John Lennon/Beatles Mega Thread

[msLinds]

Hindustantimes
December 25, 2011
Inspire me, India: Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono is Delhi-bound. The avant-garde artist, best known as the wife of late Beatles legend John Lennon, will be in the Capital in January to introduce India to her art. The 78-year-old, who is a singer, bestselling author, pioneering artist and keen activist, says she’s looking forward to being “inspired” by the land. “The visit in the past was just to appreciate and enjoy India’s land and culture; this time I am coming for encouragement and inspiration,” she says in an interview from New York.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entert...e1-786956.aspx

NME
December 26, 2011
The Beatles Through The Years - video

The new issue of NME - on sale Wednesday December 28th 2011 - celebrates a lesser-known chapter of The Beatles' career. To celebrate, here's a look at the changing look of the band throughout the '60s.

http://www.nme.com/nme-video/the-bea.../1343261953001

NPR
December 23, 2011
Christmas With The Beatles' Opens In Kreuzberg

Artist and gallerist Manfred Kirschner's favorite toy is a portable orange record player.Kirschner often uses his player, made in the 1970's, to listen to "Yellow Submarine." The Beatles record was a Christmas present from his older brother."My first records were Beatles records because I love this music," Kirschner says. "It was played in the radio, and it was different to the other stuff. Not really like what was in the hit parade, so it's very personal."The 44 year-old runs "Crystal Ball," a gallery for contemporary art in Kreuzberg. It's a bit like a living room for artists.At openings, Kirschner likes to DJ and often serves home made soup. For the last show of the year, he treated himself to a Christmas gift, inviting artists to interpret the Beatles.

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/22/144144...s-in-kreuzberg

The Sacramento Bee
December 23, 2011
'Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles' comes to Sacramento

At the beginning and at the end, the Beatles were a rock 'n' roll band – not just any band of course, but arguably the greatest, most enduring, most influential and certainly one of the most successful. They've sold more albums in the United States than any other artists and had more No. 1 albums on the British charts while holding on to No. 1 longer than any other musical act. Due to that popularity, their lasting cultural impact is undeniable.Still they were a band, starting out playing Elvis Presley covers in dark little clubs before finding massive fame and fortune, then ultimately breaking up as most bands do. The individual talents, though considerable, never quite matched the sum of the collective parts, but having gone their separate ways, fate intervened so there never could be a reunion. The band's music has lived on, inspiring generations of musicians to imitate the sounds and styles. It also still engages fans, from those who remember tearing the plastic sleeves off new copies of the "Abbey Road" LP to those not yet born when John Lennon was killed.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/23/413...e-beatles.html

[msLinds]

Examiner
December 24, 2011
Having a 'Wonderful Christmastime' with Wings guitarist Laurence Jube

On the day after Christmas, Paul McCartney's former lead guitarist Laurence Juber is immersed in finishing his latest studio album. *From 1978 through 1981, Juber was a member of the third most successful act of the 1970s*– Wings.During the talented guitar virtuoso's tenure, Wings had incredible hit singles, including "Goodnight Tonight," "Arrow Through Me," "Getting Closer," and the massive success of "Coming Up." Since then, Juber continues to release albums on a regular basis, perform studio and soundtrack sessions, and tour.

http://www.examiner.com/pop-culture-...laurence-juber

Noise11
December 26, 2011
Paul McCartney In The Beatles Birthplace

Paul McCartney has returned home to Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles. Liverpool welcomed back its most famous son last night as Sir Paul McCartney closed out his World tour with a sell out performance at the Echo Arena. There was fire, snow, pyrotechnics, a youth choir, a full scottish pipe band oh… and the small matter of three hours worth of some of the best pop music ever written. Rich Denton joined those lucky enough to get a ticket for the show of the year.Macca rolled back the years with a three hour set of musical wonderment, jam packed with songs from across his vast repertoire. Opening the final show of the 19 date World tour with Hello Goodbye and Junior’s Farm, Sir Paul got the party started and brought the crowd to their feet straight from the off.

http://www.noise11.com/news/paul-mcc...place-20111226

[msLinds]

Musicology
December 27, 2011
Flaming Lips' Awesome "I Am The Walrus" Cover

Prepping for their upcoming New Year's Eve concerts with Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, acid-rock heroes The Flaming Lips recently dropped by Pink Floor Studios in their hometown of Oklahoma City to cut a killer rendition of the original acid-rock song,The Beatles' still-trippy-to-this-day "I Am The Walrus".

http://www.ology.com/music/watch-fla...cover/12272011

Manchester Evening News
December 27, 2011
Flixton fan's new tattoo came with a little help from a friend ... Sir Paul McCartney

A Beatles fan has a permanent reminder of the moment he joined his idol Sir Paul McCartney on stage.Phil Blanchard met Sir Paul after standing on the front row, five yards from the star at his show the M.E.N. Arena last week.The music legend spotted his hat of baubles, tinsel and Christmas lights – and pulled him up onto the stage to sign his arm.Phil, 50, from Flixton, then took his devotion to Macca a step further than most – by having the signature tattooed into place.He has something of an ‘ink-fatuation’ with the Beatles – with 11 tattoos of McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr all over his body.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...paul-mccartney

Contact Music
December 27, 2011
Michael Crawford - Michael Crawford Became Fifth Beatle During Spanish Trip

Actor/singer Michael Crawford became an honorary member of the Beatles during one magical summer sharing a house in Spain with John Lennon.The Phantom of the Opera star became friends with the musician on the set of How I Won The War and when the production moved from Germany to the south of Spain, Crawford took Lennon up on his offer to live with him.Crawford recalls, "I remember how all the press were hanging around because The Beatles were at their peak and you were living with these guys in a house in Almeria."George (Harrison) came out and stayed; Ringo came out and stayed; Paul came out and stayed - and, they were writing songs. John was writing songs with them."Crawford can't be sure what the Fab Four were working on but he thinks he heard the beginnings of Strawberry Fields Forever.

http://www.contactmusic.com/news/mic...h-trip_1279325

[msLinds]

BBC Radio
Food For Thought
Series 2
December 27, 2011
Yoko Ono Lennon

Yoko Ono discusses the virtues of vegetables with journalist Nina Myskow .Although reluctant to let even the tiniest piece of inferior confectionery pass her lips, artist and musician Yoko Ono reveals why she finally fell in love with one particular food. She explains that one of husband, John's pleasures was chocolate and how it came to comfort her.A long time devotee of macrobiotics, Yoko tells Nina about the experiences that shaped her tastes: from a Japanese diet low in animal fat to the years, during World War II, when she was evacuated from Tokyo. She made rice and miso soup for her siblings, longed for butter and was forced to barter for food.Odd then perhaps that several years later she would go on a forty day fast with John Lennon.
She explains why.

5 days left to listen
15 minutes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018g6wz

[msLinds]

Examiner
December 25, 2011
Film project on former Beatle Pete Best turns to fans for funds

in the wake of the success of the funding of "Good Ol' Freda"*through Kickstarter.com, there's a second movie about the Beatles now in the middle of a campaign on the website to raise money.*The movie, called "The Beatles at Their Best," is a documentary about Pete Best's stint with the Beatles. The Kickstarter campaign hopes to raise $5,000 by 4:24 p.m. EST Jan. 20.

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-n...fans-for-funds

Examiner
December 25, 2011
Interview : For Julia Baird, John Lennon will always be a rock 'n' roller

The year 2011 was a busy one for Julia Baird, John Lennon's half-sister, who has remained outspoken about her brother and the Beatles. She opened up a website this year at www.juliabaird.eu It's[/url] not a big one, it's only small. It's quite specific,” she said. “Mal Holmes of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark is a friend and he's actually done it for me.”The image of the Beatles has changed a lot from their days in Liverpool. And Julia says that John and the Beatles have survived and have even become a Las Vegas show with “Love.”“John was essentially, I think, I believe, he thought himself a rock 'n' roller. When he was out there being raucous as a rocker, he said himself that when the Sex Pistols were onstage, that's what he still wanted to be. He said, 'That was us. That's who we were." You know that type of raucous, raw energy. *And they had by that time become something else, which is why the Beatles split up, isn't it ?

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-n...-rock-n-roller

[msLinds]

BBC 4 looks at the Beatles and Christmas tomorrow 12/3/2011

British stand-up comedian, actor and author Alexei Sayle will a Beatles Christmas special tomorrow on BBC4.
In the show, Sayle takes on a musical journey through the Fab Four's special Christmas appearances. He meets former Beatles publicist Tony Barrow to discover how the band recorded their seasonal fan-club messages and how they took to the stage in pantomimes in 1963 and 1964 alongside the likes of Elkie Brooks and Barron Knights guitarist Peter Langford. He also hears from film editor Roy Benson about the making of the group's TV movie Magical Mystery Tour.The show airs from 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm on BBC4 tomorrow, Friday, December 30, with a repeat on BBC 4 LW, and can also be heard online.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...les_Christmas/

Click Liverpool
December 29, 2011
Hari Krishmas! Beatles themed cocktails served up at Hard Days Night

The mixologists at the Hard Days Night hotel have created a Beatles themed cocktail menu that is a lot stronger than John Lennon's favourite tipple, a Brandy Alexander.Using names that are inspired by Fab Four songs, their spiritual leanings and a take on the classic Christmas favourites, a festive drink in the four star hotel is a welcome treat.

http://www.clickliverpool.com/cultur...ays-night.html

Donewaiting
December 29, 2011
Thursday: Joe Peppercorn & friends perform entire Beatles catalog @ KOBO

For the second year in a row, Joe Peppercorn (The Whiles, Watershed) will perform the Beatles catalog in it’s entirety AND in chronological order. It’s a massive undertaking and, fortunately, Peppercorn will get by with a little help from his friends (Parker Paul, Jesse Cooper, David Murphy, Branden Barnett, Chris Bolognese).

http://www.donewaiting.com/2011/12/2...-catalog-kobo/

http://614columbus.com/article/a-rea...ys-night-3899/

Ultimate Classic Rock
December 26, 2011
Paul McCartney Pays Tribute to Late Beatles Mates at Tour Finale In Liverpool

To conclude his 19-date On The Run World Tour, Paul McCartney returned to his stomping ground of Liverpool, England on Dec. 20 for a sold-out, three-hour performance at the Echo Arena. During the show, McCartney played more than 30 Beatles and Wings songs, as well as some of his recent solo material. McCartney dusted off ‘Penny Lane’ for the special performance, and between numbers he spoke about growing up in Speke, his fondness for Liverpool and his friendship with late Beatles guitarist George Harrison. The concert opened with ‘Hello, Goodbye’ and ‘Junior’s Farm’ and closed with ‘Hey Jude.’ Other highlights included ‘Drive My Car,’ ‘Paperback Writer,’ ‘The Long and Winding Road,’ ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ ‘Band on the Run,’ ‘Back in the USSR,’ ‘Day Tripper,’ ‘Helter Skelter’ and ‘A Day in the Live/Give Peace a Chance.’

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/paul-...-in-liverpool/

[Nico]

Originally Posted by msLinds

BBC Radio
Food For Thought
Series 2
December 27, 2011
Yoko Ono Lennon

Yoko Ono discusses the virtues of vegetables with journalist Nina Myskow .Although reluctant to let even the tiniest piece of inferior confectionery pass her lips, artist and musician Yoko Ono reveals why she finally fell in love with one particular food. She explains that one of husband, John's pleasures was chocolate and how it came to comfort her.A long time devotee of macrobiotics, Yoko tells Nina about the experiences that shaped her tastes: from a Japanese diet low in animal fat to the years, during World War II, when she was evacuated from Tokyo. She made rice and miso soup for her siblings, longed for butter and was forced to barter for food.Odd then perhaps that several years later she would go on a forty day fast with John Lennon.
She explains why.

5 days left to listen
15 minutes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018g6wz

This was a WONDERFUL interview. Thank you MsLinds!!!

Are you excited about the "Freak Out" vids/pics that will be out very soon? I know I am. Oh SEAN! Oh Yoko! Oh FL!

[msLinds]

Your welcome Nico.I am looking forward tp all the photographs,video's and articles that will coming out for the POB and Flaming concerts.I want to wish everyone and their family and friends a safe,positive and great upcoming new years eve and year. Happy New Years.


Mystical Weapons (Greg Saunier, Sean Lennon and Martha Colburn) will be appearing at the Kitchen in New York on Jan 27 & 28th 2011

An Evening with Martha Colburn, Sean Lennon, Greg Saunier (Mystical Weapons)

This New York trio of improvisers includes Martha Colburn (film artist, on video projections), Sean Lennon (of The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger / Plastic Ono Band, on guitar and bass), and Greg Saunier (of Deerhoof, on drums). Wild and hallucinatory, recent performances have featured Colburn manipulating clips drawn from her own puppet and collage-filled animated films, and her own verite documentation of street events; Lennon brandishing his guitar in a virtuosic and violent fashion that might surprise those familiar with his delicate solo work; and a pummeling Saunier fanning Lennon's flames in an allmost telepathic fashion. Their first album will be released in 2012 on Lennon's own Chimera Records.

http://www.thekitchen.org/event/294/0/1/

[msLinds]

Express
December 30, 2011
FAB TWO IN FESTIVE REUNION

There was a Beatles reunion for the festive season when Sir Paul McCartney got together with Ringo Starr to exchange Yuletide gifts.The two surviving bandmates
met up for a quiet dinner at an exclusive Italian restaurant in London.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...estive-reunion

Examiner
December 29, 2011
George Harrison honored with special tribute in new magazine

The British Beatles Fan Club is paying tribute to the memory of George Harrison with a new 80-page magazine they've just published.The magazine features memories about the Quiet Beatle and contributions by Beatle authors and some who knew Harrison personally. Those featured are David Bedford ("Liddypool"),*Terry Bloxham, Michele Copp ("[Still Just] Four Liverpool Lads: A Mad Day Adventure Out"), Andy Davis ("The Beatles Files"), Peter Doggett ("You Never Give Me Your Money: The Battle For The Soul Of The Beatles"), Robert Downs, David Koppell, Jake Mills, Pete Nash, Martin O'Gornman, Dennis Taylor, Denise Theophilus and Ian Watts.The magazine also includes a number of "thank yous," including to Pattie Boyd, who gave an exclusive interview for the issue, the Harrison family, Paul McCartney, Craig Smith and Paul Saltzman, who donated photographs for the issue.

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-n...ibute-magazine

Borderzine
December 29, 2011
Light itself is a spiritual quest for famed Beatles photographer Mike Mitchell

EL PASO – A sense of adventure, a camera and a little bit of luck marked the beginning of a young photographer’s career, tools that paid off nearly 50 years later for Mike Mitchell.At the age of 18, Mitchell was living in Washington, D.C, and starting his career as a photojournalist. Having already developed a love for photography in his early teens, he set off to do what naturally comes next –find a way to get paid for doing what he loved.In 1964 he began an internship at the Washington Star newspaper and also did freelance photography for magazines and other publications.That year also saw the first Beatles U.S. concert tour. Their first stop was the Washington, D.C. Coliseum on February 11, where they were greeted and adored by thousands of screaming fans.

http://borderzine.com/2011/12/light-...mike-mitchell/

Borderzine
December 29, 2011
Light itself is a spiritual quest for famed Beatles photographer Mike Mitchell

EL PASO – A sense of adventure, a camera and a little bit of luck marked the beginning of a young photographer’s career, tools that paid off nearly 50 years later for Mike Mitchell.At the age of 18, Mitchell was living in Washington, D.C, and starting his career as a photojournalist. Having already developed a love for photography in his early teens, he set off to do what naturally comes next –find a way to get paid for doing what he loved.In 1964 he began an internship at the Washington Star newspaper and also did freelance photography for magazines and other publications.That year also saw the first Beatles U.S. concert tour. Their first stop was the Washington, D.C. Coliseum on February 11, where they were greeted and adored by thousands of screaming fans.

http://borderzine.com/2011/12/light-...mike-mitchell/

[msLinds]

Examiner
December 31, 2011
Yoko Ono honored with New Year's Eve Yoko-lahoma City Day proclamation

The city of Oklahoma City has honored Yoko Ono's appearances in the city today and Jan. 1 by proclaiming Dec. 31 as "Yoko-lahoma City Day."Ono and the Plastic Ono Band will appear with the Flaming Lips, who hail from the city, at the group’s New Year’s Eve Freak Out #5 today and January 1 at Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center in Oklahoma City.*

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-n...oko-lahoma-day

Examiner
December 31, 2011
Year in review: John Lennon and Beatles news stories from 2011

December 31, 2011 –As we welcome the New Year, let’s look back on the biggest John Lennon and Beatles stories of 2011. From Paul McCartney’s wedding, to tribute concerts and museum exhibits, it was an exciting year for Beatle and Lennon fans.In February, the Beatles proved they are still at the top of their game--The 2009 Beatles Remastered Box set won a GRAMMY for Best Historical Album. March 11 brought the sad news of the worst earthquake and tsunami to hit Japan’s coast in its history. Both Sean Lennon and Julian Lennon expressed their shock and concern on their Facebook and Twitter feeds, and Yoko Ono posted her heartfelt message to her Japanese brethren. A benefit concert by the Plastic Ono Band was organized by Ono and peformed on March 27.

http://www.examiner.com/john-lennon-...ries-from-2011

Flaming Lips' After-Party Changes Venues
Wayne Coyne Talks To KOCO Eyewitness News 5
December 30, 2011

http://www.koco.com/r-video/30106612/detail.html

http://newsok.com/fire-marshal-says-...rticle/3635998

[msLinds]

Happy New Years everyone.I will post more articles,photographs and video's.Of "The Flaming Lips with Sean Lennon,Yoko and the " Plastic Ono Band " at the New Years Eve Freak Out 5 concert when they get posted online.Everyone have a safe and great week and take care.

News OK
January 1, 2011
Flaming Lips Freakout 5

Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon join the Flaming Lips on stage during the Flaming Lips New's Year's Freak Out at the Coca Cola Event Center in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011

Ringing in the New Year with The Flaming Lips seemed too perfect of an idea back when it was hatched in 2007. Oklahoma City's favorite freaky sons were psychedelic rock gods, and big happy ballads like "Do You Realize??" were tailor made for late night sing-alongs. The first crowd agreed, and the show attracted an audience that moved past Oklahoma borders. A tradition was born.Four years later, The Flaming Lips are still doing The Freakout, and it's just as fun, exciting and unpredictable as the first, and just like The Flaming Lips' respective years, no two have been the same. Whether it be performing "The Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Soft Bulletin" in its entirety, Oklahoma City's favorite freaky sons have made sure to offer something new to their faithful fans.This year found The Freakout changing more than ever, expanding to two nights and bringing along music/art/historical legend Yoko Ono for the ride.

http://newsok.com/concert-review-fla...rticle/3636870

Flaming Lips ring in the new year playing "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" with
Sean Lennon and @waynecoyne Christmas song.

http://www.twitvid.com/KU1D9

Sean and Yoko

http://twitpic.com/81nxax

http://futureheart.tumblr.com/

Examiner
January 1, 2012
The Beatles: A year in review, the year ahead

The year 2011 won't go down as one of the biggest Beatle years, but it did have its moments.For John Lennon, in the aftermath of the remasters in 2010, there really wasn't much to follow. Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band played a few shows. Yoko also continued to make philanthropic contributions. And Sean made news by appearing at an Occupy Wall Street rally.Yoko was to spend New Year's Eve 2011 in Oklahoma City as part of a two-night concert stand.Martin Scorsese's much-anticipated documentary on George Harrison aired on both sides of the ocean. The documentary, a disjointed portrait of his Beatle and spiritual sides, received mixed reviews from fans. But apparently due to HBO licensing agreements (and possible repeats in the U.S.), was only released on DVD in the UK, an unnecessary move. Fans also questioned the small amount of audio bonus material included in the expensive bonus package.

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-n...w-a-year-ahead

[msLinds]

Yoko Ono and The Flaming Lips at NYE Freak Out‬ on 12/31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aNEXmKeiK8

photograph of Yoko

http://imaginepeace.com/archives/16396

[msLinds]

‪New Year's Eve Freakout #5 - The Flaming Lips singing "Strawberry Fields Forever"‬ at Oklahoma City at the Coca Cola Event. Center 12/31/2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzUH-...s-DQziZtJamiuv

New Year's countdown with The Flaming Lips, Yoko Ono, Plastic Ono Band and Sean Lennon‬

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHY0W...5du99CtjIvifVz

[msLinds]

‪The Flaming Lips,Sean Lennon and Yoko Ono - Happy Xmas (War is‬ Over if You want it )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9mGZatxUhs

Sean Lennon with Yoko Ono, singing "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" NYE Freakout #5 Night One, featuring Phantogram, Plastic Ono Band, and the Flaming Lips

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufjanc...n/photostream/

[msLinds]

NME
January 1, 2011
Paul McCartney hits out at 'naughty' bands who play gigs with backing tapes

Paul McCartney has hit out at bands who play live using backing tapes - and vowed to never rely on them during his own gigs.

The former Beatle told the Sunday Express he was dismayed when his sound engineer Paul Pablo Boothroyd revealed many major artists rely on tapes for much of their shows.

http://www.nme.com/news/paul-mccartney/61199

Showbiz 411
January 2, 2012
Justin Bieber’s Beatle Chords, Lady Gaga’s Ping Pong Paddle Mask

Dick Clark‘s kinda sad Rockin’ New Years Eve with Ryan Seacrest was an Interscope special on Saturday night. From Times Square: Lady Gaga was interviewed by Seacrest while wearing some kind of silky white Versace gown and a Ping Pong paddle mask. When she returned to sing her medley, she was in a whole different get up: all black with a hood and black party mask. The hood lifted up. It looked like Gaga, who can sing, actually sang, since she did not do much dancing. (It’s nearly impossible to sing and simultaneously perform the calisthenics known as dancing these days.) Good for her.Justin Bieber was not so lucky. His rendition of “Let it Be” certainly seemed performed to a track, even though there was a band on stage. IParticularly unconvincing was Bieber supposedly playing a piano while he warbled. The cameras made sure not to show much of his fingers on the keys, and when they did, he was barely touching them. He also slouches at the piano in a way that would make pounding out that song very hard. Ask Paul McCartney, who wrote it, and leans in, spine straight, as he guides the other musicians.

http://www.showbiz411.com/2012/01/02...ng-paddle-mask