I first saw “Let It Be” when I was a kid, in the summer of 1970, just weeks after it was released. My family was coming off one of those “Vacation” road trips. During the miles of driving, we listened to Top 40 radio, which meant that several times a day I got to hear “The Long and Winding Road,” which I thought was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. I knew that the first thing I was going to do when we got back was go to see “Let It Be” — and, in fact, it was the first Beatles thing I was old enough to connect to as it was happening.
The Beatles, in their early years, looked alike, and even after they’d entered the psychedelic zone with “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” they dressed and coiffed themselves with a splashy coordinated harmony. They were unified. And that made a kind of supreme sense,...
The Beatles, in their early years, looked alike, and even after they’d entered the psychedelic zone with “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” they dressed and coiffed themselves with a splashy coordinated harmony. They were unified. And that made a kind of supreme sense,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
The original 1964 Broadway production of "Hello, Dolly!" was considered a showcase for its star, Carol Channing, and little else. At the time, critics were not entirely kind, saying the show had "unnecessary vulgar and frenzied touches," and that they "wouldn't say that Jerry Herman's score is memorable." Despite the middling reviews, "Hello, Dolly!" won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Leading Actress (for Channing), Best Direction, Best Choreography, and Best Original Score.
The mid-'60s were a weirdly fraught time for major Hollywood musicals, as the genre provided some of the era's biggest hits, but also some of its biggest bombs. In 1964, Disney had a big hit with "Mary Poppins" and Warner Bros. made bank with "My Fair Lady," so musicals were suddenly on the rise. In 1965, Fox released "The Sound of Music," adapted from the stage production by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and it proved to be one of...
The mid-'60s were a weirdly fraught time for major Hollywood musicals, as the genre provided some of the era's biggest hits, but also some of its biggest bombs. In 1964, Disney had a big hit with "Mary Poppins" and Warner Bros. made bank with "My Fair Lady," so musicals were suddenly on the rise. In 1965, Fox released "The Sound of Music," adapted from the stage production by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and it proved to be one of...
- 5/5/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Beatles‘ “Something” is one of George Harrison’s masterpieces. He probably couldn’t have made it alone. Another 1960s rock star taught George a musical trick that helped him write “Something.” John Lennon would later say that “Something” differed from all of George’s previous compositions.
The Beatles’ ‘Something’ was inspired by someone who was there with them in India
Donovan is a folk/psychedelic rock singer who became famous for 1960s tunes such as “Atlantis,” “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” “Sunshine Superman,” “Mellow Yellow,” and “Season of the Witch.” He famously went on The Beatles’ trip to India to study meditation. Donovan’s personal website says that he taught George a descending chord pattern that the Beatle would later use on the ballad “Something.”
Gold reports that, during a 2024 interview with Record Collector Magazine, Donovan discussed his influence on the “My Sweet Lord” singer. “I became George’s mentor for songwriting,...
The Beatles’ ‘Something’ was inspired by someone who was there with them in India
Donovan is a folk/psychedelic rock singer who became famous for 1960s tunes such as “Atlantis,” “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” “Sunshine Superman,” “Mellow Yellow,” and “Season of the Witch.” He famously went on The Beatles’ trip to India to study meditation. Donovan’s personal website says that he taught George a descending chord pattern that the Beatle would later use on the ballad “Something.”
Gold reports that, during a 2024 interview with Record Collector Magazine, Donovan discussed his influence on the “My Sweet Lord” singer. “I became George’s mentor for songwriting,...
- 4/2/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A series that has attracted both a lot of love and a lot of hate, Game of Thrones is – whether you like it or not – a pillar of modern television. HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy saga has earned numerous awards and nominations, with series creators D. B. Weiss and David Benioff being lauded as geniuses.
But, as you will probably know, by the time the series actually ended, a lot of hate had accumulated, and the creators’ decision for the series finale made a lot of fans angry, many still consider the ending of Game of Thrones to be one of the worst endings in the history of television.
Recently, though, Weiss and Benioff sat down with Josh Horowitz for an interview as part of his Happy, Sad, Confused series, accompanied by Alexander Woo. The three of them are the creators of the currently popular 3 Body Problem series,...
But, as you will probably know, by the time the series actually ended, a lot of hate had accumulated, and the creators’ decision for the series finale made a lot of fans angry, many still consider the ending of Game of Thrones to be one of the worst endings in the history of television.
Recently, though, Weiss and Benioff sat down with Josh Horowitz for an interview as part of his Happy, Sad, Confused series, accompanied by Alexander Woo. The three of them are the creators of the currently popular 3 Body Problem series,...
- 3/31/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Pattie Boyd, the former wife of George Harrison and Eric Clapton and the inspiration for the latter’s “Layla,” sold her private collection of letters, photos and more – including items from the two rock legends – at auction for $3.6 million.
Boyd’s stunning collection of 111 artifacts tells the story of her whirlwind romance with Harrison after they met on a set of A Hard Day’s Night in 1964, their time together at the height of Beatlemania, her disillusionment with him in the late Sixties, and Clapton’s attempts to steal her away...
Boyd’s stunning collection of 111 artifacts tells the story of her whirlwind romance with Harrison after they met on a set of A Hard Day’s Night in 1964, their time together at the height of Beatlemania, her disillusionment with him in the late Sixties, and Clapton’s attempts to steal her away...
- 3/24/2024
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Miley Cyrus isn’t a rock singer, but she’s drawn a lot of influence from classic rock stars over the years. For example, one of her hits has some lyrical similarities to The Beatles’ “Help!” While many of The Beatles’ early songs were total fiction, John Lennon revealed that “Help!” was about his own life. The “Imagine” singer said that “Help!” was widely misinterpreted.
Miley Cyrus and The Beatles both showed a unique understanding of time
Love her or hate her, Cyrus’ career has had a lot of different textures. She’s released party songs (“We Can’t Stop”), soft-rock songs (“Mailbu”), disco tracks (“Flowers”), and an entire album of psychedelic experiments called Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. One of her more famous ballads is her hit “Younger Now” from her country-inspired record of the same title.
“Younger Now” includes the line “I feel so much younger now.” That...
Miley Cyrus and The Beatles both showed a unique understanding of time
Love her or hate her, Cyrus’ career has had a lot of different textures. She’s released party songs (“We Can’t Stop”), soft-rock songs (“Mailbu”), disco tracks (“Flowers”), and an entire album of psychedelic experiments called Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. One of her more famous ballads is her hit “Younger Now” from her country-inspired record of the same title.
“Younger Now” includes the line “I feel so much younger now.” That...
- 3/24/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When you’re 10, it sounds like every line your favorite boy band sings is being aimed directly at you. Somewhere along the way, the illusion shatters. Teenagers are smarter than we give them credit for, and they eventually figure out how parasocial relationships operate: Basically, the fans do all the work, saving up for concert tickets and glitter-painting their idols’ names on their notebooks, while the lab-tested singers soak up all the love … and the allowance money. But what if, instead of the feelings flowing in one direction, a pop star fell hard for one of his followers? Or her mom?
Improving upon the popular beach read by Robinne Lee, instant classic “The Idea of You” stars a radiant-yet-relatable Anne Hathaway as a woman you can imagine a celebrity swooning for. It seems like only yesterday that the brown-eyed ingénue was putting on the tiara for “The Princess Diaries.” Now,...
Improving upon the popular beach read by Robinne Lee, instant classic “The Idea of You” stars a radiant-yet-relatable Anne Hathaway as a woman you can imagine a celebrity swooning for. It seems like only yesterday that the brown-eyed ingénue was putting on the tiara for “The Princess Diaries.” Now,...
- 3/17/2024
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Of all The Beatles, Ringo Starr wrote the fewest songs for the band. He was more interested in supporting his bandmates’ writing with his drumming. Still, Starr played an important role in the inception of a couple of classic Beatles songs. His “Ringoisms” inspired the titles of two songs.
Ringo Starr accidentally named 2 Beatles songs
Practically as soon as Starr joined The Beatles, his bandmates grew accustomed to his unique way of speaking. He often coined phrases that they’d never heard before.
“Ringo would always say grammatically incorrect phrases and we’d all laugh,” George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “I remember when we were driving back to Liverpool from Luton up the M1 motorway in Ringo’s Zephyr, and the car’s bonnet hadn’t been latched properly. The wind got under it and blew it up in front of the windscreen. We were all shouting, ‘Aaaargh!
Ringo Starr accidentally named 2 Beatles songs
Practically as soon as Starr joined The Beatles, his bandmates grew accustomed to his unique way of speaking. He often coined phrases that they’d never heard before.
“Ringo would always say grammatically incorrect phrases and we’d all laugh,” George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “I remember when we were driving back to Liverpool from Luton up the M1 motorway in Ringo’s Zephyr, and the car’s bonnet hadn’t been latched properly. The wind got under it and blew it up in front of the windscreen. We were all shouting, ‘Aaaargh!
- 3/12/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It took a surgeon’s scalpel to excise the must-see episodes out of the 420 that Grey’s Anatomy has aired. But you don’t have to stop with these: Hulu now carries the run of the medical drama, plus new episodes starting March 15, the day after they air on ABC. 1. “A Hard Day’s Night” (Season 1 Episode 1) The first shift at Seattle Grace for surgical interns Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), George O’Malley (T.R. Knight), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) sets the tone for the instantly addictive series. The hour is marked by competition, anxiety, lust and bad decisions—like Meredith unwittingly bedding her new boss, skilled neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). 2. “As We Know It” (Season 2 Episode 17) Everett Collection This iconic conclusion of a nail-biting two-parter finds Meredith with her hand inside a patient’s chest cavity, trying to stem his bleeding and keep an embedded explosive from detonating.
- 3/10/2024
- TV Insider
Many of the songs John Lennon wrote for the Beatles were introspective. He wrote about his feelings and relationships, both with his first wife, Cynthia, and Yoko Ono. In 1964, he wrote the song “If I Fell” about an affair. The original lyrics were a bit harsher on the betrayed partner in the song than in the final version.
John Lennon toned down the lyrics of a Beatles song
In 1964, Lennon wrote the ballad “If I Fell.” Lennon admitted it was semi-autobiographical.
“That’s my first attempt at a ballad proper,” he said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff. “That was the precursor to ‘In My Life.’ It has the same chord sequences as ‘In My Life’: D and B minor and E minor, those kind of things. And it’s semi-autobiographical, but not consciously. It...
John Lennon toned down the lyrics of a Beatles song
In 1964, Lennon wrote the ballad “If I Fell.” Lennon admitted it was semi-autobiographical.
“That’s my first attempt at a ballad proper,” he said in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon and Yoko Ono by David Sheff. “That was the precursor to ‘In My Life.’ It has the same chord sequences as ‘In My Life’: D and B minor and E minor, those kind of things. And it’s semi-autobiographical, but not consciously. It...
- 3/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Christopher Guest and Rob Reiner made a 1984 classic that ingeniously straddles the ‘fine line between stupid and clever’
The bands that come together organically, without the aid of want ads or tear-off flyers stapled to telephone poles, are generally catalyzed by a mixture of chemistry, inspiration and boredom.
A few guys – more often than not, it’s still guys – hang out, realize they get along, bond through their overlapping tastes, and then grow fidgety to do something about it. Screwing around becomes noodling, noodling becomes jamming, jamming becomes something that can be passed off as a performance in exchange for beer money. For so many of the greats, rocking began as a gratifying, potentially lucrative way to goof off with one’s friends, their childhood spirit of play aged up from games to music; we can see the natural camaraderie in everything from the laddish pranksterism of A Hard Day’s Night...
The bands that come together organically, without the aid of want ads or tear-off flyers stapled to telephone poles, are generally catalyzed by a mixture of chemistry, inspiration and boredom.
A few guys – more often than not, it’s still guys – hang out, realize they get along, bond through their overlapping tastes, and then grow fidgety to do something about it. Screwing around becomes noodling, noodling becomes jamming, jamming becomes something that can be passed off as a performance in exchange for beer money. For so many of the greats, rocking began as a gratifying, potentially lucrative way to goof off with one’s friends, their childhood spirit of play aged up from games to music; we can see the natural camaraderie in everything from the laddish pranksterism of A Hard Day’s Night...
- 3/2/2024
- by Charles Bramesco
- The Guardian - Film News
By the mid-1960s, George Harrison had grown weary of the fame that came with being in The Beatles. He did not want to tour and was growing increasingly resentful of the way John Lennon and Paul McCartney overlooked his songwriting. He said that part of the reason he was so exhausted was because he had to give everything to the band and its fans.
George Harrison said The Beatles gave everything they had to fans
Throughout the 1960s, The Beatles experienced a level of fame that was both life-changing and oppressive. They had the freedom to do practically anything creatively, but they couldn’t go out in public without fans ambushing them. Harrison said that this was an incredible amount of pressure to endure.
“We were put under the heaviest pressure,” Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “I don’t think anybody had had as much pressure as The...
George Harrison said The Beatles gave everything they had to fans
Throughout the 1960s, The Beatles experienced a level of fame that was both life-changing and oppressive. They had the freedom to do practically anything creatively, but they couldn’t go out in public without fans ambushing them. Harrison said that this was an incredible amount of pressure to endure.
“We were put under the heaviest pressure,” Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “I don’t think anybody had had as much pressure as The...
- 3/1/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
The U.S. Albums is one of the most celebrated releases for fans of The Beatles, with the box set containing remastered versions of all 13 American albums released by the Fab Four between 1964 and 1970. Now, a surprise Amazon deal has the limited-edition box set back in stock and on sale for 50% off. Listed at a price of $199.99, you can get The U.S. Albums on Amazon right now...
The U.S. Albums is one of the most celebrated releases for fans of The Beatles, with the box set containing remastered versions of all 13 American albums released by the Fab Four between 1964 and 1970. Now, a surprise Amazon deal has the limited-edition box set back in stock and on sale for 50% off. Listed at a price of $199.99, you can get The U.S. Albums on Amazon right now...
- 2/26/2024
- by Tim Chan
- Rollingstone.com
In 1964, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr acted for the first time in A Hard Day’s Night. While filming a new movie was an entirely new experience for The Beatles, they all jumped into their roles with excitement. Starr loved movies as kid and loved the experience of filming one. Still, some days on set were a challenge for him. He revealed how feeling terrible while shooting actually helped his performance.
Ringo Starr had a rough day on the set of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
While The Beatles were happy to make a movie, they found it difficult to wake up for the early call times.
“It was a very early start,” George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “We’d have to arrive and get dressed and have our hair and faces done. While all this was going on they would set up with stand-ins. They...
Ringo Starr had a rough day on the set of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
While The Beatles were happy to make a movie, they found it difficult to wake up for the early call times.
“It was a very early start,” George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “We’d have to arrive and get dressed and have our hair and faces done. While all this was going on they would set up with stand-ins. They...
- 2/23/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1964, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr made their on screen debuts in The Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night. The film took advantage of their ever rising fame and was both a critical and financial success. The band also enjoyed shooting the film, though they found some parts of the process embarrassing. Lennon shared the scene he found tough to film and watch.
John Lennon said The Beatles were embarrassed to film 1 scene in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
The Beatles had no acting experience when they began filming A Hard Day’s Night but they jumped into their roles eagerly. They began filming in March at Marylebone Station.
“It was a great day out,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “We filmed the scene where all the fans run into the train station then the train pulls off, leaving the fans, so then we could get on...
John Lennon said The Beatles were embarrassed to film 1 scene in ‘A Hard Day’s Night’
The Beatles had no acting experience when they began filming A Hard Day’s Night but they jumped into their roles eagerly. They began filming in March at Marylebone Station.
“It was a great day out,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “We filmed the scene where all the fans run into the train station then the train pulls off, leaving the fans, so then we could get on...
- 2/21/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John, Paul, George and Ringo will each be the subject of a different upcoming feature film.
Director Sam Mendes plans to make four separate movies, one from each Beatles member’s point of view. They will intersect to “tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” leading up to their 1970 breakup, according to a press release. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison have granted full life story and music rights for the scripted films.
“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Mendes, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “American Beauty,” war drama “1917” and James Bond films “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” said in a statement.
Sony Pictures Entertainment will finance and distribute all four films theatrically in 2027. Details about...
Director Sam Mendes plans to make four separate movies, one from each Beatles member’s point of view. They will intersect to “tell the astonishing story of the greatest band in history,” leading up to their 1970 breakup, according to a press release. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the families of the late John Lennon and George Harrison have granted full life story and music rights for the scripted films.
“I’m honored to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” Mendes, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker of “American Beauty,” war drama “1917” and James Bond films “Skyfall” and “Spectre,” said in a statement.
Sony Pictures Entertainment will finance and distribute all four films theatrically in 2027. Details about...
- 2/20/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
NYC Weekend Watch is our weekly round-up of repertory offerings.
Film Forum
“Sapph-o-rama” highlights lesbian cinema with films by Chantal Akerman, Nicholas Ray, Ulrike Ottinger, and more; a 4K restoration of The Pianist and The Third Man on 35mm continue; A Hard Day’s Night plays on Sunday.
Museum of the Moving Image
A retrospective of snubbed performances brings films by Cassavetes, Jonathan Demme, and more; The Gods of Times Square and a print of Prince’s vastly underrated Under the Cherry Moon both play on Sunday.
Metrograph
The series “Dreamlike Visions” puts modern master Alain Gomis front-and-center.
Roxy Cinema
Carpenter’s Christine, Almodóvar’s Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, and Secretary all play on 35mm.
Museum of Modern Art
As the massive run of Luis Buñuel’s Mexican films continues, a retrospective of Finnish filmmaker Ilkka Järvi-Laturi begins.
IFC Center
A Dario Argento series continues; Audition, Basket Case 3,...
Film Forum
“Sapph-o-rama” highlights lesbian cinema with films by Chantal Akerman, Nicholas Ray, Ulrike Ottinger, and more; a 4K restoration of The Pianist and The Third Man on 35mm continue; A Hard Day’s Night plays on Sunday.
Museum of the Moving Image
A retrospective of snubbed performances brings films by Cassavetes, Jonathan Demme, and more; The Gods of Times Square and a print of Prince’s vastly underrated Under the Cherry Moon both play on Sunday.
Metrograph
The series “Dreamlike Visions” puts modern master Alain Gomis front-and-center.
Roxy Cinema
Carpenter’s Christine, Almodóvar’s Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, and Secretary all play on 35mm.
Museum of Modern Art
As the massive run of Luis Buñuel’s Mexican films continues, a retrospective of Finnish filmmaker Ilkka Järvi-Laturi begins.
IFC Center
A Dario Argento series continues; Audition, Basket Case 3,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Let Me Own This Blu-Ray Before I’m Buried in My Official Kiss-Branded Coffin
Few musical acts in American history have done more with less than Kiss. Despite boasting some of the simplest and most uninspired (if occasionally very catchy) songs of the 1970s, the shock rock act built a loyal following and merchandising empire around the novel idea of wearing makeup while singing. Their onstage theatrics and commitment to rock and rolling all night and partying every day — tons of people can do one or the other, but...
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Let Me Own This Blu-Ray Before I’m Buried in My Official Kiss-Branded Coffin
Few musical acts in American history have done more with less than Kiss. Despite boasting some of the simplest and most uninspired (if occasionally very catchy) songs of the 1970s, the shock rock act built a loyal following and merchandising empire around the novel idea of wearing makeup while singing. Their onstage theatrics and commitment to rock and rolling all night and partying every day — tons of people can do one or the other, but...
- 1/27/2024
- by Christian Zilko and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
The Beatles‘ “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” was even more secretive than you thought! John Lennon said he penned the song in a “secret little apartment” owned by an important figure in rock ‘n’ roll history. Paul McCartney’s memories of the song contradict John’s.
John Lennon wrote The Beatles’ ‘Do You Want to Know a Secret?’ in a place for ‘liaisons’
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features a 1980 interview. In it, John discussed The Beatles’ “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” That ballad was one of the rare Beatles hits with lead vocals from George Harrison.
“Well, I can’t say I wrote it for George,” John said. “I was in the first apartment I’d ever had that wasn’t shared by fourteen other students — gals and guys at art school. I’d just married Cyn,...
John Lennon wrote The Beatles’ ‘Do You Want to Know a Secret?’ in a place for ‘liaisons’
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features a 1980 interview. In it, John discussed The Beatles’ “Do You Want to Know a Secret?” That ballad was one of the rare Beatles hits with lead vocals from George Harrison.
“Well, I can’t say I wrote it for George,” John said. “I was in the first apartment I’d ever had that wasn’t shared by fourteen other students — gals and guys at art school. I’d just married Cyn,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon wasn’t always concerned with writing melodies. Despite this, he said two of The Beatles’ songs showed he could write melodies “with the best of them.” One of these tunes was a hit — but only after George Martin created an instrumental recording of it.
John Lennon said 2 Beatles songs proved he didn’t just write ‘shouting rock ‘n’ roll’ tracks
In a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed his role in The Beatles. “My contribution to Paul’s songs was always to add a little bluesy edge to them,” he said. “Otherwise, y’know, ‘Michelle’ is a straight ballad, right? He provided a lightness, an optimism, while I would always go for the sadness, the discords, the bluesy notes.” This balance between Paul’s sensibilities and John’s was the main magic of the Fab Four’s sound.
John Lennon said 2 Beatles songs proved he didn’t just write ‘shouting rock ‘n’ roll’ tracks
In a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed his role in The Beatles. “My contribution to Paul’s songs was always to add a little bluesy edge to them,” he said. “Otherwise, y’know, ‘Michelle’ is a straight ballad, right? He provided a lightness, an optimism, while I would always go for the sadness, the discords, the bluesy notes.” This balance between Paul’s sensibilities and John’s was the main magic of the Fab Four’s sound.
- 1/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Jamie Foxx’s favorite Beatles song is from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. And while hee made a good choice, Foxx associates the tune with an infamous movie. Here’s a look at one of the most widely hated movies of the 1970s and its connection to The Beatles.
Jamie Foxx said all of The Beatles’ songs displayed their ‘incredible talent’
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Foxx was asked to name the Fab Four tune he likes the most. He chose the title track from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is a hard-rock ditty and a far cry from Foxx’s soul/hip-hop style.
“That sticks out because of the movie,” he opined. “Everything they did … incredible talent, man. It’s just amazing how great they were, how they influenced our culture, and how the music still stands up today.
Jamie Foxx said all of The Beatles’ songs displayed their ‘incredible talent’
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Foxx was asked to name the Fab Four tune he likes the most. He chose the title track from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” is a hard-rock ditty and a far cry from Foxx’s soul/hip-hop style.
“That sticks out because of the movie,” he opined. “Everything they did … incredible talent, man. It’s just amazing how great they were, how they influenced our culture, and how the music still stands up today.
- 1/22/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Given how often one of the lead characters in the rollicking Belfast-set comedy Kneecap flashes his bare bottom, adorned with the words “Brits Out,” “cheeky” is truly the best way to describe this film premiering in Sundance’s Next strand.
The gleefully irreverent feature offers an origin story for the real-life band of the title, whose members also play themselves with admirable naturalism. It’s a meet-cute success story about two working-class drug dealers — Naoise Ó Cairealláin, known onstage as Móglaí Bap, and Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (aka Mo Chara) — who team up with a schoolteacher (JJ Ó Dochartaigh, or DJ Provaí, the one with the arse) to form a hip-hop group who rap mostly in Irish Gaelic. Writer-director Rich Peppiatt’s (doc One Rogue Reporter) exuberant sophomore feature blends truth with print-the-legend fiction. In its own sweet way, Kneecap is just like nearly every other music-focused rags-to-riches movie ever made.
The gleefully irreverent feature offers an origin story for the real-life band of the title, whose members also play themselves with admirable naturalism. It’s a meet-cute success story about two working-class drug dealers — Naoise Ó Cairealláin, known onstage as Móglaí Bap, and Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (aka Mo Chara) — who team up with a schoolteacher (JJ Ó Dochartaigh, or DJ Provaí, the one with the arse) to form a hip-hop group who rap mostly in Irish Gaelic. Writer-director Rich Peppiatt’s (doc One Rogue Reporter) exuberant sophomore feature blends truth with print-the-legend fiction. In its own sweet way, Kneecap is just like nearly every other music-focused rags-to-riches movie ever made.
- 1/19/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Beatles‘ songs don’t sound much like Blink-182’s. Despite this, Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 is a big fan of one of The Beatles’ ballads from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The track in question is underrated.
Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 said 1 Beatles song gets him choked up
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Hoppus was asked to name his favorite Beatles song. He picked “She’s Leaving Home,” a ballad from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While “She’s Leaving Home” is part of one of the biggest albums of all time, it doesn’t garner as much attention as other tracks on Sgt. Pepper such as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life.” It’s also nowhere near as famous as other Beatles ballads like “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” or “The Long and Winding Road.”
“She’s Leaving Home” has a huge impact on Hoppus.
Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 said 1 Beatles song gets him choked up
During a 2009 interview with Cleveland.com, Hoppus was asked to name his favorite Beatles song. He picked “She’s Leaving Home,” a ballad from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While “She’s Leaving Home” is part of one of the biggest albums of all time, it doesn’t garner as much attention as other tracks on Sgt. Pepper such as “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life.” It’s also nowhere near as famous as other Beatles ballads like “Yesterday,” “Let It Be,” or “The Long and Winding Road.”
“She’s Leaving Home” has a huge impact on Hoppus.
- 1/15/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
For my money, the Monkees are way, way more interesting than the Beatles.
According to Andrew Sandoval's thorough and invaluable book "The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation," an ad was put in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter on September 8, 1965, looking for "four insane boys" to be the members of a new pre-fabricated pop band. The band would also star in a TV series -- deliberately meant to evoke Richard Lester's 1964 Beatles film "A Hard Day's Night" -- that would use their real names, but present their lives as a fictional merry-go-round of kooky shenanigans.
The producers zeroed in on former child actor Micky Dolenz, a friend of musician Stephen Stills named Peter Tork, a British, boyish heartthrob named Davy Jones, and heir to the Liquid Paper fortune, Mike Nesmith. Their TV series debuted on September 12, 1966, the week after "Star Trek" debuted, and...
According to Andrew Sandoval's thorough and invaluable book "The Monkees: The Day-By-Day Story of the '60s TV Pop Sensation," an ad was put in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter on September 8, 1965, looking for "four insane boys" to be the members of a new pre-fabricated pop band. The band would also star in a TV series -- deliberately meant to evoke Richard Lester's 1964 Beatles film "A Hard Day's Night" -- that would use their real names, but present their lives as a fictional merry-go-round of kooky shenanigans.
The producers zeroed in on former child actor Micky Dolenz, a friend of musician Stephen Stills named Peter Tork, a British, boyish heartthrob named Davy Jones, and heir to the Liquid Paper fortune, Mike Nesmith. Their TV series debuted on September 12, 1966, the week after "Star Trek" debuted, and...
- 12/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Elvis Costello once wrote an essay explaining why The Beatles were so important. In it, he expressed his opinion of The Beatles’ Let It Be. Interestingly, John Lennon said a hit from that album received too much attention.
Elvis Costello called ‘Let It Be’ The Beatles’ ‘breakup album’
In 2010, Rolling Stone released its list of the 100 best artists. The Beatles were No. 1, and Costello wrote an essay about the Fab Four’s greatness for the magazine.
“Every record was a shock when it came out,” Costello wrote. “Compared to rabid R&b evangelists like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles arrived sounding like nothing else. They had already absorbed Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and Chuck Berry, but they were also writing their own songs. They made writing your own material expected, rather than exceptional.”
Costello discussed Let It Be and the documentary of the same name. “Their breakup album, Let It Be,...
Elvis Costello called ‘Let It Be’ The Beatles’ ‘breakup album’
In 2010, Rolling Stone released its list of the 100 best artists. The Beatles were No. 1, and Costello wrote an essay about the Fab Four’s greatness for the magazine.
“Every record was a shock when it came out,” Costello wrote. “Compared to rabid R&b evangelists like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles arrived sounding like nothing else. They had already absorbed Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and Chuck Berry, but they were also writing their own songs. They made writing your own material expected, rather than exceptional.”
Costello discussed Let It Be and the documentary of the same name. “Their breakup album, Let It Be,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles gave us cult classic movies like Yellow Submarine and Help! It’s only fitting that John Lennon’s favorite movie was a cult classic Western. The movie in question is one of the most bizarre Westerns ever made. Fascinatingly, the director of the film said multiple rock stars connected with his work.
John Lennon loved a cult classic Western movie with a heavy dose of mysticism
Alejandro Jodorowsky is a surrealist filmmaker whose movies are like Salvador Dalí paintings come to life. According to Wired, John’s favorite movie was Jodorowsky’s mystical Western El Topo. The film is about an outlaw called El Topo (Spanish for “The Mole”) who becomes a holy man in a landscape filled with Judeo-Christian and occult imagery.
During a 2011 interview with Interviews with Icons, Jodorowsky discussed John’s relationship with the film. “I was lucky because of rock ‘n’ roll,” explained Jodorowsky.
John Lennon loved a cult classic Western movie with a heavy dose of mysticism
Alejandro Jodorowsky is a surrealist filmmaker whose movies are like Salvador Dalí paintings come to life. According to Wired, John’s favorite movie was Jodorowsky’s mystical Western El Topo. The film is about an outlaw called El Topo (Spanish for “The Mole”) who becomes a holy man in a landscape filled with Judeo-Christian and occult imagery.
During a 2011 interview with Interviews with Icons, Jodorowsky discussed John’s relationship with the film. “I was lucky because of rock ‘n’ roll,” explained Jodorowsky.
- 12/9/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Ringo Starr‘s wife, Barbara Bach, is one of the most famous Bond girls of all time. She was not a big fan of The Beatles. She said her two favorite musicians were a pair of American soul singers. Ringo once discussed how he fell in love with Bach.
Ringo Starr’s wife Barbara Bach preferred Aretha Franklin to the Fab Four
Bach is an actor most known for her role as agent Anya Amasova in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore. The character is one of the most interesting leading ladies in the 007 franchise, partly because she starts the film as Bond’s enemy. She also appeared in Caveman, a notorious comedy starring Ringo that features a lot of slapstick and little intelligible dialogue.
Ringo was born with the name Richard Starkey. During a 1981 interview with Rolling Stone, Bach seemed to prefer his original name.
Ringo Starr’s wife Barbara Bach preferred Aretha Franklin to the Fab Four
Bach is an actor most known for her role as agent Anya Amasova in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore. The character is one of the most interesting leading ladies in the 007 franchise, partly because she starts the film as Bond’s enemy. She also appeared in Caveman, a notorious comedy starring Ringo that features a lot of slapstick and little intelligible dialogue.
Ringo was born with the name Richard Starkey. During a 1981 interview with Rolling Stone, Bach seemed to prefer his original name.
- 12/2/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles “Let It Be” has been played so much that even Paul McCartney wishes he heard it less. John Lennon made similar comments decades earlier. Regardless of their feelings, the tune became popular for several good reasons.
Paul McCartney called The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ their most ‘ubiquitous’ song
During a 2020 interview posted on Paul’s YouTube channel, the singer was asked to name which of The Beatles songs he heard the most. “It’s the most ubiquitous,” he said. “It sort of got everywhere. Ubiquitous from the Latin, ubi quo, meaning ‘everywhere.’ Come on, give it up.”
Interestingly, Paul’s favorite Beatles song was “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number),” the B-side of “Let It Be.” “[It’s] a zany, zany little B-side that nobody knows, but we had so much fun making it,” Paul said. “But there’s a lot of songs that I love of The Beatles.
Paul McCartney called The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ their most ‘ubiquitous’ song
During a 2020 interview posted on Paul’s YouTube channel, the singer was asked to name which of The Beatles songs he heard the most. “It’s the most ubiquitous,” he said. “It sort of got everywhere. Ubiquitous from the Latin, ubi quo, meaning ‘everywhere.’ Come on, give it up.”
Interestingly, Paul’s favorite Beatles song was “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number),” the B-side of “Let It Be.” “[It’s] a zany, zany little B-side that nobody knows, but we had so much fun making it,” Paul said. “But there’s a lot of songs that I love of The Beatles.
- 11/30/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney said a song from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band features a sleazy line that was rumored to be about a real person. Paul said it was complete fiction. The song also shows off many of Paul’s main traits as a songwriter.
The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ has a sexual lyric about a plush interior
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul recalled the origin of a line from “She’s Leaving Home.” “There’s the famous little line about a man from the motor trade; people have since said that was Terry Doran, who was a friend who worked in a car showroom, but it was just fiction, like the sea captain in ‘Yellow Submarine,’ they weren’t real people,” he said. “George Harrison said once he could only write songs from his personal experience, but they don’t have to exist for me.
The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ has a sexual lyric about a plush interior
In the 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, Paul recalled the origin of a line from “She’s Leaving Home.” “There’s the famous little line about a man from the motor trade; people have since said that was Terry Doran, who was a friend who worked in a car showroom, but it was just fiction, like the sea captain in ‘Yellow Submarine,’ they weren’t real people,” he said. “George Harrison said once he could only write songs from his personal experience, but they don’t have to exist for me.
- 11/20/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Classic rock bands were full of surprises. Paul McCartney revealed there’s a big connection between The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Interestingly, one of those songs became a huge smash in the United States while the other wasn’t even released as a single.
Ringo Starr gave us The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’
During a 2020 interview with Uncut, Paul was asked if he hoped flashes of genius would appear. “Yes, that’s something I’m very grateful for in life,” he said. “So much of what I’ve done, I didn’t particularly set out to do! Somebody might say something, I picked up on it and then we ran with it. A lot of what The Beatles did was like that.
“Ringo might say, ‘It’s been a hard day’s night’ or ‘Tomorrow never knows’ and me and John would go,...
Ringo Starr gave us The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’
During a 2020 interview with Uncut, Paul was asked if he hoped flashes of genius would appear. “Yes, that’s something I’m very grateful for in life,” he said. “So much of what I’ve done, I didn’t particularly set out to do! Somebody might say something, I picked up on it and then we ran with it. A lot of what The Beatles did was like that.
“Ringo might say, ‘It’s been a hard day’s night’ or ‘Tomorrow never knows’ and me and John would go,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Everywhere you look these days there are over-the-top horror movies, but the torture-porn genre of the “Saw” films — homicidal mutilation served up as a “game,” with life lessons thrown in — is more or less limited to the “Saw” franchise. There haven’t been too many knockoffs of it. “Soul Mates,” however, has been unabashedly made in the carnival-of-ick mode of “Saw.” It even opens with two characters in handcuffs, wondering how they got to the dungeon in which they’re about to be toyed with like human lab rats.
Allison (Annie Ilonzeh) and Jason (Charlie Weber) wake up in the same bed, with metal bracelets on their wrists and a three-foot-long chain linking them together. For a moment there’s a dear-God-wtf-did-i-do-last-night? vibe, but these two have, in fact, never met. At first she thinks he’s a predator who has kidnapped her, and she uses a lamp to fend him off.
Allison (Annie Ilonzeh) and Jason (Charlie Weber) wake up in the same bed, with metal bracelets on their wrists and a three-foot-long chain linking them together. For a moment there’s a dear-God-wtf-did-i-do-last-night? vibe, but these two have, in fact, never met. At first she thinks he’s a predator who has kidnapped her, and she uses a lamp to fend him off.
- 10/19/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been 48 and a half years since Monty Python’s landmark film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, first hit theaters, which means that it’s the perfect time to celebrate the film’s legacy, according to Monty Python at least. On Tuesday, it was announced that the film will return to theaters this December via Iconic Events Releasing and Mercury Studios.
Over 500 movie theaters across the United States will participate in the screenings, which will begin on Sunday, December 3rd, with “encore screenings” beginning on Wednesday, December 6th. Additionally, two versions of the film will be shown: the standard cut, and a brand-new “Quote-a-long” rendition, which will display the lines on the screen so that fans can “quote, laugh, and sing-a-long like never before.” Tickets for the event are on-sale now, and can be purchased here.
The announcement arrives with a new trailer for the film, advertising that...
Over 500 movie theaters across the United States will participate in the screenings, which will begin on Sunday, December 3rd, with “encore screenings” beginning on Wednesday, December 6th. Additionally, two versions of the film will be shown: the standard cut, and a brand-new “Quote-a-long” rendition, which will display the lines on the screen so that fans can “quote, laugh, and sing-a-long like never before.” Tickets for the event are on-sale now, and can be purchased here.
The announcement arrives with a new trailer for the film, advertising that...
- 10/17/2023
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Film News
(Welcome to Tales from the Box Office, our column that examines box office miracles, disasters, and everything in between, as well as what we can learn from them.)
Metallica is, without question, one of the biggest music acts in history. They've sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and have played on every single continent -- yes, even Antarctica. Not bad for a thrash metal band that seemingly had very little commercial upside and originally tried to call their first album "Metal Up Your Ass." In 2013, after more than 30 years of conquering the music industry, Metallica set its sights on conquering the big screen with a wildly ambitious concert film. Unfortunately for James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo, the venture proved to be arguably the biggest financial misfire of their storied career.
Released in the fall of 2013, "Metallica: Through the Never" was not only an immaculately filmed 3D concert but an artistic,...
Metallica is, without question, one of the biggest music acts in history. They've sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and have played on every single continent -- yes, even Antarctica. Not bad for a thrash metal band that seemingly had very little commercial upside and originally tried to call their first album "Metal Up Your Ass." In 2013, after more than 30 years of conquering the music industry, Metallica set its sights on conquering the big screen with a wildly ambitious concert film. Unfortunately for James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett, and Robert Trujillo, the venture proved to be arguably the biggest financial misfire of their storied career.
Released in the fall of 2013, "Metallica: Through the Never" was not only an immaculately filmed 3D concert but an artistic,...
- 10/8/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Paul Simon named some of The Beatles‘ songs that he thought would remain prominent. He said one of the Fab Four’s tracks was deeply important to him. On the other hand, John Lennon didn’t think the song in question was all that popular.
Paul Simon said 1 of The Beatles’ songs is an ‘example of a total record’
During a 1972 interview with Rolling Stone, Simon was asked to name which Beatles songs he thought would last. “I would pick ‘Yesterday,'” he said. “I would pick ‘Strawberry Fields [Forever]’ — although there is your example of a total record. A very important record to me, I like it a lot. You can’t even sing the song. It’s really hard to sing the song.”
He also discussed how musical tastes evolve. “It may take a song instead of being dated after three years, maybe some songs won’t be dated for five years,...
Paul Simon said 1 of The Beatles’ songs is an ‘example of a total record’
During a 1972 interview with Rolling Stone, Simon was asked to name which Beatles songs he thought would last. “I would pick ‘Yesterday,'” he said. “I would pick ‘Strawberry Fields [Forever]’ — although there is your example of a total record. A very important record to me, I like it a lot. You can’t even sing the song. It’s really hard to sing the song.”
He also discussed how musical tastes evolve. “It may take a song instead of being dated after three years, maybe some songs won’t be dated for five years,...
- 10/8/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Over 40 years after his tragic death on December 8, 1980, John Lennon‘s music, both with The Beatles and in his solo career, is fondly remembered by fans who were there at the time and has gained admiration with every new generation that has come along. In addition, Lennon’s writing and particularly his vocals have been held in high esteem by music critics around the world for decades.
The Oscar and Grammy winner’s contribution to the band shifted as the band passed from genre to genre — from pop idols to sound experimenters to psychedelia and finally to political activism — and he adapted his vocals to meet each of those needs. From his joyous vocals on “A Hard Day’s Night” to his slightly-high work on “Strawberry Fields Forever” to the rollicking “Twist and Shout,” Lennon’s range with the band was remarkable.
Please keep in mind that the list below is...
The Oscar and Grammy winner’s contribution to the band shifted as the band passed from genre to genre — from pop idols to sound experimenters to psychedelia and finally to political activism — and he adapted his vocals to meet each of those needs. From his joyous vocals on “A Hard Day’s Night” to his slightly-high work on “Strawberry Fields Forever” to the rollicking “Twist and Shout,” Lennon’s range with the band was remarkable.
Please keep in mind that the list below is...
- 10/7/2023
- by Tom O'Brien, Chris Beachum and Misty Holland
- Gold Derby
Sometimes, the best classic rock covers are the most unexpected ones. Dead Kennedys covered Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas” and that changed their live shows forever. Band member Jello Biafra explained why his band decided to put their edgy spin on an Elvis song and why that made them different from other bands of the time.
Dead Kennedys’ cover of Elvis Presley’s ‘Viva Las Vegas’ was meant to confuse fans
“Viva Las Vegas” remains one of the most famous songs from Elvis’ movies. Dead Kennedys recorded the song with some lyrical twists. Dead Kennedys’ version features the lines “Oh, I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got / Lady Luck’s with me, the dice stay hot / Got coke up my nose to dry away the snot.” Those are not the sort of lyrics the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would sing.
In the 2014 book Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables,...
Dead Kennedys’ cover of Elvis Presley’s ‘Viva Las Vegas’ was meant to confuse fans
“Viva Las Vegas” remains one of the most famous songs from Elvis’ movies. Dead Kennedys recorded the song with some lyrical twists. Dead Kennedys’ version features the lines “Oh, I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got / Lady Luck’s with me, the dice stay hot / Got coke up my nose to dry away the snot.” Those are not the sort of lyrics the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll would sing.
In the 2014 book Dead Kennedys: Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables,...
- 10/1/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
No matter how learned they are, film critics can be oh, so wrong. Elvis Presley‘s Viva Las Vegas inspired a review in The New York Times that was critical of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll‘s early work. The New York Times also ignored one of Elvis’ best songs in the review.
The New York Times said Elvis Presley’s singing improved in ‘Viva Las Vegas’
In a 1964 article, The New York Times gave a mixed appraisal of Viva Las Vegas. “Coming on a balmy day, with no pretensions of art, Viva Las Vegas, the new Elvia Presley vehicle, is about as pleasant and unimportant as a banana split,” the article said. “And as fetching to look at, it might be added.
“By now, after some rocky beginnings, the Presley movie formula has leveled off to a series of musical romps that are extremely easy to take,” the article continued.
The New York Times said Elvis Presley’s singing improved in ‘Viva Las Vegas’
In a 1964 article, The New York Times gave a mixed appraisal of Viva Las Vegas. “Coming on a balmy day, with no pretensions of art, Viva Las Vegas, the new Elvia Presley vehicle, is about as pleasant and unimportant as a banana split,” the article said. “And as fetching to look at, it might be added.
“By now, after some rocky beginnings, the Presley movie formula has leveled off to a series of musical romps that are extremely easy to take,” the article continued.
- 9/30/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” was written by a voice actor from The Wizard of Oz. The actor decided to give his writing credit on “Love Me Tender” to his wife. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll chose the melody for “Love Me Tender.”
Elvis Presley‘s “Love Me Tender” is one of the most famous classic rock ballads. It was co-written by an actor who played one of the munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. The actor discussed how the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll helped choose the melody for “Love Me Tender.”
The Muchkin mayor from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ co-wrote Elvis Presley’s ‘Love Me Tender’
Ken Darby was a composer who became known for working on movie musicals such as Camelot and The King and I. According to the 2023 book The Academy Awards Book of Lists: An Unauthorized, Unofficial, and Unprecedented History of the Oscars Part Two,...
Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” was written by a voice actor from The Wizard of Oz. The actor decided to give his writing credit on “Love Me Tender” to his wife. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll chose the melody for “Love Me Tender.”
Elvis Presley‘s “Love Me Tender” is one of the most famous classic rock ballads. It was co-written by an actor who played one of the munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. The actor discussed how the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll helped choose the melody for “Love Me Tender.”
The Muchkin mayor from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ co-wrote Elvis Presley’s ‘Love Me Tender’
Ken Darby was a composer who became known for working on movie musicals such as Camelot and The King and I. According to the 2023 book The Academy Awards Book of Lists: An Unauthorized, Unofficial, and Unprecedented History of the Oscars Part Two,...
- 9/26/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Ringo Starr‘s contributions to The Beatles get understated, but there’s one way they might be overstated. Ringo is credited with coming up with the title of The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night.” John Lennon gave Ringo a lot of credit, while still acknowledging he used the name first. Specifically, John used it in a nonsense story that hasn’t aged particularly well.
John Lennon said he wrote The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ around its title
In a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed the origins of the name A Hard Day’s Night. “[Director] Dick Lester suggested the title Hard Day’s Night from something Ringo’d said,” he said. “I had used it in In His Own Write, but it was an off-the-cuff remark by Ringo. You know, one of those malapropisms. A Ringoism,...
John Lennon said he wrote The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ around its title
In a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed the origins of the name A Hard Day’s Night. “[Director] Dick Lester suggested the title Hard Day’s Night from something Ringo’d said,” he said. “I had used it in In His Own Write, but it was an off-the-cuff remark by Ringo. You know, one of those malapropisms. A Ringoism,...
- 9/24/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Kix played their final concert ever on Sunday night (September 17th) at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland — just down the road from the band’s home city of Baltimore.
The hard rock vets were joined by former guitarists Ronnie Younkins and Brad Divens for what proved to be a celebratory, career-spanning set.
All of Kix’s biggest hits from their MTV glam-metal glory days were included in the set, most notably cuts from 1985’s Midnite Dynamite (“Midnite Dynamite”; “Scarlet Fever”; “Cold Shower”) and 1988’s Blow My Fuse.
Early in the set, Younkins joined the band onstage for the first two songs (“Atomic Bombs” and “The Kid”) before Divens took part in renditions of early Kix material (“For Shame” and “Mighty Mouth”) hailing from his stint in the band (1982-1983). Younkins and Divens then formed a triple-guitar attack with longtime Kix axeman Brian Forsythe for the four-song finale.
We originally...
The hard rock vets were joined by former guitarists Ronnie Younkins and Brad Divens for what proved to be a celebratory, career-spanning set.
All of Kix’s biggest hits from their MTV glam-metal glory days were included in the set, most notably cuts from 1985’s Midnite Dynamite (“Midnite Dynamite”; “Scarlet Fever”; “Cold Shower”) and 1988’s Blow My Fuse.
Early in the set, Younkins joined the band onstage for the first two songs (“Atomic Bombs” and “The Kid”) before Divens took part in renditions of early Kix material (“For Shame” and “Mighty Mouth”) hailing from his stint in the band (1982-1983). Younkins and Divens then formed a triple-guitar attack with longtime Kix axeman Brian Forsythe for the four-song finale.
We originally...
- 9/18/2023
- by Jon Hadusek
- Consequence - Music
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke had a lot to say about John Lennon‘s voice — and so did John himself. Yorke had a nuanced view of John’s “brutal” singing. John said his vocals helped him dominate The Beatles during their early years.
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke said he was a fan of John Lennon’s ‘weirdly brutal’ singing voice
A 2023 article from Rolling Stone features a passage from Jason Thomas Gordon’s forthcoming book The Singers Talk. In it, Yorke was asked to name the singer he’d most like to talk to about their voice. “It would be John Lennon,” he said. “Lennon’s whole attitude to singing, I’m a little bit obsessed with, because, on the surface, he has this whole, raw, doesn’t give a f*** … just the way he sings is weirdly brutal.
“I’d want to talk to him about how he was always so incredibly accurate,...
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke said he was a fan of John Lennon’s ‘weirdly brutal’ singing voice
A 2023 article from Rolling Stone features a passage from Jason Thomas Gordon’s forthcoming book The Singers Talk. In it, Yorke was asked to name the singer he’d most like to talk to about their voice. “It would be John Lennon,” he said. “Lennon’s whole attitude to singing, I’m a little bit obsessed with, because, on the surface, he has this whole, raw, doesn’t give a f*** … just the way he sings is weirdly brutal.
“I’d want to talk to him about how he was always so incredibly accurate,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1964, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr starred in the Beatles’ movie A Hard Day’s Night. They enjoyed the experience, and their fans loved the film. The people who knew The Beatles also enjoyed their viewing experiences. Audio engineer Geoff Emerick, who worked extensively with the band, said it showed him a different side of the musicians. In particular, he appreciated the fact that the typically reserved Starr came across well.
Geoff Emerick found it surprising that Ringo Starr came across well in a Beatles movie
When Emerick saw A Hard Day’s Night, he had some issues with the music but no complaints about The Beatles’ performances. He also appreciated the fact that he had the insider knowledge to recognize that their onscreen personas did not match their real personalities.
“The Beatles themselves were portrayed as four stereotypes in the movie, and I remember sitting there thinking to myself,...
Geoff Emerick found it surprising that Ringo Starr came across well in a Beatles movie
When Emerick saw A Hard Day’s Night, he had some issues with the music but no complaints about The Beatles’ performances. He also appreciated the fact that he had the insider knowledge to recognize that their onscreen personas did not match their real personalities.
“The Beatles themselves were portrayed as four stereotypes in the movie, and I remember sitting there thinking to myself,...
- 9/8/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Roger Ebert said Elvis Presley movies contrived any plot to give Elvis a reason to sing. Ebert saw a movie that did nothing for the singer’s career. Shortly after, the singer released the ’68 Comeback Special, “Guitar Man,” and “If I Can Dream.”
Roger Ebert said watching one of Elvis Presley‘s movies made him miserable. In addition, Ebert discussed his feelings about the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in general. Notably, the movie in question produced three singles.
Roger Ebert missed 1 of Elvis Presley’s movies to see ‘the same bloody thing’ years later
RogerEbert.com features a 1967 review of the film Easy Come, Easy Go. In it, Ebert revealed he wasn’t an Elvis fan, preferring the voice of jazz and pop singer Julie London. Ebert previously refused to see one of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s movies — G.I. Blues — with his friends.
Roger Ebert said Elvis Presley movies contrived any plot to give Elvis a reason to sing. Ebert saw a movie that did nothing for the singer’s career. Shortly after, the singer released the ’68 Comeback Special, “Guitar Man,” and “If I Can Dream.”
Roger Ebert said watching one of Elvis Presley‘s movies made him miserable. In addition, Ebert discussed his feelings about the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in general. Notably, the movie in question produced three singles.
Roger Ebert missed 1 of Elvis Presley’s movies to see ‘the same bloody thing’ years later
RogerEbert.com features a 1967 review of the film Easy Come, Easy Go. In it, Ebert revealed he wasn’t an Elvis fan, preferring the voice of jazz and pop singer Julie London. Ebert previously refused to see one of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s movies — G.I. Blues — with his friends.
- 9/4/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Roger Ebert avoided most of Elvis Presley’s movies. He reviewed one of them despite not buying any of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s records. Ebert named a pop singer whom he preferred to the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer.
Roger Ebert avoided Elvis Presley‘s movies. In addition, he didn’t care music for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll‘s music. Here’s a look at what Ebert had to say about one of the singer’s 1960s starring vehicles.
Roger Ebert had ‘no credentials for reviewing a movie by Elvis Presley’
Thanks to the show Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, Ebert is still one of the most famous movie critics ever. In a 1967 article posted to RogerEbert.com, he reviewed Easy Come, Easy Go. The film is an Elvis musical about treasure hunting. Ebert gave Easy Come, Easy Go a paltry one out of four stars.
Roger Ebert avoided most of Elvis Presley’s movies. He reviewed one of them despite not buying any of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s records. Ebert named a pop singer whom he preferred to the “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer.
Roger Ebert avoided Elvis Presley‘s movies. In addition, he didn’t care music for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll‘s music. Here’s a look at what Ebert had to say about one of the singer’s 1960s starring vehicles.
Roger Ebert had ‘no credentials for reviewing a movie by Elvis Presley’
Thanks to the show Siskel & Ebert & the Movies, Ebert is still one of the most famous movie critics ever. In a 1967 article posted to RogerEbert.com, he reviewed Easy Come, Easy Go. The film is an Elvis musical about treasure hunting. Ebert gave Easy Come, Easy Go a paltry one out of four stars.
- 8/30/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night solidified stereotypes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr. Paul was asked abut his depiction in the movie. He said there was truth to the stereotype about him.
The Beatles‘ A Hard Day’s Night promoted the stereotype of Paul McCartney as a carefree guy. Subsequently, Paul was asked how he felt about the film. Notably, the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack produced three top 20 singles in the United States.
Paul McCartney didn’t mind the vibe of The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ while making it
During a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul was asked about the way A Hard Day’s Night portrayed The Beatles. The interviewer said the film reduced The Beatles to stereotypes, with John Lennon as the thinker, Ringo Starr as the loner, and Paul as a happy-go-lucky guy. Paul was asked if this bothered him.
“No, I didn’t mind it,...
The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night solidified stereotypes of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr. Paul was asked abut his depiction in the movie. He said there was truth to the stereotype about him.
The Beatles‘ A Hard Day’s Night promoted the stereotype of Paul McCartney as a carefree guy. Subsequently, Paul was asked how he felt about the film. Notably, the Hard Day’s Night soundtrack produced three top 20 singles in the United States.
Paul McCartney didn’t mind the vibe of The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ while making it
During a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, Paul was asked about the way A Hard Day’s Night portrayed The Beatles. The interviewer said the film reduced The Beatles to stereotypes, with John Lennon as the thinker, Ringo Starr as the loner, and Paul as a happy-go-lucky guy. Paul was asked if this bothered him.
“No, I didn’t mind it,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Paul McCartney wanted The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” to start with a certain lyric. The band’s producer, George Martin, didn’t think that line was impactful. The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a hit once in the United States and twice in the United Kingdom.
George Martin said Paul McCartney‘s original version of The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” lacked a proper hook. He discussed how a simple musical change made the track more interesting. Subsequently, he revealed what he thought about Paul as a solo artist.
George Martin added a musical surprise to The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’
During a 1995 interview with The Christian Science Monitor, Martin discussed the evolution of “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Paul wanted the song to begin with the lyric “Money can’t buy me anything to keep me satisfied.” Martin felt that line wasn’t impactful.
“I...
Paul McCartney wanted The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” to start with a certain lyric. The band’s producer, George Martin, didn’t think that line was impactful. The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a hit once in the United States and twice in the United Kingdom.
George Martin said Paul McCartney‘s original version of The Beatles’ “Can’t Buy Me Love” lacked a proper hook. He discussed how a simple musical change made the track more interesting. Subsequently, he revealed what he thought about Paul as a solo artist.
George Martin added a musical surprise to The Beatles’ ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’
During a 1995 interview with The Christian Science Monitor, Martin discussed the evolution of “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Paul wanted the song to begin with the lyric “Money can’t buy me anything to keep me satisfied.” Martin felt that line wasn’t impactful.
“I...
- 8/22/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The charts pitted The Beatles‘ “A Hard Day’s Night” against a Dean Martin song. For a moment, Martin came out on top. Subsequently, he made a famous comment about The Beatles to Elvis Presley.
Dean Martin took on The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Days Night’ but he felt Elvis Presley couldn’t
The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” topped the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for two weeks. It spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart. The rock ‘n’ roll number appeared on the album of the same name. A Hard Day’s Night was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks, lasting on the chart for 56 weeks on the chart.
According to Stereogum, “A Hard Day’s Night” was knocked off its pedestal by Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody.” Martin’s hit was the No. 1 song in the United States for one week. After this happened, Martin reportedly assured Elvis, “If...
Dean Martin took on The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Days Night’ but he felt Elvis Presley couldn’t
The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night” topped the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for two weeks. It spent a total of 13 weeks on the chart. The rock ‘n’ roll number appeared on the album of the same name. A Hard Day’s Night was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks, lasting on the chart for 56 weeks on the chart.
According to Stereogum, “A Hard Day’s Night” was knocked off its pedestal by Martin’s “Everybody Loves Somebody.” Martin’s hit was the No. 1 song in the United States for one week. After this happened, Martin reportedly assured Elvis, “If...
- 8/21/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Anne Murray put her spin on several of The Beatles‘ songs. Murray’s cover of a song from The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night outshone the original. Despite this, her version of the Fab Four’s track is terrible and doesn’t fit the song’s lyrics.
1 song from The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and Anne Murray’s cover didn’t hit the top 40
The Beatles’ “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” was barely a hit. It reached No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a single week. The tune appeared on the album A Hard Day’s Night. That record topped the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks, lasting on the chart for 56 weeks.
Murray’s cover of “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” was a bigger hit. Her version of the tune peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for six weeks. Murray...
1 song from The Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and Anne Murray’s cover didn’t hit the top 40
The Beatles’ “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” was barely a hit. It reached No. 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a single week. The tune appeared on the album A Hard Day’s Night. That record topped the Billboard 200 for 14 weeks, lasting on the chart for 56 weeks.
Murray’s cover of “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You” was a bigger hit. Her version of the tune peaked at No. 64 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed on the chart for six weeks. Murray...
- 8/19/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles loved a Peter Sellers film that was helmed by a famous director. Paul McCartney felt the band members’ enjoyment of the movie said a lot about them. The director had an incredible impact on The Beatles’ career.
The Beatles were huge fans of a Peter Sellers movie that Paul McCartney called “zany.” The movie went on to inspire one of The Beatles’ most famous films. In addition, The Beatles worked with Sellers’ director multiple times.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ love of 1 Peter Sellers movie gave them ‘a personality’
During a 2020 interview with GQ, Paul discussed The Beatles’ tastes. “We liked people such as Stanley Unwin; we liked mad things,” he said. For context, Unwin was a comic actor known for creating his own language.
In addition, the members of the Fab Four enjoyed a short film that starred Sellers. “Like there was a little film...
The Beatles loved a Peter Sellers film that was helmed by a famous director. Paul McCartney felt the band members’ enjoyment of the movie said a lot about them. The director had an incredible impact on The Beatles’ career.
The Beatles were huge fans of a Peter Sellers movie that Paul McCartney called “zany.” The movie went on to inspire one of The Beatles’ most famous films. In addition, The Beatles worked with Sellers’ director multiple times.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ love of 1 Peter Sellers movie gave them ‘a personality’
During a 2020 interview with GQ, Paul discussed The Beatles’ tastes. “We liked people such as Stanley Unwin; we liked mad things,” he said. For context, Unwin was a comic actor known for creating his own language.
In addition, the members of the Fab Four enjoyed a short film that starred Sellers. “Like there was a little film...
- 8/15/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
The Beatles’ Revolver and Rubber Soul were similar in one major way. George Harrison revealed what he thought of both records. He contrasted them to the soundtrack for Yellow Submarine.
The Beatles never played Revolver songs live. On one hand, The Beatles’ technical limitations stopped them from playing those songs on tour. In addition, death threats reportedly caused them to quit touring.
The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’ and ‘Rubber Soul’ were too complex to recreate on a stage
According to the 2011 book The Beatles Uncensored: On the Record, the band grew less interested in playing live after the release of Rubber Soul and Revolver. This was because tunes from those albums involved lots of studio trickery the band couldn’t replicate on tour. The Fab Four weren’t able to use synthesizers, a sophisticated sound system, or a live orchestra on tour.
The Beatles Uncensored also says the band’s...
The Beatles’ Revolver and Rubber Soul were similar in one major way. George Harrison revealed what he thought of both records. He contrasted them to the soundtrack for Yellow Submarine.
The Beatles never played Revolver songs live. On one hand, The Beatles’ technical limitations stopped them from playing those songs on tour. In addition, death threats reportedly caused them to quit touring.
The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’ and ‘Rubber Soul’ were too complex to recreate on a stage
According to the 2011 book The Beatles Uncensored: On the Record, the band grew less interested in playing live after the release of Rubber Soul and Revolver. This was because tunes from those albums involved lots of studio trickery the band couldn’t replicate on tour. The Fab Four weren’t able to use synthesizers, a sophisticated sound system, or a live orchestra on tour.
The Beatles Uncensored also says the band’s...
- 8/13/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.