Fans remember Beatles' Indy concert 50 years later

www.wthr.com
Fans remember Beatles' Indy concert 50 years later
By Kevin Rader, WTHR political reporter
Posted: Sep 03, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS - It was loud. It was crowded and it was The Beatles.

Fifty years ago tonight, John, Paul, George and Ringo played the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, with over 29,000 Hoosiers there to see them.



It was originally supposed to be one show in the Coliseum, but it quickly sold out, so a second was added in the grandstand.

"I can still see them. I can still feel that feeling and it feels wonderful," Tish Lenet remembered.

She was only 11. She was accompanied to the concert by her 15-year-old big sister. It was a different time. Their dad dropped them off and off they went to watch The Beatles.



"It was like a really fast stream. It was only 30 minutes," Lenet told me while we sat in the living room of her south Indianapolis home. "It was so fast they were there and then they were gone. I still can't believe they came here. Of all the places they could go, they came right here to my city."

The concert rider from that night 50 years ago shows The Beatles requested clean towels, chairs, a case of Coca-Cola, a portable tv set, and a clean dressing room and lavatory - quite a contrast from what musicians might demand today.



Alan January has quite a collection from that night at the Indiana State Archives. He says people are still contacting him asking if they can get a copy of a certain picture of The Beatles shows.

"It's amazing how many people come up and say they were there. It obviously made a great impression on them and they still remember 50 years later. Mostly the screaming," January said.

"All those girls kept screaming. Screaming and standing. You couldn't see anything. You couldn't hear anything. I wanted to say 'Please shut up. Let me hear the music. Let me hear them.' They wouldn't shut up," Lenet exclaimed.



Tickets were priced at $3, $4 and $5. But the concert itself only lasted 30 minutes. The handwritten set list at the Indiana State Archives showed 12 songs, including: "Twist and Shout," "You Can't Do That," "The Things We Said Today," "Rollover Beethoven," "Can't Buy Me Love," "All My Loving," "She Loves You," "Boys," "Long Tall Sally," "A Hard Days Night," "If I Fell" and "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."



"We must have had the $3 seats where we were sitting, but it didn't matter. I still get the tingles. I was there. I saw them. And we have seen Elvis. We've seen a lot of people, but nothing like The Beatles. Nothing ever could be or ever will be like The Beatles," Lenet said.

Fifty years ago today. It still seems hard to believe. In case you were wondering, the gross receipts for the two shows totaled $125,000. The Beatles take of that was $85,000.



13 WTHR Indianapolis

Humanitarian: Ringo Starr

www.gq-magazine.co.uk
Men Of The Year Home / MOTY 2014
Humanitarian: Ringo Starr
By Matt Jones 
02 September 14

As well as winning the David Lynch Foundation's Peace and Love award, Starr's worked with designer John Varvatos as the face of his autumn/winter 2014 campaign, and all his profits will feed back into the film director's philanthropic organisation.

The foundation helps abused children and veterans with post-traumatic stress work through their problems with transcendental meditation, and it's a cause Ringo's supported after his own experiences with and enthusiasm for the practice after the Beatles studied with the Maharishi in 1968.

On his award, Ringo says, "I truly believe in the David Lynch foundation. They started to bring meditation into inner-city schools and now it's a fact that in those schools and neighbourhoods violence has gone down. Meditation brings people back to being human again."


PA Photos

Ringo Starr after winning the Humanitarian award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards

50 Years Ago, The Beatles Invaded Milwaukee

wuwm.com
50 Years Ago, The Beatles Invaded Milwaukee
By MITCH TEICH & AUDREY NOWAKOWSKI
MON SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Fifty years ago this Thursday, the Beatles took the stage for the first and only time in Milwaukee.

On their first U.S. tour in 1964 the Fab Four played a show at the Milwaukee Arena, now known as the UWM Panthers Arena.

It was a huge moment in the city’s cultural history, and an even bigger moment for the people who were there – such as Bob Barry.  At the time, he was a disc jockey at WOKY radio, and was the man who introduced the Beatles on stage.

His memories – and those of a few of the fans in attendance – are part of a documentary airing on Milwaukee Public Television titled, The Beatles Invade Milwaukee.




Bob Barry and documentary producer, director, and writer Raul Galvan spoke with Lake Effect's Mitch Teich about what happened all those years ago and making the documentary.

Barry recalls when he met with The Beatles after the show to give them a van full of gifts people sent him to give to the band. "I asked Paul, 'What do you want to do with all this stuff?' and he said, 'We'd like to keep the mail, we'll take that with us. But all the rest of it give to Children's Hospital or an orphanage.' And Ringo said, 'I'll take the champagne,'" Barry says.

The Beatles Invade Milwaukee airs Monday, Thursday, and Saturday on MPTV.


The Beatles live in Milwaukee.

Listen

Bob Barry, emceed The Beatles Milwaukee concert; and Raul Galvan, documentary producer, director and writer, speaks with Lake Effect's Mitch Teich.

Announcing The Apple Years Box Set‏

www.rollingstone.com
George Harrison's First Six Studio Albums to Get Lavish Reissues
An eight-disc box set, 'The Apple Years 1968-75' will come out in the fall
BY KORY GROW
September 2, 2014

George Harrison's first six studio albums, released between 1968 and 1975 on the Beatles' Apple label, will be available as newly remastered individual releases and as part of a box set this fall. The eight-disc box, The Apple Years 1968-75, complements Harrison's 2004 release, The Dark Horse Years 1976-92, and will contain a DVD with videos and a never-before-seen, seven-minute film directed by Harrison's wife Olivia. It will also contain a book with an introduction by Harrison's son, Dhani (who oversaw the releases), previously unpublished photos and new essays by radio producer and author Kevin Howlett. All of the releases will be available on September 23rd.


George Harrison in Mumbai, India, with musicians during the recording of Wonderwall Music in 1968. The musician's first six albums will be released as a box set this fall.

"I am so happy that what we started a decade ago by releasing The Dark Horse Years is now complete with the release of his first six albums as The Apple Years," Dhani Harrison said in a statement. "Some of these records have long been out of print, so I cannot wait for music lovers to get their hands on these newly remastered versions. It's a very proud moment for us, and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us in any way to achieve this."


The Apple Years 1968-75 Box Set

The albums, which were all remastered from the original analog master tapes, include 1968's Wonderwall Music, 1969's Electronic Sound, 1970's All Things Must Pass, 1973's Living in the Material World, 1974's Dark Horse and 1975's Extra Texture (Read All About It). Some of the albums contain previously unreleased tracks, detailed below. All Things Must Pass contains five bonus tracks that were previously released in 2001.

Wonderwall Music, which was the first solo album by a Beatle, found Harrison writing both rock and Indian-style music for the soundtrack to the 1968 Joe Massot movie Wonderwall. The reissue contains three bonus tracks: "In The First Place" by the Liverpudlian group Remo Four, a previously unreleased take of the Beatles' B-side "The Inner Light" and the previously unreleased raga "Almost Shankara."


Living in the Material World features a remix of the single "Bangla Desh" – previously available only on 1976's The Best of George Harrison – and two B-sides that appeared on the record's 2006 reissue, "Deep Blue" and "Miss O'Dell." Dark Horse contains the B-side "I Don't Care Anymore" and a never-before-released acoustic version of "Dark Horse." And Extra Texture includes "This Guitar (Can't Keep From Crying)," which Harrison re-recorded as a demo for Eurythmics member and producer Dave Stewart in 1992; the recording now features Stewart and Dhani Harrison playing additional guitar, vocalist Kara DioGuardi and drum overdubs by Ringo Starr.

The box set's DVD contains a new, seven-minute film titled George Harrison – The Apple Years Feature alongside the All Things Must Pass feature from that record's 2001 reissue, a press kit for The Concert for Bangladesh, a video of "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" from 1991's Live in Japan and alternate versions of Living in the Material World's "Miss O'Dell" and "Sue Me Sue You Blues," as well as a feature about that album. Finally, it includes the video George directed for "Ding Dong, Ding Dong" and a promo clip for Dark Horse.



www.GeorgeHarrison.com

ANNOUNCING THE APPLE YEARS BOX SET Each of George's first six solo albums remastered from the original analogue masters in upgraded packaging for CD and digital release, available individually and as a box set. The box set also contains a DVD with over 40 minutes of video including a new Apple Years feature and a bound book with essay and rare and unseen photos Available on CD and digital. Pre-order now from www.GeorgeHarrison.com The box includes all 6 of George's albums from 1968 - 1975: Wonderwall Music ● Electronic Sound ● All Things Must Pass Living In The Material World ● Dark Horse ● Extra Texture (Read All About It)

Scottish independence: Sir Paul McCartney urges Scots No vote

www.bbc.com
Scottish independence: Sir Paul McCartney urges Scots No vote
30 August 2014

Sir Paul McCartney has become the latest celebrity to call for Scotland to stay part of the UK ahead of the independence referendum.

The music legend made the declaration as the Let's Stay Together campaign sought support in Liverpool.

The campaign said about 50,000 people, including celebrities like Sir Paul and Sir Mick Jagger, have put their names to an open letter to voters.

A spokesman for Yes Scotland said the case for "Yes" was a democratic one.

Sir Paul added his name to an open letter to voters which says: "The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone.

"Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of us in the rest of the United Kingdom.

"We want to let you know how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to express our hope that you will vote to renew them.

"What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."

'Renew bonds'

Sir Bruce Forsyth, Dame Judi Dench, Simon Cowell, Sir Bobby Charlton and Prof Stephen Hawking are also among the signatories.

TV historian Dan Snow, one of the campaign co-ordinators for Let's Stay Together, said: "Sir Paul is one of Britain and the world's most respected musicians. We are humbled that he has signed the letter.

"Sir Paul's signature, alongside Sir Mick Jagger's and those of tens of thousands of people from all over the country, shows that English, Welsh and Northern Irish people hope passionately that the Scottish vote to renew their bonds of citizenship with us.

"The decision is for the Scottish voters alone. Let's Stay Together simply want them to know that we hope that they will stay part of our shared country."

A spokesperson for Yes Scotland said: "It's fantastic that Sir Paul loves Scotland, and we're sure he will continue to do so after Scots say 'yeah, yeah, yeah'.

"The case for Yes is a democratic one - as far as Scotland is concerned the Westminster system belongs to yesterday, and independence will be good for the Mull of Kintyre and all of Scotland. Yes is definitely the best ticket to ride."

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour MP Anne McGuire, speaking of behalf of the pro-Union Better Together group, said: "It is hardly surprising that Sir Paul wants us to Come Together.

"Maybe rather than trying to take us all on a Magical Mystery Tour Alex Salmond should just Let it Be."


Sir Paul has added his name to an open letter to voters



www.itv.com
Sir Paul McCartney joins 'Let's Stay Together' campaign
Last updated Sat 30 Aug 2014

Sir Paul McCartney has been unveiled as the latest celebrity to sign up to the Let's Stay Together campaign.

The campaign, led by Dan Snow, aims to urge Scotland to stay in the UK.

Sir Paul McCartney said:

"The decision on whether to leave our shared country is, of course, absolutely yours alone. Nevertheless, that decision will have a huge effect on all of us in the rest of the United Kingdom. We want to let you know how very much we value our bonds of citizenship with you, and to express our hope that you will vote to renew them. What unites us is much greater than what divides us. Let's stay together."

– SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY


Sir Paul McCartney Credit: PA

Abbey Road – Cover Inspiration?

beatlesblogger.com
Abbey Road – Cover Inspiration?
by beatlesblogger
Posted on August 31, 2014

Last month saw the 45th anniversary of the day the famous Abbey Road cover photo was taken. An interesting image has been sent to us by Beatles Blog reader Andrey (the dedicated Beatles collector and expert in Russia):



Andrey says it was taken at the turn of the 20th century – in the Russian city of Yeysk on Chernomorskaya Road (Black Sea Road)! Could Paul McCartney (who had the initial idea for the Abbey Road album cover) or photographer Iain Macmillan possibly have seen this archival photo and used it as their inspiration? Probably not – but it’s fun to dream…..

By the way, Andrey helps to keep this fantastic site up-to-date. It is an absolutely comprehensive guide to all the Beatles‘ Russian vinyl releases.



Russian collectors have also just launched a new special site which gathers together all the early Soviet press about the Beatles: http://beatlespress.com.ua



As usual it’s a thoroughly researched site. So far only the years 1964-1971 are ready but Andrey recommends a look at this chapter on all the printed music which has been released in his country. It details everything he has found so far. The very first edition is from the Soviet Estonia. Andrey’s research on the song “Yesterday” is here (complete with videos).

True tale of John Lennon's mum revealed in new book

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
The true tale of John Lennon’s mum revealed in Walton author's book
By Alistair Houghton
Aug 29, 2014

Kevin Roach says many don’t know the true story of Julia Lennon, and he hopes his new interactive book will set the record straight


Liverpool author Kevin Roach with John Lennon's half-sister Julia Baird

Most Beatles fans know stories about John Lennon’s mother Julia, whose early death in 1958 scarred him for life and inspired his music.

On his 1970 song Mother, he sang “You had me but I never had you”.

But Kevin Roach says many don’t know the true story – and he hopes his new interactive book, Julia, will set the record straight.

Walton-born Kevin, who has already written about George Harrison and Paul McCartney, wanted to tell the hidden story of John’s roots rather than repeating stories of John’s fame.

He says that the idea of Julia as an irresponsible “good-time girl” who couldn’t look after her son came from Aunt Mimi, who raised John in her house in Menlove Avenue.

But over time a more nuanced portrait of Julia has emerged, helped by John’s half-sister Julia Baird publishing her story in Imagine This in 2007.

So Kevin decided to produce a book dedicated to Julia Lennon, delving into Liverpool’s archives to learn her family history and speaking to Julia Baird and others who knew John and his mother.

And rather than confining the story to print, Kevin has brought it into the digital age by commissioning videos and even original songs to go with the book. Readers can find them by using their smartphone to scan QR codes dotted through the text.

The book has been edited and published by Kevin’s wife, Julie.

She says: “People were saying to Kevin, ‘When are you going to do a John Lennon book?’

“He said ‘I’m not doing that’. Then I said ‘let’s not do that, let’s do a Julia Lennon book’.

“A book is no good unless you have new information. All these stories get repeated with one or two words different. It needed something different.”

In Julia, Kevin goes into detail on the rows between Julia, her father George and her sister Mimi, as well as her relationships with men.

Julia Stanley’s family never approved of her relationship with Alf Lennon, and they eventually married in secret.

But merchant seaman Alf deserted her after baby John was born. As World War II continued, she had a brief affair that left her pregnant – but she was forced by her father to give up that baby for adoption.

She later met another man, John “Bobby” Dykins, but her sister Mimi disapproved. Eventually, after Mimi reported Julia to social services, Mimi won custody of John.

Julia had two children with Bobby and later became close to John again, sharing her passion for music.

But in 1958, she died after being hit by a car in Menlove Avenue.

Later in life John remarked that he had lost his mother twice – once at five, when he was sent to live with his aunt, and once at 17 when she died.

Julie says: “Julia’s been seen as a bit of a good-time girl really.”

Kevin adds: “All these stories came from Mimi. She had carte blanche to say what she wanted to say.”

Kevin has also discovered that Julia’s third child, Julia, was registered twice when she was born in 1947 – both as Julia Dykins and as Julia Lennon. As the book says, “how this can be the case is baffling”. The same happened with Julia’s fourth child, registered as both Jacqueline Dykins and Jacqueline Lennon.

Julia, now Julia Baird, helped Kevin by proof-reading the book and digging into the Stanley family archives. It was also read pre-publication by Rod Davis, John Lennon’s friend and member of The Quarrymen.

The book was launched last week at St Peter’s Church Hall in Woolton – where famously, in 1957, John and his fellow Quarrymen met Paul McCartney for the first time.

Kevin’s previous books have seen him become a regular at Beatles events, and his travelling inspired the interactive elements of his latest work.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in the States promoting my books,” he says. “I was travelling around New York and kept seeing these QR codes.”

So Kevin decided to add the codes to his book. When readers scan them in, they are taken to new content online, including picture galleries and videos of two new songs by Liverpool band Phoenix of Avalon.

Kevin says one of the songs, Paradise Way, “sums up Julia’s relationship with her children, her father and the men in her life.” And the song sparked memories for Julia Baird.

Julie says: “She told us her mother often used to speak about Paradise Street. We didn’t know that story – it was pure coincidence.”

JULIA (Beatles Liverpool and More Publishing), £14.99, is on sale at Amazon and Waterstones or through www.beatlesliverpoolandmore.com