John Lennon has continued to inspire millions of people with his music despite his death in 1980. However, what inspired him? Among various musicians, such as Elvis and Chuck Berry, Lennon was inspired by film. On several occasions, Lennon expressed his love for cinema and said that it often helped to form his own artistic vision, including his passion for the counterculture movement. However, one film in particular stood out for the singer-songwriter.

El Topo, a hallucinogenic interpretation of the Western genre directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, was a film to which Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono felt deeply connected.  Oko descibed Jodorowsky as a "rare genius" and Lennon reached out to his manager and told him to offer $1 million to Jodorowsky for any new project he wanted to make.

The two, who were deeply spiritual, went to see multiple screenings of El Topo, a film Jodorowsky hoped would create an image that wouldstay with the viewer, while creating a hallucinogenic experience comparable to enlightenment that would be like being on "LSD without LSD".  El Topo, released in 1970, was an avant garde surreal film about an outlaw that defies the Four Masters of the Desert due to the love of a woman.

A synopsis written by a fan reads: "It's sort of a twisted Western meets spiritual allegory. Each gunman symbolizes different religious or philosophical beliefs."

Source: Molly Toolan/express.co.uk

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The story of George Harrison and Eric Clapton’s deep friendship became a focal point once again with the news that the two men shared a rare 1913 Gibson Style O guitar. The acoustic guitar, which went up for sale on Reverb.com this week for nearly $1 million, was used while Harrison and Clapton composed “Badge,” their joint composition from Cream’s Goodbye, and was nicknamed Pattie in a crude reference to Pattie Boyd, who married first Harrison and then Clapton.

Few people, including Beatles fanatics, were aware of the guitar’s existence before the guitar surfaced on Reverb, adding a new, if minor, instrument to the men’s history.

What often gets lost in the story of Harrison and Clapton’s friendship is how both men were supports for each others growth in 1968, a year in which each was working through new developments in their career. Cream had reached its end, and Clapton was insecure about his prospects for a solo career.

Harrison, having spent the past two years studying sitar and paying scant attention to guitar, had once again turned his focus to the instrument, having decided he would never master sitar. Moreover, Harrison had reached his breaking point as the Beatles’ third, and disregarded, songwriter.

This had become evident just one month before the October 1968 writing session for “Badge,” when, on September 6, Harrison invited Clapton to record his uncredited lead guitar work on Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gentle Weeps,” from the Beatles’ White Album. The group had recorded it once already, but Harrison was unhappy with their unenthusiastic performance — an unfortunately typical response to Harrison’s work.

His decision to bring in Clapton unannounced was the first indication that he was willing to break out of the quartet’s insular groupthink.

Harrison and Clapton's friendship dates back quite a bit further than their White Album session. They first met in December 1964, while Clapton was in the Yardbirds, who were on the bill of the Beatles' Christmas show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. The two guitarists struck up an acquaintance that would grow over the years.

Exterior view of The Pheasantry, club and house at 152 King's Road, Chelsea, London, UK, 26th August 1970. Eric Clapton lived here in 1968 when he and George Harrison were building their friendship The Pheasantry, where Eric Clapton lived in 1968, seen here in 1970. George Harrison was a frequent visitor as he and Clapton became close friends.

At the time of the White Album sessions, Clapton was living at the Pheasantry, an 18th-century building in London’s Chelsea district that had long been popular with artists and celebrities and had recently been converted into apartments and a nightclub. Harrison was a regular visitor and would share acetates, or demonstration discs, of the Beatles’ latest songs.

“Sometimes I would go down to George’s house in Esher and we’d play our guitars and take acid, and bit by bit a friendship began to form,” the guitarist wrote in Clapton: The Autobiography.

Source: guitarplayer.com/Christopher Scapelliti

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The Beatles' impressive catalogue of music will reportedly be arriving on the West End for a brand new musical.

Richard Curtis, best known for Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, is said to be planning to turn smash hit film Yesterday into a stage show.  Alongside fellow producer Danny Boyle, he reportedly held a major event in front of potential investors including Sir Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The duo are said to still be looking for a theatre to house their West End show as they hope to turn the 2019 film into a roaring stage success for 'years and years'.   An insider told The Mirror: 'This has been kept under wraps for months but it is a huge opportunity, and the prospect of a Beatles musical is too big to miss.'

'There was a performance this week to show the basics of what the production will be, and all the big players in London's theatre world came along,' they added.  The Beatles ' impressive catalogue of music will reportedly be arriving on the West End for a brand new musical.

Richard Curtis , best known for Love Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral, is said to be planning to turn smash hit film Yesterday - starring Himesh Patel - into a stage show

Richard and Danny Boyle are said to still be looking for a theatre to house their West End show as they hope to turn the 2019 film into a roaring stage success .

'It's a no-brainer that any theatre will want to host it so there is likely to be a bit of a bidding war to secure it.'   Richard, 68, wrote the script for the comedy/musical film while Danny served as director, and they are teaming up once again to bring their project back to life.

In the movie, Himesh Patel took on the leading role of Jack Malik, a struggling musician who wakes up after being hit by a bus to discover nobody has ever heard of The Beatles.  He decides to start singing The Fab Four's famous back catalogue in a bid to find fame as he is supported by his love interest Ellie Appleton, played by Lily James.

If the film makes it to the stage, it will not be the first time that music from a world-famous band has inspired a musical.

Source: dailymail.co.uk/Kate Dennett

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Sir Paul McCartney was every inch the proud grandfather this week as he watched his grandson Elliot Donald graduate from New York University.

Elliot, 22, completed a four-year degree at the prestigious Gallatin School of Individualized Study, with his family showing up in force to support him at the ceremony.

The Beatles icon, 82, was joined by his wife Nancy, 65, and daughter Mary McCartney - Elliot's mum - as they posed for a sweet family photo shared on Mary's Instagram Stories on Wednesday night.

'Couldn't be prouder', wrote Mary, who looked chic in an all-black ensemble.  In one of the snaps, the group are seen smiling together with Paul holding the purple graduation programme in one hand and giving a thumbs up with the other, clearly thrilled to be celebrating the family milestone.

Sir Paul McCartney, 82, beamed with pride as he attended his grandson Elliot's graduation from New York University this week. The Beatles icon was joined by Elliot's mum Mary McCartney and Paul's wife Nancy,

Elliot was pictured cracking a beaming smile on the milestone occasion. Elliot recently enjoyed a holiday with Stella Jones, the model daughter of The Clash guitarist Mick Jones

Macca never went to university himself - having launched his music career in his teens - but has received multiple honorary degrees. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the University of Sussex in 1988, and another by Yale University in 2008.

In 1996, he co-founded the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), housed in his former grammar school building, and was later made a Companion of LIPA in recognition of his contributions to arts education.

Elliot is the youngest son of photographer and filmmaker Mary, 55, and her ex-husband, television director Alistair Donald. He was born and raised in London, attending University College School in Hampstead, just like his older brother Arthur.

Arthur, 25, who has similarly been based in the US in recent years, is currently dating Phoebe Gates - daughter of Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates - and the couple are said to be getting increasingly serious.

While Elliot has kept a relatively low profile so far, he moves in well-heeled circles and is close friends with model Lila Moss, daughter of Kate Moss, and Stella Jones, the model daughter of The Clash guitarist Mick Jones.

Source: dailymail.co.uk/Juliet Conway, Gethin Hicks

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This July, you’re invited to celebrate as The Beatles Story calls on fans to mark Ringo Starr’s 85th birthday and help share his timeless message of Peace and Love with the world.

Each year on his birthday since 2008, Ringo invites people everywhere to pause at 12 noon local time to say, think, or post “Peace and Love” as a collective moment of global unity. This heartfelt tradition is now recognised worldwide as a simple yet powerful gesture of kindness and hope.

At The Beatles Story in Liverpool, fans and visitors are encouraged to take part in this uplifting initiative. Attendees are invited to gather outside the museum entrance at The Royal Albert Dock – and, together, a special “Peace and Love” moment will be filmed to be shared on Ringo’s official Facebook page as part of the international celebration.

In honour of Ringo’s milestone birthday and lifelong advocacy for peace, The Beatles Story is proud to be unveiling a Ringo Starr Peace and Love Sculpture – a lasting tribute to his message.

The sculpture, created using an original casting of Ringo’s right hand, symbolically and quite literally shows that Ringo had a hand in spreading peace. Each piece is handcrafted by seasoned artisans, blending artistic craftsmanship with heartfelt meaning to create a lasting emblem of positivity.

This limited-edition sculpture is part of an exclusive initiative by the Ringo Starr organisation, with a select number made available to institutions and cultural spaces around the world. The Beatles Story is honoured to have one of these iconic works on display here in Liverpool.

The Beatles Story hopes that the inclusion of this statue in its exhibition will offer visitors a moment of reflection and a tangible connection to Ringo’s personal message of Peace and Love here in the city where his story began.

The statue will be on display outside The Beatles Story during the Peace and Love event on 7th July, offering attendees a chance to view it up close as part of the celebration.

Gary Astridge, from Ringo’s Peace and Love Initiative, said:  “We are pleased to be partnering with the Beatles Story in showcasing Ringo’s Peace & Love statue in his hometown of Liverpool, creating opportunities for reflection, and events based on the Peace & Love Initiative.”

The celebration, which will mark Ringo Starr’s milestone 85th birthday, are being held by The Beatles Story with the objective to raise awareness of Ringo Starr’s charitable organisation, The Lotus Foundation – which he established with wife Barbara. The Lotus Foundation reflects the compassion and values that Ringo and Barbara have championed for decades, supporting causes close to their hearts such as providing support to domestic violence survivors, cancer patients, and animals in need.

Source: cultureliverpool.co.uk/Sophie Brereton

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Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will soon be teaming up once again. The two are working together on the upcoming animated film High in the Clouds, which is based on the children's book McCartney published in 2005. McCartney is one of the driving forces behind the project, and he's also slated to write — and possibly perform — original songs.

Starr, meanwhile, will voice a character in the movie. While it's not confirmed, McCartney could lend his vocal talents as well. No release date for the film has been announced yet, but fans of McCartney, Starr, and of course, The Beatles, are thrilled about the reunion.

Every time former bandmates from the most successful group of all time come together, it’s a momentous occasion. McCartney and Starr have a long track record of supporting each other's work, even after they split from one another professionally.

McCartney showed up in a big way to help Starr with his self-titled solo album Ringo. He played multiple instruments and sang backing vocals on the tune “Six O’Clock,” one of the standout tracks from the full-length. The song was released in 1973, only a few years after The Beatles split, highlighting how quickly the two reconnected.
Give My Regards to Broad Street

About a decade later, Starr returned the favor. McCartney was developing a film based on a fictionalized version of his own life titled Give My Regards to Broad Street, and he incorporated both new music and Beatles classics. Starr stepped in to play drums on several of the band’s most iconic tunes, such as “Yesterday” and “Eleanor Rigby,” which were featured in the movie.

McCartney once again reached out to Starr for help on his solo album Flaming Pie. The track “Beautiful Night” is a gorgeous, orchestra-backed ballad that benefits greatly from Starr’s drumming — and his presence brought added star power to the cut.

Source: forbes.com/Hugh McIntyre

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