Beatles News
The Beatles are one band that probably doesn't need an introduction, but for those who dwell under rocks, here's a quick one. Formed in Liverpool at the start of the 1960s, they comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Though they only remained together until 1970, they made a staggering amount of music throughout the decade. The first half of their discography mainly comprised straightforward pop/rock, and the second half was more experimental.
Their legacy endures to this day, thanks to their timeless music, the fascinating and dramatic history of the band itself and its dissolution, and their films. While The Beatles didn't revolutionize cinema the same way they reshaped popular music, all four members have featured in numerous movies of both fictional and documentary varieties. The following are some of the best feature films and documentaries featuring The Beatles, with all being essential watches for fans of the band.
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“Penny Lane” was meant for The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The Beatles’ producer didn’t think the title track from Sgt. Pepper was anything special. The title song became a double A-side single alongside “With a Little Help From My Friends.”
The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was originally going to feature “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” The band’s producer, George Martin, said the title track of Sgt. Pepper wasn’t anything special. Subsequently, he discussed how that song changed the course of the album.
The book The Beatles: Paperback Writer includes an excerpt from Martin’s 1979 book All You Need Is Ears. In it, Martin discusses how the album Sgt. Pepper came together. The songs “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” were originally supposed to be part of the album.
Subsequently, The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, said the band needed a new single. Martin decided the band should release “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” as a double A-side single, as those were the two best songs the band wrote for the album. He felt that combo was the best single the band ever did. Ultimately, neither song appeared on Sgt. Pepper.
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Most people likely know George Martin from his time as a producer for the Beatles throughout the 1960s. He also helped them get signed to EMI Records after other labels initially rejected the band. Upon his death in 2016, Paul McCartney likened him to a "fifth Beatle." However, his influence went further than the Beatles. Other music producers like Alan Parsons, Mark Ronson, and Jimmy Jam have lauded Martin's work. Ronson referred to Martin as a "genius at bringing out the best in his artists" (per American Songwriter).Martin had a hand in the career of legendary guitarist Jeff Beck as well. Before Beck earned himself eight Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 as a solo artist and as part of the Yardbirds in 1992, Beck managed to get into a recording studio with Martin. He saw firsthand what made Martin such a formidable producer.
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Many know him for his tremendous contributions to the Beatles’ career, but Sir George Martin touched many artists’ lives apart from the Fab Four. Throughout a career that spanned over six decades, George Martin worked in the fields of music, film, television, and live performance and got in the studio with many names in the music industry, such as the Police, Celine Dion, Jeff Beck, Cheap Trick, America, UFO, Ultravox, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Elton John.
As the head of EMI’s Parlophone label, Sir George Martin helped the Beatles reach worldwide success with his excessive involvement in the band’s career and contribution to their orchestral arrangements and instrumentation. He later formed his own production company, Associated Independent Recording, and built a recording studio on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. This secluded island witnessed numerous rock icons record their albums, including the Rolling Stones, Rush, Black Sabbath, and Duran Duran.
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Recorded between May and October 1970, George Harrison’s “What Is Life” became the second single to be released from All Things Must Pass. It entered the US Hot 100 on February 27, 1971, and went on to become George’s second Top 10 hit in America.
In the UK, “What Is Life” was issued as the B-side of “My Sweet Lord.” As a single, it topped the Swiss charts, and did really well in the Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, and Norway. The song was written quickly by George, and he thought originally that Billy Preston would record it for his solo album.
George had started work on All Things Must Pass, but they were running out of tracks at the famous studio, because it only had a four-track machine, so he went to Trident at St. Anne’s Court in London’s Soho where they had an 8-track recorder. According to engineer Ken Scott, “Working with George was always a joy. When he did backing vocals, it was all George. It was tedious, but it was so much fun. We would double it and bounce those down, and double some more and bounce those, getting the mix as we went along.”
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George Harrison said his fellow Beatle Ringo Starr played the drums like he played the guitar. The two musicians were similar without even trying. Here’s what George said.
During a 1987 interview on Dutch TV, George explained that his former bandmate was like himself as a musician. George explained that for so many years, they’d all grown up together, so they knew each other’s level of musicianship.
According to George, Ringo never practiced the drums, just as he never practiced the guitar. However, whenever they needed to play, they knew how to do it perfectly.
“As a drummer, I know Ringo is a great drummer, but he’s bad,” George said. “He doesn’t practice, but it doesn’t seem to matter he just picks up the drumsticks. For my songs, he’s very good because he listens to the song once and he knows exactly what to play.
Source: Hannah Wigandt/cheatsheet.com
While The Beatles broke up in 1970, they had stopped touring by 1966. While many fans were disappointed they could no longer see their favorite band perform live, the decision to stop touring was great for The Beatles’ music. In the four years where The Beatles stopped touring, the group was able to make their most commercially successful music.
The Beatles’ final tour occurred in North America in the summer of 1966. The tour consisted of 18 concerts and ended at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. While the public was unaware this would be their last tour, The Beatles knew they needed to take time away from performing. The screaming from fans was becoming too much, and they no longer enjoyed the experience.
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The Beatles are one of the most iconic and influential bands in the history of music. Comprised of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, The Beatles have created an extensive catalog of timeless music that has resonated with audiences for over half a century. The band’s discography is filled with hits that have become ingrained in popular culture and have inspired countless musicians and artists. With so many great songs to choose from, it can be challenging to determine the best Beatles songs of all time. However, there are certain tracks that stand out as particularly significant in the band’s legacy. These songs are characterized by their memorable melodies, poignant lyrics, and enduring popularity. From the upbeat, infectious tunes of their early years to the more introspective and experimental tracks of their later albums, The Beatles’ music is both diverse and timeless.
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Paul McCartney got the feeling John Lennon didn’t want to associate with him the first time they met in 1957. The “Yesterday” singer was two years younger than the Quarry Men frontman.
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
Luckily, the pair had a mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan. He invited Paul to the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church on a hot July day in 1957 to see John and his band, The Quarry Men, perform. Paul initially agreed to go because he wanted to “pick up a girl.” However, he became awestruck once he saw the skiffle group performing on a tiny flatbed truck.
Source: Hannah Wigandt/cheatsheet.com
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Paul McCartney said The Beatles‘ “I’ll Follow the Sun” is a “Leaving of Liverpool” song. Swap following the sun with following dreams. Paul did all that, becoming a rock ‘n’ roll star with his band. The Beatles wouldn’t have been as popular if they had never left home.
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote about his fondest childhood memories growing up on Forthlin Road in Liverpool. Mary McCartney worked as a midwife and brought the McCartneys a handsome salary. Therefore, the family lived in a nicer area. They had lace curtains, which is probably why Paul still has lace curtains. “An Irish thing, maybe,” Paul said.
Paul remembers singing The Beatles’ “I’ll Follow the Sun” in his childhood living room on Forthlin Road. “I’ll Follow the Sun” is like a “Leaving of Liverpool” song when he thinks about it. Paul wrote, “I’m leaving this rainy northern town for someplace where more is happening.”
Source: Hannah Wigandt/cheatsheet.com
