Beatles News

Half a century after the so-called "White Album" dropped a whopping 30 tracks on Nov. 22, 1968, a breakout 6-CD reissue explores at great length and in minute detail the methodical experimentation and network of support resulting in the Beatles' über ambitious, sonically multifarious, and ultimately mind-blowing ninth long-player.

Giles Martin, son of "fifth Beatle" George Martin, helmed the subtle 2018 mixes on the first two discs. The percussive snap and enhanced reverb on "Yer Blues" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" make the songs all the more blistering, but overall, any flourishes are carefully considered. Better still, the true revelations occur after the familiar first 94 minutes are up.

Acoustic demos recorded at George Harrison's house fresh off of the English foursome's famed three-month retreat to India shift through the seeds and stems that become the double album. A single verse of "Glass Onion" repeats over chugging acoustic guitar for two minutes, peppered with nonsensical jibber-jabber of an in-progress song. In John Lennon's "Child of Nature," the swell up to the chorus that lapses into a slow walk back down is instantly recognizable as the tune to "Jealous Guy" from the fan-anointed "Sma details

In the late fall of 1968, I walked to the school bus stop at the corner of my street. My neighbor, Frank, was already there. He was 11 and I was 12. Frank was holding a record album, which he proudly showed me.

What was this? The cover was completely white, totally unadorned, without any photographs of a musician or a band on it. I squinted and saw that there was some writing on it: “The Beatles.”

It was, of course, the double-record set that would come to be known as “The White Album.” At age 50, it is an undisputed cultural icon.

At the time, to a sixth-grader, it was an oddity.

In that pre-internet era, without a 24-hour cable news cycle and social media, I doubt that I knew this album was coming. I was an avid listener of the local AM rock ‘n’ roll station, but even if the DJs had talked about it, I wouldn’t have paid much attention. My parents never let me buy rock albums. I had a metal box filled with 45 rpm singles, but I wouldn’t have an album of my own until I started earning my own money.

Mom and Dad grew up during the Depression, so I just assumed they didn’t want to spend money on record albums. “The White Album&rdquo details

Giles Martin, the son of legendary Beatles producer George Martin, has returned to the original recording sessions for the "White Album" for a box set that includes demos, 50 studio outtakes and remixes. The new set coincides with the album's 50th birthday.

A recent Monmouth University poll found that the Beatles were far and away the most popular rock band of all time. Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, and Ken Womack, a noted Beatles scholar and dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Monmouth University, discussed the findings in a Q&A with Press Editorial Page Editor Randy Bergmann.

The Beatles performed together for only about seven years. And it’s been 48 years since they broke up. How remarkable is that The Beatles remain the most popular rock band of all time? And that 86 percent of those polled said they like the band?

Source: Asbury Park Press/app.com

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In addition to her title as the original Queen of Rock and Roll, Ronnie Spector enjoys an undisputed status as one of the ’60s greatest heartthrobs. Fronting the legendary Ronettes in her signature sky-high beehive and stylish pencil skirt, the cat-eyed siren bewitched millions, including some of the most famous artists of her generation. Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie were among those who vied for her affections, but few were as besotted as John Lennon.

The pair met in January 1964 when the Ronettes toured England soon after their pop masterpiece “Be My Baby” became a global smash. The Beatles, barely a year into their own superstardom, counted themselves as huge fans and wanted to be introduced. “They had seen us on Sunday Night at the London Palladium and they said, ‘We have got to meet these girls with the black long hair and slits up the side,'” Spector, 75, tells PEOPLE.

Both groups were invited to a show business party at a glitzy London townhouse. Despite the fact that Lennon was married and Spector was linked to her producer (and future husband) Phil Spector, that didn’t stop the Beatle from making a move. “John took me into a room to show me the beautiful l details

EVEN for age-defying rock stars, there comes the inevitable swansong. The final curtain of the last performance before shuffling off into some kind of Valhalla-style afterlife, where tales are told of glory days, of the debauchery and excess all areas that is part and parcel of touring.

In the last 12 months, Elton John, Ozzy Osbourne, Neil Diamond, Kiss and the grizzled remnants of Lynyrd Skynyrd have announced end-of-the-road tours. Paul Simon has already embraced the sound of silence with a final show in September in New York while fellow Sixties luminary Joan Baez is also packing away the touring set list for good.

But for all those happy to exit stage left after decades of strutting vanity, there are still others who continue to rage against the dying of the light and the onset of their twilight years. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Neil Young and Bob Dylan are still rocking well into their eighth decade, having long ago sold their souls for rock ‘n’ roll in some kind of Faustian pact.

Source: Ken McNab/heraldscotland.com

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Sir Paul McCartney has shared a number of archive photos from the early beginnings of his band Wings and the birth of their debut album Wild Life.

The legendary musician is about to release a remastered and expanded edition of the 11th and 12th classic works from his catalogue: Wild Life and Red Rose Speedway. Several previously unreleased tracks were made available in advance of the release.

Wings formed in 1971 and enjoyed a string of hits, including the James Bond soundtrack "Live and Let Die", and "Mull of Kintyre", which at the time became the best-selling UK single in history.

Wild Life was made during July-August 1971 at Abbey Road Studios by McCartney and his wife Linda, along with Denny Seiwell on drums, and Denny Laine of the Moody Blues. The majority of the tracks were laid down in a single take, and all songs were written by Paul and Linda McCartney – with the exception of a cover of Mickey and Sylvia's "Love is Strange".

Source: Roisin_OConnor/independent.co.uk

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This giving season, Sir Ringo Starr is asking UNICEF supporters to join him in supporting the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF.

As little as a $10 donation can make a big difference to children in need. To show your support — and help Ringo spread positivity and honor George’s memory — donate now, then add the Ringo and Me Facebook frame to your Facebook profile picture — and tag your friends!

Find out more here.

In 1971, George Harrison organized the Concerts for Bangladesh because his friend Ravi Shankar asked him for help. Today, the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF provides lifesaving assistance to children caught in humanitarian emergencies around the world.

Ringo will be honored with the Humanitarian Award from the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF on November 27, 2019 at their annual Snowflake Ball in New York City.

Source: Look To The Stars

The Beatles have become one of the most closely studied bands in rock history. With so much scholarly attention being paid to their work, consensus can be difficult to reach on which album is best – much less which song.

Some critics favor the billowing, multi-colored inventiveness of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, others the rugged individualism of their 1968 self-titled release. Cases have been made for the endlessly varied Revolver, and for their emotional farewell on Abbey Road. We're going to attempt a more granular approach, as Michael Gallucci discusses the most important tracks found on each of them. In a very of-the-moment twist, however, selecting the best song from every Beatles album actually ends up leaving out some of their signature tracks. Back then, bands regularly issued stand-alone singles in between studio releases. For the Beatles, however, these weren't throwaway efforts. The following list doesn't include such familiar tunes as "Paperback Writer," "We Can Work It Out," "Hey Jude," "Lady Madonna" and "The Ballad of John and Yoko" – because they never appeared on any non-compilation Beatles release.

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock

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Rock legend Paul McCartney has agreed to do an Irish gig - the first in nearly 10 years.

The former Beatles musician will be raising money for the homeless through an exclusive concert at Vicar Street in Dublin.

Macca was inspired by recent unveiling of a plaque that commemorated the two concerts The Beatles played in the Adelphi Cinema on Middle Abbey Street on November 7, 1963.

Harry Crosbie, the owner of Vicar Street, said: “I sent him a photo of the plaque and I got an answer back saying he was absolutely delighted.”

Mr Crosbie added that Paul often does “guerilla gigs” and added: “He came back to me and said that Vicar Street is top of the list for the next one.”

Instead of selling tickets, guests will be asked for donations and all proceeds from the gig will be used to help the homeless.

No date has been for the gig yet, but Mr Crosbie said that he could get a call from the musician at any moment “because that’s the way he works”.

Source: Aakanksha Surve/irishmirror.ie

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The iconic musician is releasing a series of previously unpublished photos in his new coffee table book, Another Day In the Life.

Another Day In the Life, available for pre-order from Genesis Books, is a quirky assortment of photos snapped by Starr, including candid views of his everyday life, as well as archival shots of Paul McCartney and other legends from his Beatles days.

“I love taking photos of random things, and seeing how they all fit together. Whether it is at home or on the road, certain things catch my eye – and when I see something that interests me, that’s the emotion of it, and I want to capture it. I am a photographer as well as a musician,” Starr said in a statement about the new book. “I love working with Genesis and had so much fun putting together this collection of images: photos taken by me and a few picked up along the way. I hope you enjoy it too.”

Source: Lindsay Lowe/parade.com

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