Showing posts with label The Beatles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Beatles. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 28

The Beatles


The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music's recognition as an art form. 

Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock 'n' roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band also explored music styles ranging from folk and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionised many aspects of the music industry and were often publicised as leaders of the era's youth and sociocultural movements.

Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles evolved from Lennon's previous group, the Quarrymen, and built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 1960, initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962. 

Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their domestic success after signing to EMI Records and achieving their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy dubbed "Beatlemania", the band acquired the nickname "the Fab Four", with Epstein, Martin or another member of the band's entourage sometimes informally referred to as a "fifth Beatle".

By early 1964, the Beatles were international stars and had achieved unprecedented levels of critical and commercial success. They became a leading force in Britain's cultural resurgence, ushering in the British Invasion of the United States pop market, and soon made their film debut with A Hard Day's Night (1964). A growing desire to refine their studio efforts, coupled with the untenable nature of their concert tours, led to the band's retirement from live performances in 1966. 

At this time, they produced records of greater sophistication, including the albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), and enjoyed further commercial success with The Beatles (also known as "the White Album", 1968) and Abbey Road (1969). 

The success of these records heralded the album era, as albums became the dominant form of record consumption over singles; they also increased public interest in psychedelic drugs and Eastern spirituality, and furthered advancements in electronic music, album art and music videos

In 1968, they founded Apple Corps, a multi-armed multimedia corporation that continues to oversee projects related to the band's legacy. After the group's break-up in 1970, all principal former members enjoyed success as solo artists and some partial reunions have occurred. Lennon was murdered in 1980 and Harrison died of lung cancer in 2001. McCartney and Starr remain musically active.  SOURCE:  Wikipedia

The UK is Famous for What?


ENGLAND is famous for many things - David Beckham, Fish and Chips, Big Ben, Red Buses, black cabs, Oasis, Blur, the Beatles, London and tea.

England is famous for its long history.

England is famous for its Royal Family.
(Find out more about our Royal Family )

England is famous for its Castles and Historic houses
Windsor Castle is the oldest royal residence still in use.

England is famous for its educational institutes. It has some of the most famous universities of the world like Oxford, Cambridge and London universities.

England is famous for some of the world’s greatest pop stars - the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Queen, Phil Collins, the Spice Girls and Oasis.
(Find out more about our music)

England is famous for William Shakespeare. Hamlet,
Othello, and Romeo and Juliet were written by him.

England is famous for its green hills and fertile lowlands.
(Find out more about the land)

England is famous for its rain and the lush green of its countryside
(Find out more about the Climate)

England is famous for its breakfasts.
(Find out more about the food)

England is famous for its creams and butters and for its delicious cheeses: Stilton, Cheshire, double Gloucester, red Leicester, and cheddar.
(Find out more about our cheeses)

England is famous for its strawberries

England is famous for its pubs. (English pubs are a part of everyday life here. They're pretty much a community gathering place. Many people go there to watch a football game, play pool or just have a beer.)
(Find out more about our Pubs)

England is famous for Wimbledon.
(Find out more about Wimbledon and other sports)

England is famous for an ancient circle called Stonehenge.
It is the most important prehistoric monument in England.
(Find out more about our landmarks)

England is famous for for Big Ben
(Find out more about our landmarks)

England is famous for the legend of Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and its notorious sheriff.

Tuesday, August 23

Things are Getter Better


 

My back surgery was 10 weeks ago tomorrow...  and while I still walk with a walking stick, my walking time to complete a mile has gone from 48 minutes down to 31 minutes...  and now I make no stops whereas when I first started I was stopping twice...   IMPROVEMENT...

But, it took me 10 weeks to get here and believe me those 10 weeks were very stressful on me as I am used to healing quickly...

But, things are getting better...  which is why I thought of the song Getting Better  by the Beatles...

We don't think of The Beatles much anymore but they were popular between 1960 and 2000...  now we have groups whose lyrics are no longer profound...  sadly, music is not getting better...

My life changed moderately after I had my heart attack and again a little more moderately after I was diagnosed with cancer and then another cancer on top of the first one...  but, over time my body adjusted and I was able to do most of those things that a man my age was supposed to be doing...  BUT, this back surgery threw me for a loop and after 10 weeks, I am beginning to feel like I wanted to feel after 2 weeks...

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it is not the light of death...  it is the light of recovery...  I will soon be 80% and maybe I will even get back to 90% but it is doubtful that a man who is 75 years old will ever get back to 100%...  too much has happened to my body for that to happen.

The reason why I will return to 80-90% is that I took care of my body all of my life...  eating healthy, exercising regularly, sleeping, no tobacco, no drugs, no alcohol...  my HIGHS came from being HIGH on life...  it is an interesting concept and not one that is often taught to our children...


Saturday, August 14

George Harrison on Life

It is perhaps the biggest question of them all: What is the purpose of life? 

It led Fyodor Dostoyevsky to proclaim that it is about “finding something to live for,” it prompted Kurt Vonnegut to say, “I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different,” and it called for Karl Pilkington to posit, “There isn’t a meaning of life, or if there is don’t worry about it, you’re here now, get on with it! It does my head in!” 

All of which are valid, but the more opinions you can get on this sort of thing, the better.

With that in mind, what exactly did the ‘Quiet One’ have to say about it all? George Harrison’s spiritual journey began, at least in earnest, in very peculiar circumstances. 

As it turned out, it started while filming the oddball movie Help! back in 1965. 

The band spent most of their time on set smoking copious marijuana and gorging on cheeseburgers; however, there was one profound moment foisted upon Harrison by the universe’s fateful happenstance division in amongst it.  READ MORE


Tuesday, May 4

1967 Rock

 From Far Out Magazine...

1967 is the year that the ‘Summer of Love’ fully blossomed into a psychedelic flower. The epicentre of the golden age of counter-cultural psychedelic rock began in San Francisco but found its influence spreading all over the world like wildfire.


The heart of the movement found its perfect symbolic representation on March 31st when Jimi Hendrix burnt his guitar on the stage for the first time. Setting yourself apart in 1967 was no easy feat, perhaps Hendrix knew this and decided to go through with an outrageous act, or perhaps he knew he was teetering on the precipice of greatness, and needed that extra nudge to free-fall with the gods and goddesses of rock.

In March, Jimi Hendrix was on a British tour with an eclectic mix of acts, including The Walker Brothers, Englebert Humperdinck, and Cat Stevens. The tour had made a stop at Finsbury Park Astoria in London and Hendrix was hanging out backstage with his manager and ex-Animals bass player, Chas Chandler, along with music journalist, Keith Altham. After Altham had suggested to Hendrix that he include his song ‘Fire’ in his setlist that night, a roadie was sent out to fetch lighter fluid according to Ultimate Classic Rock; Chandler had suggested to the fledgeling rock god that he literally set fire to his guitar.

After Jimi Hendrix and his fellow Experience band mates, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding burnt through an electrifying set of ‘Fire’, Hendrix distracted the crowd while Chandler doused his white Fender Stratocaster with butane. Shortly thereafter, Hendrix knelt beside the sodden axe and performed his timeless act. The stunt wasn’t without consequences, however. Hendrix burnt his hands, as well as burning the emcee who went to extinguish the fire.

More than that, however, the most defining consequence was that rock ‘n’ roll had witnessed an apex of rock perfection, a stunt that was truly hard to outdo at that point.

Perhaps it was because of impassioned acts like this that incentivised the best musicians of the time to create their masterpieces. Jefferson Airplane had released their sophomore Alice-in-wonderland esque masterpiece, Surrealistic Pillow; Jim Morrison and The Doors changed the musical landscape by allowing people the means to expand their minds; The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were going at it head to head to see who could create the worlds greatest ‘summer of love’ paragon. 

Ultimately, it was unanimously decided that The Beatles won that title, with their defining record, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, beating out Pink Floyd’s kaleidoscopic debut, and Love’s dystopic yet liberating message of Earth’s imminent demise in two years; an album whose title defies the boundaries of time and space, called Forever Changes.

It was no easy task creating this definitive list of the six best albums released in 1967, and by no means will everyone agree with it, simply because there are too many great albums from this year. Nevertheless, below you’ll find the list.  TO SEE THE TOP 6 ALBUMS FOR 1967, CLICK HERE...

Thursday, April 15

Just A Footnote

Paul Simon will be a forgotten name in the history books when scholars look back on 20th-century music and see only Bob Dylan and The Beatles standing tall -- that's the polarizing take of one NBC writer, anyway.

Jeff Slate -- a NYC-based songwriter and journalist -- penned a controversial piece for NBC Think ... titled, "Paul Simon sold his catalog to Sony for millions. He'll still end up a historical footnote to Dylan." Indeed ... it is triggering.

His subheading reads, "He was a prolific songwriter with a lucrative catalog any corporation would happily monetize. But there are only a few names our descendants will ever learn."

We know, we know ... you're fuming already. That's exactly what the internet is doing as well as it jumps to PS's defense.

You can read Slate's take in full for the big picture -- which is all about how Dylan recently sold his catalog of music and the rights to it to UMG for a reported $400 million, and how Simon followed in his footsteps by doing the same with Sony for his rights -- but the gist here is ... Paul Simon will be an "also-ran" compared to BD when it's all said and done.

In Slate's view, Dylan will perhaps be alone with John, Paul, George and Ringo and as the standout folk/rock acts of the '60s/'70s -- and that artists like Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and others will fall by the wayside, especially among younger, average-Joe listeners.

That seems to be what Slate's getting at -- and of course, A LOT of people disagree ... with some arguing Simon is just as prolific and culturally impactful as Dylan ever was. We don't have to get into a pissing contest ... both guys have scores of songwriting credits and hits under their belts. Of course, you could argue Dylan is perhaps the better-known of the two.  READ MORE

Friday, April 9

Just Chillin'

I recently found an online radio station that play CLASSIC ROCK 1964 to 1971 and it reminds me of my transition from High School in Cairo, Egypt to College in North Carolina to the US Navy in Norfolk, VA all of this during the peak of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Woman's Liberation Movement where everyone spent a lot of time and energy burning bras, drinking a little wine, and smoking a little weed.  My time in the military did little for me except allowed me to buy stereo and camera equipment at wholesale prices and burned into my mind that NOT WANTING TO BE IN COLLEGE had been a monumental mistake.  However, the time I did spend in the military provided me with the GI BILL and I finished my BA and MBA degrees without costing me ONE DAMN CENT except my time spent in class and studying and driving to and from campus.

I remember arguing with my College Advisor about my Senior Thesis (yes...  back in the 60's seniors had to write a thesis in order to graduate and receive a BA degree) and how he thought there was not enough substance with my idea.  I had wanted to take the following groups:  The Beatles, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Credence Clearwater Revival, The Byrds, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and The Band and taking ALL THEIR SONG LYRICS analyze them using all the approaches that my English Degree had taught me to use when analyzing the great works of literature including prose and poetry.

This might have been the main reason why I left college and enlisted in the Navy...  I cut off my nose to spite my face...  it seems.

And...  when I returned to that same college, a senior thesis was no longer required...  PISSER...

My English degree did very little for me except open the door to management positions because I had earned a 4 year degree.  My first position was DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT EFFICACY FOR A MICROBIOLOGICAL MEDIA MANUFACTURER...  WTF...  but, a job is a job.

It's a frigging FLAAAAASHBACK....  The Doors...  Light My Fire...


Monday, March 1

A Rainy Monday Morning

 

Woke up this morning and the rain was pouring down in East TN...  sometimes, one might get tired of rain, but the alternative of snow or freezing rain, makes just rain a lot easier to accept, especially when the temperatures are in the 50's.

Another morning begins with FOX NEWS...  the only news media outlet that presents ALL THE NEWS not just the news that they want to public to hear...
  • Cuomo is in trouble
  • Immigrants at the Border
  • Covid Relief that's not Covid Relief
  • An end of jobs
  • Higher Gasoline Prices
  • Iran wants sanctions removed before negotiations
  • Russians blamed for our problems
  • China gets a free pass
  • Children not in schools
  • Teachers Unions wants COVID shots first
  • Some States still locked down
  • Restaurants still not open in some cities
  • Criminal Felony charges removed on heroin and cocaine 
Elections has consequences...  and, it is true that the Democrats won the election...  but, will this Democratic Party with its progressive agendas be good or bad for the general public.  Only time will tell...  and, once we discover that these progressive agendas are not working will we do anything?

WAKE UP AMERICA...

Wednesday, November 25

It's Rock and Roll Baby

What musical groups have sold the most records in the world?
In  rank order, they are:

  1. The Beatles — 183 million units
  2. Garth Brooks — 156 million units
  3. Elvis Presley — 146.5 million units
  4. Eagles — 120 million units
  5. Led Zeppelin — 111.5 million units
  6. Billy Joel — 84.5 million units
  7. Michael Jackson — 84 million units
  8. Elton John — 79 million units
  9. AC/DC — 75 million units
  10. Pink Floyd — 75 million units
Of course, this list does not take into consideration the new 
musical wonder group from South Korea:  
                                BTS...  (Korean: 방탄소년단; RR: Bangtan Sonyeondan), also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band that began formation in 2010 and debuted in 2013 under Big Hit Entertainment.[3] The septet—composed of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook—co-writes and co-produces much of their own output. Originally a hip hop group, their musical style has evolved to include a wide range of genres. Their lyrics, often focused on personal and social commentary, touch on the themes of mental health, troubles of school-age youth, loss, the journey towards loving oneself, and individualism. Their work features references to literature and psychological concepts and includes an alternative universe storyline. The group has released several albums and performed on several world tours.

HOWEVER,
Bing Crosby's 1942 WHITE CHRISTMAS has sold the most single copies worldwide in musical history...  odd, since the song is about a Christian Holiday and no doubt there are many non Christians who celebrate Christmas because it is the day that presents are exchanged and lots of food is eaten and lots of alcohol is consumed regardless of the religious underpinnings.