Paul McCartney has given an intimate warm-up concert before his tour of Australia and New Zealand. Ten lucky fans and their guests were treated to a short set by Paul and his band, along with a Q and A.
For more see https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/music/paul-mccartneys-exclusive-performance-for-lucky-few-ng-b88677255z
Ringo Starr announces the 13th version of his All Starr Band and new tour dates through Europe and Israel. After six years with the same band, Ringo welcomes Colin Hay back to the group and as well as new member Graham Gouldman of 10cc (I’m Not In Love, Things We Do For Love, Dreadlock Holiday, Wall Street Shuffle). Hay and Gouldman join existing All Starr’s Steve Lukather, Gregg Rolie, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette.
In June, the All Starrs embark on a 21 date tour that will kick off in Paris France and includes shows in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Monaco, Netherlands and Israel, concluding in Italy. The last time the All Starrs toured Europe was 2011.
The All Starrs just finished a tour that started with a Las Vegas residency and ended with a performance at New York City’s Beacon Theater. The band is supporting Starr’s new album, Give More Love.
“While almost none of the songs are less than 30 years old, it should be noted (underlined, with asterisks) that Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band is not a nostalgia act. “Nostalgia” implies something static, irrelevant, and vaguely frivolous. No, Starr and his merry band are much too vibrant for that, and the message of peace and love that they sing is just as relevant today. Besides, legends never go out of style.” – People Magazine
Tour dates include:
June 5 Olympia, Paris, France
June 8 Holland Blues Festival, Grolloo, Netherlands
June 9 Flens Arena, Flensberg, Germany
June 10 StadPark, Hamburg, Germany
June 13 Kaisaniemi Park, Helsinki, Finland
June 15 Lunden, Horsens, Denmark
June 16 Tempodorm, Berlin, Germany
June 17 Stadhalle, Zwickau, Germany
June 19 Congress Hall, Prague, Czech Republic
June 20 Stadhalle, Vienna, Austria
June 23 Menoarah, Tel Aviv, Israel
June 24 Menorah Arena Tel Aviv, Israel
June 26 St. Jordi Club, Barcelona, Spain
June 28 Wlznik Center, Madrid, Spain
June 29 Coliseum, La Caruna, Spain
July 1 Bizkia Arena, Bilbao, Spain
July 4 Rockhal, Luxembourg, Belgium
July 6 Sporting Complex, Monte Carlo, Monaco
July 8 Piazza Napoleone, Lucca, Italy
July 9 Piazza Degliscachi, Marostica, Italy
July 11 Autorium, Cavea, Rome, Italy
PS WHAT ABOUT THE UK RINGO!!
Today we are remembering George Harrison, who passed away on this day in 2001. I was lucky enough to meet George on a couple of occasions – at the premiere of the ‘Handmade Films’ ‘How to Get Ahead in Advertising’ and a few years after that, at a concert by Ravi Shankar. In each case, they were very public events, and I barely got to say ‘hello’ – I would have loved to have the opportunity to sit down and have a long conversation with him, but it was not to be.
I was lucky enough to see George live at the Royal Albert Hall in 1992, his only solo UK concert. I’ve never been in a place where there was so much love. The ‘vibes’ were incredible. A brilliant moment was ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’. Before the song, George said, ‘ ..and I’d like to bring on a blast from all our pasts – RINGO!’ – and the roof raised! During the song George sang ‘I look at you all…’ and rather than pausing, as he does on the record, he said ‘Quite nice actually’ – in his usual understated way. I’m glad he enjoyed himself that night, something that Olivia confirmed when I met her a few years ago.
For me, George was the soul of the Beatles. Yes, a complicated character, but they all were. I love the fact that, apart from music and religion, George’s great passions were gardening, and formula one motor racing! You can’t get 2 more different hobbies than those.
Here are some photos I took of George.
RIP Mystical One
From the day George’s passing was announced, fans started leaving flowers at Abbey Road Studios. They were very tastefully displayed on the steps. The Studios opened their windows and played ‘All Things Must Pass’ to the fans outside.
Paul McCartney has said in a tweet he believes in Climate Change, and pledged support to a climate change charity. He has tweeted
“Climate change is a real issue and no effort is too small when it comes to protecting and preserving our planet. A $10 donation to @1010 and the @NRDC could win you tickets to the international premiere of @Lin_Manuel‘s ‘Hamilton the Musical’: http://prizeo.com/hamilton
To see Paul’s tweet go to https://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney/status/935133138421997568
Record visitor numbers have helped drive turnover past the £5m mark at The Beatles Story in Liverpool.
The Beatles Story has posted a turnover of £5.4m for the year ending 31 March 2017, up by 10 per cent on a year earlier. Turnover from admissions increased by 13 per cent to £2.7m while shop sales climbed by 5 per cent to £2m.
Profits jumped by 28 per cent to £802,955 while gross profits rose by 10 per cent to £4.1m.
For more see https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northwest/the-beatles-story-sales-boosted-by-record-visitors
For a great interview with Stella McCartney about her fashion, and being brought up by Paul and Linda – Click here
Beatles legend Paul McCartney will answer questions from fans at an intimate Q&A session in Perth on Thursday, November 30.
While the venue is yet to be revealed, fans are invited to record a video of themselves asking the music icon the question they have always wanted to ask.
They then have to upload the video to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with @FrontierTouring and @PaulMcCartney plus #AskPaulAUNZ in the caption.
The post needs to be set to “public”.
Tony Award-winning stage and film director Julie Taymor is ready to bring her 2007 Beatles movie musical to the stage. “I’ve wanted it for so many years,” she tells Paul Wontorek on the upcoming episode of the Broadway.com talker Show People. “Hopefully in the next two years, we finally get to see Across the Universe onstage.”
I’ve been told by a very good source that Giles Martin IS working on a re-issue of the ‘White Album’ for its 50th anniversary next year. It was originally released on November 21st 1968.
As with the Sgt Pepper re-issue, it’s likely the album will be remixed, and include loads of out-takes. Hopefully these will include the demos made at George’s place, Kinfauns, before the album was recorded.
Giles Martin has been at Abbey Road Studios in the last few days, almost certainly working on this project.
More news when we get it!
For those of us who weren’t lucky enough to attend a Beatles concert in the 1960s, Ron Howard’s Eight Days a Week just might be the next best thing. The 2016 documentary traces the band’s rise from a cramped and dank cellar in Liverpool to record breaking television appearances, jam packed stadiums, and—ultimately—rock immortality. Lovingly assembled through rare and often unseen fan home movie footage, Howard’s film also draws on more familiar material—restored to the highest echelons of HD— and new interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. All told, it’s a joyous and stunningly visual representation of their unbelievable journey, and an unparalleled look at a time when the four Fabs roamed the Earth and made themselves available to see, live and in person, for just a few dollars.
In honor of Eight Day’s a Week‘s television debut this Saturday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. central) on PBS, here’s a detailed look at the Beatles’ touring career, told through eight of their concerts.
For more see http://people.com/music/the-beatles-touring-history-eight-days-a-week-documentary/