Yesterday and Today

Beatles ’85 pt5

It's the fall of 1985 and new music from the three remaining former Beatles abounds! First up, in their first joint concert appearance together since the Concert for Bangladesh over a decade prior, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are once again singing together on stage -- this time in support of rockabilly legend and founding rock and roll pioneer Carl Perkins. In a new special titled Carl Perkins & Friends, the two fabs are on hand alongside other legendary talents such as Eric Clapton, Dave Edmonds and more, to pay homage to the man who inspired an entire generation. Meanwhile, on the original music front, Paul McCartney's latest single release, a film soundtrack theme titled Spies Like Us, marks Macca's first new release since the disastrous Give My Regards to Broadstreet film the previous year. And a certified hit was most certainly welcome news to Macca's weary ears... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt4

As summer turned to fall in 1985, the aftermath of the LIVE AID benefit concert continued to ring in the ears of the collective musical consciousness. Paul McCartney's appearance in the show, albeit minus the rumored involvement of George and Ringo, was a welcome revitalization of Macca's profile following the disastrous reception of his Give My Regards to Broadstreet film. The aforementioned George and Ringo were also no slouches at this time, with Ringo Starr lending his voice to a new era of fan - the toddler set - via his narration of the popular Thomas the Tank Engine books. George Harrison's appearance at the European Grand Prix in October was yet another step on the road back ot public life, which would kick up a notch in the weeks to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt3

It's July 13th, 1985 and a historic event is taking place on both sides of the Atlantic. It's LIVE AID, a worldwide televised live concert featuring the biggest acts in music -- united in support of Ethiopian famine relief. Organizer Bob Geldof, known as lead singer for the Boomtown Rats, organized the largest known concert fundraising effort in history - inspired in many ways by George Harrison's efforts to aid Bangladesh in 1971. And Bob's Beatle connections didn't stop with George - Geldof was able to secure Paul McCartney for the former fab's first live appearance since the dissolution of Wings in 1979...and with that the Beatle reunion rumors were reignited all over again... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt2

It's the spring of 1985 and Paul McCartney is hard at work recording a new album at his Hog Hill Mill studio. In a shift away from his prior work in the decade, Paul sought to recreate a "band" environment with co-writing partner Eric Stewart, drummer Jerry Marotta and guitarist Carlos Alomar - along with himself and Linda - likely as a reaction to the crumbling critical reaction to his recent projects. George Harrison, meanwhile, was tip-toeing back toward the music business himself, offering up his take on Bob Dylan's I Don't Want to Do It for the Porky's Revenge movie soundtrack. But the undeniable success of this first half of 1985 was John's son Julian, embarking on a mega-successful tour to promote his album Valotte and garnering awestruck reviews in the process... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt1

It's 1985, and after a whirlwind prior year the three remaining former Beatles are laying relatively low in their respective corners of the globe. Unable to accept the shortfall of his first solo cinematic debut, Paul McCartney is back in the studio - specifically his newly-minted Hog Hill Mill Studio - doing the one thing that always helps him in times of trouble: making new music. Sessions for his as-yet-untitled new LP feature co-written songs with rocker Eric Stewart and production from mid-80s producer dujour Hugh Padgham. Striking out for a contemporary sound, Macca sought to lose himself in a band environment once more - blending into a group of musicians who can generate excitement in a room...AND understand who's the boss. While Paul plonked away, Ringo Starr was himself BACK on the screen co-starring in Willie and the Poor Boys - a collection of artifacts which featured Bill Wyman's super-group project of the same name. All in all a fairly relaxed start to what would become yet another monumental year in music history... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’84 pt7

It's the grand finale of 1984 - a year in Beatles history full of big swings, big misses, and new beginnings for the remaining three former Beatles. Despite the musical successes of Paul's latest project, the US flop of McCartney's Give My Regards to Broadstreet film left a bitter taste in the mouth of its creator - blaming frustrated screenwriters-turned critics for its failures.The Maccas put on a happy face for the UK premiere, palling around with co-stars Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach...as well as Olivia Harrison who attended the function in her husband's stead. George was in New Zealand at the time promoting Dereck Taylor's memoir and, when asked about the film, had nice things to say. But George did more than talk - taking the stage for the first time in years to jam with Deep Purple in Sydney Australia...perhaps signaling a contemplation of a return to music after several years adrift... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’84 pt6

At last, after years of preparation, planning and hard work, Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broadstreet has arrived! First up in the release schedule is the soundtrack album, featuring new Macca tracks (including the successful No More Lonely Nights single) as well as incidental music and re-recorded Beatles tracks featured in the film. As expected, the LP performed well, hitting the coveted #1 spot in the UK and going top25 in the US market. Paul's victory lap would be cut-short by the disastrous critical reception of the film itself, which McCartney tried to downplay as elitist reviewers anxious to use their freshly sharpened knives on the beloved former Beatle... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’84 pt5

It's October 1984 and Paul McCartney has begun his press tour to promote the upcoming release of GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADSTREET. Nerves were abound, as this was Macca's theatrical screenwriting debut, and initial reactions seem to be mixed at best - judged perhaps unfairly to the beloved Beatles films A Hard Days Night and Help!. With nostalgia twinkling in the eyes of fans and knives being sharpened on the part of critics, it was bold of Paul to invite a conga line of film reviewers to an interview session at the Plaza Hotel. Luckily, McCartney's music seemed to never be in question... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’84 pt4

So far 1984 has seen the release of two new Lennon projects, starting with the posthumous Milk & Honey LP and continuing on with the Every Man Has A Woman single & compilation album. But in October another new Lennon release arrived in the form of Julian Lennon's debut solo LP Valotte. This slickly-produced and catchy collection of songs from John's first born son was an instant success, with its title track performing well in the singles charts and the touching Too Late For Goodbyes resonating with Beatles fans and a new generation alike. Also in October the new single No More Lonely Nights bodes well for Paul McCartney's new feature film Give My Regards to Broadstreet - cracking the top 10 in both the US and UK, as well as charting successfully around the world. With a hit single going for it, and a well of goodwill on McCartney's side...what could go wrong? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’84 pt3

It's summer 1984, and to ring in the 4th of July The Beach Boys are playing to.record-shattering attendance in Washington D.C. - with some special guests. Emerging in support of his former 60s rivals was Ringo Starr, joining Mike, Carl, Bruce and Al to play some of the Beach Boys biggest hits - as well as a rousing rendition of Back in the USSR (written in the style of the Beach Boys by Paul back in 68). Another throwback too came in July upon the release of the Everly Brothers new LP You Make It Seem So Easy, featuring the undeniably catchy McCartney-penned On The Wings of a Nightingale. To round out the summer, a second posthumous John Lennon recording - John's vocal take on Yoko's Every Man Has A Woman - heralded an entire LP collection of Yoko Ono covers by a variety of artists from Elvis Costello to Eddie Money and many more. All this on the eve of yet another Lennon LP release, though the next on the horizon was not by JOHN... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.