Beatles News
Whether it was an artist’s intuition or simply the predictions of a cynic, John Lennon knew that radio stations would ban one Beatles song, in particular, as soon as they got wind of the lyrical content. In fact, Lennon’s convictions were so strong that he insisted Apple press the vinyl before they started any publicity for the track.
As it turns out, Lennon was right. Although the Beatle wrote the “Ballad of John and Yoko” as a romantic ode to his wife, Yoko Ono, the creative liberties he took with the song’s chorus led to radio stations across the U.S. and U.K. banning the track from airplay—just as he expected they would. (We should also note that this was not the first Beatles song that radio stations banned in the 1960s.)
Lennon and Ono’s Journalistic Love Song
John Lennon married his second wife, Yoko Ono, on March 20, 1969, in Gibraltar, Spain. The events leading up to the ceremony were tumultuous at best, as Lennon describes in the “Ballad of John and Yoko.” Opting to forgo metaphors and write plainly, Lennon described how he and his future bride tried to wed in various countries in Europe to no avail.
Eventually, Lennon found a solution, which he describes in the song’s second verse. Peter Brown called to say, “You can make it okay. You can get married in Gibraltar, near Spain.” Indeed, Apple employee Peter Brown advised the couple to try going to Spain instead. The impromptu visit was successful, and Lennon and Ono wed.
“It was very romantic,” Lennon told Rolling Stone two years later. “It’s all in the song. If you want to know how it happened, it’s in there. Gibraltar was like a little sunny dream. I couldn’t find a white suit. I had sort of off-white corduroy trousers and a white jacket. Yoko had all white on.”
Source: Melanie Davis/americansongwriter.com
Paul McCartney has written numerous classic songs, working in a range of genres. Whether it’s The Beatles’ mop-top hits, Wings’ trip to Nigeria, or his own solo electronic diversions – we’re looking at you, ‘Temporary Secretary’ – the Liverpool-born songwriter has a near unrivalled catalogue.
Recently, his song ‘Blackbird’ has re-entered the public consciousness. Covered by Beyonce on her album ‘Cowboy Carter’, the Texas-born star reinvents the song, claiming its central narrative of Black feminine power as her own.
Famously written as an ode to the women of the Civil Rights movement in the United States, ‘Blackbird’ has become a go-to for anyone looking to learn finger-picking on the guitar – beautiful in its simplicity, it boils down some effective techniques into something that is incredibly contagious.
Initially released on ‘The White Album’, the song came as The Beatles experimented with different modes of songwriting. This one seems to have stuck, however, with Paul McCartney later returning to it, and penning a sequel – of sorts.
2005 song ‘Jenny Wren’ was released on his internationally successful solo album ‘Chaos And Creation In The Backyard’, and its tale of yearning echoes McCartney’s earlier work. Simple and relatively unadorned, it immediately earned comparisons with ‘Blackbird’ – comparisons the songwriter himself has encouraged.
Source: clashmusic.com
Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer of The Beatles, has amassed an impressive net worth of approximately $350 million as of 2024, according to the best online sources.
This substantial wealth is a testament to his enduring success in the music industry, acting, narration ventures, and various investments. Starr’s financial achievements place him among the wealthiest musicians and celebrities in the world, solidifying his status as an icon in the entertainment industry. As the drummer for The Beatles, Ringo Starr played a crucial role in shaping the band’s distinctive sound and contributing to their unprecedented success.
The Beatles’ massive popularity and record sales have significantly impacted Starr’s net worth, as he continues to receive royalties and earnings from the band’s music sales and licensing. Starr’s unique drumming style and on-stage presence were integral to the band’s appeal, cementing his place in music history. Following the disbandment of The Beatles in 1970, Ringo Starr embarked on a successful solo career, releasing numerous hit singles and albums. Songs like “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Photograph,” and “You’re Sixteen” showcased Starr’s talent as a lead vocalist and songwriter, reaching the top of music charts around the world.
Source: newtraderu.com
The Beatles made their reputation on the strength of their sterling songwriting ability. But they also knew how to present a song, as the four members of the group, in conjunction with producer George Martin, understood that a memorable instrumental part to start a song could make a huge difference.
Here are five Beatles songs, all of which are undeniable classics, that start with an instrumental bang.
“A Hard Day’s Night”
Maybe The Beatles knew they needed something iconic here because they were starting off not just a song, but also an album and a movie. Perhaps that’s where that strangely wonderful chordal blast emanated. By the way, if you’re trying to find the exact chord that’s being played, you’re kind of barking up the wrong tree. There are actually a few instruments in the mix and they’re all playing something a little bit different. It all added up to the aural equivalent of a colorful starter’s pistol, one that propelled the Fab Four into cinema stardom.
“I Feel Fine”
Depending on who was interviewed when, the story for how The Beatles came to incorporate feedback at the beginning of this smash single varies. The general consensus is it was first an accident that was then harnessed, with the help of George Martin’s expertise, into a controllable bolt of lightning to kick off “I Feel Fine.” But that’s not all you get at the start. You also get John Lennon and George Harrison playing that choogling riff in tandem to create a double-tracked effect. By the time the lyrics begin, you’re way hooked.
Source: Jim Beviglia/americansongwriter.com
Paul McCartney Didn't Say 1 'Sensible Word' After Brian Epstein Die. In 1967, The Beatles’ longtime manager, Brian Epstein, died, leaving Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to handle themselves. According to an associate of the band’s, David Puttnam, Epstein did a great deal to hold them together. After Epstein died, Puttnam said the band’s ability to make good decisions fell apart.
After Epstein’s unexpected death, The Beatles were left to manage themselves. Puttnam, who became a film producer, said the band lacked “stability” when they lost their manager.
“I remember the moment that Brian died,” Puttnam said in the book All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words by Steven Gaines and Peter Brown. “Oh God, they seemed to begin to be entirely self-destructive, entirely. From that moment onwards, I don’t remember hearing from Paul a sensible word, not one, single … I don’t remember a cohesive idea was followed through.”
Source: MSN
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were on decidedly bad terms after The Beatles broke up. McCartney sued his bandmates to take control of their catalog from their manager, Allen Klein. The other three Beatles resented him for this, and their interactions following the split were chilly. After a phone argument with Lennon, McCartney made a mistake that only made things worse.
Paul McCartney made an uncomfortable mistake after a fight with John Lennon
As the former members of The Beatles worked their way through the lawsuit, Lennon made it clear to them that he wanted indemnity. He reportedly had over $1 million in personal debts and wanted protection. McCartney spoke to his lawyer, John Eastman, then called Lennon to tell him he could have indemnity.
The conversation began friendly enough, but when McCartney began to talk about business, Lennon’s mood soured.
“John said, ‘F***ing indemnity. F***ing this, f***ing that.
Source: imdb.com
The best music producers are the unsung heroes behind some of the greatest songs and albums in music history. Their role goes far beyond simply pressing record; they are visionaries, collaborators, and sonic architects who shape and mold the raw materials of sound into works of art. These producers possess a keen ear for music, an innate understanding of rhythm and melody, and a mastery of studio technology that allows them to bring out the best in artists and elevate their music to new heights.
What sets the best music producers apart is their ability to translate an artist’s creative vision into a cohesive and compelling sonic experience. They work tirelessly behind the scenes, fine-tuning every aspect of a song or album to perfection, from the arrangement and instrumentation to the mixing and mastering. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence ensure that every note and sound is precisely crafted and perfectly balanced.
From legendary producers like George Martin and Quincy Jones to modern-day innovators like Rick Rubin and Pharrell Williams, the best music producers leave an indelible mark on the music industry with their groundbreaking work. They are the unsung heroes whose contributions shape the sound of popular music and inspire generations of artists and listeners alike.
Source: Edward Tomlin/singersroom.com
“I’m Only Sleeping” stands as one of The Beatles’ songs that was a wee bit too weird for release as a single. But as an album cut on Revolver, it’s a perfect blend of instrumental experimentation and lyrical drollery.
What is the song about? How did it reflect the way that John Lennon liked to spend his free time? And what new recording technique gave the song a boost? Read on to find out all there is to know about “I’m Only Sleeping.”
By the time The Beatles settled in to make Revolver in 1966, their process in the studio had drastically changed. They were taking more and more time to make each record and were fearlessly trying new things. That evolution would really speed up once they quit touring after ’66, but they still tried a ton of new things on Revolver nonetheless.
On “I’m Only Sleeping,” The Beatles added backwards guitar by George Harrison as the key part of the instrumental break. In the book Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now, McCartney explained how the group came up with the idea to utilize what was a new technique at the time after a tape was accidentally threaded onto a player backward:
“It played backwards, and, ‘What the hell is going on?’ Those effects! Nobody knew how those sounded then. We said, ‘My God, that is fantastic! Can we do that for real?’… So that was what we did and that was where we discovered backwards guitar. It was a beautiful solo actually. It sounds like something you couldn’t play.”
Source: Jim Beviglia/americansongwriter.com
John Lennon and Yoko Ono married in 1969 and, four years later, decided they needed a break from one another. They argued with a rising level of intensity and spent all of their time together. As Lennon spoke about how miserable he felt, Ono pitched a temporary separation. She shared how she brought this up to him.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon decided they needed some time apart. In 1973, Lennon and Ono’s situation became unbearable. They fought constantly and spent all of their time together. While they loved each other, they both reached breaking points. Ono said there wasn’t one big, blowout fight before they decided on a separation, though. She quietly suggested a separation when Lennon complained about feeling unhappy.
“One night John and I were lying in bed in the Dakota, and John kept saying how miserable he was, how he needed to get away,” Ono recalled...
Source: imdb.com
To promote his eighth album Stop And Smell The Roses, Ringo Starr released an 11-minute promotional film, The Cooler, featuring Paul McCartney and a small cast of characters. The film was created to showcase three of the tracks on the album, including two written by McCartney, and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in France on May 24, 1982.
Conceived by McCartney and produced by his company, MPL Communications, The Cooler was filmed in southwest London in mid-January 1981, and directed by ex-10cc and Godley & Creme bandmates Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The short, set in a dystopian prison policed entirely by women, stars Starr, his wife Barbara Bach, and Paul and Linda McCartney.
Before The Cooler, Starr had already tested his acting skills in the 1968 film Candy, the 1969 comedy The Magic Christian, the surreal Frank Zappa-helmed 200 Motels in 1971, and Lisztomania about the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt.
Source: Tina Benitez-Eves/americansongwriter.com
