Exclusive: Gilles Bannier, the director of the first seasons of hit series Blue Lights and Trigger Point is opening up a new drama indie, Alef UK. The London-based label will be a subsidiary of Alef One, Nora Melhli’s Paris-based prodco that counts Flight MH370 and doc Carlos Ghosn The Last Flight among its credits.
French born writer-director Bannier has been based in England for a decade and will be Creative Director of the new UK drama business. His directing credits include iconic dramas Spiral and Les Beaux Mecs as well as The Tunnel, which is where he first collaborated with Melhli, who was a producer on the Kudos drama. The duo also worked together on Tim Roth-starrer Tin Star.
Melhli worked at Endemol and Altice before teaming with Jacques Arthur Essebag to create Alef One in 2018. She told Deadline that working with Bannier during Covid – and the problem-solving...
French born writer-director Bannier has been based in England for a decade and will be Creative Director of the new UK drama business. His directing credits include iconic dramas Spiral and Les Beaux Mecs as well as The Tunnel, which is where he first collaborated with Melhli, who was a producer on the Kudos drama. The duo also worked together on Tim Roth-starrer Tin Star.
Melhli worked at Endemol and Altice before teaming with Jacques Arthur Essebag to create Alef One in 2018. She told Deadline that working with Bannier during Covid – and the problem-solving...
- 4/30/2024
- by Stewart Clarke
- Deadline Film + TV
Before Ringo Starr joined The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison worked with a different drummer. Pete Best traveled to Germany with The Beatles when they played in Hamburg. Best never reaped the prolific benefits of the band’s success, though. They fired him just before hitting it big, which McCartney described as one of the most difficult things they ever had to do.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles had to make a difficult decision
In 1962, The Beatles auditioned for producer George Martin. While Martin saw potential in the band, he didn’t see a path forward for them with Best. He asked them to consider finding a new drummer.
“He agreed to audition us, and we had a not-very powerful audition in which he was not very pleased with Pete Best,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “George Martin was used to drummers being very ‘in time,...
Paul McCartney said The Beatles had to make a difficult decision
In 1962, The Beatles auditioned for producer George Martin. While Martin saw potential in the band, he didn’t see a path forward for them with Best. He asked them to consider finding a new drummer.
“He agreed to audition us, and we had a not-very powerful audition in which he was not very pleased with Pete Best,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “George Martin was used to drummers being very ‘in time,...
- 4/28/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Billy Joel is one of the most celebrated musicians in Hollywood, having earned the nickname Piano Man after his signature 1973 song of the same title. The famed pianist’s positive comment about Taylor Swift previously made rounds online.
Taylor Swift via Speak Now album
It’s true that the country-pop singer is dominating the music industry with her catchy and relatable songs, something that Joel heavily praised during one of his interviews. The latter particularly commended her songwriting skills.
Billy Joel Praised Taylor Swift For Her Genius Music Ideas
Speaking with USA Today, singer-songwriter Billy Joel applauded Taylor Swift for her brilliant music concepts and song compositions. The Lover singer is known for her catchy and emotionally-charged lyrics.
“Taylor [Swift] is also a very talented girl, and she’s productive and keeps coming up with great concepts and songs, and she’s huge. You have to give her high marks.
Taylor Swift via Speak Now album
It’s true that the country-pop singer is dominating the music industry with her catchy and relatable songs, something that Joel heavily praised during one of his interviews. The latter particularly commended her songwriting skills.
Billy Joel Praised Taylor Swift For Her Genius Music Ideas
Speaking with USA Today, singer-songwriter Billy Joel applauded Taylor Swift for her brilliant music concepts and song compositions. The Lover singer is known for her catchy and emotionally-charged lyrics.
“Taylor [Swift] is also a very talented girl, and she’s productive and keeps coming up with great concepts and songs, and she’s huge. You have to give her high marks.
- 4/15/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
Over the course of his life, Paul McCartney has been the subject of countless books about his life and time with The Beatles. Few upset him more than a book by longtime Beatles confidante Peter Brown. With writer Steven Gaines, Brown published The Love You Make, a book that spanned from the band’s teenage years to shortly after John Lennon’s death. McCartney took his copy of the book and burned it.
Paul McCartney felt betrayed by a book about The Beatles
In 1983, Brown and Gaines published The Love You Make, which pulled from Brown’s experiences as well as interviews with Beatles associates and the band themselves. Though many were happy to help with the book, the final product rankled. It detailed Lennon’s alleged sexual relationship with Beatles manager Brian Epstein and claimed McCartney had an illegitimate son, among other things. Brown sent out copies of the...
Paul McCartney felt betrayed by a book about The Beatles
In 1983, Brown and Gaines published The Love You Make, which pulled from Brown’s experiences as well as interviews with Beatles associates and the band themselves. Though many were happy to help with the book, the final product rankled. It detailed Lennon’s alleged sexual relationship with Beatles manager Brian Epstein and claimed McCartney had an illegitimate son, among other things. Brown sent out copies of the...
- 4/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While The Beatles and The Rolling Stones both led the charge during the British Invasion, they had wildly different public images. Mick Jagger’s girlfriend explained why The Beatles were seen as good boys and The Rolling Stones were seen as bad boys. Notably, John Lennon revealed that he was a huge fan of one Rolling Stones song.
Marianne Faithfull said The Rolling Stones were sexier than The Beatles
Marianne Faithfull was Jagger’s girlfriend in the 1960s. She’s most famous for a pair of ballads: “As Tears Go By,” which was co-written by Jagger and Keith Richards, and a cover of The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” If anyone has the right to pontificate on the differences between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, it’s her.
In her 2007 book Memories, Dreams & Reflections, the “As Tears Go by” singer discussed the two defining British bands of the 1960s. “The Beatles completely evolved from the pop business,...
Marianne Faithfull said The Rolling Stones were sexier than The Beatles
Marianne Faithfull was Jagger’s girlfriend in the 1960s. She’s most famous for a pair of ballads: “As Tears Go By,” which was co-written by Jagger and Keith Richards, and a cover of The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” If anyone has the right to pontificate on the differences between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, it’s her.
In her 2007 book Memories, Dreams & Reflections, the “As Tears Go by” singer discussed the two defining British bands of the 1960s. “The Beatles completely evolved from the pop business,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If you told me there was a plan in place to make four Beatles biopics — one each about John, Paul, George, and Ringo — and that they were going to be directed by Richard Linklater, I’d be suffused with curiosity and excitement. If you told me that those same four movies were going to be directed by Martin Scorsese, I’d be suffused with curiosity and excitement. If you told me that a quartet of Beatles biopics were going to be directed (one apiece) by Linklater, Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, and Todd Haynes, I’d be suffused with curiosity and excitement — and, in fact, that last option would make a beautiful kind of sense. When you think about it, why would anyone — even Scorsese, the poet of rock-operatic drama — want to direct all four Beatles biopics? Talk about hogging the spoils.
But Sam Mendes does. According to a master plan handed down on stone tablets by…...
But Sam Mendes does. According to a master plan handed down on stone tablets by…...
- 2/24/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Pop music phenoms come and go, fall in and out of favor and sometimes fade into total obscurity. Very few remain relevant a decade removed from their initial success, and you can count on maybe two hands the number of artists who can knock out a new song or reissue and top the Billboard charts 50-plus years after their debut.
And then there's The Beatles.
From the moment they scored their first number one hit in the U.K. with 1963's "From Me to You," The Beatles drew on their multitude of musical influences — blues, country, rockabilly, and the sui generis soul sounds pulsating out of Motown — to create perfectly constructed, infectiously catchy singles that earwormed their way into the fabric of your being. Within three years of breaking big in the U.S., they released the pioneering folk-rock LP "Rubber Soul," flirted with psychedelia and raga on the expansive "Revolver,...
And then there's The Beatles.
From the moment they scored their first number one hit in the U.K. with 1963's "From Me to You," The Beatles drew on their multitude of musical influences — blues, country, rockabilly, and the sui generis soul sounds pulsating out of Motown — to create perfectly constructed, infectiously catchy singles that earwormed their way into the fabric of your being. Within three years of breaking big in the U.S., they released the pioneering folk-rock LP "Rubber Soul," flirted with psychedelia and raga on the expansive "Revolver,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
The Beatles had a public reputation for their charm, but they could be incredibly unpleasant to those they disliked. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were a close-knit group who were quick to defend one another. The band’s combined disdain could be incredibly unpleasant to its target.
The Beatles quickly turned on people they disliked
Beatles manager Brian Epstein began working with the band early in their career. He liked them and even went on vacation with Lennon. Still, he was slightly afraid of them.
“There was a famous early story; one of those legends that may or may not have been true,” press officer Derek Taylor said in The Beatles Anthology. “I think it was at the Emi studios when Brian said, ‘I think one of you is flat,’ and John said, ‘We’ll do the songs, you keep on counting the percentages.’ Brian told...
The Beatles quickly turned on people they disliked
Beatles manager Brian Epstein began working with the band early in their career. He liked them and even went on vacation with Lennon. Still, he was slightly afraid of them.
“There was a famous early story; one of those legends that may or may not have been true,” press officer Derek Taylor said in The Beatles Anthology. “I think it was at the Emi studios when Brian said, ‘I think one of you is flat,’ and John said, ‘We’ll do the songs, you keep on counting the percentages.’ Brian told...
- 2/20/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A global search for Paul McCartney’s missing 1961 Höfner guitar ended successfully when the Beatles pop star was reunited with his guitar in December. McCartney bought the musical instrument in 1961 in Hamburg, Germany, for $38. The guitar was used in some of the classic Beatles hits, including Love Me Do and She Loves You. It was stolen from the back of a van in West London in 1972.
Sir Paul McCartney in a concert
The search for the instrument was initiated last year when McCartney urged manufacturers Höfner to find his long-lost guitar. Nick Wass for Höfner, and Scott and Naomi Jones, two journalists, headed the search project named The Lost Bass Project.
Paul McCartney Reunites With His Beloved Guitar After 5 Decades
Paul McCartney with his Höfner bass in a clip from the 2021 Get Back documentary
Paul McCartney last put down his Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass guitar after The Beatles finished filming Get...
Sir Paul McCartney in a concert
The search for the instrument was initiated last year when McCartney urged manufacturers Höfner to find his long-lost guitar. Nick Wass for Höfner, and Scott and Naomi Jones, two journalists, headed the search project named The Lost Bass Project.
Paul McCartney Reunites With His Beloved Guitar After 5 Decades
Paul McCartney with his Höfner bass in a clip from the 2021 Get Back documentary
Paul McCartney last put down his Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass guitar after The Beatles finished filming Get...
- 2/17/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Paul McCartney wrote “Hello, Goodbye” in 1967. The song became a non-album single and has endured as one of their better-known hits. At this stage in The Beatles’ career, McCartney and John Lennon were writing separately, but McCartney still had a bit of help on the song. He was trying to teach songwriting to Alistair Taylor when he got the idea for “Hello, Goodbye.”
Paul McCartney wrote ‘Hello, Goodbye’ during a songwriting lesson
Taylor, who was the assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein, asked McCartney how he wrote songs. At this point, McCartney had become an incredibly prolific writer. The Beatles were at their peak, and he had written countless hits for the band. McCartney took the question as an opportunity to give Taylor a songwriting lesson at the harmonium in his living room.
He instructed Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said: black, white; stop, go; yes, no.
Paul McCartney wrote ‘Hello, Goodbye’ during a songwriting lesson
Taylor, who was the assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein, asked McCartney how he wrote songs. At this point, McCartney had become an incredibly prolific writer. The Beatles were at their peak, and he had written countless hits for the band. McCartney took the question as an opportunity to give Taylor a songwriting lesson at the harmonium in his living room.
He instructed Taylor to say the opposite of whatever he said: black, white; stop, go; yes, no.
- 2/17/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon brought a connection to former Beatles‘ drummer Pete Best to the cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While Paul McCartney and George Harrison adorned their costumes with their MBEs, Lennon did not want to do this. Instead, he reached out to Best’s family several years after unceremoniously firing him from the group. Here’s how he got a hold of his grandfather’s medals.
John Lennon requested to wear Pete Best’s grandfather’s medals on the ‘Sgt. Pepper’ cover
In 1962, The Beatles fired their drummer, Best, and hired Ringo Starr. They were too afraid to tell Best themselves, so they had their manager, Brian Epstein, let him go. Lennon admitted this was cowardly.
“We were cowards when we sacked him,” he said, per The Beatles: The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies. “We made Brian do it. But if we told Pete to his face,...
John Lennon requested to wear Pete Best’s grandfather’s medals on the ‘Sgt. Pepper’ cover
In 1962, The Beatles fired their drummer, Best, and hired Ringo Starr. They were too afraid to tell Best themselves, so they had their manager, Brian Epstein, let him go. Lennon admitted this was cowardly.
“We were cowards when we sacked him,” he said, per The Beatles: The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies. “We made Brian do it. But if we told Pete to his face,...
- 2/13/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon had no fear of speaking his mind. He gave lengthy interviews in which he spoke poorly about his bandmates and their music. While Lennon spoke his mind in The Beatles — he notably caused a stir when he said The Beatles were bigger than Jesus — he said he wasn’t as honest as he wanted to be. He shared why they had to compromise in order to achieve success.
John Lennon said The Beatles had to change themselves
In the early years of The Beatles, the band received criticism for their clothing and long hair. According to Lennon, their style was already a compromise. They had to change themselves in order to seem palatable to the public.
“We weren’t as open and as truthful when we didn’t have the power to be,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “We had to take it easy.
John Lennon said The Beatles had to change themselves
In the early years of The Beatles, the band received criticism for their clothing and long hair. According to Lennon, their style was already a compromise. They had to change themselves in order to seem palatable to the public.
“We weren’t as open and as truthful when we didn’t have the power to be,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “We had to take it easy.
- 2/12/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1964, John Lennon extricated his public image from The Beatles when he published the book In His Own Write. The book, which was full of Lennon’s nonsensical poems and short stories, received acclaim from critics. It proved that even if he hadn’t been a famous musician, he may have been able to find success as a writer.
John Lennon shared his plan for life if he weren’t a Beatle
Lennon became a published author in 1964. It wasn’t necessarily something he sought out to do; he had simply amassed enough writing to fill a book.
“It’s about nothing. If you like it, you like it; if you don’t, you don’t. That’s all there is to it,” Lennon said of In His Own Write in The Beatles Anthology. “There’s nothing deep in it, it’s just meant to be funny. I put things...
John Lennon shared his plan for life if he weren’t a Beatle
Lennon became a published author in 1964. It wasn’t necessarily something he sought out to do; he had simply amassed enough writing to fill a book.
“It’s about nothing. If you like it, you like it; if you don’t, you don’t. That’s all there is to it,” Lennon said of In His Own Write in The Beatles Anthology. “There’s nothing deep in it, it’s just meant to be funny. I put things...
- 2/12/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The songwriting relationship between Paul McCartney and John Lennon was one of the most prolific of all time. They began to write on a more individual basis as the 1960s wore on, and their working relationship fell apart entirely when The Beatles broke up. McCartney noticed a shift in their dynamic when Lennon met Yoko Ono. He believed Lennon was intentionally putting distance between them to leave more time for her.
Paul McCartney said it was a bit off-putting to watch John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the studio
When Lennon and Ono began a relationship, they started spending all their time together. He brought her to Beatles recording sessions, which bothered his bandmates.
“Now John had to have Yoko there,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “I can’t blame him, they were intensely in love — in the first throes of the first passions — but it was fairly off-putting...
Paul McCartney said it was a bit off-putting to watch John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the studio
When Lennon and Ono began a relationship, they started spending all their time together. He brought her to Beatles recording sessions, which bothered his bandmates.
“Now John had to have Yoko there,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “I can’t blame him, they were intensely in love — in the first throes of the first passions — but it was fairly off-putting...
- 2/11/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Harrison was the most spiritual member of The Beatles and tried to incorporate his faith into his everyday life. Over the course of his career, both with The Beatles and as a solo artist, Harrison wrote songs about his spirituality. He was not behind one of The Beatles’ songs that he thought was good publicity for God, though.
George Harrison said this Beatles song was spiritual
In 1967, The Beatles released “All You Need Is Love.” John Lennon wrote the song after their manager, Brian Epstein, informed the band that they were to appear on the Our World broadcast. This was the first-ever live, multinational broadcast and allowed the band to get their new song to millions of listeners. They recorded the song in the studio with a number of other musicians.
“I remember the recording, because we decided to get some people in who looked like the ‘love generation,...
George Harrison said this Beatles song was spiritual
In 1967, The Beatles released “All You Need Is Love.” John Lennon wrote the song after their manager, Brian Epstein, informed the band that they were to appear on the Our World broadcast. This was the first-ever live, multinational broadcast and allowed the band to get their new song to millions of listeners. They recorded the song in the studio with a number of other musicians.
“I remember the recording, because we decided to get some people in who looked like the ‘love generation,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1967, The Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” on a live broadcast. The song was a swift success for the band and became an anthem for the summer of its release. It wasn’t all smooth sailing, though. The band ran into copyright issues following the discovery that producer George Martin included a song that was not in the public domain.
The Beatles ran into trouble over ‘All You Need Is Love’
“All You Need Is Love” includes elements from several songs, including “La Marseillaise” and the 1939 song “In the Mood.” The latter eventually became a problem for the band.
“In arranging it, we shoved ‘La Marseillaise’ on the front, and a whole string of stuff on the end,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “I fell into deep water over that. I’m afraid that amongst all the little bits and pieces I used in the play-out (which...
The Beatles ran into trouble over ‘All You Need Is Love’
“All You Need Is Love” includes elements from several songs, including “La Marseillaise” and the 1939 song “In the Mood.” The latter eventually became a problem for the band.
“In arranging it, we shoved ‘La Marseillaise’ on the front, and a whole string of stuff on the end,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “I fell into deep water over that. I’m afraid that amongst all the little bits and pieces I used in the play-out (which...
- 2/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
During The Beatles’ touring years, they rarely could hear how they sounded live. The band played to large audiences who screamed all the way through their shows; they could hardly even hear their own instruments, let alone their bandmates’. They often complained about this, but when they finally played a show to a quiet audience, they didn’t like what they heard.
The Beatles did not like what they heard while playing a live show
In 1966, The Beatles traveled to Japan on their tour. They had recently received death threats, which the Japanese police took very seriously. They confined the band to their hotel and closely monitored the audience at the concerts.
“There were 3,000 police for 10,000 fans,” road manager Neil Aspinall said in The Beatles Anthology. “The police were all over the place, keeping them under control.”
The show was far quieter than what the band had experienced before.
“Peeping...
The Beatles did not like what they heard while playing a live show
In 1966, The Beatles traveled to Japan on their tour. They had recently received death threats, which the Japanese police took very seriously. They confined the band to their hotel and closely monitored the audience at the concerts.
“There were 3,000 police for 10,000 fans,” road manager Neil Aspinall said in The Beatles Anthology. “The police were all over the place, keeping them under control.”
The show was far quieter than what the band had experienced before.
“Peeping...
- 2/8/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In John Lennon’s life, he had two wives and a number of girlfriends. Some of these women have spoken publicly about the difficulties of dating him. He could be physically abusive, demeaning, and inattentive. Lennon himself said he could be a terrible partner. He admitted that one of his high school girlfriends endured a lot when she was dating him.
John Lennon said his high school girlfriend had a difficult time
When discussing his teenage years, Lennon brought up one of his girlfriends, Barbara. After mentioning the time he had sex with her in a graveyard, he said, rather insultingly, that her time dating him should have prepared her for anything.
“Barbara, where are you now? Fat and ugly? Fifteen kids?” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “Years of hell with me should have made you ready for anything.”
John Lennon | Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Still,...
John Lennon said his high school girlfriend had a difficult time
When discussing his teenage years, Lennon brought up one of his girlfriends, Barbara. After mentioning the time he had sex with her in a graveyard, he said, rather insultingly, that her time dating him should have prepared her for anything.
“Barbara, where are you now? Fat and ugly? Fifteen kids?” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “Years of hell with me should have made you ready for anything.”
John Lennon | Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Still,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon was frequently critical of Paul McCartney. When The Beatles broke up, he publicly discussed his problems with his bandmate, calling him controlling, frustrating, and egomaniacal. Still, Lennon could give his former bandmate credit where credit was due. He said McCartney was one of the best bassists in the music industry and did not have an over-inflated ego about his talent.
John Lennon said Paul McCartney wasn’t an egomaniac about one of his skills
While McCartney had the most technical training of The Beatles, he was primarily a self-taught musician. Lennon did not think this impacted his skill in any way. He thought that McCartney was one of the best bass players alive.
“I think Ringo’s drumming is underrated the same way as Paul’s bass-playing is underrated,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “Paul was one of the most innovative bass players that ever played, and...
John Lennon said Paul McCartney wasn’t an egomaniac about one of his skills
While McCartney had the most technical training of The Beatles, he was primarily a self-taught musician. Lennon did not think this impacted his skill in any way. He thought that McCartney was one of the best bass players alive.
“I think Ringo’s drumming is underrated the same way as Paul’s bass-playing is underrated,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “Paul was one of the most innovative bass players that ever played, and...
- 2/7/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1965, Paul McCartney was the only member of The Beatles to meet with esteemed playwright and composer Noel Coward. At this point, the band had grown used to politely greeting complete strangers, even when they were tired or irritable. They refused to meet with Coward, though. Here’s why McCartney was the only one to speak to Coward.
Paul McCartney was the only member of The Beatles to meet with 1 of their critics
The Beatles were the biggest band in the world by the mid-1960s, but even they had their detractors. One of their critics was Coward, who described them as “totally devoid of talent. There is a great deal of noise. In my day, the young were taught to be seen but not heard” (per the Daily Mail).
Coward’s friend was a journalist for the Daily Mail and published his remarks. One year later, Coward saw The...
Paul McCartney was the only member of The Beatles to meet with 1 of their critics
The Beatles were the biggest band in the world by the mid-1960s, but even they had their detractors. One of their critics was Coward, who described them as “totally devoid of talent. There is a great deal of noise. In my day, the young were taught to be seen but not heard” (per the Daily Mail).
Coward’s friend was a journalist for the Daily Mail and published his remarks. One year later, Coward saw The...
- 2/4/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While Joni Mitchell was working on her groundbreaking album Court and Spark in 1973, a drunken John Lennon stumbled into the studio. He was working on Rock ‘n’ Roll, an album fueled by drugs, alcohol, and violence. When he visited Mitchell, he tried to give her advice on her album. She shared what she thought of his remarks.
John Lennon tried to give Joni Mitchell advice on how to write a hit
In 1973, Mitchell and Lennon were recording albums next to each other. After a few drinks, Lennon decided to see how Mitchell’s recording session for Court and Spark was going.
“I played him something,” Mitchell told Mojo (via her official website). “[He said] ‘Oh, it’s all a product of over education. You want a hit, don’t you? Put some fiddles on it!'”
Despite Lennon’s belief that the album would not be a hit, it became her most successful album.
John Lennon tried to give Joni Mitchell advice on how to write a hit
In 1973, Mitchell and Lennon were recording albums next to each other. After a few drinks, Lennon decided to see how Mitchell’s recording session for Court and Spark was going.
“I played him something,” Mitchell told Mojo (via her official website). “[He said] ‘Oh, it’s all a product of over education. You want a hit, don’t you? Put some fiddles on it!'”
Despite Lennon’s belief that the album would not be a hit, it became her most successful album.
- 2/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr took the stage during Beatles concerts, they could hardly hear themselves play. Their audience began screaming before they saw the band and rarely stopped until after the band had departed. Members of the band found this frustrating, but Lennon defended their fans. While he seems like the most unlikely defender, his wife said he felt a great deal of gratitude for Beatles fans.
John Lennon defended noisy Beatles fans
Footage of The Beatles running to take the stage during their concerts almost always includes shots of people covering their ears. The sound of screaming was so loud that the music could hardly reach the audience. Even the band couldn’t hear what they were doing.
“Screaming had just become the thing to do,” Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “We didn’t say, ‘Ok, don’t forget, at this concert — everybody scream!
John Lennon defended noisy Beatles fans
Footage of The Beatles running to take the stage during their concerts almost always includes shots of people covering their ears. The sound of screaming was so loud that the music could hardly reach the audience. Even the band couldn’t hear what they were doing.
“Screaming had just become the thing to do,” Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “We didn’t say, ‘Ok, don’t forget, at this concert — everybody scream!
- 2/1/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
At the peak of The Beatles’ fame, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were the most sought-after people in the world. Fans crowded them wherever they went and other celebrities wanted to be their friend. They met hundreds of new people after their rise to fame. According to Lennon, they didn’t like many of the people they met.
John Lennon said The Beatles didn’t like many of the new people they met
By the mid-1960s, The Beatles were the biggest band in the world. They’d met royalty and celebrities and were always on the invite list to parties.
“Everybody wanted to be The Beatles’ friend,” road manager Neil Aspinall said in The Beatles Anthology. “That’s showbusiness. I’ve always found it very transient. You meet people when you’re doing a gig and you might not meet them again for another six months or a year.
John Lennon said The Beatles didn’t like many of the new people they met
By the mid-1960s, The Beatles were the biggest band in the world. They’d met royalty and celebrities and were always on the invite list to parties.
“Everybody wanted to be The Beatles’ friend,” road manager Neil Aspinall said in The Beatles Anthology. “That’s showbusiness. I’ve always found it very transient. You meet people when you’re doing a gig and you might not meet them again for another six months or a year.
- 1/31/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Not long after Ringo Starr joined The Beatles, the band skyrocketed to success. By 1964, they were the biggest band in the world. Starr said that many celebrities and musicians were among their fans. At least one public figure had no interest in the band, though. He shared how the band handled the negative feedback.
Ringo Starr recalled 1 person who disliked The Beatles
By the mid-1960s, The Beatles were the most sought-after band in the world. Even other celebrities wanted to be close to them.
“A lot of established stars loved us; they really did,” Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “Shirley Bassey was a big star in those days and she was always at the gigs. Alma Cogan was always throwing parties and inviting us.”
He said that the only celebrity he could remember disliking them was playwright, actor, and singer Noel Coward. He reportedly told a friend that...
Ringo Starr recalled 1 person who disliked The Beatles
By the mid-1960s, The Beatles were the most sought-after band in the world. Even other celebrities wanted to be close to them.
“A lot of established stars loved us; they really did,” Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “Shirley Bassey was a big star in those days and she was always at the gigs. Alma Cogan was always throwing parties and inviting us.”
He said that the only celebrity he could remember disliking them was playwright, actor, and singer Noel Coward. He reportedly told a friend that...
- 1/30/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1967, John Lennon’s songwriting was broadcast live around the world. “All You Need Is Love” appeared on the broadcast Our World, the first live program to reach multiple countries. Lennon’s Beatles bandmates saw “All You Need Is Love” as a fitting song for the program. Though Lennon did not disagree, he thought the finished song sounded a bit “strange.”
John Lennon said one of his songwriting achievements sounded strange when recorded
In 1967, The Beatles welcomed many of their contemporaries into the studio to sing “All You Need Is Love” for Our World. They were a global sensation at this point, but they were treading new ground with the live broadcast.
“The Our World broadcast was great, going out to hundreds of millions of people around the world,” Ringo Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “It was the first worldwide satellite broadcast ever. It’s a standard thing that people do now; but then,...
John Lennon said one of his songwriting achievements sounded strange when recorded
In 1967, The Beatles welcomed many of their contemporaries into the studio to sing “All You Need Is Love” for Our World. They were a global sensation at this point, but they were treading new ground with the live broadcast.
“The Our World broadcast was great, going out to hundreds of millions of people around the world,” Ringo Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “It was the first worldwide satellite broadcast ever. It’s a standard thing that people do now; but then,...
- 1/29/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ “Strawberry Fields Forever” is John Lennon’s masterpiece. The Beatle had a hard time remembering the sequence of events that led him to write it. Fascinatingly, Paul McCartney said the tune came out of his rivalry with John — and that it had a special connection to “Penny Lane.”
John Lennon wrote The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ while working on a film in Spain
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, John said he wrote The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” while he was filming the comedy film How I Won the War. The film was directed by Richard Lester, who also helmed A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, as well as Superman II and Superman III starring Christopher Reeve. Despite John and Lester’s involvement, How I Won the War is not one of The Beatles’ films.
John Lennon wrote The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ while working on a film in Spain
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, John said he wrote The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” while he was filming the comedy film How I Won the War. The film was directed by Richard Lester, who also helmed A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, as well as Superman II and Superman III starring Christopher Reeve. Despite John and Lester’s involvement, How I Won the War is not one of The Beatles’ films.
- 1/27/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ “Strawberry Fields Forever” is John Lennon’s masterpiece. The Beatle had a hard time remembering the sequence of events that led him to write it. Fascinatingly, Paul McCartney said the tune came out of his rivalry with John — and that it had a special connection to “Penny Lane.”
John Lennon wrote The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ while working on a film in Spain
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, John said he wrote The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” while he was filming the comedy film How I Won the War. The film was directed by Richard Lester, who also helmed A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, as well as Superman II and Superman III starring Christopher Reeve. Despite John and Lester’s involvement, How I Won the War is not one of The Beatles’ films.
John Lennon wrote The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ while working on a film in Spain
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In it, John said he wrote The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” while he was filming the comedy film How I Won the War. The film was directed by Richard Lester, who also helmed A Hard Day’s Night and Help!, as well as Superman II and Superman III starring Christopher Reeve. Despite John and Lester’s involvement, How I Won the War is not one of The Beatles’ films.
- 1/27/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Ringo Starr joined The Beatles in 1962, several years into John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison’s musical collaboration. While he fit in with them well, he was still initially an outsider. This meant that he wasn’t always in on information the other Beatles had. When Lennon got married, for example, Starr had no idea.
Ringo Starr did not initially know that John Lennon was married
In 1962, Lennon married his longtime girlfriend, Cynthia, when he learned she was pregnant. They tried to keep their union and child a secret from the public. They also kept the secret from Starr.
“George and I started out sharing an apartment in Green Street, Park Lane,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “£45 a week it cost — a fortune! John was living with Cynthia.”
John and Cynthia Lennon | Fox Photos/Getty Images
This was when they informed Starr that they were married. According to him,...
Ringo Starr did not initially know that John Lennon was married
In 1962, Lennon married his longtime girlfriend, Cynthia, when he learned she was pregnant. They tried to keep their union and child a secret from the public. They also kept the secret from Starr.
“George and I started out sharing an apartment in Green Street, Park Lane,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “£45 a week it cost — a fortune! John was living with Cynthia.”
John and Cynthia Lennon | Fox Photos/Getty Images
This was when they informed Starr that they were married. According to him,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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
In the early years of The Beatles, Paul McCartney said the band was incredibly tight-knit. They lived, toured, and wrote music together. While each of them had serious long-term relationships in the early years of the band, McCartney said their band relationships were more important to them. He admitted that this made them chauvinistic.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles were so tight-knit they could be ‘chauvinist’
In 1963, McCartney met Jane Asher, an actor. The couple dated for five years and McCartney lived with her at her parents’ home for a portion of this time. While he said it was a “good relationship,” she was not his primary focus. His bandmates were.
“To tell the truth, the women at that time got sidelined,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “Now it would be seen as very chauvinist of us. Then it was like: ‘We are four miners who go down the pit.
Paul McCartney said The Beatles were so tight-knit they could be ‘chauvinist’
In 1963, McCartney met Jane Asher, an actor. The couple dated for five years and McCartney lived with her at her parents’ home for a portion of this time. While he said it was a “good relationship,” she was not his primary focus. His bandmates were.
“To tell the truth, the women at that time got sidelined,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “Now it would be seen as very chauvinist of us. Then it was like: ‘We are four miners who go down the pit.
- 1/25/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono did not get along, a fact that John Lennon knew well. He resented the way McCartney and George Harrison treated Ono and they grew frustrated with her presence in the studio. Despite this, McCartney said he maintained a level of respect with her because she was his bandmate’s partner. He found it impressive that Lennon didn’t hit someone who didn’t show her any respect.
Paul McCartney was proud of the way John Lennon reacted to teasing
Lennon and Ono met in 1966 and married in 1969, shortly after Lennon’s divorce from his first wife, Cynthia. Lennon’s bandmates had their problem with Ono, but so did people outside The Beatles. McCartney recalled watching footage of someone being openly rude to Ono in front of Lennon.
“If you watch some of the great footage in Imagine you see the cartoonist Al Capp,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology.
Paul McCartney was proud of the way John Lennon reacted to teasing
Lennon and Ono met in 1966 and married in 1969, shortly after Lennon’s divorce from his first wife, Cynthia. Lennon’s bandmates had their problem with Ono, but so did people outside The Beatles. McCartney recalled watching footage of someone being openly rude to Ono in front of Lennon.
“If you watch some of the great footage in Imagine you see the cartoonist Al Capp,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 1/21/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
During one of The Beatles’ most stressful concerts, John Lennon managed to make George Harrison laugh onstage. He began behaving in such an outrageous fashion that all of his bandmates took note. According to Lennon, his joking was so successful that Harrison couldn’t play his guitar.
John Lennon made George Harrison laugh during a Beatles concert
The Beatles’ concert at Shea Stadium in New York was their largest up until that point. They were incredibly nervous before taking the stage. Once they did, though, Lennon began to behave comically. He did a Jerry Lee Lewis impression and began playing the piano with his feet. Harrison found all this hilarious.
“I was putting my foot on it and George couldn’t play for laughing,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “I was doing it for a laugh. The kids didn’t know what I was doing.”
The Beatles | Michael Ochs...
John Lennon made George Harrison laugh during a Beatles concert
The Beatles’ concert at Shea Stadium in New York was their largest up until that point. They were incredibly nervous before taking the stage. Once they did, though, Lennon began to behave comically. He did a Jerry Lee Lewis impression and began playing the piano with his feet. Harrison found all this hilarious.
“I was putting my foot on it and George couldn’t play for laughing,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “I was doing it for a laugh. The kids didn’t know what I was doing.”
The Beatles | Michael Ochs...
- 1/21/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Not long after Ringo Starr joined The Beatles, the band began to enjoy a seemingly endless string of No. 1 singles. They were so popular that it seemed unlikely that anyone would ever end their streak. Of course, someone eventually did, but the band didn’t take it too hard. According to Starr, The Beatles saw this as a relief.
Ringo Starr said The Beatles felt relieved when a single didn’t hit No. 1
In 1963, The Beatles began dominating the charts. For years, they were unbeatable; it seemed that nothing they released could fail. While this was exciting, Starr said it also put a great deal of pressure on the band.
“After Number One, where else is there to go? Number One was It,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “After that, of course, every bloody thing we did was Number One and it got strange because in a weird way...
Ringo Starr said The Beatles felt relieved when a single didn’t hit No. 1
In 1963, The Beatles began dominating the charts. For years, they were unbeatable; it seemed that nothing they released could fail. While this was exciting, Starr said it also put a great deal of pressure on the band.
“After Number One, where else is there to go? Number One was It,” he said in The Beatles Anthology. “After that, of course, every bloody thing we did was Number One and it got strange because in a weird way...
- 1/21/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1965, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr played a show at New York’s Shea Stadium. The concert was The Beatles’ largest to date and, understandably, jangled their nerves. While they said they always felt better once they got onstage, Starr noticed some surprising behavior in Lennon. He believed Lennon went “mad” during the show.
Ringo Starr said John Lennon seemed to have gone mad during a Beatles concert
The Beatles’ concert at Shea Stadium had over 55,000 attendees, making it their largest concert up to that point. They found it overwhelming and, according to Starr, the pressure got to at least one of them.
“If you look at the film footage you can see how we reacted to the place,” Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “It was very big and very strange. I feel that on that show John cracked up. He went mad; not mentally ill,...
Ringo Starr said John Lennon seemed to have gone mad during a Beatles concert
The Beatles’ concert at Shea Stadium had over 55,000 attendees, making it their largest concert up to that point. They found it overwhelming and, according to Starr, the pressure got to at least one of them.
“If you look at the film footage you can see how we reacted to the place,” Starr said in The Beatles Anthology. “It was very big and very strange. I feel that on that show John cracked up. He went mad; not mentally ill,...
- 1/17/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles began working with their manager, Brian Epstein, on their rise to fame. He helped them grow as artists and was an essential part of their success. Though he appreciated the way The Beatles changed his life, he once decided he’d had enough of them. The band told him that if he sold them to another label, they would stop making music altogether.
The Beatles said they would disband if their manager sold them to another label
Though Epstein was the band’s manager, he didn’t have all that much power over them.
“Brian could never make us do what we really, really didn’t want to do,” John Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “He wasn’t strong enough.”
Epstein grew frustrated with this dynamic, though, and eventually told The Beatles he was going to sell them to another label. They refused to listen to him on this,...
The Beatles said they would disband if their manager sold them to another label
Though Epstein was the band’s manager, he didn’t have all that much power over them.
“Brian could never make us do what we really, really didn’t want to do,” John Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “He wasn’t strong enough.”
Epstein grew frustrated with this dynamic, though, and eventually told The Beatles he was going to sell them to another label. They refused to listen to him on this,...
- 1/6/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon’s son Julian had a difficult relationship with his father. Lennon freely admitted that Julian’s mother Cynthia’s pregnancy had been an accident, and the father and son rarely saw each other after Lennon and Cynthia divorced. Julian said he felt angry at Lennon for a long time. Recently, though, this changed. He shared how watching The Beatles: Get Back made him feel proud to be related to his father.
John Lennon’s son Julian shared how ‘Get Back’ helped him remember his father
In 2021, Peter Jackson released the documentary series The Beatles: Get Back. The three-part series followed The Beatles as they recorded what would become their final album, Let It Be. Get Back pushed against the idea that relations between The Beatles were entirely miserable in the late 1960s. It also made Julian feel proud of his father.
“Watching Get Back, I fell in love...
John Lennon’s son Julian shared how ‘Get Back’ helped him remember his father
In 2021, Peter Jackson released the documentary series The Beatles: Get Back. The three-part series followed The Beatles as they recorded what would become their final album, Let It Be. Get Back pushed against the idea that relations between The Beatles were entirely miserable in the late 1960s. It also made Julian feel proud of his father.
“Watching Get Back, I fell in love...
- 12/20/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The final cover of The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band doesn’t reflect the Fab Four’s original idea. The Beatles removed one star from the image for financial reasons. The star might have made a huge mistake when he corresponded with The Beatles.
An artist said the creation of The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ cover was ‘pretty funny’
Jann Haworth was one of the artists behind the Sgt. Pepper artwork. Famously, the record includes the visages of many celebrities, writers, and historical figures. During a 2017 interview with Good Times, Haworth said The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, decided the band needed permission to use the famous figures’ images late in the creative process.
“And the story as it’s written up is that Emi thought of this, but as it was presented to me it was Brian saying ‘Oh my god, we’ve got to get this straightened out,...
An artist said the creation of The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ cover was ‘pretty funny’
Jann Haworth was one of the artists behind the Sgt. Pepper artwork. Famously, the record includes the visages of many celebrities, writers, and historical figures. During a 2017 interview with Good Times, Haworth said The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, decided the band needed permission to use the famous figures’ images late in the creative process.
“And the story as it’s written up is that Emi thought of this, but as it was presented to me it was Brian saying ‘Oh my god, we’ve got to get this straightened out,...
- 12/19/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When The Beatles told producer George Martin that they wanted to get back into the studio to record an album after Let It Be, he could hardly believe his ears. He assumed the band would break up. Recording Let It Be had been a miserable experience for all involved and he didn’t see a future for The Beatles.
George Martin said making The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ was a terrible experience
In early 1969, The Beatles gathered to begin working on Let It Be. Tensions among the band members were at an all-time high. Their recording sessions for the White Album had also been challenging, and Let It Be was no different.
“This was a very difficult period,” Paul McCartney said in the book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now by Barry Miles. “John was with Yoko full-time, and our relationship was beginning to crumble: John and I were going through a very tense period.
George Martin said making The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ was a terrible experience
In early 1969, The Beatles gathered to begin working on Let It Be. Tensions among the band members were at an all-time high. Their recording sessions for the White Album had also been challenging, and Let It Be was no different.
“This was a very difficult period,” Paul McCartney said in the book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now by Barry Miles. “John was with Yoko full-time, and our relationship was beginning to crumble: John and I were going through a very tense period.
- 12/17/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney worked with Beatles manager Brian Epstein for years. Epstein helped lift The Beatles from relative obscurity to global fame. Still, McCartney felt his manager made some mistakes along the way. He explained why some of the deals Epstein made did not end up benefiting the band as they should have.
Paul McCartney said some of Brian Epstein’s business decisions hurt The Beatles
When The Beatles first started out, they desperately wanted a reputable record label to take them seriously. Epstein helped them achieve this.
“We were desperate to get a deal,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “It’s like any young novelist who just wants to be published. They would just die for Doubleday; they wouldn’t care what the deal was, so long as they could say to their friends, ‘Oh, my new book’s coming out on Doubleday.’ — ‘What, the real Doubleday?’ — ‘Yeah!’ So...
Paul McCartney said some of Brian Epstein’s business decisions hurt The Beatles
When The Beatles first started out, they desperately wanted a reputable record label to take them seriously. Epstein helped them achieve this.
“We were desperate to get a deal,” McCartney said in The Beatles Anthology. “It’s like any young novelist who just wants to be published. They would just die for Doubleday; they wouldn’t care what the deal was, so long as they could say to their friends, ‘Oh, my new book’s coming out on Doubleday.’ — ‘What, the real Doubleday?’ — ‘Yeah!’ So...
- 12/5/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In his time with The Beatles, Paul McCartney wrote many hit songs. Together, he and John Lennon made their mark on songwriting history. McCartney said that one of the songs he wrote without any of Lennon’s assistance was one of the top songs of the century. Still, he said that its release was a bit disappointing.
Paul McCartney said a Beatles song he wrote was the song of the century
One of The Beatles’ most famous songs is “Yesterday,” which came to McCartney in a dream. Because of this, he assumed he couldn’t have actually come up with it. When he realized it was an original melody, he set to work writing lyrics. This made the song’s massive success felt even more thrilling.
“It was my most successful song. It’s amazing that it just came to me in a dream,” he said in The Beatles Anthology.
Paul McCartney said a Beatles song he wrote was the song of the century
One of The Beatles’ most famous songs is “Yesterday,” which came to McCartney in a dream. Because of this, he assumed he couldn’t have actually come up with it. When he realized it was an original melody, he set to work writing lyrics. This made the song’s massive success felt even more thrilling.
“It was my most successful song. It’s amazing that it just came to me in a dream,” he said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 12/4/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Some classic rock songs have a double meaning that might not be apparent to everyone. A punk rocker said The Beatles’ “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away” was about the love life of The Beatles’ gay manager, Brian Epstein. John Lennon discussed the song as well. He said it was inspired by another rock star from the 1960s.
A star said The Beatles’ ‘You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away’ has gender-swapped lines
Tom Robinson is an English punk rock and new wave singer who has extensively campaigned for LGBTQ rights. During a 2013 interview with The Guardian, he discussed the role of music in his life. “I had a nervous breakdown when I was 16, largely due to the stress of growing up gay, which was illegal back then,” he said. “I was sent to a sort of retreat, where I was taught to accept myself. It also...
A star said The Beatles’ ‘You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away’ has gender-swapped lines
Tom Robinson is an English punk rock and new wave singer who has extensively campaigned for LGBTQ rights. During a 2013 interview with The Guardian, he discussed the role of music in his life. “I had a nervous breakdown when I was 16, largely due to the stress of growing up gay, which was illegal back then,” he said. “I was sent to a sort of retreat, where I was taught to accept myself. It also...
- 11/26/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon Said His Relationship With Beatles Manager Brian Epstein Was ‘Almost Like a Love Affair’
Shortly before the birth of his first child, John Lennon went on vacation with Beatles manager Brian Epstein. While Paul McCartney believed Lennon took the vacation to assert dominance in the band, Lennon said he did it because of how much he enjoyed his relationship with Epstein. The pair had a close friendship that, according to Lennon, bordered on a love affair.
John Lennon said he had a very intense relationship with Brian Epstein
While Epstein said that he grew to love all four Beatles in equal measure, he admitted that he was closest with Lennon in the band’s early years.
“I think Paul thinks I’m closer to John than I am with him,” he said, per the book The Beatles: The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies. “It’s not really true. It was earlier on, but now I love them all equally.”
The Beatles and Brian Epstein...
John Lennon said he had a very intense relationship with Brian Epstein
While Epstein said that he grew to love all four Beatles in equal measure, he admitted that he was closest with Lennon in the band’s early years.
“I think Paul thinks I’m closer to John than I am with him,” he said, per the book The Beatles: The Authorized Biography by Hunter Davies. “It’s not really true. It was earlier on, but now I love them all equally.”
The Beatles and Brian Epstein...
- 11/24/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon‘s death has inspired conspiracy theory after conspiracy theory. Interestingly, John dismissed conspiracy theories about the death of another famous musician during World War II as irrelevant. Regardless of what actually happened there, the musician’s life and untimely death remain fascinating.
John Lennon didn’t care about a Nazi-related conspiracy theory from World War II
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John had a lot to say about celebrity gossip. “I will read anything that comes out — I like archeology, anthropology, anything ancient like that,” he said. “I love it. I would dig going on a dig. But everybody has their own place. Mine is to do, and other people’s is to record. I can’t do both.
“I mean, who cares whether Glenn Miller was killed by the CIA or the Nazis or what the hell?...
John Lennon didn’t care about a Nazi-related conspiracy theory from World War II
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John had a lot to say about celebrity gossip. “I will read anything that comes out — I like archeology, anthropology, anything ancient like that,” he said. “I love it. I would dig going on a dig. But everybody has their own place. Mine is to do, and other people’s is to record. I can’t do both.
“I mean, who cares whether Glenn Miller was killed by the CIA or the Nazis or what the hell?...
- 10/27/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Rolling Stones were another massively popular band to come out of England in the 1960s, so The Beatles’ John Lennon spent a good deal of time around them. While he liked the band members, he had some problems with their music. He believed they were, in some ways, knock-offs of The Beatles. He didn’t think their music was strong enough to survive the fan reaction to Mick Jagger’s wedding.
John Lennon thought The Rolling Stones’ success relied on Mick Jagger’s relationship status
Early in The Beatles’ career, Lennon married his girlfriend Cynthia. For a while, he kept the relationship quiet because of the concern that fans would turn on the band if they found out Lennon was taken. Ultimately, though, the news leaked out, and The Beatles didn’t suffer a hit to their popularity.
“I don’t think the two of us being married has...
John Lennon thought The Rolling Stones’ success relied on Mick Jagger’s relationship status
Early in The Beatles’ career, Lennon married his girlfriend Cynthia. For a while, he kept the relationship quiet because of the concern that fans would turn on the band if they found out Lennon was taken. Ultimately, though, the news leaked out, and The Beatles didn’t suffer a hit to their popularity.
“I don’t think the two of us being married has...
- 10/3/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon made his name as a musician, but a friend said that he had early aspirations of success as an actor. Lennon realized this dream to some extent; he acted in films with The Beatles and took a handful of minor roles in other films. At no point did it seem that acting was his primary interest. According to a musician friend, though, Lennon dreamed of becoming an actor.
John Lennon had dreams of becoming an actor
In the early 1960s, Lennon met Cilla Black, another musician managed by The Beatles’ Brian Epstein. According to Black, Lennon had dreams of being an actor, even as The Beatles were rising to success.
“He talked about his songs, but the memory which stands out is the way he admitted he longed to become a famous actor one day,” Black said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
This may seem surprising,...
John Lennon had dreams of becoming an actor
In the early 1960s, Lennon met Cilla Black, another musician managed by The Beatles’ Brian Epstein. According to Black, Lennon had dreams of being an actor, even as The Beatles were rising to success.
“He talked about his songs, but the memory which stands out is the way he admitted he longed to become a famous actor one day,” Black said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
This may seem surprising,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cilla Black landed The Beatles’ Brian Epstein as her manager after urging from John Lennon. He believed she was a talented artist and championed her to Epstein. Before this, Lennon scared Black to a point where she dreaded being alone with him. She once admitted this to him. Here’s how Lennon reacted.
Cilla Black was initially scared of John Lennon
Black first encountered The Beatles at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. She was a singer, and Lennon invited her to join the band onstage.
“I played truant from Anfield Commercial College to see the Beatles at lunchtime sessions,” she said, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “At that time I was singing with some of the local bands, billed as ‘Swingin’ Cilla,’ on a semi-professional basis. But this was the first time I had my chance to sing with the Beatles.”
Pattie Boyd, George Harrison, Cilla Black,...
Cilla Black was initially scared of John Lennon
Black first encountered The Beatles at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. She was a singer, and Lennon invited her to join the band onstage.
“I played truant from Anfield Commercial College to see the Beatles at lunchtime sessions,” she said, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “At that time I was singing with some of the local bands, billed as ‘Swingin’ Cilla,’ on a semi-professional basis. But this was the first time I had my chance to sing with the Beatles.”
Pattie Boyd, George Harrison, Cilla Black,...
- 9/23/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1967, Brian Epstein rushed into the studio to give The Beatles what he saw as thrilling news. He’d booked them a spot on a television program that would reach televisions around the world. Epstein saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; for the first time ever, a satellite would transmit a program worldwide. The Beatles didn’t think this was nearly as monumental as Epstein did. Their lack of interest nearly drove him to tears.
Brian Epstein almost cried at The Beatles’ lack of interest in a career opportunity
While The Beatles were putting the finishing touches on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Epstein rushed into the studio with exciting news. He didn’t often visit them during recording sessions, so everyone in the room eagerly awaited his announcement.
“With a grandiloquent sweep of his hands, he called for silence,” engineer Geoff Emerick wrote in his book Here,...
Brian Epstein almost cried at The Beatles’ lack of interest in a career opportunity
While The Beatles were putting the finishing touches on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Epstein rushed into the studio with exciting news. He didn’t often visit them during recording sessions, so everyone in the room eagerly awaited his announcement.
“With a grandiloquent sweep of his hands, he called for silence,” engineer Geoff Emerick wrote in his book Here,...
- 9/10/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Keith Richards rose to fame with The Rolling Stones just as The Beatles began to dominate the world. In trying to establish The Rolling Stones as a successful rock band, Richards and his bandmates knew they had to reject the Beatle image. Richards shared how trying to avoid similarities to The Beatles was good for the band.
Keith Richards said The Rolling Stones didn’t want to be like The Beatles
The Rolling Stones began working with Andrew Loog Oldham as their manager. Oldham had previously worked with The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, and had helped the band establish their image. When he began working with the Stones, he wanted them to adopt a similar image. They were not interested.
“We were the dynamite, Andy Oldham the detonator,” Richards wrote in his book Life. “The irony is that Oldham, at the start, the great architect of the Stones’ public persona,...
Keith Richards said The Rolling Stones didn’t want to be like The Beatles
The Rolling Stones began working with Andrew Loog Oldham as their manager. Oldham had previously worked with The Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, and had helped the band establish their image. When he began working with the Stones, he wanted them to adopt a similar image. They were not interested.
“We were the dynamite, Andy Oldham the detonator,” Richards wrote in his book Life. “The irony is that Oldham, at the start, the great architect of the Stones’ public persona,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles were one of the most iconic rock bands of all time. They created chaos at their shows because their fans were so obsessed. They sold millions of records, quickly becoming the most famous band in the world during their decade-long stint in the 1960s. And, like many other rock stars, they had their share of falling outs with one another.
These days, only two Beatles remain alive: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. But the legacy the The Beatles as a group have left behind is one that modern music will never forget. With that said, how did these ultra-famous Beatles members ever come together in the first place?
The Beatles | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images How did The Beatles members come together?
It all started in the 1950s. A couple of young teenagers wanted to be famous, so John Lennon spearheaded a local band; they called themselves the Quarrymen,...
These days, only two Beatles remain alive: Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. But the legacy the The Beatles as a group have left behind is one that modern music will never forget. With that said, how did these ultra-famous Beatles members ever come together in the first place?
The Beatles | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images How did The Beatles members come together?
It all started in the 1950s. A couple of young teenagers wanted to be famous, so John Lennon spearheaded a local band; they called themselves the Quarrymen,...
- 8/20/2023
- by Julia Mullaney
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Brian Epstein is the manager who led The Beatles through Beatlemania, but he wasn’t the first person to work with the band. Before Epstein, there was Allan Williams, who helped The Beatles secure a residency in Hamburg. They weren’t his first choice to send to Germany, though. John Lennon and one-time bassist Stuart Sutcliffe had to work hard to convince Williams, who didn’t think the band was all that good.
The Beatles’ 1st manager wasn’t impressed with the band
In 1960, Williams, a booking agent and manager, began searching for a band to perform a residency at the Indra Club in Hamburg, Germany. Williams had booked The Beatles for a number of concerts, but he didn’t think they had what it took to play in Hamburg.
“Allan was having plenty of trouble finding a band and that’s how the Beatles got involved,” Mersey Beat creator Bill Harry said,...
The Beatles’ 1st manager wasn’t impressed with the band
In 1960, Williams, a booking agent and manager, began searching for a band to perform a residency at the Indra Club in Hamburg, Germany. Williams had booked The Beatles for a number of concerts, but he didn’t think they had what it took to play in Hamburg.
“Allan was having plenty of trouble finding a band and that’s how the Beatles got involved,” Mersey Beat creator Bill Harry said,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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