Beatles News
It was once a thriving maritime hub, including for the transatlantic slave trade, but after years of industrial decline, Liverpool's economy is getting a boost from its most famous sons.
"This is the most important house of the most important band of contemporary music," Magical Mystery Tour guide Dale Roberts tells tourists outside the terraced home where The Beatles' Paul McCartney grew up.
McCartney lived at 20 Forthlin Road before he became one of the "Fab Four" -- along with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr -- and a worldwide superstar.
The red-bricked property is now run by heritage body the National Trust, as is Lennon's former home at 251 Menlove Avenue. Both sites are regulars on tourist trails for fans of the band.
Like other towns and cities across the UK, Liverpool, a port city in northwest England, is facing a cost-of-living crisis.
Its economy is based on "football and The Beatles", says marketing manager Victoria McDermott, whose employer runs the tour and owns the Cavern Club where The Beatles cut their teeth in the early 1960s.
Source: Véronique DUPONT/yahoo.com
The Beatles had their fair share of up-tempo rockers. They could (and did) excite rooms full of fainting fans with power chords and a floor-filling beat. But, elsewhere in their vast catalog are more subdued numbers. Though they may not be as audacious, their ballads hold an immense amount of weight. They commented on everything from Civil Rights, to the afterlife, to loneliness, and more.
We rounded up some of the Beatles’ best ballads throughout their storied career. Revisit these down-tempo gems below.
1. “And I Love Her”
Starting with an early Beatles offering, “And I Love Her” appears on the group’s third album, A Hard Day’s Night. It’s a simple ballad, evocative of Paul McCartney’s songwriting style in the early days of the Beatles’ career.
Though McCartney would go on to make more weighty ballads during the Beatles’ tenure, this song started him down his path as an expert balladeer.
Source: Alex Hopper/americansongwriter.com
John Lennon, an iconic figure in the world of music, revolutionized the very essence of rock and roll, leaving an indelible mark on generations to come. As one of the founding members of The Beatles, Lennon’s distinct voice and profound songwriting abilities continue to captivate audiences even today. From his early days as a charismatic Liverpool lad to his transcendence into a peace activist and thought-provoking artist, Lennon’s musical repertoire remains a testament to his enduring legacy.
In this article, we embark on a soul-stirring journey to explore the top ten best John Lennon songs of all time. These tracks not only showcase Lennon’s artistic prowess but also provide a glimpse into his evolving ideologies, heartfelt emotions, and unwavering commitment to making a difference through his music. As we delve into the timeless melodies that defined his career, we discover the magic that lies within his words, the intensity that resonates in his voice, and the raw vulnerability that shaped his artistry.
Source: Samuel Moore/singersroom.com
The Beatles didn’t change the world overnight. They steadily built an audience in England with their first singles before becoming a legendary band. They suffered insults along the way, including from a fellow musician who called Paul McCartney and John Lennon idiots as songwriters. The Fab Four channeled a ton of creative energy into breaking pop music norms, less so into naming albums. Seven Beatles songs doubled as album titles, and now we’re ranking them.
Notes: We’re not including “Get Back” on our list. It was the working title of the album/project that became Let It Be, but The Beatles never released a record with that name. Chart placement stats via Billboard (United States) and the Official Charts Company (England).
7. ‘Yellow Submarine’ Song chart positions: No. 2 in the U.S.; No. 1 in England Album chart positions: No. 2 in the U.S.; No. 3 in England
Source: imdb.com
George Harrison‘s “My Sweet Lord” provoked controversy for its religious lyrics. Previously, Donovan included similar lyrics in one of his songs. In addition, Donovan explained how a quote about Zen Buddhism from a celebrity inspired his track.“My Sweet Lord” is one of the only hymns in the classic rock canon. In the song. George goes back and forth between using the Hindu phrase “Hare Krishna” and the Judeo-Christian term “Hallelujah.” The tune garnered both praise and criticism for using words from multiple religions. Some felt this fostered unity, while some religious people found it blasphemous.
Donovan did something similar in his tune “Wear Your Love Like Heaven.” In the song, he goes back and forth between calling God by the Arabic term “Allah” and the Judeo-Christian term “Lord.” The tune could also be interpreted as discouraging sectarianism in favor of a more generalized form of spirituality.
Source: Matthew Trzcinski/cheatsheet.com
All You Need Is Love: An Oral History of The Beatles is an upcoming biography chronicling the life and history of iconic British rock band The Beatles.
English rock band The Beatles has been an important part of the growth and legacy of music as an art form. The band, which consisted of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, is considered one of the most influential and iconic bands and musical acts in generations. Having inspired numerous, the Liverpool band still remains an enigma.
One of the most talked about and debated aspects of the band has been why they broke up in the 1970s. All You Need Is Love: An Oral History of The Beatles is an upcoming biography by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines that claims to reveal unknown details and never before heard secrets about the band, including why they broke up. Keep reading to know more.
Source: Meenal Chathli/pinkvilla.com
Only one copy of Frank Sinatra's song for Ringo Starr's wife ever existed and the master was destroyed, making it the rarest Beatles record of all time.Beatles merchandise was everywhere in the 1960s. Fans could buy pins, record racks, mop-top wigs, magnetic hair decorating games, and even locks of the Fab Four’s hair. The band’s first recording is one of the most valuable albums around, but one rare Beatles record (or at least one associated with the Fab Four) trumps it, and we might never see the one-of-a-kind item ever again.The Beatles climbed to the top in England before their popularity exploded in the United States in 1964. Older entertainers weren’t ready to get off the stage, though. Multi-talented singer and actor Kenny Lynch called Paul McCartney and John Lennon idiots. What was the offense? They just couldn’t figure out how to finish a song. He must have realized they were the wave of the future because he became the first musician to cover a Beatles song shortly after that. How dangerous were the Liverpudlians to the old guard? Even Frank Sinatra hoped to see them fail.
Source: Jason Rossi/cheatsheet.com
An artist who designed an early unused logo for The Fab Four in 1962 was shocked the learn the value of his sketches after not being paid by the band.
The designer of the first ever Beatles logo joked he'll "finally get paid" after having his sketches valued on the Antiques Roadshow.
The guest on the BBC show revealed the band asked him to design a logo for their drum when Ringo Starr joined The Beatles in 1962.
The band eventually dropped the design - featuring beetle antennae on the letter 'B' - choosing the now famous logo designed by Ivor Arbiter instead.
Source: Albertina Lloyd/news.yahoo.com
The renowned fashion designer experienced a “double celebration” as it was not only Father’s Day but also the 81st birthday of iconic musician and father figure, Sir Paul McCartney.
Expressing her gratitude on Instagram, she wrote: “My father has been by my side every step of the way, offering advice, support, and most importantly, love. While the world sees him as an icon, on this day of double celebration, I simply call him Dad.
“To me, he is my rock. My rock ‘n roll rock! I love you and will always love you. Thank you for making my life better each and every day.
“On this special day, let’s also celebrate all the brave and amazing fathers out there, including those in the Stella family. Stay kind and always show love… x Stella.”
Source: vigourtimes.com
Daniel Ellsberg performed many feats during his 92-year life: collecting the Pentagon Papers, fighting against nuclear proliferation and helping to bring down a president.
He also got three of the four Beatles to help pay his lawyers.
Ellsberg’s decision to leak the Pentagon Papers — 7,000 pages of secret documents that exposed the U.S. government’s knowing deception about the Vietnam War — led the government to indict him on espionage charges in 1971, a legal saga that led in part to revelations that undid Richard M. Nixon’s presidency.
As the trial progressed, Ellsberg, who died Friday, was running out of funds for his defense.
That’s where Barbra Streisand, the Beatles and other celebrities came in.
Streisand and activist Stanley K. Sheinbaum, who organized Ellsberg’s defense fund, decided to hold a fundraiser on Ellsberg’s 42nd birthday in April 1973. The singer invited scores of celebrities, including John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, who paid $250 each to attend, the Associated Press reported. The party marked the first public event featuring three of the four Beatles since the band’s 1969 breakup.
Source: Shera Avi-Yonah/washingtonpost.com
