beatle.net http://beatle.net The Beatles Legacy on Vinyl Tue, 15 May 2012 17:26:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 THE BEATLES & THE BOSS http://beatle.net/the-beatles-the-boss/ http://beatle.net/the-beatles-the-boss/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 16:14:55 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=2092 Bruce Springsteen’s recent performance at the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was the Boss’ second appearance at the event. He first performed at the Fest with his Seeger Sessions Band in 2006. That was the first Jazz Fest held in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The most emotional moments came when he performed “My City In Ruins” and “When The Saints Go Marching In” (done in a slow almost somber pace). Both brought tears to eyes of many in attendance.

This year the Boss was back with the E Street Band, playing for over two and a half hours (which is considerably longer than the 50-minute to 90-minute sets that other acts are allotted at the Fest). Springsteen mixed old favorites with plenty of tunes from his new album, “Wrecking Ball,” including “We Take Care Of Our Own,” with its references to New Orleans and the government’s failed response to Hurricane Katrina (“From the shotgun shack to the Superdome/There ain’t no hope, the calvary stayed home”). But, once again, the most touching moments for those from New Orleans were “My City In Ruins” and “When The Saints Go Marching In.” The latter song was folded into a soulful rendition of “Rocky Ground.”

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street band perform “When The Saints Go Marching In” at the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Photo copyright 2012 by Bruce Spizer.

Like many musicians of his generation and after, Bruce Springsteen was influenced by the Beatles. In an interview shortly after the death of John Lennon, Springsteen indicated that the first song he learned on guitar was a song performed by the Beatles. Today’s questions are about the Beatles and the Boss.

What song, performed by the Beatles, does Bruce Springsteen claim to be the first he learned on guitar? Bonus: What two groups recorded the song prior to the Beatles?

What Beatles song did Bruce Springsteen perform with Axl Rose at the 1994 Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony?

Bruce Springsteen claims that the first song he learned to play on guitar was “Twist And Shout.” Apparently he heard the song on the album “Introducing The Beatles.” While Springsteen may also have been familiar with the song from the Isley Brothers version, it was the Beatles that got him interested in the guitar. Although the Isley Brothers had a hit with “Twist And Shout,” the first recording of the song was by the Top Notes. That record, which is inferior to both the Isley Brothers and Beatles renditions, was produced by Phil Spector, who nearly a decade later worked on the “Let It Be” album and produced records by John and George. Springsteen frequently played “Twist And Shout” in concert; however, his concert version more closely resembles the Isley Brothers rendition than that of the Beatles.

 

 

Bruce Springsteen and Axl Rose performed “Come Together” at the 1994 Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

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]]> http://beatle.net/the-beatles-the-boss/feed/ 0 2012: THE YEAR OF 50TH ANNIVERSARIES http://beatle.net/2012-year-of-50th-anniversaries/ http://beatle.net/2012-year-of-50th-anniversaries/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 15:31:27 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=2074 Scroll down for trivia question

This year will mark important milestone anniversaries for the Beatles. The group’s first recording session for EMI took place at Abbey Road studios on June 6, 1962. Ringo joined the band in August 1962. And the Beatles first single, “Love Me Do,” was released as Parlophone 45-R 4949 on October 5, 1962.

Because Ringo did not become a Beatle until 1962, many are considering 2012 as the official 50th anniversary of the group. While the name “Beatles” and the union of John, Paul and George date back a few more years, THE BEATLES–John, Paul, George and Ringo–turn 50 this year. So let’s not quibble over the choice of this year as the big anniversary.

We all know the press loves big round number anniversaries, so we can expect many stories this year on the Beatles appearing in books, magazines, newspapers, televison, radio and the internet. While many will make a big deal out of the music being 50 years old, the fact that people are still talking about the Beatles and enjoying their music shows that despite its age, the music is timeless. The Beatles music, like that of Beethoven, Mozart and Louis Armstrong,  never grows old.

Another great band is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The Beach Boys are currently touring the nation and will be releasing a new album next month (June 5). I recently saw the Beach Boys, featuring Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks, at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. They performed a well-paced and exciting set consisting of nearly all of the group’s biggest hits, with a few surprises thrown in. The original members are backed primarily by Brian Wilson’s touring band. I highly recommend catching them this summer. You’ll be sitting on the top of the world.


Mike Love


Al Jardine


Brian Wilson

The Beach Boys at the 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Photos copyright 2012 by Bruce Spizer

 

This week’s trivia questions covers one of the connections between the Beatles and the Beach Boys.

Which Beatles song, written during the Beatles stay in Rishikesh, India, contains lyrics that were suggested by a Beach Boy? Who was the Beach Boy and what Beach Boys song formed the basis for his suggestion?

During the Beatles stay in Rishikesh, India, Beach Boy Mike Love made the suggestion that Paul add lyrics to “Back In The U.S.S.R.” referencing girls from different parts of the U.S.S.R.  This idea was lifted from the Beach Boys smash hit “California Girls.” After singing praises of East Coast girls, Southern girls, Midwest farmer’s daughters, Northern girls and Hawaiian dolls by a palm tree in the sand, Mike Love sings that he “couldn’t wait to get back to the States, back to the cutest girls in the world,” California girls. For “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” Paul came up with “Those Ukraine girls really know me out/They leave the West behind/And Moscow girls make me sing and shout/That Georgia always on my mind.” The last line serves tribute to both the soviet republic of Georgia and the Ray Charles tune “Georgia On My Mind.” And, of course, “Back In The U.S.S.R.” has Beach Boys-style backing vocals.

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]]> http://beatle.net/2012-year-of-50th-anniversaries/feed/ 0 DOCUMENTARY ON BEATLES 1st U.S. CONCERT DEBUTS THIS MONTH http://beatle.net/documentary-on-beatles-1st-u-s-concert-debuts-this-month/ http://beatle.net/documentary-on-beatles-1st-u-s-concert-debuts-this-month/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:07 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=2053 A new documentary on the Beatles first U.S. concert makes its debut this month in selected theaters across the U.S.A. “The Beatles: The Lost Concert” will premier at New York’s Ziegfeld Theater on May 6, 2012. It will then be shown in over 450 other locations on May 17 & 22. See the documentary’s website to find a theater near you. Check out this website: www.lostbeatlesconcert.com

The documentary shows the group’s February 11, 1964, show at the Washington Coliseum in front of over 8,000 screaming fans. The concert footage appears in pristine video and sound for the very first time and includes the Beatles entire performance. The film also covers the birth of Beatlemania in America with a series of interviews, including Chuck Berry, Tommy Roe, Steven Tyler and Bruce Spizer.

The complete story of the birth of Beatlemania in America is told in “The Beatles Are Coming! The Birth of Beatlemania in America,” which will be on sale through May 22, 2012. The hardback edition is priced at $25 and the paperback edition at $15.

 

 

 

Today’s trivia question pertains to the Beatles historic first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum.

Question

What song was performed at the Beatles first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum prior to the group recording the song for proper EMI release?

The Beatles closed their historic first U.S. concert on February 11, 1964, with a wild energetic cover of Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally.” The Beatles, with George Martin on piano, recorded the song at Abbey Road Studios in one incredible take on March 1, 1964. The song first appeared in the U.S. on “The Beatles’ Second Album,” which was released on April 10, 1964, and in the U.K. on the EP “Long Tall Sally,” which was issued on July 19, 1964.

The set list for the Beatles first U.S. concert was written by John on Shoreham Hotel stationary.

 

 

 

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]]> http://beatle.net/documentary-on-beatles-1st-u-s-concert-debuts-this-month/feed/ 0 The Beatles: The Lost Concert http://beatle.net/the-beatles-the-lost-concert/ http://beatle.net/the-beatles-the-lost-concert/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:19:28 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=2043 Screenvision, the US-based media company has announced May 6 as the world premiere for ‘The Beatles: The Lost Concert’ documentary. The 92-minute film will premiere in New York’s Ziegfield Theatre, which will be followed by limited releases on May 17 and May 22. The documentary captures the birth of Beatlemania and the fab-four’s first ever full US concert in Washington DC in 1964. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Beatles historian Bruce Spizer are among the interviewees discussing the Liverpool band’s influence on music. Archive footage of the band in Washington DC has been researched and restored, and shows the band playing hits like ‘She Loves You’ and ‘Twist and Shout’ from their 12-song set.

Check out this website: www.lostbeatlesconcert.com and watch the trailer.

]]> http://beatle.net/the-beatles-the-lost-concert/feed/ 0 THE DICK CLARK BEATLES CONNECTION http://beatle.net/the-dick-clark-beatles-connection/ http://beatle.net/the-dick-clark-beatles-connection/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:26:57 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=2023

This past week we lost another great man in Dick Clark, who was known as “America’s oldest teenager.” To the youth of America in the late fifties through the eighties, he was best known as the host of American Bandstand, a dance show featuring Clark playing hit singles. In addition, the show often had popular artists lip-sync a song or two. Teenagers would get to see other teens dance to the hottest hits, providing the opportunity to keep up with the latest and greatest dance moves and music, all in one show.

Clark also would play new records on his show in the Rate-A-Record segment. Selected teenagers would be asked what they liked and didn’t like about the song (“It had a beat and you could dance to it”) and would assign a number value. Clark would then compute an average score based on the individual scores.

Although the Beatles never performed on American Bandstand, Clark did, of course, play their records. Although tapes of the show from 1963 are limited, it has been reported that Clark played “Please Please Me” in a Rate-A-Record segment in February or March of 1963, with the single scoring in the mid-seventies.

A bit more is known about the next Beatles single featured in Rate-A-Record. Shortly after the single’s release on September 16, 1963, Dick Clark played “She Loves You.” The song averaged a mediocre 73 score. According to Clark, “When the kids saw a photo of the four long-haired lads, they just laughed.” The band’s appearance and the song’s “yeah, yeah, yeah” refrain were totally foreign to what American teens were used to seeing and hearing in 1963. Clark would not play a Beatles record again until 1964 when Beatlemania exploded in America.

I twice contacted Dick Clark during the research of my books. He took time from his busy schedule to answer my questions in writing. My last contact with him was after his 2004 stroke. I faxed him a picture (shown below) of the Beatles receiving an in-house gold record award at Carnegie Hall and asked him to identify the three people in the photo other than the Beatles. He sent me back a fax identifying two of men, who were former business associates of Clark.

QUESTION

Dick Clark was the co-founder and initial 50% owner of a record label that later released singles by the Beatles. What was the name of the record company, the city it was located in and the two Beatles singles it released? Bonus: What were the names of the other two co-founders of the company?

Dick Clark was the co-founder and initial 50% owner of Swan Records, which was based in his home town of Philadelphia. In mid-September 1963, Swan released the single “She Love You” b/w “I’ll Get You.” Although the record initially flopped, it was re-issued in early 1964 and went on to top the charts and sell over two millions copies. Swan also issued a single featuring the German-language version of “She Loves You” backed by “I’ll Get You.” The record was titled “Sie Liebt Dich (She Loves You)” and was credited to “Die Beatles.” After Capitol Records filed suit, Swan pulled “Sie Liebt Dich” from circulation as the label did not have the rights to issue the recording.

 

Swan Records was founded in 1957 by Dick Clark, Tony Mammarella and Bernie Binnick. By the time the label released its Beatles singles, Clark was no longer an owner.

Although Dick Clark was not implicated in the 1959 Congressional investigations into the music industry practice of payola (disc jockeys accepting money and other favors to play particular records), the payola scandal did affect him. American Bandstand was being broadcast by the ABC television network. In order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, ABC-Paramount president Leonard Goldstein forced Clark to divest himself of his ownership interests in record and publishing companies, including Swan Records.

Swan co-owner Tony Mammarella hands George Martin and the Beatles an in-house gold record award for sales of over one million units of “She Loves You.” Co-owner Bernie Binnick is in the background between Martin and Mammarella. The picture was taken by William “PoPsie” Randolph at Carnegie Hall on February 12, 1964.

]]> http://beatle.net/the-dick-clark-beatles-connection/feed/ 0 The Taxman Commeth http://beatle.net/taxman-commith/ http://beatle.net/taxman-commith/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:08:51 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=2012 Although April 15 is the date United States income taxes are normally due for individuals, this year (2012) the due date is April 17. Taxes were not due on April 15 because it fell on a Sunday. And taxpayers got an extra day to file and/or pay because April 16 was Emancipation Day, which is holiday obxerved in Washington, D.C.

While you are lamenting about how much tax you must pay this year, just remember it could be worse. The maximum federal tax rate for individuals in the U.S. this year is 35%. This maximum rate has varied throughout the years, starting in 1913 at 7% and hitting its high mark in 1944 during World War II of 94%. From 1946 through 1963, it remained high at 91%. The maximum rate dropped to 77% in 1964 and the following year to 70%, where it remained until 1982, when the first of the Reagan-era tax cuts lowered it to 50%, with 1988 having the lowest post-WW II rate of 28%.

The U.K. first imposed a personal income tax in 1799 under the direction of William Pitts. Although the revenue it generated helped the British defeat Napoleon, many Brits thought the tax devised by Pitts was the pits. The income tax was dropped and reinstated several times over the next hundred years. By the 1948/1949 tax year, the pressures of the post-WW II economy led to the imposition of a top rate of 95%. This was reduced to 91.5% for the 1966/1967 tax year. By 1978/1979, it had dropped to 83%. For 1988/1989, it was down to 32%. The top maximum rate in the U.K. is currently 50%.

As you can see, the tax rate during the sixties was quite high. No wonder George Harrison wrote a song about it, which gets quite a bit of airplay in the United States every April 15.

QUESTION:

In the Beatles song Taxman, what is the tax rate, what is taxed if you take a walk and who plays lead guitar?

The tax rate is 95% (“there’s one for you, 19 for me”). This was the maximum tax rate in the U.K. at the time the song was written. If you take a walk, the Taxman taxes your feet. As for the hard-hitting guitar solo, it was not played by George, but rather by Paul McCartney.

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]]> http://beatle.net/taxman-commith/feed/ 0 First news broadcasts of the Beatles in America http://beatle.net/first-news-broadcasts-of-the-beatles-in-america/ http://beatle.net/first-news-broadcasts-of-the-beatles-in-america/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:09:39 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1995 Today’s trivia question deals with the first news broadcasts of the Beatles in America.

On November 16, 1963, all three American television networks had their London bureaus film the Beatles in concert for potential stories on the group’s success in England.

Which American networks ran Beatles stories in 1963 and on what dates did the stories run?

Bonus Question: Where were the Beatles filmed in concert for these stories?

NBC was the first American television network to run a story on the Beatles. The network’s “Huntley-Brinkley Report” ran a four-minute story on Monday, November 18, 1963, at 6:53 p.m., with Edwin Newman doing the voice-over of film of the group and its fans. This was followed by CBS-TV’s five-minute story, which first ran on the “CBS Morning News with Mike Wallace” on November 22, 1963. The story was rebroadcast on the “CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite” on December 10, 1963. There is no record of ABC ever running a story of the Beatles until 1964. The concert footage used by the networks was taken at the group’s November 16, 1963, performance at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens. The significance of these television broadcasts is detailed on pages 60-61 and 82-83 of “The Beatles Are Coming! The Birth of Beatlemania in America.”

 

Images from “The Beatles: New Phenomena In Britain,” which ran twice on the CBS television network:

George, Paul and John being interviewed backstage

 

reporter Alexander Kendrick at the London Beatles Fan Club

 

Opening shot of the band on stage at Bournemouth

 

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]]> http://beatle.net/first-news-broadcasts-of-the-beatles-in-america/feed/ 0 Mike Wallace’s Beatles Connection http://beatle.net/mike-wallaces-beatles-connection/ http://beatle.net/mike-wallaces-beatles-connection/#comments Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:23:06 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1996 On Sunday morning (April 8, 2012) I heard the sad news of Mike Wallace’s death. I was and still am a fan of the TV show “60 Minutes,” dating back to the CBS news magazine’s initial Tuesday night broadcast in September 1968, at a time when “Hey Jude” and “Those Were The Days” were dominating radio play lists.

Mike Wallace was an integral part of “60 Minutes” from the start, providing memorable stories and interviews. He was a relentless investigative reporter, asking tough questions and often putting less-than-honest people in “gotcha” situations, exposing their misdeeds. For years, those who took advantage of others learned to fear the words, “I’m Mike Wallace from 60 Minutes.” But he also did amazing human interest stories as well. A truly remarkable journalist and man.

As a fan of “60 Minutes,” I never dreamed that I would one day have the privilege of speaking with Mike Wallace. But then again, I never dreamed I would ever meet those in the Beatles inter-circle and spend time at Abbey Road studios. Life can be full of wonderful unexpected moments.

In 2003, I began work on a book that would cover the arrival of the Beatles in America. I knew the press and “The Ed Sullivan Show” would be important parts of the story. I was assisted in these areas Gay Linville, who is a Beatles fan with connections in the television industry.

After my research uncovered that a story on the Beatles ran on “The CBS Morning News with Mike Wallace,” Gay contacted Mr. Wallace about the broadcast. She first asked him if he had any recollections of ever running a story on the Beatles while hosting the “CBS Morning News.” Mr. Wallace said he did not and asked when the story ran. When Gay informed him the story was broadcast on November 22, 1963, Mr. Wallace replied, “Christ Almighty, you know what happened that day, don’t you?” He, like the rest of America, had no memory of the story on the Beatles because President Kennedy was assassinated a few hours after its broadcast.

Gay told me about her conversation and gave me Mr. Wallace’s contact information. I called Mr. Wallace and provided him with the CBS archives information enabling him to obtain a copy of the five-minute story, which had not been shown in its entirety in nearly 40 years. (A portion of the story was shown on the “CBS Evening News” the day after John Lennon died.)

In February 2004 I was in New York for a series of events centered around the 40th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in America. One morning I dropped off a copy of my book “The Beatles Are Coming! The Birth of Beatlemania in America” to Mr. Wallace’s “60 Minutes” office. The next morning I received a call on my cell phone from an unidentified number. The voice said, “Mr. Spizer, this is Mike Wallace. I want to thank you for dropping off a copy of your book to me.” This was the same distinguished voice I had heard so many times on television. He was very complimentary of the book, telling me it was a fine piece of journalism. He said he was impressed with the thoroughness of the research and that I was to be commended for my efforts. I thanked him for taking the time to call.

After the conversation ended, I sat there for a few minutes reflecting on how much his compliments meant to me. One of my journalist heroes respected my work and took the time to let me know. I jokingly wished I had said, “Mr. Wallace, would you mind repeating those words this Sunday on “60 Minutes”? But, of course, I never would have done that. The call from Mr. Wallace was enough. It was one of those moments in my life I’ll never forget.

I’m often asked if I got to interview any of the Beatles for my book “The Beatles Are Coming!” I tell people that I did not, but that I was blessed to have interviewed three of my other heroes, Walter Cronkite, Edwin Newman and Mike Wallace. All were great newsmen who, like the Beatles, left their mark on the world.

]]> http://beatle.net/mike-wallaces-beatles-connection/feed/ 0 Beatles songs that held the top 5 Billboard Hot 100 spots? http://beatle.net/songs-billboard/ http://beatle.net/songs-billboard/#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:04:50 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1988 In early April 1964, the Beatles dominated the Billboard Hot 100 record chart in a way that will almost certainly never be equaled. The group held down the top five positions and had seven other songs on the chart. Today’s question covers this remarkable achievement.

What were the five Beatles songs that held the top five positions in the Billboard Hot 100 record chart for the week ending April 4, 1964?

Bonus: Name the songs in their proper order and name as many of the other seven Beatles songs that appeared on the same chart as you can.

The top five songs were, in order, “Can’t Buy Me Love” (in its second week on the chart and first of five weeks at number one), “Twist And Shout” (the only song in the top five not written by Lennon-McCartney), “She Loves You” (which had held down the top spot for the previous two weeks), “I Want To Hold Your Hand” (which had topped the charts for seven weeks) and “Please Please Me” (which peaked at number three unable to break through the log-jam of Beatles songs above it).

The other seven songs were “I Saw Her Standing There” (#31), “From Me To You (#41), “Do You Want To Know A Secret” (#46 in its second week before climbing to #2 six weeks later), “All My Loving” (#58 as a Canadian import single), “You Can’t Do That” (#65), Roll Over Beethoven” (#68 as a Canadian import single) and “Thank You Girl (#79).

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]]> http://beatle.net/songs-billboard/feed/ 0 Songs recorded by Peter & Gordon written by Paul? http://beatle.net/songs-recorded-by-peter-and-gordon/ http://beatle.net/songs-recorded-by-peter-and-gordon/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:20:00 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1970 What four songs recorded by Peter & Gordon were written by Paul McCartney and what was the songwriting credit for each of these songs?

“World Without Love,” Nobody I Know,” “I Don’t Want To See You Again,” and “Woman” were written by Paul McCartney and given to Peter & Gordon (Peter Asher and Gordon Waller). The first three are credited to “Lennon-McCartney,” while “Woman” was initially credited to “Bernard Webb” and later “A. Smith.” The duo was the recipient of these songs due to Paul dating Peter’s sister, Jane Asher. “World Without Love” topped the U.S. charts, while “Nobody I Know” peaked at 12 and “I Don’t Want To See You Again” peaked at 16, all in 1964. In an attempt to prove that one of his songs could be a hit even if the public didn’t know it was written by a Beatle, Paul used the name Bernard Webb for the songwriter’s credit for “Woman.” The ruse was quickly blown apart when people realized that it had the same publisher, Maclen Music, as the Lennon-McCartney songs issued by the Beatles starting in mid-1964. (Both “I Don’t Want To See You Again” and “Woman” are credited to Maclen Music, Inc.) “Woman” was released in early 1966 and peaked at 14 on the U.S. charts.

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]]> http://beatle.net/songs-recorded-by-peter-and-gordon/feed/ 0 John and Pete’s first bands? http://beatle.net/john-and-petes-first-bands/ http://beatle.net/john-and-petes-first-bands/#comments Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:04:00 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1962 What were the names of John Lennon’s first band and Pete Best’s first band?

The answer to this question is in the cards. John Lennon and Pete Shotton formed the Black Jacks, which was quickly renamed the Quarrymen. Before joining the Beatles, Pete Best played drums for a group known as the Blackjacks. The bass player for the Blackjacks, Chas Newby, played a few concerts for the Beatles after Stu quit the Beatles to remain in Hamburg.

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]]> http://beatle.net/john-and-petes-first-bands/feed/ 0 Abbey Road Beatles Trivia http://beatle.net/abbey-road-beatles-trivia/ http://beatle.net/abbey-road-beatles-trivia/#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:04:23 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1949 This week’s question deals with EMI studios other than Abbey Road where the Beatles recorded.

What EMI-owned studio other than Abbey Road was used by the Beatles and what songs were  recorded there?

Bonus question: Name three EMI-owned studios other than Abbey Road that were used by individual Beatles for recording sessions, along with the name of the Beatle and the album recorded at each.

The Beatles recorded “Komm, Gib Mir Deine Hand,” “Sie Liebt Dich” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” at EMI Pathe Marconi Studios in Paris, France on January 29, 1964. See ““Beatles For Sale on Parlophone Records,” pages 35 and 119 – 120. George recorded part of his “Wonderwall” album at EMI’s recording studio in Bombay, India during January 1968. Paul recording most of his “Band On The Run” LP at EMI’s studio in Lagos, Nigeria, and his “Kisses On The Bottom” album at Capitol Studios (in the Capitol Tower) in Los Angeles, California. See “The Beatles Solo on Apple Records,” pages 171 – 176 and 205-207.

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]]> http://beatle.net/abbey-road-beatles-trivia/feed/ 0 Bruce heading to London to celebrate Abbey Road Studios 80th Anniversary http://beatle.net/bruce-heading-to-london-to-celebrate-abbey-road-studios-80th-anniversary/ http://beatle.net/bruce-heading-to-london-to-celebrate-abbey-road-studios-80th-anniversary/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:08:47 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1941 Abbey Road Studios is celebrating 80 years of glorious recordings. The studio is located at No. 3 Abbey Road in St. John’s Wood, London. Its roots trace back to the Gramophone Company, which converted a century-old nine-bedroom Georgian townhouse into a state-of-the-art recording facility to move into the electronic age of recording. The studio opened in 1931 and was first used to record the London Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Falstaff. Later than year, the Gramophone Company merged with its greatest competitor, the Columbia Gramophone Company, to form Electric & Musical Industries Ltd. (“EMI”). A detailed summary of the history of EMI appears at pages 407- 409 in “Beatles For Sale on Parlophone Records.”

At the time the Beatles recorded at Abbey Road in the sixties, the studio was known as EMI Studios. The release of the group’s “Abbey Road” LP in 1969 brought widespread awareness of the studio when reviewers stated that the album was named after the Beatles favorite recording studio. As word spread, fans throughout the world dropped by the studio and often had their pictures taken in groups of four walking across the zebra crossing (crosswalk) immortalized on the album’s cover. EMI officially changed the studio’s name to Abbey Road Studios in 1970.

Bruce will be in London this weekend (March 11, 2012) to attend a special 80th anniversary event at Abbey Road.

To learn more about the studio, click here to be directed to the Abbey Road Studios website, which has a LIVE crossing webcam showing the famous crosswalk 24/7.  It’s amazing how often you will spot fans imitating the Beatles famous stroll across the street. Who knows, you may even spot someone you know! Bruce will be walking through the zebra crossing on Sunday, March 11.

]]> http://beatle.net/bruce-heading-to-london-to-celebrate-abbey-road-studios-80th-anniversary/feed/ 0 Trivia: Song on Ringo’s first album and Paul’s latest album http://beatle.net/trivia-song-on-ringos-first-album-and-pauls-latest-album/ http://beatle.net/trivia-song-on-ringos-first-album-and-pauls-latest-album/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:39:41 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1925 What song appears on both Ringo’s first album and Paul’s latest album (as of February, 2012),what are the names of the two albums and their producers, and who arranged the version of the song appearing on Ringo’s album?

The song “Bye Bye Blackbird” appears on both albums. Ringo’s “Sentimental Journey” was produced by George Martin, while Paul’s “Kisses On The Bottom” was produced by Tommy LiPuma. In the liner notes to Paul’s album, he states that working with LiPuma reminded him of working with George Martin in that both are very knowledgeable and know all the good players. The version of “Bye Bye Blackbird” on Ringo’s album was arranged by Maurice Gibb of the Bee-Gees. The song is an American vaudeville classic dating back to 1926. Learn more about Ringo’s first album in “The Beatles Solo on Apple Records.”

Buy Paul’s new album here:

Kisses on the Bottom

Price: $9.99

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]]> http://beatle.net/trivia-song-on-ringos-first-album-and-pauls-latest-album/feed/ 0 Beatles female parody group Trivia http://beatle.net/beatles-female-parody-group-trivia/ http://beatle.net/beatles-female-parody-group-trivia/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:35:47 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1914

It did not take long for the Beatles to work their way into American pop culture. Within a month of the group’s third and final 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 23, 1964, a female parody group featuring three cast members of a hot first-year CBS comedy show appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show to promote their upcoming appearance on their own show.

What was the name of the group?

What song did they perform on both The Ed Sullivan Show and on their own show two nights later?

What was the name of the comedy show?

Who were the members of the group?

BONUS: Who joined the group at the end of the episode as a replacement for one of the girls?

On March 22, 1964, Ed Sullivan introduced the Ladybugs to the world. The group “performed” a gender-revised Beatles song,  I Saw Him Standing There. Two nights later, the Ladybugs were the focus of episode 27 of Petticoat Junction. The group consisted of Shady Rest hotel owner Kate Bradley’s three daughters, Billy Jo, Bobbie Jo and Betty Jo, plus the sheriff’s daughter, Sally Ragsdale, who was played by Sheila James. (Sheila had previously played the part of Zelda in the TV show The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and later became a California senator as Sheila Jones Kuehl.) When Sheriff Ragsdale insisted that his daughter quit the group, she was replaced by Uncle Joe, complete with matching Beatle wig and Ladybugs T-shirt!

NOTE: This hilarious episode is included on the DVD Petticoat Junction – The First Official Season. In addition to I Saw Him Standing There, the group performs a song most likely titled I’ll Be Your Ladybug with lyrics like “I’ll be your ladybug if only you will be my Beatle (yeah, yeah).” Uncle Joe tries to hook the group up with a manager based on Elvis manager Col. Parker.

Click on the link below to buy the DVD on Amazon.com

Petticoat Junction – The Official First Season

Price: $27.87

4.6 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)

41 used & new available from $18.44

You Tube has a video of the Ladybug’s appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, which is entertaining but in poor quality – Click here to go to Youtube to see this.

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]]> http://beatle.net/beatles-female-parody-group-trivia/feed/ 0 New Jersey Fest for Beatles Fans, Mar. 23–25, 2012 http://beatle.net/new-jersey-fest-for-beatles-fans-mar-23-25-2012/ http://beatle.net/new-jersey-fest-for-beatles-fans-mar-23-25-2012/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:19:30 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1903

Bruce will be appearing at the New Jersey Fest for Beatles Fans on March 23 – 25, 2012. He will be selling and signing copies of his latest book, “Beatles For Sale on Parlophone Records,” and other titles that are still available. Bruce will be giving two major audio/visual presentations and participate in a few panel discussions. His Saturday presentation shall cover the Beatles rise to fame in the  U.K. during 1962 – 1963, while his Sunday presentation shall focus the explosion of Beatlemania in the U.S. during 1963 – 1964. In addition, he will participate in a few panel discussions.

On Friday evening, March 23, Bruce will participate in the 7:00 pm Author’s Panel in the Imperial Ballroom. He will also be on a panel discussion titled “Why Don’t He Do These On The Road?” which shall explore songs that Paul should add to his concerts. This lively discussion will take place in the Crystal Ballroom at 11:00 pm.

On Saturday, March 24, at 12:10 pm in the Imperial Ballroom, Bruce will give an audio/visual presentation on the Beatles rise to fame in the U.K. during 1962 and 1963.

On Sunday, March 25, at 12:10 pm in the Imperial Ballroom, Bruce will give an audio/visual presentation on how Beatlemania developed in the U.S. during 1963 and 1964. He will lead a panel discussion on Sunday at 4:00 pm in the Crystal Ballroom on Rock ’n’ Roll Influences on the Beatles.

Check out the Fest’s fabulous lineup at www.thefestforbeatlesfans.com.

]]> http://beatle.net/new-jersey-fest-for-beatles-fans-mar-23-25-2012/feed/ 0 Beatles Mardi Gras connection http://beatle.net/happy-mardi-gras/ http://beatle.net/happy-mardi-gras/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:48:26 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1898 HAPPY MARDI GRAS FROM 498 PRODUCTIONS

498 Productions, based in New Orleans, wishes everyone a Happy Mardi Gras. Our current sales celebrating the Beatles first U.S. visit will expire at midnight on February 21, 2012, at the same time that the New Orleans Police Department rides horses through the French Quarter telling revelers that Mardi Gras has ended and it is time to go home. Today’s trivia questions deal with the Beatles Mardi Gras connection.

Questions:

What album did Paul McCartney record in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season?

What was the name of the album, what year was it recorded and released, and in what New Orleans studio was it primarily recorded?

What song did Paul specifically record in celebration of Mardi Gras and on what single was it released as a B-side?

Bonus: What New Orleans musicians played on the song?

Paul McCartney recorded the album “Venus And Mars” in New Orleans at Sea-Saint Studios during the 1975 Mardi Gras season for release later that year. On the day after Mardi Gras, Paul and Wings recorded the song “My Carnival,” which was not on the album, but was released as the B-side to the single “Spies Like Us” a decade later in 1985. It also appears as a bonus track on the 1988 CD release of the “Venus And Mars” album. New Orleans native George Porter of the Meters played bass on the song. Also participating were other members of the Meters and singer Benny Spellman, who recorded the songs “Fortune Teller” (covered by the Rolling Stones) and “Lipstick Traces.” Spellman also sang the bass part on the classic sixties hit single “Mother-In-Law” by Ernie K-Doe.

Paul and Linda (in top-hats center) dance to the sounds of the Tuxedo Brass Band as they get ready to board a New Orleans riverboat for a post-Mardi Gras party on February 13, 1975.   

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]]> http://beatle.net/happy-mardi-gras/feed/ 0 Miami Beach / Bruce to appear on History Detectives http://beatle.net/miami-beach-bruce-to-appear-on-history-detectives/ http://beatle.net/miami-beach-bruce-to-appear-on-history-detectives/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:31:06 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1887 Scroll down for the trivia question and answers

February 14 marks the 48th anniversary of the Beatles first full day in Miami Beach. After being greeted by an estimated 7,000 fans at Miami International Airport the day before, the Beatles spent Valentines Day 1964 enjoying the warm Florida climate. Plans called for a morning photo session at the swimming pool of the Deauville Hotel, where the Beatles were staying. However, the Life magazine photographer was concerned about the mobs of fans hanging out at the hotel, so the session was moved to the pool at the house of Jerri Kruger Pollak, a retired jazz singer, who graciously prepared a luncheon buffet for the boys. In the afternoon, the group boarded the motor yacht Southern Trail, which was turned over to them, crew and all.

The boys soaked up the sun, with John, Paul and George also going for a swim. Paul later sat behind the yacht’s piano and played a bit of “Can’t Buy Me Love” for New York DJ Murray the K, who accompanied the group to Miami and shared a room at the Deauville (Room # 1218) with George for the first part of the visit. The group returned to the Deauville for a 6:00 pm rehearsal in one of the hotel’s lower level rooms. George checked out his new Rickenbacker electric 12-string guitar, while John played on George’s Gretsch Country Gentleman for a spell.

That evening, the group was treated to an American home-style meal (salad, roast beef, baked potatoes, green beans, peas and a strawberry iced cake for dessert) at the house of Sgt. Buddy Dresner of the Miami Beach Police Department. Sgt. Dresner provided security and companionship during the group’s stay in Miami. Sgt. Dresner’s three young children would have quite a story to tell their friends the following Monday about how they spent their Valentines Day! After returning to the Deauville, the Beatles and Sgt. Dresner headed to one of the hotel’s night clubs to see comedian Don Rickles, who made it a point to pick on the Beatles (“Look at this. A police sergeant guarding four Zulus when all over the city there’s fighting and burglary going on”).

After the show, John and wife Cynthia went off to bed (Room # 1211), while the others went to the Deauville’s other night club to see singer/dancer Carol Lawrence and comedian Myron Cohen. After the show, the remaining Beatles headed back to their rooms (Paul and Ringo shared Room # 1219). And that’s the way it was, Friday, February 14, 1964.

You can find out what the Beatles did on their other days in Miami Beach in the book “The Beatles Are Coming!”

  

 

And now, 498 Production’s sale honoring the Beatles first U.S. visit continues. Click here to read more about the sale

 

BRUCE SPIZER TO BE ON PBS’ HISTORY DETECTIVES

Speaking of the Deauville, Beatles author/historian Bruce Spizer was at the Deauville a few weeks ago taping an episode for the PBS program “History Detectives.” Bruce provided a tour of the places the Beatles went while at the Miami Beach hotel and discussed the importance of the Beatles on American culture and the music industry. This summer you can be like the girl in an Elvis Costello song and find yourself watching the detectives! The Beatles-themed show is tentatively set to air this June. Additional details regarding the show will be posted to the site as they become known.

 

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTIONS

In keeping with the Deauville theme, today’s trivia questions are about the Ed Sullivan Show broadcast from the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach.

Who was the headliner for the show? (Hint: It wasn’t the Beatles, although the group did open and close the show.)

How much did the headliner and her production company get paid for the performance and how much did the Beatles get paid?

Approximately how many Americans tuned in to see the show?

From what room at the Deauville was the show broadcast?

Bonus Question: What were the six songs performed by the Beatles?

Mitzi Gaynor was the headliner for the show. She and her production company were paid a total of $20,000, while the Beatles got $3,500. Approximately 72,000,000 Americans watched the show, down from 73,000,000 the previous week when the Beatles made their live American television debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in New York. The show was broadcast from the Napoleon Room at the Deauville Hotel. (The stage and TV camera booth are still there.) The Beatles opened the show with “She Loves You,” “This Boy” and “All My Loving,” and closed the show with “I Saw Her Standing There,” “From Me To You” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”

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]]> http://beatle.net/miami-beach-bruce-to-appear-on-history-detectives/feed/ 0 Anniversary of the Beatles arrival in America http://beatle.net/anniversary-of-the-beatles-arrival-in-america/ http://beatle.net/anniversary-of-the-beatles-arrival-in-america/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:47:04 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1864 February 7 is the anniversary of the Beatles arrival in America. At approximately 1:20 p.m., the jetliner carrying the Beatles from London to New York landed at the newly-named Kennedy International Airport.

Scroll down for this week’s trivia question about their arrival.

HOW TO CELEBRATE THIS WEEK

On February 9 at 8:00 p.m. be sure to relive the Beatles exciting debut on The Ed Sullivan Show by watching the DVD containing the show. Play the CD of “Meet The Beatles!” contained the  box set “The Capitol Albums Vol. 1” or, better yet, play the vinyl LP. Listen to the singles “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You” and “Please Please Me.” Watch the DVD “The Beatles First U.S. Visit.” Read the book “The Beatles Are Coming!” If you are old enough, pretend you are once again a teenager living in 1964! To get into the spirit, read your old comic books (“Flash,” “Green Lantern,” “Justice League of America,” etc.) if your mother didn’t throw them away.

 

 

TODAY’S TRIVIA

This multiple part question pertains to the jet airplane that flew the Beatles from London to New York on February 7, 1964.

What was the name of the airline, the flight number, the type of jet and the name of the jet?

The Beatles flew to America on Pan Am Flight 101. The Boeing 707 jetliner was named Clipper Defiance.

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]]> http://beatle.net/anniversary-of-the-beatles-arrival-in-america/feed/ 0 Appearances http://beatle.net/appearances/ http://beatle.net/appearances/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:41:25 +0000 dvt http://beatle.net/?p=1857 Watch this space – and subscribe to this email list to be notified of future appearances.

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