For those of us who weren’t lucky enough to attend a Beatles concert in the 1960s, Ron Howard’s Eight Days a Week just might be the next best thing. The 2016 documentary traces the band’s rise from a cramped and dank cellar in Liverpool to record breaking television appearances, jam packed stadiums, and—ultimately—rock immortality. Lovingly assembled through rare and often unseen fan home movie footage, Howard’s film also draws on more familiar material—restored to the highest echelons of HD— and new interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. All told, it’s a joyous...
- 11/21/2017
- by Jordan Runtagh
- PEOPLE.com
A straw poll of the average music fan on what the biggest British albums of all time are is likely to consist of: Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd; (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis; probably 21 by Adele; maybe Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits; Queen’s Greatest Hits Vol. 1, perhaps; but most definitely, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. The latter of these has reached the grand old age of fifty, and so in way of celebration has been remastered and re-released in a sparkly new boxed set, which also includes a plethora of alternative recordings, outtakes and interviews, over four CDs and two DVDs and 100 minutes of extra footage. Imagine the 1995 release of The Beatles era defining anthology series, but focused purely on 1967. The release is also supported by a feature length documentary, directed by long time Beatles fan Alan G. Parker...
- 6/6/2017
- by Tom Webb
- The Cultural Post
Kaleidoscope to release film about Sgt. Pepper album.
Kaleidoscope Entertainment will release Beatles documentary It Was Fifty Years Ago Today…Sgt Pepper & Beyond in the UK from late May.
The film examines why the band stopped touring in the mid 1960s, how their iconic Sgt Pepper album was conceived and its recording at Emi’s Abbey Road Studios.
It will feature archival footage and interviews with The Beatles’ original drummer Pete Best, John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird, Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s secretary Barbara O’Donnell, Steve Diggle of the Buzzcocks and Beatles associate Tony Bramwell, among others.
Alan G. Parker (Monty Python: Almost The Truth) directs. Producers are Reynold D’Silva and Alexa Morris.
The film will not include original music from the group but has a score composed by Andre Barreau (Sliding Doors) and Evan Jolly (co-composer Hacksaw Ridge) and features music from tribute band The Bootleg Beatles, which has existed...
Kaleidoscope Entertainment will release Beatles documentary It Was Fifty Years Ago Today…Sgt Pepper & Beyond in the UK from late May.
The film examines why the band stopped touring in the mid 1960s, how their iconic Sgt Pepper album was conceived and its recording at Emi’s Abbey Road Studios.
It will feature archival footage and interviews with The Beatles’ original drummer Pete Best, John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird, Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s secretary Barbara O’Donnell, Steve Diggle of the Buzzcocks and Beatles associate Tony Bramwell, among others.
Alan G. Parker (Monty Python: Almost The Truth) directs. Producers are Reynold D’Silva and Alexa Morris.
The film will not include original music from the group but has a score composed by Andre Barreau (Sliding Doors) and Evan Jolly (co-composer Hacksaw Ridge) and features music from tribute band The Bootleg Beatles, which has existed...
- 4/5/2017
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Documentary marks the 50th anniversary of the seminal album.
A new Beatles film marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic band’s seminal album ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ is in post-production.
It Was Fifty Years Ago Today…Sgt Pepper And Beyond, directed by Alan G. Parker (Hello Quo), will be sold internationally by former Im Global executive Tim Grohne’s Primal Screen.
The film picks up on The Beatles as they end their gruelling tour schedule in August 1966 (coincidentally following on from Ron Howard’s recent Beatles documentary Eight Days A Week) to return to the studio to record the landmark ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album.
As one of the biggest selling records of all time, described by Rolling Stone magazine simply as “The most important rock & roll album ever made…”, ‘Sgt Pepper’ (released in June 1967) marked a pivotal moment in the 60’s, cementing the advent of Psychedelia and the Summer of Love.
The album includes...
A new Beatles film marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic band’s seminal album ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ is in post-production.
It Was Fifty Years Ago Today…Sgt Pepper And Beyond, directed by Alan G. Parker (Hello Quo), will be sold internationally by former Im Global executive Tim Grohne’s Primal Screen.
The film picks up on The Beatles as they end their gruelling tour schedule in August 1966 (coincidentally following on from Ron Howard’s recent Beatles documentary Eight Days A Week) to return to the studio to record the landmark ‘Sgt. Pepper’ album.
As one of the biggest selling records of all time, described by Rolling Stone magazine simply as “The most important rock & roll album ever made…”, ‘Sgt Pepper’ (released in June 1967) marked a pivotal moment in the 60’s, cementing the advent of Psychedelia and the Summer of Love.
The album includes...
- 1/18/2017
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Every year, IndieWire asks the Toronto Film Festival’s ace documentary programmer, Thom Powers, to dig into the new lineup. The doc czar’s influence extends beyond Toronto to IFC Center’s Stranger than Fiction series, The SundanceNow Doc Club, and November’s influential festival Doc NYC, which selects the infamous Short List, many of which head for Oscar contention.
This year, the Tiff doc program (September 8-18) numbers 37 titles. It’s led by four veterans — Steve James, Raoul Peck, Errol Morris, and Werner Herzog—big names who will pull audiences, playing alongside newcomers who will benefit from the Tiff spotlight. Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio have made a new documentary that they hope will push the needle on climate change. Netflix boasts four high-profile offerings likely to factor in the always intense doc Oscar race. And there’s a plethora of new titles that await discovery — and buyers.
Read...
This year, the Tiff doc program (September 8-18) numbers 37 titles. It’s led by four veterans — Steve James, Raoul Peck, Errol Morris, and Werner Herzog—big names who will pull audiences, playing alongside newcomers who will benefit from the Tiff spotlight. Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio have made a new documentary that they hope will push the needle on climate change. Netflix boasts four high-profile offerings likely to factor in the always intense doc Oscar race. And there’s a plethora of new titles that await discovery — and buyers.
Read...
- 8/11/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Every year, IndieWire asks the Toronto Film Festival’s ace documentary programmer, Thom Powers, to dig into the new lineup. The doc czar’s influence extends beyond Toronto to IFC Center’s Stranger than Fiction series, The SundanceNow Doc Club, and November’s influential festival Doc NYC, which selects the infamous Short List, many of which head for Oscar contention.
This year, the Tiff doc program (September 8-18) numbers 37 titles. It’s led by four veterans — Steve James, Raoul Peck, Errol Morris, and Werner Herzog—big names who will pull audiences, playing alongside newcomers who will benefit from the Tiff spotlight. Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio have made a new documentary that they hope will push the needle on climate change. Netflix boasts four high-profile offerings likely to factor in the always intense doc Oscar race. And there’s a plethora of new titles that await discovery — and buyers.
Read...
This year, the Tiff doc program (September 8-18) numbers 37 titles. It’s led by four veterans — Steve James, Raoul Peck, Errol Morris, and Werner Herzog—big names who will pull audiences, playing alongside newcomers who will benefit from the Tiff spotlight. Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio have made a new documentary that they hope will push the needle on climate change. Netflix boasts four high-profile offerings likely to factor in the always intense doc Oscar race. And there’s a plethora of new titles that await discovery — and buyers.
Read...
- 8/11/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
13 years ago today, Eminem began what remains his longest stay atop the Billboard Hot 100 when “Lose Yourself” reached No. 1. The rap hit held onto the top spot for 12 weeks. Written during breaks on set while filming “8 Mile,” the song loosely follows the storyline of the leading character’s struggle to break from poverty and launch a rap career. Eminem created an intense and memorable sound for the song with a moody electric guitar riff and his trademark tinkling piano punctuating hip-hop beats. Its stay atop the chart began a day after the theatrical release of “8 Mile.” The track was the first rap song to ever win an Oscar for Best Original Song, beating fellow nominees U2 and Paul Simon. Other notable November 9 happenings in pop culture history: • 1961: Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ famed manager, first saw a performance by the group that would become the Fab Four (though with Pete Best...
- 11/9/2015
- by Emily Rome
- Hitfix
John, Paul, George, Ringo, and Brian?
Beatles fans will forever debate who the Fifth Beatle was. Some will argue it was George Martin, who was responsible for so many of the sonic flourishes and orchestrations on all The Beatles albums. Pete Best was originally the band’s drummer before being kicked out for Ringo (good call). Keyboardist Billy Preston recorded on just about all of Let It Be‘s tracks. Yoko Ono anyone?
But if you asked Paul McCartney in 1997, “If anyone was the fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”
Brian Epstein was The Beatles manager from when he first discovered them playing in the Cavern Club in 1961, convinced George Martin to take them on and up until his death in 1967. Epstein even had a rumored homosexual affair with John Lennon, and there’s speculation that Lennon’s “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” is about him.
Now Simon Cowell,...
Beatles fans will forever debate who the Fifth Beatle was. Some will argue it was George Martin, who was responsible for so many of the sonic flourishes and orchestrations on all The Beatles albums. Pete Best was originally the band’s drummer before being kicked out for Ringo (good call). Keyboardist Billy Preston recorded on just about all of Let It Be‘s tracks. Yoko Ono anyone?
But if you asked Paul McCartney in 1997, “If anyone was the fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”
Brian Epstein was The Beatles manager from when he first discovered them playing in the Cavern Club in 1961, convinced George Martin to take them on and up until his death in 1967. Epstein even had a rumored homosexual affair with John Lennon, and there’s speculation that Lennon’s “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” is about him.
Now Simon Cowell,...
- 5/15/2015
- by Brian Welk
- SoundOnSight
The first round of Aacta Award winners have been announced today at the 4th Aacta Award Luncheon held at the Star Event Centre in Sydney.
Celebrating screen craft excellence in Australia, 22 awards were presented, recognising the work of screen practitioners working in television, documentary, short fiction film, short animation and feature film.
The Luncheon was hosted by writer/actor/producer/director Adam Zwar, who was also joined throughout the event by a list of distinguished presenters. including Aacta President Geoffrey Rush, David Stratton, Damian Walshe-Howling, Alexandra Schepisi, Charlotte Best and Diana Glenn.
In the feature film category, Predestination took home the most Awards; with Ben Nott Acs taking out the prize for Best Cinematography, Matt Villa Ase winning the award for Best Editing, and Matthew Putland scooping Best Production Design.
Tess Schofield was honoured with the Aacta Award for Best Costume Design for her work on The Water Diviner while...
Celebrating screen craft excellence in Australia, 22 awards were presented, recognising the work of screen practitioners working in television, documentary, short fiction film, short animation and feature film.
The Luncheon was hosted by writer/actor/producer/director Adam Zwar, who was also joined throughout the event by a list of distinguished presenters. including Aacta President Geoffrey Rush, David Stratton, Damian Walshe-Howling, Alexandra Schepisi, Charlotte Best and Diana Glenn.
In the feature film category, Predestination took home the most Awards; with Ben Nott Acs taking out the prize for Best Cinematography, Matt Villa Ase winning the award for Best Editing, and Matthew Putland scooping Best Production Design.
Tess Schofield was honoured with the Aacta Award for Best Costume Design for her work on The Water Diviner while...
- 1/27/2015
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe-Directed Movie Up for Australian Film Award; Crowe Shortlisted Only in Acting Category
Director Russell Crowe Movie up for Best Film: Australian Academy Awards 2015 nominations (photo: Actor-director Russell Crowe in 'The Water Diviner') Aacta Awards: Feature Film Categories Best Film The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson and Bill Curbishley Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum Best Director The Babadook Jennifer Kent Charlie's Country Rolf de Heer Predestination Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Rover David Michôd Best Actress Kate Box The Little Death Essie Davis The Babadook Sarah Snook Predestination Mia Wasikowska Tracks Best Actor Russell Crowe The Water Diviner David Gulpilil Charlie's Country Damon Herriman The Little Death Guy Pearce The Rover Best Supporting Actor Patrick Brammall The Little Death Yilmaz Erdogan...
- 12/3/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Pop rap duo Jack and Jack were at the center of an insane scene at Lax -- hundreds of their 6 million social media followers flocked to the airport -- but much of the crowd was really obsessed ... with their famous friend.You've gotta see the J&J fans losing their minds -- tears were shed as they made their way through the crazed pack of tweener girls. But the most surprising part is a majority...
- 11/17/2014
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
They Bought Us Love
By Raymond Benson
Released in the summer of 1964, A Hard Day’s Night, starring The Beatles and directed by Richard Lester, is arguably the second most influential British film of that decade (the first being Goldfinger, coincidentally released the same year.). Why? For one thing, it brought The Beatles to a worldwide audience that was just getting to know them through their music. Secondly, it spawned imitations and knock-offs (The Monkees, anyone?) and is arguably the genesis of music videos—where would MTV have been without it? Thirdly, the film itself was innovative, fresh, and surprisingly funny (those long-haired boys from Liverpool could actually act!).
One of the best things about the Criterion Collection’s new deluxe box set of the film (dual Blu-ray and DVD, three discs) is the short extra, On the Road to “A Hard Day’s Night,” an interview with author Mark Lewisohn,...
By Raymond Benson
Released in the summer of 1964, A Hard Day’s Night, starring The Beatles and directed by Richard Lester, is arguably the second most influential British film of that decade (the first being Goldfinger, coincidentally released the same year.). Why? For one thing, it brought The Beatles to a worldwide audience that was just getting to know them through their music. Secondly, it spawned imitations and knock-offs (The Monkees, anyone?) and is arguably the genesis of music videos—where would MTV have been without it? Thirdly, the film itself was innovative, fresh, and surprisingly funny (those long-haired boys from Liverpool could actually act!).
One of the best things about the Criterion Collection’s new deluxe box set of the film (dual Blu-ray and DVD, three discs) is the short extra, On the Road to “A Hard Day’s Night,” an interview with author Mark Lewisohn,...
- 6/16/2014
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
The Beatles broke the mold when it came to songwriting, fashion, hairstyles and making music into an art form, and their influence defined the 1960s music scene across the world. They have gone down in history as the first band to create hysteria globally and were even given a term to describe the fan frenzy by the media who called it “Beatlemania”.
Their style of music started with a rock pop sound and then progressed into a more eclectic sound, by taking influences from Indian music, classical and psychedelic. To have a full understanding of the artistry the Beatles music has you have to go back to their humble beginnings where the greatest songwriting team in modern music first met.
In 1957 Paul McCartney attended a Liverpool fete where he first saw a sixteen year old John Lennon sing. Paul was blown away at the vocal ability and rebel attitude. After...
Their style of music started with a rock pop sound and then progressed into a more eclectic sound, by taking influences from Indian music, classical and psychedelic. To have a full understanding of the artistry the Beatles music has you have to go back to their humble beginnings where the greatest songwriting team in modern music first met.
In 1957 Paul McCartney attended a Liverpool fete where he first saw a sixteen year old John Lennon sing. Paul was blown away at the vocal ability and rebel attitude. After...
- 12/10/2013
- by Emily Costi
- Obsessed with Film
Actor who was both heart-throb and hardman as Bodie in The Professionals
In a 1980 episode of the hit British cop show The Professionals, an ill-advised villain tries to threaten the ex-mercenary William Bodie with his snarling doberman pinscher. After a brief altercation, Bodie, all sang-froid and minimally curled lip, inquires: "Would your little dog like to chew this electric fire? Or maybe you'll just leave."
This kind of butch badinage, along with rugged good looks, helped make Lewis Collins, who played Bodie in all 57 of the show's episodes from 1977 and 1983, and who has died aged 67 after suffering from cancer, into a household name. During that time he formed one half of Britain's answer to Starsky and Hutch, a crime-fighting duo called Bodie and Doyle who worked for a shadowy criminal intelligence agency, CI5, headed by Gordon Jackson's strait-laced George Cowley. At its height, The Professionals was watched by 12 million viewers a week,...
In a 1980 episode of the hit British cop show The Professionals, an ill-advised villain tries to threaten the ex-mercenary William Bodie with his snarling doberman pinscher. After a brief altercation, Bodie, all sang-froid and minimally curled lip, inquires: "Would your little dog like to chew this electric fire? Or maybe you'll just leave."
This kind of butch badinage, along with rugged good looks, helped make Lewis Collins, who played Bodie in all 57 of the show's episodes from 1977 and 1983, and who has died aged 67 after suffering from cancer, into a household name. During that time he formed one half of Britain's answer to Starsky and Hutch, a crime-fighting duo called Bodie and Doyle who worked for a shadowy criminal intelligence agency, CI5, headed by Gordon Jackson's strait-laced George Cowley. At its height, The Professionals was watched by 12 million viewers a week,...
- 11/29/2013
- by Stuart Jeffries
- The Guardian - Film News
Film Independent announced nominations for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards this morning.
Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at the W Hollywood, with actresses Octavia Spencer and Paula Patton presenting the nominations.
Nominees for Best Feature included 12 Years a Slave, All Is Lost, Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska.
Mud was selected to receive the annual Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.
In its commitment to recognizing the importance of below the line contributions to the art of filmmaking, Film Independent has now introduced, for the first year, the Best Editing category in the Spirit Awards.
Winners will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, March 1, 2014. The awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, with the premiere broadcast airing later that evening...
Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at the W Hollywood, with actresses Octavia Spencer and Paula Patton presenting the nominations.
Nominees for Best Feature included 12 Years a Slave, All Is Lost, Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska.
Mud was selected to receive the annual Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.
In its commitment to recognizing the importance of below the line contributions to the art of filmmaking, Film Independent has now introduced, for the first year, the Best Editing category in the Spirit Awards.
Winners will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, March 1, 2014. The awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, with the premiere broadcast airing later that evening...
- 11/26/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
As a 17-year-old Freda Kelly was the envy of thousands of teenage girls: she was secretary to the Fab Four and ran their fan club. Now, in a new documentary about her role, she has finally decided to open up
These days, Freda Kelly leads an uncomplicated life. Every morning, she drives from her home in the Wirral to a legal firm in Birkenhead, where she is secretary to one of the senior partners. She starts her working day at 9am, dealing with legal files, setting up appointments, liaising with mental health tribunals and typing up letters at a steady speed of 50wpm. On her desk, the stapler is labelled with her name in case anyone should be tempted to claim it as their own. She has been working here for 21 years.
Of late, Freda, 68, has found herself at the centre of some unexpected attention. She finds this baffling. "I mean,...
These days, Freda Kelly leads an uncomplicated life. Every morning, she drives from her home in the Wirral to a legal firm in Birkenhead, where she is secretary to one of the senior partners. She starts her working day at 9am, dealing with legal files, setting up appointments, liaising with mental health tribunals and typing up letters at a steady speed of 50wpm. On her desk, the stapler is labelled with her name in case anyone should be tempted to claim it as their own. She has been working here for 21 years.
Of late, Freda, 68, has found herself at the centre of some unexpected attention. She finds this baffling. "I mean,...
- 11/18/2013
- by Elizabeth Day
- The Guardian - Film News
Milestone was the idea of Denys Cowan. Denys, Dwayne McDuffie, Derek Dingle, Christopher Priest and I sat in a room (a few rooms actually, sometimes at someone’s home, sometimes at a dive restaurant a lot of times in a dive diner) and we sat and planed for weeks creating the original universe of Milestone main characters Icon, Rocket, Static, Hardware and Blood Syndicate.
Priest left right before we signed our publishing & distribution deal with DC. For a very long time Priest was the Pete Best of Milestone. Pete Best’s claim to fame is that he was the original Beatles drummer before Ringo. Pete left to get a real job. That’s pretty much it. His music career amounts to little but a trivia question.
Christopher Priest, on the other hand…
That mofo did just fine without Milestone. He’s writing movies, novels and just about anything he else he wants to write.
Priest left right before we signed our publishing & distribution deal with DC. For a very long time Priest was the Pete Best of Milestone. Pete Best’s claim to fame is that he was the original Beatles drummer before Ringo. Pete left to get a real job. That’s pretty much it. His music career amounts to little but a trivia question.
Christopher Priest, on the other hand…
That mofo did just fine without Milestone. He’s writing movies, novels and just about anything he else he wants to write.
- 7/16/2013
- by Michael Davis
- Comicmix.com
Calling all Beatles fans… the group’s second feature film, 1965’s Help!, will be released on Blu-ray on Tuesday, June 25 and Wamg is giving away copies to 2 lucky readers.
Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the band’s debut feature film, 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night, Help! follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that revolves around Ringo’s possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police.
In addition to starring The Beatles, Help! boasts a witty script, a great cast of British character actors, and classic Beatles songs “Help!,” “You’re Going To Lose That Girl,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” “Ticket To Ride,...
Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the band’s debut feature film, 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night, Help! follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that revolves around Ringo’s possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police.
In addition to starring The Beatles, Help! boasts a witty script, a great cast of British character actors, and classic Beatles songs “Help!,” “You’re Going To Lose That Girl,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” “Ticket To Ride,...
- 6/24/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Lima, June 17 (Ians/Efe) The first drummer of The Beatles, Pete Best, was declared an "illustrious visitor" by the mayor of the Lima district of San Miguel, Salvador Heresi, a lover of the legendary British band's music.
Best arrived in the Peruvian capital to give a concert Sunday in honour of his ex-musical group called "A Day in the Life", together with Peruvian musicians and singers who were fans of The Beatles.
The mayor of San Miguel invited Best to visit the park and monument dedicated to John Lennon, the late leader of the famous rock group, then sang him several of the group's songs accompanied by other Peruvian musicians.
In a statement on Peru's Rpp radio, the drummer said he had "no fear" of playing with.
Best arrived in the Peruvian capital to give a concert Sunday in honour of his ex-musical group called "A Day in the Life", together with Peruvian musicians and singers who were fans of The Beatles.
The mayor of San Miguel invited Best to visit the park and monument dedicated to John Lennon, the late leader of the famous rock group, then sang him several of the group's songs accompanied by other Peruvian musicians.
In a statement on Peru's Rpp radio, the drummer said he had "no fear" of playing with.
- 6/17/2013
- by Ketali Mehta
- RealBollywood.com
London, May 13: John Lennon's childhood pal Joe Flannery has revealed that the late singer was looking forward to returning to Britain before he was murdered in December 1980.
Flannery, now 81 used to handle the Beatles bookings and also made his house a base-camp for Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best after gigs when it was too late for them to return to their respective homes.
He is said to be one of the few remaining "Beatle people" in Liverpool to have the respect of the surviving band members, the Daily Express reported.
Flannery is also one of the last people in the UK to talk to Lennon shortly.
Flannery, now 81 used to handle the Beatles bookings and also made his house a base-camp for Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best after gigs when it was too late for them to return to their respective homes.
He is said to be one of the few remaining "Beatle people" in Liverpool to have the respect of the surviving band members, the Daily Express reported.
Flannery is also one of the last people in the UK to talk to Lennon shortly.
- 5/13/2013
- by Amith Ostwal
- RealBollywood.com
by Tami Katzoff (@tvtamijo)
Sixteen years ago this week, with the premiere of an episode titled "Welcome to the Hellmouth," television audiences were introduced to Buffy Anne Summers, high school student and slayer of vampires. There’s so much one can say about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer's" legacy, but Jose Molina sums it up nicely. "For me, the most significant thing to come out of 'Buffy' was that it forced people to re-evaluate their perception of what a genre show was and what it could be," he says. "A show with a goofy name and an outlandish premise came out of left field and told some of the most original, moving, surprising stories on television. It forced people to pay attention and not judge a book by its cover. 'Buffy' paved the way for thoughtful, bold genre shows that sought to break with convention, and...
Sixteen years ago this week, with the premiere of an episode titled "Welcome to the Hellmouth," television audiences were introduced to Buffy Anne Summers, high school student and slayer of vampires. There’s so much one can say about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer's" legacy, but Jose Molina sums it up nicely. "For me, the most significant thing to come out of 'Buffy' was that it forced people to re-evaluate their perception of what a genre show was and what it could be," he says. "A show with a goofy name and an outlandish premise came out of left field and told some of the most original, moving, surprising stories on television. It forced people to pay attention and not judge a book by its cover. 'Buffy' paved the way for thoughtful, bold genre shows that sought to break with convention, and...
- 3/15/2013
- by Splash Page Team
- MTV Splash Page
You can't tell the story of the Beatles without Tony Sheridan, who has died at age 72. The British rocker met the band in its formative years in Hamburg, Germany. Pete Best was the drummer; Stu Sutcliffe was on bass; John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison weren't yet world famous. "I was without a band at that time, and so we got together," Sheridan wrote in the album-liner notes for In the Beginning (Circa 1960). "They backed me in solo numbers, and I played guitar with them when they did their spots." The gigs led to a recording session, which led to a track, "My Bonnie," that became something of a sensation on the Hamburg scene of the early...
- 2/19/2013
- E! Online
Without Tony Sheridan, it's possible the world would never have been introduced to The Beatles. The band played backup for him in their infancy, beginning in 1960. Sadly, Sheridan passed away Saturday, at 72, the New York Times reports.
The makeup of the band was different in the beginning. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were all on guitar, with Stu Sutcliffe on bass, and Pete Best on drums. Sheridan claimed that, when Best left the band in 1962, he introduced them to Ringo Starr, who became the permanent replacement.
Sheridan's records were also the first commercial recordings to feature the Beatles. Of the nine songs they recorded together, only one features vocals that weren't Sheridan's. Lennon sang on "Ain't She Sweet."
Once the first single, "My Bonnie," was released, The Beatles became a success, with fans flocking to stores to buy the record. They went on to record their own albums,...
The makeup of the band was different in the beginning. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were all on guitar, with Stu Sutcliffe on bass, and Pete Best on drums. Sheridan claimed that, when Best left the band in 1962, he introduced them to Ringo Starr, who became the permanent replacement.
Sheridan's records were also the first commercial recordings to feature the Beatles. Of the nine songs they recorded together, only one features vocals that weren't Sheridan's. Lennon sang on "Ain't She Sweet."
Once the first single, "My Bonnie," was released, The Beatles became a success, with fans flocking to stores to buy the record. They went on to record their own albums,...
- 2/18/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Tony Sheridan, the British singer, songwriter and guitarist who once fronted the Beatles, died Saturday (Feb. 16) in Hamburg, Germany. He was 72.
The news of his death was made public by his daughter Wendy Clare Sheridan-McGinnity, according to the New York Times.
Although he wasn't a part of the Beatles for long, Sheridan's involvement with the band was pivotal. He met the group -- which then included John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison on guitars, Stuart Sutcliffe on bass and Pete Best on drums -- when they arrived in Hamburg to work as a club band in 1960. Sheridan was already an accomplished singer, but took a liking to the Beatles. When Sutcliffe and Best left the band, McCartney took over on bass and Ringo Starr officially became the new drummer in 1962. (In recent years, Sheridan claims he helped arrange Starr's first few performances with the Beatles).
In the spring of...
The news of his death was made public by his daughter Wendy Clare Sheridan-McGinnity, according to the New York Times.
Although he wasn't a part of the Beatles for long, Sheridan's involvement with the band was pivotal. He met the group -- which then included John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison on guitars, Stuart Sutcliffe on bass and Pete Best on drums -- when they arrived in Hamburg to work as a club band in 1960. Sheridan was already an accomplished singer, but took a liking to the Beatles. When Sutcliffe and Best left the band, McCartney took over on bass and Ringo Starr officially became the new drummer in 1962. (In recent years, Sheridan claims he helped arrange Starr's first few performances with the Beatles).
In the spring of...
- 2/18/2013
- by Leigh Blickley
- Huffington Post
An audition tape of The Beatles recorded in 1962 has gone up for auction. The tape, featuring Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and original drummer Pete Best, was recorded under the band name The Silver Beatles. The group made the demo tape in a bid to land a recording contract with Decca Records, but were rejected. Executive Dick Rowe's reason for turning down the band was that "guitar groups are on the way out". The (more)...
- 11/24/2012
- by By Zeba Blay
- Digital Spy
An audition tape of The Beatles recorded in 1962 has gone up for auction. The tape, featuring Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and original drummer Pete Best, was recorded under the band name The Silver Beatles. The group made the demo tape in a bid to land a recording contract with Decca Records, but were rejected. Executive Dick Rowe's reason for turning down the band was that "guitar groups are on the way out". The (more)...
- 11/24/2012
- by By Zeba Blay
- Digital Spy
London, Nov mber 23: The Beatles' audition tape that was infamously rejected by a record company boss - because he thought guitar groups were 'on the way out' - is set to go under the hammer after 50 years.
The group - once known as The Silver Beatles - were also told 'they had no future in showbusiness' following the 1962 audition, during which they recorded a ten-track demo tape.
The decision by a Decca Records' executive still stands as one of the worst judgement calls made in music history.
Within months John, Paul, George and original drummer Pete Best had signed with Emi and went on to become the greatest band.
The group - once known as The Silver Beatles - were also told 'they had no future in showbusiness' following the 1962 audition, during which they recorded a ten-track demo tape.
The decision by a Decca Records' executive still stands as one of the worst judgement calls made in music history.
Within months John, Paul, George and original drummer Pete Best had signed with Emi and went on to become the greatest band.
- 11/23/2012
- by Rahul Kapoor
- RealBollywood.com
Never one to look at a historical reenactment and shrug, "It's been done," Tom Hanks has added another well-mined story to his slate of productions about World War II and the JFK assassination, this time looking sort-of-anew at The Beatles. Of course, much as Hanks' Parkland will approach the death of John F. Kennedy through people on the sidelines, this film will be about "the fifth Beatle" who is not George Martin, Derek Taylor, Neil Aspinall, Stuart Sutcliffe, Billy Preston, Pete Best, etc.: Brian Epstein, the group's troubled first manager, whose private struggles with his drug and gambling ...
- 10/31/2012
- avclub.com
Emi has been forced to recall a vinyl re-release of The Beatles' 'Love Me Do', after pressing a version of the 1962 hit without Ringo Starr on it. The re-issue was scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the band's first single on October 5, but has had to be taken off sale after the label noticed the mistake, reports The Examiner. Instead of reproducing the recording featuring Starr that was made on September 4, 1962, Emi accidentally duplicated the Please, Please Me album version of the track, on which session drummer Andy White played drums. White was brought in by producer George Martin, who after having heard former band member Pete Best and his replacement Starr play on the track, was said to be unhappy with both recordings. Although the version with White on drums went on to be used in the first Us pressings of the single, (more)...
- 10/6/2012
- by By Alison Rowley
- Digital Spy
On Aug. 16, 1962, Pete Best was fired from the Beatles. The British rock band decided to fire their original drummer and replace him with Ringo Starr. The band went on to become one of the most successful and critically-renowned bands in history.
So who is Pete Best and where is he today?
Best joined the Beatles, who were then called the Silver Beatles, in 1960, according to a biography on Best's official website. The band knew Best from The Cashbah, a club they all frequented. Best left his former band, The Blackjacks, for the Beatles after getting a call from Paul McCartney and the band went on tour in Germany.
In 1962, after capturing success in Liverpool and Hamburg, the band secured a record contract with Emi and met met George Martin at Abbey Road Studios in June of that year for their first recording. That same year, Best was fired from the Beatles.
So who is Pete Best and where is he today?
Best joined the Beatles, who were then called the Silver Beatles, in 1960, according to a biography on Best's official website. The band knew Best from The Cashbah, a club they all frequented. Best left his former band, The Blackjacks, for the Beatles after getting a call from Paul McCartney and the band went on tour in Germany.
In 1962, after capturing success in Liverpool and Hamburg, the band secured a record contract with Emi and met met George Martin at Abbey Road Studios in June of that year for their first recording. That same year, Best was fired from the Beatles.
- 8/17/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Tim Green, The Monkeys
An ad for Ikea has won ad of the year at the Sirens Awards, announced this morning.
The ad ‘Holidays’ was written by Tim Green and Tim Cairns of The Monkeys in Sydney won the 2012 Gold Siren award. It also won a Silver Siren for winning the ‘single’ category.
The ad aims to discourage the inexperienced from installing their own kitchen and leaving it to Ikea that features a swearing schoolboy telling his class how he helped his father build ‘a new f(Bleep)ing kitchen’ over the holidays.
The ad was directed by Ralph van Dijk.
The award for the campaign silver Siren Winner went to Des Hameister of agency Gatecrasher for client Alcoholics Anonymous. It was directed by Marty Braine.
The Silver Craft Siren went to Scott Illingworth and Pete Best for the engineering on Kwp Advertising’s Scratched Record ad for Sa Lotteries.
An ad for Ikea has won ad of the year at the Sirens Awards, announced this morning.
The ad ‘Holidays’ was written by Tim Green and Tim Cairns of The Monkeys in Sydney won the 2012 Gold Siren award. It also won a Silver Siren for winning the ‘single’ category.
The ad aims to discourage the inexperienced from installing their own kitchen and leaving it to Ikea that features a swearing schoolboy telling his class how he helped his father build ‘a new f(Bleep)ing kitchen’ over the holidays.
The ad was directed by Ralph van Dijk.
The award for the campaign silver Siren Winner went to Des Hameister of agency Gatecrasher for client Alcoholics Anonymous. It was directed by Marty Braine.
The Silver Craft Siren went to Scott Illingworth and Pete Best for the engineering on Kwp Advertising’s Scratched Record ad for Sa Lotteries.
- 5/4/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Anthony Maras’ short film The Palace has won a swag of awards at this year’s South Australian Screen Awards, now in its 13th year.
The awards, which rewards the achievements of South Australian-based film-makers, acknowledged Maras’ film with both best short film and best drama.
Maras also won craft awards for best direction, best screenplay and best editing, while Nick Matthews won best cinematography for his work on the film.
Vincent Sheehan, producer of The Hunter and Sasa judge said: “The Palace is a poignant and tragic tale about the realities of war. Realistically portrayed with beautifully performances and gripping suspense, Anthony Maras is a director to keep an eye on.”
The Palace has already won best short and best short screenplay at the recent Aacta Awards, the audience award at the Adelaide Film Festival, best short film at Sydney Film Festival, best Australian short at both the Melbourne International Film Festival and Flickerfest.
The awards, which rewards the achievements of South Australian-based film-makers, acknowledged Maras’ film with both best short film and best drama.
Maras also won craft awards for best direction, best screenplay and best editing, while Nick Matthews won best cinematography for his work on the film.
Vincent Sheehan, producer of The Hunter and Sasa judge said: “The Palace is a poignant and tragic tale about the realities of war. Realistically portrayed with beautifully performances and gripping suspense, Anthony Maras is a director to keep an eye on.”
The Palace has already won best short and best short screenplay at the recent Aacta Awards, the audience award at the Adelaide Film Festival, best short film at Sydney Film Festival, best Australian short at both the Melbourne International Film Festival and Flickerfest.
- 4/23/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Filmmaker Anthony Maras' short The Palace has continued its winning streak, picking up six awards at the South Australian Screen Awards over the weekend.
The Cyprian-Australian co-production, which has garnered a number of awards including the Aacta Award for Best Short Fiction Film, won both Best Short Film and Best Drama as well as picking up awards for its screenplay, direction, editing and cinematography.
Film collective Closer Productions received two awards: short documentary Stunt Love won Best Sound Design while Sundance darling Shut Up Little Man won Best Feature Film. This is the second year in a row Closer Productions has won the feature film category. Last year's winner Life in Movement is currently in cinemas.
For a full list of recipients, see below:
Sasa Genre Awards:
Best Short Film: The Palace - Anthony Maras, Kate Croser & Andros Achilleos Best Drama: The Palace - Anthony Maras, Kate Croser & Andros...
The Cyprian-Australian co-production, which has garnered a number of awards including the Aacta Award for Best Short Fiction Film, won both Best Short Film and Best Drama as well as picking up awards for its screenplay, direction, editing and cinematography.
Film collective Closer Productions received two awards: short documentary Stunt Love won Best Sound Design while Sundance darling Shut Up Little Man won Best Feature Film. This is the second year in a row Closer Productions has won the feature film category. Last year's winner Life in Movement is currently in cinemas.
For a full list of recipients, see below:
Sasa Genre Awards:
Best Short Film: The Palace - Anthony Maras, Kate Croser & Andros Achilleos Best Drama: The Palace - Anthony Maras, Kate Croser & Andros...
- 4/23/2012
- by Staff reporter
- IF.com.au
The best radio ad of the year is to be decided at the national Siren Awards next month, with agencies such as Bmf, Clemenger Bbdo Melbourne, Ajf Partnership, The Monkeys and Eardrum in contention to win the Gold Siren.
The winners of the top award will be entered into the Cannes Radio Lions, to take place in June. And for the first time, the client will be invited along to Cannes too.
Commercial Radio Australia boss Joan Warner said this recognised “the important role clients play in driving the writing, production and delivery of high quality radio ads.”
Last year’s gold siren was won by Andrew Woodhead and Eamonn Dixon of Leo Burnett Melbourne for “Slow Mornings” for 7-Eleven.
The finalists in full:
Singles
303 Group, Perth, Dav Tabeshfar, Office of Road Safety, Baby Bmf, Sydney, Dennis Koutoulogenis and Jake Rusznyak, Mla Australia, Chop Culture Rant Clemenger Bbdo, Adelaide, Matt O’Grady,...
The winners of the top award will be entered into the Cannes Radio Lions, to take place in June. And for the first time, the client will be invited along to Cannes too.
Commercial Radio Australia boss Joan Warner said this recognised “the important role clients play in driving the writing, production and delivery of high quality radio ads.”
Last year’s gold siren was won by Andrew Woodhead and Eamonn Dixon of Leo Burnett Melbourne for “Slow Mornings” for 7-Eleven.
The finalists in full:
Singles
303 Group, Perth, Dav Tabeshfar, Office of Road Safety, Baby Bmf, Sydney, Dennis Koutoulogenis and Jake Rusznyak, Mla Australia, Chop Culture Rant Clemenger Bbdo, Adelaide, Matt O’Grady,...
- 4/11/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
The nominees for the South Australian Screen Awards have been announced.
The announcement:
2012 South Australian Screen Awards Nominees Announced
The Media Resource Centre – South Australia’s centre for screen culture development – is pleased to announce the nominations for the 2012 South Australian Screen Awards (Sasa).
Now in its 13th year as Sa’s premier screen awards, Sasa continues to reward excellence and outstanding achievement from South Australian-based filmmakers.
With thousands of dollar in cash and prizes, Sasa provides an exciting platform for South Australian screen practitioners to showcase their work across drama, comedy, documentary, animation, music video, non-narrative and digital media.
Sasa also recognises the invaluable contribution made by Sa key ‘creatives’, offering awards in eight craft categories, as well as two jury prizes recognising notable contributions from Sa’s up-and-coming young filmmakers.
Sasa continues to grow in size and scope along with the quality of short form screen production in this state.
The announcement:
2012 South Australian Screen Awards Nominees Announced
The Media Resource Centre – South Australia’s centre for screen culture development – is pleased to announce the nominations for the 2012 South Australian Screen Awards (Sasa).
Now in its 13th year as Sa’s premier screen awards, Sasa continues to reward excellence and outstanding achievement from South Australian-based filmmakers.
With thousands of dollar in cash and prizes, Sasa provides an exciting platform for South Australian screen practitioners to showcase their work across drama, comedy, documentary, animation, music video, non-narrative and digital media.
Sasa also recognises the invaluable contribution made by Sa key ‘creatives’, offering awards in eight craft categories, as well as two jury prizes recognising notable contributions from Sa’s up-and-coming young filmmakers.
Sasa continues to grow in size and scope along with the quality of short form screen production in this state.
- 3/15/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Short film The Palace has led the nominations at this year's South Australian Screen Arts Awards with seven nominations, including Best Picture.
The Cyprian-Australian co-production was also nominated for Best Drama while writer-director Anthony Maras was nominated for Best Direction, Best Screenplay and Best Editing. Nick Matthews was nominated for Best Cinematography.
Maras was raised in Adelaide but studied film production at the University of California before returning to Australia to direct critically acclaimed films Azadi and Spike Up. He then directed The Palace, which has garnered an array of awards including the Aacta Award for Best Short Fiction Film, as well as the Australia.s Writer.s Guild and the Flickerfest awards for Best Australian Short Film. Maras also picked up last year's If Award for Rising Talent.
Other films nominated at the South Australian Screen Arts Awards include Suburban Samarai, Horace in Slow Motion, Stunt Love and A Tale of Obsession.
The Cyprian-Australian co-production was also nominated for Best Drama while writer-director Anthony Maras was nominated for Best Direction, Best Screenplay and Best Editing. Nick Matthews was nominated for Best Cinematography.
Maras was raised in Adelaide but studied film production at the University of California before returning to Australia to direct critically acclaimed films Azadi and Spike Up. He then directed The Palace, which has garnered an array of awards including the Aacta Award for Best Short Fiction Film, as well as the Australia.s Writer.s Guild and the Flickerfest awards for Best Australian Short Film. Maras also picked up last year's If Award for Rising Talent.
Other films nominated at the South Australian Screen Arts Awards include Suburban Samarai, Horace in Slow Motion, Stunt Love and A Tale of Obsession.
- 3/15/2012
- by Matthew Worboys
- IF.com.au
The Hunter has lead the Aacta Awards with 14 nominations including best film.
The film, by Daniel Nettheim, is also up for best direction, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound, production design, costume, original music score, and visual effects. Meanwhile, Willem Dafoe, Frances O’Connor, Sam Neill and Morgana Davies are all up for acting awards.
The film has currently made just over $1m at the local box office.
It’s the first year for the re-launched AACTAs, formerly the AFI awards.
The technical awards will be given out at a luncheon on 15 January at the Sydney Opera House, with an evening ceremony for the more ‘public-friendly’ awards held at the Opera House on 31 January.
Running against The Hunter for best film is Red Dog, Mad Bastards, The Eye of the Storm, Snowtown and Oranges and Sunshine.
The Eye of the Storm, was second in the nominations race with 12, of which six are...
The film, by Daniel Nettheim, is also up for best direction, adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound, production design, costume, original music score, and visual effects. Meanwhile, Willem Dafoe, Frances O’Connor, Sam Neill and Morgana Davies are all up for acting awards.
The film has currently made just over $1m at the local box office.
It’s the first year for the re-launched AACTAs, formerly the AFI awards.
The technical awards will be given out at a luncheon on 15 January at the Sydney Opera House, with an evening ceremony for the more ‘public-friendly’ awards held at the Opera House on 31 January.
Running against The Hunter for best film is Red Dog, Mad Bastards, The Eye of the Storm, Snowtown and Oranges and Sunshine.
The Eye of the Storm, was second in the nominations race with 12, of which six are...
- 11/30/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Dick Clark Prod. Courtesy of Everett Collection
Want to try out for the Beatles? Well, you’re about 50 years late. A letter written by Paul McCartney in 1960 seeking a drummer for the band reportedly was found in a book at a Liverpool yard sale, and now it’s headed to the auction block. The note to an unnamed drummer says “we would like to offer you an audition for the position of drummer in the group” before naming a pay...
Want to try out for the Beatles? Well, you’re about 50 years late. A letter written by Paul McCartney in 1960 seeking a drummer for the band reportedly was found in a book at a Liverpool yard sale, and now it’s headed to the auction block. The note to an unnamed drummer says “we would like to offer you an audition for the position of drummer in the group” before naming a pay...
- 10/18/2011
- by Lyneka Little
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
An early letter from Paul McCartney, addressed to an anonymous drummer, was recently discovered folded in a book at a yard sale in Liverpool. The letter (pictured above) offers an audition to the mystery drummer in 1960, two years before the Beatles ditched then-drummer Pete Best in exchange for Ringo Starr. The letter, which is expected to sell for nearly $11,000 at Christie's next month, invites the drummer to try out for the Beatles, provided he is available to travel to Hamburg for a two-month gig in the city's red-light district. The ad is apparently addressed to a man who advertised in the Liverpool Echo newspaper a few days earlier as "Drummer Young Free." We don't know yet if the drummer ever made good on McCartney's audition offers — McCartney, who is currently honeymooning with wife Nancy Shevell, has yet to respond to any request for [...]...
- 10/18/2011
- Nerve
Oh what might have been.
Christie's is auctioning off a long-lost invitation for an unknown drummer to audition for the Beatles. The letter, which was found at a Liverpool yard sale, is expected to fetch approximately $11,000.
The handwritten note dated Aug. 12, 1960 comes from Paul McCartney himself. It was written just days before the band left for their famed two-month stint in Hamburg, Germany.
In the letter, McCartney says if the drummer is selected, he will receive "expenses paid 18 pounds per week." McCartney adds, "If interested, ring Jacaranda club...and ask for a member of the 'Beatles.'"
The band ended up going with Pete Best who played with the band for two years. At that point Best was dropped and Ringo Starr joined the group.
The auction is scheduled for Nov. 15.
Christie's is auctioning off a long-lost invitation for an unknown drummer to audition for the Beatles. The letter, which was found at a Liverpool yard sale, is expected to fetch approximately $11,000.
The handwritten note dated Aug. 12, 1960 comes from Paul McCartney himself. It was written just days before the band left for their famed two-month stint in Hamburg, Germany.
In the letter, McCartney says if the drummer is selected, he will receive "expenses paid 18 pounds per week." McCartney adds, "If interested, ring Jacaranda club...and ask for a member of the 'Beatles.'"
The band ended up going with Pete Best who played with the band for two years. At that point Best was dropped and Ringo Starr joined the group.
The auction is scheduled for Nov. 15.
- 10/17/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
By Gregory Katz, The Associated Press
London — Somewhere, an aging drummer (identity unknown) is probably still kicking himself.
A newly discovered letter found folded in a book at a Liverpool yard sale has shed new light on the Beatles' early days, revealing that Paul McCartney offered an audition to a mystery drummer in 1960, just a few days before the band left for a formative two-month gig in Hamburg, Germany.
The letter, to be auctioned next month by Christie's, has surprised Beatles scholars. It was written two years before the band bounced drummer Pete Best in favor of Ringo Starr, who arrived just in time to help the Beatles' conquer first England and then the world, earning untold millions along the way.
The Aug. 12, 1960 letter handwritten by McCartney offers an audition to someone who had advertised their availability in the Liverpool Echo newspaper four days earlier. The unsigned ad said simply: "Drummer_Young_Free.
London — Somewhere, an aging drummer (identity unknown) is probably still kicking himself.
A newly discovered letter found folded in a book at a Liverpool yard sale has shed new light on the Beatles' early days, revealing that Paul McCartney offered an audition to a mystery drummer in 1960, just a few days before the band left for a formative two-month gig in Hamburg, Germany.
The letter, to be auctioned next month by Christie's, has surprised Beatles scholars. It was written two years before the band bounced drummer Pete Best in favor of Ringo Starr, who arrived just in time to help the Beatles' conquer first England and then the world, earning untold millions along the way.
The Aug. 12, 1960 letter handwritten by McCartney offers an audition to someone who had advertised their availability in the Liverpool Echo newspaper four days earlier. The unsigned ad said simply: "Drummer_Young_Free.
- 10/17/2011
- by Mallika Rao
- Huffington Post
The Beatles' very earliest recordings -- with their first drummer -- are getting a double-disc release. According to Variety, "The Beatles With Tony Sheridan: First Recordings" features the backing of singer Sheridan and first permanent drummer Pete Best; the sessions were for Polydor executive Bert Kaempfert around 1961-62 as the Liverpool band was working out of Hamberg. Time Life is releasing the set on Nov. 8. A John Lennon-led "Ain't She Sweet" and George Harrison instrumental "Cry for a Shadow" will be included, along with various vintage photos from Astrid Kirchherr in the packaging. No complete tracklist is yet available. The...
- 9/30/2011
- by Katie Hasty
- Hitfix
Filed under: Movie News, Hot Topic
Music and funding rights have been secured for a movie based on former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, whom Paul McCartney called the 'Fifth Beatle' (probably much to ex-drummer Pete Best's dismay).
In an unprecedented move, Vivack Tiwary ('American Idiot,' 'The Addams Family') will be able to use six to 10 Beatles songs in the upcoming film.
Continue Reading...
Music and funding rights have been secured for a movie based on former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, whom Paul McCartney called the 'Fifth Beatle' (probably much to ex-drummer Pete Best's dismay).
In an unprecedented move, Vivack Tiwary ('American Idiot,' 'The Addams Family') will be able to use six to 10 Beatles songs in the upcoming film.
Continue Reading...
- 6/8/2011
- by Gabrielle Dunn
- Moviefone
A few feet further, and Pete Best may have been the permanent drummer of The Beatles.
According the new book "Liverpool Blitzed: Seventy Years On" by British historian Neil Holmes (via the Click Liverpool), Starr -- born Richard Starkey -- lived on Madryn Street in Liverpool, which was hit by stray bombs from the German Luftwaffe during their air raids on the English port city in October 1940.
Starkey, born on July 7th of that year, was just three months old at the time, and it's unknown if his family was home at the time. But, as the Echo notes, his mother hated the public bomb shelters, and Holmes says that they were very uncomfortable and far away from where the future Beatle's family lived.
"We do not know what the Starkeys did on the night of 19th October but their home would have have suffered some damage when the homes opposite were destroyed,...
According the new book "Liverpool Blitzed: Seventy Years On" by British historian Neil Holmes (via the Click Liverpool), Starr -- born Richard Starkey -- lived on Madryn Street in Liverpool, which was hit by stray bombs from the German Luftwaffe during their air raids on the English port city in October 1940.
Starkey, born on July 7th of that year, was just three months old at the time, and it's unknown if his family was home at the time. But, as the Echo notes, his mother hated the public bomb shelters, and Holmes says that they were very uncomfortable and far away from where the future Beatle's family lived.
"We do not know what the Starkeys did on the night of 19th October but their home would have have suffered some damage when the homes opposite were destroyed,...
- 6/7/2011
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
Ringo Starr has claimed that the Beatles were lucky to recruit him as their drummer. The musician, who was asked to join the band in August 1962 to replace Pete Best, insisted that they were fortunate to sign him as he had a bigger reputation than they did at the time. "Within Liverpool I was a lot more well known than them," he told Live Magazine. Starr was a member of Liverpool-based band Rory and The Hurricanes from 1959 to 62, during which time the group started to gain a solid reputation (more)...
- 5/24/2011
- by By Lewis Corner
- Digital Spy
Primeval ends, Outcasts starts, Bedlam kicks off, Bob's Burgers arrives, Arrested Development goes back to the start, there's Mad Dogs. And lots and lots of movies...
In a busier seven days than we've seen in the last couple of weeks, the schedules wave both hello and goodbye to a number of shows. Some return to proven praise. Others have the hard task of earning it over the next six or so weeks.
Saturday, February 5th brings the end of the fourth series of Primeval at 7:30pm on ITV1. The series has seen the return of a familiar face just recently. Is there room for one more? If you're a fan of the show, tune in and have a squawk about it when the finale review goes live early Monday morning.
New sci-fi show, Outcasts, breaks onto screens in two consecutive episodes over two nights, starting Monday, February 7th at...
In a busier seven days than we've seen in the last couple of weeks, the schedules wave both hello and goodbye to a number of shows. Some return to proven praise. Others have the hard task of earning it over the next six or so weeks.
Saturday, February 5th brings the end of the fourth series of Primeval at 7:30pm on ITV1. The series has seen the return of a familiar face just recently. Is there room for one more? If you're a fan of the show, tune in and have a squawk about it when the finale review goes live early Monday morning.
New sci-fi show, Outcasts, breaks onto screens in two consecutive episodes over two nights, starting Monday, February 7th at...
- 2/4/2011
- Den of Geek
It was 70 years ago - today that Ringo Starr was born. After fighting a series of childhood illnesses, the young Richard Starkey became an in-demand drummer in his native Liverpool and he replaced Pete Best in the group that was to become the most famous band in the world, The Beatles.
Now, as Starr turns 70, we thought we'd take a look back over his life and dig up some of the facts you might not know about the old rocker. Happy Birthday Ringo!
Ringo will celebrate his 70th with a private party at New York's Hard Rock Cafe and then perform with his All Starr Band at Radio City Music Hall in the evening.
Ringo has been asking fans to hold up V signs and chant 'peace and love' at noon on his birthday every year since 2008.
Ringo wasn't a fan of India when The Beatles went there to study...
Now, as Starr turns 70, we thought we'd take a look back over his life and dig up some of the facts you might not know about the old rocker. Happy Birthday Ringo!
Ringo will celebrate his 70th with a private party at New York's Hard Rock Cafe and then perform with his All Starr Band at Radio City Music Hall in the evening.
Ringo has been asking fans to hold up V signs and chant 'peace and love' at noon on his birthday every year since 2008.
Ringo wasn't a fan of India when The Beatles went there to study...
- 7/7/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Call him the Pete Best of reality shows, or the Andrew Ridgeley of televised singing competitions.just don.t call him out on national television. That.s the lesson Ryan Seacrest learned on Wednesday night when he made a botched joke about Brian Dunkleman, who co-hosted American Idol in its first season before making one hell of a botched career move. Dunkleman, who.s since worked on Celebrity Fit Club, done some voice-over work, and... More >>...
- 4/16/2010
- by Leonard Pierce
- TV.com
London, March 29 – John Cusack has said that he’d love to o back to the 80s
However, the 43-year-old also said that he’d like to travel back in time like his Hot Tub Time Machine character primarily for the music.
The actor stars with Chevy Chase in the comedy, which sees a group of friends go back in time using a hot tub.
“It would be pretty fun if you could go back to when your favourite bands were first playing. Like if you were a drummer, you could go back to Liverpool right when the Beatles fired Pete Best and.
However, the 43-year-old also said that he’d like to travel back in time like his Hot Tub Time Machine character primarily for the music.
The actor stars with Chevy Chase in the comedy, which sees a group of friends go back in time using a hot tub.
“It would be pretty fun if you could go back to when your favourite bands were first playing. Like if you were a drummer, you could go back to Liverpool right when the Beatles fired Pete Best and.
- 3/29/2010
- by News
- RealBollywood.com
Junket Jackassery is a new series on Pajiba where were attempt to examine the role of entertainment journalism, and the blurring of lines between movie criticism and outright promotion, among other related topics.
John Cusack in recent years has had something of a reputation for being a slightly abrasive character in real life, and some of that is based on the way he conducts himself in interviews. But in preparing for this piece, I just spent two hour pouring over interviews conducted with Cusack by dozens of different outlets, and I've officially come to the conclusion that, if Cusack is indeed abrasive in interviews, it's because the promotional system is stacked against him -- in fact, it's stacked against most celebrity actors.
Indeed, for "entertainment journalist" who revel is puns and dumb fucking interview questions, it's been something of a banner week, what with the release of Hot Tub Time Machine...
John Cusack in recent years has had something of a reputation for being a slightly abrasive character in real life, and some of that is based on the way he conducts himself in interviews. But in preparing for this piece, I just spent two hour pouring over interviews conducted with Cusack by dozens of different outlets, and I've officially come to the conclusion that, if Cusack is indeed abrasive in interviews, it's because the promotional system is stacked against him -- in fact, it's stacked against most celebrity actors.
Indeed, for "entertainment journalist" who revel is puns and dumb fucking interview questions, it's been something of a banner week, what with the release of Hot Tub Time Machine...
- 3/26/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
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