Paul explains lyric from Tug of War song

www.PaulMcCartney.com

OCT

30

2015

You Gave Me The Answer - Kate from the 

UK asks…

The last few weeks have been about all things Tug of War and Pipes of Peace following 
their reissue at the start of the month. We worked with The Guardian newspaper to bring 
you a series of mini documentaries – ‘From the Archives’ - exploring the relationships 
between Paul and key players of both albums.

‘Here Today’ - one of the most loved tracks from Tug of War – is a song dedicated to 
Paul’s friend John Lennon, written shortly after John passed away.  The lyrics have long 
evoked emotion and interest from fans over the years, so we thought the timing 
appropriate for Kate from the UK’s question,

“In the song ‘Here Today’ you say, ‘What about the night we cried’. Can you tell us 
anymore about that story?”

We managed to catch up with Paul just before he travelled to North America to finish the 
most recent leg of his ‘Out There’ tour,

“Thanks for your question, Kate. Well we were in Key West with The Beatles and we had 
been diverted there because there was a hurricane at Jacksonville, where we were 
supposed to play. So we had to take a couple of days off while the hurricane passed. 
We ended up in Key West, which at that time was sort of like the ends of the earth! I 
understand now it’s all very built up and it’s a bit like Miami. But back then, there were 
just a couple of huts there – and we were in one of them! We had a drunken night where 
we sang and talked and cried, at one point. All four of us.”

‘From the Archives: Here Today’ focuses specifically on the track, which features a live 
performance of the song and an interview of Paul reflecting on his friendship with John. 
Check out the video below…

Ringo Starr to get art exhibition down under

www.genesis-publications.com

Ringo's Australian Exhibit

News
Genesis Publications
29 Oct 2015



Genesis and Hedleys books would like to invite you to a photography, art and book exhibition of Ringo Starr’s PHOTOGRAPH.

The exhibit will open at Books Kinokuniya, Sydney, at 6.30pm on Thursday 5th November and run until Monday 16th November. It will feature an exclusive video message from Ringo and all copies of PHOTOGRAPH sold on the opening night come with a collector’s commemorative bookplate.

For more information and to secure your spot today, visit  www.kinokuniya.com.au





www.kinokuniya.com.au
Opening Night | Photograph by Ringo Starr & How Can It Be? by Ronnie Wood
Books Kinokuniya
Sydney, NSW


Ringo Starr photo by Scott Ritchie 2015
Ronnie Wood photo by Ross Halfin

Genesis Publications and Hedleys Books invite you to the opening of Photograph by Ringo Starr and How Can It Be? by Ronnie Wood.
The photography, art and book exhibitions will run in Wedge Gallery at Books Kinokuniya from Thursday 5th to Monday 16th of November. The exhibitions showcase photographs from Ringo Starr’s book Photograph, taken in 1964 whilst on tour with the Beatles  as well as artwork from Ronnie Wood’s How Can It Be? A Rock & Roll Diary.
The opening night celebrations will feature an exclusive video message from Ringo Starr and exclusive footage of Ronnie Wood playing his new single. All copies of Photograph and How Can It Be? will include a collector’s commemorative book plate celebrating the occasion. Join us for a drink and an evening of art, photography and rock and roll!
RSVP in store, by phone: 02 9262 7996, email, or via Eventbrite.

John Lennon's iconic beatles suit for sale after being lost 40 years

www.nme.com
John Lennon's iconic mohair suit for sale at auction after being lost for 40 years
Suit is expected to fetch around £150,000
LUKE MORGAN BRITTON
29TH OCTOBER 2015



A suit belonging to John Lennon is to be sold at auction this week, having previously been lost for 40 years.

The beige, collarless mohair suits were worn by The Beatles during the early 60s and were made by London tailor Dougie Millings.

Lennon's suit was originally donated by manager Brian Epstein, along with the three other members' jackets, to London's Madame Tussauds for the first wax works of the band. However, it was misplaced and only found in 2006 at a warehouse owned by the company.

As reported by the Daily Express, the item will be sold on Friday (October 30) by online auction house Fame Bureau. Its value is estimated at £150,000.

James Wilkinson, of the Fame Bureau, said: "This suit changed attitudes and was a major cultural change. Before they had this makeover, the Beatles were rockers. They idolised Elvis and wore black leather jackets."

"But Brian Epstein had the foresight to change their appearance to a more wholesome look so they would appeal to a much wider audience, and these suits were a major part of that image. The result turned the Beatles into a clean-cut, media-friendly powerhouse. The suits traversed the Atlantic and the style was later imitated by many US musicians."



The sale is one of many Beatles-related auctions in recent months. A petition calling for Mick Jagger to star in a film version of A Clockwork Orange, signed by The Beatles, was recently up for sale.

Meanwhile, in September The Beatles' first management contract sold for £365,000 at auction.

Paul McCartney to release vinyl discs on Record Store Day Black Friday

www.classichitsandoldies.com
Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Kinks Among Artists Releasing Vinyl Discs on Record Store Day Black Friday
WFJA 105.5 Classic Hits and Oldies
October 28, 2015



It’s almost the time of the season when vinyl lovers head to their local record shops to pick up limited-edition LPs and other discs from a variety of artists.  The organizers of Record Store Day’s “Black Friday” celebration have unveiled the complete list of special releases that will be available during the 2015 installment of the campaign, which takes place on November 27.

Among the many newly announced artists who will be releasing collectible vinyl discs are Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, The Kinks, David Bowie, Otis Redding and The Zombies.

McCartney’s contribution to the campaign is a 12-inch vinyl single featuring an exclusive 2015 remix of “Say Say Say,” his hit 1983 duet with Michael Jackson.  The single’s B-side features an instrumental version of the track.

Wilson’s offering is a two-LP version of his 1988 self-titled solo debut album, which included his memorable tune “Love and Mercy.”

The Kinks will be releasing a pair of long-out-of-print EPs in conjunction with the Black Friday sale — 1965’s Kwyet Kinks and 1966’s Dedicated Kinks.  Each disc is pressed on seven-inch vinyl and features four songs.  Kwyet Kinks contains “Wait Till the Summer Comes Along,” “Such a Shame,” “A Well Respected Man” and “Don’t You Fret,” while Dedicated Kinks includes “Dedicated Followers of Fashion,” “Till the End of the Day,” “See My Friends” and “Set Me Free.”

Bowie will be reissuing his 1997 album Earthling as a translucent green vinyl LP.

Redding’s Record Store Day release is a seven-inch vinyl disc featuring the late soul legend’s renditions of “Shake” and “Wonderful World” on side A and “I Can’t Turn You Loose” and “My Girl” on Side B.

The Zombies will issue a two-LP set titled The BBC Sessions that features a variety of songs and interview segments the band recorded on British radio from 1964 to 1968.  Many of the tracks are previously unreleased.

The 2015 Record Store Day Black Friday campaign also will feature releases from Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, John Mellencamp, Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The B-52’s, Jeff Beck, The Clash, B.B. King, Carl Perkins and many others, including previously announced discs from Elvis Presley, Queen, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix.

Visit RecordStoreDay.com to check out the full list.

Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.




wogew.blogspot.pe
Say Say Say 12-inch for Record Store Day
Posted by Roger Stormo
Thursday, October 29, 2015


New Say Say Say 12-inch single for RSD.

Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Concord/Hear Music
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
More Info:
2015 remix of the 1983 hit "Say Say Say", originally recorded with Michael Jackson for the album Pipes of Peace. Artwork features silver and black ink with a graphite finish, and the vinyl is transparent. B-side is an instrumental version of the song. This remix is exclusive to this limited edition piece.

Track List
"Say Say Say (2015 Remix)"/"Say Say Say (Instrumental)"

Available from stores participating in Record Store Day's "Black Friday", November 27, 2015.

Ringo leads Starr-studded affair at Heinz Hall

www.post-gazette.com
Ringo leads Starr-studded affair at Heinz Hall
By Scott Mervis
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
October 27, 2015


Ringo Starr, 75, and his All-Starr Band on stage at Heinz Hall, his first time back in Pittsburgh since 1997.
John Heller/Post-Gazette

With its red velvet seats and grand, gilded walls, Heinz Hall usually comes off as too formal for a rock show.

On Tuesday night, however, it was the perfect palace for a member of the rock 'n' roll royalty, Ringo Starr.

As he has since 1989, the Beatle is on the road with his All-Starr Band, stopping here for the first time since he did Station Square in 1997. This 7-piece incarnation, together since 2012, is the longest-running version, so it hit the stage hot.

Ringo took center stage, in fire-engine-red jacket and skull T-shirt, for the Carl Perkins classic "Matchbox," which the drummer did with the Beatles when they were establishing their American R&B roots. Ringo, with that flat, nasal delivery, is not much of a blues singer, but he doesn't need to be. He's Ringo, so we love him for what he is, especially when he's doing a fave like "It Don't Come Easy," the second song.

He touched on his new album with some reggae, "Island in the Sun," and then took his spot behind the drums, handing the stage to his bandmates for an odd but fun round robin of a K-Tel collection of hits.

There was a gruffer-sounding, Hawaiian-spaceman-looking Todd Rundgren doing "I Saw the Light" and "Bang the Drum All Day," and Gregg Rolie of Santana leading "Evil Ways" with a scorching solo by Steve Lukather, who then took the lead on Toto's "Rosanna." Representing the tame side of the '80s was bassist-singer Richard Page from Mr. Mister, starting with "Kyrie."

When it came back around to Ringo, he dug deep into the Fab Four days for "Boys," a rollicking version of "Don't Pass Me By," the first Ringo original recorded by the Beatles, and an even more rollicking group vocal on "Yellow Submarine." That's one where you're thinking, "Wow, that's Ringo Starr doing 'Yellow Submarine' right there."

He took a break for what he called a special "musical moment of the evening," a seven-minute Rolie-led "Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen," with more Santana-style pyrotechnics from Mr. Lukather and other-drummer Gregg Bissonette driving the fiery beats with Warren Ham on percussion.

The hits kept coming in the second hour with "You're Sixteen," Toto's "Africa" and "Hold the Line," Utopia's "Love is the Answer" (with a dramatic Rundgren vocal) and even more Mr. Mister ("Broken Wings"), which was enough Mr. Mister.

The 75-year-old Beatle tastefully pounded his way through it all, including the rigorous Santana/Tito Puente workout "Oye como va."

Ringo went in and out of tune on "I Wanna Be Your Man," but we didn't stand up and walk out on him, which was good because the show came to a joyful finish with the wonderful "Photograph," "Act Naturally" and his most endearing moment, "With a Little Help From My Friends," tagged with "Give Peace a Chance."

This Starr-studded affair was certainly different than one of McCartney's hit-filled marathons, but Ringo always did dance to a different beat. Oddly, right now it's Toto AND Mr. Mister, which is a little heavy on the lite rock. It would be cool next time if he could get a little help from his friends in the psych-pop, power-pop circle.

Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com; 412-263-2576; Twitter: @scottmervis_pg

Set List

Matchbox (Carl Perkins song)

It Don't Come Easy (Ringo Starr)

Island in the Sun (Ringo Starr)

I Saw the Light (Todd Rundgren)

Evil Ways (Willie Bobo)

Rosanna (Toto)

Kyrie (Mr. Mister)

Bang the Drum All Day (Todd Rundgren)

Boys (The Shirelles)

Don't Pass Me By (The Beatles)

Yellow Submarine (The Beatles)

Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen

(Santana)

You're Sixteen (Johnny Burnette)

I'm the Greatest (Ringo Starr)

You Are Mine (Richard Page)

Africa (Toto)

Oye como va (Tito Puente)

I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles)

Love Is the Answer (Utopia)

Broken Wings (Mr. Mister)

Hold the Line (Toto)

Photograph (Ringo Starr)

Act Naturally (Buck Owens)

With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles)

Give Peace a Chance (Plastic Ono Band)



Ringo took center stage at Heinz Hall Tuesday night, in a fire-engine-red jacket and skull T-shirt, for the Carl Perkins classic "Matchbox," which the drummer did with the Beatles when they were establishing their American R&B roots.
John Heller/Post-Gazette




fiostrending.verizon.com
Ringo Starr Treatment: Beatle Was Fab For Heinz Hall Fans
BY SCOTT TADY BEAVER COUNTY TIMES, PA.
October 28 2015

Oct. 28--PITTSBURGH -- They showed up for the sole and simple purpose of seeing a Beatle.

Such opportunities are rare, realized the sold-out Heinz Hall turnout Tuesday, especially with the case of Ringo Starr who hadn't played Pittsburgh in 18 years.

The crowd loudly cheered as Starr trotted to a microphone at front and center stage, launching his brisk and enjoyable 25-song performance with "Matchbox," a Carl Perkins' rockabilly song covered by the Beatles.

Starr reminded everyone this was a night for peace, love and fun -- "We didn't show up here to be tortured" he wryly noted to a mixed-age but skewing older crowd before plunging into his first solo hit, "It Don't Come Easy," followed by his and the All-Starrs' new number, the mildly reggae-ish "Island in The Sun."

Starr looking relaxed and fit in a snazzy red jacket, a warm smile frequently emerging between his trademark sunglasses and beard. He flashed peace signs and pointed playfully at fans who caught his eye while sailing through his two-hour set that featured almost all his solo hits (no "No No Song") and nearly all his signature Beatles tunes (no "Octopus's Garden").

Starr generously granted equal time for his well-seasoned All-Starr Band mates to sing and play their regular bands' biggest hits, hence a show that bounced along from "Evil Ways" by Santana (All-Starr keyboardist Gregg Rolie) to "Rosanna" by Toto (guitarist Steve Lukather) to "Kyrie" by Mr. Mister (bassist Richard Page) to a rousing "Bang The Drum All Day" (guitarist Todd Rundgren, who made up for omitting that song from his solo show last year at the Rex Theatre).

Starr's nasally but endearing singing voice hasn't changed much over the decades, and when he wasn't on the mic, he parked himself behind his elevated center-stage drum kit, decorated with a sparkly silver star, and supplied a steady beat lockstep with fellow drummer Gregg Bissonette, formerly of David Lee Roth's band.

Bissonette looked to be having more fun than anybody, with his animated facial expressions and boundless enthusiasm also evident pre-show in the Heinz Hall lobby as he posed for photos with Beaver County rockers the Granati Brothers (he appears on their upcoming album).

Starr's drum tapping brought a subtle jazz undertone to Toto's "Africa" and his singing supplied the proper country-rock flair to "Don't Pass Me By," the first song he had written that the Beatles had recorded.

"Yellow Submarine" was a mid-show treat sparking a richly deserved sing-along.

Rolie resumed lead vocals on Santana's "Black Magic Woman," as Starr took a quick breather offstage. Lukather reached deep for those gut-grabbing guitar moments on Toto's "Hold The Line."

Rundgren somewhat creakily sang "Love Is The Answer" by his band Utopia, and Page belted out the ballad "Broken Wings," the night's second Mr. Mister selection, which was at least one too many.

I recall more firepower from the 2001 All-Starr lineup -- Greg Lake, Sheila E, Ian Hunter, Howard Jones and Supertramp's Rodger Hodgson -- when they played Mountaineer Casino in Chester, W.Va. I'm also certain the crowd that night was more lively.

As often the case at Heinz Hall or Benedum Center rock concerts, spectators weren't sure if they should sit or stand, with most of them choosing to sit. But not the annoying couple in front of me, eager to prove their superior fandom by defiantly standing then growing increasingly angry when everyone else ignored their pleas to stand with them.

Let it be.

The concert itself didn't match the nonstop raucous energy or epic aura of Paul McCartney's two stints at Consol Energy Center, though Starr still delivered an entertaining and eminently likable performance Tuesday.

Starr ended with a big bang that included "Photograph," the Beatles' well-known cover of Buck Owens' "Act Naturally" and Starr's standout Fab Four selection "With a Little Help From My Friends" followed by a bit of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance." On their feet as one at that point, concertgoers chimed in vocally on those last two songs, knowing they might never get another chance to sing along with a Beatle.



Ringo Starr comes to Pittsburgh
(www.timesonline.com)


(www.timesonline.com)

Video: Beatles release restored A Day In the Life video

A still from the new 'Day in the Life' music video


www.ew.com
Watch the never-before-seen Beatles video for
'A Day in the Life'
BY WILL ROBINSON
Posted October 27 2015



It’s the Beatles like you’ve never seen them before: in restored, vibrant color. The famed rockers from Liverpool now have a music video for one of its landmark songs, “A Day in the Life.” The video, which premiered on Mashable, was filmed during the recording process of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band closer in January and February 1967.

“These videos and films are spectacular reminders of the era we lived in,” former Beatle Paul McCartney said in a statement, via Mashable. “They also rock!”

The video pieces together footage of the giant orchestra employed for the song, the members recording and drinking tea, and assorted oddness and psychedelia that defined this particular period of their discography. Oh, there are also Mick Jagger and Keith Richards cameos.

The 2000 greatest hits compilation, 1 is being repackaged and sold in a deluxe edition, which includes the 27-track CD and two Blu-rays. The Blu-rays will feature 50 total videos — some completely unearthed, some alternate takes — all in 4K resolution. The set will also feature a 124-page book and filmed intros from Macca and ex-bandmate Ringo Starr.

See the new video below.

Ringo Starr Shares Stories Behind Pics from His Photograph Book

www.genesis-publications.com
An All-Starr Interview with Steven Van Zandt
News - 27 Oct 2015

Steven Van Zandt interviewed Ringo Starr at New York’s Strand Bookstore last night, 26th October. Genesis author Bob Gruen was also in attendance at this intimate event of 200 guests.

‘Hanging out with little Steven and Bob at the promotion for my book of photographs.’ – Ringo, Twitter

‘Thank you Ringo for making the [meet and greet] better than I hoped, I have not stopped smiling.’ – Anita Whelan, Twitter

Ringo Starr’s pictorial autobiography, PHOTOGRAPH, is now available in major bookstores, or order online today by clicking here .








www.classichitsandoldies.com
Ringo Starr Shares Stories Behind Pics from His Photograph Book at New York City Q&A Event
Classic Hits News
WFJA 105.5
October 27, 2015




Ringo Starr spent part of his day off from his current U.S. tour with the All Starr Band on Monday participating in a special Q&A presentation promoting his recent coffee-table book, Photograph.  E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt was on hand to host the intimate event at the Strand Book Store in New York City, which featured the legendary Beatles drummer sharing recollections about select pics that appear in the book.

Most of the rarely seen photos in the book were snapped by Starr himself, and many of the images captured his Beatles band mates in candid moments.  One shot that Ringo took in Paris in 1964 features Paul McCartney wearing a beret.



During the Q&A, Ringo recalled that McCartney liked to assimilate into whatever country the Fab Four would visit.

“Paul had this habit of wherever we were, he’d become, like, French [if] we’re in France,” Starr explained.  “And if we went to Denmark, he’d become Danish, you know?”

Another photo displayed during the event was a pic of his son Zak, and John Lennon’s son Julian as toddlers on a boat together on the Thames River.  Starr noted, “John and I would play dads and we’d take [our kids] out and…we’d do that dad thing.”



Photograph also includes quite a few images taken after The Beatles broke up.  One of the pics shown featured Starr with his good, and now late, pals Harry Nilsson and Who drummer Keith Moon, with whom he did some notoriously heavy partying during the 1970s.

“We were three great friends, and we spent a lot of evenings together,” Ringo pointed out.  “And we’re at a fancy dress party, I think, [in this photo].  Otherwise, God knows what’s happening.”

Photograph originally was published in June 2013 as a deluxe, limited-edition book, with each copy signed by Starr.  The wide-release version, dubbed the “Open Edition,” was released last month.  Accompanying the many snapshots taken by and of Starr are more than 15,000 words of biographical text penned by Ringo.

Proceeds raised by sales of Photograph benefit the Lotus Foundation, a charity founded by Starr and his wife, Barbara.  As Ringo explained at the book event, the foundation supports everything from “MusiCares to homeless people to battered wives to children with diseases [to] people with addictive personalities.”

Meanwhile, Starr also reiterated comments he made at a recent gallery event in London — that he hopes another similar book can be put together with photos that McCartney, Lennon and George Harrison took over the years that also could raise money for charity.

Starr noted, “I’ve spoken to [Harrison’s widow] Olivia and…to Paul also [suggesting that we should] find his photos of the day, and Yoko [Ono] can find John’s photos, and Olivia has started the search for George’s photos, and we can put another book out.  It’s all for a good cause.”

Ringo’s next show with the All Starr Band is scheduled for tonight in Pittsburgh.  The tour winds down this Saturday in Brooklyn, New York.  Check out all of the group’s dates at  RingoStarr.com.

Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.






www.examiner.com
Ringo Starr and Little Steven at Strand's Bookstore
Steve Marinucci
Beatles Examiner
October 27, 2015

Ringo Starr talks about his book "Photograph" with Little Steven Van Zandt on Oct. 26, 2015. (Copyright Fred Velez - used by permission. )







Ringo Starr talks about his book "Photograph" with Little Steven Van Zandt on Oct. 26, 2015. (Copyright Kris Tash - used by permission. )















Ringo Starr talks about his book "Photograph" with Little Steven Van Zandt on Oct. 26, 2015. (Copyright Marie Lacey - used by permission. )











Ringo Starr talks about his book "Photograph" with Little Steven Van Zandt on Oct. 26, 2015. (Copyright Kris Tash - used by permission. )



Ringo Starr talks about his book "Photograph" with Little Steven Van Zandt on Oct. 26, 2015. (Copyright Marie Lacey - used by permission. )



Ringo Starr talks about his book "Photograph" with Little Steven Van Zandt on Oct. 26, 2015. (Copyright Patti Murawski - used by permission. )

Restoration special, part 2/5

wogew.blogspot.pe
Restoration special, part 2/5
Posted by Roger Stormo
Saturday, October 24, 2015




Episode 2 of the restoration special confirms that Apple Corps Ltd have indeed found a film copy of "Penny Lane" with faded colours to restore for the new Beatles 1 collection. The films used to restore "Penny Lane" and "Something" are said to have come from an American collector, who had better copies than Apple had in their archives. Of course, when film archivist and restorer Ron Furmanek was taking stock of Apple's archives of promo films in the early nineties, he discovered there were lots of outtakes from the "Penny Lane" film, but the film itself wasn't there anymore. The version we have seen on TV in the nineties onwards have all been taken from a video tape they had of the film. This was the 2 inch tape from 1967, as originally televised on The Hollywood Palace TV show. Earlier, they often used to show a black and white copy on TV, at least here in Europe.

It could be that the American collector is Furmanek himself, who had in his collection an original 1967 35mm composite print with faded colours.

In comparing the video tape version (as seen in The Beatles Anthology, for instance), it looks like they haven't been able to fully restore the colours in the faded film they are now using. But I guess we just have to wait until it is released to be certain.
Had they asked me, I would have referred them to the Swedish Television company, where Peter Goldman, director of "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" was working in the seventies. They have given us glimpses of a pristine copy of "Strawberry Fields Forever" on TV there occasionally, so chances are they also have a great "Penny Lane" in their archives. Could be that Goldman also had good copies of these films in his own collection. Born in Germany, Peter Goldman died in 2005, at 69.

As for the remastered sound on the music videos, it seems that Giles Martin have chosen the same approach as Furmanek did in the nineties, to use the mono mix as a template to create a new stereo image. The surround sound is said to just add "room" to the stereo mix.

Pictures: Beatles collect MBEs from the Queen 50 years ago

The Beatles with their MBE awards

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
It was 50 years ago today - The Beatles collect their MBEs from the Queen
BY JAMIE MCLOUGHLIN
26 OCT 2015

And Her Majesty's guardsman couldn't help but giggle when announcing Ringo...


LIVERPOOL ECHO Echos Past October 26 1965. Front page image as Beatles receive their MBEs at Buckingham Palace.

FIFTY years ago it was rare for pop stars to make it on to the Honours List but that all changed on October 26, 1965 - the day The Beatles collected their MBEs from Buckingham Palace.

With four thousand screaming teenagers gathering at the gates of the Queen’s official London residence before the 11am investiture, it must have looked more like the queue for one of their concerts than the scene of a usually sombre ceremony - but patient fans got their reward when the band turned up together in John Lennon’s Rolls Royce.

The ceremony took place at 11am story was front page news in the Liverpool Echo that evening as you can see in our gallery of pictures from the day.


LIVERPOOL ECHO October 26 1965. Front page image as Beatles receive their MBEs at Buckingham Palace

Despite several years of stage experience, the band were nervous before meeting the Queen - which led to one particular urban legend springing up about their day at the Palace.

John Lennon claimed later that the band smoked marijuana in the toilets beforehand to calm their pre-gong jitters (these were pre-smoke detector days after all) although George Harrison said later: “We never smoked marijuana... What happened was we were waiting to go through, standing in an enormous line with hundreds of people and we were so nervous that we went to the toilet. And in there we smoked a cigarette - we were all smokers in those days.”

However, the band all remembered the investiture fondly in the end - even though the guardsman reading out Ringo Starr’s name before the drummer stepped forward to receive his medal struggled to keep a straight face.


Beatles receive MBE's, Tuesday 26th October 1965.
The Beatles receive their MBE medals from Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace, London.A press conference was later held at the Saville Theatre with Brian Epstein and Dezo Hoffmann attending. 

Ringo remembered: “The Queen was great... it was obvious she was doing her best to make everyone feel relaxed and not nervous.”

Paul said: “For four Liverpool lads it was, ‘Wow, hey man!’ It was quite funny. But she was sweet. I think she seemed mumsy to us because we were young boys and she was a bit older.”

The ceremony took place in between the release of the singles Help!, which hit the top in August 1965 and their Christmas number one, the double A-side of Day Tripper and We Can Work It Out. None of the lads' relatives were at the ceremony although their manager Brian Epstein was in attendance.


The Beatles with their MBE awards at Saville theatre

The ceremony was big news nationally but four years later, in November 1969, Lennon returned his MBE to the Palace via his chauffeur, Les Anthony. It was accompanied by a handwritten letter with copies also going to Prime Minister Harold Wilson and the secretary of the Central Chancery. The message, on notepaper headed Bag Productions, the company Lennon had set up with Yoko One, gave three reasons for why Lennon was returning the honour:

“Your Majesty,

“I am returning my MBE as a protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing [the Nigerian civil war], against our support of America in Vietnam and against ‘Cold Turkey’ [his latest single] slipping down the charts.

“With love, John Lennon of Bag.”


The Beatles with their MBEs 

His fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney, didn’t feel quite the same about his honour and in March 1997, more than 31 years after he first queued to receive an honour from Her Majesty, he became Sir Paul McCartney. It was an honour John and George never received in their lifetime (perhaps unsurprisingly where Lennon is concerned after returning his original title) but we may still hear the words: ‘Arise, Sir Ringo’ someday. And hopefully the guardsman can keep a straight face second time around.


Beatles holding their MBE's Membership of the British Empire medals October 1965 


Beatles pop group holding holding the MBE'sthey were awarded in October 1965


Beatles receive MBE's, Tuesday 26th October 1965.
The Beatles received their MBE medals from Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace, London. A press conference was later held at the Saville Theatre with Brian Epstein and Dezo Hoffmann attending. 


Beatles receive MBE's, Tuesday 26th October 1965.
The Beatles received their MBE medals from Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace, London.A press conference was later held at the Saville Theatre with Brian Epstein and Dezo Hoffmann attending. 


The Beatles give a press conference about getting their MBE awards