Beatles News
At the ripe age of 81, legendary musician Paul McCartney continues to captivate audiences around the world. From his days as a member of the Beatles to his successful solo career, McCartney’s exceptional contributions to the music industry have earned him admiration across generations. McCartney’s undeniable influence on popular culture is evident in his extensive discography, which spans several decades and includes countless hits.
His melodic genius, combined with thought-provoking lyrics, has transported many a-listener to a different time and place. As one of the most successful songwriters in history, McCartney’s songs have touched the hearts of millions, leaving a searing mark on the world of music. So, it’s only fitting that we take a look at his life, career, and all-around achievements.
Source: Ima Whyte/tvovermind.com
When most people think of Paul McCartney, The Beatles usually come to mind. But the British rock star is also a classical composer.
McCartney recorded and released a live classical album titled "Liverpool Oratorio" in 1991 to commemorate the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's 150th anniversary. And a first-ever operatic staging of the uplifting epic, inspired by the musician's early life, will premiere at Cincinnati Opera's 2024 Summer Festival, organizers announced Wednesday.
According to a press release, the piece tells the story of a young man named Shanty, who was born and raised in Liverpool during World War II. The work follows his life's journey and explores themes of childhood, school days, love, war and reconciliation.
"I am writing to express my wholehearted support for this project. I believe that Cincinnati Opera is uniquely positioned to bring this work to life in a new way, and I have no doubt that your production will be an inspiring experience for all who see it. … I look forward to its premiere next summer," McCartney said in a letter to the company.
Source: cincinnati.com
The Beatles at their peak were practically unstoppable. Beatlemania swept the world, smashing chart records to pieces. Yet the band were often their worst critics – and John Lennon called one of their biggest hits “lousy”.
On the surface, ‘Eight Days A Week’ is a fun pop song, with some neat moments of invention. A global hit in 1964, it appeared on the ‘Beatles for Sale’ album, melding together some Fab Four harmonies with an inventive fade-in intro.
Part of George Harrison’s blossoming as a guitarist, the central vocals are augmented by his Rickenbacker guitar lines, adapting a folk-rock sensibility to that trademark Lennon & McCartney songwriting.
Source: clashmusic.com
Julian Lennon has opened up about his “love-hate” relationship with The Beatles‘ classic track ‘Hey Jude’.
The musician and son of late Beatles icon John Lennon talked about the song – which remains one of the Fab Four’s biggest hits – during a recent appearance on the Club Random With Bill Maher podcast.
“I have a love-hate [relationship] with it, I have to say,” Julian explained (via Loudwire).
“I’ve probably heard that song and heard renditions of [it] more than most people alive. And even my dear friends send me babies in nappies playing guitars [and] singing ‘Hey Jude’, which I really don’t need.”
He continued: “I’m thankful for the song without question. But … the other real thing is that people don’t really understand that [the track is] a stark and dark reminder of actually what happened.
“The fact that dad walked out, walked away – left mum and I. That was a point of complete change and complete disruption and complete darkness and sadness. I mean, I was only 3, but I recognised that something was up, you know?”
Source: Tom Skinner/nme.com
There's no telling what longtime Beatles fans will squirrel away in old suitcases and shoe boxes, but once they're ready to part with these treasured items, they're always sure to fetch a pretty price.
Currently up for bid is an Epiphone guitar string -- one string -- believed to have been used by Paul McCartney during the 1965 recording sessions of The Beatles' sixth studio album, Rubber Soul.
Included with the guitar string listing, hosted by Special Auction Services, are two letters of provenance from Beatles Book Magazine Editor Johnny Dean -- one promising him a piece of Beatles equipment, and another that accompanied the guitar string -- the latter of which says, "This guitar string came from Paul's acoustic Epiphone and was given to me by him after the Beatles last Recording Session" -- dated February 17, 1966.
Source: Joe Cingrana, Audacy
Paul McCartney stands as more than just a musical icon; he is a figure of enduring cultural relevance who has consistently utilized his platform for activism. Best known as a founding member of the Beatles and widely admired for an illustrious post-Fab solo career, McCartney’s influence goes beyond chart-topping hits and sold-out arenas.
His commitment to raising awareness about social and environmental issues is deeply woven into the fabric of his decades-long musical catalog.Throughout his extensive discography, McCartney has ventured into complex realms that range from freedom and peace to racial equality, animal rights, and political justice. While his melodies are always undeniably catchy, they often carry messages that are weighty and compelling, extending his advocacy beyond interviews and speeches to resonate powerfully within his soulful songs.
Source: Matthew Kayser/americansongwriter.com
Ringo Starr says he’s “ready to rock.”
The perpetually youthful 83-year-old Beatles legend definitely looks the part. A constellation of blue stars decorate his denim jacket, the focal point of Starr’s all-black ensemble. With shades shrouding his eyes, the world’s most famous drummer looks remarkably fit, likely due to his vegetarian diet and appetite for exercise.
And rock he will. Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band have started the fall leg of a 2023 tour with more than 40 shows across the country. That includes a Sept. 27 stop at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
Source: By Jon Waterhouse – For the AJC
A very special collection of six Beatles-related cassettes are up for auction including an unreleased John Lennon and Yoko Ono album titled One From The Nursery, Sgt. Pepper rehearsals, an unreleased George Harrison album with the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, animal sounds, and various interviews and conversations. One tape features more than 100 minutes of Yoko's Primal Scream therapy!
According to TMZ, "the legendary tapes were obtained by a memorabilia collector named Phil from Charlotte, and he tells us he got the recordings 5 years ago from a man in India, who says he first secured them from Derek Taylor … the group's former press officer who was often dubbed the 'Fifth Beatle.'"
The auction listing estimates a $300-$500,000 hammer price but I bet it goes way higher.
Source: David Pescovitz/boingboing.net
Julian Lennon has a lot he wants to hear from Paul McCartney about his legendary father, John. If only he and the Beatles’ bassist could find the time to chat.
Lennon’s first son was only 17 when his father died in 1980. Julian says he has good memories of his father, but he wants more, something he says McCartney, 81, has promised.
Lennon, speaking with Bill Maher in a sit-down for the comedian’s podcast, “Club Random,” said he’s only really been in a similar situation with McCartney once, when they ran into each other in a London airport last year.
“He was in Heathrow Airport sitting on his own just chatting away with earpods in, some conversation,” Lennon told Maher of a meeting Lennon memorialized on social media (see the post below). “And a friend of a friend said, ‘Your Uncle Paul’s outside,’ and I said, ‘What?’ So I sneak outside and come up behind him and say, ‘Hey, Paul.’ He almost had a heart attack, of course. And we sat there chatting away for a little bit.”
Source: Jeremy Bailey/yahoo.com
Paul McCartney is inarguably one of the most famous musicians in the world. Best known for his work with the Beatles, McCartney is a skilled singer and musician and an extremely accomplished composer. His career has spanned an astonishing eight decades and taken many forms, from member of the Beatles to solo artist to frontman of Wings. It’s hard to choose the best moments of such a momentous career, but these five events were significant milestones in the life of perhaps the world’s most beloved musician.
1. Meeting John Lennon, 1957
Paul McCartney and John Lennon met at a church garden party in July 1957. Lennon’s band, The Quarrymen, was set to perform two sets that day. Before their second set, the band’s bass player introduced Lennon to a former classmate, Paul McCartney. McCartney and Lennon, who were just 15 and 16 at the time, chatted for a while, with Lennon showing him how to tune his guitar. McCartney played a few songs backstage, impressing Lennon with his talent. Similarly, McCartney was impressed by Lennon’s performance, and particularly his ability to improvise lyrics. The members of The Quarrymen decided to invite McCartney to join the band.
Source: Savannah Dantona/americansongwriter.com
