“Be My Baby” is as universal as a pop song can be. It’s the song that made Ronnie Spector a timeless rock & roll legend, a teenage girl from Spanish Harlem who packed a lifetime of raw power into three minutes. Ever she belted out “Be My Baby” in 1963, it’s been the classic that sums up the whole Sixties girl-group era, with Phil Spector’s lavish Wall of Sound production. But it’s never left the airwaves. On Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs, “Be My Baby...
- 5/8/2024
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
I first saw “Let It Be” when I was a kid, in the summer of 1970, just weeks after it was released. My family was coming off one of those “Vacation” road trips. During the miles of driving, we listened to Top 40 radio, which meant that several times a day I got to hear “The Long and Winding Road,” which I thought was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. I knew that the first thing I was going to do when we got back was go to see “Let It Be” — and, in fact, it was the first Beatles thing I was old enough to connect to as it was happening.
The Beatles, in their early years, looked alike, and even after they’d entered the psychedelic zone with “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” they dressed and coiffed themselves with a splashy coordinated harmony. They were unified. And that made a kind of supreme sense,...
The Beatles, in their early years, looked alike, and even after they’d entered the psychedelic zone with “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper” they dressed and coiffed themselves with a splashy coordinated harmony. They were unified. And that made a kind of supreme sense,...
- 5/7/2024
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Bands already spend an inordinate amount of time touring, so when I ask the Chicago indie-rock trio Dehd why they decided to turn the writing sessions for their new album into a road trip, guitarist-singer Jason Balla admits, “It’s a bit masochistic.”
Nights spent shivering under piles of blankets in the dead-of-winter desert cold in Taos, New Mexico; an avalanche blocking the roads on the way to Bainbridge, Washington; a 15-seat Chevy Express traversing the mountains of Montana in a blizzard, Buck Meek’s “Candle” blasting on repeat, making...
Nights spent shivering under piles of blankets in the dead-of-winter desert cold in Taos, New Mexico; an avalanche blocking the roads on the way to Bainbridge, Washington; a 15-seat Chevy Express traversing the mountains of Montana in a blizzard, Buck Meek’s “Candle” blasting on repeat, making...
- 5/3/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Camera Obscura’s sound has rarely ventured beyond small variations on twee, reverb-soaked indie pop, and Look to the East, Look to the West—the Scottish band’s first studio album since 2013’s Desire Lines and the death of longtime member Carey Lander in 2015—is no exception. The group’s sixth studio album mostly sticks to a slow, midtempo pace, though the structures of songs like “We’re Gonna Make It in a Man’s World” grow in complexity, sometimes even changing time signatures, as they progress.
Though Camera Obscura’s primary influences are rooted in the 1960s—girl groups, psychedelia, and Phil Spector-esque instrumentation—they’re inventively comingled with more unexpected elements or genre signifiers. Country music, for example, is rarely heard as a musical reference in U.K. indie pop, but pedal steel figures prominently on the album’s title track and “Pop Goes Pop,” among others.
Though Camera Obscura’s primary influences are rooted in the 1960s—girl groups, psychedelia, and Phil Spector-esque instrumentation—they’re inventively comingled with more unexpected elements or genre signifiers. Country music, for example, is rarely heard as a musical reference in U.K. indie pop, but pedal steel figures prominently on the album’s title track and “Pop Goes Pop,” among others.
- 4/29/2024
- by Steve Erickson
- Slant Magazine
The Rolling Stones‘ self-titled debut album came out on April 16, 1964. Sixty years later, it’s still great rock ‘n’ roll! More than that, there’s a lot of interesting facts behind this impactful album. It also boasts one awesome collaboration.
The Rolling Stones barely wrote any of the album
The cornerstone of The Rolling Stones is the songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Only one song from The Rolling Stones was credited to Jagger and Richards: “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back).” Most of the album is composed of covers, including songs by rock ‘n’ roll icons like Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry, although two tracks are credited to “Nanker Phelge,” a collective pseudonym for the track.
While Jagger and Richards only penned one track for the record what a track it is. “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)” is an impressive ballad that shows...
The Rolling Stones barely wrote any of the album
The cornerstone of The Rolling Stones is the songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Only one song from The Rolling Stones was credited to Jagger and Richards: “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back).” Most of the album is composed of covers, including songs by rock ‘n’ roll icons like Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry, although two tracks are credited to “Nanker Phelge,” a collective pseudonym for the track.
While Jagger and Richards only penned one track for the record what a track it is. “Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)” is an impressive ballad that shows...
- 4/18/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Today, The Rolling Stones‘ debut album turned 60. Hats off to Mick Jagger and company for staying together this long against all odds! Here’s a look at their debut album’s triumphs and tragedies.
13. ‘I Just Want to Make Love to You’
The lively rhythm here is ruined by some questionable lyrics. In this song, Jagger compares himself to an enslaved person. It’s tasteless, but what would you expect from the same band that would later give us such racist atrocities as “Brown Sugar” and “Some Girls?” At least this song didn’t hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 like “Brown Sugar” did.
12. ‘You Can Make It If You Try’
Placed near the end of the album, “You Can Make It If You Try” is a self-empowerment song that feels tedious and endless. The Rolling Stones made it. They tried. This song didn’t help them get there.
11. ‘Walking the Dog...
13. ‘I Just Want to Make Love to You’
The lively rhythm here is ruined by some questionable lyrics. In this song, Jagger compares himself to an enslaved person. It’s tasteless, but what would you expect from the same band that would later give us such racist atrocities as “Brown Sugar” and “Some Girls?” At least this song didn’t hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 like “Brown Sugar” did.
12. ‘You Can Make It If You Try’
Placed near the end of the album, “You Can Make It If You Try” is a self-empowerment song that feels tedious and endless. The Rolling Stones made it. They tried. This song didn’t help them get there.
11. ‘Walking the Dog...
- 4/16/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles‘ Revolver is one of several great albums that came out in 1966 and changed the entire trajectory of rock music. Donovan, one of the rock stars who made 1966 a watershed year, discussed why so many musicians made history at the same time. At least one of his comments was questionable at best.
Donovan said civil rights inspired The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’
When people think about the 1960s, they are probably thinking about the period from 1966 to 1969. That era typified most of the artistic and aesthetic elements that defined the decade. Prior to 1966, 1960s music mostly sounded like 1950s music, as evidenced by Phil Spector’s early girl group songs and The Beatles’ bubblegum rock ‘n’ roll tunes.
During a 2016 interview with Billboard, Donovan discussed the musical legacy of 1966. That was the year of Donovan’s Sunshine Superman, The Beatles’ Revolver, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde.
Donovan said civil rights inspired The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’
When people think about the 1960s, they are probably thinking about the period from 1966 to 1969. That era typified most of the artistic and aesthetic elements that defined the decade. Prior to 1966, 1960s music mostly sounded like 1950s music, as evidenced by Phil Spector’s early girl group songs and The Beatles’ bubblegum rock ‘n’ roll tunes.
During a 2016 interview with Billboard, Donovan discussed the musical legacy of 1966. That was the year of Donovan’s Sunshine Superman, The Beatles’ Revolver, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde.
- 4/9/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley‘s “Suspicious Minds” is the best song ever written about the concept of suspicion. It wasn’t the first time the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll tackled the subject. Elvis recorded a song that later became a hit by an artist whose singing voice was extremely similar to his own. The song in question was allegedly crafted by one of The Beatles’ producers.
Elvis Presley’s ‘Suspicion’ is ‘Suspicious Minds’ on its head
Covers were a huge part of the “All Shook Up” singer‘s catalog from the very beginning. His debut album is nothing but covers! It was only fair that other artists should take shots at recording Elvis originals. Terry Stafford was an Elvis soundalike who had one hit song. It was a cover of Elvis’ “Suspicion.”
“Suspicion” doesn’t have the monster hook or gospel textures of “Suspicious Minds.” Like a lot of early 1960s dance music,...
Elvis Presley’s ‘Suspicion’ is ‘Suspicious Minds’ on its head
Covers were a huge part of the “All Shook Up” singer‘s catalog from the very beginning. His debut album is nothing but covers! It was only fair that other artists should take shots at recording Elvis originals. Terry Stafford was an Elvis soundalike who had one hit song. It was a cover of Elvis’ “Suspicion.”
“Suspicion” doesn’t have the monster hook or gospel textures of “Suspicious Minds.” Like a lot of early 1960s dance music,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles were, overall, better at writing ballads than any of their contemporaries. Despite this, The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road” is not one of their prouder moments. Here’s an exploration of why the track just isn’t as good as some of their other slow songs.
The Beatles’ ‘The Long and Winding Road’ feels disingenuous
The Beatles gave us some of the best ballads of all time, such as “Yesterday,” “Something,” “And I Love Her,” “Here, There and Everywhere,” “Hey Jude,” and “Let It Be.” Despite its popularity, many critics just don’t enjoy “The Long and Winding Road” as much as the other songs.
That might be because the track is so sentimental. Rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be cool, and “The Long and Winding Road” is as emotive as a Carpenters hit. Of course, the same could be said of most Beatles ballads.
The...
The Beatles’ ‘The Long and Winding Road’ feels disingenuous
The Beatles gave us some of the best ballads of all time, such as “Yesterday,” “Something,” “And I Love Her,” “Here, There and Everywhere,” “Hey Jude,” and “Let It Be.” Despite its popularity, many critics just don’t enjoy “The Long and Winding Road” as much as the other songs.
That might be because the track is so sentimental. Rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be cool, and “The Long and Winding Road” is as emotive as a Carpenters hit. Of course, the same could be said of most Beatles ballads.
The...
- 3/4/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer is bulking up its Season 3 cast with 4 new actors joining the fold: Merrin Dungey, Allyn Moriyon, John Pirruccello and Philip Anthony-Rodriguez.
They join returning stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, Becki Newton as Lorna, Jazz Raycole as Izzy, Angus Sampson as Cisco and Yaya DaCosta as Andrea Freemann. The recurring cast also includes Neve Campbell, Elliott Gould, Krista Warner, Fiona Rene and Devon Graye.
Dungey will portray Judge Regina Turner, a former public defender who is younger and more progressive than most judges in the district, but whether that’s a benefit to Mickey or not remains to be seen. Moriyon plays Eddie Rojas, a fitness buff who needs a very good lawyer. Luckily, Mickey can help him and then offers him the opportunity of a lifetime. Pirruccello plays William Forsythe, a seemingly non-threatening prosecutor that...
They join returning stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, Becki Newton as Lorna, Jazz Raycole as Izzy, Angus Sampson as Cisco and Yaya DaCosta as Andrea Freemann. The recurring cast also includes Neve Campbell, Elliott Gould, Krista Warner, Fiona Rene and Devon Graye.
Dungey will portray Judge Regina Turner, a former public defender who is younger and more progressive than most judges in the district, but whether that’s a benefit to Mickey or not remains to be seen. Moriyon plays Eddie Rojas, a fitness buff who needs a very good lawyer. Luckily, Mickey can help him and then offers him the opportunity of a lifetime. Pirruccello plays William Forsythe, a seemingly non-threatening prosecutor that...
- 2/29/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Ringo Starr has been a professional musician for years and has dedicated his life to creating and consuming rock music. In the early 1960s, when The Beatles rose to fame, they had the opportunity to see and meet many other bands. One night, they attended a concert in Miami for a band Starr loved. He was disgusted by the way other people were enjoying the music, though.
Ringo Starr was not happy to see people dancing to rock music
In 1964, The Beatles went to America. As they traveled around the country, they often crossed paths with the American band The Coasters.
“When we were in New York, The Coasters were on there, and then when we were in Florida, they were there, too,” George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “Everywhere we went, even when we were in California, The Coasters were advertised.”
The Beatles went to see The Coasters in Miami.
Ringo Starr was not happy to see people dancing to rock music
In 1964, The Beatles went to America. As they traveled around the country, they often crossed paths with the American band The Coasters.
“When we were in New York, The Coasters were on there, and then when we were in Florida, they were there, too,” George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology. “Everywhere we went, even when we were in California, The Coasters were advertised.”
The Beatles went to see The Coasters in Miami.
- 2/25/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The sort of platitudes that often accompany many retrospectives on classic albums, describing heroic narratives in which scenes are burst onto and names are cemented in history books, don’t necessarily fit the Smiths’s 1984 debut very well. Prior to the release of The Smiths, the band had already been voted Best New Act by NME readers. The band’s early singles received radio play from tastemakers like John Peel, and their live sessions for BBC proved so popular that they were rebroadcasted several times.
Frontman Morrissey was becoming a star in his own right, developing a reputation as a colorful interviewee and an unlikely trendsetter. The position of “voice of his generation” was up for grabs in the aftermath of Paul Weller disbanding the Jam, and this entirely new kind of pop personality—a melancholy shut-in from the economically depressed north of England, with Wildean affectations—was more than...
Frontman Morrissey was becoming a star in his own right, developing a reputation as a colorful interviewee and an unlikely trendsetter. The position of “voice of his generation” was up for grabs in the aftermath of Paul Weller disbanding the Jam, and this entirely new kind of pop personality—a melancholy shut-in from the economically depressed north of England, with Wildean affectations—was more than...
- 2/20/2024
- by Lewie Parkinson-Jones
- Slant Magazine
Abbey Road was the final album The Beatles recorded and was a relatively pleasant studio experience for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Recording The White Album and Let It Be had been contentious and challenging. While the recording process for Abbey Road was smoother, not everything was perfect. Lennon walked away unhappy with a significant portion of the record.
John Lennon disliked Paul McCartney’s additions to ‘Abbey Road’
By the time The Beatles were working on Abbey Road, Lennon and McCartney were writing separately despite sharing a writing credit. Lennon did not approve of the songs McCartney added to the album.
“I tried to get Paul to get back into the old Pepper way of creating something really worthwhile and we put together the long side,” producer George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “John objected very much to what we did on the second side of Abbey Road,...
John Lennon disliked Paul McCartney’s additions to ‘Abbey Road’
By the time The Beatles were working on Abbey Road, Lennon and McCartney were writing separately despite sharing a writing credit. Lennon did not approve of the songs McCartney added to the album.
“I tried to get Paul to get back into the old Pepper way of creating something really worthwhile and we put together the long side,” producer George Martin said in The Beatles Anthology. “John objected very much to what we did on the second side of Abbey Road,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
One could argue John Lennon‘s “Power to the People” hasn’t aged a day, especially compared to other political songs. Despite the song’s greatness, John had a significant issue with its lyrics in retrospect. He named the political figure who inspired him to write the tune. In addition, John explained why he felt the politics of the 1960s hadn’t made the world more utopian.
John Lennon felt ‘Power to the People’ didn’t portray power correctly
John’s solo oeuvre was a lot more political than The Beatles’. Sure, the Fab Four dabbled in cultural commentary with songs like “Piggies” and “Revolution,” but social issues were a much more prominent theme in John’s work. To this day, “Give Peace a Chance,” “Imagine,” “God,” and “Working Class Hero” are all stirring statements about a world that has changed far too little.
One of his most upbeat political...
John Lennon felt ‘Power to the People’ didn’t portray power correctly
John’s solo oeuvre was a lot more political than The Beatles’. Sure, the Fab Four dabbled in cultural commentary with songs like “Piggies” and “Revolution,” but social issues were a much more prominent theme in John’s work. To this day, “Give Peace a Chance,” “Imagine,” “God,” and “Working Class Hero” are all stirring statements about a world that has changed far too little.
One of his most upbeat political...
- 2/8/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After The Beatles broke up, John Lennon frequently spoke critically about the work he made with the band. He said he didn’t consider himself a fan of The Beatles and complained about his bandmates. He had harbored negative feelings about the band while they were still together. According to longtime Beatles producer George Martin, Lennon was visibly fed up while recording one of the band’s final albums.
John Lennon had problems with the final album The Beatles recorded
While Let It Be was the last album The Beatles released, they recorded it before Abbey Road. They recorded it in 1969, the same year Lennon announced he was leaving the band. According to Martin, Lennon’s fatigue with the group came through while recording Abbey Road.
“John got disenchanted with record production. He didn’t really approve of what I’d done or was doing,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
John Lennon had problems with the final album The Beatles recorded
While Let It Be was the last album The Beatles released, they recorded it before Abbey Road. They recorded it in 1969, the same year Lennon announced he was leaving the band. According to Martin, Lennon’s fatigue with the group came through while recording Abbey Road.
“John got disenchanted with record production. He didn’t really approve of what I’d done or was doing,” Martin said in The Beatles Anthology.
- 2/6/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Harrison‘s “My Sweet Lord” has quite the pedigree. George worked with a superstar producer and another rock star to record the track. While “My Sweet Lord” was famous in the United States, its success in the United Kingdom is jaw-dropping.
Peter Frampton revealed why he helped George Harrison record ‘My Sweet Lord’
During a 2022 interview with Loudersound, Peter Frampton revealed he became friends with George after meeting the “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) singer at Trident Studios. “George called a few weeks later and said: ‘Pete, I’m doing my own album with Phil Spector. Would you come and play some acoustic? Phil wants, like, nineteen of everything,'” Frampton recalled. The album in question was George’s magnum opus, All Things Must Pass.
Frampton recalled his contributions to All Things Must Pass. “I was there for a week,” he remembered. “We did ‘If Not For You,...
Peter Frampton revealed why he helped George Harrison record ‘My Sweet Lord’
During a 2022 interview with Loudersound, Peter Frampton revealed he became friends with George after meeting the “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) singer at Trident Studios. “George called a few weeks later and said: ‘Pete, I’m doing my own album with Phil Spector. Would you come and play some acoustic? Phil wants, like, nineteen of everything,'” Frampton recalled. The album in question was George’s magnum opus, All Things Must Pass.
Frampton recalled his contributions to All Things Must Pass. “I was there for a week,” he remembered. “We did ‘If Not For You,...
- 1/18/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley might have been accused of cultural appropriation more than any other singer. A famous singer from the 1960s didn’t seem to take issue with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll taking inspiration from Black music. Of course, her perspective is not universal.
A member of a Black girl group didn’t feel Elvis Presley committed cultural appropriation
Darlene Love was a member of the Black girl group The Blossoms, which worked with Phil Spector. The Blossoms released classic tunes such as “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” and “He’s a Rebel,” both of which were incorrectly attributed to The Crystals. As a solo singer, Love became most known for a pair of Christmas recordings: the seasonal favorite “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and the Home Alone 2 soundtrack single “All Alone on Christmas.”
During a 2018 interview with The Village Voice, Love was asked if Elvis appropriated music.
A member of a Black girl group didn’t feel Elvis Presley committed cultural appropriation
Darlene Love was a member of the Black girl group The Blossoms, which worked with Phil Spector. The Blossoms released classic tunes such as “He’s Sure the Boy I Love” and “He’s a Rebel,” both of which were incorrectly attributed to The Crystals. As a solo singer, Love became most known for a pair of Christmas recordings: the seasonal favorite “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and the Home Alone 2 soundtrack single “All Alone on Christmas.”
During a 2018 interview with The Village Voice, Love was asked if Elvis appropriated music.
- 1/9/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley is most known for his rock and pop hits, but he also recorded some classic gospel songs. A major pop singer performed backup on one of Elvis’ gospel tracks. She also discussed attending religious services with the “Heartbreak Hotel” singer.
The most famous member of a girl group sang backup on 1 of Elvis Presley’s gospel songs
Darlene Love was a member of the girl group The Blossoms. She might be most known today for her solo hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which was produced and co-written by the legendary producer Phil Spector. During a 2018 interview with The Village Voice, Love was asked to name some of the gospel songs she recorded with Elvis.
“There is ‘Let Us Pray,’ the one from the movie we did with Elvis, Change of Habit,” she recalled. “That was his last film.” In fact, Change of Habit was Elvis’ final film as an actor,...
The most famous member of a girl group sang backup on 1 of Elvis Presley’s gospel songs
Darlene Love was a member of the girl group The Blossoms. She might be most known today for her solo hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which was produced and co-written by the legendary producer Phil Spector. During a 2018 interview with The Village Voice, Love was asked to name some of the gospel songs she recorded with Elvis.
“There is ‘Let Us Pray,’ the one from the movie we did with Elvis, Change of Habit,” she recalled. “That was his last film.” In fact, Change of Habit was Elvis’ final film as an actor,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley‘s ’68 Comeback Special was a career highlight for Elvis. It was also a career highlight of a girl group star. She revealed what it was like to work with the “Heartbreak Hotel” singer.
Elvis Presley worked with Darlene Love on his ’68 Comeback Special’
During a 2023 interview with The Guardian, singer Darlene Love discussed her relationship with record producer Phil Spector. “I was in [girl group and backing-singer legends] The Blossoms when he hired me to record ‘He’s a Rebel’ [in 1962],” she recalled. “I knew it was for The Crystals but I got paid a bundle of money – $5,000 was a lot then. After I signed with Phil and we did ‘Da Do Ron Ron’ and ‘He’s Sure the Boy I Love’ [also credited to The Crystals], I told him my name should be on, but I hadn’t read the contract.” Love would become most known for singing the seminal Christmas song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which Spector wrote and co-produced.
Elvis Presley worked with Darlene Love on his ’68 Comeback Special’
During a 2023 interview with The Guardian, singer Darlene Love discussed her relationship with record producer Phil Spector. “I was in [girl group and backing-singer legends] The Blossoms when he hired me to record ‘He’s a Rebel’ [in 1962],” she recalled. “I knew it was for The Crystals but I got paid a bundle of money – $5,000 was a lot then. After I signed with Phil and we did ‘Da Do Ron Ron’ and ‘He’s Sure the Boy I Love’ [also credited to The Crystals], I told him my name should be on, but I hadn’t read the contract.” Love would become most known for singing the seminal Christmas song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which Spector wrote and co-produced.
- 1/5/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cher and Stevie Wonder are two 1960s legends who are still going strong. Wonder recently duetted with Cher on one of her Christmas songs. The Goddess of Pop revealed how she felt when the “Superstition” singer appeared on her record.
Stevie Wonder heard Cher was covering 1 of his songs for her Christmas album
Cher’s first Christmas album, Christmas, has a cover of “What Christmas Means to Me” featuring Wonder. During a 2023 interview with The New York Times, Cher discussed the origin of this duet. “I did a Stevie song, but there were parts that I just didn’t know how to access,” he said. “Because it belongs to him, not to me.” For context, Wonder previously released “What Christmas Means to Me” on his 1967 album Someday at Christmas.
“So I did my version, and I sent it to him,” Cher continued. “I thought I was going to have to,...
Stevie Wonder heard Cher was covering 1 of his songs for her Christmas album
Cher’s first Christmas album, Christmas, has a cover of “What Christmas Means to Me” featuring Wonder. During a 2023 interview with The New York Times, Cher discussed the origin of this duet. “I did a Stevie song, but there were parts that I just didn’t know how to access,” he said. “Because it belongs to him, not to me.” For context, Wonder previously released “What Christmas Means to Me” on his 1967 album Someday at Christmas.
“So I did my version, and I sent it to him,” Cher continued. “I thought I was going to have to,...
- 12/24/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Popular Christmas songs last forever, and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” is one of the most popular. The “Band on the Run” singer doesn’t care if it’s overplayed. Love it or hate it, “Wonderful Christmastime” distinguishes itself from most of the Christmas canon.
Paul McCartney wanted ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ to get the party started
In a 2022 article from his website, Paul discussed writing “Wonderful Christmastime.” “I like the idea of Christmas songs purely because they only come around at Christmas!” he said. “They remind us of the fun atmosphere of the whole season, and when I was writing ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ I was trying to capture that party aspect.”
Paul commented on the tune’s ubiquity. “I did hope it would keep coming back — which it has,” he said. “Sometimes people will go into a shop and hear it a little too much, but I don’t care! I’m happy!
Paul McCartney wanted ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ to get the party started
In a 2022 article from his website, Paul discussed writing “Wonderful Christmastime.” “I like the idea of Christmas songs purely because they only come around at Christmas!” he said. “They remind us of the fun atmosphere of the whole season, and when I was writing ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ I was trying to capture that party aspect.”
Paul commented on the tune’s ubiquity. “I did hope it would keep coming back — which it has,” he said. “Sometimes people will go into a shop and hear it a little too much, but I don’t care! I’m happy!
- 12/24/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cher didn’t release an album of Christmas songs until this year. Despite this, she performed vocals on the best Christmas song of the rock ‘n’ roll era. She revealed what it was like to revisit that career milestone.
Cher said her new album of Christmas songs doesn’t have ‘Christmas Christmas songs’
2023 saw the release of Cher’s first Christmas album, which is simply titled Christmas. During a 2023 interview with Billboard, the “I Got You Babe” singer took pride in the album. “They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs, Ok, they’re just great songs,” Cher said. “And I never say that because I almost never like what I do. But I mean people love it and I’m happy.”
It makes perfect sense that Cher would record Christmas songs, as she sang backup on Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” That classic track became a standard, inspiring renditions by Mariah Carey,...
Cher said her new album of Christmas songs doesn’t have ‘Christmas Christmas songs’
2023 saw the release of Cher’s first Christmas album, which is simply titled Christmas. During a 2023 interview with Billboard, the “I Got You Babe” singer took pride in the album. “They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs, Ok, they’re just great songs,” Cher said. “And I never say that because I almost never like what I do. But I mean people love it and I’m happy.”
It makes perfect sense that Cher would record Christmas songs, as she sang backup on Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” That classic track became a standard, inspiring renditions by Mariah Carey,...
- 12/21/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Christmas has finally come home: In a sweet, new YouTube video, Darlene Love reunites with David Letterman and Paul Shaffer for the first time in nine years to resume a longtime holiday tradition that capped off the Christmas episodes of Letterman’s late night talk shows for 28 years.
“I hate all novelty holiday songs,” Letterman says in the new video posted on his Letterman YouTube channel. “I hate them. The only one I love is ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).'”
Together again for the first time since the final Christmas episode of Letterman’s Late Show in 2014, Love, Letterman, Shaffer and Late Show executive producer Barbara Gaines chat about the annual performances that resurrected Love’s solo career and became a beloved holiday TV tradition.
The 1963 song, written Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector and recorded by Love for the compilation album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector,...
“I hate all novelty holiday songs,” Letterman says in the new video posted on his Letterman YouTube channel. “I hate them. The only one I love is ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).'”
Together again for the first time since the final Christmas episode of Letterman’s Late Show in 2014, Love, Letterman, Shaffer and Late Show executive producer Barbara Gaines chat about the annual performances that resurrected Love’s solo career and became a beloved holiday TV tradition.
The 1963 song, written Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector and recorded by Love for the compilation album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector,...
- 12/19/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
When The Beatles told producer George Martin that they wanted to get back into the studio to record an album after Let It Be, he could hardly believe his ears. He assumed the band would break up. Recording Let It Be had been a miserable experience for all involved and he didn’t see a future for The Beatles.
George Martin said making The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ was a terrible experience
In early 1969, The Beatles gathered to begin working on Let It Be. Tensions among the band members were at an all-time high. Their recording sessions for the White Album had also been challenging, and Let It Be was no different.
“This was a very difficult period,” Paul McCartney said in the book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now by Barry Miles. “John was with Yoko full-time, and our relationship was beginning to crumble: John and I were going through a very tense period.
George Martin said making The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ was a terrible experience
In early 1969, The Beatles gathered to begin working on Let It Be. Tensions among the band members were at an all-time high. Their recording sessions for the White Album had also been challenging, and Let It Be was no different.
“This was a very difficult period,” Paul McCartney said in the book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now by Barry Miles. “John was with Yoko full-time, and our relationship was beginning to crumble: John and I were going through a very tense period.
- 12/17/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1970, The Beatles released Let It Be, the final record John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr would put out together. Though it was not the last thing they recorded, the album sat unreleased for a while and came out after the band had already broken up. Lennon said this was because of how bad it was. According to him, none of The Beatles wanted to touch it. McCartney had a different perspective on the matter.
John Lennon did not think The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ sounded good
The Beatles recorded Let It Be in early 1969, but it wasn’t available to the public until May 1970. As it languished in the interim, manager Allen Klein brought in producer Phil Spector to work on it. Lennon felt that this was the best thing that could have happened to the album, even though Spector’s version has many critics.
“If...
John Lennon did not think The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’ sounded good
The Beatles recorded Let It Be in early 1969, but it wasn’t available to the public until May 1970. As it languished in the interim, manager Allen Klein brought in producer Phil Spector to work on it. Lennon felt that this was the best thing that could have happened to the album, even though Spector’s version has many critics.
“If...
- 12/7/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
On the latest episode of YouTuber Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date, Cher gamely parries jokey questions about where she would go if she could turn back time (age 40, “It was pretty good”) and if she believes in life after love (“Yeah, but it’s rough”), but there’s only one question that evokes true disgust from the singer: “Do you like chicken nuggets?” Dimoldenberg inquires. “Not—at—all!” Cher says, contempt furrowing her brow. She starts to say something about how they’re “inundated,” and the camera cuts to a scene from the kitchen.
- 12/1/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Cher‘s appearance at the annual Christmas in Rockefeller Center event is a hotly anticipated event. This annual New York City holiday tradition is a sign the holiday season has begun. This year’s celebration includes some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars, including the multi-hyphenate. Is this her first time lighting up the stage?
Cher will celebrate her first-holiday album at the Rockefeller Center Christmas event
Cher has been a leading face in the entertainment industry for over six decades. But it is her first time appearing at the Christmas in Rockefeller Center event. The tree lighting is the unofficial start of the holiday season in New York City.
The multi-hyphenate will appear within the ceremony’s two-hour block. However, it has not yet been revealed when she will perform.
Cher will likely sing her holiday hit, “DJ Play a Christmas Song.” She first performed the song during...
Cher will celebrate her first-holiday album at the Rockefeller Center Christmas event
Cher has been a leading face in the entertainment industry for over six decades. But it is her first time appearing at the Christmas in Rockefeller Center event. The tree lighting is the unofficial start of the holiday season in New York City.
The multi-hyphenate will appear within the ceremony’s two-hour block. However, it has not yet been revealed when she will perform.
Cher will likely sing her holiday hit, “DJ Play a Christmas Song.” She first performed the song during...
- 11/30/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cher will appear at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time in her six-decade career. The muti-hyphenate is scheduled to perform a song from her holiday album Christmas. When is the ageless entertainer expected to sing during the traditional parade of stars, musicians, Broadway performers, and iconic balloons? Here are all the details.
When can Cher fans see her performance?
Cher is set to close out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She takes the place of honor just before the event’s biggest star, Santa Claus.
The multi-hyphenate will sing a song off of Christmas. This release is her first-holiday album in a six-decade career in the music industry.
Cher’s addition to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade comes on the heels of two releases for the star: Believe’s forthcoming 25th-anniversary re-release, which took place on November 3, and her first-ever Christmas album, Christmas, released...
When can Cher fans see her performance?
Cher is set to close out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She takes the place of honor just before the event’s biggest star, Santa Claus.
The multi-hyphenate will sing a song off of Christmas. This release is her first-holiday album in a six-decade career in the music industry.
Cher’s addition to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade comes on the heels of two releases for the star: Believe’s forthcoming 25th-anniversary re-release, which took place on November 3, and her first-ever Christmas album, Christmas, released...
- 11/23/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The former Beatles found new collaborators as often as most of us change our clothes. Elton John co-wrote one of Ringo Starr’s biggest songs with another classic rock legend. John tailored the track for Ringo while his co-writer said it reminded him of one of The Beatles’ most famous tracks. While Ringo’s track was huge in the United States, it didn’t make a dent in the United Kingdom.
Elton John wanted 1 of Ringo Starr’s songs to have ‘very Ringo-type lyrics’
John wrote many of his most famous tunes with lyricist Bernie Taupin, including “Your Song,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Candle in the Wind.” During a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, John discussed working on a song with Taupin for a former Beatle.
“We’ve also written a song for Ringo, ‘Snookeroo,'” he said. “He said, ‘Listen, make it nice and commercial,’ so we did. Bernie wrote really simple lyrics,...
Elton John wanted 1 of Ringo Starr’s songs to have ‘very Ringo-type lyrics’
John wrote many of his most famous tunes with lyricist Bernie Taupin, including “Your Song,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and “Candle in the Wind.” During a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, John discussed working on a song with Taupin for a former Beatle.
“We’ve also written a song for Ringo, ‘Snookeroo,'” he said. “He said, ‘Listen, make it nice and commercial,’ so we did. Bernie wrote really simple lyrics,...
- 11/13/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Word is circulating online that A24 wants Darren Aronofsky to turn the Walter Isaacson authorized biography on Elon Musk into a feature film. This comes as Apple is working toward the same goal with fallen cryptocurrency kingpin Samuel Bankman-Fried based on the subject-friendly Michael Lewis book Going Infinite.
These can be tricky assignments especially when the subjects are still living their third acts, but in the case of Musk in particular, Aronofsky and A24 will have to deal with the sobering prospect: do they make a Faustian bargain with Musk that gives access, but might also turn arguably the most polarizing figure in the world this side of Donald Trump into someone warm and fuzzy?
On the Bankman-Friedman book, the intriguing thing is that this nerd who has been convicted of fraud and costing many a lot of money has a book written by Lewis that was knocked big time...
These can be tricky assignments especially when the subjects are still living their third acts, but in the case of Musk in particular, Aronofsky and A24 will have to deal with the sobering prospect: do they make a Faustian bargain with Musk that gives access, but might also turn arguably the most polarizing figure in the world this side of Donald Trump into someone warm and fuzzy?
On the Bankman-Friedman book, the intriguing thing is that this nerd who has been convicted of fraud and costing many a lot of money has a book written by Lewis that was knocked big time...
- 11/10/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
John Lennon said he wanted to be like The Ronettes’ Ronnie Spector or The Chiffons when he recorded one of his albums. He worked on the record with a musical genius who was arguably the most famous producer of all time. The record gave us one of John’s most famous and lovely covers.
John Lennon wanted to be like The Ronettes’ Ronnie Spector when he made ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’
During a 1975 interview with Spin, John said he started transitioning from a political activist to a regular musician with the release of his album Mind Games. He decided he wanted to have some fun with his next release by singing a collection of rock ‘n’ roll songs.
“I don’t even wanna be the producer,” he said. “I’ll do it with Phil Spector. ‘Cause I’ve worked with him before. It took me three weeks to talk him into...
John Lennon wanted to be like The Ronettes’ Ronnie Spector when he made ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’
During a 1975 interview with Spin, John said he started transitioning from a political activist to a regular musician with the release of his album Mind Games. He decided he wanted to have some fun with his next release by singing a collection of rock ‘n’ roll songs.
“I don’t even wanna be the producer,” he said. “I’ll do it with Phil Spector. ‘Cause I’ve worked with him before. It took me three weeks to talk him into...
- 11/9/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon didn’t think he was the most thoughtful musical producer in the world, but he called out Ringo Starr’s producer for being “too painstaking.” That’s quite the take, considering the producer in question gave us some of Ringo’s best albums. He was also behind popular tunes from Carly Simon and Harry Nilsson.
John Lennon slammed Ringo Starr’s producer, Richard Perry
During a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, John said rumors that he took a long time to complete The Beatles’ songs were false. “I don’t want to make myself so painstaking that it’s boring,” he said. “But I should (pause) maybe t’ink a little more. Maybe.
“But on the other hand I think my criticism of somebody like Richard Perry would be that he’s great but he’s too painstaking,” he said. “It gets too slick and somewhere in between that...
John Lennon slammed Ringo Starr’s producer, Richard Perry
During a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, John said rumors that he took a long time to complete The Beatles’ songs were false. “I don’t want to make myself so painstaking that it’s boring,” he said. “But I should (pause) maybe t’ink a little more. Maybe.
“But on the other hand I think my criticism of somebody like Richard Perry would be that he’s great but he’s too painstaking,” he said. “It gets too slick and somewhere in between that...
- 11/8/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Spoiler Alert! Do not read this unless you have watched the series finale of Billions on Showtime.
It’s the end of the road for Bobby Axelrod and his team: the drama created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien ended its seven-season run Oct. 27 with a tidy finale that keeps Axe (Damian Lewis) in the game of making money.
Here, Koppelman and Levien reflect on the finale, how the writers strike impacted production on the finale, and why they couldn’t say goodbye without including a few more pop culture analogies (like Phil Spector with River Deep!) in the episode.
Sadly, questions about Billions spinoffs were verboten.
Deadline: Most important question first: how much thought went into deciding what T-shirt Damian Lewis would wear in the series finale?
Brian Koppelman: So much thought! Early on in the show, we started thinking about how and where Axe grew up and...
It’s the end of the road for Bobby Axelrod and his team: the drama created by Brian Koppelman and David Levien ended its seven-season run Oct. 27 with a tidy finale that keeps Axe (Damian Lewis) in the game of making money.
Here, Koppelman and Levien reflect on the finale, how the writers strike impacted production on the finale, and why they couldn’t say goodbye without including a few more pop culture analogies (like Phil Spector with River Deep!) in the episode.
Sadly, questions about Billions spinoffs were verboten.
Deadline: Most important question first: how much thought went into deciding what T-shirt Damian Lewis would wear in the series finale?
Brian Koppelman: So much thought! Early on in the show, we started thinking about how and where Axe grew up and...
- 10/27/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Any good classic rock star knew how to go against type from time to time. One of the songs on John Lennon’s last album included a gospel choir. In an interview about the song, John discussed why Yoko Ono cried during the session for it and what he thought about religion at the time.
John Lennon put a song sung by Yoko Ono featuring gospel choirs on his final album
John’s album Double Fantasy includes a sung by Yoko Ono called “Hard Times Are Over.” That track features a performance by two gospel choirs : the Benny Cummings Singers and the Kings Temple Choir. During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John revealed how “Hard Times Are Over” came together in the studio.
“At the end of the session, they thanked God, they thanked our co-producer; Jack Douglas, they thanked us for bringing them the work, and we thanked them,...
John Lennon put a song sung by Yoko Ono featuring gospel choirs on his final album
John’s album Double Fantasy includes a sung by Yoko Ono called “Hard Times Are Over.” That track features a performance by two gospel choirs : the Benny Cummings Singers and the Kings Temple Choir. During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John revealed how “Hard Times Are Over” came together in the studio.
“At the end of the session, they thanked God, they thanked our co-producer; Jack Douglas, they thanked us for bringing them the work, and we thanked them,...
- 10/21/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Roy Orbison felt Elvis Presley‘s label wasn’t that great. He said the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll wasn’t a big fan of the music he made at that label. Orbison had a lot to say about his own experiences there. Regardless, the head of the label received an incredibly important honor the same night Elvis did.
Roy Orbison was on the same label as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins
During a 1988 interview with Rolling Stone, Orbison discussed signing on producer Sam Phillip’s label, Sun Records. Sun Records boasted many early rock ‘n’ roll artists, the most famous being Elvis. “Well, Johnny Cash was on Sun Records — he was making unusual records,” Orbison remembered. “And Presley was there, and Carl Perkins. I was really impressed with that little chicken on the Sun label, because it represented something unique.” The chicken in question was on the label’s logo.
Roy Orbison was on the same label as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins
During a 1988 interview with Rolling Stone, Orbison discussed signing on producer Sam Phillip’s label, Sun Records. Sun Records boasted many early rock ‘n’ roll artists, the most famous being Elvis. “Well, Johnny Cash was on Sun Records — he was making unusual records,” Orbison remembered. “And Presley was there, and Carl Perkins. I was really impressed with that little chicken on the Sun label, because it represented something unique.” The chicken in question was on the label’s logo.
- 10/20/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Emmy-nominated documentarians Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, directors of the hit Prime Video doc “Kelce,” have signed with CAA for representation.
Argott and Joyce are the founders of 9.14 Pictures, a production company that specializes in feature-length documentaries and non-fiction series, with award-winning work spanning music documentaries, sports, true crime and investigative pieces. Their latest film, “Kelce,” chronicles the life and career of Philadelphia Eagles team captain Jason Kelce.
“Kelce” debuted Sept. 12 on Prime Video as the No. 1 film offered on the streaming platform. Since then, the film has become the streamer’s most-watched documentary ever in the U.S. Directed by Argott and Joyce, the film follows Kelce, the all-pro center, throughout the 2022-23 NFL season, offering an intimate look at his life on and off the field, particularly as he contemplates retirement. Kelce’s 12th season in the league was particularly momentous, as the Eagles went on a fairytale run.
Argott and Joyce are the founders of 9.14 Pictures, a production company that specializes in feature-length documentaries and non-fiction series, with award-winning work spanning music documentaries, sports, true crime and investigative pieces. Their latest film, “Kelce,” chronicles the life and career of Philadelphia Eagles team captain Jason Kelce.
“Kelce” debuted Sept. 12 on Prime Video as the No. 1 film offered on the streaming platform. Since then, the film has become the streamer’s most-watched documentary ever in the U.S. Directed by Argott and Joyce, the film follows Kelce, the all-pro center, throughout the 2022-23 NFL season, offering an intimate look at his life on and off the field, particularly as he contemplates retirement. Kelce’s 12th season in the league was particularly momentous, as the Eagles went on a fairytale run.
- 10/18/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Cher is ready to pack her bags if a certain former president finds his way back into the Oval Office. In a broad-ranging interview with the Guardian, the singer was asked how she felt about Donald Trump being potentially re-elected.
“I almost got an ulcer the last time,” Cher replied. “If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country].”
She also discussed the issue of trans rights, reflecting on the ongoing pushback from the right and the constant laws being passed against trans people in the U.S.
“I almost got an ulcer the last time,” Cher replied. “If he gets in, who knows? This time I will leave [the country].”
She also discussed the issue of trans rights, reflecting on the ongoing pushback from the right and the constant laws being passed against trans people in the U.S.
- 10/18/2023
- by Emily Zemler
- Rollingstone.com
Ringo Starr‘s “Photograph” proved that Ringo and George Harrison could be just as potent a duo as Lennon-McCartney. Ringo revealed he and George wrote “Photograph” at a famous film festival. It took a combination of 16 tracks to get the song just right.
George Harrison and Ringo Starr wrote ‘Photograph’ on a yacht
George and Ringo co-wrote “Photograph,” making it possibly the most famous song with a writing credit from Ringo. During a 2023 interview with Billboard, Ringo discussed his memories of writing the tune with the “My Sweet Lord” singer. “We were on a yacht,” he recalled.
“We were at the Cannes Film Festival,” he added. “I’ve very little memory of whatever went on on that holiday.” The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most famous film festivals in the world, with movies from across the globe competing for an award called the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm...
George Harrison and Ringo Starr wrote ‘Photograph’ on a yacht
George and Ringo co-wrote “Photograph,” making it possibly the most famous song with a writing credit from Ringo. During a 2023 interview with Billboard, Ringo discussed his memories of writing the tune with the “My Sweet Lord” singer. “We were on a yacht,” he recalled.
“We were at the Cannes Film Festival,” he added. “I’ve very little memory of whatever went on on that holiday.” The Cannes Film Festival is one of the most famous film festivals in the world, with movies from across the globe competing for an award called the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm...
- 10/14/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Earlier this year, Darlene Love picked up the phone and heard a voice on the other end she didn’t quite recognize at first. “Doll, hi!” she heard. “This is Cher.” Love asked her to repeat who was calling. “Cher, bitch!”
She was calling to see if Love would sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with her on her upcoming holiday album Christmas, revisiting a tune they sang together exactly 60 years ago on A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector, one of the greatest Christmas albums in music history.
She was calling to see if Love would sing “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” with her on her upcoming holiday album Christmas, revisiting a tune they sang together exactly 60 years ago on A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector, one of the greatest Christmas albums in music history.
- 10/13/2023
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
George Harrison said an Electric Light Orchestra song sounded like The Beatles. He went on to work extensively with one member of Elo. John Lennon felt Elo derived their sound from one of the Fab Four’s most well-known psychedelic tracks.
George Harrison felt Elo sounded so much like The Beatles he wanted to work with Jeff Lynne
During a 1987 interview with Entertainment Weekly, George was asked about a time he said an unnamed Elo song sounded like The Beatles. “That’s one of the reasons why I tried to get Jeff Lynne, because he knew about … Ok, most people knew about The Beatles, but he really knew about ’em,” he said. “And I was looking to work with somebody who would know my past and not disregard that, but who I would also respect, as a writer and producer. But it is a bit ironic, I know.
“I think...
George Harrison felt Elo sounded so much like The Beatles he wanted to work with Jeff Lynne
During a 1987 interview with Entertainment Weekly, George was asked about a time he said an unnamed Elo song sounded like The Beatles. “That’s one of the reasons why I tried to get Jeff Lynne, because he knew about … Ok, most people knew about The Beatles, but he really knew about ’em,” he said. “And I was looking to work with somebody who would know my past and not disregard that, but who I would also respect, as a writer and producer. But it is a bit ironic, I know.
“I think...
- 10/5/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Sometimes, it’s shocking how little classic rock artists enjoy their best work. The Ronettes’ Ronnie Spector didn’t want to record a George Harrison song but she did anyway. She discussed how fans reacted to her recording. Whether she liked the song or not, her version became a bigger chart hit than George’s.
Ronnie Spector told George Harrison she didn’t like 1 of his songs to his face
Ronnie Spector was the lead singer in The Ronettes, a girl group most known for their classic pop single “Be My Baby.” During a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she discussed working with George. “I was friends with The Beatles, real friends — we’d sit on the floor at home and have finger sandwiches and play 45s,” she recalled. “When I came to the U.K. to join [the band’s] Apple Records, I didn’t recognize George Harrison. It was during the Maharishi [Mahesh Yogi] days,...
Ronnie Spector told George Harrison she didn’t like 1 of his songs to his face
Ronnie Spector was the lead singer in The Ronettes, a girl group most known for their classic pop single “Be My Baby.” During a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly, she discussed working with George. “I was friends with The Beatles, real friends — we’d sit on the floor at home and have finger sandwiches and play 45s,” she recalled. “When I came to the U.K. to join [the band’s] Apple Records, I didn’t recognize George Harrison. It was during the Maharishi [Mahesh Yogi] days,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The 1983 cult sword-and-sorcery movie Deathstalker produced by Roger Corman is getting resurrected, this time as a 21st century comic book.
Guns N’ Roses rocker Slash and Vault Comics have teamed up for the comic, which will also have involvement from Shout! Studios, the owner of the rights to the Corman library, and Raven Banner Entertainment.
Tim Seeley, best known for his work as the co-creator of horror comic Hack/Slash and DC’s Grayson, is writing the comic, with Jim Terry handling art. The duo previously teamed for West of Sundown, a Western vampire comic from Vault. Steven Kostanski, the creature effects artist and filmmaker who has directed segments for the V/H/S and ABCs of Death movies as well as horror flicks such as Psycho Goreman, wrote the story for what is being described as a reimagining.
Deathstalker followed the titular warrior, who is sent on a quest to find a magical amulet,...
Guns N’ Roses rocker Slash and Vault Comics have teamed up for the comic, which will also have involvement from Shout! Studios, the owner of the rights to the Corman library, and Raven Banner Entertainment.
Tim Seeley, best known for his work as the co-creator of horror comic Hack/Slash and DC’s Grayson, is writing the comic, with Jim Terry handling art. The duo previously teamed for West of Sundown, a Western vampire comic from Vault. Steven Kostanski, the creature effects artist and filmmaker who has directed segments for the V/H/S and ABCs of Death movies as well as horror flicks such as Psycho Goreman, wrote the story for what is being described as a reimagining.
Deathstalker followed the titular warrior, who is sent on a quest to find a magical amulet,...
- 9/14/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Taylor Swift wasn’t the first major musician to go through their back catalog and make major changes. Paul McCartney released a version of the album Let It Be that is wildly different from the original and includes a stripped-down recording of The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road.” A star said the later version of “The Long and Winding Road” was superior to the original.
Paul McCartney once removed sounds from The Beatles’ ‘The Long and Winding Road’
Keir Neuringer is a member of the jazz group Irreversible Entanglements. During a 2022 Stereogum article in honor of Paul’s 80th birthday, Neuringer called “The Long and Winding Road” his favorite of Paul’s compositions. “It’s kind of easy for me to wax nostalgic about The Beatles, and McCartney was the most nostalgic of them, lyrically and compositionally,” he said.
“But all that said, I think it’s the stripped-down...
Paul McCartney once removed sounds from The Beatles’ ‘The Long and Winding Road’
Keir Neuringer is a member of the jazz group Irreversible Entanglements. During a 2022 Stereogum article in honor of Paul’s 80th birthday, Neuringer called “The Long and Winding Road” his favorite of Paul’s compositions. “It’s kind of easy for me to wax nostalgic about The Beatles, and McCartney was the most nostalgic of them, lyrically and compositionally,” he said.
“But all that said, I think it’s the stripped-down...
- 9/14/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon had a problem with more than one Beatles album. He discussed it openly in the studio and, when the band broke up, in interviews. While he didn’t have as much of a problem with Let It Be, he admitted that the album wasn’t quite finished. He didn’t think this was a detriment to the album, though.
John Lennon said a Beatles album was never finished
By the time The Beatles broke up, their dynamic had chilled considerably. Lennon said that working together was painful.
“It’s torture every time we have to produce anything,” he said, per the book Lennon On Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon. “Any artist, poet, anything, whatever you call yourselves, listening know what it’s like. Well, the Beatles haven’t got any magic you haven’t got. We suffer like hell every time we make anything … And we’ve got each other to contend with.
John Lennon said a Beatles album was never finished
By the time The Beatles broke up, their dynamic had chilled considerably. Lennon said that working together was painful.
“It’s torture every time we have to produce anything,” he said, per the book Lennon On Lennon: Conversations With John Lennon. “Any artist, poet, anything, whatever you call yourselves, listening know what it’s like. Well, the Beatles haven’t got any magic you haven’t got. We suffer like hell every time we make anything … And we’ve got each other to contend with.
- 8/21/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Producer/engineer Glyn Johns recorded the whole of the Let It Be sessions for the Beatles in 1969, and mixed a raw version of the album that wouldn’t be released for another 52 years — so he’s far from a fan of the Phil Spector-embellished album that came out in 1970. “He did a terrible job,” Johns says on the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now. “Don’t misunderstand me — I respect Phil Spector for his early work tremendously. But somebody like Phil Spector shouldn’t ever be allowed near a band like the Beatles,...
- 7/11/2023
- by Brian Hiatt
- Rollingstone.com
In the opening of Tina and Ike Turner’s rendition of Creedance Clearwater’s “Proud Mary,” Tina gives a disclaimer to the audience: “Every now and then I think you might like to hear something from us nice and easy, but there’s just one thing, you see: we never ever do nothing nice and easy.” When Angela Bassett took on the task of portraying Turner in 1993 for “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” she took that to heart.
In the 30 days between landing the role and the first day of shooting, Bassett worked 16-hour days, exercising each morning before learning dance numbers with Turner and choreographer Michael Peters. Bassett also worked with her co-star Laurence Fishburne to act scenes depicting the violence and domestic abuse that Tina endured through her marriage. It was anything but nice and easy.
Bassett spoke with Variety for the 30th anniversary of “What’s Love Got to Do With It...
In the 30 days between landing the role and the first day of shooting, Bassett worked 16-hour days, exercising each morning before learning dance numbers with Turner and choreographer Michael Peters. Bassett also worked with her co-star Laurence Fishburne to act scenes depicting the violence and domestic abuse that Tina endured through her marriage. It was anything but nice and easy.
Bassett spoke with Variety for the 30th anniversary of “What’s Love Got to Do With It...
- 6/25/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
The Beatles were revolutionary music artists during the 1960s. Not only did they dominate the charts worldwide, but they brought British rock to the United States and many other countries. Many artists fell in love with rock after listening to The Beatles, such as Tom Petty, who said one album by the band changed how people listened to music.
Tom Petty said ‘Meet The Beatles’ made people listen to albums rather than singles
In the early days of music, it was all about singles. Artists like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry would release songs as singles that would dominate the charts and build up hype for the upcoming album. The singles would take over, and many artists would be known for their hit songs rather than their albums.
However, The Beatles changed this industry trend as people loved almost every song they released. Their album, Meet The Beatles,...
Tom Petty said ‘Meet The Beatles’ made people listen to albums rather than singles
In the early days of music, it was all about singles. Artists like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry would release songs as singles that would dominate the charts and build up hype for the upcoming album. The singles would take over, and many artists would be known for their hit songs rather than their albums.
However, The Beatles changed this industry trend as people loved almost every song they released. Their album, Meet The Beatles,...
- 6/24/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles’ final album, Let It Be, came as a shock to Paul McCartney. He was upset with the way some of his songs sounded, and the album as a whole was frustrating to him. Producer Phil Spector had taken control of the record and, in the process, pulled it away from McCartney’s initial vision. McCartney was upset about this, but he had a chance to release his own version of the record several decades later.
Paul McCartney couldn’t believe the changes made to ‘Let It Be’
Let It Be came out in 1970, after The Beatles decided to break up. Tensions among the band members were at an all-time high, and the quality of Let It Be didn’t help things. Allen Klein, the band’s manager, had brought in Spector. Klein, John Lennon, and George Harrison were excited about Spector, but McCartney was less certain. When he heard the album,...
Paul McCartney couldn’t believe the changes made to ‘Let It Be’
Let It Be came out in 1970, after The Beatles decided to break up. Tensions among the band members were at an all-time high, and the quality of Let It Be didn’t help things. Allen Klein, the band’s manager, had brought in Spector. Klein, John Lennon, and George Harrison were excited about Spector, but McCartney was less certain. When he heard the album,...
- 6/24/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon never hesitated to criticize himself. He said one of his lousy songs that The Beatles released as a single became a No. 1 hit. John also hit hard at his band. Let It Be became one of their most successful records, but John said that particular Beatles album gave him a dreadful feeling, and not just because of the stressful atmosphere while recording it.
John Lennon said The Beatles’ album ‘Let It Be’ gave him a ‘dreadful feeling’
It’s no secret the making of Let It Be was far from pleasant for The Beatles. Creative differences cropped up during the making of the White Album. That happened after Paul McCartney called nearly all the shots on the Magical Mystery Tour movie and album project.
McCartney was at it again with Let It Be. He suggested a return to The Beatles’ roots as a touring band — writing songs quickly...
John Lennon said The Beatles’ album ‘Let It Be’ gave him a ‘dreadful feeling’
It’s no secret the making of Let It Be was far from pleasant for The Beatles. Creative differences cropped up during the making of the White Album. That happened after Paul McCartney called nearly all the shots on the Magical Mystery Tour movie and album project.
McCartney was at it again with Let It Be. He suggested a return to The Beatles’ roots as a touring band — writing songs quickly...
- 6/22/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Sam Levinson's work is not easy to write about. The writer and director has in the course of just a few, prolific years done what takes many other artists much longer. He's gone from small productions to big ones, massively increased his budget cap, with this most recent project, "The Idol," he's been invited to the Cannes Film Festival, and he's become a household name, a harder feat for behind the camera personnel than those whom the camera trains on.
The fact that Levinson has become a known quantity outside of film-sophisticate circles has to do with the provocative nature of most of the stories he tells, sure, and the attendant scandals they often produce, and the buzzy young actors implicated in those scandals too. But more than these reasons, I think Levinson's ability to break the below-the-line barrier comes down to the fact that his work now evinces a highly recognizable style.
The fact that Levinson has become a known quantity outside of film-sophisticate circles has to do with the provocative nature of most of the stories he tells, sure, and the attendant scandals they often produce, and the buzzy young actors implicated in those scandals too. But more than these reasons, I think Levinson's ability to break the below-the-line barrier comes down to the fact that his work now evinces a highly recognizable style.
- 6/5/2023
- by Ryan Coleman
- Slash Film
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