clever).
The FBI thought JL too stoned (and stupid) to worry about.
As for Zappa not writing a song that comes close to the Beatles...
Well isn't it funny how the Beatles Listened to Freak out(the 1st double Lp out) to get influenced for Sgt Peppers album?
Zappa could play any Beatles music blindfolded.
I suppose Lennon had some talent as Epstein liked the way he sucked.
McCartney only ever mentions Liverpool when he's got a new book comin' out or cd .
The Beatles suck,just like disco (and Lennon on Epstein)and there's a whole bunch of reasons Liverpool is on the map.
By the way,check out the Beatles Medley on youtube by Zappa.
And just in case you didn't know... Ringo played FZ/Larry the dwarf in Zappa's 200 Motels movie.Took lots of pictures too which I would love to get my hands on.
:unibrow:
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.
Frank Zappa
Gerard
08-12-2007, 03:31 PM
Ok Lennon married Yoko (very clever).
The FBI thought JL too stoned (and stupid) to worry about.
As for Zappa not writing a song that comes close to the Beatles...
Well isn't it funny how the Beatles Listened to Freak out(the 1st double Lp out) to get influenced for Sgt Peppers album?
Zappa could play any Beatles music blindfolded.
I suppose Lennon had some talent as Epstein liked the way he sucked.
McCartney only ever mentions Liverpool when he's got a new book comin' out or cd .
The Beatles suck,just like disco (and Lennon on Epstein)and there's a whole bunch of reasons Liverpool is on the map.
By the way,check out the Beatles Medley on youtube by Zappa.
And just in case you didn't know... Ringo played FZ/Larry the dwarf in Zappa's 200 Motels movie.Took lots of pictures too which I would love to get my hands on.
:unibrow:
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.
Frank Zappa
Your comments have gone from Bad to childish Rubbish.
Whats Yoko got to do with it ??
"Zappa could play any Beatles music Blindfolded"..Jaess..Na na na na naaaaaaa..
Epstein liked the way Lennon sucked eh...Enough said.
I think Gerrard is right, mention the Beatles and there known world wide even today, to be honest and not being funny but, Ive never heard of Zappa, would be interesting to walk out and ask just how many have.
to redicule the talent that the Beatles had and the influence on Musicians is rather childish. Paul, never forgot his roots and hes been back to Liverpool several times, sometimes announced sometimes not. His brother lives over here on the Wirral too!. I have heard un comfirmed whispers that he may be back in Liverpool next year. On a different note, I am trying to find some music written by Paul, it was a collection of instrumental peices that he dedicated to John Lennon, it was a beautiful complation, *sobs* but I havent been able to find it again. Yes, Liverpool has and always will be great, but what makes a city Great?
the people
kat:)
DaisyChains
08-12-2007, 04:17 PM
I agree with people having opinions, and everyone has the right to one.
BUT........ Even if you don't like the Beatles, I personally don't think it's feasible to say they were/are not talented. That isn't just my opinion, that is a proven fact.
That is just an attention seeking comment meant to anger people.
Gerard
08-12-2007, 04:20 PM
I've heard of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
Not my cup of Tea...I wouldn't come on here or anywhere else though and s lag the Man off..
I would'nt mind knowing though Why he called his Kids Moon Unit and Vine Weevil...Or something like that :unibrow:
Gerard
08-12-2007, 04:26 PM
I agree with people having opinions, and everyone has the right to one.
BUT........ Even if you don't like the Beatles, I personally don't think it's feasible to say they were/are not talented. That isn't just my opinion, that is a proven fact.
That is just an attention seeking comment meant to anger people.
What about the personal Homosexual attack this Zappa is going on about..
"Epstein liked the way Lennon sucked"..
I couldn't care less if this fella is a newbie or not,Somebody put there foot down now and tell this chap a few house rules.
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 04:55 PM
Woahhhhh there Beatles fans.Hold on to your little moptops.
Look I don't **** the Beatles off.They did a good job themselves.
All am saying is....They were not good musicians.Ask a music teacher!
Also there is a helluva lot more to merseyside than the Beatles.
Wasn't most of the Beatles music played and written under the influence of some illegal subtances ? Same as the youth today ?
Because you've heard of Micheal Jackson does it make him great ?
Adolf Hitler had millions of followers but did it make him right.?
So don't fret,calm down,I'm glad their music is there for those who like it.
But just remember....
The Beatles were only a group from Liverpool.End of!!!
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 05:00 PM
I've heard of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
Not my cup of Tea...I wouldn't come on here or anywhere else though and s lag the Man off..
I would'nt mind knowing though Why he called his Kids Moon Unit and Vine Weevil...Or something like that :unibrow:
When asked Why did FZ call his kidz those names ?
His reply was "Were is the beauty in a name like Ralph and it's not their first names that will get them in trouble".
Gerard
08-12-2007, 05:55 PM
Woahhhhh there Beatles fans.Hold on to your little moptops.
Look I don't **** the Beatles off.They did a good job themselves.
All am saying is....They were not good musicians.Ask a music teacher!
Also there is a helluva lot more to merseyside than the Beatles.
Wasn't most of the Beatles music played and written under the influence of some illegal subtances ? Same as the youth today ?
Because you've heard of Micheal Jackson does it make him great ?
Adolf Hitler had millions of followers but did it make him right.?
So don't fret,calm down,I'm glad their music is there for those who like it.
But just remember....
The Beatles were only a group from Liverpool.End of!!!
The crap you talk is now getting even worse..
Its Now gone from having no talent to not being good Musicians.
Ive already told you but I notice you never commented on their Songwriting ability..
Were'nt they "Talented" in that department as well ?
Only A group from Liverpool Eh...And dont you forget It Mate.
Imagine the Noise that would still be coming from Manchester if they were from there..
Yer know something..Ive never heard so much crap in all my life as you are coming out with.
And I'll tell yer if no one else will...All this filth your coming out with.
Cut it out eh....You cant even apologise for that..
That tells me all I need to know about you mate.
DaisyChains
08-12-2007, 06:05 PM
What about the personal Homosexual attack this Zappa is going on about..
"Epstein liked the way Lennon sucked"..
I couldn't care less if this fella is a newbie or not,Somebody put there foot down now and tell this chap a few house rules.
yeah gerard
i agree with you 100%.
it is one thing to have an opinion but another to talk utter rubbish with no basis in fact
shytalk
08-12-2007, 06:32 PM
This idiot is definitely a candidate for the ignore feature.
I am in no way a Beatles fan as most will know but there is no reason to insult their achievements or make sexual insults about two deceased persons who can not answer back.
Steven
08-12-2007, 06:38 PM
Well said Shytalk. I am a firm believer in that if you can't say something good about a person who has passed away, then you do your level best not to say something bad. There are far too many people who are ready to spread malicious rumours about people who are not in a position to defend themselves.
I actually met the people involved and Brian Epstein was always very much of a gentleman in his dealings with everybody.
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 07:54 PM
The crap you talk is now getting even worse..
Its Now gone from having no talent to not being good Musicians.
Ive already told you but I notice you never commented on their Songwriting ability..
Were'nt they "Talented" in that department as well ?
Only A group from Liverpool Eh...And dont you forget It Mate.
Imagine the Noise that would still be coming from Manchester if they were from there..
Yer know something..Ive never heard so much crap in all my life as you are coming out with.
And I'll tell yer if no one else will...All this filth your coming out with.
Cut it out eh....You cant even apologise for that..
That tells me all I need to know about you mate.
Ok no apologees due to nothing to apologise for.Whats wrong with you.
I said am glad the Beatles music is there for those who like it.
Just don't think they're what made Liverpool or they were good musicians.
Songwriting.Some good songs where written I agree but there were some really awful ones too.
Other people I would think contributed more to the pool (eg,Harvey Longsdale elms,Kitty wilkinson,Noel Chavasse,Tom Mann,John warrington woods,Dr Duncan etc etc) than the Beatles.
So calm your little self down.Go put on a Lennon cd and relax,turn on tune in and drop out.MATE!!!
Steven
08-12-2007, 07:57 PM
I suggest we drop this thread before I twist yer teddies arm. :PDT_Aliboronz_11:
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 08:03 PM
I suggest we drop this thread before I twist yer teddies arm. :PDT_Aliboronz_11:
ITS A BIG TEDDY SO YOU'D HAVE TO BE A BIG BOY!!::PDT11:PDT11
Steven
08-12-2007, 08:06 PM
Taken in the Right Spirit John. Shall we move on ? What do you think of the 'Stones ?'
Gerard
08-12-2007, 08:08 PM
Ok no apologees due to nothing to apologise for.Whats wrong with you.
I said am glad the Beatles music is there for those who like it.
Just don't think they're what made Liverpool or they were good musicians.
Songwriting.Some good songs where written I agree but there were some really awful ones too.
Other people I would think contributed more to the pool (eg,Harvey Longsdale elms,Kitty wilkinson,Noel Chavasse,Tom Mann,John warrington woods,Dr Duncan etc etc) than the Beatles.
So calm your little self down.Go put on a Lennon cd and relax,turn on tune in and drop out.MATE!!!
Do me a favour Zappa...shut up and grow up..OK...
Lets move on cause I cant be arsed with you or the shi te you come out with.
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 08:11 PM
The stones were good.Even though I don't own all of their stuff I think they had the idea.
Blues stuff they did,(well we know blues is easy but its the way its played)
was spot on.
I think K.Richards had "the feel" for the music.
So all in all they were pretty good but I think they should now give up.
Don't you?:disgust:
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 08:15 PM
Do me a favour Zappa...shut up and grow up..OK...
Lets move on cause I cant be arsed with you or the shi te you come out with.
Am not in the habit of doing people like you favours just because you don't understand different opinions.You have to be abusive.
I do pity people like yourself.
If you'd taken time to read what I had written I did say that I was glad that the Beatles where there for those who appreciate them.
So no problems here!!!
Gerard
08-12-2007, 08:38 PM
Am not in the habit of doing people like you favours just because you don't understand different opinions.You have to be abusive.
I do pity people like yourself.
If you'd taken time to read what I had written I did say that I was glad that the Beatles where there for those who appreciate them.
So no problems here!!!
Good fer you..Eee rrr..Put them in yer pot and Listen to yer Loony Tunes..:PDT_Aliboronz_11:
End of yer little Wind up I'm afraid..
Im right onto you.. MATE
John(Zappa)
08-12-2007, 08:48 PM
hmmm me thinks i need to locate my scousology book as one no longer comprehends what one is disclosing a little toooooooooo scouse for me chummy :rolleyes:
snappel
08-13-2007, 10:34 AM
Although I don't wholeheartedly agree with his viewpoint, I can partly see where Frank is coming from. Personally I've got bored since I've lived in Liverpool of hearing/seeing stuff about the Beatles. It's almost done to excess. Personally I like some of their music, and have a good selection of Beatles tracks on i-tunes, but I'm not crazy about them.
I just think sometimes perhaps too much emphasis is given on them, as if they are a big reason why Liverpool is a great city. As we've seen in recent years, a pop act having a big following doesn't necessarily mean they are good musicians, but simply that they are marketed well by their management and label.
As I said, I like the music, I like the history, I like the story and I particularly liked the museum at the Albert Dock, but sometimes I can't help but think 'get over it - Liverpool has plenty of good stuff, past and present, why do we still need to obsess about the Beatles?'.
Sorry if that annoys anyone, just my two pence...
John(Zappa)
08-13-2007, 10:55 AM
Although I don't wholeheartedly agree with his viewpoint, I can partly see where Frank is coming from. Personally I've got bored since I've lived in Liverpool of hearing/seeing stuff about the Beatles. It's almost done to excess. Personally I like some of their music, and have a good selection of Beatles tracks on i-tunes, but I'm not crazy about them.
I just think sometimes perhaps too much emphasis is given on them, as if they are a big reason why Liverpool is a great city. As we've seen in recent years, a pop act having a big following doesn't necessarily mean they are good musicians, but simply that they are marketed well by their management and label.
As I said, I like the music, I like the history, I like the story and I particularly liked the museum at the Albert Dock, but sometimes I can't help but think 'get over it - Liverpool has plenty of good stuff, past and present, why do we still need to obsess about the Beatles?'.
Sorry if that annoys anyone, just my two pence...
WELL SAID.
:handclap:
Howie
08-13-2007, 11:05 AM
You could always escape from them on a flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport. :rolleyes:
House Rules (in short)
Rule 1: Be Polite and friendly
Rule 2: Try to Stay on Topic
Rule 3: No Spam
I detail: Here (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321)
:PDT11
Gerard
08-13-2007, 11:20 AM
**************
Gerard
08-13-2007, 11:29 AM
***********
ChrisGeorge
08-13-2007, 11:43 AM
Hi all
I agree with Kev. Calm down everyone and be friends. :PDT_Aliboronz_24:
John, you might be interested to know that I spent part of my day on Saturday with a Liverpool fan from north London with whom I went to an Irish bar downtown to see LFC play Aston Villa. He was in the Baltimore area staying with relatives because he had come here specifically to see Frank Zappa's son Dweezil play his father's music in concert in "Zappa on Zappa" this past week.
He did though develop his love of music first through hearing the Beatles. I directed him to this thread and his comment was: "How anyone can say the Beatles were 'not even talented' is beyond me. I mean, whether you like them or not, the creative strides they made speak for themselves."
Chris
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxmolyneux/1102106059/
snappel
08-13-2007, 12:36 PM
Ah yeah, the painted sign so it can't be stolen!!
Howie, yes, the airport is great for that. I've taken advantage of it on several occasions, although I take my i-pod incase I get withdrawal symptoms.
Gerard
08-13-2007, 12:52 PM
Ah yeah, the painted sign so it can't be stolen!!
Howie, yes, the airport is great for that. I've taken advantage of it on several occasions, although I take my i-pod incase I get withdrawal symptoms.
Yeahh the painted sign..Why the sarcasm snappel ??
snappel
08-13-2007, 01:00 PM
Sarcasm? I did actually listen to The Beatles on my mp3 player during my last flight out of John Lennon, only a couple of months back.
Gerard
08-13-2007, 01:08 PM
Sarcasm? I did actually listen to The Beatles on my mp3 player during my last flight out of John Lennon, only a couple of months back.
Now answer the question if you dont mind..
Whats with the sarcy remark about the painted sign.
snappel
08-13-2007, 01:10 PM
Penny Lane used to have cast iron signs. They kept getting stolen by 'souvenir hunters'. Because of this, the signs were painted on the walls. As a true Beatles fan, surely you knew about this? How could that possibly be a sarcastic remark? It's fact! And is in fact a positive comment about the Beatles - it just shows how determined and enthusiastic their fan base is.
Gerard
08-13-2007, 01:18 PM
Penny Lane used to have cast iron signs. They kept getting stolen by 'souvenir hunters'. Because of this, the signs were painted on the walls. As a true Beatles fan, surely you knew about this? How could that possibly be a sarcastic remark? It's fact! And is in fact a positive comment about the Beatles - it just shows how determined and enthusiastic their fan base is.
Ever thought about becoming an MP snappel
You'd be PM in 6 months.:handclap::handclap:..Absolutely World class evading the question techniques there Lad and worming your way out of it....Brilliant..thats all I can say :handclap::handclap:
snappel
08-13-2007, 01:25 PM
Souvenir hunters kept on removing the famous metal Liverpool 18 Street sign, and so, in the end, the Council had it painted on the walls - literally.
icliverpool.co.uk (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0800beatles/0350beatleplaces/page.cfm?objectid=7534692&method=full)
Hi Snappel, *lol* for years the Beatles werent really promoted certainly not on the scale or following like it is today, and why? well simple look at the revenue it brings in millions of foriegn visitors each year all come looking for where it all started Liverpool the home of Music the Home of Talented people, thats something very special about this city. Yes the Beatles are done todeath, but hey it brings in dollars its brought a massive tourist trade.
You dont see that in many other UK citys. I love it when it gets to that certain time of year when the city becomes awash with japanes, chinees people all looking for reminants of the Beatles.
How many other citys year on year have such a large influx like Liverpool does? I certainly have never seen it in Manchester certainly not on a regular basis like it does here
remember this all brings cash and prosperity to the city of Liverpool, and *lol* yes I do get abit fed up of ferry cross the mersey, but hey if it brings tourists in and improves the local economey that has to be good for the city and its people as a whole.
kat:)
Mark R
08-13-2007, 02:20 PM
I have to say I'm not a big fan of The Beatles but to say they are not musical is ridiculous. They had something that many acts try to achieve - their own sound (love it or hate it). I do have to say also, that Ringo comes in for a lot of unnecessary criticism. Yeah, he wasn't a fantastic drummer but the rest of the Beatles weren't virtuoso performers on their respective instruments and neither are Charlie Watts or Mick Fleetwood and they don't seem to receive the criticism Ringo gets. Ringo's son Zak is an excellent drummer. Mind you, he was inspired by Keith Moon!
John(Zappa)
08-13-2007, 04:22 PM
This 1 Zappa is the Living room John Lennon was in on the night his Mum was run over and Killed by a drunken off duty Policeman.
People come from all over the world and stand outside here and take a piccie and off their pop back to where ever they came from.
Aren't you lucky your me new best mate..Im only putting them on for you Lad.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/gedfleming/BEATLES%20RELATED/L1030779.jpg
New best mate....er thanx????
Nice pics.Whats yer problem.I don't have one.
Nowt wrong with filling this with Beatles photos if it gets you off.
I don't care what you put on here.
Have fun:)
Wish that was painted on a better wall, I'm finding It hard to like that pic at times.
John(Zappa)
08-13-2007, 04:27 PM
I have to say I'm not a big fan of The Beatles but to say they are not musical is ridiculous. They had something that many acts try to achieve - their own sound (love it or hate it). I do have to say also, that Ringo comes in for a lot of unnecessary criticism. Yeah, he wasn't a fantastic drummer but the rest of the Beatles weren't virtuoso performers on their respective instruments and neither are Charlie Watts or Mick Fleetwood and they don't seem to receive the criticism Ringo gets. Ringo's son Zak is an excellent drummer. Mind you, he was inspired by Keith Moon!
Ringo was and still is a top guy.
I think people should understand by now.!!!!!
Again well said and enough said
They have two or so modern Penny Lane signs like this one In Scouserdave's pic now.
http://www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk/johnpaul/image001.html
I like the painted one though with all the graffiti on.
John(Zappa)
08-13-2007, 04:35 PM
Hi all
I agree with Kev. Calm down everyone and be friends. :PDT_Aliboronz_24:
John, you might be interested to know that I spent part of my day on Saturday with a Liverpool fan from north London with whom I went to an Irish bar downtown to see LFC play Aston Villa. He was in the Baltimore area staying with relatives because he had come here specifically to see Frank Zappa's son Dweezil play his father's music in concert in "Zappa on Zappa" this past week.
He did though develop his love of music first through hearing the Beatles. I directed him to this thread and his comment was: "How anyone can say the Beatles were 'not even talented' is beyond me. I mean, whether you like them or not, the creative strides they made speak for themselves."
Chris
Hi Chris
Hope you enjoyed your Zappa day in Baltimore.
I got loads of Zappa fanz who like the Beatles so it shows we're not all perfect(haha).
Each to their own I say but lets not argue over it.Its like arguing over "who's the fastest guitarist".
Am going the ZPZ show in London.Amazing the last 1.
Anyway cheers mate
John
I listened to a record by Dweazil Zappa, Frank's son once.
Not a fan of the Beatles or Zappa though. I just take pics of Beatles sites just for my hobby as It's an excuse to use the camera.
RedMatt
08-16-2007, 08:53 PM
Hi Chris
Hope you enjoyed your Zappa day in Baltimore.
I got loads of Zappa fanz who like the Beatles so it shows we're not all perfect(haha).
Each to their own I say but lets not argue over it.Its like arguing over "who's the fastest guitarist".
Am going the ZPZ show in London.Amazing the last 1.
Anyway cheers mate
John
Hey John. I'm the guy Chris was referring to who came to Baltimore for Zappa Plays Zappa. I think your comments are born more of misguided snobbery than anything else. The Beatles were not particularly amazing musicians, but in actuality that, along with the fact that none of them could read or write music, makes their achievements all the more amazing. And virtuosity is not the same thing as creativity. Look at Yngwie Malmsteen for example. Looking at the Beatles' clear artistic growth over the years, the thought and work that they put into their albums, and the almost mind-boggling consistency of the quality of their tunes renders any comment stating so simply that they had "no talent" rather silly. You may not like what they wrote, but to equate them with mindless pop acts like we see today (which is essentially what you are doing) is ridiculous my friend.
By the way, I'm heading to the London ZPZ also. Judging from the Baltimore gig you (along with me and everyone else there) are in for a serious treat. The band are looser and more comfortable than last year, and the setlist is spectacular. It's evenings like these that, more than almost anything, make life worth living. Music is the best.
Not Talented ?..Frank Zappa never wrote a song that will come close to anything Lennon and McCartney wrote.
Bottoms up..:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
I have to take issue with this. I will always adore the Beatles, who were the genesis of my love affair with music. What they did should never be underestimated and it irritates me greatly when people do so. Frank Zappa's music, however, is technically on another level completely; it combines virtuosity with constant invention, diversity and conflation of style, and is sheer musical adventure. The man was a genius, plain and simple (and I hate overuse of that word), and his work transcends almost all popular music.
Just to go back the original discussion regarding the Beatles. Objectively I think it is hard to argue with the fact that, while hardly the only great thing about Liverpool, they have been probably the most significant force in placing Liverpool on the map, along with Liverpool Football Club. Ask any American or non-Brit about Liverpool, and they will likely mention one of those two things, with the Beatles being probably the more likely. There are many great things about Liverpool but, love 'em or hate 'em, John, Paul, George and Ringo are its most famous sons.
John(Zappa)
08-16-2007, 09:36 PM
Misguided snobbery eh ?
Snob I ain' that's for sure.Misguided ? Nope.
Well said though.I will go with that.No problem.
However...The Beatles are not what put Liverpool on the map.
Some people have a crazy idea that All scousers like the Beatles and football.
I just "deviate from the norm"
Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible.
Anyway hope to see you at "one of the best concerts the UK has to offer".
:handclap:
snappel
08-16-2007, 09:55 PM
I just don't like the way Liverpool's identity seems to be built around them and the football club when the city has so much more.
And for the record, I hate the word 'talent'. It's just a convenient word for people to use to explain away something they cannot do/have not tried to do/have failed at. It sort of strips away all the grafting, practise and hard work from someone's achievements and suggests they were simply 'born that way', which I don't think is really fair.
John(Zappa)
08-16-2007, 10:03 PM
Am on your side Snappel:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
RedMatt
08-16-2007, 10:13 PM
Well, talent IS something one is born with. Whether you graft to make the most of it is another matter. Some people work extremely hard in their area to make up for a lack of it, but it is a valid concept, abstract though it may be.
Anyway, I kind of understand why people resent the Beatles' place in the Liverpool's identity, insofar as it can be to the detriment of other things. You could argue, just to take one of many examples, that the city's role in pioneering IVF treatment is equally something to be proud about. But music is one of the great universals, and the Beatles are the biggest phenomenon in its history, so it is not surprising that things are the way they are.
The Gardens
08-17-2007, 09:27 AM
Where The Monkees better than the Beatles? Watch this before you provide an answer!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4EJpUKEPYI
Howie
08-17-2007, 09:35 AM
Where The Monkees better than the Beatles?
No!!! :eek:
John(Zappa)
08-17-2007, 10:43 AM
Excellent.Now that is good.
Monkees better than the Beatles.....? Well what at? Being manufactured ?
Being prettier than your average rock ' n roll band ? Who knows and who cares ?
Walden
08-22-2007, 07:40 PM
Found this article on MSN and thought it was interesting - apologise if this has been posted before.
Overrated: The Beatles?
by James Hurley, MSN Music Editor
When Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones were arrested in February 1967 for drug possession following a tip-off by The News Of The World, the tabloid rumour mill went into overdrive.
Salacious stories abounded, one of which, involving Marianne Faithfull and a Mars bar, endures to this day despite being nothing more than the product of some unscrupulous hack's dirty mind.
One detail which went unreported at the time and which took many years to emerge was that the police waited patiently for George Harrison and his then wife Pattie Boyd to leave the premises before embarking on the raid.
Why the special treatment? Well, George was a Beatle, wasn't he? Then, as now, The Beatles enjoyed untouchable status, a sort of diplomatic immunity not afforded to any other entertainer and certainly no other pop group.
It's my belief that this rose-tinted view of the Fab Four has coloured judgement of their music as well as their behaviour for the best part of 45 years. Don't get me wrong. I couldn't make a case for them being bad even if I wanted to.
The quality of their work and enduring legacy is undeniable. However, I do take issue with the conventional wisdom which states that their output is beyond criticism and their influence without peer.
Rather than the unsurpassed geniuses of legend, I would suggest they were songwriters of above average talent whose gift for incorporating disparate styles into their work combined with some outrageous good luck; principally in chancing upon George Martin as producer but also in terms of their timing.
As the highest profile band in an era of rapid musical evolution, they rode the crest of the wave, and in so doing gave the illusion of leading rather than following it, which, more often than not, they were.
As Lloyd Grossman might say, let's look at the evidence. As is well documented, The Beatles started out as a rock and roll covers band with fledgling songwriting ambitions. Much is made of the fact that they supposedly made authorship of original songs the norm but this isn't true.
With the notable exception of Elvis Presley, many of their major influences, from Buddy Holly to Chuck Berry to Jerry Lee Lewis, wrote their own material. And just as The Beatles were tinkering with their earliest compositions, a young man named Bob Dylan was doing the same thing in New York.
The difference was that while The Fabs were rhyming "Love, love me do" with "you know I love you", Dylan was ripping up the lyrical rulebook and embarking on an odyssey of inventive wordplay, surreal imagery, and biting social commentary. This approach was the first of many influences The Beatles absorbed after their first flush of success.
That they did so with such skill isn't a criticism. The lyrical sophistication of a song like 1965's Norwegian Wood marks a seismic leap from the relative banality of what they were doing just two years previously and is testament to their ability to identify and appropriate new ideas but not, crucially, their originality.
They repeated the trick many times. American bands like The Doors, The Grateful Dead, and The Jefferson Airplane, along with their English counterparts such as Pink Floyd, were laying the template for psychedelia before John, Paul, George, and Ringo turned their collective hand to it.
Similarly, The Band (formerly Dylan's backing group) and The Rolling Stones, habitually cast as following The Beatles' lead throughout the 1960s, had paved the way for the stripped-down, back to basics, post-psychedelic era a good year before the Fab Four recorded the self-explanatory Get Back in 1969 (it wasn't released until 1970).
In fact, The Beatles weren't always successful at this. Jimi Hendrix's explosion on the scene in 1966/67 was arguably the biggest single shot in the arm popular music has ever received. He turned the game on its head, marking the line between pop and rock which remains unchanged to this day, yet The Beatles stab at a response, Helter Skelter from The White Album, counts as one of their rare failures.
To reiterate what I said at the beginning, I don't for a minute think The Beatles are unworthy of considerable acclaim. That they were responsible for some of the greatest moments in the history of popular music is beyond question. Furthermore, as figureheads of that singularly potent decade, the 1960s, they thoroughly deserve their place in history.
I'm not saying they should be condemned. I'm just saying that, like George Harrison 40 years ago, they shouldn't be exempt from questioning either.
Source MSN (http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/music/features/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=2867094)
ChrisGeorge
08-22-2007, 07:55 PM
"Rather than the unsurpassed geniuses of legend, I would suggest they were songwriters of above average talent whose gift for incorporating disparate styles into their work combined with some outrageous good luck; principally in chancing upon George Martin as producer but also in terms of their timing."
Source MSN (http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/music/features/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=2867094)
Thanks, Walden. I do think the above quote points out the silliness of the man's argument though. As a group, the Beatles were one-of-a-kind geniuses and you can't get around that. Assuredly they got the "breaks" to get where they got but once they were there, their talent kept them there, churning out hit after hit, some of the finest popular music of our time.
Chris
snappel
08-22-2007, 08:27 PM
But so were other artists at the time. Perhaps that's his point, that although they were a top band, they weren't/aren't necessarily the top band.
ChrisGeorge
08-22-2007, 08:35 PM
But so were other artists at the time. Perhaps that's his point, that although they were a top band, they weren't/aren't necessarily the top band.
Okay, fair enough. Big then though. . . still big now. But let's not let the legend daunt us. :PDT11
Chris
Walden
08-22-2007, 08:40 PM
Here's another article by the same guy
Why Sgt. Pepper Isn't The Greatest
James Hurley, MSN Music Editor
To paraphrase the album's title track, it was 40 years ago today that Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club band was released. Universally acclaimed as a revolution in rock music at the time, it regularly tops 'greatest ever albums' polls to this day and was, until overtaken by Queen's Greatest Hits just this year, the UK's best-selling album ever.
I know this isn't going to be very popular (that's obvious from the paragraph above) but I think it may well be the most overrated album of all time.
OK, before we get into this, let's just back up a minute. Regular readers will know I have a bit of form here. I got the slating of my journalistic career on the MSN Music messageboards some months ago for daring to suggest the Beatles themselves were overrated. In hindsight, my biggest mistake then was in failing to be absolutely crystal clear about what I meant by overrated.
So in the vain hope that I might avoid being similarly misinterpreted this time, I'm going to have another crack at that before going all blue meanie about the Fab Four's supposed masterpiece.
First things first. I do not think Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band is a bad album. Far from it, I think it is often brilliant. However, I do believe it is deeply flawed in a number of respects. And that's the only point I am trying to make; simply that it doesn't deserve to be called the greatest album ever made, if only because it’s not even the greatest album the Beatles ever made (I would give that honour to Abbey Road).
OK, now that's out of the way, let's get down to business. Much is made of the fact that Sgt. Pepper's was the first concept album, the first to treat rock music as art. There are two things to be said about this: no it wasn't, and concept albums are a rubbish idea anyway. The Beatles may well have realised this themselves because the much vaunted unifying theme of Sgt. Pepper's Band being their alter-egos gets ditched after precisely two songs.
Yes, the title track establishes the idea and segues neatly into Ringo in the guise of Billy Shears singing With A Little Help From My Friends and then… that's it. Then it's a collection of songs like any other. Obviously, being a Beatles album, these are very good songs (how many times do I have to say I like them?) but it's nonsense to claim the concept works in any meaningful way.
If there's any unifying theme to Sgt. Pepper, it's that the music is frequently drowned in studio trickery and effects. These may have been innovative at the time but have dated very badly and threaten to obscure the songs as surely as any Phil Spector string section.
And what of the songs? Frankly, they're not up there with the Beatles' best. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds isn't a patch on Strawberry Fields (geddit?) Forever when it comes to affecting psychedelia, When I'm 64 and Lovely Rita are Paul at his most glibly sentimental, Within You Without You is George at his most impenetrable, and Ringo… well, Ringo gets the nursery rhyme one as usual. And don't get me started about A Day In The Life. It's two half-arsed songs welded together with a stupid ending.
The one truly great track on Sgt. Pepper is She's Leaving Home. It's beautiful, clever, sad, hopeful, tragic, and darkly humorous. And guess what? It's got no silly studio effects on it and it's got bugger all to do with any concept beyond that of a brilliant song. If they'd produced 11 more like it, we might be talking about a genuine masterpiece.
Source MSN (http://entertainment.uk.msn.com/music/features/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=5123488)
ChrisGeorge
08-22-2007, 09:10 PM
Hi Walden
Thanks, Walden. Yes there's some truth in what the fellow says. As snappel and I discussed, we should certainly keep the Beatles in perspective and measure them to some extent against other artists. On the other hand I do think the guy is deliberately trying to act as an agent provocateur and to stir things up. Thus in his facetious statement that "A Day in the Life" only consists of two half-arsed songs. . . Puh-leese! :rolleyes: Nor would I accept his contention that the special effects on the album have aged badly. "Sgt. Pepper" remains one of the most listenable of Beatles albums.
Chris
ChrisGeorge
10-23-2007, 05:05 PM
It’s Kensington Fields forever
Oct 20 2007 (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/20/) by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/article/12032243.jpeg
It’s Kensington Fields forever
It was also where The Quarrymen, who metamorphosed into the Beatles, recorded some of their first songs. . . .
The area also has a place in the city’s pop music history. In 1955, at the back of his shop on Kensington, Percy Phillips built a small commercial recording studio.
It was here that The Quarrymen recorded some of their earliest songs, including a Harrison and McCartney composition that eventually saw the light of day in a 1995 Beatles Anthology. . . .
This was new information for me but I see there is quite a bit about it on the web, e.g.,
"To coincide with the 25th anniversary year of the death of John Lennon, and a regeneration programme taking place in the Kensington area of Liverpool, today Friday 26 August 2005 a plaque was unveiled by original Quarrymen, John Duff Lowe and Colin Hanton. The plaque was erected on the house where Percy Philips had his Studio at 38 Kensington, Liverpool, where The Quarrymen recorded 'That'll Be The Day' and 'In Spite Of All The Danger.' Each received a replica of the plaque as a keepsake.
Source: http://drinkthis.typepad.com/answer_this/25th_anniversary_of_john_lennons_death/index.html
"In the summer of 1958 the band (consisting of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Hanton and Lowe) recorded two songs onto a 78-rpm acetate disc in Percy Philips' small demo studio in Kensington Road, Liverpool. The first recording was a cover of Buddy Holly's 'That'll Be the Day'. The second song was an original composition written by McCartney and Harrison, inspired by Elvis's song 'Tryin' To Get To You,' titled 'In Spite of All the Danger'. John Lennon sang lead vocal on the first song and harmonised with Paul on the second."
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quarrymen
DaisyChains
12-27-2007, 01:39 PM
Brilliant footage of Beatle City and also some of around Liverpool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lELiV1-3OY
John(Zappa)
12-27-2007, 04:43 PM
But so were other artists at the time. Perhaps that's his point, that although they were a top band, they weren't/aren't necessarily the top band.
And I will second that!
:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
ChrisGeorge
12-27-2007, 04:51 PM
But so were other artists at the time. Perhaps that's his point, that although they were a top band, they weren't/aren't necessarily the top band.
And I will second that!
:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Then I wonder why so many of us were under the impression they were the top band? :rolleyes:
lindylou
12-27-2007, 05:11 PM
And I will second that!
:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
don't start me JZ :PDT10
:D :D
Chris48
03-03-2008, 06:52 PM
I don't know if this has been posted before but its great. Stick with it because it changes halfway through and best with the volume turned up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoGusxJ-0XI
Well found Chris, yeah ha ha and the Beatles are crap aren't they. I'd like to know who the other bands are who were better, sure some had a handful of decent songs and that's where it ends. Look at the household names that copy and play their tracks, that youtube vid had a few 'heads' on it. Look at the groups in the 60s who they also wrote for and those who did cover versions on their albums. No, there's no doubt, that were the daddies of the era and who everyone looked to - I respect Brians Wilsons word on the subject too.
Chris48
03-03-2008, 08:49 PM
Well found Chris, yeah ha ha and the Beatles are crap aren't they. I'd like to know who the other bands are who were better, sure some had a handful of decent songs and that's where it ends. Look at the household names that copy and play their tracks, that youtube vid had a few 'heads' on it. Look at the groups in the 60s who they also wrote for and those who did cover versions on their albums. No, there's no doubt, that were the daddies of the era and who everyone looked to - I respect Brians Wilsons word on the subject too.
I don't know if its true or not but I read somewhere that this song was the only Beatles song ever to win an Ivor Novello songwriting award. Did you clock the guy playing the stratocaster with the black hat. He played all the lead and his name is Marc Mann. He is one of Jeff Lynne's musicians and worked with George Harrison on his final album. I thought he stood out well considering all the names that were there.
I know Frank Sinatra used to sing it live and wrongly acclaim it as his 'favourite Lennon and McCartney song.' Shirley Bassey has also covered it too to name but two.
beatlegirl
04-04-2008, 09:25 PM
Feel free to have that picture as a desk top image, Victoria.
I just did that for myself - I adore this photo!
Thank you ever so much.
Merseyrose
09-01-2008, 12:14 PM
The Beatles were the greatest group ever (in my own personal opinion).
Most people (including music experts and critics) will probably agree that they were great innovators and the pioneers of popular music (meaning pop and rock) as we know it. Without them, there wouldn't be anyone else! There wouldn't have been a Frank Zappa or whoever, they were the predecessors to all other popular musicians.
As for Liverpool, yes, it's true that it once was a great and world-famous city because of its role as the most important seaport in the UK and one of the major seaports in the world. However, like it or not, since its economic decline caused by the increasing importance of aviation, outside of the UK it's only famous because of The Beatles and maybe Liverpool FC nowadays. It's still a great city but in Europe and other parts of the world, most people won't know about it at all or only because of one or, at most, both of these two.
I first learned of the existence of Liverpool in connection with The Beatles when our Music teacher introduced us to them, that was when I was in about 7th grade, so I was about 13 or 14 then. Later on, through reading more about England out of personal interest, I also found out about Liverpool's great maritime history and this added to my fascination with this city.
When I attended the Beatles Convention in '88, I met other young people from various countries, such as Japan etc., but all of them were only in Liverpool because of The Beatles, none of them because of Liverpool FC, to my knowledge.
It was only during my stay in England that I found out about Liverpool FC, I had never heard about it before, probably because I've never been interested in football.
I know that some Germans know about Liverpool FC but I'm sure that for most people in Germany and other European countries, the first thing they'll associate Liverpool with and their main reason for visiting the city is or would be The Beatles.
On all my visits to Liverpool and its wonderful attractions, I've realised how much else this city has to offer and I think it's a pity that most people outside the UK don't know about this. Maybe this will change now with the Capital of Culture year and the recent developments.
Anyway, just face it: In post-war times, it was The Beatles who put Liverpool on the map.
John(Zappa)
09-01-2008, 12:29 PM
The Beatles were the greatest group ever (in my own personal opinion).
Most people (including music experts and critics) will probably agree that they were great innovators and the pioneers of popular music (meaning pop and rock) as we know it. Without them, there wouldn't be anyone else! There wouldn't have been a Frank Zappa or whoever, they were the predecessors to all other popular musicians.
.
Ha,ya gotta laugh.Seen this posted elsewhere....
why did John Lennon carry a whole stack of zappa tapes round with him when travelling, lennon was a big fan of zappa he appeared on stage with yoko and sang a song 'i used to sing in the cavern in liverpool' with zappa. the beatles collection of three minute pop songs is remembered because thats exactly what they were, 3 minute pop songs, stuff that was easy to sing along to, frank was never into the commercial side of pop music .
You gotta laugh:handclap:
Merseyrose
09-01-2008, 12:47 PM
OK; no need for sarcasm here.
Did Zappa's music influence the music of The Beatles or John Lennon in any way? Could you tell us more about this if this was the case?
If Zappa was that great, why, do you think, didn't more people recognize his greatness back then? Surely there must have been more people who also appreciated less commercial music.
Each to their own, it's what makes the world go around. No need for comparisons as in this case there is none. :lol:
Chris48
09-01-2008, 01:14 PM
Frank Zappa, wasn't that the guy that called his daughter "Moon Unit" and his son Dweezil ?
Waterways
09-01-2008, 02:15 PM
Ha,ya gotta laugh.Seen this posted elsewhere....
why did John Lennon carry a whole stack of zappa tapes round with him
Zappa was way after the Beatles. He was heavily influenced by British music when he started off.
Lennon may have been slightly influenced by Zappa late on, as he would have been subconsciously by others around too. The Beatles were influenced initially by black American music too, as well as traditional rock and roll.
Mark R
09-01-2008, 02:34 PM
The Beatles were the greatest group ever (in my own personal opinion). Without them, there wouldn't be anyone else!
Anyway, just face it: In post-war times, it was The Beatles who put Liverpool on the map.
I wouldn't say that there wouldn't be anyone else without them. The Beatles themselves were influenced by Elvis, Buddy Holly, (even Segovia) and a host of others. Everyone has influences so it is ridiculous to say that other acts wouldn't have been around without them. I also disagree with the idea that they put Liverpool on the map. Our two football teams put Liverpool on the map long before the Beatles came around.
As much as I love the Beatles, when a ship in nearly every port in the world once bore the name 'Liverpool', I think it more likely that this would be where a lot of people would have once known Liverpool from.
Also as the 2nd city of the British Empire one time and so eminent in politics (Gladstone), writing (Monserrat) and the many many firsts in medicine and world inventions/discoveries.
Babe Ruth visited Liverpool from the USA especially to see his world renowned sporting counterpart in our very own Dixie Dean in the 1920s and of course we all know LFC's pedigree from the European finals of the 1960s,70s,80s+
The longest battle of WWII 'The Atlantic' was also operated from Liverpool's citadel
The swinging 60s must have been a real pleasure in liverpool what with the docks the way they were, Lfc's promotion then fa cup 65, ECWC 66 and Evertons FAC 66 and parading the world cup around in the 66 charity shield with Wilson and Hunt.
The Beatles were a catalyst to all this in the 60s and just further enhanced and promoted our city. It's just a pity that our tourist board never capitalised on them in the 1970s like they should have done.
Gnomie
09-01-2008, 03:39 PM
The vikings came, knocked down a forrest and named it Aintree ( One Tree )
Do they get the credit:unibrow:
Then King John said be a city, let me put ships here to attack Ireland:eek:
Slave traders built the city
USA-The shipping between there and here.
Irish, Welsh, Scots, Italians, scandanavians, etc etc coming here.
The Airport, M62 and tunnels
Im getting bored now, who put us on the map? I thought it was the Ordinance Survey :)
I like the Beatles, much more than a 3 min pop song group. Very talented lads. I prefer their later stuff myself. If you like the music then enjoy it.
Im off to stick Elvis on:handclap: Then Madness:PDT11
Merseyrose
09-01-2008, 04:25 PM
@Mark R: You're right, every artist is influenced by others before him/her and so were The Beatles. However, whereas their predecessors played rock'n'roll and skiffle, they were the pioneers of pop as such.
Speaking of putting Liverpool on the map, I was looking at it from the perspective of people outside the UK. Liverpool probably is very famous in the UK, and rightfully so, but go over to Germany and ask people whether they've heard of Liverpool or what they associate with it and I bet most of them will say "The Beatles". I'm also quite sure that the same goes for other continental European countries. Older generations may also remember Liverpool as a great port city but you really don't hear this too often.
I often go on telling people about Liverpool and how wonderful it is but most people either immediately say "The Beatles" or just don't associate anything with Liverpool at all. Moreover, I've hardly ever met any German who's been to Liverpool, sadly enough.
So, I think, for people not interested in football and to European societies at large, The Beatles did put Liverpool on the map. In the 60s, more people went nuts about music than about some foreign football club and I think this will always be the case - music will reach bigger crowds than football does.
Gnomie
09-01-2008, 04:27 PM
Well i have met lots of German people in Liverpool over the years, so thay are coming here.
Like I say, as a mega Beatles fan, i'm quite happy with that viewpoint Merseyrose. It's rather taken for granted by some who think they should all still live in a two up two down semi in the Dingle. They bring far more into the local economy than some of the bashers would care to admit.
Chris48
09-01-2008, 04:31 PM
We wouldn't have had the great Rock n Roll music that we have had over the last Forty odd years if it wasn't for the Beatles. They were a tremendous influence over many a latterday rocker. They were great, end of !
Merseyrose
09-01-2008, 04:41 PM
Well i have met lots of German people in Liverpool over the years, so thay are coming here.
Yes, I know - unfortunately I never seem to meet them here in Germany. :sad:
Waterways
09-01-2008, 05:54 PM
...
why did John Lennon carry a whole stack of zappa tapes round with him when travelling,
Zappa initially copied the Yardbirds in music style and many of their songs.
taffy
09-01-2008, 07:31 PM
As much as I love the Beatles, when a ship in nearly every port in the world once bore the name 'Liverpool', I think it more likely that this would be where a lot of people would have once known Liverpool from.
.
Mexico has a group of Department Stores called, in English, " The Port of Liverpool"
If you go to www.liverpool.com.mx you can get an idea of the Liverpool group, the corporate info is in English. They have about 43 large upscale department stores throughout Mexico, the first originating in Mexico City 160 years ago. The name came from the fact that originally most the goods were imported from the UK via Liverpool, probably arriving by ship at the Mexican Gulf port of Veracruz.
The full name of the group is El Puerto de Liverpool (The Port of Liverpool) but everyone now refers to the stores as Liverpool (and with a Mexican accent it comes out as "Leeverr-pool").
These days they sell just about everything: furniture, jewellery, perfumes, clothes, shoes, kitchenware, stoves/fridges etc, books, wines, sweets, delicatessen, restaurant, electronics, toys, glassware, cutlery, crockery, linens, sports goods, motorbikes.
It's all good quality products
taffy
09-01-2008, 07:39 PM
Well i have met lots of German people in Liverpool over the years, so thay are coming here.
Lots of Germans were in the Penny Lane area over the Mathew St festival period last weekend. Many visited the Beatles exhibition at St Barnabas Church where Paul McCartney sang in the choir and also where his brother was married.
web site
Beatles Weekend at St Barnabas Penny Lane? August 2008 #2 (http://pennylaneliverpool.merseyside.org/Pictures/Beatles%20Weekend%20Aug%202008%20p2.htm)
John(Zappa)
09-01-2008, 08:17 PM
Zappa initially copied the Yardbirds in music style and many of their songs.
Oh dear, wrong again:PDT_Xtremez_42:
Zappa never copied anyone. He was influenced by Weburn,Stravinsky,Varese to name but a few.:PDT11
Waterways
09-01-2008, 08:41 PM
Oh dear, wrong again:PDT_Xtremez_42:
Zappa never copied anyone. He was influenced by Weburn,Stravinsky,Varese to name but a few.:PDT11
I saw him say that on the TV only last week.
Mark R
09-01-2008, 08:54 PM
I was in Hamburg a few years ago (a Beatle city if ever there was one). When some Germans I met knew where I was from none of them mentioned the Beatles - they mentioned LFC...Music does have a big following worldwide - but I think football has an even bigger following - certainly in South America and most (if not all) of Europe.
I'm glad you mentioned that list Ged - spot on. Especially the shipping and Gladstone/Monserrat & Dixie Dean/Babe Ruth connections. We've also had some of the best comedians ever.
lindylou
09-01-2008, 10:07 PM
I was vaguely aware of Frank Zappa - someone from some 60s hippy/troggy band I thought ?? Ha! :unibrow:
I'd heard the name but I couldn't have told you who he played with or what he sounds like. (I still wouldn't know him if I fell over him and I wouldn't know which is his music) - I admit to being a bit single minded and only pay attention to my own kind of music which I follow. I have been totally oblivious to anything else. So, when JZ first came to Yo I had to Google to see who is this Frank Zappa :)
Not a criticism of Zappa you understand - I am just saying that he is not so famous to everyone :)
The Beatles - well whether you loved them or loathed them you couldn't escape them - Beatle mania was in your face and no one in this world would have to Google to find out who were the Beatles. :neutral:
ChrisGeorge
09-01-2008, 10:37 PM
As much as I love the Beatles, when a ship in nearly every port in the world once bore the name 'Liverpool', I think it more likely that this would be where a lot of people would have once known Liverpool from.
Also as the 2nd city of the British Empire one time and so eminent in politics (Gladstone), writing (Monserrat) and the many many firsts in medicine and world inventions/discoveries.
Babe Ruth visited Liverpool from the USA especially to see his world renowned sporting counterpart in our very own Dixie Dean in the 1920s and of course we all know LFC's pedigree from the European finals of the 1960s,70s,80s+
The longest battle of WWII 'The Atlantic' was also operated from Liverpool's citadel
The swinging 60s must have been a real pleasure in liverpool what with the docks the way they were, Lfc's promotion then fa cup 65, ECWC 66 and Evertons FAC 66 and parading the world cup around in the 66 charity shield with Wilson and Hunt.
The Beatles were a catalyst to all this in the 60s and just further enhanced and promoted our city. It's just a pity that our tourist board never capitalised on them in the 1970s like they should have done.
Great list, Ged. We wuz the greatest back then, and its wonderful to see Liverpool's current renaissance. I have to say that, as I believe, I have mentioned here on a number of occasions, whenever I mention to people here that I come from Liverpool (okay maybe a number of them are of a certain generation), they say, "Oh, were the Beatles came from. Did you know them?" It's then that I tell them I have a copy of the Beatles signatures from 1962, and if I tell the factual story, I say I didn't get it personally but obtained it from someone who got it from the boys at the Cavern. It amuses them to hear that Paul McCartney used to be the paperboy for my uncle, Billy Matchett, the Liverpool comedian, at his house Vaudevilla, on Booker Avenue... and at that time Uncle Bill was more famous than Paul. I have a newscutting from the Fifties in which I am, as a lad, going up the steps to a transatlantic plane. It appeared in an article by George Harrison, the Echo columnist, who wrote it following a tip from Uncle Bill.
Chris
carole1000
09-01-2008, 11:02 PM
just thought I would add that whenever I tell the spanish here that I am from Liverpool or yes leeverpol as they say, most of them do say ah Beatles although I have had the odd few mention the football team mostly cos of the spanish players now, one of my good spanish friends is an avid liverpool football fan!:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Waterways
09-03-2008, 07:10 PM
Here are the Beatles walking down Paradise Street.
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6298/dsc0371pc1.jpg
lindylou
09-04-2008, 12:18 AM
Good photo of the Beatles :) :)
Taken in London that originally, outside the BBC offices.
Mark R
09-04-2008, 10:57 AM
I think it is also on the wall in HMV Bold Street on the stairs to the lower floor.
ItsaZappathing
10-28-2008, 08:05 PM
Have any of you J.L or Beatles fans bought the new Lennon biography by Philip Norman ?
In the book it mentions he nearly had a sexual encounter with his Mother ? Very strange.?
So is the book a must read for Beatles/Lennon fans or is it one to avoid?
brian daley
10-28-2008, 08:29 PM
I'm a kid who became aware of music in the early fifties, grew up with american music on AFN and Luxemburg,towards the mid fifties we were getting some home grown talent, Ronnie Hilton,Dickie Valentine ,Frankie Vaughan to mention some of the few. Then Skiffle and Rock and Roll burst on the scene,again it was the Americans who dominated the airwaves,we had Lonnie Donegan,Tommy Steele, Russ Hamilton and a few others who made it big over here ,but the Yanks were the ones we wanted to hear. come the end of the fifties we had Marty Wilde, Johnny and the Pirates and .....Cliff Richard (yes ,He was a rocker in the beginning ,listen to Move It) .Billy Fury came on the scene and he was very good,but when you were abroad there names did not mean a thing. I never had anybody say "you're from Liverpool!! Fantastic!" Never ,that is, until the Beatles appeared . Talk to any man who was a young sailor in the mid to late 60's,if they were from Liverpool they were treated like pop stars. New York , Chicago, Detroit ,New Orleans ,Singapore ,Sidney ,Boulogne , Hamburg,anywhere in the world,a Scouse accent and a good head of hair was your passport to paradise. The name Liverpool on the stern of our ships did'nt mean very much until those four lads shook up the whole world with the Mersey sound.
Paddy
10-28-2008, 08:29 PM
The supposed revelations come from a certain Dr Janov who was the author of the primal scream. One to avoid in my opinion
ItsaZappathing
10-29-2008, 10:27 AM
Have any of you J.L or Beatles fans bought the new Lennon biography by Philip Norman ?
In the book it mentions he nearly had a sexual encounter with his Mother ? Very strange.?
So is the book a must read for Beatles/Lennon fans or is it one to avoid?
good question for Ged me thinks ?:PDT_Piratz_26:
Philip Norman is berated by Beatles fans as a cash-in merchant with spurious claims with no foundations, which cannot be backed up (or in fact denied) as the only one able to do so absolutely is no longer with us. It was once claimed Lennon also had a homosexual encounter with Brian Epstein in Spain, in fact Cavern DJ Bob Wooller got his lights punched out at Macca's 21st for deriding JL with this insinuation.
If you read about Lennon, it seems he was in fact insecure, even in his own ability (which is mad) and dominated by strong women for most of his life, mum Julia, mainly his aunt Mimi and later, manipulated (and allowed to be) by Yoko. She even shoved him off in 1974 to have an affair with their secretary May Pang then summoned him back when she wanted - very controlling. The only none female dominant relationship in his life, with shrinking violet Cynthia, didn't last.
His aggressive hard man image was nothing more than a front - he wasn't a 2 up 2 down poverty stricken street urchin but lived in Allerton/Woolton. Paddy's right about Dr Arthur Janov (who like the Maharishi - also cashed in on having someone famous amongst his erm 'patients') In 1970 JL underwent regressive hypnosis, aka the primal scream and the torment and anger it brought out in him transferrred to the dour mood of his songwriting as can be heard on the JL/Plastic Ono band album of 1970.
I like Paddy's Well well well title on his posting, JL fans will know it's one of his songs from that era.
LondonBeatlesFan
10-29-2008, 12:50 PM
Well said, Ged! With regard to biographies: I usually avoid those which set out to discredit someone whom I admire. I think it's really bad when such books are published after the death of a famous person and he is no longer around to defend himself.
I recently read Cynthia Lennon's book "John" and was very impressed by it. Of course, such books are subjective and we have to be discerning, but I am inclined to believe what she wrote as it was totally devoid of bitterness. She showed John as a man with some faults but also some very good points, just like all of us. I could hardly put the book down and it didn't alter my opinion of John Lennon in any way; it just added new dimensions to it.
Yes, agreed. I also have Cynthia's first autobiography called 'A twist of lennon' (she later became Cynthia Twist and of course is a play on words with a twist of lemon so I thought that maybe it was a hint that it was going to be bitter. It was a good account of their relationship and I don't particularly think that JL gave to omuch time to Julian (which he later freely admitted and made up for with Sean which must've gutted Julian really)
I thought her follow up book 'John' was going to reveal a shadier side, since after his death, she may have felt more able to say some things that she wouldn't whilst he was alive, but actually, it too is quite still loving of him which shows Cynthia up to be a good character really. Well she was a posh un' from the Dee side of Wirral ;)
.
Paddy
10-29-2008, 01:37 PM
I have read these revelations and they do not amount too much, you would find more incest in Hamlet. I think that from time to time these things will come along. I think Johns policy was to be open about his life in anticipation of such things. Jim Morrison of the Doors is another such victim of this trend people want this sort of stuff there's a market out there. And lets face it, it is farcical I don't want to read Johnthan Kings life story but I wouldn' mind a peep at his police record. Lennon was a decent man who did an awful lot for the peace movements of the world.
LondonBeatlesFan
10-29-2008, 02:56 PM
I agree with you, Paddy. The dead should be allowed to rest in peace. It's wrong to tarnish their memory by publishing things which may or may not be true. As you say, John Lennon did a lot for world peace. He should be remembered for that as well as for his music.
Speaking of the Beatles, I've just seen Pete Best on television. He gave a short interview and his band played a song from their latest album. He's another person who is not at all bitter about what happened in the past. I visited the Casbah during my last trip to Liverpool and was shown around by Pete's brother, Rory. I was the only one there that day and he spent a lot of time showing me photos and answering questions. They are a really nice family.
One of our band members mates is Roag best. He is the son of a relationship that Mona Best had with the Beatles roadie Neil Aspinall. Roag makes no secret of that and neither should he. I've been to the Casbah a few times, the first time during a magical mystery tour set up on JL's 37th birthday Oct 9th 1977 as part of the first ever Liverpool Beatles convention at Mr Pickwicks.
One thing is for sure, If you brought a book out about the Beatles you'd be sure to cash in simply because it must go out to jounalists, fans and critics worldwide just to see if there's anything juicy, new or worthwhile in it even just to give it a rating.
I did start writing a day by day diary account of them back in 1976 with info gleaned from Abbey Road and other sources but after running to hundreds of handwritten pages, (no pc back then - just a lecky typewriter to tidy up my scribblings), it got left by the wayside and eventually Mark Lewisohn, who I once came 2nd (or maybe 3rd) to in a Beatles brain quiz, pipped me to it. I think Mark is the font of all Beatles knowledge when it comes to their public appearances and recording details and I highly recommend his books on the subject.
ItsaZappathing
10-29-2008, 03:42 PM
Thanks for clearing up that y'all.
I know what you mean about autobiogs. Zappa has loads of biogs about him and there's only one REAL autobiog on him.
Anyway thank you all for all your replies on this. Very interesting stuff.:handclap:
LondonBeatlesFan
10-29-2008, 03:55 PM
I'd like to read Cynthia's first book which you mentioned. I only recently found out about Roag Best and I think it's good that Pete and Rory simply talk of him as their brother, which is as it should be. I really wish you'd managed to publish your diary of the Beatles as I am sure it would have been interesting. As you said, it wasn't easy before we had computers, but perhaps you'd consider writing it in the future?
Thanks LBF but the trouble is, Mr Lewisohn has been there and done that now. I'll have to get my thinking cap on about a slant that hasn't been done before but I think if I thought for the next dacade I'd have trouble finding what hasn't already been written about.
Incidentally, Bill Harry of the MerseyBeat publication fame says he didn't do too well out of his book sales which is very surprising since he's been there with them through thick and thin from teenage rag arses to world domination.
Maybe a tax fiddle ;)
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