Beatles News
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are four of the most famous musicians to ever live. But how did these Beatles members ever come together in the first place?
The Beatles were one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. They created chaos at their shows because their fans were so obsessed. They sold millions of records, quickly becoming the most famous band in the world during their decade-long stint in the 1960s. And, like many other rock stars, they had their share of falling outs with one another.
These days, only two Beatles remain alive: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. But the legacy the The Beatles as a group have left behind is one that modern music will never forget. With that said, how did these ultra-famous Beatles members ever come together in the first place?
Source: Julia Mullaney/cheatsheet.com
The latest title in a notable series on The Beatles’ recorded output is coming from author Bruce Spizer. The Beatles Please Please Me to With The Beatles, the author’s 15th title on the band, arrives October 17, 2023, via 498 Productions. The 9″ x 9″ hardcover book, matching the other books in Spizer’s acclaimed Beatles album series, is 272 pages and contains over 290 color and original black and white images. It’s available to pre-order in the U.S. here and the U.K. here, or via the Amazon links below.
From the announcement: Please Please Me and With The Beatles, along with their associated singles, introduced the Beatles first to England and then to several countries across the world, including Canada and the United States. Although often overlooked due to the excellence of the group’s later albums, these early albums contain the exciting songs that fueled Beatlemania. These albums showcased the songwriting talents of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, as well as incredible cover versions of songs from the group’s stage show. Had the Beatles not evolved and matured, the group would still be well respected for the quality of the recordings on these two albums. In addition to the usual chapters on the British, American and Canadian perspectives, the book contains chapters on the Decca audition and the EMI artists test session. There are also chapters on the recording sessions and album covers, as well as on the news, music and films of the era to place these albums in their proper context.
Source: Best Classic Bands Staff/bestclassicbands.com
Paul McCartney and John Lennon held a great deal of respect for one another. This didn't extend to everyone else who worked with The Beatles.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon worked closely together for years. While they had two other bandmates, multiple sound engineers, a manager, and a producer to assist them, they primarily relied on one another. While producer George Martin had a say over how their albums sounded, they reportedly never treated him with the same respect they showed one another. According to a Beatles audio engineer.
In the early 1960s, Lennon and McCartney had a close working relationship. As the decade wore on, they wrote songs separately, but they were one another’s primary ally for years.
“During playbacks, John and Paul would often huddle together and discuss whether a take was good enough; they’d talk about what they were hearing and what they wanted to fix or do differently,” engineer Geoff Emerick recalled in his book Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles. “John wasn’t casual about making records, not in the early years, anyway. Still, it was Paul who was always striving to get things the best that they could possibly be.”
Source: Emma McKee/cheatsheet.com
John Lennon said working with The Beatles was torturous. He shared what it was like to be a member of the famous band.
John Lennon was vocally frustrated with The Beatles, decrying his bandmates and the albums they made together. At the start of the 1960s, they worked closely and excitedly together. By the second half of the decade, though, the four Beatles were no longer as eager to collaborate. According to Lennon, working on albums became torturous.
Shortly after The Beatles finished recording Let It Be, Lennon spoke about the slog of working with his bandmates.
“We were going through hell,” he told The Village Voice (via Gold Radio UK). “We often do. It’s torture every time we produce anything.”
While they were the most popular band of the era, Lennon said that there was no magic in what they did. It was all hard, painful work, particularly as they worked on their final albums.
Source: Emma McKee/cheatsheet.com
What Did John Lennon Play in the Beatles?
The Beatles, undoubtedly one of the most influential bands in the history of music, comprised four exceptionally talented musicians. John Lennon, the co-founder and lead vocalist of the band, played a crucial role in shaping their unique sound. While primarily known for his incredible songwriting and singing abilities, Lennon also played a variety of instruments during his time with the Beatles. Let’s explore the instruments he contributed to the iconic band’s music.
1. Rhythm Guitar: Lennon was the mastermind behind the band’s signature rhythm guitar parts. His playing style, characterized by a mix of chords and innovative strumming techniques, added depth and texture to the Beatles’ sound.
2. Lead Guitar: Though George Harrison was primarily responsible for lead guitar duties, Lennon also played lead guitar on occasion. His contributions can be heard in songs like “Ticket to Ride,” “Helter Skelter,” and “Get Back.”
Source: jstationx.com
Producer George Martin hated The Beatles' "Love Me Do." In addition, he wasn't a big fan of some of the band's early covers of classic songs.
Producer George Martin hated The Beatles‘ “Love Me Do.” In addition, he wasn’t a big fan of some of the band’s early covers. Notably, John Lennon had quite a bit to say about “Love Me Do.”
During a 1995 interview with The Christian Science Monitor, Martin discussed hearing The Beatles’ demo tape. It included covers of “Over the Rainbow” and “Your Feet’s Too Big,” as well as the original compositions “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You.” “Pretty rotten songs, really and they still are,” he opined. “You could hear a certain vitality there, but it was pretty rough. Most people who [first] heard The Beatles thought they weren’t much use.”
Martin’s take on “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You” is all wrong. Neither of the songs are among The Beatles’ best or most revolutionary songs. However, as bubblegum pop songs, they accomplish everything they set out to do. “Love Me Do” is especially appealing because it combines elements of bubblegum pop, rock ‘n’ roll, and country music into one great song. The tune’s eclecticism is a predecessor to the genre-hopping of the Fab Four’s later work.
Source: Matthew Trzcinski/cheatsheet.com
Not all rock stars get along, and that's definitely the case with Phils Collins and Paul McCartney. The Genesis frontman never forgot how the Beatle treated him when they first met and has often talked about it publicly. But what does Paul think of his fellow musician's comments toward him?
In 2016, Collins told the Sunday Times that he met Paul when the pair performed at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. Paul came to the event with his then-wife, Heather Mills.
Collins had a first edition of The Beatles by Hunter Davis, an authorized biography, and asked Paul to autograph it. The "Band on the Run" singer replied, "Oh, Heather, our little Phil's a bit of a Beatles fan." Hearing that, Collins said he thought, "You f**k, you f**k." He never forgot it.
Paul might not have meant to sting or act condescendingly toward Collins with his quip. Maybe he meant to poke fun at the drummer harmlessly. However, Paul was one of Collins' heroes. So, the encounter hurt.
Source: msn.com
John Lennon said The Beatles' "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" features a "fantastic machine” that George Harrison could have taken a lifetime to master. John Lennon said The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” features an instrument he couldn’t “face.”
He was asked about the band’s post-Abbey Road musical direction. Abbey Road was a hit in the United Kingdom during the 1960s and again during the 1980s.
John Lennon said The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” features a “fantastic machine.” In addition, the instrument appears on other songs from Abbey Road. John felt George Harrison could have taken a lifetime to master the machine.
The Moog synthesizer is an early synthesizer invented by engineer Robert Moog. The Beatles helped popularize the instrument by using it on Abbey Road. The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon features an interview from 1969. In it, John explained why the band used a Moog.
Source: Matthew Trzcinski/cheatsheet.com
Tributes have flooded in today for Sir Michael Parkinson who has died aged 88.
Born in Yorkshire in 1935, the broadcasting legend's career spanned decades and he became known for interviewing the biggest stars on his chat show. At the height of his fame, millions of people tuned in every week to see Parky – as he was affectionately known – tease revelations out of the stars that shared his studio.
This morning, a statement from Sir Michael's family confirmed he died after a brief illness. It reads: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson died peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve."
Source: Jess Molyneux/liverpoolecho.co.uk
What Instrument Did Ringo Starr Play?
Richard Starkey, popularly known as Ringo Starr, is a celebrated English musician, singer, and songwriter. He gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the iconic rock band, The Beatles. Ringo Starr played drums and percussion instruments, contributing his unique style and rhythm to the band’s music. His distinctive drumming technique and charismatic personality became an integral part of the Beatles’ identity.
1. Was Ringo Starr the original drummer for The Beatles?
Yes, Ringo Starr joined The Beatles in August 1962, replacing the band’s original drummer, Pete Best.
2. How did Ringo Starr develop his drumming skills?
Ringo Starr was self-taught and developed his drumming skills through practice and experimentation. He learned from observing other drummers and honed his style by playing in various bands before joining The Beatles.
3. What made Ringo Starr’s drumming style unique?
Ringo Starr’s drumming style was characterized by simplicity, precision, and creative fills. He had a natural ability to provide a solid foundation for the band’s songs while adding subtle nuances that enhanced the overall musical experience.
Source: jstationx.com
