Move over, Ms L!

Hi all, wondering why you are looking at this jumbled up page? This is due to the fact that Facebook didn't like our url since it starts with wog, so we have been forced to move the blog. This was some time ago, and we have placed a script which would automatically send you to our new location. Obviously, this hasn't worked for all of you, since we have just finished moderating some of your comments which appeared on this site recently, and not on our new (and improved!) site. So what we're saying is head on over to our new site, and update your bookmarks!

Tuesday 29 June 2010

John Lennon - Gimme Some Truth

Press release
London, England – June 29, 2010 – Eight of John Lennon’s classic solo albums and other standout recordings have been digitally remastered from his original mixes for a global catalogue initiative commemorating the music legend’s 70th birthday, which falls on October 9.

Overseen by Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth” campaign will launch on 4 October (5 October in North America) with the worldwide release of eight remastered studio albums and several newly-compiled titles.


Double Fantasy...Naked
Double Fantasy, 1980’s GRAMMY Award winner for Album of the Year, will be presented in a newly remixed 'Stripped Down' version remixed and produced by Yoko Ono and Jack Douglas, co-producers of the original mix with John Lennon. The new stripped down version of the album comes in an expanded 2CD and digital edition pairing the new version with Lennon’s original mix, remastered.

New compilations
The campaign’s other new collections include:

· A hits compilation in two editions titled Power To The People: The Hits
· A 4CD set of themed discs titled Gimme Some Truth
· A deluxe 11CD collectors box with the remastered albums, rarities, and non-album singles, titled the John Lennon Signature Box

All of the remastered albums and collections will be available on CD and for download purchase from all major digital service providers

YOKO ONO said: “In this very special year, which would have seen my husband and life partner John reach the age of 70, I hope that this remastering / reissue programme will help bring his incredible music to a whole new audience. By remastering 121 tracks spanning his solo career, I hope also that those who are already familiar with John’s work will find renewed inspiration from his incredible gifts as a songwriter, musician and vocalist and from his power as a commentator on the human condition. His lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they were first written and I can think of no more apposite title for this campaign than those simple yet direct words 'Gimme Some Truth'.”

The Remasters
The albums have been digitally remastered from Lennon’s original mixes by Yoko Ono and a team of engineers led by Allan Rouse at EMI Music’s Abbey Road Studios in London and by George Marino at Avatar Studios in New York. All of the remastered titles will be packaged in digisleeves with replicated original album art and booklets with photos and new liner notes by noted British music journalist Paul Du Noyer. The albums to be reissued are:

· John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
· Imagine (1971)
· Some Time In New York City (1972)
· Mind Games (1973)
· Walls and Bridges (1974)
· Rock ‘n’ Roll (1975)
· Double Fantasy Stripped Down (2010) / Double Fantasy (1980)
· Milk and Honey (1984)

YOKO ONO added: “Double Fantasy Stripped Down really allows us to focus our attention on John’s amazing vocals. Technology has advanced so much that, conversely, I wanted to use new techniques to really frame these amazing songs and John's voice as simply as possible. By stripping down some of the instrumentation the power of the songs shines through with an enhanced clarity. Double Fantasy Stripped Down will be complemented by the original album in the 2CD format. It was whilst working on the new version of this album that I was hit hardest emotionally, as this was the last album John released before his passing."

Power To The People: The Hits gathers 15 of Lennon’s most popular songs, and will be available as a 15-track single-disc and digital package, and as an Experience Edition with additional content. Both versions will be packaged in digisleeves with booklets including a new liner note essay by Du Noyer.

Gimme Some Truth, to be packaged in a slipcase with rare photos and a new liner notes essays by respected American music journalist and author, Anthony DeCurtis, presents 72 of Lennon’s solo recordings on four themed CDs:

· ‘Roots’ – John’s rock ‘n’ roll roots and influences
· ‘Working Class Hero’ – John’s socio-political songs
· ‘Woman’ – John’s love songs
· ‘Borrowed Time’ – John’s songs about life

The John Lennon Signature Box is a deluxe 11CD and digital collection of the eight remastered albums, a disc of rare and previously unreleased recordings, and an EP of Lennon’s non-album singles. The CDs will be housed in digisleeves within a deluxe box including a collectible limited edition John Lennon art print and a hardbound book featuring rare photos, artwork, collages, poetry, and new liner notes by DeCurtis.

One of the world’s most celebrated songwriters and performers of all time, John Lennon was killed at the age of 40 on December 8, 1980. Lennon has been posthumously honoured with a Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award and two special BRIT Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music, and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked him in the Top 5 of the magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers Of All Time” list.

In celebration of his 70th birthday on 9 October, 2010, John Lennon’s life and music will be specially feted with a variety of commemorative releases and events around the world. Please visit www.johnlennon.com for official announcements and updates.

The Beatles (official)

Sunday 27 June 2010

McCartney's set list from Hard Rock Calling

For those of us who watched it online, it seemed that Paul McCartney played a considerably shorter set at the Hard Rock Calling gig in London's Hyde Park than at previous stops on the Up and Coming tour. Of course, this being a festival gig, it was expected - but it was even quite a bit shorter than his set at the Isle of Wight festival on the 13th of June. But then we discovered that he really played a fuller set and that the youtube stream from the concert just presented the first hour, minus the opening songs Venus & Mars/Rockshow.
The full concert has now been made available here. It will be there for one month from now.

Paul McCartney: Ram On!


"Ram On" received a rare outing in Cardiff, when a fan held up a sign, requesting the song. This is it's first concert appearance, but Paul McCartney has been playing it at every rehearsal lately. Here's a link to another youtube capture of the same song, also including the following song "Something".
Tonight's concert at the "Hard Rock Calling" festival will be broadcast live on the Born HIV Free Youtube channel. The concert starts at 8:30, English time. It will remain online for one month after the initial broadcast.
bornhivfree.org

Friday 25 June 2010

Ringo's 2010 Tour: Set list

Ringo and His All Starr Band started their tour at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls yesterday, and here's the set list of the opening night.

It Don't Come Easy
Honey Don't
Choose Love
Hang On Sloopy
Free Ride
Talking In Your Sleep
Be Your Man
Dream Weaver
Kyrie
The Other Side Of Liverpool
Yellow Submarine
Frankenstein
Peace Dream
Back Off Boogaloo
What I Like About You
Rock And Roll Hoochie Koo
Boys
My Love Is Alive
Broken Wings
Photograph
Act Naturally
With A Little Help From My Friends/Give Peace a Chance

The tour ends at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on August 7th. On Ringo's 70th birthday, July 7th, he will be playing at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. July 27th will see the releases of a separate CD and DVD from the 2008 tour. The track lists are:

CD
1. Introduction/With A Little Help From My Friends/It Don’t Come Easy
2. What Goes On
3. The Stroke
4. Free Ride
5. Dream Weaver
6. Boys
7. Pick Up The Pieces
8. Act Naturally
9. Yellow Submarine
10. Never Without You
11. I Wanna Be Your Man
12. Who Can It Be Now
13. Photograph
14. Oh My My
15. With A Little Help From My Friends
16. Give Peace A Chance

DVD
1. Introduction /With A Little Help From My Friends
2. It Don't Come Easy
3. What Goes On
4. Memphis In Your Mind
5. Ringo And His Drums
6. Lonely Is The Night
7. Free Ride
8. Down Under
9. Dream Weaver
10. Boys
11. Pick Up The Pieces
12. Liverpool 8
13. Act Naturally
14. Yellow Submarine
15. Frankenstein
16. All-Starr Band Introduction
17. Never Without You
18. Choose Love
19. The Stroke
20. Work To Do
21. I Wanna Be Your Man
22. Love Is Alive
23. Who Can It Be Now
24. Photograph
25. Oh My My
26. With A Little Help From My Friends
27. Give Peace A Chance

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Birthday

It's my birthday today, but in Beatles history this is the birthday of one Stuart Sutcliffe, who used to be the Beatles' bass guitarist back when they started their careers in show business. Stuart was the oldest Beatle back then, as he would have turned 70 today. As we all know, he didn't even live to turn 22. Time to ponder: Would the world as we know it have been any different if Stuart had survived? There are a couple of well known portraits of Stuart in his artist's loft at the Kirschherr house in Hamburg. John Lennon persuaded Astrid to take his photo at the same spot after Stuart's death as a tribute to the deceased Beatle. Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn revisited the loft in 2006, and has kindly shared his photos on the Kenwood blog. Take a couple of minutes of your time and have a look.

Sunday 20 June 2010

Signed Beatles Albums

Someone just brought to my attention an excellent article by Steve Cyrkin about genuine and fake Beatles autographs. Using the only two known copies of real autographed Abbey Road albums, the ones from Cathy Sarver and Lizzie Bravo's (both well known "Apple Scruffs") collections as examples, Cyrkin exposes a sleuth of forged autographs on this album. Cathy Sarver's autographed Abbey Road is depicted above.
Another fascinating feature in the article, is that Cyrkin gives an estimate as to how many genuine autographed Beatles album covers he knows of. There are only about a dozen US label Beatles albums known, signed by the full band. UK ones, around 50-75 "Please Please Me" albums, 15-20 "With The Beatles" albums and around 20 later albums with real signatures! Guess they were more eager in the beginning...

Here's the article
More about authenticating Beatles autographs here.

Saturday 19 June 2010

A Day In The Life sold again


On 27 August 1992 Lennon's handwritten lyrics were sold by the estate of Mal Evans in an auction at Sotheby's London for £56,600 ($100,000). The lyrics were put up for sale again in March 2006 by Bonhams in New York. Sealed bids were opened on 7 March 2006 and offers started at about $2 million. It was never disclosed how much it went for, or if it was sold at all. The lyric sheet has now been auctioned again by Sotheby's. It was purchased by an anonymous American buyer who paid £810,000 (around $1,2 million). The lyric sheet is written on both sides.

Wednesday 16 June 2010

The Rutles: Lunch

Ken Brown RIP

Ken Brown was briefly a member of the Quarry Men, and although his short tenure ended acrimoniously, it did its part to help the group evolve into the Beatles. In August 1959, the Quarry Men were in limbo, not doing many gigs and on the verge of scattering as John Lennon went to art college and Paul McCartney prepared for his A and O level exams. George Harrison was playing in another group, the Les Stewart Quartet, which was scheduled to open a new club, The Casbah, in the basement of the house where Pete Best and his family lived. On the opening day, August 29, 1959, Stewart and the group's bass player, Ken Brown, had an argument resulting in Stewart's departure. Brown asked Harrison if he knew of anyone who could fill in; Harrison rounded up McCartney and Lennon. The Quarry Men were thus active again, with Ken Brown on bass, and played a Saturday residency at The Casbah for the next six weeks.

Brown's stint in the Quarry Men ended in a childish dispute. One night Brown was too sick to perform, but the club's proprietor, Mona Best (Pete Best's mother), gave Brown his one-fourth cut of the band's three-pound wage anyway. The other three didn't think Brown should get paid as he hadn't played, and he and the rest went their own ways. Brown formed a band with Pete Best on drums, the Blackjacks, to take over The Casbah residency. When the Beatles, formerly the Quarry Men, were offered a residency in Hamburg in 1960, they needed a drummer, and recruited Best, whose Blackjacks were about to break up anyway.

I was at the Casbah Club for it's 50th anniversary last year, with the Pete Best Band and guests. Ken Brown was one of the guests who performed that night. I'm glad I was there, and I'm saddened by the news of his death. Ken, 70, was discovered at his home in Essex on Monday after a concerned relative had raised the alarm.

Tuesday 15 June 2010

McCartney at Isle of Wight

Paul McCartney and his band played a shorter set than usual at the Isle of Wight Festival on the 13th of June:

Venus And Mars/Rock Show
Jet (broadcast on ITV)
All My Loving
Letting Go
Let Me Roll It
The Long And Winding Road
Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five
I'm Looking Through You
Blackbird
Here Today
Dance Tonight
Mrs Vandebilt
Eleanor Rigby
Something
Sing The Changes
Band On The Run
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Back In The USSR (broadcast on ITV)
Paperback Writer
Let It Be
Live And Let Die (broadcast on ITV)
Hey Jude (broadcast on ITV)
Day Tripper
Get Back
Yesterday
Helter Skelter (broadcast on ITV)
Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (reprise)/The End

Audio highlights from McCartney's concert are now available for listening at Absolute Radio.

Monday 14 June 2010

Liverpool's John Lennon Tribute

Full programme announced for John Lennon Tribute Season
9 October – 9 December 2010

The full programme for the John Lennon Tribute Season, announced today by Jerry Goldman, Managing Director of the Beatles Story on behalf of the organising committee, includes a diverse selection of cultural events with a total of six different live music shows, four art exhibitions, a unique international poetry competition, two lecture series and three tours of the city taking place nearly every day from 9 October to 9 December.

Marking 70 years since Lennon's birth and 30 years since his untimely death, the tribute season will bring together organisations in Liverpool to celebrate the life of one of the world's most influential and legendary musicians and one of the city's most famous sons.

Famed for being the first professional photographer to photograph The Beatles, Astrid Kirchherr – A Retrospective opens at the University of Liverpool's Victoria Gallery and Museum (24 Aug 2010 - Jan 2011). The curators have had unparalleled access to Kirchherr's photographic archives and the exhibition contains a wealth of previously unpublished photographs showing Astrid Kirchherr and her contemporaries including the Beatles.

The Bluecoat will honour Lennon's commitment to peace and freedom in Bed-In at the Bluecoat. Taking inspiration from Lennon and Yoko Ono's 1969 bed-ins for peace staged in Amsterdam and Montreal, Bluecoat will invite artists and associates to present their work from a bed on display to the public throughout the duration of the John Lennon season.

The world's leading permanent Beatles-themed visitor attraction, the Beatles Story will accept a John Lennon Peace Monument on behalf of the city and Europe, gifted by USA organisation Global Peace Initiative. Unveiled by his son Julian, this stunning 18 foot high piece of art will celebrate John Lennon's life and the messages of peace he stood for (Oct 9).

Judged by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, the first international `Liverpool Lennon Poet' Competition has been launched by the Beatles Story, with a live poetry slam final on 6 Nov. Poets from across the world including secondary school pupils from Liverpool City Region are encouraged to write and perform unpublished verses, celebrating the life of John Lennon.

Discover intimate details of John's early life in a one-hour discussion with Rod Davis and Colin Hanton. Talking about Quarry Bank School and the early days of the Quarrymen Group, this is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lennon fans (2 Nov). The lecture series An Evening With… continues with Tony Bramwell, the Beatles Manager and friend (9 Nov).

Tracing Lennon's steps from Woolton Church Fete to New York, stopping in Hamburg and at The Cavern, Lennon by Bob Eaton celebrates the music of Lennon and McCartney in this smash hit show (15 Oct – 13 Nov). The Cavern Clubs' daily John Lennon Tribute Show featuring Marcus Cahill will ensure that all visitors to Liverpool experience the magic of Lennon (9 Oct – 9 Dec).

Shopping and Leisure complex Liverpool One will be hosting a series of musical tributes to John Lennon performed by musicians and street entertainers throughout the streets of Liverpool ONE. Liverpool ONE loves Lennon – a Musical Tribute takes place from 9 – 15 Oct. The shopping complex will also host an art competition giving children and adults the chance for their Lennon inspired artwork to go on display in Liverpool One from 9 – 31 Oct.

The Cavern Club will host a number of John Lennon 70th Birthday Celebration Gigs (8 – 9 Oct). In the unique atmosphere of this world famous venue, Lennon fans can enjoy the music of their Liverpool hero. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra revisits its popular John Lennon Song Book especially for Lennon's 70th Birthday (9 Oct). In this special evening of song, audiences will have a rare opportunity to hear classics including Imagine, Women, I am the Walrus and Jealous Guy, sung by some of the UK's top vocalists.

White Feather: Spirit Of Lennon, an exhibition about life with John Lennon by his son Julian and former wife Cynthia is extended at the Beatles Story Pier Head. This emotional story is told on screen by Julian and Cynthia and is illustrated with family photos, personal postcards and the Lennons' unseen collection of memorabilia (until 31 Dec).

People visiting the City during the John Lennon Tribute Season can enjoy a number of specially designed sightseeing tours, allowing visitors to experience John Lennon's true Liverpool. Walk around the city with: Magical Mystery Tours – Lennon Special and Walking Class Hero Tour and if your feet get sore then hop in a taxi for the Fab4 `John Lennon' Taxi Tour, all running throughout the season (9 Oct – 9 Dec)

Music stars of all eras will unite in a unique and emotional season finale at the Echo Arena. Lennon Remembered, a charity concert, will see musicians congregate on stage to perform versions of Lennon's most famous songs (9 Dec).

Jerry Goldman, Managing Director of the Beatles Story said: "The Season is already shaping up to be a fitting tribute of music and culture and we expect even more events to be announced next month including the location of the John Lennon Peace Monument'.

Councillor Wendy Simon, Cabinet member for Culture and Tourism, said: "A whole host of organisations and venues are working very hard to make this John Lennon Tribute Season a success. It's great for the city and a fitting way to remember and celebrate the life of John Lennon".

For more information on the John Lennon Tribute Season go to www.VisitLiverpool.com

John Lennon Tribute Season Programme:

24th August – end of January 2011.

Astrid Kirchherr - A Retrospective
Curated by Matthew H. Clough and Colin Fallows
Victoria Gallery & Museum, University of Liverpool

Until 31 December 2010

White Feather: Spirit of Lennon An exhibition about life with John Lennon presented by his son Julian and former wife Cynthia
Beatles Story Pier Head

Friday 8th & Saturday 9th October
John Lennon's 70th Birthday Celebration Gig Cavern Club

Saturday 9th October
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
John Lennon Song Book 70th Birthday
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Saturday 9th October Unveiling of Global Peace Initiative Peace Monument to John Lennon

Saturday 9th October & Thursday 9th December Magical Mystery Tour – Lennon Special
Visit all the sights of Beatles Liverpool as well as many more associated with John.
12pm and 2.30pm.

Saturday 9th October & Thursday 9th December Walking Class Hero
City Centre walking tour of John Lennon's Liverpool. Departs from the Cavern Club.
5pm.

Saturday 9th October – Thursday 9th December Bed-In at the Bluecoat
62 days – 62 events
the Bluecoat

Saturday 9th October – Thursday 9th December John Lennon Tribute Show Cavern Club - Daily

Saturday 9th October – Thursday 9th December Fab4 `John Lennon' Taxi Tour Take a tour of Lennon's Liverpool in the comfort of a black taxi.

Saturday 9th October – Friday 15th October Liverpool ONE Loves Lennon – A Musical Tribute
Professional musicians and street entertainers will be performing musical tributes to John Lennon throughout the streets of Liverpool ONE. Liverpool ONE

Competition launch: Monday 12th July
Entry deadline: Friday 10th September

Exhibition on display: Saturday 9th October – Sunday 31st October Liverpool ONE Loves Lennon – An Art Exhibition
Competition for children and adults to have artwork related to John Lennon on display at Liverpool ONE. Liverpool ONE

Saturday 15th October – Saturday 13th November
Lennon by Bob Eaton
Royal Court Liverpool
Entry deadline: Friday 10th September
Performance Poetry Slam Final: Saturday 6th November
John Lennon International Poetry Competition Judged by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy
Worldwide search for first ever Liverpool Lennon Poet

Thursday 9th December Lennon Remembered
Liverpool's official 30th anniversary memorial concert.
Echo Arena Liverpool


The organisation of the John Lennon Tribute Season is being led by the Beatles Story and a team including regional tourist board, The Mersey Partnership (TMP); Liverpool City Council; Liverpool attraction, Cavern City Tours, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and shopping and leisure complex, Liverpool ONE.

Sunday 13 June 2010

HRC in Dublin

I was in Dublin for the weekend, and took the time to visit the local Hard Rock Café to see what Beatles items they had on display. Actually, the HRC in Dublin had devoted a rather big section of their downstairs restaurant to the Beatles. They had lots of Beatles and solo gold record awards, some nice photos and even some Pete Best items! Pete's autograph and a pair of drum sticks were on display. But of course, personal belongings to the Beatles boys themselves were the most interesting finds. Here's a pair of Ringo's drum sticks, authenticated (sort of) by the man himself:

The letter accompanying the drumsticks reads:
"Tittenhurst Park"
London Road,
Sunninghill,
Berkshire.

Mrs. J. Hiley's Grandson,
6 Charles McPhersons Gardens,
Eldene,
Swindon SN3 3SE

24th March 1987

Dear Mrs. Hiley's Grandson:
Yes, if your Grandad says I gave the drumsticks to him, then even if it was a very long time ago, I did, as I'm sure your Grandad wouldn't lie.
Yours sincerely,
Ringo Starr

The typewritten letter has Ringo's real autograph.
Another gem in the collection is a pair of Beatle boots, worn by Paul McCartney back when he was in the Beatles:
Later that night, as we attended McCartney's concert at the RDS stadium in the town, we took this snapshot of the Beatle's boots that day. It seems he still fancies those old cuban heels on stage.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

The Beatles Come To Town (1963)

The Beatles Come To Town was filmed by news film agency Pathe in Technicolor and Cinemascope, possibly their only project in this format. The film wanted to show what happened when a town, in this case Manchester, was hit by the new phenomenon, Beatlemania. The day was the 20th of November 1963. The footage shows the Beatles at a press conference, in their dressing room, and singing "She Loves You" and "Twist & Shout" at the ABC Ardwick.
Barry Tyler from London reminisces: "I believe this was the special edition of Pathe Pictorial wholly devoted to a live performance by The Beatles. It was in colour and was the only time I know of that Pathe used the Cinemascope format. I think it was in 1964 when I was working as a projectionist (Cinematograph Technician) at the Warner Cinema Leicester Square and we were instructed to hold the showing of Pathe Pictorial as it was being replaced."
"... It was probably the best film ever made in the Pathe Pictorial series. Even in the projection room there was the impression of actually being in the theatre where they were performing."

The Pathe Pictorial of the Beatles in concert was added to the Pathe feature 'Pop Gear' (aka 'Go Go Mania'), also shot in CinemaScope. Many of the acts in 'Pop Gear' were managed by Beatles manager Brian Epstein, hence the decision to tag on the Beatles concert footage. The 70 minutes special POP GEAR is essentially a collection of Scopitone-like lip-synch performances of various British musical acts from the Mersey Beat era: The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Peter & Gordon, Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas, The Honeycombs, The Spencer Davis Group, Sounds Unlimited, The Nashville Teens, The Fourmost, Tommy Quickly, The Four Pennies, Matt Monro, Billie Davis, and others. The movie is hosted by long-haired british pop personality Jimmy Savile.

In 2014, British Pathe finished the job of uploading their entire film archive to YouTube, including the full film, but also clips (offcuts, selected scenes, out-takes, rushes) not seen in the finished version of The Beatles Come To Town.

Unfortunately, British Pathé uploaded the film in 25 frames per socond, in stead of the correct framerate of 24 fps.


The complete 8 minutes long film has not been released on VHS or DVD, let alone Blu-ray.

Friday 4 June 2010

Paris Left Breathless

This year, a superior source for the Beatles' 1965 concert in Paris suddenly appeared. Going the rounds in trading circles and having been uploaded to YouTube (see earlier posting), the DVD is finally coming up, from bootleg company Misterclaudel in Japan. The title seems to be "Salut Les Copains - Paris left breathless".
There's a new resource on the www for those among us who like to keep up with what's happening in the bootleg world about the Beatles. Here's a link to that.

Five more dates for McCartney tour

Denver, Kansas City, Toronto, Montreal and Pittsburgh are visited by Paul McCartney's "Up and Coming" tour in July and August. Click on the poster for tickets from McCartney's own website.

UPDATE June 4th: Paul McCartney has announced another date, he'll make a stop at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on July 28.

Thursday 3 June 2010

Macca at the White House

Paul McCartney was in the East Room at the White House last night to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. President Obama and the first lady hosted the event, which also featured other artists participating in a concert. Jerry Seinfeld did a stand up comedy routine. He had lots of compliments for McCartney and one complaint — he couldn’t quite figure some of McCartney’s lyrics.
Such as: "She was just 17. You know what I mean." Seinfeld: "I’m not sure I do know what you mean, Sir Paul. I think I know what you mean. And I think there’s a law enforcement agency in a couple of states that might want to ask you a few questions."
Of course, the "you know what I mean" lyric was contributed by John Lennon. McCartney's original lyric read "never been a beauty queen".

Set list:
Paul McCartney - Got To Get You Into My Life
Elvis Costello - Penny Lane
Dave Grohl - Band On The Run
Corinne Bailey Rae and Herbie Hancock - Blackbird
Emmylou Harris - For No One
Faith Hill - The Long and Winding Road
Jonas Brothers - Drive My Car
Lang Lang - Celebration on the piano
Jack White - Mother Nature's Son
Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out (twice)
Paul McCartney - Ebony And Ivory (duet with Stevie Wonder)
Paul McCartney - Eleanor Rigby
Paul McCartney - Michelle
Paul McCartney - Let It Be
Paul McCartney - Hey Jude

The concert and award speeches were taped by PBS and will be televised as a 90 minute TV special on July 28th.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Unused Pathe and multi-angled Bowl

From the HIWAX archives, a collection of multi-angle clips from The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, 1964 - synched to the appropriate concert sound clips.

From the Pathe archives, unused footage filmed for the cinema short "The Beatles Come To Town", Manchester, 1963.

BBC Pop Documentaries Catalogue

This is a list of The Beatles and related programmes listed by BBC Worldwide Audio & Music, a division which licences programmes produced by the BBC to foreign radio stations. The version of the catalogue presented here was last updated 29/10/2007.

The Beatles
Title: The Beatles At The Beeb
Programme length: 56 minutes 50 seconds
Production year: unknown
(Kit Version Available, which means that a complete transcript of the show can be provided with a CD containing the interviews and another containing selected tracks from the artists)
Order number: TCD0945

Title: The BBC A-Z Of The Beatles
Programme length: 240 episodes of 5 minutes
Production Year: 1996
This extraordinary collection of 240 short form inserts covers every song the Beatles ever wrote. Each song is combined with script giving an insight into the music and unique interviews with the fab four. Presented by Brian Matthew, the man of whom Paul McCartney once said, "It's all right, he's with us!"
(Kit Version Available)
Order number: TCD1130

Title: The Beatles Story
Programme length: 6 episodes of 60 minutes
Production Year: 1992
The BBC Beatles Story gives the most accurate and thorough presentation of the group's history from an organisation that enjoyed a very special relationship with the band from beginning to end.
Order number: TCD0353

Title: The Beatles – Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Programme length: 55 minutes 03 seconds
Production Year: 1992
A profile of the most influential pop album of all time.
Order number: TCD0249

Title: The Beatles At Christmas
Programme length: 55 minutes 28 seconds
Production Year: 1992
Highlights of the fab four's famous seasonal flexi-discs, combined with rare recordings of their BBC Christmas shows and of course, all of their Christmas chart successes.
Order number: TCD0333

Title: Nothing’s Gonna Change My World
Programme length: 3 episodes of 30 minutes
Production Year: 2003
For forty years the music of four fab young men from Liverpool has provided a soundtrack to life on planet Earth. Each new generation seems to have fallen under their spell, with the recent 'One' anthology selling more than 20 million copies across the globe. Phill Jupitus investigates their impact on the music industry.
Order number: FE0144

John Lennon
Title: When John Met John
Programme length: 30 minutes
Production Year: 2005
On Thanksgiving night, 1974, on the stage of New York's Madison Square Garden, Elton John, then the best-selling artist in America, announced a surprise guest to the delight of the ecstatic crowd. Another titan of rock, John Lennon, walked on stage and sang with Elton in what was to be Lennon's last public appearance before his assassination. Paul Gambaccini was there and shares his memories of the unique event with musicians and audience members who were present when history was being made.
Order number FE0184.1

Title: The Legacy
Programme length: 30 minutes 24 seconds
Production Year: 2000
The year 2000 marks a double anniversary for John Lennon. He would have celebrated his sixtieth birthday, and sadly it’s now twenty years since he died. For the next half hour we’re following the trail of the legacy of his life and music, from the break up of the Beatles right through to the present day.
(Kit Version Available)
Order number: PD73

Title: In My Life – Lennon Remembered
Programme length: 10 episodes of 60 minutes
Production Year: 1990
Full profile of John Lennon's life and music, based largely on an interview recorded by the BBC a few days before his death in 1980 - it turned out to be the last interview he would ever record.
Order number: CN5600

Title: The Best Of Lennon
Programme length: 58 minutes
Production year: 1997
A quick round up of the best known records from John’s solo career, including brief interview clips to go with each track. Can be used either as a one hour special or as ten individual inserts. (Combines with the BEST OF BOWIE for a two-hour show.)
(Kit Version Available)
Order number: PD0011

Title: Songs in the Key of Lennon
Programme length: 5 episodes of 15 minutes
Production year: 2006
John Lennon wrote intimate accounts of his relationships and put them to music. Robert Sandall talks to friends and family about five such songs and what light they shed on the man.
Order number: FE0207

Paul McCartney
Title: Paul McCartney’s Roots Of Rock
Programme length: 120 minutes
Production year: 1999
He was the driving force behind the most influential band of all time, The Beatles. He’s released huge selling solo albums, written movie soundtracks and has composed classical pieces. And then there are the countless awards, the platinum albums and The Queen has knighted him. So how does (Sir) Paul McCartney round off the century that he helped shape? He goes back to his first love in music - the energetic, exciting rock ‘n’ roll of his youth. For Roots Of
Rock he talks us through those songs and also dips into his record collection to play the music that had such a massive impact on Paul and his three mates from Liverpool.
(Kit Version Available)
Order number: TT6061

Title: Paul McCartney at 60
Programme length: Part 1 : 55 minutes 07 seconds, Part 2 : 54 minutes 59 seconds
Production year: 2002
He is the most successful singer songwriter of modern pop music, he was a member of the greatest band of all time, and this year he not only celebrates his 40th year as a star… but also his 60th birthday. Paul McCartney has been at the top of his profession since The Beatles very first single Love Me Do entered the UK Top 20 in late 1962. Ever since as a member of The Beatles, and later Wings, and then as a soloist Paul has produced a stream of memorable hit
records. In this special 2-part documentary we explore Paul’s life and music since his childhood days in Liverpool in the 1940s.
(Kit Version Available)
Order number: PD0079

Profiles
Profiles of well-known artists talking about their careers up until the release date of the profile.

George Harrison

Programme length: 2 episodes of 60 minutes
Production year: 1977
Order number: CN2832

Paul McCartney

Title: Paul McCartney’s Wings
Programme length: 60 minutes
Production year: 1976
Order number: CN2479


Title: none
Programme length: 60 minutes
Production year: 1982
Order number: CN3989

Title: Pipes of Peace
Programme length: 60 minutes
Production year: 1984
Order number: CN4327

Title: All The Best
Programme length: 60 minutes
Production year: 1987
Order number: CN5065

SGT Pepper
Programme length: 60 minutes
Production year: 1987
Order number:CN5119

So, if you are running a radio station and wants to feature some quality shows about the Beatles, get in touch with the BBC!

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Magazine alert:Der Spiegel

The new edition of German magazine Der Spiegel has a Beatles cover story, in celebration of the fifty year anniversary since they became professionals. The cover features a design by someone who met them in the beginning, Klaus Voorman. Inside the magazine, the Beatles story takes up 14 pages of photos and text.
Official site