McCartney Mural Near Shoreditch

To celebrate the release of Wings box set and reissues  of Red Rose Speedway and Wild Life Paul McCartney's team have painted a mural of the artwork on a wall on Great Eastern St in East London.

 

Free! Come play Beatles Themed Pinball in London until Wed Dec 12

Until Wednesday 12th December, London will have access to the only Beatles themed pinball machine outside of the US.

To celebrate the occasion, there is a new pop-up space in Bloomsbury dedicated to the latest must-have for any Beatles fan – a limited edition, fully licensed pinball machine.  The venue is open noon to 8pm daily.

The machines on display at the iconic Brunswick Centre will be free to play by any visitors to the shopping centre – making for a perfect escape from the Christmas shopping.

With the vast majority of the 1,964 machines already snapped up, this is a rare chances to play these machines.

Focusing on the Beatlemania of the Swinging Sixties, the machines feature nine timeless songs from what was arguably their prime. It’s the European debut of these machines since recently launching in the US, with each machine costing thousands of pounds each.

All I Need Is Love…and The Beatles

Our latest magazine issue will be posted this weekend.  It is chock full of good stuff. In fact, it was so full that not everything made the cut include the clever piece below by Jeanne Moran.  We are posting it here as a little bonus to entertain you while you wait for your magazine.

All I Need Is Love…and The Beatles

By Jeanne Moran

When I was a Little Child, The Beatles were Here, There, and Everywhere. Something in their Rock and Roll Music touched me, and decades later, There’s A Place for them In My Life still. Any Time At All, All I’ve Got to Do is open an app, pull out a CD, or spin my well-worn vinyl. I Want To Tell You, When I’m Sixty-Four, (and It Won’t Be Long,) I Will still be listening.

Back in the 60’s, The Beatles guided a generation through the Revolution that spread Across the Universe. Convinced things were Getting Better and that in The End, the human race could Come Together, they assured the world that We Can Work It Out. If just Two Of Us could speak Words Of Love, we could start Fixing A Hole, bringing people All Together Now as Mother Nature’s Sons and daughters.

Do You Want to Know a Secret? I’ve Got A Feeling they were right.

The Beatles created The Inner Light I’ve used to Help! me Eight Days a Week for years now. If I Fell for someone too fast, they urged me to Slow Down. When This Boy broke my heart over Another Girl, they reminded me I Should Have Known Better. Then, With A Little Help from My Friends, I was able to Wait until I met some new Boys who would Please Please Me.

The Beatles broke up Long Long Long ago and our Helter Skelter world still turns. But What Goes On hasn’t changed. Past Birthdays, through countless Hello, Goodbyes, their lyrics still hold truth:

-              There will be Rain before the Sun King comes;

-              I’ve got to pay the Taxman but that’s all right. Money Can’t Buy Me Love anyway;

-              When I’m Down and I think I’m A Loser, I’ll always find someone to help Carry That Weight;

-              Even during a Hard Day’s Night when It’s All Too Much and I can’t get a Good Night’s sleep, I can Step Inside Love;

-              Reassuring Words are always there. I know I’ll Be Back on my feet again soon.

When I Drive My Car or want to Get Back to Yesterday, The Beatles Don’t Let Me Down. If the soundtrack playing down the Long and Winding Road of your life includes The Beatles, Baby, You’re a Rich Man too. From Me To You, I suggest we Let It Be.

New Release today - Yellow Submarine LEGO® Set

Just what we've always wanted! Just released today, Lego has a new Beatles Yellow Submarine LEGO® set that is sure to be on every Beatle Fan's Christmas wishlist this year.

With this set you can build your very own authentic replica of the Yellow Submarine in LEGO® bricks. It is more than just the submarine. The set includes:

• 4 mini figures: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, plus a Jeremy figure.
• The Yellow Submarine features a removable top, cockpit that fits all four Beatles mini figures, four rotating periscopes, two rotating propellers and an adjustable rudder, plus a removable display stand.
• A minifigure display stand
• And special accessory elements: John's telescope, Paul's 1x2 ‘Love' tile, Ringo's round 2x2 ‘half a hole' tile, George's submarine motor and Jeremy's apple.

Lego reached out to the BBFC asking that we help spread the word and in exchange they have given us our own BBFC link to help you purchase your own set. Each sale using this dedicated link benefits the club just like our Amazon link. So have a look and if you decide to buy, please use our link to benefit the club.

Go LEGO® Shopping!

SOUTHPORT PREVIEW FOR PLAYS IN FUNDRAISING FUN NIGHT

Don't miss your chance to see previews of this year's plays in the Ticket to Write festival at this fun fundraiser event.

Trailers of the one-act plays being performed at Liverpool's Unity Theatre in October are  just part of the fun.  The fundraiser also features musical numbers, a prize quiz, a raffle and a supper all for just £10. And you can bring your own wine or other drinks.

The Fund-raising event is at St George's Church Hall, Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0NP on Thursday 24th September. Doors open 7.30pm.


For advance tickets and more info contact Jamie Gaskin through tickettowrite@acedrama.co.uk

Review: Eel Pie Island Museum - Stunning museum for music fans

1960's music fans will be familiar with the name "Eel Pie Island." This Island in the Thames river in Twickenham, only accessible via footbridge or boat, was an unlikely candidate as a site that would change the face of music, but despite this isolation it became famous as a major music venue in the 1960s that launched many successful music careers.

A group of fans representing the British Beatles fan club had an outing in the area last weekend, and we were delighted to discover that there is a wonderful museum in Twickenham dedicated to preserving and sharing the story of Eel Pie Island.

As soon as we heard about it, we made a beeline for the museum to check it out. We were not disappointed! The museum is exceptionally put together. The story of the island comes alive as you explore its history and learn how it played a part in the British Blues scene of the 1960's and of the early beginnings of stars such as The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Eric Clapton. You'll be fascinated to learn how the island has also influenced other genres from jazz through heavy metal. The collection of photos, timelines and memorabilia is interesting and engaging and includes instruments you are not only allowed to touch, but can actually pick up and play.

The curator, Michele Whitby, has created something really special. The museum is currently located on first floor of the Twickenham library on Garfield Road in Twickenham but they are actively seeking a permanent home. There is no fee, but a donation of £2.00 is appreciated to help the museum both continue and find its new home. Together a visit to the Eel Pie Island Museum coupled with a ride on the Swinging 60's Shuttle Bus (see review) makes a perfect day out for music fans.

Celebrate in Liverpool with an Amazing Cake!

If you're planning a trip to Liverpool for a special occasion, why not add the perfect finishing touch to your trip with an amazing bespoke cake from The Cake Rooms Liverpool.

This cake was made for a 30th Birthday celebration at the Hard Day's Night hotel and we're sure you'll agree with us that it's truly fabulous!

Not only do the cakes look amazing, they taste just as good. Fruit or sponge - the choice is yours - and there is an almost infinite variety of flavours and fillings. Each cake is made to your personal specification, so if you don't see what you want, don't worry! As Lisa, the genius behind these masterpieces, says: "most of our orders are bespoke, where we can create unique, fun and contemporary designs for your special occasion. Using our artistic and creative experience, we can make sure you get exactly what you want."

These truly are "edible works of art designed and created just for you."

For more information, and to see more photos of the variety of cakes that Lisa has made, visit the facebook page by clicking HERE, or telephone 07758 161384 to discuss your ideas for your special cake.

The Cake Rooms Liverpool really can provide the "icing on the cake" for your special event!!

Let It Be DC - Tickets on Sale Now!

Let It Be DC is back again and promises to be even better the second time around!  This fantastic event is not only  amazingly fun, but it also benefits the musical community making it a win-win for everyone.  

The British Beatles Fan Club interviewed organizer Neal Green to find out more about this event and we think you will agree that it promises to be a fabulous night of fun.  The full interview is below.

The BBFC will be attending so if any BBFC members also come, please send us a message to let us know you'll be there or wear your lapel pin on the night so we can meet up and say "hello".  

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Find out more:
Event Website
Let It Be DC Facebook Page
The Musicianship.org website
Get your tickets (Early bird pricing ends Oct 15)

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Interview with Neal Green, Let It Be DC Organizer

BBFC: This is the second Let It Be DC event you’ve organized. What prompted you to develop this event? 

Neal: This idea, was born a year ago from a conversation with some friends around a dinner table. We were discussing the different ways the Musicianship was looking to raise funds. I was discussing the need for a concert to celebrate the music of the British invasion. I made the statement we should put the together a British Invasion concert to benefit the MusicianShip, and from there the rest was history. Let It Be DC was born. 

BBFC: Have you done this sort of thing before? 

Neal: Last years Let IT Be DC event was the first time I had ever worked in the music field. I jumped in with both feet and with a little help from many of my friends in the local music industry we successfully pulled it off. If you build it they will come. 

BBFC: This event supports a charity called The Musicianship. How and why did you select this particular organization to support? 

Neal: What better choice than an organization that provides all facets of training in the field of music to children that are at risk and in areas where music education has been budgeted out of the public schools. We are providing for our future by supporting these children with opportunity. Summer music camps, after school music activities and more. 

BBFC: How did you select the three bands that are schedule to perform? 

Neal: Let It Be DC is very blessed to have three local bands, The English Channel, The Apple Core, and The GoodFellas, they have been performing for a wide variety of audiences from small intimate venues to large international audiences. 

The GoodFellas, has even been invited to Liverpool for Beatles week and played the Famous Cavern Club. The English Channel will be playing at the 2015 Abbey Road On The River Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. A five day event that rivals all Beatle festivals. We will be raffling off at Let It Be DC a five day “Ticket to Ride” to the festival to raise money for the MusicianShip. 

BBFC: There are different ticket price levels available. What does a VIP ticket include? 

Neal: Our VIP guests will get early admission to the event and the opportunity to meet the bands and our amazing MC, Hillary Howard. Our VIP’s also get reserved seating at the front of the Ballroom and a complimentary beverage. 

BBFC: Is there accommodation available for people who might want to come from outside the immediate area? 

Neal: Lansdowne Resort has really gone the extra mile for our guests and us! Lansdowne is offering rooms that normally go for $200.00 or more for an incredible $129.00! You have a choice between a king bed room or two twin beds. The rooms are beautiful! 

BBFC: I see on the website that there will be a Late Night Band Jam and a sing-a-long? What exactly is that? Will all three bands be playing together? 

Neal: We have a wonderful group of musicians who love the fans and fans that love our musicians. We are “family”! The Band Jam brings us all together at the end of the event and lets us celebrate that togetherness that is the music. It’s a fantastic experience! The sing-a-long is another tradition at these types of events. Having the event at Lansdowne Resort gives us the ability to continue the fun after the concert. Its for those who love to sing and those who love to play instruments to come together and go to the wee hours getting to know each other and enjoy. 

BBFC: What else do you want our readers to know about you, the bands or the event? 

Neal: This event Let it Be DC is an expression of what music of the British Invasion is all about, LOVE! Let It Be DC lets us come together and celebrate, while we afford the next generation the opportunity to do the same. Music, all music, brings us together, and together we can accomplish great things! 

Find out more:
Event Website
Let It Be DC Facebook Page
The Musicianship.org website

Get your tickets (Early bird pricing ends Oct 15)

 

Help us celebrate Ringo's birthday - Send in your photos

Send Ringo Peace and Love for his Birthday
Ringo's birthday is coming soon and not everyone is able to join in the celebration being planned outside of Abbey Road Studios, so we've decided we'll have celebration of our own.

Please send us photos of you, your family and friends giving Ringo's famous Peace hand signal or holding signs that say "Peace and Love."  We'll put all the photos together into a special message that we'll post on the website on Ringo's birthday.