An online Beatles fan club for and about Beatle fans
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Don't rock the boat
Do you spot George Harrison standing on top of that boat? This was taken during George 1979 trip to Brazil.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Letters From Mum-- A Review
When Louise Harrison mentioned in her book, My Kid Brother's Band that she had plans to release the letters her mother sent to her during the years of Beatlemania, I was thrilled at the possibility. The senior Louise Harrison is a much loved figure in Beatles fan history, and she was known for having a great sense of humor and for writing letters. Many of the letters she sent to fans between 1963-1970 have appeared on this blog over the years.
Letters from Mum is a audio book from George's sister, Louise. She reads letters that her mother sent to her from Liverpool to her home in Benton, Illinois during the year of 1963. I really enjoyed this audio experience. Louise did a great job reading the letters her mother sent her. Her Liverpudlian accent really added to the mood of the letters and I am glad that it is her voice that we hear and not an unknown narrator.
The letters themselves are very interesting. In the middle of hearing a mother telling her daughter normal day to day events, you also get to hear about the beginning of Beatlemania through the eyes of George Harrison's mother. She talks about fans and mania and about going to Beatle concerts. She also writes to Louise about George's trip to the U.S. to visit her and how Ringo changed his mind and decided to go to Greece instead of the United States. It was especially interesting to hear what she had to tell her daughter about Brian Epstein and work Louise was trying to do for him (basically---don't promote all of Brian's groups---focus on your brother).
I really liked having Mrs. Harrison's humor shine through. I had to laugh at the story of how she was trying to sneak things through the airport duty free.
The only part of this audio that I disliked was the last track. It was not a letter written by Mrs. Louise Harrison, but instead was something sister Louise wrote after her brother's death in 2001. It was a rambling speech that talked about the Benton house turning into a Bed and Breakfast, Louise's charity, Drop In and seeing her brother for the last time. I didn't feel like this speech fit in with the rest of the material in this disc. It really should have been left off.
However, don't let that last track denture you from this treasure. It can be purchased as a CD for $15 or a digital download for $10. I bought mine through the itunes store. You can purchase it directly from Louise Harrison's website as well.
http://www.lettersfrommum.com/shop/
Happy Anniversary!
Wishing Barbara and Ringo a very happy 35th wedding anniversary! I love this sweet photo of the happy couple from backstage during one of the tour stops in 1992.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
Drew and Dy at Apple
In 1968, two musician friends from England, Keith Drewett and Peter Dymond came to London on to audition with a music publisher. While in a taxi, they spot Paul McCartney standing outside of the Apple Boutique. They jumped out of the cab and ran up to the bass player and asked him to listen to their music and give his opinion on if it was any good. Surprisingly, McCartney asked the boys if they had a tape that he could listen to. They did not have one with them. So Paul invited them into the empty boutique and got a tape recorder. The guys played six songs for Paul while the tape was running. Paul smoked a cigarette while Drew and Dy (as they were known) were performing for him and two others. Shortly afterwards the duo received this letter:
A contract with Apple arrived afterwards and they signed it and met with Paul again and ran through their songs with him. Paul had them write down the chords to their songs.
Then on August 12, 1968 Drew and Dy went for a session at Savile Row. Apple had just recently moved this office and fans were starting to gather in large crowds on the outside steps. Paul was there, working with the two guys and even played "Lady Madonna" on the piano for just the two of them! They worked on three songs during the session and Mal Evans and Francie Schwartz came into the studio because they liked what they heard.
There was a session musician on the drums (who was drinking heavily during the session) and a session bass player. But the other musician on the tracks was Paul McCartney himself. He sang harmonies and played guitar.
Paul wasn't pleased with the session musicians by the end of the session and wanted to get back together with Drew and Dy at a later date to finish up.
But they didn't hear back from Paul and they were anxious to get a record out, so they eventually decided to end the relationship with Apple. However, their memory of recording with Paul McCartney lives on.
Information found:
http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/drew.shtml
http://www.tracksauctions.com/paul-mccartney-drew-and-dy-1968-rosetti-airstream-electric-guitar/
Much thanks to Benoit
A contract with Apple arrived afterwards and they signed it and met with Paul again and ran through their songs with him. Paul had them write down the chords to their songs.
Then on August 12, 1968 Drew and Dy went for a session at Savile Row. Apple had just recently moved this office and fans were starting to gather in large crowds on the outside steps. Paul was there, working with the two guys and even played "Lady Madonna" on the piano for just the two of them! They worked on three songs during the session and Mal Evans and Francie Schwartz came into the studio because they liked what they heard.
There was a session musician on the drums (who was drinking heavily during the session) and a session bass player. But the other musician on the tracks was Paul McCartney himself. He sang harmonies and played guitar.
Paul wasn't pleased with the session musicians by the end of the session and wanted to get back together with Drew and Dy at a later date to finish up.
But they didn't hear back from Paul and they were anxious to get a record out, so they eventually decided to end the relationship with Apple. However, their memory of recording with Paul McCartney lives on.
Information found:
http://www.triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/beatles/drew.shtml
http://www.tracksauctions.com/paul-mccartney-drew-and-dy-1968-rosetti-airstream-electric-guitar/
Much thanks to Benoit
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Mad Day fan
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| Photo by Stephen Goldblatt |
John signs a copy of Rubber Soul for a lucky fan during the "Mad Day Out" photo session.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Crowded House
John and May push their way through the Beacon Theater on November 17, 1974 to see the musical version of Sgt. Pepper.
Ringo and Cyn
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This photo comes from Ringo's collection. Obviously he did not take it, but I wonder if Geroge took it with Ringo's camera? You don't see Ringo and Cynthia together ever---so this is just a super nice photo from when the Beatles were in Miami in 1964.
Remembering Prince
I grew up listening and dancing to Prince music. I wasn't a huge fan, but I did like the hit songs and found Prince to be an interesting character. Songs such as "1999," "When Doves Cry," "Let's go Crazy" and "Kiss" were a soundtrack for my generation. Like the rest of the world, I was shocked when I saw the news this afternnoon that he had died. How unexpected and extremely sad for his family, friends and fans around the globe.
Prince had to have been a Beatles fan because he would perform Beatles songs from time to time. There are clips out there of him performing "With a little Help from my friends" and other songs. The most popular and outstanding time he performed a Beatles song was during the 2004 induction ceremony into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Prince was inducted that year as was George Harrison. And as is customary, all of the inductees perform songs together. One of the songs performed that night was George's "While my guitar Gently Weeps." On stage was Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and doing a remarkable and perfect guitar solo: Prince. His solo made that song an amazing tribute to George Harrison and almost made you wish he was around in 1968 instead of Clapton!
Last year, during the SNL after party, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift (along with Jimmy Fallon) performed 'I saw her Standing there" and "Shake it up." Prince also performed "Let's go Crazy" that night. And while I couldn't find a photo of Prince and McCartney together, this photo shows Prince with Abe (Paul's drummer) in the background.
I want to send my deep condolences to everyone in the Prince fan community. I am so sorry for your loss. Not only the loss of the man himself, but the loss of the concert experience and music. From one fandom to another----we are here for you!
Prince had to have been a Beatles fan because he would perform Beatles songs from time to time. There are clips out there of him performing "With a little Help from my friends" and other songs. The most popular and outstanding time he performed a Beatles song was during the 2004 induction ceremony into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Prince was inducted that year as was George Harrison. And as is customary, all of the inductees perform songs together. One of the songs performed that night was George's "While my guitar Gently Weeps." On stage was Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and doing a remarkable and perfect guitar solo: Prince. His solo made that song an amazing tribute to George Harrison and almost made you wish he was around in 1968 instead of Clapton!
Last year, during the SNL after party, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift (along with Jimmy Fallon) performed 'I saw her Standing there" and "Shake it up." Prince also performed "Let's go Crazy" that night. And while I couldn't find a photo of Prince and McCartney together, this photo shows Prince with Abe (Paul's drummer) in the background.
I want to send my deep condolences to everyone in the Prince fan community. I am so sorry for your loss. Not only the loss of the man himself, but the loss of the concert experience and music. From one fandom to another----we are here for you!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Face to Face with John Lennon -- an e-book review
The e-book that I am reviewing this evening is called Face to Face with John Lennon by Mary Jane Dougherty. First of all, calling it a "book" isn't accurate. It is more like an article. It is only 13 pages long, and I read it in less than 15 minutes.
Just because it is very short doesn't mean that it isn't worth your time. This is the story of Mary, who, in 1966, was a huge Beatles fan living in Anchorage, Alaska. John Lennon was her favorite Beatle, and she never thought she would get the chance to see him in person—that is, until June 28, 1966.
On that date, the Beatles were supposed to fly to Japan for their concerts in Tokyo. They were scheduled to stop over in Anchorage to refuel, but something went wrong. Either it had to do with a storm named Kit in the Pacific, or something on their airplane needed to be fixed. Either way, the Beatles and their crew were not going to be able to leave Alaska until the next day. So they moved into the Anchorage Westward Hotel for the next nine hours.
That is where Mary's story picks up. Her sister hears about the Beatles being in town and informs her Beatle-crazed sister. Mary goes to the hotel and, along with 500 fans, stares up at the top floor in shock that the Beatles were up there!
When it is time for the Beatles to leave and get back on their airplane, Mary gets an idea and ends up next to the Beatles' bus, seeing John Lennon (and the others). I won't say the exact details of how this happens because you really need to read the story for yourself.
However, the one thing that stood out about her story that I never thought about was that in late June in Alaska, they experience the summer solstice, where it is daylight for almost 24 hours. So when the Beatles were leaving for the airport after midnight, it was still light outside, and tons of fans were still mulling around. Typically, the fans thinned out by that time of night, but it didn't FEEL like night, so they stuck around.
"Face to Face with John Lennon" is available as an e-book only, and it costs 99 cents on Amazon.
The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this book. I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link. Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online. Thank you for your support. Sara
Just because it is very short doesn't mean that it isn't worth your time. This is the story of Mary, who, in 1966, was a huge Beatles fan living in Anchorage, Alaska. John Lennon was her favorite Beatle, and she never thought she would get the chance to see him in person—that is, until June 28, 1966.
On that date, the Beatles were supposed to fly to Japan for their concerts in Tokyo. They were scheduled to stop over in Anchorage to refuel, but something went wrong. Either it had to do with a storm named Kit in the Pacific, or something on their airplane needed to be fixed. Either way, the Beatles and their crew were not going to be able to leave Alaska until the next day. So they moved into the Anchorage Westward Hotel for the next nine hours.
 |
| Some pretty bored Beatles wait in the hotel room with Brian |
That is where Mary's story picks up. Her sister hears about the Beatles being in town and informs her Beatle-crazed sister. Mary goes to the hotel and, along with 500 fans, stares up at the top floor in shock that the Beatles were up there!
When it is time for the Beatles to leave and get back on their airplane, Mary gets an idea and ends up next to the Beatles' bus, seeing John Lennon (and the others). I won't say the exact details of how this happens because you really need to read the story for yourself.
However, the one thing that stood out about her story that I never thought about was that in late June in Alaska, they experience the summer solstice, where it is daylight for almost 24 hours. So when the Beatles were leaving for the airport after midnight, it was still light outside, and tons of fans were still mulling around. Typically, the fans thinned out by that time of night, but it didn't FEEL like night, so they stuck around.
 |
| the guys on that bus that Mary saw them on in Alaska. Photo by Robert Whitaker |
"Face to Face with John Lennon" is available as an e-book only, and it costs 99 cents on Amazon.
The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon, where you can purchase this book. I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link. Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online. Thank you for your support. Sara
Hayley Mills and the Beatles
Being a 80's kid, I remember when VCRs first came out and everyone taped just about anything that was on television. I am not exactly sure WHY we did this, but it was common place. Three movies that I taped off TV and watched over and over again was "Pollyanna," "The Parent Trap" and "The Trouble with Angels." I just adored Hayley Mills. She was cute and had such an adorable accent.
Ms. Mills celebrated her 70th birthday a few days ago and so I decided to find out a little bit more about Hayley and her Beatles connection.
Hayley came out right away as a Beatles fan in 1964. Although I don't think she sounded too great of a fan saying that they weren't good looking or good musicians. However, Beatles fans already were Hayley fans and after she said she loved the Beatles, well---it didn't hurt her popularity any.
In March of 1964, Hayley's mother arranged for her to have George Harrison be her date for a charity performance of a film. It was some sort of an auction and a date with a Beatle was the prize. By then, George had just met Pattie and wasn't interested in almost-16 year old Hayley Mills. But the next month, Haley appeared again with the Beatles (well all except John) at the Pickwick Club where she was photographed chatting with Ringo. The press had a field day with that, and rumors flew like wild that Hayley and Richie were dating.
The last connection that I know about is in 1966 Paul McCartney wrote the musical score for Hayley's film "The Family Way." I am not sure if Paul and Hayley met each other during that time, although it wasn't necessary since she was the actress and he was supplying the music.
Ms. Mills celebrated her 70th birthday a few days ago and so I decided to find out a little bit more about Hayley and her Beatles connection.
Hayley came out right away as a Beatles fan in 1964. Although I don't think she sounded too great of a fan saying that they weren't good looking or good musicians. However, Beatles fans already were Hayley fans and after she said she loved the Beatles, well---it didn't hurt her popularity any.
In March of 1964, Hayley's mother arranged for her to have George Harrison be her date for a charity performance of a film. It was some sort of an auction and a date with a Beatle was the prize. By then, George had just met Pattie and wasn't interested in almost-16 year old Hayley Mills. But the next month, Haley appeared again with the Beatles (well all except John) at the Pickwick Club where she was photographed chatting with Ringo. The press had a field day with that, and rumors flew like wild that Hayley and Richie were dating.
The last connection that I know about is in 1966 Paul McCartney wrote the musical score for Hayley's film "The Family Way." I am not sure if Paul and Hayley met each other during that time, although it wasn't necessary since she was the actress and he was supplying the music.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Help in Japan '65
I love this photo of fans in Japan waiting in line to see the movie, Help! Little did they know that a year later the Beatles would be appearing in person in their country.
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