FX and Hulu’s historical drama Shogun premiered on February 27, 2024 and did the seemingly impossible. Throughout the years, many shows have tried to claim the title of “the new Game of Thrones,” but Shogun became the first title to actually pull off such an ambition, unanimously dubbed as such by many fans and critics alike.
This year’s sensation just received a promising but also scary update: it might just extend far beyond the original mini-series. Here’s what we know so far.
Shogun Seasons 2 & 3 Are In the Works
FX is teaming up with original novel writer James Clavell’s family to continue Shogun beyond Season 1 — which was supposed to be the only one. A team of writers has been assembled to pen out the scripts of not one but two more seasons. Bold move.
For now, “in the works” means very early pre-production: the writing process is yet to be started,...
This year’s sensation just received a promising but also scary update: it might just extend far beyond the original mini-series. Here’s what we know so far.
Shogun Seasons 2 & 3 Are In the Works
FX is teaming up with original novel writer James Clavell’s family to continue Shogun beyond Season 1 — which was supposed to be the only one. A team of writers has been assembled to pen out the scripts of not one but two more seasons. Bold move.
For now, “in the works” means very early pre-production: the writing process is yet to be started,...
- 5/17/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
Set in George Martin’s massive World of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones has a vast and yet untapped spin-off potential. Apart from House of the Dragon, there have been countless ideas and projects in discussion over at HBO in the past few years, and one of the most prominent ones — Aegon’s Conquest — is already in early development, with George Martin being actively involved in it.
Aegon’s Conquest’s Writer Gives Update on the Project
Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin isn’t a stranger in the industry by any means. The Terminator franchise, Keanu Reeves’ Brzrkr, Robert Pattinson’s The Batman: Part Two — he’s working with many prosperous titles. But the one that specifically tickles Game of Thrones fans’ nerves is Aegon’s Conquest, the potentially upcoming prequel about the greatest Targaryen conqueror who created the Seven Kingdoms.
“[Aegon’s Conquest] is [in its] very early days where I’m currently writing the script,...
Aegon’s Conquest’s Writer Gives Update on the Project
Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin isn’t a stranger in the industry by any means. The Terminator franchise, Keanu Reeves’ Brzrkr, Robert Pattinson’s The Batman: Part Two — he’s working with many prosperous titles. But the one that specifically tickles Game of Thrones fans’ nerves is Aegon’s Conquest, the potentially upcoming prequel about the greatest Targaryen conqueror who created the Seven Kingdoms.
“[Aegon’s Conquest] is [in its] very early days where I’m currently writing the script,...
- 5/16/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
House of the Dragon was given an almost impossible task. Game of Thrones is considered a cultural phenomenon; it has raised the bar for quality and changed the way TV series are produced. However, all fans know that the first rule of this fandom is not to talk about the latest seasons.
The series' controversial finale, which was not supported by the original source material, undermined the audience's trust in the universe. It took a lot of skill and effort to fish something worthwhile out of the ashes and ruins that Benioff and Weiss left behind.
The first promotional footage of the series left conflicting impressions, and casting decisions raised questions. Some fans awaited House of the Dragon armed with skepticism, bias, and a willingness to bury the project under tons of criticism. But the first episode came out, and for many, skepticism gave way to surprise and then excitement.
The series' controversial finale, which was not supported by the original source material, undermined the audience's trust in the universe. It took a lot of skill and effort to fish something worthwhile out of the ashes and ruins that Benioff and Weiss left behind.
The first promotional footage of the series left conflicting impressions, and casting decisions raised questions. Some fans awaited House of the Dragon armed with skepticism, bias, and a willingness to bury the project under tons of criticism. But the first episode came out, and for many, skepticism gave way to surprise and then excitement.
- 5/12/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
George Martin has been building the world of Ice and Fire for decades, and HBO’s TV adaptation allowed the whole world to marvel upon his creation. Unfortunately, as you know, the TV show went off the rails at one point — and according to the latest information, Grrm was actively trying to steer it back in the right direction.
That… Didn’t work out. Here’s how the events unfolded.
George Martin Started Worrying in Season 5
While the distinct lack of new ASoIaF books tells us that Grrm doesn’t necessarily know what happens next in his series, he has always known what doesn’t happen. The celebrated author saw the first signs of Game of Thrones’ downfall as early as Season 5: that’s when he noticed Benioff and Weiss’ creative… Differences with him.
“George loves Dan [Weiss] and Dave [Benioff], but after Season 5, he did start to worry about...
That… Didn’t work out. Here’s how the events unfolded.
George Martin Started Worrying in Season 5
While the distinct lack of new ASoIaF books tells us that Grrm doesn’t necessarily know what happens next in his series, he has always known what doesn’t happen. The celebrated author saw the first signs of Game of Thrones’ downfall as early as Season 5: that’s when he noticed Benioff and Weiss’ creative… Differences with him.
“George loves Dan [Weiss] and Dave [Benioff], but after Season 5, he did start to worry about...
- 5/6/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
Pop history is littered with prolific partnerships, but the artist-producer pairing is arguably one of the most indispensable. Not only can an intrepid knob-twirler coax the best out of an artist, the most fruitful of these collaborations are often reciprocal. Think George Martin and the Beatles; Timbaland and Missy Elliott; or Jam & Lewis and Janet Jackson. Taylor Swift and former Fun guitarist-drummer Jack Antonoff have both achieved commercial and critical success outside of their work together, but their alliance over the last several years has, more often than not, resulted in pop magic.
The duo first worked together over a decade ago, on the unassuming “Sweeter Than Fiction,” a song from the British-American film One Chance. The following year, Antonoff co-wrote and co-produced three tracks for Swift’s blockbuster album 1989, the success of which propelled him to the top of every A&r exec’s wish list, helming tracks for Pink,...
The duo first worked together over a decade ago, on the unassuming “Sweeter Than Fiction,” a song from the British-American film One Chance. The following year, Antonoff co-wrote and co-produced three tracks for Swift’s blockbuster album 1989, the success of which propelled him to the top of every A&r exec’s wish list, helming tracks for Pink,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Slant Staff
- Slant Magazine
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
The Beatles began recording Let It Be at Twickenham Studios, but they finished out the album at Apple Studios. They found the atmosphere at Apple to be more comfortable and tried to add to that feeling with a roaring fire. Unfortunately, this decision was not good for the music they were recording.
The Beatles couldn’t make the studio as comfortable as they wanted
While Apple Studios wasn’t technically finished, The Beatles decided to reconvene there for a change in atmosphere. They immediately ran into a problem with the building’s heating system.
“There was a central heating boiler in the office and it was not soundproofed. So somebody pointed this out: ‘There’s the central heating making a din,’ and The Beatles said: ‘We’ll turn it off when we’re in here. We’ll just have quiet fires,’” press officer Derek Taylor said in The Beatles Anthology.
The Beatles couldn’t make the studio as comfortable as they wanted
While Apple Studios wasn’t technically finished, The Beatles decided to reconvene there for a change in atmosphere. They immediately ran into a problem with the building’s heating system.
“There was a central heating boiler in the office and it was not soundproofed. So somebody pointed this out: ‘There’s the central heating making a din,’ and The Beatles said: ‘We’ll turn it off when we’re in here. We’ll just have quiet fires,’” press officer Derek Taylor said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 4/28/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When Elden Ring was released back in 2022, one thing was sure; it brought along the potential to expand faithfully on the ranks of the Dark Souls. Besides, one of the biggest USPs of the game was that it brought together the worldbuilding talents of the acclaimed fantasy author George R.R. Martin and the extraordinary vision of game director Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Elden Ring
Novelist George R.R. Martin is best known for his series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire. These were later adapted into House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones TV shows which were highly acclaimed. Game of Thrones is an Emmy Award-winning HBO series.
Hidetaka Miyazaki spills the details about his first meeting with George R.R. Martin
During an interview with Edge Magazine ahead of Elden Ring’s launch, Hidetaka Miyazaki spilled some interesting details about how the great author contributed to the game.
Elden Ring
Novelist George R.R. Martin is best known for his series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire. These were later adapted into House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones TV shows which were highly acclaimed. Game of Thrones is an Emmy Award-winning HBO series.
Hidetaka Miyazaki spills the details about his first meeting with George R.R. Martin
During an interview with Edge Magazine ahead of Elden Ring’s launch, Hidetaka Miyazaki spilled some interesting details about how the great author contributed to the game.
- 4/26/2024
- by Amarylisa Gonsalves
- FandomWire
In 1969, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr recorded The Beatles song “Get Back.” In 1972, Ringo Starr released a solo song that had some strikingly similar elements to The Beatles’ hit. He admitted he copied part of the song.
Ringo Starr took inspiration from a Beatles song in his career as a solo artist
Much of The Beatles’ experience recording Let It Be was agonizing. Beatles producer George Martin said the album was such an “unhappy” one that he was surprised the band reunited to record Abbey Road (per The Beatles Anthology). Still, there were some bright spots in the recording process. Starr said they enjoyed working together when they felt they were recording a good track.
“‘Get Back’ was a good track. I felt, ‘This is a kick-a** track.’ ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ also,” Starr said. “They were two fine tracks. Quite simple and raw — back to basics.
Ringo Starr took inspiration from a Beatles song in his career as a solo artist
Much of The Beatles’ experience recording Let It Be was agonizing. Beatles producer George Martin said the album was such an “unhappy” one that he was surprised the band reunited to record Abbey Road (per The Beatles Anthology). Still, there were some bright spots in the recording process. Starr said they enjoyed working together when they felt they were recording a good track.
“‘Get Back’ was a good track. I felt, ‘This is a kick-a** track.’ ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ also,” Starr said. “They were two fine tracks. Quite simple and raw — back to basics.
- 4/25/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Game of Thrones’ overwhelming popularity inevitably led to HBO wanting more TV shows set in George Martin’s captivating world. Countless projects have already been pitched and rejected, but while some of them were questionable at best, others were promising and spectacular even based on their premises — and still ended up in the red-lit pile with the rest.
10,000 Ships Almost Sailed with Grrm’s Approval
One of the best ideas for a Game of Thrones prequel show was 10,000 Ships. In the original TV show, the legendary warrior-queen Nymeria was Arya Stark’s favorite historical figure and the deliberate namesake of the girl’s direwolf because of that. In George Martin’s lore, Queen Nymeria is among the most interesting characters.
Queen Nymeria and her people, the Rhoynar, lost their native country and were forced to live on the water. They had a massive fleet of thousands ships that effectively created...
10,000 Ships Almost Sailed with Grrm’s Approval
One of the best ideas for a Game of Thrones prequel show was 10,000 Ships. In the original TV show, the legendary warrior-queen Nymeria was Arya Stark’s favorite historical figure and the deliberate namesake of the girl’s direwolf because of that. In George Martin’s lore, Queen Nymeria is among the most interesting characters.
Queen Nymeria and her people, the Rhoynar, lost their native country and were forced to live on the water. They had a massive fleet of thousands ships that effectively created...
- 4/25/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring greatly builds on the brand’s ranks of Dark Souls. What makes Elden Ring all the more special is the fact that it brings together two of the greatest creators that the world has seen, the beloved fantasy author George R.R. Martin, and Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki.
Elden Ring
While the game was directed by Miyazaki, the developers roped in the Game of Thrones to write for the game. Obviously, the results were expected to be top-tier and they definitely were on release.
Hidetaka Miyazaki on his meeting with George R.R. Martin
During an interview with GamesRadar+, Miyazaki spoke about his first-ever encounter with George R.R. Martin ahead of Elden Ring. He said,
“Yes, I have some good memories of those initial discussions. Not so much for the content but just the general feelings I had speaking with George Martin. He actually knew about the Dark Souls games.
Elden Ring
While the game was directed by Miyazaki, the developers roped in the Game of Thrones to write for the game. Obviously, the results were expected to be top-tier and they definitely were on release.
Hidetaka Miyazaki on his meeting with George R.R. Martin
During an interview with GamesRadar+, Miyazaki spoke about his first-ever encounter with George R.R. Martin ahead of Elden Ring. He said,
“Yes, I have some good memories of those initial discussions. Not so much for the content but just the general feelings I had speaking with George Martin. He actually knew about the Dark Souls games.
- 4/24/2024
- by Amarylisa Gonsalves
- FandomWire
Game of Thrones throws its audience into the dangerous world of medieval power struggle; and while swords and fire are effective at waging wars, only political moves can prevent them. Lords and ladies of Westeros have been making political marriages for countless centuries, securing alliances and realm peace that way — and just like in the real world, those marriages rarely benefitted the wife.
After marrying a lord, a lady lost her home, family, and even her last name… Except that didn’t happen to every lady. How was Cersei Lannister different from the rest?
Not All Marriages Are Deemed Equal
In the vast majority of cases, a husband’s last name takes over after marriage. Catelyn Tully became Stark after marrying Lord Eddard; her sister Lysa became Arryn after marrying Lord Jon; and so on, and so forth. But there’s one and only case where that doesn’t happen,...
After marrying a lord, a lady lost her home, family, and even her last name… Except that didn’t happen to every lady. How was Cersei Lannister different from the rest?
Not All Marriages Are Deemed Equal
In the vast majority of cases, a husband’s last name takes over after marriage. Catelyn Tully became Stark after marrying Lord Eddard; her sister Lysa became Arryn after marrying Lord Jon; and so on, and so forth. But there’s one and only case where that doesn’t happen,...
- 4/23/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
The release of Elden Ring was a huge deal not just because it was FromSoftware’s first true open-world game (and their biggest), but also for the involvement of storied author George R. R. Martin, who laid down the foundation of the action-rpg’s world.
A collaboration between these two legends is something no one could see coming, but boy did it bear fruit. Elden Ring not only became the most successful FromSoftware title, it also won the 2022 Game of the Year award. Now, as fans eagerly await the release of its Dlc, Shadow of the Erdtree, many wonder how Martin has contributed to it.
Martin’s Aura Indirectly Extends To Shadow Of The Erdtree Shadow of the Erdtree will very much use the same foundation as Elden Ring, which was created by Martin. Credit: FromSoftware
In an interview with IGN, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki clarified that Martin didn...
A collaboration between these two legends is something no one could see coming, but boy did it bear fruit. Elden Ring not only became the most successful FromSoftware title, it also won the 2022 Game of the Year award. Now, as fans eagerly await the release of its Dlc, Shadow of the Erdtree, many wonder how Martin has contributed to it.
Martin’s Aura Indirectly Extends To Shadow Of The Erdtree Shadow of the Erdtree will very much use the same foundation as Elden Ring, which was created by Martin. Credit: FromSoftware
In an interview with IGN, Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki clarified that Martin didn...
- 4/21/2024
- by Viraaj Bhatnagar
- FandomWire
A song from The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is so old-fashioned it could have come out during the Victorian era. One of The Beatles’ rock ‘n’ roll peers said that he couldn’t have written the song because he had no sense of time. Regardless, that singer’s tunes have lasted over the course of generations.
Donovan on why Paul McCartney wrote a song from The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’
One of The Beatles’ fellow British Invasion stars was Donovan. He contributed to psychedelia as much as they did with hits such as “Sunshine Superman,” “Atlantis, and “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Donovan also accompanied the Fab Four on their fateful trip to India to meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and learn about Transcendental Meditation.
During a 2013 interview with BusinessLive, Donovan discussed his own sense of time. “One couldn’t remember last Tuesday or think about next Tuesday,” he said,...
Donovan on why Paul McCartney wrote a song from The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’
One of The Beatles’ fellow British Invasion stars was Donovan. He contributed to psychedelia as much as they did with hits such as “Sunshine Superman,” “Atlantis, and “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Donovan also accompanied the Fab Four on their fateful trip to India to meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and learn about Transcendental Meditation.
During a 2013 interview with BusinessLive, Donovan discussed his own sense of time. “One couldn’t remember last Tuesday or think about next Tuesday,” he said,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles’ record label could boast about their ability to sell albums from the biggest band in the world. Beginning in 1963, the band became an undeniable success in the United Kingdom, with records flying off the shelves and an increasingly rabid fan base. Capitol Records, which would eventually become the band’s American record label, initially wanted nothing to do with the group. They were certain they would sell well in the country.
The Beatles’ record label didn’t think the band would do well in America
In 1963, “From Me to You” brought The Beatles their first Number One hit in the United Kingdom. It was their third single and marked the start of their rapid rise to success.
“It was very difficult in 1963 to think The Beatles were going to last forever and that I would be talking about them thirty years on. But it was very gratifying that they had made Number One,...
The Beatles’ record label didn’t think the band would do well in America
In 1963, “From Me to You” brought The Beatles their first Number One hit in the United Kingdom. It was their third single and marked the start of their rapid rise to success.
“It was very difficult in 1963 to think The Beatles were going to last forever and that I would be talking about them thirty years on. But it was very gratifying that they had made Number One,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Over the course of their time in The Beatles, Paul McCartney’s bandmates grew increasingly frustrated with him. To them, McCartney’s perfectionism and insistence on controlling many aspects of the recording process was highly annoying. McCartney himself admitted that he could be a bit bossy to his bandmates. Still, he claimed that he tried to take a step back on Abbey Road but his bandmates didn’t want him to.
Paul McCartney said his bandmates wanted him to exert control over ‘Abbey Road’
Though it was not the last album the band released, the final time The Beatles got into the studio together was to record Abbey Road. The band fought bitterly while recording the White Album and Let It Be. As a result, McCartney vowed to be less overbearing with his bandmates on the latest album.
“Again the feeling that I mustn’t be dominating was plaguing me,...
Paul McCartney said his bandmates wanted him to exert control over ‘Abbey Road’
Though it was not the last album the band released, the final time The Beatles got into the studio together was to record Abbey Road. The band fought bitterly while recording the White Album and Let It Be. As a result, McCartney vowed to be less overbearing with his bandmates on the latest album.
“Again the feeling that I mustn’t be dominating was plaguing me,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles’ longtime producer George Martin worked with them on each album they put out in the 1960s. He was a key part of their success and got to know them well throughout their collaboration. Their antics, particularly in the early 1960s, grew familiar to him. Still, they sometimes pushed Martin too far. He shared what they did to let him down for the very first time.
The Beatles frustrated George Martin while recording songs in German
In the early 1960s, The Beatles traveled to Paris for a concert. While they were there, Martin booked them studio time to record German language versions of “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” A record company executive believed there was no chance the songs would sell in Germany if they were in English.
“I was disinclined to believe this, but that’s what he said and I told The Beatles,...
The Beatles frustrated George Martin while recording songs in German
In the early 1960s, The Beatles traveled to Paris for a concert. While they were there, Martin booked them studio time to record German language versions of “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” A record company executive believed there was no chance the songs would sell in Germany if they were in English.
“I was disinclined to believe this, but that’s what he said and I told The Beatles,...
- 3/9/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Though The Beatles were the biggest band in the world in the 1960s, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr still faced censure. Several Beatles songs were banned around the world. One song Lennon wrote did not receive playtime on the radio because some believed it referenced drugs. Lennon rolled his eyes at this interpretation and called the song beautiful.
John Lennon admired a banned Beatles song
In 1968, The Beatles released “Happiness is a Warm Gun.” Every member of the band was incredibly proud of the song, but some censors were not. The BBC banned the song, believing it referenced heroin use.
“‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ was another one which was banned on the radio — they said it was about shooting up drugs. But they were advertising guns and I thought it was so crazy that I made a song out of it,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology.
John Lennon admired a banned Beatles song
In 1968, The Beatles released “Happiness is a Warm Gun.” Every member of the band was incredibly proud of the song, but some censors were not. The BBC banned the song, believing it referenced heroin use.
“‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ was another one which was banned on the radio — they said it was about shooting up drugs. But they were advertising guns and I thought it was so crazy that I made a song out of it,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 3/8/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The highly anticipated Elden Ring Dlc, Shadow of the Erdtree will be released very soon, and the community has just got some important information regarding its story focus.
In a recent IGN interview, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary behind the game, offered insights into George R. R. Martin’s ongoing impact on the expansion’s storyline, following his involvement in the base game.
Martin’s Mythos Shaped the Elden Ring Dlc
George R. R. Martin hasn’t written any new content for the Elden Ring Dlc
In the interview, Miyazaki addressed Martin’s role in the planning of Shadow of the Erdtree, emphasizing that the integration of Martin’s narrative is consistent with the base game:
The way George Martin’s story has been incorporated is the same as it was with the base game with Elden Ring. And to avoid misunderstanding there, we just want to point out that he...
In a recent IGN interview, Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary behind the game, offered insights into George R. R. Martin’s ongoing impact on the expansion’s storyline, following his involvement in the base game.
Martin’s Mythos Shaped the Elden Ring Dlc
George R. R. Martin hasn’t written any new content for the Elden Ring Dlc
In the interview, Miyazaki addressed Martin’s role in the planning of Shadow of the Erdtree, emphasizing that the integration of Martin’s narrative is consistent with the base game:
The way George Martin’s story has been incorporated is the same as it was with the base game with Elden Ring. And to avoid misunderstanding there, we just want to point out that he...
- 3/7/2024
- by Vibha Hegde
- FandomWire
Beatles producer George Martin worked with the band extensively on each of their albums. He got to know the band and their working style well as they grew as artists. While he was typically happy to see their growth, he said they began taking too many creative liberties beginning with one album. He shared why this became a problem for the group.
George Martin said The Beatles lost focus on one album
In 1967, The Beatles pushed the limits of what was possible with an album when they released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They continued to push boundaries with their later albums, which Martin viewed as a problem.
“During Magical Mystery Tour I became conscious that the freedom that we’d achieved in Pepper was getting a little bit over the top, and they weren’t really exerting enough mental discipline in a lot of the recordings,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
George Martin said The Beatles lost focus on one album
In 1967, The Beatles pushed the limits of what was possible with an album when they released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They continued to push boundaries with their later albums, which Martin viewed as a problem.
“During Magical Mystery Tour I became conscious that the freedom that we’d achieved in Pepper was getting a little bit over the top, and they weren’t really exerting enough mental discipline in a lot of the recordings,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 3/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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
John Lennon met Paul McCartney and George Harrison when they were teenagers, and they performed together in The Beatles all through their 20s. When Lennon left The Beatles, he said he did it because he wanted to be able to grow up. He didn’t think it was possible to do this while in the band.
John Lennon said he felt he couldn’t mature in The Beatles
In 1969, Lennon told his bandmates that he no longer wanted to be in The Beatles. His life had been intertwined with his bandmates’ for so long and he was ready for a break.
“We’re all individuals. And in The Beatles we grew out of it,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “The bag was too small. I can’t impose far-out films or far-out music on George and Paul if they don’t want to do it. Vice versa, Paul can...
John Lennon said he felt he couldn’t mature in The Beatles
In 1969, Lennon told his bandmates that he no longer wanted to be in The Beatles. His life had been intertwined with his bandmates’ for so long and he was ready for a break.
“We’re all individuals. And in The Beatles we grew out of it,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “The bag was too small. I can’t impose far-out films or far-out music on George and Paul if they don’t want to do it. Vice versa, Paul can...
- 2/28/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Richard Lewis, the stand-up comedian who also starred alongside Larry David in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” died Tuesday night at his Los Angeles home due to a heart attack, Variety has confirmed. He was 76.
Lewis announced last April he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from stand-up comedy. He most recently appeared in Season 12 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” currently airing on HBO.
In 2021, Lewis announced he would not appear in Season 11 of “Curb” in order to recover from three surgeries. He surprised viewers by returning to set for one Season 11 episode, telling Variety at the time, “When I walked in and they applauded, I felt like a million bucks. Larry doesn’t like to hug, and he hugged me and told me how happy he was after we shot our scene.”
Lewis, who played a semi-fictionalized version of himself throughout the 24 years of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” was known for his neurotic,...
Lewis announced last April he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was retiring from stand-up comedy. He most recently appeared in Season 12 of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” currently airing on HBO.
In 2021, Lewis announced he would not appear in Season 11 of “Curb” in order to recover from three surgeries. He surprised viewers by returning to set for one Season 11 episode, telling Variety at the time, “When I walked in and they applauded, I felt like a million bucks. Larry doesn’t like to hug, and he hugged me and told me how happy he was after we shot our scene.”
Lewis, who played a semi-fictionalized version of himself throughout the 24 years of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” was known for his neurotic,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Paul McCartney wrote a large portion of The Beatles’ songs based on a variety of his personal experiences. “Let It Be” came to him after having a dream about his mother and he wrote “She Came In Through the Bathroom Window” after a fan did just that. Beatles associate Alistair Taylor believed McCartney wrote a different Beatles song after a seemingly paranormal experience.
Paul McCartney wrote a Beatles song after a strange experience
In 1967, McCartney and Taylor were walking McCartney’s dog Martha in the morning. As they turned to look for Martha, they realized a man was behind them.
“We turned round to go and suddenly there he was standing behind us,” Taylor said, per the book A Hard Day’s Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song by Steve Turner. “He was a middle-aged man, very respectably dressed in a belted raincoat. Nothing in that, you may think,...
Paul McCartney wrote a Beatles song after a strange experience
In 1967, McCartney and Taylor were walking McCartney’s dog Martha in the morning. As they turned to look for Martha, they realized a man was behind them.
“We turned round to go and suddenly there he was standing behind us,” Taylor said, per the book A Hard Day’s Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song by Steve Turner. “He was a middle-aged man, very respectably dressed in a belted raincoat. Nothing in that, you may think,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles’ songs from A to Z are a study of how the band changed the course of pop music. The songwriting, melodies, instrumentals, and recording technqiues established the band as among the most influential in music history. But for all their success, The Beatles remained active for a relatively short period of time.
In 10 years, The Beatles released 14 albums in what’s considered their core catalog. It includes just over 200 songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Some are much more memorable than others, but every Beatles song from A to Z has its own story and interesting facts to keep listeners entertained even when the music stops.
Beatles songs starting with ‘A’ “Across the Universe” The song holds a Guinness World Record that involves outer space. “Act Naturally” It replaced a “weird” Ringo Starr song initially meant for the album. “All I’ve Got...
In 10 years, The Beatles released 14 albums in what’s considered their core catalog. It includes just over 200 songs from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Some are much more memorable than others, but every Beatles song from A to Z has its own story and interesting facts to keep listeners entertained even when the music stops.
Beatles songs starting with ‘A’ “Across the Universe” The song holds a Guinness World Record that involves outer space. “Act Naturally” It replaced a “weird” Ringo Starr song initially meant for the album. “All I’ve Got...
- 2/26/2024
- by Matt Moore
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Beatles fans have long debated the causes of the band’s breakup, but their longtime producer George Martin believed the split was relatively easy to explain. Martin worked with the band for years and watched as they drifted apart. While he recognized that many factors contributed to their breakup, he believed that they wanted an opportunity to live more normal, separate lives.
George Martin said The Beatles wanted normalcy in their lives
The Beatles’ touring and recording schedules, particularly in the first half of the 1960s, allowed them little time to spend with anyone but themselves. They made public appearances as a group and vacationed together. Martin believed that by the end of the decade, they were ready for some time apart.
“The split arose from many contributory things, mainly that each of the boys wanted to live his own life and had never been able to,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
George Martin said The Beatles wanted normalcy in their lives
The Beatles’ touring and recording schedules, particularly in the first half of the 1960s, allowed them little time to spend with anyone but themselves. They made public appearances as a group and vacationed together. Martin believed that by the end of the decade, they were ready for some time apart.
“The split arose from many contributory things, mainly that each of the boys wanted to live his own life and had never been able to,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 2/25/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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
In 1995, The Beatles released “Free as a Bird,” their first new song in years. John Lennon originally wrote it in 1977, and his surviving bandmates worked on it years later. While the song was a success on the charts, longtime Beatles producer George Martin wasn’t sure how he felt about it. He gave it his stamp of approval but felt it sounded a bit odd.
George Martin wasn’t sure about the finished product of a late Beatles song
At the start of 1994, Paul McCartney called Yoko Ono to wish her a happy New Year. Through this conversation and further ones, they began discussing the possibility of working on some of Lennon’s home demos and releasing them as Beatles songs.
“I liked ‘Free As A Bird’ immediately,” McCartney said in the book A Hard Day’s Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song by Steve Turner. “I liked the melody.
George Martin wasn’t sure about the finished product of a late Beatles song
At the start of 1994, Paul McCartney called Yoko Ono to wish her a happy New Year. Through this conversation and further ones, they began discussing the possibility of working on some of Lennon’s home demos and releasing them as Beatles songs.
“I liked ‘Free As A Bird’ immediately,” McCartney said in the book A Hard Day’s Write: The Stories Behind Every Beatles Song by Steve Turner. “I liked the melody.
- 2/18/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Abbey Road was the final album The Beatles recorded and was a relatively pleasant studio experience for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Recording The White Album and Let It Be had been contentious and challenging. While the recording process for Abbey Road was smoother, not everything was perfect. Lennon walked away unhappy with a significant portion of the record.
John Lennon disliked Paul McCartney’s additions to ‘Abbey Road’
By the time The Beatles were working on Abbey Road, Lennon and McCartney were writing separately despite sharing a writing credit. Lennon did not approve of the songs McCartney added to the album.
“I tried to get Paul to get back into the old Pepper way of creating something really worthwhile and we put together the long side,” producer George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “John objected very much to what we did on the second side of Abbey Road,...
John Lennon disliked Paul McCartney’s additions to ‘Abbey Road’
By the time The Beatles were working on Abbey Road, Lennon and McCartney were writing separately despite sharing a writing credit. Lennon did not approve of the songs McCartney added to the album.
“I tried to get Paul to get back into the old Pepper way of creating something really worthwhile and we put together the long side,” producer George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “John objected very much to what we did on the second side of Abbey Road,...
- 2/14/2024
- 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
After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon frequently spoke critically about the work he made with the band. He said he didn’t consider himself a fan of The Beatles and complained about his bandmates. He had harbored negative feelings about the band while they were still together. According to longtime Beatles producer George Martin, Lennon was visibly fed up while recording one of the band’s final albums.
John Lennon had problems with the final album The Beatles recorded
While Let It Be was the last album The Beatles released, they recorded it before Abbey Road. They recorded it in 1969, the same year Lennon announced he was leaving the band. According to Martin, Lennon’s fatigue with the group came through while recording Abbey Road.
“John got disenchanted with record production. He didn’t really approve of what I’d done or was doing,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
John Lennon had problems with the final album The Beatles recorded
While Let It Be was the last album The Beatles released, they recorded it before Abbey Road. They recorded it in 1969, the same year Lennon announced he was leaving the band. According to Martin, Lennon’s fatigue with the group came through while recording Abbey Road.
“John got disenchanted with record production. He didn’t really approve of what I’d done or was doing,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 2/6/2024
- 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
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
“Please Please Me” was an early hit for The Beatles, but it might not have made it far in its original form. According to Beatles producer George Martin, the initial version of the song was slow and dull. When he pointed this out to the band, they felt embarrassed that they hadn’t noticed.
The Beatles’ producer embarrassed the band when he asked them to change ‘Please Please Me’
When The Beatles first played “Please Please Me” for Martin, he could scarcely keep from yawning. They wanted it on the first single, but he thought it was too boring as it stood.
“In the first year, I had the final decision on songs, but they persuaded me to let them have their own songs on both sides of their first single,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “I was still thinking that we should release their recording of ‘How Do You Do It.
The Beatles’ producer embarrassed the band when he asked them to change ‘Please Please Me’
When The Beatles first played “Please Please Me” for Martin, he could scarcely keep from yawning. They wanted it on the first single, but he thought it was too boring as it stood.
“In the first year, I had the final decision on songs, but they persuaded me to let them have their own songs on both sides of their first single,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “I was still thinking that we should release their recording of ‘How Do You Do It.
- 1/23/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When The Beatles released “Please Please Me” in early 1963, both Paul McCartney and John Lennon received writing credit. The pair wanted to be the next Rodgers and Hammerstein, and they established the precedent of earning joint credit for their songs. According to McCartney, though, he didn’t have all that much to do with writing the song. He admitted that “Please Please Me” was more of Lennon’s song than his own.
Paul McCartney said John Lennon wrote more of ‘Please Please Me’ than he did
After achieving success with “Love Me Do,” The Beatles exploded with the release of “Please Please Me.” It was a song McCartney and Lennon worked on together, but McCartney admitted that it was more of Lennon’s song than his.
“We’d had a fair bit of practice writing over the years, though our legendary ‘first one hundred’ was probably in reality less than half that amount of songs,...
Paul McCartney said John Lennon wrote more of ‘Please Please Me’ than he did
After achieving success with “Love Me Do,” The Beatles exploded with the release of “Please Please Me.” It was a song McCartney and Lennon worked on together, but McCartney admitted that it was more of Lennon’s song than his.
“We’d had a fair bit of practice writing over the years, though our legendary ‘first one hundred’ was probably in reality less than half that amount of songs,...
- 1/16/2024
- by Emma McKee
- 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
Over the course of his career, John Lennon worked with many musicians. The Beatles brought in other musicians to play on their songs, and he collaborated with many artists in his solo career. Despite this, Lennon said he found it difficult to talk about music with other artists. He explained that he relied on producer George Martin to do this for him because he was too shy.
John Lennon said he found it challenging to talk to musicians
In the early 1960s, The Beatles began working with Martin. He helped transform their music and bring their visions to life.
“George Martin had a very great musical knowledge and background, and he could translate for us and suggest a lot of things,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “He’d come up with amazing technical things, slowing down the piano and things like that. We’d be saying, ‘We want it to go un,...
John Lennon said he found it challenging to talk to musicians
In the early 1960s, The Beatles began working with Martin. He helped transform their music and bring their visions to life.
“George Martin had a very great musical knowledge and background, and he could translate for us and suggest a lot of things,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “He’d come up with amazing technical things, slowing down the piano and things like that. We’d be saying, ‘We want it to go un,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1970, The Beatles released Let It Be, the final record John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr would put out together. Though it was not the last thing they recorded, the album sat unreleased for a while and came out after the band had already broken up. Lennon said this was because of how bad it was. According to him, none of The Beatles wanted to touch it. McCartney had a different perspective on the matter.
John Lennon did not think The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ sounded good
The Beatles recorded Let It Be in early 1969, but it wasn’t available to the public until May 1970. As it languished in the interim, manager Allen Klein brought in producer Phil Spector to work on it. Lennon felt that this was the best thing that could have happened to the album, even though Spector’s version has many critics.
“If...
John Lennon did not think The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ sounded good
The Beatles recorded Let It Be in early 1969, but it wasn’t available to the public until May 1970. As it languished in the interim, manager Allen Klein brought in producer Phil Spector to work on it. Lennon felt that this was the best thing that could have happened to the album, even though Spector’s version has many critics.
“If...
- 12/7/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1968, The Beatles released a song that might not have been a possibility in earlier years. At over seven minutes long, “Hey Jude” was too long to fit on a standard record without severely jeopardizing the sound. The band insisted on keeping it at its length, though. This required a team of sound engineers to find a way to fit it on the record.
The Beatles song ‘Hey Jude’ was too long to fit on on a record without distorting the sound
When Paul McCartney wrote “Hey Jude,” longtime Beatles producer told the band it would not be wise to release it as a single.
“We recorded ‘Hey Jude’ in Trident Studios. It was a long song,” George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “In fact, after I timed it I actually said, ‘You can’t make a single that long.’ I was shouted down by the boys — not for...
The Beatles song ‘Hey Jude’ was too long to fit on on a record without distorting the sound
When Paul McCartney wrote “Hey Jude,” longtime Beatles producer told the band it would not be wise to release it as a single.
“We recorded ‘Hey Jude’ in Trident Studios. It was a long song,” George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “In fact, after I timed it I actually said, ‘You can’t make a single that long.’ I was shouted down by the boys — not for...
- 12/3/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney discussed John Lennon’s role in writing The Beatles’ “I Am the Walrus.” Some of Paul’s comments are a little questionable. Regardless, “I Am the Walrus” is one of the key tracks of John’s career.
Paul McCartney discussed the origin of the laughter from The Beatles’ ‘I Am the Walrus’
During a 2009 interview with Clash, Paul discussed his feelings about “I Am the Walrus.” “I think in a way, for instance something like ‘I Am the Walrus,’ someone like John probably doesn’t get enough credit, because those sessions, those preparatory sessions, were very important because they set the style and often gave very accurate briefs of what we wanted,” he opined.
“For instance, all of John’s ‘Everybody’s got one’ and ‘Ho ho ho, hee hee hee, ha ha ha’ [from ‘I Am the Walrus’], all that stuff was from John at a session with [The Beatles’ producer] George Martin, a preparation session,...
Paul McCartney discussed the origin of the laughter from The Beatles’ ‘I Am the Walrus’
During a 2009 interview with Clash, Paul discussed his feelings about “I Am the Walrus.” “I think in a way, for instance something like ‘I Am the Walrus,’ someone like John probably doesn’t get enough credit, because those sessions, those preparatory sessions, were very important because they set the style and often gave very accurate briefs of what we wanted,” he opined.
“For instance, all of John’s ‘Everybody’s got one’ and ‘Ho ho ho, hee hee hee, ha ha ha’ [from ‘I Am the Walrus’], all that stuff was from John at a session with [The Beatles’ producer] George Martin, a preparation session,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Beginning in the early 1960s, The Beatles enjoyed a string of hit songs that dominated the charts and the radio soundwaves. By 1968, they had established themselves as the biggest band of the decade. Still, their producer, George Martin, worried that one song wouldn’t do well because it wouldn’t get radio playtime. Ultimately, Martin was completely off base with his concerns.
Beatles producer George Martin thought ‘Hey Jude’ was too long of a song
Paul McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” as a tribute to John Lennon’s young son, Julian, amid his parents’ divorce. Martin believed that the song, which is seven minutes long, would never get playtime on the radio.
“We recorded ‘Hey Jude’ in Trident Studios. It was a long song,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “In fact, after I timed it I actually said, ‘You can’t make a single that long.’ I was shouted down...
Beatles producer George Martin thought ‘Hey Jude’ was too long of a song
Paul McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” as a tribute to John Lennon’s young son, Julian, amid his parents’ divorce. Martin believed that the song, which is seven minutes long, would never get playtime on the radio.
“We recorded ‘Hey Jude’ in Trident Studios. It was a long song,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “In fact, after I timed it I actually said, ‘You can’t make a single that long.’ I was shouted down...
- 11/28/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon met as teenagers, years before they became international superstars. While it didn’t initially seem that they had much in common — McCartney admitted that he found Lennon frightening — they got along. Through their obsessions with music, they formed a friendship that invigorated Lennon.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon clicked when they wrote together
Lennon and McCartney met at a church festival. Lennon and his band, the Quarrymen, had performed to an audience that included McCartney. He was impressed enough with Lennon’s talent and showmanship that he had to introduce himself afterward.
From there, they became fast friends and collaborators. McCartney would meet with Lennon over lunch, and they worked on music together.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
“Paul would have a school notebook and he’d be scribbling down words,” Lennon’s classmate Helen Anderson said...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon clicked when they wrote together
Lennon and McCartney met at a church festival. Lennon and his band, the Quarrymen, had performed to an audience that included McCartney. He was impressed enough with Lennon’s talent and showmanship that he had to introduce himself afterward.
From there, they became fast friends and collaborators. McCartney would meet with Lennon over lunch, and they worked on music together.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Universal Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
“Paul would have a school notebook and he’d be scribbling down words,” Lennon’s classmate Helen Anderson said...
- 11/18/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Kannur Squad, directed by Roby Varghese Raj, happens to be one of the best commercially mounted investigative thrillers to have come out of Malayalam cinema. This two-hour, forty-minute movie is about a squad assigned to investigate the murder of a rich businessman and nab the killers in ten days. Through this article, readers will understand the motives of the killers and how they were caught by this team of underdogs.
Spoilers Ahead
What Is The Kannur Squad?
Kannur Squad, as explained by Asi George Martin, were two subgroups created by his superior officers to be assigned many criminal cases that cannot be tended to by the regular force as many cases are registered daily at a police station. The movie begins with one group of Kannur Squad headed by George Martin, who came across a charred body hung from a tree in a bid to catch a criminal. The squad...
Spoilers Ahead
What Is The Kannur Squad?
Kannur Squad, as explained by Asi George Martin, were two subgroups created by his superior officers to be assigned many criminal cases that cannot be tended to by the regular force as many cases are registered daily at a police station. The movie begins with one group of Kannur Squad headed by George Martin, who came across a charred body hung from a tree in a bid to catch a criminal. The squad...
- 11/17/2023
- by Smriti Kannan
- Film Fugitives
The Beatles‘ “Now and Then” was produced by three incredible musicians — only one of whom was a member of The Beatles. A producer of “Now and Then” said the track is a good distraction from the world. He also said there’s nothing cynical about Paul McCartney’s decision to release the tune.
A producer said The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’ epitomizes what music exists to do
George Martin produced most of The Beatles’ discography. His son, Giles Martin, is a classic rock hero in his own right, having worked on the soundtrack for the Elton John biopic Rocketman and the 2020 rerelease of The Rolling Stones’ Goats Head Soup. he is also one of the credited producers of The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” alongside Paul and the Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne.
During a 2023 interview with Variety, Giles discussed the impact of “Now and Then.” “You know, we live...
A producer said The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’ epitomizes what music exists to do
George Martin produced most of The Beatles’ discography. His son, Giles Martin, is a classic rock hero in his own right, having worked on the soundtrack for the Elton John biopic Rocketman and the 2020 rerelease of The Rolling Stones’ Goats Head Soup. he is also one of the credited producers of The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” alongside Paul and the Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne.
During a 2023 interview with Variety, Giles discussed the impact of “Now and Then.” “You know, we live...
- 11/17/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ “Now and Then” was produced by the son of the Fab Four’s original producer. He felt the tune was reminiscent of a track from The Beatles’ Abbey Road. He also said “Now and Then” sounded “too schmaltzy” at one point.
How The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’ references their previous work
Giles Martin is the son of George Martin, The Beatles’ regular producer. Making a name for his own, Giles has produced a number of classic rock projects, including remasterings of The Beatles’ Revolver and The White Album, as well as The Beatles’ new single “Now and Then.”
During a 2023 interview with Variety, Giles said “Now and Then” recalled an oft-forgotten ballad from Abbey Road. “Then you get to the [slide guitar] solo section, and I switched to using the full string section for that bit, because it sounds to me a bit like ‘Golden Slumbers,'” he said. “You know,...
How The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’ references their previous work
Giles Martin is the son of George Martin, The Beatles’ regular producer. Making a name for his own, Giles has produced a number of classic rock projects, including remasterings of The Beatles’ Revolver and The White Album, as well as The Beatles’ new single “Now and Then.”
During a 2023 interview with Variety, Giles said “Now and Then” recalled an oft-forgotten ballad from Abbey Road. “Then you get to the [slide guitar] solo section, and I switched to using the full string section for that bit, because it sounds to me a bit like ‘Golden Slumbers,'” he said. “You know,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Contrary to some reports, The Beatles‘ “Now and Then” was not created using artificial intelligence. A producer discussed how tidbits of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby” and other songs were used to finish “Now and Then.” Shockingly, “Now and Then” isn’t much of a hit in the United States so far and “Eleanor Rigby” missed the top 10.
The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’ includes bits of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Because’
Giles Martin is the son of Beatles producer George Martin. Giles worked on a number of Beatles projects, including the album Love, which features the music of the Fab Four Cirque du Soleil show Love. He also helped produce The Beatles’ “Now and Then.” During a 2023 interview with Variety, Giles discussed the reported use of AI to create “Now and Then.”
“It’s not artificial or intelligent,” he said. “No, it’s the same process that I used … in Love. And Paul was nervous about this,...
The Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’ includes bits of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ and ‘Because’
Giles Martin is the son of Beatles producer George Martin. Giles worked on a number of Beatles projects, including the album Love, which features the music of the Fab Four Cirque du Soleil show Love. He also helped produce The Beatles’ “Now and Then.” During a 2023 interview with Variety, Giles discussed the reported use of AI to create “Now and Then.”
“It’s not artificial or intelligent,” he said. “No, it’s the same process that I used … in Love. And Paul was nervous about this,...
- 11/14/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon didn’t think he was the most thoughtful musical producer in the world, but he called out Ringo Starr’s producer for being “too painstaking.” That’s quite the take, considering the producer in question gave us some of Ringo’s best albums. He was also behind popular tunes from Carly Simon and Harry Nilsson.
John Lennon slammed Ringo Starr’s producer, Richard Perry
During a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, John said rumors that he took a long time to complete The Beatles’ songs were false. “I don’t want to make myself so painstaking that it’s boring,” he said. “But I should (pause) maybe t’ink a little more. Maybe.
“But on the other hand I think my criticism of somebody like Richard Perry would be that he’s great but he’s too painstaking,” he said. “It gets too slick and somewhere in between that...
John Lennon slammed Ringo Starr’s producer, Richard Perry
During a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, John said rumors that he took a long time to complete The Beatles’ songs were false. “I don’t want to make myself so painstaking that it’s boring,” he said. “But I should (pause) maybe t’ink a little more. Maybe.
“But on the other hand I think my criticism of somebody like Richard Perry would be that he’s great but he’s too painstaking,” he said. “It gets too slick and somewhere in between that...
- 11/8/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles have released their final song as a band, “Now And Then,” with the late John Lennon’s voice.
Over the summer, Paul McCartney announced the new track, which feature lyrics written and sung by Lennon before he died in 1980.
The creation of this song started in 1994 when Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, gave McCartney two cassettes that Lennon recorded at home in the 70s. McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison played around with the recordings, but because of background noise from traffic and television, the tape was unusable. McCartney still held onto hope that one day, they would be able to figure out how to eliminate the background noise and focus on Lennon’s singing, which brings us to today.
Using AI technology, McCartney and Starr were able to extract just Lennon’s vocals and incorporate them into the track. McCartney detailed how they used the technology that...
Over the summer, Paul McCartney announced the new track, which feature lyrics written and sung by Lennon before he died in 1980.
The creation of this song started in 1994 when Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, gave McCartney two cassettes that Lennon recorded at home in the 70s. McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison played around with the recordings, but because of background noise from traffic and television, the tape was unusable. McCartney still held onto hope that one day, they would be able to figure out how to eliminate the background noise and focus on Lennon’s singing, which brings us to today.
Using AI technology, McCartney and Starr were able to extract just Lennon’s vocals and incorporate them into the track. McCartney detailed how they used the technology that...
- 11/5/2023
- by Nina Hauswirth
- Uinterview
The Beatles have shared the music video for their newly released final song, “Now and Then.” The visual was helmed by Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson, whose work on the 2021 Beatles documentary, Get Back, was the genesis for “Now and Then” finally being completed.
As previously reported, “Now and Then” originally began as a home demo of John Lennon’s, which was then worked on by the other three Beatles in the mid-1990s, during the same period that they made their only other post-breakup songs, “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love.” At the time, though, a loud hum in Lennon’s original recording rendered the demo essentially unusable, and though an effort was made to flesh the song out, it was ultimately abandoned.
However, in 2021, while working on Get Back, Jackson and his team utilized WingNut Films’ Mal audio AI technology to separate and isolate tracks that they...
As previously reported, “Now and Then” originally began as a home demo of John Lennon’s, which was then worked on by the other three Beatles in the mid-1990s, during the same period that they made their only other post-breakup songs, “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love.” At the time, though, a loud hum in Lennon’s original recording rendered the demo essentially unusable, and though an effort was made to flesh the song out, it was ultimately abandoned.
However, in 2021, while working on Get Back, Jackson and his team utilized WingNut Films’ Mal audio AI technology to separate and isolate tracks that they...
- 11/3/2023
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Music
The Beatles have released their new single, the long-awaited “Now and Then.” It’s an emotionally powerful song written by John Lennon as a home demo in the 1970s. But it’s also a true Beatles collaboration, with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr playing and singing together. Nothing like “Now and Then” has ever happened before. It’s a unique music story: John Lennon leaves a song unfinished, but years later, his friends come together to complete it for him, simply out of love and musical brotherhood. It...
- 11/2/2023
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
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