My 2nd Beatles Christmas

So last year was my "Beatles Christmas" that included a lot of Beatles gifts. I thought that last year was crazy, well this year was even crazier. It's official. I've established myself as a Beatles fanatic amongst those who know me. So, where to begin? I'll start with my sister. She's been to London recently and, for obvious reasons, there are a lot of Beatles things there. She got me a wall clock, Abbey Road tea, and a Beatles magazine in french. I'm in French 3 at my highschool and I've really enjoyed reading it! Thanks Emily! From my parents I got an Abbey Road journal and the DVD of Paul's concert "Good Evening New York City." Wait, I have more! My cousin bought me some Beatles pins with some select albums. My aunt got me a t-shirt that says Love Me Do on it and they gave me a combined gift that was a MASSIVE Abbey Road poster. Whew! We made it. Plus I got a camera. I'll be uploading MY pictures finally and I'll take some of my gifts. I hope I didn't forget anything! It's certainly possible as I got so much. As a side note, my family will be out of the country for about two weeks so don't be expecting posts. I think the Colosseum will be grabbing my attention don't you?!

A SECOND John Lennon magazine!

I always think its cool to read their words (that's why I like Beatles Anthology so much) and this is his last interview. Like it says on the cover, Rolling Stone interviewed him days before he died. I haven't finished reading it but I like what I've read! Get it if you can!

Things that should definitely be on your list to get soon!

This came out in November and is a reissue of a magazine that was released earlier. Remembering the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death, LIFE re-released this. The Beatles are definitely included in it, but its main focus is John Lennon. For all you Lennon-lovers out there, this is a must buy!

While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Across the Universe Version)

I've decided that if my song of the day was redone in "Across the Universe" that I'd post that version as well. This is that video for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Sung by Martin Luther McCoy (Jojo) and Jim Sturgess (Jude), it's a VERY slow version of the song that has a ripping guitar solo. This is my favorite song that they did. Love it!

Song of the Day- While My Guitar Gently Weeps 1968 (The White Album)

One of my top favorite Beatle songs, this one was written by my favorite Beatle, George. If I ever learn guitar, I'm definitely going to make sure that I learn this song. It's just such a melancholy song that still has fierce guitar solos in it. One of the best guitar songs of the '60's. I'll post the "Across the Universe" version by Martin Luther McCoy.

His final home

This is one of John's most famous pictures after the Beatles, or arguably, ever. It's so sad to know that John never knew that New York would be the last home that he ever knew.

Imagine

The famous white piano. It's beautiful. This is, hands-down, John's best post-Beatles song in my opinion. A simple song that expresses so much. Unfortunately, it's been contaminated with Lady Gaga. Now, don't get me wrong, I like Lady Gaga and I have some of her songs, but come on! Lady Gaga vs. John Lennon...

Sgt. Pepper

Yes! The glasses have finally arrived! I'm afraid that as part of the Harry Potter generation, I recognize them as Harry's glasses, not John's.

1966

John was into LSD by this time and his music changed drastically with this new life style. The albums Rubber Soul and Revolver are the perfect examples for his experimentation in music and drugs. My favorite songs on those albums are "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" from Rubber Soul and "Tomorrow Never Knows" from Revolver. Both I believe were written by John

John early into the Beatles' career (about 1963)

This image would remain their image until about 1965, early 1966. By the time Revolver came around, their hair was quite a bit longer and their suits were no longer matching and were covered in odd prints. For now though, the world of the early sixties wanted order and organization. The Beatles in their mop top stage conformed a bit there. Although, their whole feel was for rebellion and social upheaval. John was the center of these feelings.

John while a part of the Beatles in their Hamburg years.

It's amazing how much the Beatle's image changed in about two years. They went from greased hair like Elvis and leather jackets to neat suits and the mop top. He was probably the one Beatle who didn't like the image that they later produced. Obviously, he was going to do whatever it took for them to be on the pop music scene's radar, but I think that he thought later that he wrote impersonal songs that were very surface level. Eventually, they would break the mop top image along with their happy, fake songs (which I definitely like by the way) and move into more meaningful songs. But they would never again attempt to go back to this very 50's style stage.

John as a young kid

John as a young kid. I always like thinking that his teachers and people around him had absolutely NO idea how unbelievably famous and huge he would eventually be. Although mainly recognizable because of the Beatles, he was a music genius anyway and never ceased to be that. (I have to say though, that his songs in the Beatles era from 1962-1970 are my favorites far above anything else he did)

30th Anniversary of John Lennon's Death

Today is the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death. On December 8, 1980, John was leaving a recording session, one of his first in several years, when Mark David Chapman said, "Mr. Lennon!" and shot him five times. An unfair ending to one of music's greatest. I actually recently watched CNN's special called "Losing Lennon." I hadn't really paid attention to his death because I didn't like to think about it, but it was a very interesting story. Heartbreaking and completely depressing but, still interesting. It's coincidental that I just finished reading The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger in my English class because Mark David Chapman was reading it right before John came out. He actually mimicked Holden Caulfield (main character in the book) with his actions. Bizarre. Really bizarre. I would recommend it, but it's a truly sad story, definitely not an inspiring one. I'll post pictures as a tribute to John, like I did with George. Here's to the "witty Beatle."

This day in 1965

The songs "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work It Out" were released in the US on the album Rubber Soul. The EP The Beatles' Million Sellers was released in the UK featuring such famous songs like "She Loves You", "I Want to Hold Your Hand", "Can't Buy Me Love", and "I Feel Fine."

Song of the Day-Getting Better 1967 (Sgt. Pepper)

Better posts to come!

I'm sorry about the lack of good posts during the week. School takes up my time and I find it hard to come up with the energy to post the song of the day or this day in 1964. The weekends will probably come back with a boost and there will be discussion topics and more pictures from my Beatles Day on Saturday. Until then, I'll try a bit harder!

Song the Day-She Loves You

George's performance of his song "I Need You" in the movie Help!

What is your favorite song written by George? Doesn't necessarily have to be a Beatles song, but any song that he ever wrote. Mine, by far is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". That is just such and incredible piece of rock music. One of his greatest guitar moments.

This is Paul laying a flower on George's star on the Hollywood walk of fame. Around him is some man that I don't know, his widow Olivia and his son, Dhani.

This is what George looked like close to his death.

This is his picture on the Let It Be album, circa 1969.

I think this was taken in 1965, but that's a guess. Last December, I made a collage of Beatles pictures (printed out from the internet and taped to a poster board) and this was included.

This is early in the Beatles career. His hair is shorter and their suits are a bit different than say, 1964. George has a black eye here because of a fight that he got in the night before. When they first kicked out Pete Best and brought in Ringo as drummer, some of their fans were heckling Ringo. After a while George fed up told them to shut up and mouthed off to them. As a result he was punched straight in the face.

George while he was part of the Beatles in their Hamburg stage in 1960. Notice the rough image of greased hair (like Elvis) and leather jackets. Only two years later, the mop top would be formed and the suits and bowing on stage would become their new image.

On November 29, 2001, George Harrison died of lung cancer at the age of 58. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered on the River Yamuna in India. How appropriate! George had been struggling in his battle for cancer for a while and the fact that he was stabbed in the chest a year earlier didn't help all that much. His wife Olivia and his son Dhani have held several concerts in honor of him and recently they attended the ceremony that went along with getting a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. His guitar playing and music will forever be remembered and people generations to come will discover one of the 60's guitar gods. Although he did work after 1970, he will always claim the title as the Quiet Beatle. Next year, it will be ten years since he succumbed. I'll add more pictures of him soon.

Song of the Day- All You Need is Love

This song, I think, embodies the whole Beatles image. At the end of the Beatles Anthology (book), Ringo says "We were honest with each other and we were honest about the music. The music was positive. It was positive in love. They did write - we all wrote - about other things, but the basic Beatles message was Love" What a great way to end a book!

This Day in 1964

On November 28, 1964 John was interviewed by Chris Hutchins for a feature called The Teen Scene. He was also interviewed about his house. That's kind of weird I think. Who cares about someone's house?

Beatles Day in Hollywood!

Today, my dad and I visited the Hollywood Amoeba Music Store. For those who've never been to any Amoeba, you've got to go! A MASSIVE store filled with all types of music in the form of records, 45's, CDs, DVDs, movies, t-shirts, and posters, it's any music lover's dream come true. I'm going to call today a 'Beatles day' not only because I got a close look at the finest collection of everything Beatles and saw huge posters for the Beatles on itunes, but even in Amoeba they have so many Beatles posters, records, and CDs. I actually got a few things today, but I'll post those sometime later. More photos of today to come! I'll post soon. But seriously, go to an Amoeba whenever you have the chance. 

Song of the Day-When I Get Home 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

Across the Universe

I absolutely LOVE this movie. The soundtrack made entirely of Beatle songs from all across the 60's, it made a story around some of the most famous rock songs in the world. Obviously, from the trailer you could hear that they've redone all of the songs, but I think that they all sound great! (With the exception of how they did "I Want to Hold Your Hand") I would recommend it to any Beatles or artsy movie fan. The movie itself is absolutely gorgeous with all of the color and graphics. It's a bit like Moulin Rouge in that way. It's rated PG-13, but there are still some racy parts. It's not that bad though. Great movie, four stars!

Song of the Day-Come Together 1969 (Abbey Road)

Who's your favorite?

My favorite is George Harrison. I think that he is often under appreciated, even though one of my top favorite Beatle songs is "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". That's still one of the best guitar focused songs that I've heard. Plus, he's really funny in the movies A Hard Day's Night and Help!

This day in 1964

On November 23, 1964 the songs "I Feel Fine" and "She's a Woman" were released in the United States. The Beatle's Story was also released in the form of an LP in the US. John, Paul, George, and Ringo then recorded their session for Ready, Steady, Go! a very famous show at Wembley Studios.
(Information from Tim Hill's wonderful book, John, Paul, George, Ringo The Definitive Illustrated Chronicle of the Beatles, 1960-1970. Rare photographs, Ephemera, and Day-by-Day Timeline)

Song of the Day-Julia 1968 (The White Album)

This day in 1967

On November 22, 1967, George Harrison started on his songs in the studio for his movie, Wonderwall. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Magical Mystery Tour were released this same year.

Song of the Day-I'll Cry Instead 1964 (A Hard Day's Night)

A Hard Day's Night was the first album that I ever bought. I had just seen the movie A Hard Day's Night and proceeded to go to the nearest Best Buy with my sister and split the cost. Although the Beatles are now on itunes, I would reccommend buying the CDs. It's fun (I think) to set them up and have a bit of a display. Plus, if you aren't able to play your ipod in your car, it's good to have them for travel. Yesterday while in the car, my Dad and I listened to the entire White Album and my Mom and I listened to both CDs of the best of the Beatles from 1967-1970.

Song of the Day- Please Please Me 1962

I have about 180+ Beatle songs on my ipod and I wanted to do a song of the day. So I put my ipod on shuffle and put whatever song comes up first!

This day in 1963

The Beatles on November 20, 1963 played a show at the ABC Cinema in Manchester and were filmed by Pathe News. Interviews for special programs like The Scene at 6:30, Voice of the North, and Wacker Mach Shau also took place backstage.

What's a flaming pie?

Alright, I know that I've had a lot of posts today, but it's my first day with the blog so I'm a bit excited. Anyway, some of you might be confused as to what the title means. Well aside from the fact that Paul wrote a song called that after the Beatles, John was quoted as saying that he got the name Beatles in a vision. "So we will tell you. It came in a vision-a man appeared on a flaming pie and said to unto them, 'From this day you are the Beatles with an A.'-Thank you Mister Man,' they said, thanking him"

Almost Saw the Real Thing

I recently went to the Grammy Museum at LA Live and saw the John Lennon exhibit. There was a replica of his suit there. Not the real thing, but still.

George :)

My Favorite Beatles Photo

This is on my binder for school and I always look at it during class. I personally, enjoy the pictures in the early sixties because facial hair bothers me.

Abby's Road

Hey guys, I'm Abby.

This is my first EVER blog and I decided to make one about something that I absolutely love and can't stop talking about. Yep, you've guessed it, the Beatles, hence the picture. I'll add thoughts, pictures, an maybe videos about the fab four lads from Liverpool and I hope that it turns out great!