For a time, John Lennon was the clear frontman of The Beatles. His bandmates looked to him with admiration and media outlets established him as the group’s leader. According to a Beatles associate, this was a position Lennon wanted but could not hold. He grew too lazy as the 1960s wore on.
John Lennon was initially the clear leader of The Beatles
Peter Brown, the personal assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein, had a close working relationship with the band for years. While he said he did not play favorites, he primarily communicated with Paul McCartney. McCartney was more invested in the group than his bandmates.
“I could communicate with Paul. I suppose I was closer to him, but I was always enamored of John’s enigmatic personality,” Brown told Rolling Stone. “Paul was the thorough one, the workaholic, and John was lazy.”
John Lennon | Max Scheler – K & K...
John Lennon was initially the clear leader of The Beatles
Peter Brown, the personal assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein, had a close working relationship with the band for years. While he said he did not play favorites, he primarily communicated with Paul McCartney. McCartney was more invested in the group than his bandmates.
“I could communicate with Paul. I suppose I was closer to him, but I was always enamored of John’s enigmatic personality,” Brown told Rolling Stone. “Paul was the thorough one, the workaholic, and John was lazy.”
John Lennon | Max Scheler – K & K...
- 5/16/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights to “Daytime Revolution,” a documentary about the week that John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted “The Mike Douglas Show” in early 1972. Directed by Erik Nelson, with creative consultation from Ono and her son, Sean Ono Lennon, the doc uses archival footage from each of the five 70-minute shows as well as interviews with six surviving guests, including Ralph Nader, to tell the behind-the-scenes story of theses shows.
Kino Lorber will open “Daytime Revolution” theatrically later this year, followed by a home video, educational, and digital release on all major platforms.
“Erik Nelson has unearthed a fascinating and undeniably radical moment of cultural history with ‘Daytime Revolution,’ giving viewers incredible behind the scenes access to a week of
television that continues to resonate today,” says Wendy Lidell, Kino Lorber’s senior VP of theatrical distribution and acquisitions. “John and Yoko used this memorable week...
Kino Lorber will open “Daytime Revolution” theatrically later this year, followed by a home video, educational, and digital release on all major platforms.
“Erik Nelson has unearthed a fascinating and undeniably radical moment of cultural history with ‘Daytime Revolution,’ giving viewers incredible behind the scenes access to a week of
television that continues to resonate today,” says Wendy Lidell, Kino Lorber’s senior VP of theatrical distribution and acquisitions. “John and Yoko used this memorable week...
- 5/8/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
(This article is unintentionally a counterpoint to my colleague Owen Gleiberman’s considerably more-positive take on the Beatles’ “Let It Be” film, restored by Peter Jackson and released today on Disney+.)
When I was a Beatles-obsessed seven-year-old, my mother, in an act of selfless parental love, took me to a Fab Four film festival: “Hard Day’s Night,” “Let It Be,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Help!,” one after the other. My mom was a cool assistant professor of English at the local university who dressed “hip,” loved music and picked up some listening habits from her students. My obsession began after she brought home the “Sgt. Pepper” album a year or two earlier.
“Hard Day’s Night” was the Beatles the world fell in love with — sweet songs, charming cheeky personalities, matching clothes, screaming girls, moptops. But “Let It Be” was so different: the Beatles as grown-ups, real people who weren...
When I was a Beatles-obsessed seven-year-old, my mother, in an act of selfless parental love, took me to a Fab Four film festival: “Hard Day’s Night,” “Let It Be,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Help!,” one after the other. My mom was a cool assistant professor of English at the local university who dressed “hip,” loved music and picked up some listening habits from her students. My obsession began after she brought home the “Sgt. Pepper” album a year or two earlier.
“Hard Day’s Night” was the Beatles the world fell in love with — sweet songs, charming cheeky personalities, matching clothes, screaming girls, moptops. But “Let It Be” was so different: the Beatles as grown-ups, real people who weren...
- 5/8/2024
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
I first saw “Let It Be” when I was a kid, in the summer of 1970, just weeks after it was released. My family was coming off one of those “Vacation” road trips. During the miles of driving, we listened to Top 40 radio, which meant that several times a day I got to hear “The Long and Winding Road,” which I thought was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. I knew that the first thing I was going to do when we got back was go to see “Let It Be” — and, in fact, it was the first Beatles thing I was old enough to connect to as it was happening.
The Beatles, in their early years, looked alike, and even after they’d entered the psychedelic zone with “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” they dressed and coiffed themselves with a splashy coordinated harmony. They were unified. And that made a kind of supreme sense,...
The Beatles, in their early years, looked alike, and even after they’d entered the psychedelic zone with “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” they dressed and coiffed themselves with a splashy coordinated harmony. They were unified. And that made a kind of supreme sense,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
“A message from Youko's sister sends Youko and Airi to the university town of Tsukuba to get some much needed maintenance done and check out the plane tarium. Then after a stop to stretch their legs at Lake Kasumigaura, the two are off to Mobility Resort Motegi—a motor sportmecca featuring a full racing circuit! But does their little electric Serowpack enough horse power to tear up the track?” (Ize Press)
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The first two volumes of “Touring After the Apocalypse” set a relaxed pace of discovery in Japan, with the two main characters hopping between locations as outlined by Yoko's sister's social-media diary. While taking place after the world's end, the general tone is cheerful and informative, hitting the notes of a slice-of-life bordering on Iyashekei. As such, the book filled a perfect niche of comforting, easy-to-access...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
The first two volumes of “Touring After the Apocalypse” set a relaxed pace of discovery in Japan, with the two main characters hopping between locations as outlined by Yoko's sister's social-media diary. While taking place after the world's end, the general tone is cheerful and informative, hitting the notes of a slice-of-life bordering on Iyashekei. As such, the book filled a perfect niche of comforting, easy-to-access...
- 1/13/2024
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
The Beatles paved the way for many things, including the British ska scene, the mainstream acceptance of psychedelia, and the entire genre of heavy metal music. It’s also arguable a song from The Beatles’ The White Album inspired Nirvana and other grunge bands. Here’s a look at the track and what Kurt Cobain had to say about The Beatles.
The Beatles’ ‘The White Album’ has a dark song that feels like a Nirvana doing blues
The White Album runs the guts of emotions. It’s happy, nervous, angry, lovesick, and sad. One song from the album is both very angry and very sad at the same time: “Yer Blues.” The blues-rock number is one of the hardest-rocking tracks in the Fab Four’s discography. In it, John Lennon unleashes a lot of negative emotions, including a desire to die.
It’s easy to see “Yer Blues” as a predecessor to grunge.
The Beatles’ ‘The White Album’ has a dark song that feels like a Nirvana doing blues
The White Album runs the guts of emotions. It’s happy, nervous, angry, lovesick, and sad. One song from the album is both very angry and very sad at the same time: “Yer Blues.” The blues-rock number is one of the hardest-rocking tracks in the Fab Four’s discography. In it, John Lennon unleashes a lot of negative emotions, including a desire to die.
It’s easy to see “Yer Blues” as a predecessor to grunge.
- 1/12/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A total of 35 films from 24 countries and regions have been shortlisted to compete for 16 awards at this year's Asian Film Awards.
Renowned Japanese director Kurosawa Kiyoshi will serve as the Jury President for this year's Awards. As the first Japanese director to hold this position, Kurosawa Kiyoshi is deeply honored. He will lead the Jury and over 200 Voting Members in selecting the winners for this year's Asian Film Awards.
The winners of other Afa awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, Afa Next Generation Award, and Rising Star Award, will be announced later.
The 17th Asian Film Awards Nomination List
Best Film
12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Paradise
Perfect Days (Japan)
Snow Leopard (Mainland China)
Best Director
Kim Sung-soo | 12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Gu Xiaogang | Dwelling by the West Lake (Mainland China)
Hamaguchi Ryusuke | Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Kore-eda Hirokazu...
Renowned Japanese director Kurosawa Kiyoshi will serve as the Jury President for this year's Awards. As the first Japanese director to hold this position, Kurosawa Kiyoshi is deeply honored. He will lead the Jury and over 200 Voting Members in selecting the winners for this year's Asian Film Awards.
The winners of other Afa awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Excellence in Asian Cinema Award, Afa Next Generation Award, and Rising Star Award, will be announced later.
The 17th Asian Film Awards Nomination List
Best Film
12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Paradise
Perfect Days (Japan)
Snow Leopard (Mainland China)
Best Director
Kim Sung-soo | 12.12: The Day (South Korea)
Gu Xiaogang | Dwelling by the West Lake (Mainland China)
Hamaguchi Ryusuke | Evil Does Not Exist (Japan)
Kore-eda Hirokazu...
- 1/12/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
‘Snow Leopard’, ‘Paradise’, ‘The Goldfinger’ and ‘Godzilla Minus One’ also land multiple nods.
South Korean box office hit 12.12: The Day and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist lead the nominations for the 17th Asian Film Awards, with six nods each including best film.
Also up for best film is Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise from Sri Lanka-India, Wim Wenders Perfect Days from Japan and Chinese feature Snow Leopard by the late Pema Tseden.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Hong Kong on March 10 and will be decided by a...
South Korean box office hit 12.12: The Day and Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist lead the nominations for the 17th Asian Film Awards, with six nods each including best film.
Also up for best film is Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise from Sri Lanka-India, Wim Wenders Perfect Days from Japan and Chinese feature Snow Leopard by the late Pema Tseden.
Scroll down for full list of nominations
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Hong Kong on March 10 and will be decided by a...
- 1/12/2024
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s latest feature, Evil Does Not Exist, and the period action pic 12.12: The Day, from Korea, lead the nominations at this year’s Asian Film Awards.
Both films received six nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. Directed by Kim Sung-soo, whose credits include Asura: The City Of Madness and The Flu, 12.12: The Day is set against the backdrop of the real-life military coup of 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City Of Madness), and Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North). Released on November 22, the film sailed past the 12 million admissions mark at the Korean box office over the Christmas holiday period, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 in the market.
Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist — which debuted out of Venice — follows Takumi and his daughter Hana, who live...
Both films received six nominations, including Best Film and Best Director. Directed by Kim Sung-soo, whose credits include Asura: The City Of Madness and The Flu, 12.12: The Day is set against the backdrop of the real-life military coup of 1979, which resulted in an eight-year military junta in South Korea. The cast includes Hwang Jung-min (The Wailing), Jung Woo-sung (Asura: The City Of Madness), and Lee Sung-min (The Spy Gone North). Released on November 22, the film sailed past the 12 million admissions mark at the Korean box office over the Christmas holiday period, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2023 in the market.
Hamaguchi’s Evil Does Not Exist — which debuted out of Venice — follows Takumi and his daughter Hana, who live...
- 1/12/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
A funny thing happened on the way to the presumed two-horse awards-season race between 2023 toon feature juggernauts. Netflix’s Nimona picked a fight today with Gkids’ Hayao Miyazaki hit The Boy and the Heron and Sony’s global smash Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, scoring a leading nine Annie Awards nominations. The others managed seven noms apiece.
All three are up for the marquee Best Feature prize along with Toho’s anime Suzume, which also landed seven Annie noms, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem from Paramount and Nickelodeon Film, which got six.
Notably missing from the top toon feature race is Disney/Pixar’s Elemental, which also scooped six nominations from Asifa-Hollywood. Meanwhile, Universal/Illumination The Super Mario Bros. Movie — the No. 2 film of 2023, which plumbed $1.36 billion worldwide — was clogged up with just a single Annie nom for Jack Black’s voice work as the villainous Bowser.
With all...
All three are up for the marquee Best Feature prize along with Toho’s anime Suzume, which also landed seven Annie noms, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem from Paramount and Nickelodeon Film, which got six.
Notably missing from the top toon feature race is Disney/Pixar’s Elemental, which also scooped six nominations from Asifa-Hollywood. Meanwhile, Universal/Illumination The Super Mario Bros. Movie — the No. 2 film of 2023, which plumbed $1.36 billion worldwide — was clogged up with just a single Annie nom for Jack Black’s voice work as the villainous Bowser.
With all...
- 1/11/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
“Nimona,” the underdog Oscar contender from Annapurna Animation/Netflix, was the surprise leader for Asifa-Hollywood’s 51st Annie Awards with nine nominations. Meanwhile, the leading Oscar frontrunners, Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and Studio Ghibli/GKids’ “The Boy and the Heron” each scored seven nominations. The awards ceremony will be held February 17 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
They will compete for best feature honors with Crunchyroll/Sony’s “Suzume,” the latest 2D fantasy/adventure from anime master Makoto Shinkai, which also collected seven nominations, and Nickelodeon/Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” which grabbed six noms.
Pixar’s “Elemental” also earned six nominations, while Neon’s “Robot Dreams,” an indie Oscar hopeful from Spain/France, earned five nominations.
The other best indie feature contenders are GKids’ “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote” (Cinemon Entertainment), “The Inventor” (Curiosity Studios), and “White Plastic Sky...
They will compete for best feature honors with Crunchyroll/Sony’s “Suzume,” the latest 2D fantasy/adventure from anime master Makoto Shinkai, which also collected seven nominations, and Nickelodeon/Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” which grabbed six noms.
Pixar’s “Elemental” also earned six nominations, while Neon’s “Robot Dreams,” an indie Oscar hopeful from Spain/France, earned five nominations.
The other best indie feature contenders are GKids’ “Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia,” “Four Souls of Coyote” (Cinemon Entertainment), “The Inventor” (Curiosity Studios), and “White Plastic Sky...
- 1/11/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Gold House and Cape (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) debuted the fourth annual Gold List to guide voters during the awards race by honoring the most outstanding work in film by Asian Pacific creatives in the past year, as voted on by the community’s industry leaders. Notable winners this year include Past Lives (including Celine Song and Greta Lee), May December’s Charles Melton, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, Olivia Rodrigo, The Boy and the Heron, and a historic number of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander honorees.
Last year erased any doubt that films by and starring Asian Pacific creatives could achieve the pinnacles of commercial and critical success. According to Gold House’s research, 22% of films grossing over $100 million at the post-pandemic domestic box office featured an Asian Pacific director, screenwriter, or lead actor. 2023 Gold List winner Everything Everything All At Once broke records during the 2023 awards season...
Last year erased any doubt that films by and starring Asian Pacific creatives could achieve the pinnacles of commercial and critical success. According to Gold House’s research, 22% of films grossing over $100 million at the post-pandemic domestic box office featured an Asian Pacific director, screenwriter, or lead actor. 2023 Gold List winner Everything Everything All At Once broke records during the 2023 awards season...
- 1/10/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
After last awards season’s banner haul for artists of Asian descent, Gold House and Cape are hoping the community will strike gold again.
The two leading Asian Pacific nonprofits in the entertainment industry have revealed the results of their fourth annual Gold List, which draws attention to the top Api hopefuls in the awards race. “The Gold List was created to ensure awards seasons and mainstream society are up to date on the most worthy creative work – particularly work from communities that have been historically overlooked or excluded,” Gold House executive director and COO Jeremy Tran said in a statement. “Every visible success leads to numerous unseen doors that are opened for new creative development, production and distribution opportunities for these communities.”
Celine Song’s Past Lives tops the Gold List with four selections, plus an honorable mention, while May December’s Charles Melton, The Boy and the Heron...
The two leading Asian Pacific nonprofits in the entertainment industry have revealed the results of their fourth annual Gold List, which draws attention to the top Api hopefuls in the awards race. “The Gold List was created to ensure awards seasons and mainstream society are up to date on the most worthy creative work – particularly work from communities that have been historically overlooked or excluded,” Gold House executive director and COO Jeremy Tran said in a statement. “Every visible success leads to numerous unseen doors that are opened for new creative development, production and distribution opportunities for these communities.”
Celine Song’s Past Lives tops the Gold List with four selections, plus an honorable mention, while May December’s Charles Melton, The Boy and the Heron...
- 1/10/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The three short film categories can be such a pain to try to predict the nominees for. Don’t worry Derbyites, we are here to help you all. With the shortlist for the 96th Oscars having been released, below we have listed all 15 shortlisted films in the Best Animated Short category along with descriptions of each one. We also have information and links listed for where you can currently watch these finalists.
Among the subjects that are covered in this year’s crop are birds protecting eggs during a volcanic eruption, an overly confident singing cat, a woman attending her husband’s funeral, and an old man appreciating all of the body’s senses.
See Dozens of video interviews with 2024 awards contenders
“Boom” – Two birds that aren’t very bright try to protect their eggs in the midst of a volcano’s eruption. This won the Gold Medal for Animation...
Among the subjects that are covered in this year’s crop are birds protecting eggs during a volcanic eruption, an overly confident singing cat, a woman attending her husband’s funeral, and an old man appreciating all of the body’s senses.
See Dozens of video interviews with 2024 awards contenders
“Boom” – Two birds that aren’t very bright try to protect their eggs in the midst of a volcano’s eruption. This won the Gold Medal for Animation...
- 12/25/2023
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
In a glorious moment, John Lennon‘s “Give Peace a Chance” was performed when the Berlin Wall fell. That was only one of many historical events connected to the song. Paul McCartney connected a psychedelic Beatles song to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ was performed at the Tiananmen Square protests
David Sheff conducted an interview in 1980 that became the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. For a 2020 reprint of the book, Sheff wrote an essay commenting on John and Yoko’s legacy. “Like millions of others, I still grieve John’s death, but he lives on in his music and his and Yoko’s message, which are as relevant today as they ever were — maybe more,” Sheff opined.
“John’s song ‘Imagine’ and his and Yoko’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ have become...
John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ was performed at the Tiananmen Square protests
David Sheff conducted an interview in 1980 that became the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. For a 2020 reprint of the book, Sheff wrote an essay commenting on John and Yoko’s legacy. “Like millions of others, I still grieve John’s death, but he lives on in his music and his and Yoko’s message, which are as relevant today as they ever were — maybe more,” Sheff opined.
“John’s song ‘Imagine’ and his and Yoko’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ have become...
- 12/18/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Mahatma Gandhi was arguably the most famous political activist who preached nonviolence and John Lennon was the most famous rock star who preached nonviolence. John still didn’t understand something about the Indian independence leader. Yoko Ono questioned whether people should follow in Gandhi’s footsteps.
What John Lennon said about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In the interview, John discussed his views on politics. He endorsed the message of The Beatles’ “Revolution,” saying that he wanted to see the plan for any possible revolutions. John revealed that he would only show up to a barricade if he was handing out flowers, referencing Flower Power, a famous photograph of a protestor putting a flower in the barrel of a soldier’s gun.
He also discussed two of the most...
What John Lennon said about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In the interview, John discussed his views on politics. He endorsed the message of The Beatles’ “Revolution,” saying that he wanted to see the plan for any possible revolutions. John revealed that he would only show up to a barricade if he was handing out flowers, referencing Flower Power, a famous photograph of a protestor putting a flower in the barrel of a soldier’s gun.
He also discussed two of the most...
- 12/18/2023
- 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
Artists from different genres and eras can create similar songs. Rihanna‘s “Diamonds” has some interesting similarities to a song from The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Both tracks have the same central theme, even if that isn’t obvious at first.
Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ was co-written by a pop star and a pair of important producers
Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen are a pair of musical producers collectively known as Stargate. Stargate produced big singles like Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable,” Selena Gomez’s “Come & Get It,” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.” They’ve also worked on several Rihanna hits, including “Diamonds,” which they co-wrote with pop star Sia. During a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hermansen said they wanted to write something different, and Sia spontaneously came up with a lyric about “diamonds in the sky.”
There is one other pop hit with similar lyrics:...
Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ was co-written by a pop star and a pair of important producers
Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen are a pair of musical producers collectively known as Stargate. Stargate produced big singles like Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable,” Selena Gomez’s “Come & Get It,” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.” They’ve also worked on several Rihanna hits, including “Diamonds,” which they co-wrote with pop star Sia. During a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hermansen said they wanted to write something different, and Sia spontaneously came up with a lyric about “diamonds in the sky.”
There is one other pop hit with similar lyrics:...
- 12/13/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After John Lennon’s death, Yoko Ono announced that she would not be planning a traditional funeral for her husband. Instead, she invited fans to join her in a silent vigil to honor Lennon. Privately, though, she took a moment to honor her husband. In a very small ceremony, she and producer Jack Douglas took time to listen to every recording they could find.
Yoko Ono had an intimate memorial service for John Lennon
Mark David Chapman shot and killed Lennon on Dec. 8, 1980. Lennon and Ono had just left the studio where they were working with Douglas on the song “Walking on Thin Ice.”
“He was very positive,” Douglas told People. “They were both just so happy.”
Shortly afterward, Douglas received the news that Lennon had been killed. Two days later, he and Ono returned to the studio to honor Lennon.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon | Susan Wood/Getty Images
“We went to the studio,...
Yoko Ono had an intimate memorial service for John Lennon
Mark David Chapman shot and killed Lennon on Dec. 8, 1980. Lennon and Ono had just left the studio where they were working with Douglas on the song “Walking on Thin Ice.”
“He was very positive,” Douglas told People. “They were both just so happy.”
Shortly afterward, Douglas received the news that Lennon had been killed. Two days later, he and Ono returned to the studio to honor Lennon.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon | Susan Wood/Getty Images
“We went to the studio,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After John Lennon’s death, millions of people across the world joined Yoko Ono in mourning. His sudden death came as a shock to everyone and devastated many. Ono was so worried about how Lennon’s fans would react that she made sure to get a message out to them. Here’s what she wanted them to hear after Lennon’s death.
Yoko Ono wanted to get a message to John Lennon’s fans after his death
On Dec. 8, 1980, Lennon and Ono were walking back to their apartment from the studio when Mark David Chapman shot and killed the former. When the news broke, people across the world began mourning the loss of the musician.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono | Bettmann/Contributor via Getty
Though she likely was moved by this, Ono also found this a bit worrying. The day after Lennon’s death, she told friend and producer Jack Douglas...
Yoko Ono wanted to get a message to John Lennon’s fans after his death
On Dec. 8, 1980, Lennon and Ono were walking back to their apartment from the studio when Mark David Chapman shot and killed the former. When the news broke, people across the world began mourning the loss of the musician.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono | Bettmann/Contributor via Getty
Though she likely was moved by this, Ono also found this a bit worrying. The day after Lennon’s death, she told friend and producer Jack Douglas...
- 12/11/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
To commemorate 100 years since Yasujiro Ozu's birth, Hou's Tokyo story is one that shows the Japanese director was clearly an influential figure in the Taiwanese director's love of cinema. Though while “Café Lumière” features many themes seen throughout Ozu's oeuvre, this is very much a work of Hou.
Much like Hou himself, Yoko (played by Taiwanese-Japanese Yo Hitoto) is visiting Tokyo from Taiwan to research a musician, seeking a café that he used to frequent in the capital. Pregnant by her Taiwanese boyfriend, this causes conflict with her strict, rural father, who feels out of place in the city and with his daughter. In true Ozu style, this is low on plot, with changing family dynamics and female empowerment key themes, with Yoko indifferent to her family and boyfriend's opinions on her pregnancy. She is happy to go it alone. Trains, another Ozu staple, run in the veins of this film,...
Much like Hou himself, Yoko (played by Taiwanese-Japanese Yo Hitoto) is visiting Tokyo from Taiwan to research a musician, seeking a café that he used to frequent in the capital. Pregnant by her Taiwanese boyfriend, this causes conflict with her strict, rural father, who feels out of place in the city and with his daughter. In true Ozu style, this is low on plot, with changing family dynamics and female empowerment key themes, with Yoko indifferent to her family and boyfriend's opinions on her pregnancy. She is happy to go it alone. Trains, another Ozu staple, run in the veins of this film,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Andrew Thayne
- AsianMoviePulse
John Lennon and Harry Nilsson weren’t just friends: they were collaborators. They made a whole album together that includes a mix of classic cover songs and original compositions. Afterward, John was asked if he was influenced by Nilsson in any way. Regardless of what he said, the album the two made together has endured and still influences modern singers.
John Lennon and Harry Nilsson put their own spin on tracks by Bob Dylan and Bill Haley
John produced Nilsson’s record Pussy Cats. The cover of the record depicts the two rockers as anthropomorphic kittens. Pussy Cats features some new songs, most famously “Don’t Forget Me,” as well as recordings of standards such as Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” Bill Haley & His Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock,” and The Drifters’ “Save the Last Dance for Me.”
During a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, John was asked if he...
John Lennon and Harry Nilsson put their own spin on tracks by Bob Dylan and Bill Haley
John produced Nilsson’s record Pussy Cats. The cover of the record depicts the two rockers as anthropomorphic kittens. Pussy Cats features some new songs, most famously “Don’t Forget Me,” as well as recordings of standards such as Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” Bill Haley & His Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock,” and The Drifters’ “Save the Last Dance for Me.”
During a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, John was asked if he...
- 11/12/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Yoko Ono revealed she likes one of The Beatles‘ albums better than Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. She also named her favorite Beatles song, which was a huge hit. Blasphemous though it may seem, John Lennon wasn’t the biggest fan of Sgt. Pepper.
Yoko Ono loves ‘The White Album’ and the message of 1 Beatles song
During a 2016 interview with US Weekly, Yoko discussed her attitude toward two of The Beatles’ albums. “I don’t know if people will hate me for saying this, but I always preferred The White Album to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Pepper’s too.” At this point, plenty of Beatles fans would agree with Yoko’s conclusion.
During a 2012 interview with The Telegraph, Yoko named “All You Need Is Love” as her favorite Beatles song. “I’m glad they were saying all you need is love,...
Yoko Ono loves ‘The White Album’ and the message of 1 Beatles song
During a 2016 interview with US Weekly, Yoko discussed her attitude toward two of The Beatles’ albums. “I don’t know if people will hate me for saying this, but I always preferred The White Album to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” she said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Pepper’s too.” At this point, plenty of Beatles fans would agree with Yoko’s conclusion.
During a 2012 interview with The Telegraph, Yoko named “All You Need Is Love” as her favorite Beatles song. “I’m glad they were saying all you need is love,...
- 10/31/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Even today, The Beatles‘ butcher cover is one of the most controversial album covers in classic rock history. John Lennon once explained how Salvador Dalí inspired the Fab Four’s disturbing album art. He also contrasted the reception of that album cover with another one created by Yoko Ono that features a nude Richard Nixon.
Boredom and Salvador Dalí inspired The Beatles’ butcher cover
The Beatles’ butcher cover shows the Fab Four dressed like butchers, smiling, and covered in raw meat and dismembered baby doll parts. It’s pretty unsettling, especially for a band once known for cute hits like “Eight Days a Week!” During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John gave fans insight into the image.
“That was a repackage for the Americans called Yesterday and Today,” he recalled. “The original cover was The Beatles...
Boredom and Salvador Dalí inspired The Beatles’ butcher cover
The Beatles’ butcher cover shows the Fab Four dressed like butchers, smiling, and covered in raw meat and dismembered baby doll parts. It’s pretty unsettling, especially for a band once known for cute hits like “Eight Days a Week!” During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John gave fans insight into the image.
“That was a repackage for the Americans called Yesterday and Today,” he recalled. “The original cover was The Beatles...
- 10/29/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Yoko Higuchi turns in another impressive project with his latest short film, “Synthetic Love.” Besides directing, Higuchi wrote the screenplay along with Michael Evans, and while the shooting took place at Oguchi Dam, located in the Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan. Making her acting debut is Myuri, an established model and dancer, and she performs opposite Takumi Matsumoto, who some viewers may remember for appearing in Takashi Murakami's “Jellyfish Eyes.” “Synthetic Love” premiered at the One Art Space in New York in a double feature showing with one of Yoko's previous shorts, “Everydayman: A Fantasy Tokusatsu Parody.”
One rainy day, a female robot named Motoko awaits her boyfriend, Shinji, to arrive while standing atop a dam overlooking the river below. Upon arrival, he cheerfully gives her a present to celebrate their three-month anniversary. Yet, much to his dismay, the humanoid machinery announces she's breaking up with him, claiming their time together has expired.
One rainy day, a female robot named Motoko awaits her boyfriend, Shinji, to arrive while standing atop a dam overlooking the river below. Upon arrival, he cheerfully gives her a present to celebrate their three-month anniversary. Yet, much to his dismay, the humanoid machinery announces she's breaking up with him, claiming their time together has expired.
- 10/28/2023
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
One John Lennon album is most famous for producing a cover of a sweet love song. Ironically, John said he acted like horror movie characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde while recording the album. Here’s a look at the impact of the song John covered.
John Lennon acted like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde while creating an album of standards
In 1975, John released a record called Rock ‘n’ Roll. It was a collection of standards from the 1950s and 1960s, the most famous being Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.” During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed how Rock ‘n’ Roll came together.
“It was such a mess that I can hardly remember what happened,” he explained. “I was away from Yoko and I wanted to come back. I did, once I got...
John Lennon acted like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde while creating an album of standards
In 1975, John released a record called Rock ‘n’ Roll. It was a collection of standards from the 1950s and 1960s, the most famous being Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me.” During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed how Rock ‘n’ Roll came together.
“It was such a mess that I can hardly remember what happened,” he explained. “I was away from Yoko and I wanted to come back. I did, once I got...
- 10/27/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney was John Lennon’s friend, songwriting partner, and, he explained, something like a priest. McCartney was one of the people who saw through Lennon’s guarded nature and had many honest, vulnerable conversations with him. McCartney recalled one conversation with Lennon that left him feeling like a priest.
Paul McCartney shared what the relationship between himself and John Lennon was like
McCartney recognized that Lennon’s aggression was a way to protect himself. He responded to challenging situations and emotions with barbed humor.
“There would often be a very witty put-down,” McCartney said on the iHeartPodcast McCartney: A Life in Lyrics (via NME). “It wouldn’t always be a put-down but it was always a very quick answer, and he’d trained himself to do that. That was one of the attractive things about him.”
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images
Still, McCartney was able...
Paul McCartney shared what the relationship between himself and John Lennon was like
McCartney recognized that Lennon’s aggression was a way to protect himself. He responded to challenging situations and emotions with barbed humor.
“There would often be a very witty put-down,” McCartney said on the iHeartPodcast McCartney: A Life in Lyrics (via NME). “It wouldn’t always be a put-down but it was always a very quick answer, and he’d trained himself to do that. That was one of the attractive things about him.”
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images
Still, McCartney was able...
- 10/24/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
“The Quiet Yakuza,” is one of two late additions made by Japanese indie sales firm Free Stone Productions to its slate of films being pitched at Tiffcom, the film rights market attached to the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Directed by Yamaguchi Kento, the two-part-film is adapted from the highly popular manga “Shizukanaru Don – Yakuza Side Story” by Nitta Tatsuo, which runs to 108 volumes and has sold nearly 50 million copies.
It sees Ito Kentaro as Shizuya, the only son of the Shinsen Group, the largest yakuza group in Kanto,. However, Shizuya has zero interest in the yakuza and wants to be a regular civilian. He is perfectly happy working at a design company, living a simple, puritan life and lusting after his colleague Akino. His ordinary life is threatened by a crisis within the Shinsen Group.
The two films were released one week apart in May. Despite both parts having been distributed in Japan,...
Directed by Yamaguchi Kento, the two-part-film is adapted from the highly popular manga “Shizukanaru Don – Yakuza Side Story” by Nitta Tatsuo, which runs to 108 volumes and has sold nearly 50 million copies.
It sees Ito Kentaro as Shizuya, the only son of the Shinsen Group, the largest yakuza group in Kanto,. However, Shizuya has zero interest in the yakuza and wants to be a regular civilian. He is perfectly happy working at a design company, living a simple, puritan life and lusting after his colleague Akino. His ordinary life is threatened by a crisis within the Shinsen Group.
The two films were released one week apart in May. Despite both parts having been distributed in Japan,...
- 10/22/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Any good classic rock star knew how to go against type from time to time. One of the songs on John Lennon’s last album included a gospel choir. In an interview about the song, John discussed why Yoko Ono cried during the session for it and what he thought about religion at the time.
John Lennon put a song sung by Yoko Ono featuring gospel choirs on his final album
John’s album Double Fantasy includes a sung by Yoko Ono called “Hard Times Are Over.” That track features a performance by two gospel choirs : the Benny Cummings Singers and the Kings Temple Choir. During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John revealed how “Hard Times Are Over” came together in the studio.
“At the end of the session, they thanked God, they thanked our co-producer; Jack Douglas, they thanked us for bringing them the work, and we thanked them,...
John Lennon put a song sung by Yoko Ono featuring gospel choirs on his final album
John’s album Double Fantasy includes a sung by Yoko Ono called “Hard Times Are Over.” That track features a performance by two gospel choirs : the Benny Cummings Singers and the Kings Temple Choir. During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John revealed how “Hard Times Are Over” came together in the studio.
“At the end of the session, they thanked God, they thanked our co-producer; Jack Douglas, they thanked us for bringing them the work, and we thanked them,...
- 10/21/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Journalists didn’t always understand classic rock stars. One of John Lennon’s albums had a title that the press misinterpreted as being sexual. John’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, revealed why that album was so important to him.
John Lennon read many false reports about his last album
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed his most recent album, Double Fantasy. The album was a collaboration with Yoko which featured a lot of her vocals. “It’s not a sex fantasy, as a lot of the stories in the press are saying, ‘They’re putting their sex fantasies down on a record! Ohmigosh!'” John said. “Yeah, I’ve read that. I read everything.” Contrary to the buzz surrounding it, Double Fantasy is an album about wholesome domestic bliss that’s barely sexual at all.
John Lennon read many false reports about his last album
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed his most recent album, Double Fantasy. The album was a collaboration with Yoko which featured a lot of her vocals. “It’s not a sex fantasy, as a lot of the stories in the press are saying, ‘They’re putting their sex fantasies down on a record! Ohmigosh!'” John said. “Yeah, I’ve read that. I read everything.” Contrary to the buzz surrounding it, Double Fantasy is an album about wholesome domestic bliss that’s barely sexual at all.
- 10/20/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon took a hands-off approach to raising his son Julian, but he threw himself into his second son Sean’s upbringing. Yoko Ono told Lennon he would bear primary responsibility for raising their son, and he wholeheartedly agreed. He took his role as father seriously and was highly concerned about Sean’s health. Lennon didn’t even want people touching his son for the first months of his life.
John Lennon didn’t want anybody touching his son, Sean
Shortly after Sean’s birth in 1975, Lennon called his lawyer, Leon Wildes.
“‘It’s John. I’m a father,'” Wildes recalled him saying, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “He was ecstatic, bouncing around his room as he spoke.”
Lennon was highly protective of his young son.
“In the months following the birth John allowed very few visitors to the Dakota,” Coleman wrote. “He was afraid they might spread germs.
John Lennon didn’t want anybody touching his son, Sean
Shortly after Sean’s birth in 1975, Lennon called his lawyer, Leon Wildes.
“‘It’s John. I’m a father,'” Wildes recalled him saying, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “He was ecstatic, bouncing around his room as he spoke.”
Lennon was highly protective of his young son.
“In the months following the birth John allowed very few visitors to the Dakota,” Coleman wrote. “He was afraid they might spread germs.
- 10/20/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon‘s “(Just Like) Starting Over” was supposed to sound like one Elvis Presley song and one Roy Orbison song. During an interview, John said drawing inspiration from Elvis and Orbison was returning to his “roots.” Interestingly, Orbison said the song that inspired John had nothing to do with his personal emotional state.
John Lennon’s ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ came from John’s ‘born again-rocker’ phase
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon contains excerpts from a Rolling Stone interview from 1980. Around the time John gave that interview, he released his song “(Just Like) Starting Over,” which is obviously indebted to the rock ‘n’ roll music of the 1950s and early 1960s. During the interview, John discussed the thought process behind the song. “All through the taping of ‘Starting Over,’ I was calling what I was doing ‘Elvis Orbison:’ ‘I want you I need only the lonely,...
John Lennon’s ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ came from John’s ‘born again-rocker’ phase
The book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon contains excerpts from a Rolling Stone interview from 1980. Around the time John gave that interview, he released his song “(Just Like) Starting Over,” which is obviously indebted to the rock ‘n’ roll music of the 1950s and early 1960s. During the interview, John discussed the thought process behind the song. “All through the taping of ‘Starting Over,’ I was calling what I was doing ‘Elvis Orbison:’ ‘I want you I need only the lonely,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Near the end of his life, John Lennon said he once acted as Ike Turner to Yoko Ono’s Tina Turner. He revealed that some of his fellow musicians weren’t too enthused with this move. Around the same time, he also said his music was different from Ike & Tina Turner’s.
John Lennon said he was once like Ike Tuner and Yoko Ono was an avant-garde Tina Turner
During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John discussed working with Yoko. “You know, the first show we did together was at Cambridge University in 1969,” he recalled. “She had already been booked to do a concert with some jazz musicians. That was the first time I had appeared un-Beatled. I had an amp and played feedback, and people got very upset because they recognized me: ‘What’s he doing with you?’ It’s always, ‘Stay in your bag.'”
Yoko didn’t...
John Lennon said he was once like Ike Tuner and Yoko Ono was an avant-garde Tina Turner
During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John discussed working with Yoko. “You know, the first show we did together was at Cambridge University in 1969,” he recalled. “She had already been booked to do a concert with some jazz musicians. That was the first time I had appeared un-Beatled. I had an amp and played feedback, and people got very upset because they recognized me: ‘What’s he doing with you?’ It’s always, ‘Stay in your bag.'”
Yoko didn’t...
- 10/20/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Yoko Ono had a more fruitful musical partnership than many Beatles fans acknowledge. John thought one of Yoko’s songs was so good he wanted it to be an A-side single. The track later influenced the work of the couple’s only child, Sean Ono Lennon.
John Lennon loved Yoko Ono’s ‘Walking on Thin Ice’
During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John discussed “Walking on Thin Ice,” Yoko song he co-produced. “We were thinking that this song is so damn good that she should put her own single out, with me on the B side,” he said. “I’d love to be on the B-side of a hit record after all these years.” Several of John’s most famous songs, such as “(Just Like) Starting Over,” “Woman,” and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
“I’d love to be the guitarist — I’m playing backwards guitar on this song,...
John Lennon loved Yoko Ono’s ‘Walking on Thin Ice’
During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John discussed “Walking on Thin Ice,” Yoko song he co-produced. “We were thinking that this song is so damn good that she should put her own single out, with me on the B side,” he said. “I’d love to be on the B-side of a hit record after all these years.” Several of John’s most famous songs, such as “(Just Like) Starting Over,” “Woman,” and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).”
“I’d love to be the guitarist — I’m playing backwards guitar on this song,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Yoko Ono wrote some out-there music, but John said they could have been the next Captain & Tennille. John revealed he and Yoko discussed going in a career direction similar to the “Love Will Keep Us Together” stars. As a solo singer, John wasn’t much more successful than Captain & Tennille.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono talked about having a Captain & Tennille-style TV show
During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John was asked if he and Yoko could have a late-night television show like Captain & Tennille. “Yeah, of course we could,” he said. “John and Yoko might do it one day. We often talk about that. It might be fun. But there’s time, right? Plenty of time.” Captain & Tennille had a variety show that lasted 20 episodes.
“Right now, here we are in the Record Plant [studio], talking to Jonathan Cott again for Rolling Stone … and it will be...
John Lennon and Yoko Ono talked about having a Captain & Tennille-style TV show
During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John was asked if he and Yoko could have a late-night television show like Captain & Tennille. “Yeah, of course we could,” he said. “John and Yoko might do it one day. We often talk about that. It might be fun. But there’s time, right? Plenty of time.” Captain & Tennille had a variety show that lasted 20 episodes.
“Right now, here we are in the Record Plant [studio], talking to Jonathan Cott again for Rolling Stone … and it will be...
- 10/18/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It doesn’t take a genius to hear that John Lennon‘s “(Just Like) Starting Over” was inspired by Elvis Presley’s music. During an interview, John named the Elvis song and the Roy Orbison song that inspired “(Just Like) Starting Over.” He also revealed how much he was indebted to both artists.
John Lennon’s ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ paid homage to Elvis Presley and ‘Only the Lonely’
During a 1980 Rolling Stone interview recorded in the book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon, John discussed the genesis of “(Just Like) Starting Over.” “All through the taping of ‘Starting Over,’ I was calling what I was doing ‘Elvis Orbison:’ ‘I want you I need only the lonely,'” he said. His words were a clear callback to Elvis’ “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and Roy Orbison’s “Only the Lonely,” two songs that influenced “(Just Like) Starting Over.
John Lennon’s ‘(Just Like) Starting Over’ paid homage to Elvis Presley and ‘Only the Lonely’
During a 1980 Rolling Stone interview recorded in the book Lennon on Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon, John discussed the genesis of “(Just Like) Starting Over.” “All through the taping of ‘Starting Over,’ I was calling what I was doing ‘Elvis Orbison:’ ‘I want you I need only the lonely,'” he said. His words were a clear callback to Elvis’ “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and Roy Orbison’s “Only the Lonely,” two songs that influenced “(Just Like) Starting Over.
- 10/18/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The music industry works in mysterious ways. John Lennon’s tragic death in 1980 might have catapulted one of his songs to No. 1 in the United States. The song in question was a tribute to the early rockers Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison.
A John Lennon song hit No. 1 the week after he died
There was a five-year gap between John’s 1975 covers album Rock ‘n’ Roll and his final album, Double Fantasy. The lead single from Double Fantasy was “(Just Like) Starting Over.” That gap would have led to plenty of anticipation for new music from the “Imagine” singer.
According to Stereogum, “(Just Like) Starting Over” was No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 the last day of John’s life. The following week, it hit No. 1. Stereogum theorizes “(Just Like) Starting Over” would have climbed to the top even if John had lived. After all, many Paul McCartney songs hit No.
A John Lennon song hit No. 1 the week after he died
There was a five-year gap between John’s 1975 covers album Rock ‘n’ Roll and his final album, Double Fantasy. The lead single from Double Fantasy was “(Just Like) Starting Over.” That gap would have led to plenty of anticipation for new music from the “Imagine” singer.
According to Stereogum, “(Just Like) Starting Over” was No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 the last day of John’s life. The following week, it hit No. 1. Stereogum theorizes “(Just Like) Starting Over” would have climbed to the top even if John had lived. After all, many Paul McCartney songs hit No.
- 10/17/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
While The Beatles wrote great harmonies, they were far from a harmonious band. Ringo Starr and John Lennon had different takes on The Beatles’ “Get Back.” One had fond memories of the song, especially a famous live version of it, while the other dismissed the track. John famously claimed Paul McCartney wrote the song to express his feelings about Yoko Ono. He also said it sounded a lot like one of the Fab Four’s other hits.
Ringo Starr said The Beatles’ ‘Get Back’ sounded different at the rooftop concert
During a 2023 interview with USA Today, Ringo looked back at “Get Back.” “I love [the song] ‘Get Back,'” he said, beaming. “If you look at the [Peter Jackson documentary Get Back] … I never played to the whole song [in the studio]. Anyway, all the bits we were writing, it was regular rock.”
Things turned out differently when the Fab Four played the song at their famous 1969 rooftop concert.
Ringo Starr said The Beatles’ ‘Get Back’ sounded different at the rooftop concert
During a 2023 interview with USA Today, Ringo looked back at “Get Back.” “I love [the song] ‘Get Back,'” he said, beaming. “If you look at the [Peter Jackson documentary Get Back] … I never played to the whole song [in the studio]. Anyway, all the bits we were writing, it was regular rock.”
Things turned out differently when the Fab Four played the song at their famous 1969 rooftop concert.
- 10/17/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon‘s Double Fantasy gave fans a peek into his personal life and his marriage to Yoko Ono. One of the more angelic tunes on the record was inspired by horses. Interestingly, the incident that influenced the tune happened on John’s birthday.
1 song from John Lennon’s ‘Double Fantasy’ was both sincere and a put-on
John’s final album, Double Fantasy, was a collaboration with Yoko. In it, John wrote and sang some of the songs while Yoko wrote and sang others. “Yes, I’m Your Angel” was written and performed by Yoko.
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Yoko discussed the tune. “Oh, it’s a big put-on thing,” she said. “But at the same time, the lyrics are really not a put-on. It’s presented in a put-on way.
“One night, John...
1 song from John Lennon’s ‘Double Fantasy’ was both sincere and a put-on
John’s final album, Double Fantasy, was a collaboration with Yoko. In it, John wrote and sang some of the songs while Yoko wrote and sang others. “Yes, I’m Your Angel” was written and performed by Yoko.
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Yoko discussed the tune. “Oh, it’s a big put-on thing,” she said. “But at the same time, the lyrics are really not a put-on. It’s presented in a put-on way.
“One night, John...
- 10/17/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
I first heard about FX’s “Archer” in the ready room of Vaq-135, a navy squadron who were serving an interminable deployment aboard an aircraft carrier somewhere near Midway Island. (This sounds very much like a humblebrag that Sterling Archer would obnoxiously drop into conversation). It was 2010, and the pilots had lost whatever idealism they’d once had during an endless deployment that had them flying 12-hour missions from the Persian Gulf to Afghanistan. I started hearing the officers stage-whisper “danger zone” whenever one of them got called in to see the commanding officer over some minor fuck-up or summoned to the flight deck in the pitch black of an ocean night.
Now, famously, “Danger Zone” is a Kenny Loggins song that plays a significant role in the homoerotic original recipe “Top Gun,” the urtext of naval aviators. But the way the pilots were saying it suggested they were taking the piss.
Now, famously, “Danger Zone” is a Kenny Loggins song that plays a significant role in the homoerotic original recipe “Top Gun,” the urtext of naval aviators. But the way the pilots were saying it suggested they were taking the piss.
- 10/11/2023
- by Stephen Rodrick
- Variety Film + TV
In the 1970s, John Lennon was in New York, living in a constant state of concern that the U.S. government had it out for him. He had a right to be concerned. The Nixon administration wanted to deport the Beatle, and he endured a lengthy legal battle to stay in the country. By 1972, Lennon realized just how serious the situation was. He noted that people were following him and believed people were listening in on his phone conversations.
John Lennon grew concerned that he was under surveillance by the U.S. government
Lennon and Yoko Ono became heavily involved in the anti-war movement. They staged demonstrations for peace and spoke out against the Vietnam War. Given his considerable influence, the Nixon administration grew concerned about his power to influence the youth. They wanted to deport him.
“In the spring of 1972, John Lennon knew that they were after him,” author Jon Wiener said,...
John Lennon grew concerned that he was under surveillance by the U.S. government
Lennon and Yoko Ono became heavily involved in the anti-war movement. They staged demonstrations for peace and spoke out against the Vietnam War. Given his considerable influence, the Nixon administration grew concerned about his power to influence the youth. They wanted to deport him.
“In the spring of 1972, John Lennon knew that they were after him,” author Jon Wiener said,...
- 10/8/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Key Asian territories have picked up the drama.
Japan’s Free Stone Productions has secured a brace of deals on Yuya Ishii’s The Moon, following its world premiere in competition at Busan International Film Festival this week.
The film has been acquired for distribution in Taiwan (SkyDigi) and Korea (Media Castle) during the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm), which runs parallel to the festival. It is set to be released in Japan by Star Sands on October 13.
The story follows a writer named Yoko who takes a job at a nursing home, where she witnesses elderly and disabled residents...
Japan’s Free Stone Productions has secured a brace of deals on Yuya Ishii’s The Moon, following its world premiere in competition at Busan International Film Festival this week.
The film has been acquired for distribution in Taiwan (SkyDigi) and Korea (Media Castle) during the Asian Contents & Film Market (Acfm), which runs parallel to the festival. It is set to be released in Japan by Star Sands on October 13.
The story follows a writer named Yoko who takes a job at a nursing home, where she witnesses elderly and disabled residents...
- 10/8/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Yuya Ishii has been the mastermind behind a number of films we cherish particularly here in Asian Movie Pulse, with “The Great Passage” especially featuring frequently in some of our ‘best of’ lists. Recently, however, and particularly since “The Asian Angel”, Ishii seems to have lost some of his edge, which he apparently tries to find once more with “The Moon”, a rather ambitious project.
The Moon is screening at Busan International Film Festival
Yoko Dojima once wrote a novel about the 2011 Earthquake, which brought her fame and even a much younger and rather handsome husband, Shohei, who calls her maestra and is an animator. Currently, though, she has not been able to produce anything new, which is why, along with the financial issues the couple faces, she agrees on taking on a job as caretaker at a facility for the severely disabled, which is located deep in the forest.
The Moon is screening at Busan International Film Festival
Yoko Dojima once wrote a novel about the 2011 Earthquake, which brought her fame and even a much younger and rather handsome husband, Shohei, who calls her maestra and is an animator. Currently, though, she has not been able to produce anything new, which is why, along with the financial issues the couple faces, she agrees on taking on a job as caretaker at a facility for the severely disabled, which is located deep in the forest.
- 10/7/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
A grief-stricken author attempts to reconnect with society by taking a job at a nursing home for the severely disabled in Yuya Ishii’s compelling drama The Moon, inspired by a real-life Japanese tragedy and adapted from the novel by Yo Hemmi. Rie Miyazawa (Pale Moon) is sensational in the lead role, but is surrounded by an equally impressive ensemble that includes Joe Odagiri (Adrift in Tokyo), Fumi Nikaido (Why Don't You Play in Hell?), and Hayato Isomura (Tokyo Revengers). Yoko (Miyazawa) and her husband Shohei (Odagiri) are battling to keep their marriage on course following the death of their infant son due to a congenital heart disease. Yoko previously found success as a writer, publishing a celebrated novel about the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. Since...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 10/6/2023
- Screen Anarchy
More than any other wife of a classic rock star, Yoko Ono is famous for her eccentric behavior. George Harrison revealed Yoko slept under a piano while The Beatles’ albums was coming together in the studio. George explained that completing the album in question proved difficult. John Lennon revealed that Yoko inspired multiple songs on the record.
George Harrison said 1 of The Beatles’ albums was recorded under ‘a lot of strain’
During a 1987 interview with Entertainment Weekly, George discussed the creation of The White Album. “The White Album did have a lot of strain,” the quiet Beatle recalled. “I was feeling really quite good when we started it, because I’d just come out of three months of heavy meditation in the Himalayas, and I came back to the world feeling quite good.
“But there were all kinds of strange things starting to happen,” he said. “John and Yoko had just got together,...
George Harrison said 1 of The Beatles’ albums was recorded under ‘a lot of strain’
During a 1987 interview with Entertainment Weekly, George discussed the creation of The White Album. “The White Album did have a lot of strain,” the quiet Beatle recalled. “I was feeling really quite good when we started it, because I’d just come out of three months of heavy meditation in the Himalayas, and I came back to the world feeling quite good.
“But there were all kinds of strange things starting to happen,” he said. “John and Yoko had just got together,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Synergia – the critically acclaimed and best-selling yuri/LGBT themed cyberpunk thriller visual novel from developer Radi Arts, is receiving a remastered next-gen edition that will bring the game natively to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S for the first time on October 3rd. The next-gen edition will also release on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One, where the previous iteration of the game was available. Pre-existing owners of the old version will receive a full discount for the price discount between the titles.
Having been heavily lauded in its original release, the next-gen edition of Synergia adds native 4k artwork and support for next-gen features such as enhanced loading and cloud features. It also adds new in-game content never before seen, including a 56-page original artbook, in-game comic reader, music listening room, and much more.
Accompanying the next-gen edition is the long awaited Sunrise expansion, which will be integrated into the next-gen edition of Synergia.
Having been heavily lauded in its original release, the next-gen edition of Synergia adds native 4k artwork and support for next-gen features such as enhanced loading and cloud features. It also adds new in-game content never before seen, including a 56-page original artbook, in-game comic reader, music listening room, and much more.
Accompanying the next-gen edition is the long awaited Sunrise expansion, which will be integrated into the next-gen edition of Synergia.
- 9/25/2023
- by Video-Games MCM
- Martin Cid Tech
Tl;Dr:
John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” includes a lot of unusual, disjointed lyrics. John worried that a single word in the lyrics would cause controversy. The tune was a bigger hit in the United Kingdom than it was in the United States.
John Lennon‘s “Give Peace a Chance” would not inspire controversy today. Despite this, John censored the tune’s lyric sheet. In addition, he worried one of The Beatles’ songs from the same era would cause an uproar.
John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ had 1 risque word that he replaced on the lyric sheet
The chorus of “Give Peace a Chance” repeats the song’s title over and over. The rest of the song is mostly nonsense. The verses mention a bunch of random things, including rabbis, evolution, psychedelic guru Timothy Leary, and masturbation.
According to the 2019 book And in the End: The Last Days of The Beatles,...
John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” includes a lot of unusual, disjointed lyrics. John worried that a single word in the lyrics would cause controversy. The tune was a bigger hit in the United Kingdom than it was in the United States.
John Lennon‘s “Give Peace a Chance” would not inspire controversy today. Despite this, John censored the tune’s lyric sheet. In addition, he worried one of The Beatles’ songs from the same era would cause an uproar.
John Lennon’s ‘Give Peace a Chance’ had 1 risque word that he replaced on the lyric sheet
The chorus of “Give Peace a Chance” repeats the song’s title over and over. The rest of the song is mostly nonsense. The verses mention a bunch of random things, including rabbis, evolution, psychedelic guru Timothy Leary, and masturbation.
According to the 2019 book And in the End: The Last Days of The Beatles,...
- 8/13/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Members of the International Marxist Group heard John Lennon’s “Imagine” before its release. One of them revealed what he thought of the song. Yoko Ono felt the album Imagine had more appeal than some of his previous work.
John Lennon‘s “Imagine” has plenty of social themes. John played “Imagine” for a pair of communist activists before the rest of the world got to hear it. Subsequently, one of the communists discussed someone who significantly influenced John’s views.
An activist joked John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ would please a communist committee
John was interviewed by communist activists Tariq Ali and Robin Blackburn for the magazine Red Mole. That magazine was controlled by the now-defunct International Marxist Group and supported causes like feminism and Irish republicanism. In a 2010 article for The Guardian, Ali discussed his friendship with John. “We stayed in touch and talked to each other a great deal,...
Members of the International Marxist Group heard John Lennon’s “Imagine” before its release. One of them revealed what he thought of the song. Yoko Ono felt the album Imagine had more appeal than some of his previous work.
John Lennon‘s “Imagine” has plenty of social themes. John played “Imagine” for a pair of communist activists before the rest of the world got to hear it. Subsequently, one of the communists discussed someone who significantly influenced John’s views.
An activist joked John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ would please a communist committee
John was interviewed by communist activists Tariq Ali and Robin Blackburn for the magazine Red Mole. That magazine was controlled by the now-defunct International Marxist Group and supported causes like feminism and Irish republicanism. In a 2010 article for The Guardian, Ali discussed his friendship with John. “We stayed in touch and talked to each other a great deal,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
Barbra Streisand released a John Lennon cover on her album Barbra Joan Streisand. The album also features tunes written by Carole King and Burt Bacharach. John said the song in question could apply to people in situations different from his own.
Barbra Streisand once covered one of John Lennon‘s songs and released it as a single. Subsequently, it became a hit in the United States. The tune in question is one of John’s most personal and revealing.
Barbra Streisand covered a John Lennon song on an album with songs by important artists
Streisand covered John’s ballad “Mother” for her album Barbra Joan Streisand. The album features recordings of tunes by well-known songwriters like John, Carole King, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Burt Bacharach. Streisand’s cover of “Mother” climbed to No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for five weeks. On the other hand,...
Barbra Streisand released a John Lennon cover on her album Barbra Joan Streisand. The album also features tunes written by Carole King and Burt Bacharach. John said the song in question could apply to people in situations different from his own.
Barbra Streisand once covered one of John Lennon‘s songs and released it as a single. Subsequently, it became a hit in the United States. The tune in question is one of John’s most personal and revealing.
Barbra Streisand covered a John Lennon song on an album with songs by important artists
Streisand covered John’s ballad “Mother” for her album Barbra Joan Streisand. The album features recordings of tunes by well-known songwriters like John, Carole King, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, and Burt Bacharach. Streisand’s cover of “Mother” climbed to No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for five weeks. On the other hand,...
- 8/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Tl;Dr:
John Lennon moved to New York City partly because of the way he was treated in the British press. He ignored a friend’s advice not to move to the United States. John revealed what he thought about the country.
John Lennon lived in New York City for years. Notably, a communist activist tried to prevent him from moving there. Subsequently, the activist imagined what would have happened if John had stayed in England.
John Lennon moved to New York City partially because Yoko Ono hated Britain
John became friends with Tariq Ali, a communist author and activist from England. During a 2020 interview with Jacobin, Ali discussed John’s move to the U.S. “I told him, ‘Don’t move to the States,'” Ali recalled. “He said, ‘Why? Yoko hates it here, the British press is racist, the attacks on her had been disgusting.’ I said, ‘We are used to them.
John Lennon moved to New York City partly because of the way he was treated in the British press. He ignored a friend’s advice not to move to the United States. John revealed what he thought about the country.
John Lennon lived in New York City for years. Notably, a communist activist tried to prevent him from moving there. Subsequently, the activist imagined what would have happened if John had stayed in England.
John Lennon moved to New York City partially because Yoko Ono hated Britain
John became friends with Tariq Ali, a communist author and activist from England. During a 2020 interview with Jacobin, Ali discussed John’s move to the U.S. “I told him, ‘Don’t move to the States,'” Ali recalled. “He said, ‘Why? Yoko hates it here, the British press is racist, the attacks on her had been disgusting.’ I said, ‘We are used to them.
- 8/10/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.