All Things Must Beat. Share Anything Beatles!!

[Rocker949]

My brother recently got me subscription to Smithsonian magazine and the last issue has a story of when George Harrison visited his sister in a small Illinois town just months before his return with the Beatles for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. He sat in with a local band, bought a Rickenbacker at a nearby music store and hung out with his sister's family and friends just enjoying life and anonymity, little realizing how his world was soon going to be turned upside down.

I knew about this story before because of a film documentary about it, but I still think the article is worth reading for some additional details and recollections. I found it online if you can handle closing a pop-up or two and some ads loading.

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That is really a good article. That documentary you mentioned is very good, too. But it does go into a lot of detail about the efforts to save that house where George stayed when he was in Benton, Illinois. It's still a very informative documentary, though. I was never completely clear on exactly what the attitude was of that band called the Four Vests that George played with in Benton. Like if they were impressed by George, envious of him or what. I don't know. I'm sure it was unexpected to have someone come in and sit in with your band who was on the verge of becoming one of the most famous people in the world.

A Beatle in Benton Illinois (Video 2005) - IMDb

 

[Jeff Hughes]

In response to the Let It Be film, I bought a copy of it on VHS out of the back of a guitar magazine back in the 90s. It was so cool to see The Beatles in a more human form struggling to work out parts and gel together.

The VHS eventually stopped working. The lack of narration is wonderful because you create the story form your own mind.

 

[G-Dog]

My brother recently got me subscription to Smithsonian magazine and the last issue has a story of when George Harrison visited his sister in a small Illinois town just months before his return with the Beatles for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. He sat in with a local band, bought a Rickenbacker at a nearby music store and hung out with his sister's family and friends just enjoying life and anonymity, little realizing how his world was soon going to be turned upside down.

I knew about this story before because of a film documentary about it, but I still think the article is worth reading for some additional details and recollections. I found it online if you can handle closing a pop-up or two and some ads loading.

Invalid Link Removed

Great detailed story! I must have passed over it when posted here.

What are the odds that George would meet, and perform with, a left-handed bassist named McCarty while on vacation from The Beatles?!?

Here's an interesting 2020 video visit to Benton, Illinois retracing George's visit there:

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[nixdad]

Undervalued White Album compositions:

"Long, Long, Long"-This tune is so haunting and quiet.

"Cry Baby Cry"-The random little song scrap at the end makes it.

"Revolution 9"-I think most people skip over this track, but it really does have a melody and structure in its own way. Furthermore, I think many people don't realize the difficulty of assembling a piece of music like this especially considering they were doing it by connecting pieces of tape together.

"I'm a Loser"-Beatles for Sale has some great tunes on it, but I rarely ever hear anyone say "I was listening to Beatles for Sale the other day..."

I was listening to Beatles for Sale yesterday.

Talking about Beatles For Sale, this is our favorite:

 

[Rocker949]

My Kid Brother's Band a.k.a. The Beatles! by Louise Harrison

In case anyone doesn't know, this is the book that George's sister wrote. It's an insider's view, needless to say. We think of, for example, the significance of the Ed Sullivan show. Her account of that was especially interesting. George was quite ill at the time. She was the one behind the scenes taking care of him. It's a wonder he was even able to perform. But he did. They made it fine as the whole world was able to see. But George needed some extra help from his sister at that time.

BTW, I hope this hasn't been discussed already. I'm relatively new to this thread.

 

[G-Dog]

My Kid Brother's Band a.k.a. The Beatles! by Louise Harrison

In case anyone doesn't know, this is the book that George's sister wrote. ... ...

BTW, I hope this hasn't been discussed already. I'm relatively new to this thread.

Don't worry about repeating anything, Rocky. Most of this stuff happened over 50 years ago and must have been repeated hundreds or thousands of times somewhere already. The continuous repetition is part of what we're celebrating here!
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[Splash7]

The book doesn't get a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. Evidently the book is more about Louise than George.

 

[Rocker949]

The book doesn't get a lot of positive reviews on Amazon. Evidently the book is more about Louise than George.

That's pretty much the same criticism that Hendrix fans leveled against Kathy Etchingham when she wrote "Through Gypsy Eyes." Evidently, many Hendrix fans thought the book would be exclusively about Hendrix. In Louise Harrison's case, I'd say a lot has to do with her writing style. She rambles a lot and seems to have a stream-of-consciousness approach. It's obvious she isn't a writer and she didn't seem to have an editor. Kathy Etchingham's book may be a little better, but I liked both books. There were definitely things there about George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix that I would have never learned elsewhere. The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix have always been my favorite artists and I'm always interested in learning more about them. Also, in both cases these are what I'd consider primary sources. Something often more valuable than secondary sources even if the secondary sources may often be written better.

Anyone who is a die hard George Harrison fan would probably find something of interest in Louise's book despite its flaws. However, my favorite book about George by far is "The Love There That's Sleeping" by Dale Allison. Allison not only knows a lot about George Harrison but also is literally a great writer, IMO.

 

[Rocker949]

"Here Comes the Sun"

George Harrison Wrote the Beatles Song With the Most Streams in History

 

[Rocker949]

1978 movie "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

I recently ran across some info about this movie which I had never heard of. It was the first movie Steven Spielberg executive produced. It's a fictionalized account of the Beatles first appearance at the Ed Sullivan show. Spielberg said the movie did well with a preview audience, but failed at the box office. About a year later many of the same people appeared in the movie 1941 which was a success. I saw 1941 and liked it. I suspect the movie about the Beatles, though, was better than people realized. I'd like to see it sometime. Also, it has Nancy Allen in it who I like.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) - IMDb

 

[G-Dog]

1978 movie "I Wanna Hold Your Hand"

I recently ran across some info about this movie which I had never heard of. It was the first movie Steven Spielberg executive produced. It's a fictionalized account of the Beatles first appearance at the Ed Sullivan show. Spielberg said the movie did well with a preview audience, but failed at the box office. About a year later many of the same people appeared in the movie 1941 which was a success. I saw 1941 and liked it. I suspect the movie about the Beatles, though, was better than people realized. I'd like to see it sometime. Also, it has Nancy Allen in it who I like.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) - IMDb

Sounds interesting, Rock. But my research says it's a "coming of age" story about 4 girls that set off to see The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in the studio, without tickets. They learn about friendship and each other along the way. So, not so much about The Fab Four. Though I gather the finale did use actual videotape of the TV show. Could be worthwhile, at least the finale to see the TV show behind the scenes. There's this talk show, with Nancy Allen & Bob Gale, about the movie:

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[Rumble Thunder]

"Here Comes the Sun"

George Harrison Wrote the Beatles Song With the Most Streams in History

In late ’18, Independent.ie reported that “Here Comes the Sun” was the most streamed Beatles song of that year. “Let It Be” turned up near the top again (in third), while “Twist and Shout” was 2018’s second-most streamed song in the UK.

Wow! Shout out to Twist and Shout. I love Lennon’s vocal on this even though I have read that he personally didn’t care for it. I believe too, if I’m not mistaken, that George Martin got this song in only two takes. And it was at the end of the night after a long long day of recording. Incredible.

 

[Rocker949]

In late ’18, Independent.ie reported that “Here Comes the Sun” was the most streamed Beatles song of that year. “Let It Be” turned up near the top again (in third), while “Twist and Shout” was 2018’s second-most streamed song in the UK.

Wow! Shout out to Twist and Shout. I love Lennon’s vocal on this even though I have read that he personally didn’t care for it. I believe too, if I’m not mistaken, that George Martin got this song in only two takes. And it was at the end of the night after a long long day of recording. Incredible.

Plus, I'm pretty sure John had a cold when he sang "Twist and Shout." The fact that he didn't like the song is no surprise. He often seemed too self-critical. But on "Twist and Shout" he got a raspy sound in his voice which was perfect for that song.

 

[Rocker949]

Sounds interesting, Rock. But my research says it's a "coming of age" story about 4 girls that set off to see The Beatles on Ed Sullivan in the studio, without tickets. They learn about friendship and each other along the way. So, not so much about The Fab Four. Though I gather the finale did use actual videotape of the TV show. Could be worthwhile, at least the finale to see the TV show behind the scenes. There's this talk show, with Nancy Allen & Bob Gale, about the movie:

​

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• That's really interesting that they have an interview like that for a movie which wasn't even very successful. I have a feeling I might like it anyway. I tend to not be very particular with my taste in movies. My standards may not be high, but it probably helps me enjoy more movies.

I can't say the same for music. In a sense, the Beatles ruined me. I saw a video not long ago in which someone had the Beatles saying at the end "Sorry that we raised the bar so high."

Of course they never really said that. But in reality that's what their actions brought about.

 

[G-Dog]

• That's really interesting that they have an interview like that for a movie which wasn't even very successful. I have a feeling I might like it anyway. I tend to not be very particular with my taste in movies. My standards may not be high, but it probably helps me enjoy more movies.

I can't say the same for music. In a sense, the Beatles ruined me. I saw a video not long ago in which someone had the Beatles saying at the end "Sorry that we raised the bar so high."

Of course they never really said that. But in reality that's what their actions brought about.

Yeah, Rocky, I admit to being spoiled, too!

I sometimes think they did stuff like "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)", "Wild Honey Pie" and "Revolution 9" just to give other bands a break! (Wish they'd given me a break by leaving them off their albums.) I managed to avoid "Know My Name" for a long time but, apparently, The Beatles Channel on SiriusXM likes it a lot more than I do. Thank goodness they're not so fond of "Revolution 9" and there's nothing else on that side of my vinyl, so I manage to steer clear of it pretty well.

I like to think my favorite other artists measure up fairly well, though.
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[Rocker949]

Yeah, Rocky, I admit to being spoiled, too!

View attachment 3862523​

I sometimes think they did stuff like "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)", "Wild Honey Pie" and "Revolution 9" just to give other bands a break! (Wish they'd given me a break by leaving them off their albums.) I managed to avoid "Know My Name" for a long time but, apparently, The Beatles Channel on SiriusXM likes it a lot more than I do. Thank goodness they're not so fond of "Revolution 9" and there's nothing else on that side of my vinyl, so I manage to steer clear of it pretty well.

I like to think my favorite other artists measure up fairly well, though.
.

Fortunately, I was able to find a few other artists I liked, but I wish I could have come up with a few more. It's hard after your taste in music has become so particular.

I agree about that song "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)" It is an incredibly annoying song. LOL. I've read somewhere that they actually liked it, but I really don't see how.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

 

[G-Dog]

Fortunately, I was able to find a few other artists I liked, but I wish I could have come up with a few more. It's hard after your taste in music has become so particular.

I agree about that song "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)" It is an incredibly annoying song. LOL. I've read somewhere that they actually liked it, but I really don't see how.

"Know My Name" was probably fun for them to perform, especially in the Hamburg bars when nobody was listening, all those different styles in one song, ocarina going "cuckoo" and whatnot. But to make it the B-side (or E-side, more like) of the "Let It Be" single was, I think, the height of apathy on their part. But the others probably didn't wanna give Paul a double A-side with "Let It Be" and "Long And Winding Road", since he seemed to be the de facto "star" of the film. (Although two singles was probably better marketing than just one.)
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[StereoPlayer]

After watching the Let it Be film again and listening to demos and outtakes. It makes you realize that they weren’t perfect by any means. Flubs, bad harmonies, sloppy playing, etc.

I’ve always said, a recording is a one capture in time for us to appreciate. They are wonderful in that context. George Martin was a great help in that process.

FWIW, I do like You Know My Name, Look Up My Number.
It’s real schumltzy, mostly on Paul’s part in the song.

Also, I do the like the piano playing at the beginning of the Let It Be movie. If it’s really Paul(it doesn’t show a closeup of him actually playing. I like it.
But once again, they are sloppy at times in the studio.‘
Don’t get me wrong, I love The Beatles.

 

[Mvf]

Yeah, Rocky, I admit to being spoiled, too!

View attachment 3862523​

I sometimes think they did stuff like "You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)", "Wild Honey Pie" and "Revolution 9" just to give other bands a break! (Wish they'd given me a break by leaving them off their albums.) I managed to avoid "Know My Name" for a long time but, apparently, The Beatles Channel on SiriusXM likes it a lot more than I do. Thank goodness they're not so fond of "Revolution 9" and there's nothing else on that side of my vinyl, so I manage to steer clear of it pretty well.

I like to think my favorite other artists measure up fairly well, though.
.

I must say I like ”You Know My Name..”. I like all the various styles to play the simple progression. Actually, to me the song sounds like something Frank Zappa could have done..