Beatles News
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
This makes absolutely no sense to me. Ringo Starr just celebrated his 83rd birthday? Not possible. I was just a flighty 14-year-old when my bedroom walls were covered in The Beatles posters and my dresser had all kinds of Ringo dolls on top. So, by now you might have guessed that Ringo was my favorite Beatle. Well, I must confess that this is not really the case. Problem was that by the time I made up my mind who to choose, all my other friends had picked Paul, John and George — in that order — before me and I didn’t want to be the one that went along with the pack. So Ringo won by default, you might say.
Source: Ellyn Laub/sun-sentinel.com
Even the Beatles have some less-than-memorable tunes. No band is safe from the occasional flop. Even Paul McCartney has gone on record saying he dislikes a number of Beatles songs. Find five of his least favorites below.
1. “She Said She Said”
McCartney’s dislike of “She Said She Said” stems more from the making of the track than it does from the song itself. When they got into the studio to record “She Said She Said,” McCartney got into a row with the other members and ultimately decided not to play bass on the track.
“I think we had a barney or something, and I said, ‘Oh, fuck you!'” McCartney explained. “And they said, ‘Well, we’ll do it.’ I think George played bass.”
Though no one knows for sure, the argument is said to have been started by John Lennon, who poked fun at McCartney for not dropping acid at a recent party. Whatever the cause, it’s the only song on Revolver to not feature McCartney.
Source: Alex Hopper/americansongwriter.com
Paul McCartney infuriated John Lennon while working on 'The White Album.' An audio engineer thought he was doing it on purpose.
Recording The White Album brought the simmering problems between Paul McCartney and John Lennon to the surface. They bickered in the studio, made their dislike of each other’s songs clear, and even stormed out of recording sessions. Lennon made his hatred of McCartney’s song “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” clear, mainly because McCartney was a perfectionist with it. An audio engineer working with the band wondered if McCartney purposely tried to irritate his bandmate.
According to engineer Geoff Emerick in his book Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles, Lennon “openly and vocally detested” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.” He rolled his eyes every time they rehearsed it, which was often. McCartney repeatedly made the band play the song in order to get it right. Each time, Lennon grew more frustrated.
Source: Emma McKee/cheatsheet.com
Antiques Roadshow left guests gasping on Sunday's episode as they learnt the value of an incredible piece of John Lennon memorabilia.
During the latest episode, one guest discovered how much money a house number of The Beatles star's childhood home was worth by expert Raj Bisram. The guest said: "This is the number to John Lennon's childhood home", which left Raj, as well as the audience, speechless as they shouted "Wow".
Explaining how he acquired the memorabilia, the guest said: "In 1965 when John Lennon's family decided to sell their home, a couple bought it and moved in for just a couple of months. They sold it and moved on. Then the next couple who bought it, they didn't tell them that it was John Lennon's house, so they moved in.
Source: Olivia Wheeler/irishmirror.ie
