Tuesday 28 February 2017

Don't miss this - Pete Best of the Beatles play returning in March

Stephen Kennedy's play PETE BEST OF THE BEATLES is returning to the stage in Dublin for four performances at the end of March. It will be on at The Complex (just off Capel Street) from March 29th until April 1st. The show starts each night at 7.30pm and ends at 10pm. Tickets cost €15 and are on sale at www.tickets.ie
 

This play had a very successful debut run at the New Theatre in Temple Bar, Dublin,in February 2016 – and Padraic McGinley is returning to play the part of Pete Best again for this short run. Padraic is superb in the lead role – and he will be joined in the play by Jerome Corby who will perform the part of ‘Voice’.

As you know, Pete was drummer with The Beatles for two years in the early 1960s. He played hundreds of shows with John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison – and then was mysteriously sacked a few short weeks before they released their debut single (‘Love Me Do’) and went on to take over the world. This play took Stephen over two years to research and write. It examines the mystery of Pete’s firing from the greatest rock ’n’ roll group of all time – and it presents a fascinating insight into the early days of The Beatles and their wild nights in Liverpool and Hamburg. As the logo for the show states… “If you think you know The Beatles – you’re wrong!”


About the playwright – Stephen Kennedy has had his work broadcast on the BBC (John Lennon’s Last Day), RTE (Death and The Beatles Fan) and Radio Merseyside (Lennon v McCartney). He is also author of The Beatle Monologues which was on in Dublin last November. Stephen’s stage plays have been performed in Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Dundee, Berlin and Washington DC.  And he is also Director of the Dublin Beatles Festival.

Saturday 25 February 2017

Hot off the presses - Issue 61 is out now

Issue 61 of our quarterly magazine is out now and it was worth the wait - full of great stuff. If you are a member, it is in the post. Non members can order a copy from our website here.

Issue 61 (February 2017) includes:
  • The Beatles A Day In The Life
  • Coming Up Forthcoming Events
  • Media Watch
  • White Album on One Disc
  • Beatles Song Titles Puzzle
  • Allan Williams 1930-2016
  • Sam Leach 1935-2016
  • The Beatles NOT For Sale
  • Paperback Writers
  • Looking For The 4th Beatle
  • Try Some, Buy Some New Releases
  • BBFC Offers & Merchandise
  • As I Write This Letter
  • Crap Photo of the Month

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Review: RINGO STARR AND THE BEATLES BEAT

Alex Cain & Terry McCusker 
Matador Books 
ISBN 978 1 785899 553
Price £30.00 

At last a book about Ringo and drumming.

The authors have both enjoyed careers as drummers, and with a foreword by Don Powell, (the drummer with glam rock band Slade), we have the ideal book for drummers and Ringo fans.

Terry McCusker witnessed The Beatles live at the Cavern in the early 1960’s, and along with Alex Cain have put together an appreciation of Ringo and his drumming.

When I first read the book, my initial reaction was that it was targeted for drummers, but as I went further into it, I found myself reading a real appreciation of Ringo.

The book begins with a section of how to use drum notation, and what the different parts of a drum kit are, followed by a short piece on Terry’s recollections of Merseybeat and The Cavern.

The book then looks at some of the many drummers The Beatles had before Ringo came along, including Colin Hanton, Mike McCartney, Garston Bottle Works very own Tommy Moore, and, of course, Pete Best.

A mini Ringo biography follows, before we look at the two drummers who played with The Beatles after Ringo had joined- Andy White, Jimmy Nicol and Paul McCartney.

Ringo’s styles and kits are then analysed. I found the drum kits especially interesting.

The book then looks at recording and the producers and engineers of The Beatles’ records, before we get to the nitty gritty of the book.

Of the 400 pages, 262 look at The Beatles songs, with brief information of each song, and part of the drum notation, so if you own a drum kit, you can play along. When I got to this part, I was tempted to get a drum kit and try it out, but my room is too small!

All in all, a book all drummers should own, and one many Beatle fans, particularly those that love Ringo and have an interest in playing, will thoroughly enjoy.

~Ernie Sutton.

Saturday 11 February 2017

Here There and Everywhere - A Film made by Fans for Fans!

A Film made by Fans for Fans! Supported by The Cavern Club, The Beatles Story Museum, The Hard Days Night Hotel, The Fest For Beatles Fans, Abbey Road on the River and The British Beatles Fan Club.

Here There And Everywhere (HTAE) is an 80-minute ‘love letter’ spanning the band’s history as seen through the eyes, felt through the hearts and as told through the memories of their fans . . . from those who organise the fan festivals and tribute concerts . . . the memorabilia collectors who amaze and delight with their rare and unseen photographs and films. . . The Club runners who keep the fans together, to the authors and artists who continue to breathe fresh life into the never-ending magical mystery tour.

The film will feature never-before-seen, restored fan footage and photographs, providing a first-hand history about the opportunities created through the love of the band. Many artists and bands will pack HTAE with performances. Special licensed recordings will also be produced, featuring musicians and vocalists from around the world, creating a global Beatles  soundtrack.

Contributors to the Pledge campaign will receive a signed DVD of the movie before the launch. Those who pledge for the DVD offerings will also see their name on the film’s credits, if they pledge during the campaign. So yes, that’s right, your name will appear up in lights on the credits of this film.

As part of the ongoing production the producers will also encourage artists and animators around the world to include their Beatles-inspired interludes in the film. But perhaps most importantly, if you fans have a story to tell, then get in touch and we will look to see if we can include you and your story in the film. This is a fans film, so amidst the array of interviews and performances we want to include you! 

The film will launch at a number of iconic venues after release, with a TV network broadcast release at the conclusion of the project. The film will also be streamed on partner websites, with exclusive introduction interviews and extended excerpts at each partner site. Here There And Everywhere will also be shown at a number of film festivals, along with other staged releases,  including preview theatre and launch screenings in the UK, USA and Europe; to be confirmed. Production starts in late February/early March, 2017.

Click here to learn more.