‘The Beatles Encyclopedia’ by Dr. Kenneth Womack to be released June 30th

The Beatles Encyclopedia – a two volume set, about the historical, cultural, and musical influence of the Beatles, is to be released June 2014.

Dr. Kenneth Womack is pleased to announce the release of his latest book – The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four.  This 1116 page, two volume set is a comprehensive study of the people and places associated with the Beatles’ achievement from their formative years through the present day.  
 

The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four will be officially released on Monday, June 30, 2014, but is currently available for pre-order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Mr. Womack and his new book will be making their debut at The Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago, August 15 – 17, 2014.  Along with signing, selling and discussing his books, Ken will also be giving several presentations throughout the fest weekend.

Kenneth Womack received his doctorate in English from Northern Illinois University.  He is currently the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of English and Integrative Arts at Pennsylvania State University in Altoona, PA.  He is the author two previously released books about the Beatles, including Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles and The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles.  

For more information on Kenneth Womack and The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four, go to: http://kennethwomack.com/books/the-beatles-encyclopedia-everything-fab-four/

Note to BBFC members, if you order via Amazon, please use this link or the Amazon box found on the right side of all of our site pages.  This link benefits the club at no extra cost to you!

Blue Plaque for Brian Epstein - Sunday June 29

SongLink International is proud to be the title sponsor of the Heritage Foundation's Blue Plaque for Brian Epstein which will be unveiled at 12 noon on Sunday 29th June, at Sutherland House, 5/6 Argyll Street, London W1 next door to the London Palladium.

Epstein's company NEMS Enterprises occupied offices on the fifth floor of the building from the height of Beatlemania in 1964 until shortly after his tragic death in August 1967, aged just 32. Epstein would have turned 80 on September 19th this year, and was recently posthumously inducted into the USA's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. A bio-pic of his life is also currently in development.

David Stark, founder and editor of SongLink, the global song-plugging resource said, "As a lifelong Beatles fan I'm delighted to be involved with this official commemoration of Britain's most famous music manager. Epstein's signing of the Fab Four in 1962 developed into the greatest story in music and showbiz history, thanks to his belief and vision that the group could conquer the world, but even he couldn't have foreseen to what extent that would become true. Sadly Brian only lived to enjoy five years of their phenomenal success from 1963-67, but it's important that we recognise his outstanding contribution to the music industry and popular culture in his short but highly influential life."

VIP guests at the unveiling ceremony will include Geoffrey Ellis, Liverpool friend of Epstein and MD of NEMS Enterprises (later a PRS director) who worked at Argyll Street from 1964-67; Tony Bramwell (ex-NEMS & later head of Apple Records); Beatles author Mark Lewisohn; actor Andrew Lancel who stars in the upcoming play "Epstein - The Man Who made The Beatles"; Martin Lewis who secured Epstein's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; Rod Davis of The Quarrymen (the band that became The Beatles); Adam Ant and other celebrities. The event will be hosted by actress Vicki Michelle, President of the Heritage Foundation, and followed by a sold-out tribute lunch at the Marriott Regents Park with live music by the Trembling Wilburys, Dave Berry & others. In addition, messages of goodwill to be read out on the day are being received from Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Cilla Black, Sir George Martin and others associated with Epstein.

David Stark added, "It's totally fitting that Brian Epstein should be honoured in his 80th birthday year, and at one of the most prestigious show business locations in the world - right next door to the London Palladium, where his clients The Beatles, Cilla, Gerry and Billy J. Kramer all performed. I'm delighted that the current owners and managing agents of Sutherland House have given permission and their blessing for the plaque to be erected, and am sure it will give pleasure and be of enormous interest to the hundreds of tourists and music aficionados who pass by the site each day, not realising that this was the place where so much of the Fab Four's busy day-to-day schedule was meticulously planned by Brian and his staff. The Heritage Foundation and I are proud to honour the man who paved the way for so many others in the music business, and who is still recognised as being one of the most visionary, hard-working and totally honest managers of all time, without whom The Beatles phenomenon might never have happened."

Links: The Heritage Foundationhttp://www.theheritagefoundation.co.uk/events/Epstein - The Playhttp://epsteintheplay.com/Brian Epstein websitehttp://www.brianepstein.com/

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of "A Hard Day's Night" with the Mersey Beatles!

Join Liverpool's favourite Beatles tribute band, The Mersey Beatles, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of A Hard Day's Night and support a really great cause!

Saturday June 28

7pm

Plaza Community Cinema

Waterloo

Liverpool

Tickets only £10!

Special screening of A Hard Day's Night plus the Mersey Beatles live in concert!

All proceeds from this great event go towards the Plaza "Light Up The Canopy" fund.

To by tickets, or for further information, visit the Plaza Cinema website HERE!

"Strange Fruit: The Beatles' Apple Records" is now available to view on HULU

"Strange Fruit: The Beatles' Apple Records" is now available to view on HULU

 

The extraordinary story of a most extraordinary record label

In 1968, under a haze of publicity, The Beatles opened their collective door to all manner of musicians, writers and artists. Strange Fruit: The Beatles' Apple Records is the story of a record label which came to exist under extraordinary circumstances, produced some extraordinary records and was operated under the most extraordinary guidelines.   WATCH: http://www.hulu.com/watch/641537 DVD: http://mvdb2b.com/s/link/SIDVD570 PRESS: "Pleasantly surprising in its detail, 'Strange Fruit -- The Beatles' Apple Records' should satisfy the die hard fans of the Beatles, as well as more casual music enthusiasts looking for balanced, informed account of the last throes of the band and their risky, curious venture of running a label."  -Kevin Jagernauth, INDIEWIRE "This is an excellent overview of an often overlooked aspect of the Fab Four's legacy. Easily earning a Highly Recommended rating, it's perfect for the purist and novice alike. Today, many artists have their own boutique label. Sadly, few seemed to have learn the lessons taught to them by the biggest band in the history of music - and their own egoinfused folly."  -Bill Gibron, DVD TALK "An excellent documentary film which has been well researched and edited. With experts like Apple biographer Stefan Granados, it presents a great insight into Apple Records and will be a fab addition to any fan's library."  -David Bedford, BRITISH BEATLES FAN CLUB

STAR OF EPSTEIN PLAY TO JOIN UNVEILING CEREMONY FOR BRIAN EPSTEIN BLUE PLAQUE

TV and stage actor Andrew Lancel, who is set to play Brian Epstein in Epstein: The Man Who Made the Beatles, in London’s West End this summer, has been confirmed as one of the celebrity names who will unveil a commemorative Heritage Foundation Blue Plaque at the London offices of Epstein’s company NEMS on Sunday 29 June.

Andrew Lancel (Coronation Street and The Bill) says he is honoured to be asked to be a part of the special unveiling ceremony which will take place at Sutherland House, adjacent to the London Palladium, where NEMS occupied offices in the building from the height of Beatlemania in 1964 until shortly after Brian’s tragic death in 1967.

The plaque for the former Beatles manager comes in a year which would have seen him celebrate his 80^th birthday and was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of fame following a campaign from fans.

David Stark, SongLink International (sponsors of the plaque) and on behalf of The Heritage Foundation said "The Heritage Foundation is delighted that our former Vice President Andrew Lancel is able to join us on an historic day commemorating Brian Epstein's massive contribution to the global music industry and popular culture during his tragically short life.  It's totally appropriate that Andrew helps us pull the cord on the day, and we all wish him well with his upcoming stage role as Epstein." 

It also coincides with the opening of a new play - Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles, at London’s Leicester Square Theatre from 30 July - 6 September 2014, written by Andrew Sherlock and directed by Jen Heyes.  The play is a fascinating window into the much speculated private world of the music entrepreneur whose stellar career as Beatles Manager made him a household name yet who’s controversial personal life remained very much in the closet. Brian died of an accidental overdose at the age of 32.

Actor Andrew Lancel said “It is an honour to be playing Brian in London and also a great honour to be involved in this fitting tribute which is so deserving to a man who’s mark is not only present in London, but right across the world, it is going to be a wonderful afternoon.”

The event is expected to be attended by many of his contemporaries, friends, family members and others associated with the man who took The Beatles, Cilla Black, Gerry & The Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer to worldwide stardom. Following the plaque unveiling there will be a celebratory luncheon at the Regents Park Marriott Hotel from 1.00pm, which will include speeches and tributes from colleagues and friends, as well as live entertainment.

Brian’s work and legacy is still very much alive today nearly 50 years after his untimely death and this plaque marks the contribution of a true icon of 1960’s popular culture – a man who shaped music and style across the world.

CEREMONY DETAILS

Plaque Unveiling Ceremony

Sunday 29^th June 2014

Sutherland House, 5/6 Argyll Street, London W1, adjacent to the London Palladium

12:00pm

PLAY LISTING INFORMATION:

Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles

Leicester Square Theatre

6 Leicester Place, London, Greater London WC2H 7BX

30 July – 6 September 2014

Preview Performances: 30 July – 2 August

Mon – Sat Evenings: 7.30pm I Thurs mats 3.00pm I Sat early shows 4.00pm

Ticket Prices: £30-£42.50

HOW TO BOOK:

Book in person at the venue, online at www.leicestersquaretheatre.com or via telephone on 08448 733433. Booking fees may apply

Writing co-commissioned by Homotopia. 

Supported by Orange Amplification, Arts Council England, Liverpool Vision and Liverpool Echo.

Production partners: The Beatles Story (Liverpool), Hard Day’s Night Hotel (Liverpool), Hard Rock Cafe (London), The Beatles Coffee Shop/Beatles Walks (London)

The official production charity partner is CALM www.thecalmzone.net.

Ticket to Write Contest - Your chance to preview the short list at Preview Night

HOLLYWOOD WRITER IN BEATLES PLAY CONTEST
A Hollywood TV writer is one of the three authors chosen for this year’s Beatles-themed one-act play contest, Ticket to Write, being staged at Unity Theatre, Liverpool on July 15 and 16.

 Bob Stevens, a life-long Beatle fan who worked for 22 years in Hollywood, will compete against fellow American Trevor Boelter, one of last year’s finalists, and Welsh writer Neil Walden from Caerffili. Bob worked for 22 years as a TV writer in Hollywood on such shows as “Night Court,” “The Wonder Years,” “Murphy Brown” and “Malcolm in the Middle.”

 “I begged my parents for a Beatles wig, and they gave me the top of a mop,” he recalled. He lives in Vermont with his wife, his daughter and his beagle. Bob’s entry "Here Today" is his first play. It has John and Paul sparring about their songs and exchanging tender moments from their childhoods.

Neil Walden offers a romantic, if black, tale about Maxwell called “Silver Hammer Man”. In 2010 his one act play 'Lug' won the Drama Association of Wales award for the best play for a youth cast. Neil has had short plays performed by the Sherman theatre in Cardiff and elsewhere and is also the current holder of the Andre de Lorde Award for Excellence in Horror Writing at the London Horror Festival. The last play that he had performed in Liverpool was in the 2011 Write Now Festival. “I’m really pleased to be back,” Neil enthuses.

Trevor’s “And Now It's All This” has Brian Epstein sorting out the storm that followed John's infamous remark about The Beatles being more popular than Jesus. Trevor, a writer/producer living in Los Angeles, came joint-fourth in last year’s contest with another Lennon episode featuring Cynthia called “When I Get Home”. Trevor recently produced his first feature film, “Inverse”, which can be seen around the world at various film festivals. He lives with two other Beatlemaniacs: His wife, Mona, a location scout for the US television show, "CSI: Cyber" and their eighteen-month-old daughter, Mimi. “I do an impression of George Harrison which is not half-bad for a Yankee,” says Trevor.

“We had a great number of excellent scripts and the judge, who was kept in the dark about the authors, went back over several of the top contenders, many from Merseyside, before reaching his final decision,” explains Festival Director, Jamie Gaskin. For more details go to www.acedrama.co.uk and for tickets etc to www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

"HELP" art by contemporary artist, Steve Thomas - limited edition

Press Release from Dark Hall Mansion

Dark Hall Mansion  is excited to introduce its latest officially licensed limited edition Beatles release: "HELP" by contemporary artist, Steve Thomas. Dark Hall Mansion, working with Apple Corps Ltd and Bravado International, their North American licensing agent, will release their new 4-print Beatles limited edition screen print on May 23, 2014.

Artist Steve Thomas has referenced various iconic 1965 Beatles touchstones for his "HELP" set-the classic ski slope photo stills of the Beatles during the filming of "HELP," some exceedingly rare vintage promotional door panels used in the initial film campaign promoting "HELP's" original release, and of course, the legendary "HELP" album cover itself, all while making the 4-print design and set very much his own.

Rendered in sharp, bold colors, both Standard and Variant editions set their own distinctive tones, each individual print within each set measures 18" x 24" with the yellow Standard edition fully screen printed and the blue artist-signed Variant edition via giclee beautifully capturing Steve's gradient fade background that harkens to those classic Beatles "HELP" stills.

With an extremely limited release of only 200 Standard Edition 4-print sets available for all Beatles fans, worldwide, and an even more limited, artist-signed Variant edition of only 50 4-print sets with all 4 prints individually signed by artist Steve Thomas, it's a Beatles release collectors will not want to miss.

The Standard edition Beatles 4-print "HELP" set will priced at $250 and includes free shipping anywhere in the world. The artist-signed 4-print Variant "HELP" edition, with only 50 sets available worldwide, will price at $350 and also includes free shipping anywhere! From Japan to New York and all stops in between, for Beatles fans near and far, Stop Worrying! "HELP" is on the Way! Both the Standard (yellow) and Variant (blue) editions are attached, unframed, as well as how they might appear framed and may also be viewed directly on Dark Hall Mansion's Blog or on DHM's Facebook page.

All Editions go on sale Friday, May 23, 2014 at Dark Hall Mansion. They go on sale on our dedicated Store page at a random time between 9:30 AM PST and 11:30 AM PST here: http://www.darkhallmansionstore.com/

*In fairness to all collectors who wish to purchase our prints to enjoy or gift, not merely ‘flip’ for resale: ALL SALES ARE FINAL. The Beatles limited edition print series is created by Dark Hall Mansion. ‘The Beatles’ is a registered trademark of Apple Corps Limited. Dark Hall Mansion is a labor of love. We are passionate about art, about the work of print and poster artists present and past, here and abroad, we are committed to bringing their skills to the forefront on projects both compelling and exciting, bridging their studios and creations directly with your walls and personal collections. More information can be found on these and other editions available from Dark Hall Mansion at www.DarkHallMansion.com Source Dark Hall Mansion