Yeah Yeah Yeah Beatles Will Get Back Together Says Paul (1991)

 

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah Beatles Will Get Back Together Says Paul

No Writer Listed

San Antonio Express - News

September 22, 1991 

    It's been a long and winding road, but the three surviving Beatles will finally get together again. Take Paul McCartney's word for it. 

    

    After 21 years of hopeful rumors, McCartney says he is on the verge of teaming up once again with George Harrison and Ringo Starr to make Beatleful music together.

     "We all had a massive falling out over money after John died," He says, "but recently we have secretly and quietly become mates again. George, Ringo and I have met for tea and dinner several times, and I am not ruling out the remaining Beatles getting together again."

     George Harrison, however, has been singing a different tune. "As far as I am concerned, there won't be a Beatles reunion as long as John Lennon remains dead.," He snipped. 

    All the same, Paul has the reunion scenario mapped out in his head. "We will most likely be brought together initially by our documentary project," He predicts. "It's an idea I've had to get all our private footage of the Beatles together and turn it into the Beatles story. We all have a lot of footage that is historical and hysterical!

     "It may be possible now for George and I to write together and perhaps rework some Beatles songs or compose new ones. We might sit down with just a guitar and a bongo drum, and if anything comes out of that, it might be the start of something fab."

Can He --- And $50 Million -- Reunite the Beatles? (1976)

 

Can He -- and $50 Million -- Reunite the Beatles?

By John Scanlon

Gloucester County Times

September 12, 1976

    The demise of the Beatles in 1970 ended a string of hit records that had kept Alan Amron on a musical high for seven years. He immediately started going into withdrawal. Amron, a Long Island, New York resident who lists his occupation as an inventor, lived and died with each rumor of a Beatles reunion. 

    He was a walking almanac of Beatles facts who spent his time listening to old Beatles records. Then, in May, a light bulb went "poof" in Alan Amron's head. "As an inventor," he reasoned, "I don't want to live and die. I want to live, do something for mankind, and then die."

     So on May 31, 1976, Amron walked into the offices of the Village Voice, a weekly New York newspaper, and paid $800 for a big advertisement. The ad announced the birth of the International Committee to Reunite the Beatles, and a part of that ad, which also appeared in Rolling Stone magazine, explains what Amron's brainstorm is all about. 

    "Sure, promoters can offer lots of money, but we, unified, can offer more money and support. There are countless millions of us, the people who love the Beatles, and just $1 contribution from every fan will help us in our effort to reunite the Beatles." Countless millions of people means that Amron stands to gather countless 1000s of dollars. The local reaction is that Amron has invented a ploy to exploit John, Paul, George, and Ringo, leading their fans down the long, winding road that leads to his door.

     Such a suggestion makes him bristle. "It's all legitimate," he says. He vows that he's not getting a salary. His 35 volunteers, who have been dispatched around the world and urge fans to send money to Amron's Long Island office, are unpaid. 

    He claims that by June 1977, Amron hopes to give the Beatles a $50 million check. If the campaign fails, he intends to donate the money to cancer research or to charities in other countries from where donations originated. "The reason I picked June 1977," Amron explained, "is because it's the 10th anniversary of the Sgt. Pepper album."

     Amron is offering the Beatles instant prosperity. In return, he just wants something for posterity. He'd even settle for a one-night stand, a two-hour concert at a site of their choice, as long as it's televised for the world to see and filmed so future generations can see the reunion of the century. He says, "You're talking about billions to be made, not for me, for them. Think about it: albums, movies, ticket sales. They can have the rights to everything. People ask me if I think they're worth it. Darn right, I think they're worth it," he says.

     Amron hasn't discussed the campaign with any of the Beatles or their agents. About four weeks ago, he thought it would be nice to get a statement from one of the musicians, just to see what the reaction might be to his fund drive. He gathered some publicity material, hopped in his car, and drove to John Lennon's New York City apartment. 

    John was at the curb opening the door of his limousine, and Amron, you might say, suffered a bad case of lockjaw, a disease commonly caused by hero worship. "I gave him the kit and didn't say a word," Amron said, becoming unnerved again at the thought. "I mean, I was so freaked out at seeing him, you know, John Lennon right there, and I was, oh, he looked, it was so unbelievable. For five seconds, we just stared at each other. I smiled, gave him the kit, and left."

     Since then, Amram has called Lennon's office. An agent told him the former Beatle was aware of the widely publicized campaign, but was not ready to make a statement. "I think the chances of a reunion are very good," Amron declared. "I think the Beatles have decided not to say anything yet and are just watching us very closely to see what happens."

    Meanwhile, the mailman keeps dumping stacks of checks and money orders on Amron's desk. Contributions have streamed in from Germany, from Belgium, the Turks went to see the Beatles reunited, and so do the Australians. Not to mention the folks in London, San Francisco, and a brandious university professor who contributed $200. 

    Amron has been receiving about $500 a day since last week. He plans to check with his accountant to find out how much has been raised during the three-month campaign. Based on an average day of receipts, it seems like a half million dollars might be in the fund, meaning that he has a short amount of time to raise a large amount of money. Amran isn't worried. He is planning a week of Beatles nostalgia, one in New York, probably at Madison Square Garden, and the other at a yet-undetermined site in California. He figures they'll be big money raisers. "It would be phenomenal to get the Beatles back together, you know. I've idolized them from the moment I saw them on Ed Sullivan," Amron said. Yes, it would be something.

Rock Talk (Ringo Interview 1976)

Ringo at Paul's party, June 24, 1976

 

Rock Talk

By Lisa Robinson

Sun Post News

July 2, 1976

    The speculation ran rampant in Los Angeles last week that Wings' final U.S. concert would feature a Beatles reunion, but there never was a chance. As Paul McCartney got on stage for his last LA Forum show, and the four old Beatles LPs were on the charts, John Lennon summered on Long Island. George Harrison finished recording in London, and Ringo Starr prepared to leave his house in the Hollywood Hills and fly the Concorde to Paris. 

    The day before his departure, Ringo talked about that possible reunion. His casual LA costume, Indian cotton shirt over a bathing suit, was livened up by jewelry, one gold and diamond earring, neck chains, and, of course, his assortment of rings. Ringo's eyes are amazingly blue, and even after all these years, that Liverpool accent is unmistakable. 

    Sipping white wine in his playroom filled with Gene Autry and Beatles Memorabilia, Ringo said, "Despite what anyone said, we have talked about doing a show together, and we've been offered more than $50 million. But then we said, 'What are we bothered for?' People have told me, 'You've got to do it for the money.' Well, if I wanted to do it, I wouldn't do it for the money, I'd do it for a laugh, I'd probably do it for free. 

    "But if we did do something, the audience might still want us to be the mop tops." Ringo smiled. "They'd probably expect me to nod my head.

     "The only way I could see something happening now would be for all of us to go into a studio where we could sit with each other for a while. But to get the four of us in one room is physically very hard. Paul might visit me, or I'll visit John, but we're never all in the same place at the same time.  Even when we were the closest band in the world," Ringo continued, "except for the time when we were on tour, or when we were locked into a recording studio, we weren't together all the time. When we'd go back into the studio, it would take us about a week to be able to relax with each other.

     "I'm not the greatest drummer," Ringo added. "John isn't the greatest guitarist, George isn't the greatest lead guitarist. Paul is a fine bass player, but when we were into each other, we were telepathic because we knew each other so well. That's why the music was so good. 

    "We see each other now, but we have the human right to fight and also to love each other. I can say anything I like about any of them, but don't you put them down. They're family, probably the only family I have ever really had.

     "I'm sure I'll be called ex-Beatle until I die," said Ringo. "The guy who reads my urn when it comes out of the ashes will say 'ex-Beatle Richard Starkey'. Sometimes it's a burden, but I'm proud as well." And Ringo smiles, "It gets me a seat at restaurants."

     Does he think there could ever be anything quite as big as the Beatles again? "An Italian tenor", Ringo replied, straight-faced. "In 1974, I was sure that an Italian tenor would do a nationwide TV broadcast and be bigger than we were."

NBC Sweetens Terms of New Beatles Offer (1976)

 

NBC Sweetens Terms of New Beatles Offer

No writer listed

The Dispatch

June 6, 1976

 Undaunted by the non response to his initial offer, and buoyed by the recent acclaim given NBC Saturday Night ( four Emmy Awards), the producer Lorne Michaels has renewed his efforts to effect a Beatles reunion on the show by convincing NBC to "sweeten the pot."

     Since his earlier offer of $3,000 failed to trigger any mad rush on the part of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Michaels announced on the Saturday Night telecast that NBC is now prepared to up the original offer to $3,200.

     "Off the record", Michaels continued, "this increase comes to an extra $50 for you each, that's if you split it equally. I'm still not sure what your situation with Ringo is." Michaels also announced that NBC was offering, as part of the deal, free accommodations at a hotel located in the heart of New York's fashionable garment district, guaranteeing the Beatles such amenities as round the clock elevator service, glasses sanitized for their convenience, room service till nine, a coin operated soft drink machine, 48 hour dry cleaning service (in by Tuesday, out by Thursday), and a leisurely checkout time of 10am.

     "I've always respected you", Michael said. "You were always my favorite group, and I always liked Yoko, even at the beginning, when things were difficult. I would like to see you do our show, and so would the American people. You know where I can be reached. I'm waiting for you."

Reunion Wouldn't Surprise Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney (1976)

 Reunion Would Surprise Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney 

Associated Press

April 28, 1976

    Paul McCartney and the Wings group he formed after the Beatles broke up begin their delayed tour of the United States on May 3.  McCartney won't be surprised if the audiences include John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, and maybe the four Beatles will even come around to performing together again.

     A spokesman for McCartney said Tuesday, "If the former Beatles do meet up with one another again, it would be no surprise. They tend to turn up at one another's concerts." The spokesman said, "Paul would be delighted to see them. They are all friends despite their old disputes."

     McCartney was unavailable for comment, but the spokesman indicated that if the Beatles do meet again during the Wings tour, it's a safe prediction that they will discuss the possibility of a reunion on stage. "Paul McCartney's answer to the question, 'Will there be a Beatles reunion on stage?' is a definite, maybe", the spokesman said.

     In New York, however, McCartney's American lawyer and father-in-law, Lee Eastman, cautions Beatle fans against counting too heavily on seeing the four play together again. "At this point, there is absolutely no plan of any kind to get together," he said. "That may vary tomorrow, but at this moment, there is no decision by any of the four to get together."

     McCartney and the other former Beatles have been offered millions of dollars, primarily for television, radio, and recording rights to play together on stage again, even for a single evening. The Beatles broke up in 1972. [sic]  

    McCartney has emphasized that although he is interested, music, not money, is what counts with him. He has also said he is very happy with Wings, whose members include his American wife, Linda Eastman. The Wings tour opens on May 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Money Can't Buy the Beatles (1996)

 Money Can't Buy the Beatles

By Felicity McCormick

Yorkshire Post

March 5, 1996

    "Can't Buy Me Love" sang the Beatles 32 years ago, and yesterday proved they were not just empty words. For the love of John, Paul, George, and Ringo have turned down a £147 million offer to perform live on a world tour as the Threetles. It would have been the first time the Beatles had performed live for 30 years, and the first time they had been together on stage without John Lennon, who was murdered in 1980.

     But to Paul McCartney, "The size of the offer is scandalous. It's ridiculous, from a money point of view, most people would do it. But to me, the three of us isn't as exciting as the four of us. The Beatles were always the four of us. Of course, people will say that we could get someone else to fill John's place, but it just wouldn't be the same."

     A Beatles aide said, "Talk about real love. They have such love for John that they won't play with anyone else, even for a paycheck of $75 million each."

    The 22-night tour of America, Japan, and Europe, proposed by a consortium of German and American businessmen, would have seen Paul, George, and Ringo back on the road this summer, but they have always resisted offers to reform after their split at the end of the 60s, and they can hardly be said to need the money.

     Paul has an estimated £580 million with shares in the Beatles' two main companies, Apple Corps and Maclen Music. George Harrison has been rumored to be down to his last few million, but he still owns a quarter of Apple, or £75 million, and another £10 million through Maclen.  As for Ringo Starr, he has a quarter share in Apple and a fortune estimated at £30 million, much of it in offshore accounts.

Elegant Birthday Party Turns Into Brawl (1976)

 

Elegant Birthday Party Turns Into Brawl

By Patrick Snyder

The Sun Telegram

March 8, 1976

    Actor Oliver Reed threw an elegant party for his brother David's 40th birthday recently at a private suite at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. But push came to shove when Who drummer Keith Moon (one of Reed's favorite drinking buddies since they met during the making of Tommy) arrived.

     A long table appointed with candelabras and hundreds of dollars' worth of flowers had been set up for the 24 guests. When the maitre d brought the first course, Reed, sitting at one end of the table, leered up at him and said, "Everyone hates this consommé," and Moon chucked his bowl down the table, upsetting one of the candle holders. The maitre d smiled and brought a new one. 

    Multiple toasts were drunk, and Moon threw his glass over his shoulder and down the table. As the food was brought, it quickly became airborne. For entertainment between courses, Keith snatched Ringo Starr's serving plate, held it on his head, and broke it. He broke his own over his own head.

     When the Prime Rib came, Keith picked it up in his hands and began gnawing on it. "I didn't eat," said one of the guests. "There was too much glass flying around."

     After a giant cake was rolled in and a woman jumped out of it, Keith and Oliver rolled around in the debris now covering the floor. The ever-indulgent maitre d finally succumbed when Moon picked up a table, lofted it into the air, and smashed a crystal chandelier, sending sparks cascading from the ceiling.

     The police were called, but Moon had already left, bleeding from various hand cuts. A small price to pay for an evening of fun.

     Now that the Rona Barretts and John J Millers have had their fun with Beatles reunion concert rumors, let's throw in a couple of facts. While promoter Bill Sargent has upped his concert guarantee from $30 million dollars to $50 million, Ringo Starr's lawyer Bruce Grakal said, "He didn't reply to Sargent by the February 20 deadline, and I'm sure no one else has." If the four of them ever got together, it will be because they want to, not because of dollar offers."

     About the report that lawyers for Ringo, John Lennon, and George Harrison would meet in Australia to discuss plans for a concert and a Columbia /Warner Brothers record deal. Grakal said, "I'm not going anywhere." He added that Harrison's attorney, David Braun, "Would leave shortly for Australia, but only to work with fellow client, Neil Diamond, who's touring there." Grakal said he had not been contacted by Columbia or Warner.