Beatles on Broadway

Picture taken by Astrid Kirscherr. From left Pete Best, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Stu Sutcliffe in his famous sunglasses.

The Beatles are back, but this time, back on Broadway.

Backbeat is the stage adaptation of the 1994 film (with the same name), chronicling the Beatles' early pre-Ringo career in Hamburg, Germany. An entertaining piece, Backbeat not so much focuses on the musical endeavors of John, Paul, George, drummer Pete Best and bassist Stu Sutcliffe, but rather the love triangle between Stu, his music and his love for photographer Astrid Kirscherr, who capitulates the epitome of the beat generation.

You see, Stu was forcibly glued to the band as Lennon’s best friend from art school. Although he snatched the role as bassist from Paul, (who was shafted to guitarist and, coincidentally or not, hated Stu at the time) he fostered a love for art. Once arriving in Hamburg, this was something Astrid saw and immediately fell in love with. Stu eventually quit the band to pursue his own interests.

Once 1962 rolled around everything was looking great for the Beatles. They recently hired manager Brian Epstein and their first single, “Love Me Do,” was released with semi-amazing results. However, things were not looking great for Stu. He suffered frequent migraines, and would often experience raging and violent episodes followed by an unconscious black out. He died later that year of a brain aneurysm.

If you want to read more about the Beatles’ early history, click here to see a great biography. I read it a while ago and fell in love.

Backbeat cannot be seen on Broadway for a while, but don’t worry, it is springing up all over! The show originally ran at Glasgow Citizens Theater in February 2010, and then stormed London’s West End from September 2011 through February 2012. It will open in Toronto next month, and will make its American premiere at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles on January 16, 2013 through February 24. Then (finally), it will come to the Big Apple.

The show includes rock-era classics, and songs the Beatles grew up with and first covered, including “Money,” “Please Mr. Postman” and “Twist and Shout.” Here are some clips from the movie; do you think they even compare to the Beatles?

"Good Golly Miss Molly"

"Twenty Flight Rock"

"Long Tall Sally"

"Rock and Roll Music"

"Money"

"Please Mr. Postman"

"Twist and Shout"

Happy 70th Birthday, Paul McCartney!

I was fortunate enough to see Paul McCartney perform last summer at Yankee Stadium, and despite his seasoned age, he literally rock-n-rolled my socks off.

The concept of time is very perplexing. I remember only six years ago singing, “When I’m 64,” obviously in reference to and honor of McCartney’s 64^th, but now the Rock God has quickly reached the big 7-0. And he’s still killin’ it.

If you know me at all, you know that the Beatles are, and will always be, the number one band in my heart. Without them even knowing, they have helped me through some hard times and, at risk of sounding overtly sensitive, I couldn’t be more grateful for them. I can recall the song “Strawberry Fields Forever” carrying me through various funerals. Even if that was a Lennon original, I consider every late Beatles song a collaborative effort (even if they really weren’t.)

I have to admit, however, that I am not much of a post-Beatles McCartney fan. Wings never did anything for me, and especially his more recent solo albums, such as his Firemen run at Electric Arguments and his album Memory Almost Full, weren’t too spectacular. There were, however, sporadic hits on each, including “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey,” “Maybe I’m Amazed” and “Dance Tonight.”

McCartney’s songs were always more melodic and upbeat than Lennon’s. He was clearly the optimist in the group and enjoyed spreading love to his avid listeners. The only sad song I can think of off my head, “Yesterday,” was a lament on the sorrows of losing his mother to breast cancer at an early age. It was eradicated, however, with “Let It Be.” McCartney claimed he saw his mother (Mary, obviously) in a dream, urging him that no matter what issues his band was facing, to just Let Them Be.

Today, in honor of Paul McCartney’s 70^th birthday, I have compiled a list of my favorite McCartney originals. I encourage you to click through the links to have a listen, to enjoy the YouTube clips and I highly recommend researching the songs I did not link. They are all good, and to me, they are very special.


Make sure to check him out at this summer's Olympic opening ceremony. He will be "opening the closing." For more, take a peak at my article on dualshow.

Cheers, Paul McCartney! Happy birthday.

"Live and Let Die"

"Band on the Run"

"Jet"

"Let Me Roll It"

"Martha"

"Hey Jude"

"Helter Skelter"

The Abbey Road Medley- Last few songs of the album

Also: "Blackbird," "Here There and Everywhere," "And I Love Her," "Eleanor Rigby," "I Saw Her Standing There," "Lovely Linda," "I've Just Seen a Face," "Penny Lane," "Got To Get You Into My Life," "For No One," "Michelle," "Lovely Rita," "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (both)," "Paperback Writer," "The Long and Winding Road" and "Lady Madonna" among many others.

The Yellow Submarine Trifecta

"Can't help it. I'm a born 'Liver-pooler'." -Ringo in Yellow Submarine

The Beatles are recognized as one of the world’s most successful and innovative rock bands. They have provided the world with an eclectic array of talent, whether it is through the medium of music, film, art or even crafts. Their work still resonates to this day.

Some 44 years after its original release, the Beatles are proud to present their meticulously, frame-by-frame restoration of their film Yellow Submarine.

This brings back nostalgia in the highest resolution possible. Follow an animated journey with John, Paul, George and Ringo as they save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies. In addtion to an easy-to-follow plot line, viewers can get an inside feel for the Beatles-wit they were oh so famous for.

Well, some may say you can get an inside feel for the drugs they were all known for as well. If you have ever seen the original, you would know it is a euphoria of color, trippiness and utter weirdness.

The Yellow Submarine remake was released May 29^th, miraculously restored by hand by Triage Motion Picture Service and Eque Inc.

Lesser known by fans is the release of a new hardcover edition of the Yellow Submarine book (iTunes is even offering the digital version for free! Check it out!), and a reissue of the album.

Buy the film, book and album for a trifecta of humor that will surely ensue. Oh how I wish the Beatles were still around today. 

Click here for Rolling Stone's sneak preview of the film, and their behind the scenes video of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.