Beatles News
Several higher ups at The Beatles' Apple Records quit in quick succession. One wrote letters to the band to emphasize their dire financial situation.
The Beatles were the most successful band of their time, but they still found themselves mired in financial problems. By the late 1960s, the band dealt with constant infighting, which was not helped by their money problems. After the last of three higher-ups at Apple Corps quit, the band received a warning about their finances. Stephen Maltz, an accountant and financial adviser for the band, stepped away from his position after he warned the band they were in danger.
In the 1960s, the tax laws in the United Kingdom had The Beatles paying 90% of their earnings to the government. This meant that despite the vast amount of money the band brought in, they weren’t necessarily in a good financial position. It didn’t help that their accountants began quitting in droves at the end of the decade.
One of their accountants quit because of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Two Virgins cover. Not long after, accountant Harry Pinsker left.
Source: Emma McKee/cheatsheet.com
The Concert For Bangladesh was arguably the first ever benefit rock concert.
A star-studded relief concert that transformed how people perceived musicians at the time, no longer were rock stars simply countercultural outsiders indulging in life's many excesses.
After George Harrison put together the historic concert, wider society realised that musicians weren't mere celebrities but also had the power to make genuine change.
The event brought together icons of the era that nobody had ever witnessed before, and also brought two former members of The Beatles together on stage for the first time in five years.
Source:Thomas Curtis-Horsfall/goldradiouk.com
“Helter Skelter” is undoubtedly the Beatles’ most controversial song. However, the controversy is no fault of the group and all to do with the infamous Charles Manson co-opting the song for his own use.The track, penned by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, has far less nefarious origins. According to McCartney, the song was one part inspired by The Who’s rowdy musicality and one part of childhood memories.
“Pete Townshend had been talking in the music press about how The Who had just recorded the loudest, the dirtiest, the rockiest thing ever,” McCartney wrote in his book, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present. “I loved that description, so I came into the studio and said to the guys, ‘Let’s just see how loud we can get and how raucous.’
“Let’s try and make the meters peak,” McCartney added.
The Who inspiration accounts for the grungy guitar and pounding drums, but what exactly is a “Helter Skelter?”
Source: Alex Hopper/americansongwriter.com
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
