John Lennon/Beatles Mega Thread

[msLinds]

Blogcritics Music
November 12, 2011
Music Review: The Beatles - The Beatles with Tony Sheridan: First Recordings 50th Anniversary Edition

I admit, I’m very surprised to be so surprised by once again hearing the first tracks the Beatles laid down in Hamburg back in 1961 and '62. I can’t say how many times I’ve heard the eight songs produced by German bandleader Bert Kaempfert over the years, but I'd assumed I knew as much about them as any Beatles fan needed to know.I was dead wrong.

It’s rather strange to report that while other countries have enjoyed full collections of variant versions of these records for decades, it took 50 years for U.S. listeners to get an “official” package of songs which were intended to launch the career of British singer and guitarist Tony Sheridan. True, a two-CD set with the same eight tracks repeated over and over in often very similar mixes is likely to interest only collectors, completists, and musicologists. But when it comes to the Fabs, there are plenty of us around even if we’re likely to give this collection serious attention just once before filing it away for archival purposes.

http://blogcritics.org/music/article...s-the-beatles/

Radiotimes.com
November 12, 2011
How George Harrison split the Beatles
Biographer Hunter Davies remembers the Quiet Beatle - whose ambition was the real reason for the band’s breakup

George had been sitting for a long time cross-legged on the floor. He was putting new strings on his sitar while telling me about his spiritual life, about transcendental meditation, about reincarnation and stuff. I might well have been ever so slightly dozing off. This was 1968 and we were in his ranch-style bungalow in Esher, Surrey. George was in one of his more spiritual periods.

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2011-...it-the-beatles

The Telegraph
November 12, 2011
Abbey Road Studios celebrates 80 years of recording

Abbey Road Studios, the recording studio made famous by bands such as The Beatles and Pink Floyd, has celebrated its 80th birthday just a day after it was sold to a French-owned rival.

On November 12 1931, Abbey Road Studios officially opened its doors with Sir Edward Elgar conducting the London Symphony Orchestra playing Land of Hope and Glory.
Despite hosting a number of landmark recordings from artists such as Fred Astaire and Glenn Miller, it was not until The Beatles named their 11th studio album after the recording studio that it began to find worldwide fame.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/m...recording.html

The Guardian
November 11,2011
Universal Music's £1.2bn acquisition marks end of the road for EMI

The deal trumped an offer by rival company Warner Music and is the first part of the breakup of the British music major.Universal Music has triumphed in the auction of EMI's recorded music division, home to the Beatles, Coldplay and Tinie Tempah, tabling a knockout offer of £1.2bn ($1.9bn).The deal is about $500m more than that offered to owner Citigroup by rival Warner Music, which pulled out of the running a week ago, and marks the end of the road for the British company as a music major.Friday's sale is the first part of the break up of EMI, with the music publishing division tipped to go to a consortium led by Sony for about $2.2bn.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...?newsfeed=true

[msLinds]

Everyone have a safe, positive and great week and take care.

The Guardian
November 14, 2011
Researchers tell the history of the Beatles' music store

Liverpool university is launching a three year project on Rushworth's, and wants to hear from anyone who worked or shopped in its famous 'music house'Business history is too little celebrated, alas for the north, whose annals of industry and enterprise have often ended up on bonfires or skips.Occasionally that may have been because the management didn't want every jot and tittle of their financial dealings to see the light of day; but the result has too often been a lop-sided view of how money is made – the risks and challenges obscured by the rather more obvious rewards of firms which went on to success.

So hooray for Liverpool University which is launching a three-year research project into the port's music business Rushworth's, whose influence stretches from Oxbridge college organs to Paul McCartney's first guitar. The latter still needs absolute corroboration – the words 'is thought to have come from Rushworths in exchange for a trumpet his Dad had bought him' are usually used. But there is no doubt about John Lennon and George Harrison's Gibson J-160E guitars which the company imported specially from Chicago and handed over in 1962.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/the-nor...artney-beatles

The Telegraph
November 14, 2011
What next for The Beatles ?

During the acquisition of EMI by Universal, there has been much talk of the fantastic heritage of the label and its unsurpassed catalogue of world-beating artists which the new owners are keen to exploit. But it surely can’t have escaped anyone’s attention that the old owners have been exploiting this heritage quite remorselessly for much of the past twenty years.

I have already heard rumours of a huge campaign in 2012 for the 50th anniversary of The Beatles (who first signed to EMI in 1962). But what could there possibly be left to release from the most oversold back catalogue in history? For a group who broke up in 1969 insisting there was nothing left in the cupboard, The Beatles have subsequently put out quite a lot of “new” music, although very little of it is actually worth listening to more than once, mainly being dubious live recordings, demos and alternative takes.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture...r-the-beatles/

[msLinds]

NT News. au
November 14, 2011
Bargain Beatle artwork left unsold

A Print by John Lennon was one of more than 150 artworks to go under the hammer during a massive art auction held in Darwin at the weekend.But Framed gallery owner Anne Phelan was surprised an array of Beatles' memorabilia did not sell on Friday night.The print of a purple elephant was valued at $1650, but it was passed in after no one bid $800.Yesterday, Ms Phelan's phone was ringing with bidders who realised they had missed out on a bargain on Friday night.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/201...81_ntnews.html

New John Lennon tribute album to be released tomorrow

New York, NY -- Theatre Within announces the November 15th release of a live album chronicling the sold out, star-studded 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Live from the Beacon Theatre NYC. The 15-song release will be available digitally via iTunes, Amazon and other major online music outlets. Proceeds from the sales of the digital release will be shared with the Japanese Red Cross for its ongoing Earthquake/Tsunami Relief efforts."John would have loved that Theatre Within has produced a special live album of his songs to benefit the Japanese Red Cross and the people still suffering from the tsunami and earthquake," states Yoko Ono.

The 30th Annual Tribute took place November 12, 2010 at New York's legendary Beacon Theatre and featured an all-star line-up of musicians, spanning nearly four generations, each performing unique interpretations of classic Lennon songs, from his Beatles through solo years. The artists on the live album include Jackson Browne, Patti Smith & Tony Shanahan, Taj Mahal with Deva Mahal & Steph Brown, Aimee Mann, Keb' Mo', Joan Osborne, Martin Sexton, Shelby Lynne, Meshell Ndegeocello, Alejandro Escovedo, The Kennedys, Vusi Mahlasela, Rich Pagano and Playing For Change Band.

Martin Sexton whose rendition of "Working Class Hero," was called "chill-inspiring" by Billboard Magazine, said, "John has always been a hero of mine, not only for his musical brilliance, but for his life-long commitment to bringing peace and light into the world."Rich Pagano/Power To The People
The Kennedys/And Your Bird Can Sing 
Meshell Ndegeocello/God
Alejandro Escovedo/Help!
Shelby Lynne/Mother
Martin Sexton/Working Class Hero
Joan Osborne/Hey Bulldog
Taj Mahal and Vusi Mahlasela/Watching the Wheels
Keb' Mo'/In My Life
Taj Mahal with Deva Mahal & Steph Browne/Come Together
Bettye LaVette/The Word
Aimee Mann/Jealous Guy
Jackson Browne/You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Patti Smith and Tony Shanahan/Oh Yoko
Playing For Change Band/Instant Karma

The Tribute drew critical raves from a wide variety of media. The Associated Press stated that "one couldn't help but think he (Lennon) would have thoroughly enjoyed himself," affording special praise to Joan Osborne for her "gritty, spirited rendition" of "Hey Bulldog," and Shelby Lynne for her "remarkably searing" cover of "Mother." Billboard praised Aimee Mann for her "beautifully understated rendition" of "Jealous Guy," while Rolling Stone noted Patti Smith and Tony Shanahan's "joyous acoustic sing-along" of "Oh Yoko." The New York Daily News gave special plaudits to Alejandro Escovedo for his "fascinating inversion" of "Help," turning this "statement of youthful desire into a desperate plea for intervention," and Bettye LaVette for her "gripping soul rave-up" on "The Word."

Theatre Within, a not-for-profit performing arts presenter dedicated to producing shows to benefit outstanding charities and important social causes, has produced The Annual John Lennon Tribute since 1981, shortly after Lennon's death. The Tribute is the longest running event of its kind and the only ongoing tribute show in the world to have earned the support of Yoko Ono.

Theatre Within also announces that its 31st Annual John Lennon Tribute will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2011, at Le Poisson Rouge. This year's lineup includes: Tribute alumni Steve Forbert, Bettye LaVette, Lucy Kaplansky, Rich Pagano, Richard Barone and first timers, Toshi Reagon and Ari Hest.

http://theatrewithin.org/

Cleveland.com
November 14, 2011
Now on DVD: John and Paul go solo in "Composing Outside the Beatles: Lennon & McCartney 1973-1980"

After the Beatles broke up, the four lads from Liverpool embarked on solo musical careers in the 1970s, with varying degrees of success. The in-depth, unauthorized documentary, "Composing Outside the Beatles: Lennon & McCartney 1973-1980," compares the efforts of former songwriting partners Paul McCartney and John Lennon as they try to find their footing on their own.Vintage clips and performances mix with recent interviews with experts. While no Beatles songs are heard, probably due to licensing issues, the film does feature a lot of their solo work, from Paul's "Live and Let Die" to John's "Mind Games."

http://www.cleveland.com/movies/inde...aul_go_so.html

ContactMusic
November 14, 2011
Sir Paul Mccartney - Mccartney Thrills Uae Fans With 35-Song Set

Sir Paul Mccartney thrilled fans at his first ever show in the United Arab Emirates (Uae) on Sunday (13Nov11) by playing a massive 35-song set.The former Beatle headlined the Yasalam 2011 festival in Abu Dhabi and he kicked off the concert with a rendition of The Beatles' Hello, Goodbye and performed several other classics, including Drive My Car, Blackbird and Back In The Ussr.MCCartney finished his main set with a rousing rendition of Hey Jude and he sent fans into a frenzy when he came back onstage for a three-song encore.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news/mcc...ng-set_1260635

[msLinds]

Variety
November 15, 2011
Rock royalty acts as one-man band
Music for Screens: Fall 2011

When it came time for writer/director Jordan Galland to give his friend and musical colleague Sean Lennon instruction on scoring his indie film, "Alter Egos," Galland recalls requesting "something that feels like 'Twin Peaks' at times and that feels like it's harnessing the power of 'The Dark Knight' at times."By then, Lennon adds with a laugh, Galland was already editing the comedy about superheroes who have fallen out of favor with the public, and "he'd just discarded 15 other cues that I'd worked on. And we only had four days to finish the score." Lennon wholeheartedly embraced the challenge, even taking up the gauntlet to write a new tune, complete with lyrics, after Galland told him he planned to license an old song. "Sean was like, 'C'mon man, we can totally write a song that sounds like it's from the '50s'," Galland says of their one co-write on the project.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118045891?refCatId=16

Examiner
November 14, 2011
Apple Jam honors George Harrison in sell-out concert at Seattle's Triple Door

Seattle, Washington – George Harrison, the “quiet”Beatle, was honored Saturday night at the Triple Door in Seattle with a rousing and memorable concert by the popular Seattle tribute group Apple Jam. The concert was organized in remembrance of the tenth anniversary of Harrison’s death November 29, making this concert moving experience for fans in attendance.Tickets to this event were sold out over a month prior, and the venue was packed without a seat to spare. The Triple Door’s swank atmosphere offered nice seating, food and drinks. The stage set up featured a large life-size standup of Harrison surrounded by gnomes and sunflowers, paying homage to his estate at Friar Park and his love of gardening, as well as replicas of his favorite guitars. (see slideshow of photos)

http://www.examiner.com/john-lennon-...-s-triple-door

[msLinds]

You listen to a some of the songs on this new John Lennon tribute album on this link.

New York, NY -- Theatre Within announces the November 15th release of a live album chronicling the sold out, star-studded 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Live from the Beacon Theatre NYC. The 15-song release will be available digitally via iTunes, Amazon and other major online music outlets. Proceeds from the sales of the digital release will be shared with the Japanese Red Cross for its ongoing Earthquake/Tsunami Relief efforts.

listen here

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/a...nnual-joh.html

[msLinds]

The Lost Beatles Show
November 2011
From Tony Bramwell " On The Road "

There was a wealth of media coverage for The Beatles in 1964. Everywhere they went, and practically everything they did was scrutinized and reported on the evening news and in every newspaper worldwide. To every rule there is an exception, here the exception is Las Vegas. It certainly is the lost and almost forgotten show by The Beatles.* However, they did play Las Vegas Live with two shows at the Convention Center, Las Vegas on* Thursday 20 August 1964. The first show was at 4:00 pm and the next later that evening at 9:00 pm.

http://www.tonybramwell.com/bramwell+news2.html

CTV News
November 16, 2011
McCartney letter offering drummer tryout fetches $55,400

LONDON — Christie's auction house says a handwritten letter from Paul McCartney offering a Beatles audition to a mystery drummer has sold for nearly 35,000 pounds (US$55,400). The note, found folded in a book at a Liverpool yard sale, offered an audition to someone who had advertised their availability in the Liverpool Echo newspaper four days earlier. The unsigned ad said simply: "Drummer--Young--Free." The letter was dated Aug. 12, 1960 -- two years before the band bounced drummer Pete Best in favour of Ringo Starr.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainm...tryout-111115/

CTV News
November 16, 2011
McCartney letter offering drummer tryout fetches $55,400

LONDON — Christie's auction house says a handwritten letter from Paul McCartney offering a Beatles audition to a mystery drummer has sold for nearly 35,000 pounds (US$55,400). The note, found folded in a book at a Liverpool yard sale, offered an audition to someone who had advertised their availability in the Liverpool Echo newspaper four days earlier. The unsigned ad said simply: "Drummer--Young--Free."The letter was dated Aug. 12, 1960 -- two years before the band bounced drummer Pete Best in favour of Ringo Starr.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Entertainm...tryout-111115/

[Nico]

MsLinds, I don't know if you knew this but that Tony Bramwell was walking around like this:



In a world filled with hatred and crime, for someone to walk around advocating more hatred for someone and be perfectly fine with demonstrating their approval of continuing the YOKO ONO BROKE UP THE BEATLES myth...well, I am ashamed of YOU Tony Bramwell. And your shirt sucks.

[msLinds]

Nico,I had no idea that Tony Bramwell was walking around with a teeshirt on like that. Or that he believes that Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles.What a ignorant,mean spirited, idiot he is then. His personal views on Yoko or about this subject means nothing to me.

I have a few new updates now.

Gibson Lifestyle
November 16, 2011
Maybe We’re Amazed: Paul McCartney’s Sensational Guitarists

Few artists have demonstrated a greater facility for scouting out great guitarists than Paul McCartney has. Having played in The Beatles, with one of rock’s finest lead guitarists and one of rock’s greatest rhythm players, Sir Paul no doubt entered his solo career with exceptionally high standards in mind. Although he’s often handled six-string duties himself – emphasizing songcraft over solos – his albums and live shows also have benefitted from contributions from exemplary rock-guitar craftsmen. The 10 players below rank among the best of those fortunate enough to have filled that role for the former Beatle

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyl...sts-1116-2011/

Ultimate Classic Rock
November 15, 2011
Beatles Rare Autographed Single Sells for Five Figures on eBay

An autographed Beatles ‘Please Please Me’ Red Parlophone single sold on Ebay on Nov. 14 for approximately $12,720.00. This rarity was signed on the A-side by George Harrison and John Lennon while signatures from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were on the B-side of the record, which plays ‘Ask Me Why.’There are numerous reasons one might consider this such a rarity, and therefore worthy of a bid that equals the value of a nice used car in America. Firstly, it is one of only three known copies to surface from the signing session at NEMS on Jan. 24, 1963. Beatles autographs have also sharply risen in value over the past decade, especially if they are from the early part of their career and on their own records versus other paper artifacts.

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/beatl...gures-on-ebay/

News - Antique.com
Art , Antique and Collectibles News
November 16, 2011

Wikicollecting Top 10 Most Expensive Items of John Lennon Mermorabilia. As the “Bed Peace” placard from John and Yoko’s famous Montreal Bed-In in 1969 sells for £97,250, Wikicollecting presents a list of the ten most expensive items of John Lennon memorabilia ever sold.

http://news-antique.com/?id=801103&k...es-memorabilia

The Guardian
November 16, 2011
Liverpool spending cuts threaten Beatles-themed Mathew Street festival

International festival and inward investment agency Liverpool Vision face axe as council slashes £102m from budget.Spending cuts in Liverpool could lead to the cancellation of an internationally renowned music festival and funding being withdrawn for the inward investment agency, Liverpool Vision.Only three years after its triumphant Capital of Culture year, the most deprived city in England is being hard hit by local authority cuts, with savings of £102m needed over the next three years. Both public and private sectors are feeling the pain. Councillor Joe Anderson, leader of Liverpool city council, said he had suffered many sleepless nights contemplating the cuts, including proposals to ditch the Beatles-themed Mathew Street music festival.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/no...?newsfeed=true

[Nico]

Originally Posted by msLinds

Nico,I had no idea that Tony Bramwell was walking around with a teeshirt on like that. Or that he believes that Yoko Ono broke up the Beatles.What a ignorant,mean spirited, idiot he is then. His personal views on Yoko or about this subject means nothing to me.

Flawless observation. Tony Bramwell and the like are no friends of mine when they think it's OK to spread hate.

Thank you for your amazing updates as always msLinds!

[Dodfather]

Did anyone in the UK see the excellent Martin Scorses documentary - Living In The Material World - on BBC2 this past weekend> Or has anyone elsewhere seen it? I watched both parts and was riveted. Scorsese usually makes great music documentaries, his Blues one is very good, but this was by far the best. Informative, moving, funny and with clips of so many great songs and performances.

[Nico]

Originally Posted by Dodfather

Did anyone in the UK see the excellent Martin Scorses documentary - Living In The Material World - on BBC2 this past weekend> Or has anyone elsewhere seen it? I watched both parts and was riveted. Scorsese usually makes great music documentaries, his Blues one is very good, but this was by far the best. Informative, moving, funny and with clips of so many great songs and performances.

I have it but I'm holding off, as it will be what I am watching to remember George on November 29th. With so much love.

[msLinds]

I didn't get to watch Dodfather the new George Harrison Documentary film yet.Because I have cable TV. But I don't get the TV channel Showtime.But I will be ordering online a copy of it on DVD soon.I am looking forward to watching it.Thanks Dodfather for stopping by here.Your welcome Nico.Everyone have a safe, positive and happy upcoming weekend and take care. I have a few new updates now.

Broadway World
November 17, 2011
Cirque Du Soleil Offers Backstage Access to the Beatles LOVE

Visitors doubling down this Holiday season weekend with a trip to Las Vegas will want to up the ante by experiencing a behind-the-scenes look at two of Cirque du Soleil's top shows - The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage and "O" at Bellagio. Provided by BestOfVegas.com - (owned and operated by parent company Entertainment Benefits Group) - these packages provide fans of Cirque du Soleil a level of access that has typically reserved for those behind the scenes as part of the production. The packages include a premium ticket and a special backstage tour for one of these hit Las Vegas shows, creating the ultimate Cirque du Soleil experience.

http://lasvegas.broadwayworld.com/ar...-LOVE-20111117

Entertainment and Stars
November 17, 2011
George Harrison and India: The Real ‘Magical Mystery Tour’

It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on the tenth anniversary of the tragic death of George Harrison.The former Beatle’s passing -- at the premature age of 58 from lung cancer on Nov. 29, 2001 -- came less than three months after the monumental 9-11 terrorist attacks, which may have somewhat overshadowed the importance of his untimely demise.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/2513...-mccartney.htm

The Guardian
My favourite film: Backbeat
In our writers' favourite film series, Paul Owen explains why the Beatles bromance between John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe strikes a chord.

Backbeat tells the story of the Beatles' pre-fame Hamburg days, focusing on Stuart Sutcliffe, the band's magnetically sexy original bassist, and his relationships with John Lennon and the beautiful and exotic German photographer Astrid Kirchherr. It's a great premise, and director and co-writer Iain Softley tells the tale with all the smart dramatic pacing, period detail and musical verve you might hope for. But, perhaps more surprisingly, he also creates a complex and emotionally sophisticated portrayal of love, friendship and attraction.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmb...?newsfeed=true

Scotsman
Edinburgh Evening News
November 18, 2011
Exhibition says oh yes to Ono’s work

It may not look like much more than a postcard with a hole in the middle.But the work by John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono is one of 50 pieces of artwork selected for a special exhibition depicting beauty.Beholder is a collection that is being brought together under one roof at the Talbot Rice Gallery at Edinburgh University until February and features unique interpretations on what is considered beautiful.The idea came from the gallery’s principal curator Pat Fisher, who wanted to do something to mark the 300th anniversary of the birth of philosopher David Hume, who had very specific ideas about the perception of beauty.Ms Fisher wrote to colleagues in galleries across Scotland inviting them to suggest their own ideas for pieces that would fit the bill, with the result being a vast range of items from across the world, including Ono’s A Hole To See The Sky Through, which was selected by Kate Gray of the Collective Gallery in Edinburgh.

http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-ev...work_1_1971196

[msLinds]

Deathandtaxsmag
November 18, 2011
Interview: Ravi Shankar on His Last Conversations with George Harrison

Ten years after his death, something feels right in knowing the last communication George Harrison had with friend and mentor Ravi Shankar was without words.Known early on as the quiet Beatle, Harrison was also the youngest of the four and arguably his group’s most musically mature force. For years he kept quiet when the others dismissed his songwriting, and only seemed to become outspoken following those stormy “Let It Be” sessions that forever fractured the band. Still, his contributions, though few when stacked against the long and winding Lennon/McCartney catalog, stand as some of the Beatles’ most revered work. There was “Something,” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” But it was Harrison’s Indian influence by way of sitarist Shankar that served as a catalyst for the Beatles’ latter half — and another beginning for popular music. Harrison and Shankar let their music do much of the talking as Harrison’s health declined and eventually claimed him on November 29, 2001.

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/1617...orge-harrison/


Huffington Post
November 18, 2011
Beatles Genesis: Backbeat Rocks London's West End (VIDEO)

How does one credibly portray the greatest rock 'n' roll band of all time without benefit of their recorded music? In 1994, British director Iain Softley released Backbeat, with Ian Hart as John Lennon, Stephen Dorff as Stuart Sutcliffe (Lennon's best friend and a fleeting band member), and Sheryl Lee (Twin Peaks) as Astrid Kerchheer -- a Hamburg photographer who famously shot the Beatles and whom Sutcliffe left the band for.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michae...b_1097877.html

[msLinds]

Tokyohive
November 19, 2011
Kuwata Keisuke to perform at “Dream Power John Lennon Super Live” for the first time

It’s been confirmed that Kuwata Keisuke will be making a special guest appearance at the charity concert, “Dream Power John Lennon Super Live“, which will be held on December 8th at Nippon Budokan.“Dream Power John Lennon Live” is an yearly charity concert held on the anniversary of John Lennon’s death. Various artists who respect John Lennon gather and raise money to build schools for children around the world. This will be the first time Kuwata will participate in this event.With Kuwata added to the guest list, a total of 20 people from 12 groups, are scheduled to make appearances. Additionally, for the first time, John Lennon himself will make an ‘appearance’ using a computer imaging technique. He will perform “Gimme Some Truth” as a special collaboration with Okuda Tamio, Yoshii Kazuya, and*Saito Kazuyoshi.
Check out the full guest list below!

Artists: Ono Yoko / Kuwata Keisuke / Okuda Tamio / Yoshii Kazuya / Saito Kazuyoshi / LOVE PSYCHEDELICO / BONNIE PINK / Sunny Day Service / ROY (THE BAWDIES) / OVERGROUND ACOUSTIC UNDERGROUND

MC: Yanai Michihiko
Narration: Anne
Voice: Sugawara Bunta

http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/11/kuw...-first-time-2/


Newbury today UK
November 20, 2011
John Lennon interview sells for £2,000

A RARE John Lennon interview in which the former Beatle reveals his suspicions that his telephone was being bugged by the American Government
has been sold at a West Berkshire auction.

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/A...rticleID=18421

Time News Feed
November 18, 2011
John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Peace Poster Sells for $154,000
London-based Christie's auctioned off the sign as a part of its Rock and Pop Memorabilia sale.

If you’re a protester down at Occupy Wall Street, a peace sign won’t get you much (though it might spare you from getting pepper sprayed). If you were the family auctioning memorabilia off at Christie’s on Nov. 15, however, a peace sign got you plenty. We’re talking $154,000 kind of plenty.The peace sign that was auctioned was the famous placard that read “Bed Peace” from John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1969 “bed in” in Montreal. The sign was taped to the window above their*Queen Elizabeth Hotel bed where the couple stayed for seven straight days. The former Beatle and his wife staged the event as a non-violent act of protest in the name of peace during the Vietnam War.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/11/18/...ls-for-154000/

RTT News
November 11, 2011
Beatles-Inspired Music Fest In Liverpool May Be Called Off Next Year

A music festival paying tribute to the Beatles in their hometown of Liverpool, England may be called off next year due to drastic austerity measures throughout the U.K. Liverpool's annual Mathew Street Music Festival has become a haven for Beatles fans but may be axed this year due to its £900,000 annual price tag.Supporters of the festival argue that it brings an estimated £17 million into the area's economy. According to Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson, it's a special year to remember the Beatles, but the cost could be too high in this economy:

http://www.rttnews.com/Content/Enter...d=1765273&SM=1

Stereoboard
November 18, 2011
Julian Lennon Joins Boy George, Pete Townshend & The Feeling For Princes Trust Rock Gala Concert

Julian Lennon, whose solo album 'Everything Changes' was released in October of this year, and features the single 'Lookin' 4 Luv', is set to perform at the Prince's Trust Rock Gala next week, alongside Boy George, Pete Townshend and The Feeling. The gala, one of the biggest fundraisers in The Prince’s Trust calendar, is key to raising vital funds for the charity’s work with disadvantaged young people.

http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/169006/9

http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/supp...gala_2011.aspx

[msLinds]

Rocksucker
November 18, 2011
Interview: Deerhoof (part 2)
Here is part 2 of Rocksucker's interview with Deerhoof founder member/songwriter/drummer/producer/keyboardist/occasional singer and guitarist Greg Saunier. Click here to read part 1.

How was your Iceland show with Plastic Ono Band? Did Ringo make an appearance?

No, not that I know of! He probably did guest on some performance within the last two years. Obviously Plastic Ono Band is going to be a big event, so the shows that they’ve set up over the last few years have been infrequent, each one a crazy bonanza, a total freak-out with guests coming on. When they played LA, Clapton showed up, Lady Gaga did a song: maybe Ringo played on that one. There weren’t too many celebrity appearances at the Iceland show. tUnE-yArDs came out and did a cover of a Yoko Ono song as a kind of encore, then Yoko came out and started singing with her. It was just so cool.

Sean Lennon was in the group too, Nels Cline from Wilco, Yuka Honda from Cibo Matto, two members of Cornelius and the bass player was Charlotte Kemp Muhl, a model for Maybelline. But I’m a huge celebrity of course so it was pretty much centered around me! Seriously though, I did have a really amazing Ringo-related experience. I had no idea how any of the songs went and neither did some of the other guys – there was this amazing trumpet player called CJ whom I’d never met before – so we had an eight-hour rehearsal on one day and a shorter rehearsal the next day. Yoko wasn’t there for it but she did turn up at the end of the eight-hour rehearsal to see if things were going okay. She walks in surrounded by three handlers who if they even heard Yoko sniffle would go running for boxes of tissues – it was just incredible! – and there was obviously a power struggle between her and Sean.

It’s a really amazing dynamic and it’s really funny. It’s like, Sean will have already planned and rehearsed something, he’ll tell her what it is and she’ll be like, yeah, but I think we should do it this other way. Then Sean’ll say, yeah, we could do that, but we haven’t rehearsed that and if we do it that way then it’s going to be harder for you to sing and you might blow out your voice. She’ll say “okay, okay, okay” and sort of acquiesces with Sean, which is really funny to see. Sean’s saying to her, “Don’t sing so hard, we don’t want you to blow out your voice; the show’s tomorrow so save your voice,” and all day he’s saying to us, “Guys, don’t turn up too loud, Yoko doesn’t like it when the band’s too loud, it kind of freaks her out and she can’t sing loud over all that noise. You’ll have to keep it under control and do something silent; you know, she’s really into silence, really into space.”

Then she gets there and she wants to run through a song called “Waiting For The D Train” which is just me, Sean playing guitar and Charlotte playing this bassline. There was another drummer there, Yuko from Cornelius, totally amazing, but she wasn’t playing on this song so it was just me. It’s really stripped down but we go into the song and I’m playing totally as hard as I can, sweating and putting every ounce of energy into playing completely wildly, not holding it down, not making it something easy to play along with, not taking any of the advice that was given to me! We get to the end and she’s just completely screamed her voice out, hasn’t followed the advice either. It was really intense and she was obviously really into it.

http://jonnyabrams.blogspot.com/2011...of-part-2.html