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is the news section
of The Beatles News and Information Service. It includes all the latest
Beatles news edited by Richard Porter with the help our correspondants
throughout the world. Our WWW version has the benefit of being updated
regularly.
This pagewill be updated daily - so come back soon! If you would like to submit a news
item to us click here as we
want to keep this page as up to date as possible and can only do it with your help.
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The woman who was caught doing her laundry and eating a pizza at
former Beatle George Harrison's house in east Maui last December has been
placed on one-year probation. She is expected to leave Hawaii and live with
her parents in New Jersey.
Cristin J. Keleher, 27, pleaded no contest to reduced misdemeanor charges
stemming from trespassing on Harrison's property and entering his home in
Nahiku on Dec. 23 of last year.
She had been charged with first-degree burglary and fourth-degree theft in
entering the home and eating food. Instead, she pleaded no contest to
first-degree criminal trespass and fourth-degree theft.
Keleher's arrest in Nahiku came seven days before George fought off a
knife-wielding intruder in his mansion west of London and received a wound
that collapsed his right lung. Harrison and his wife, Olivia, overpowered
the intruder and held him until police arrived.
Maui Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp said Harrison's attorney agreed with the
terms of Keleher's plea agreement. Harrison was not at the Nahiku residence
at the time of Keleher's entry into the home.
Keleher, who spent a total of four months in jail before the hearing, said
she was a fan of Harrison's and apologized for her actions.
'I thank God George did not press charges against me,' Keleher said. 'I
learned a lesson.'
Paul McCartney's paintings, originally exhibited in Germany, are now to be shown in New York and Bristol. The paintings are also going to be published in a book by Little Brown this autumn
The Bristol exhibition will be held at the Arnolfini arts complex and Paul will be at the opening from 7pm on September 28. Paul will be talking about his work as an abstract artist and signing
copies of the £30 book, called Paul McCartney - Paintings .
Some of the paintings will be on show at the Arnolfini's Gallery One from the
evening of his visit until October 1.
An early version of Sgt Pepper is one of many Beatles items to be sold at Sotheby's next month
It is believed the recording was made from an earlier compilation of the
album put together at Abbey Road on April 6, 1967 - two weeks before Sgt
Pepper was finished - and it is expected to fetch around £6,000.
The track listing detailed in the box sleeve varies from the released version
of the album and the tape comes with a statement confirming that Brian
Epstein had passed it on to Nat Weiss - the band's former US attorney and
representative.
A rare copy of the album, signed by all four Beatles, is also being auctioned
and is expected to go for £15,000.
British Network TV station Channel Four are to hold a night of programmes to celebrate John Lennon's birthday.The John Lennon Night features a look at John's life from childhood to his years living in New York where he was murdered almost 20
years ago.
Music stars will also be covering selections of his classic songs for a
tribute show Shine On recorded at Beatles producer Sir George Martin's Air
Studios.
Former Beatles 'manager' Alan Williams hasa released an interview CD telling his version of the Beatles early days.
The Cd is called 'The Man Who Gave The Beatles
Away.' It is the same title as his book that came out in the 1970s
In the CD the ex-entrepreneur, described by Sir Paul McCartney in The
Beatles Anthology as 'a great guy, a really good motivator', tells how the
boys learned their trade abroad.
He catalogues their early days cleaning and painting at the Jacaranda to the
time they returned from playing the clubs of Hamburg ready to take on the
world.
In the hour-long interview Mr Williams, from the Sefton Park area of
Liverpool, promised to tell the 'real Beatles story'.
'There have been so many myths regarding the early years of the Beatles that
I thought the time was right to put the record straight,' he explained.
'Free Now' is an outbreak from my normal stuff -- it is a little side dish
that is not to be confused with my other work. It's more underground than
what you usually hear from me. But I like to be free enough to do this sort
of thing.'
'Free Now' is his edit of a mix by the The Super Furry Animals who
collaborated with McCartney on 'The Liverpool Sound Collage.'
This was created as the soundtrack for a Liverpool exhibition by artist
Peter Blake, famed above all for designing the ``Sergeant Pepper'' album
cover.
To make his sound collage, McCartney wandered out onto the streets of
Liverpool to interview astonished shoppers and passers-by on his tape
recorder.
Free Now will only be available as a promotional single for disc jockeys and will
be released as part of the Liverpool Sound Collage CD that is being put out
by Hydra Records on August 21.
Via Abbey Road's own website www.abbeyroad.co.uk shoppers can browse at
leisure, choosing t-shirts, caps, mugs, key rings, books and also a
selection of CD recordings made at Abbey Road. These hand-picked items are
then delivered right to their very door.
'By using new technology and the Internet we can make the Studios more
accessible' says Samantha Harvey, Creative Director of Abbey Road 'selling
items on-line meets a growing demand from music fans young and old alike for
memorabilia from the world's most famous recording studio.'
Talkology Limited, a UK based company, are pleased to announce the release of their new series of Beatles Press Conference CDs.
They have an official release date of 16th October, but the first 2 volumes are to have a limited release at the Liverpool Beatles Convention on the weekend of 25-27th. Ê
Paul Wane, of TRACKS, is retailing exclusively in Liverpool, and has told Talkology that with the content, quality, and price point of only £5.99 per CD, these items are
sure to be a fast seller Ê
With recordings mastered from the original reel to reel tapes from the sixties, and presented in their longest and best quality ver sions- plus sleeve notes by well respected Beatles archivist and author Keith Badman, the TALKOLOGY series will appeal to original and the ever growing new generation of Beatle fans
The CD's cover Beatles Press Conferences between 1964 to 1966 and include conferences given in the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. These press conferences are presented in the fullest form, and have never appeared anywhere before, either on vinyl or CD releases, official or unofficial.
See their website www.beatlestalkology.com for further information.
The Quarrymen, John Lennon’s first band are to play their first gig in more than forty years at the school where they formed.
The original line-up of the band, which was formed by John in late 1956, will be appearing at the renamed Calderstone’s Comprehensive school on Saturday, August 26 as part of Liverpool’s biggest ever Beatles celebration, The Mathew Street Festival.
The Quarrymen will also be playing at Sir Paul McCartney’s old school – the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, on the following day.
The members of the Quarrymen, Pete Shotton, Len Gary, Rod Davies, Eric Griffiths and Colin Hanton were all playing in the skiffle group the day John met McCartney, at the Woolton Village fete in 1957.
Pete Shotton was the first to leave soon after that historic meeting and today is a multi-millionaire.
Peter, 59, played the washboard, which John broke on his head as a joke when he announced he wanted to leave the band. He later rose to riches after borrowing £20,000 from John to buy a supermarket, developing the Fatty Arbuckle chain of restaurants and clubs.
Eric and Rod also attended Quarry Bank with Peter and John. Rod left soon after to go to university and became a university lecturer. Eric, 59, who now runs a Dry Cleaning Business in Edinburgh, left a few months later around the same time that Len was struck down by TB Meningitis.
Len, 58, was hospitalised for 9 months and was ordered by doctors to leave the band.
Colin, 60, also lives in Liverpool and today runs a furniture upholstery business.
The group reformed in 1997 and played at the site of the Woolton Village fete to mark the 40th anniversary of that historic day in front of thousands of people.
Eric Griffiths said: ‘’We’ve missed the last few Liverpool festivals because we were playing in America so we’re looking forward to finally being part of it.
Eric added: ‘’Unlike in America, the Mathew Street festival attracts a massive international audience and that really excites us. To play at our old school where it all began is a perfect bonus for us.’’
The International Beatles Week party begins on Thursday, August 24 at the place where it all began – The Cavern. More than 30 bands will play at the Cavern throughout the week from 2pm ‘til midnight.
One of the highlights of the festival will be the performance of Neil Innes, one of the Rutles, at LIPA - Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - in the Sir Paul McCartney auditorium on Thursday night (August 24).
On Friday, August 25 and Saturday there will be concerts at The Royal Court Theatre. Co-headlining will be two of the best Beatles cover bands in the world – The Beats (Argentina) and The Overtures.
Saturday, August 26 starts with a Beatles Auction at LIPA, which begins at 9am and is followed by the special John Lennon day at the former Quarry Bank school.
Sunday, August 27 is Beatles Convention day, an annual event held since 1982. Events will be running from mid-day, including Europe’s biggest Beatles flea market at the Adelphi Hotel.
There will also be appearances by special Beatles guests including Klaus Voorman. Klaus first met the Fab Four in their Hamburg days and went on to design the cover of the Revolver Album and played with the Plastic Ono Band on the Imagine album.
Hunter Davies, the first and only authorised biographer of the Beatles will also be talking about how he spent 18 months with the Fab Four from 1967-1968. An unplugged festival will close the day involving 20 bands on four stages at the Adelphi.
I'm very pleased that Daytrippin have given me this opportunity as I really missed writing for fanzines since I lost the London Beatles Fanclub.
Best book news we've heard for a long time is the forthcoming re-publication of 'The Longest Cocktail Party' - the hilarious book about the early Apple days by Richard DiLello.
Richard was Derek Taylor's assistant in the Press Office and got the nickname 'The House Hippie' from Derek. The book is one of the most entertaining ever written about The Beatles I've ever read. It is being published by Mojo Books in November. Watch this space for more info.
The New York Post reports that sources say Paul has purchased a one-
bedroom house that borders a house he already owns in East Hampton
for $650,000. The house, which was expected to get only $225,000, is
located on a lush landscaped private acre opposite the South Fork
Country Club golf course and was used as a studio by former owner and
architectural designer Michael Strada. The Post speculates Paul will
actually tear the house down, but this has not been confirmed.
In Commemoration of John Lennon's 60th Birthday the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame and Museum in Cleveland will host a special exhibition celebrating his
life and career. Here is information from the packet being sent to people
being asked to sponsor the exhibition:
"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is proud to present John Lennon,
the first major American exhibition celebrating his life and career.
Opening on October 9, 2000 - the 60th anniversary of John Lennon's birth -
the exhibit will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of his tragic death
on December 8, 1980. The exhibit will close in September 2001.
Through the generosity of Yoko Ono, the Museum has been given access to many
never-before-shown artifacts. The exhibit will also display items from the
Museum's permanent collection to present John Lennon's life with unmatched
authority. A comprehensive look at his artistry will explore many facet's
of Lennon's legacy.
The Singer/Songwriter
An extraordinarily gifted musician and songwriter, John Lennon created some
of the most enduring songs in rock and roll. The exhibit will include
dozens of original handwritten lyric manuscripts, ranging from some of his
biggest hits for the Beatles("Day Tripper", "We Can Work It Out", "In My
Life") to many of his most famous solo songs, including "Imagine", "Instant
Karma", "Working Class Hero", and "Starting Over".
More than ten guitars from his personal collections - including his
12-string Rickenbacker - and numerous costumes will further represent Lennon
the musician. Among the highlights are his leather jacket from the Beatles'
Hamburg days, his collarless Beatles jacket from 1964, his Sgt. Pepper
uniform, the white tuxedo from Magical Mystery Tour, and the kimonos he and
Yoko wore in their last videos. The exhibit will also display various items
from his personal wardrobe.
The Visual Artist
John Lennon was a remarkable visual artists, and was enrolled in Liverpool
Art College before forming the Beatles. The exhibition will include early
drawings and paintings from his school years; the original drawings from the
Bag One series; other drawings from the seventies, including
never-before-seen work from his "house-husband" period; and several
collages, which also date from the seventies.
The Husband and Father
The exhibit will present many personal items, including family snapshots,
letters, and other correspondence. A centerpiece will be a re-creation of
John and Yoko's bedroom, with their original bed and the upright piano on
which he composed many of his songs.
The Pacifist
John Lennon was a leader in the peace movement of the sixties and seventies,
using his fame and vision to inspire a generation. In his death, John
Lennon became an ironic symbol of non-violence, a pacifist's life cut
violently short by a handgun. The exhibit will include such items as the
acoustic guitar John and Yoko played during their bed-ins for peace, and
will end with an installation, created by Yoko One, featuring the glasses
John was wearing when he was murdered and the bag from Roosevelt Hospital
containing the clothes he wore on the last day of his life.
The Icon :
As much as any major rock and roll figure - Elvis, Dylan, Hendrix - John
Lennon casts a long shadow over the landscape of popular culture. His
music, art and voice are engrained in the consciousness of music fans
worldwide, and his public honesty and integrity remain ideals for countless
people motivated to make a difference.
In addition to the exhibit, the Museum will present related programs and
events to further celebrate John Lennon:
A film about John's life, containing personal video footage and previously
seen historic footage
* Educational programs including lectures, films and movies
* An exhibit catalog
* A museum event (on the anniversary of his death) in which Yoko Ono will
participate
* Billboards in New York, Los Angeles, and Cleveland announcing the exhibit
and promoting handgun control
* A traveling exhibit component
Artist, husband, father, pacifist, icon, John Lennon was one of the most
beloved figures of the last century, and his legacy will be celebrated well
into the next."
added 2nd August
This from Matt Hurrwitz -
Hi, all--
I just got this message from a close personal publicist of Paul McCartney's,
regarding the upcoming release, "Paul McCartney's Liverpool Sound Collage."
That album comes out in the UK on Monday August 21, with a possible import
under discussion for the U.S. You may have already seen the track listing.
He says there's lots more info to come. . .
Matt Hurwitz
Also, who says 'OK Paul, you ready boy - this is it.' And who is 'OK Paul?'
And why are these and One Hundred And Six other words said in Liverpool
accents soon to be found on a track called 'Free Now' - featured on a
forthcoming 'underground' album called 'Paul McCartney's Liverpool Sound
Collage?'
Could it be that this 'Free Now' 'manic mix' of out-takes of tapes from Abbey
Road in the Sixties features the first original Beatles music since three men
and a voice made "FAAB" in 1995?
Could it be that this "Free Now" is "them" as you have never heard "them"
before?
How did "he" do this? Could it be that "he" has bootlegged tapes of "them"
talking and playing guitar from back then? And that "he" has mixed alleged
tapes in the modern "club" style beloved by those of an Balearic bent?
And would that not make the most alliterative headline of the year so far:
"Beatle Bootlegs Beatles To Balearic Beat"??
I think we should be told. I think we should equally be told what was is the
significance of a Lead Guitarist saying "tinga ting ting boom boom boom" on
this "Free Now" thing? :
I think you should amaze your friends and ask them what they think?
Luv to All
The Midnight Rumbler
The Beatles DVD
Collector's Set will be released August 8. It includes two original feature
films, 'Help! from 1965 and Magical Mystery Tour from 1967. Also
included are two documentary films, 'The Beatles: The First
U.S. Visit,' which captures their historic 1964 appearance on the
'Ed Sullivan Show,' and 'You Can't Do That: The Making of 'A Hard
Day's Night,'' in which host Phil Collins traces the production of
the Oscar-nominated 1964 film.
Jimmy Coburn , told Sky News why he thought he was the right
man to play John Lennon.
'I'm obsessed with the man. I have been brought up with the Beatles and now
I am in a tribute band. It would be a dream come true,' he said.
His brother Tony was also at the audition at the Elevator Music Studios in
the Beatles' home city of Liverpool, auditioning for the part of Paul
McCartney.
Casting director of Charkham Casting, Beth Charkham, told Sky News Online
that she would 'scour the earth’ to find the right people to play the 'Fab
Four'.
'The ideal candidate is obviously going to have to look like John Lennon. He
doesn’t have to be able to sing or be very musical - although it would
help, because the film can work round any limitations if the person feels
right. We have been flooded with applications, but we are still looking.'
added 2nd August,
Film producers today launched a nationwide search for a John Lennon
lookalike to play the late Beatle in a new movie.
In His Life - The John Lennon Story will focus on a six-year period,
starting with the day the songwriter bought his first guitar and ending with
his famous appearance on America's Ed Sullivan Show.
The film will be based on an original screenplay by Emmy Award-nominated
writer/producer Michael O'Hara.
It will be directed by David Carson, whose diverse array of credits ranges
from the movie Star Trek: Generations to episodes of British TV drama series
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Bulman.
The movie, to be shot in and around Liverpool from September 11, is being
made by US production giant NBC, to be shown initially on US TV.
A spokeswoman for the project said auditions for prospective leading men
would take place in London and Liverpool - and the successful candidate
would not necessarily be a trained actor.
'We are looking for someone who can capture the essence of his humour and
the essence of the man himself, but they don't have to be formally trained,'
she said.
'However, obviously if they don't already play the guitar they will have to
be taught that.'
The London audition will be held from 10am on Friday August 4 at the Conway
Hall, Red Lion Square. A second one will be staged at Elevator Music
Studios, Cheapside, Liverpool, on August 9 also starting at 10am.
While Paul was regarded as an inspiration by one in three
respondents in the poll, his Rolling Stone contemporary Mick Jagger scooped
a meagre 3% of the votes.
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