J Berthelot's blog

Rebuilding The Beatles, Note by Note

In 1966, a British reporter stopped Paul McCartney outside of Abbey Road studio in London and asked him why The Beatles were no longer touring. "If you never toured again," the reporter asked, "would it worry you?" "Ah, I don't know," McCartney replied. "No, I don't think so. Because we can't develop when no one can hear us. You know what I mean? So for us, to perform, it's difficult. We want to do it, but if we're not listened to, and we can't even hear ourselves, then we can't improve in that. We can't get any better." Perhaps it was just as well that The Beatles stopped performing publicly, given the constant screaming and the limitations presented by the technology of the day. Much of the music they recorded after 1966 couldn't be re-created onstage anyway....more...

Why do so many unkind gossips put the boot into grasping hatchet-faced, delusioned old hussy, Heathe

This week the Non Domestic Goddess Club was pleased to read that there appears to have been an eleventh-hour thawing of relations between Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney, and that an out-of-court settlement may even be reached before next month's hearing. We are pleased about this because we have always been fans of Heather and have been extremely shocked by the disgraceful and pernicious way she has been treated. We do not know Heather exactly, but this is what we would say to her if we did: "Heather, we have always, always admired you. We have admired you ever since we first saw you in 1999 on TV at the Pride of Britain awards, giving a gong to the most photogenic freckle-nosed schoolboy who dialled 999 while his mum was in a diabetic coma through no fault of her own, beyond being 42-stone overweight. This was so moving that there was even a tear in Carol Vorderman's eye, and she is as tough as old boots. ...more...

Who doesn’t love Ringo Starr?

Ringo Starr has never been more than a capable singer. The Beatles drummer with the puppy-dog appeal was thrown precious few bones during the Fab Four’s reign, with John, Paul and George letting him sing a few minor songs, plus the enduringly charming “Don’t Pass Me By,” “With A Little Help From My Friends,” “Octopus’s Garden” and “Yellow Submarine.” After The Beatles went their separate ways, Starr’s pleasant voice (and name recognition, no doubt) helped turn solo songs “Photograph,” “You’re Sixteen,” “Oh My My,” “The No-No Song,” “Back Off Boogaloo” and “It Don’t Come Easy” into hits. Since the ’70s, though, he has been little more than a nostalgia act, frequently touring with his All-Starr Band. So a new album co-produced by the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart raises hope that Ringo can recapture the warmth of his past efforts....more...

Paul McCartney Attempts to Settle Heather Mills Divorce

According to sources, Paul McCartney has attempted to settle his messy divorce battle with Heather Mills out of court. The singer reportedly called Mills “three or four times” last week to settle the divorce as he does not want details of his private life revealed in court. “One of the chats went on for at least 15 minutes, which is the longest they have spoken to one another in months and months,” said a source. McCartney allegedly feels their divorce hearing in February will have an affect on him and Mills’ 4-year-old daughter Beatrice. A source says Mills is willing to resolve their issues outside of court. “It seems that the mood has definitely changed and they are both now ready to resolve things more sensibly,” added the source. Source:

Stella McCartney to debut intimates line in February

Stella McCartney pays as much attention to what women don underneath as she does to her popular ready-to-wear collection. In February, the Brit designer known for producing flirty, feminine designs on the runway will launch her first lingerie collection in partnership with Bendon, an intimate apparel company based in New Zealand that also happens to handle Elle Macpherson Intimates. In press materials, Ms. McCartney says she was inspired by lingerie since an early age. "I was obsessed with French slips, lace inlays and handwork. When I think about lingerie, I tend to think of really handmade precious pieces. ... The intimacy that a woman has with her lingerie is quite inspiring." ...more...

Lennon's visit had the staff on their toes

By the mid '70s, the staff at Caribou Ranch was pretty blase about having big names around. But when John Lennon visited for four days in July 1974, everyone struggled to keep their cool. "It was very funny. There were a lot of stars up here," said ranch manager John Carsello. "But when John came up, we all couldn't believe it." It was during Lennon's 14-month "Lost Weekend," when he was separated from Yoko Ono and included his infamous ejection from the Troubadour for drunkenly heckling the Smothers Brothers. He was accompanied to Caribou by girlfriend May Pang for a long weekend to add guitar and vocal to Elton John's take on Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. "We had a great time," Pang said in a recent phone interview. "John enjoyed that. It wasn't his show. He could do it for someone else then walk away."...more...

Imagine that, Sean Lennon recreates famous image of his parents 40 years on

With his round spectacles and unkempt beard, Sean Lennon cut a very family figure as he strolled along the streets of New York earlier this week. He looked every inch his father's son, and with girlfriend Kemp Muhl by his side in an oversized black felt hat, the pair unwittingly recreated a now iconic 1969 photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Despite almost 40 years separating the images, the resemblance between the two couples was uncanny. The 32-year-old has more than just style in common with the late Beatle - Sean has also pursued a career as a singer-songwriter. In October last year, he performed in the BBC Electric Proms alongside his very close friend Mark Ronson. Sean began dating model Kemp after splitting from his long term love Bijou Phillips in 2004 - the relationship ended bitterly after she slept with his best friend Max LeRoy. Source:

LET ME ROLL IT

Many rock fans think of Denny Laine as the "other man" in Wings, the band Paul McCartney formed with his wife, Linda McCartney, after the breakup of The Beatles. But Laine's own '60s pedigree as a founding member of the Moody Blues � Laine sang on the Moodys' 1965 hit, "Go Now!" � stands on its own merit. "It was a lot of work prior to that that led up to the success," Laine says of the so-called "British Invasion" movement, which was ignited by The Beatles and brought British bands such as the Moodys to America's attention. I mean, we were all working for years as solo artists or in other bands. And then certainly, you know, you get to that age when everything blows out of proportion, which is what happened in London. All the bands that came to London � starting with The Beatles, the Animals, the (Rolling) Stones, Rod Stewart, The Who � all those bands all sort of started at the same time. We all became kind of semi-friends in those days. It was a kind of friendly rivalry between all the bands. We always used to go to the same clubs. Because we were all sort of starting together, there was a lot of help and a lot of encouragement from each other....more...

Ringo ego just got in the way

AS if Ringo Starr hasn’t enough on his plate he has spectacularly upset his home city with his remarks on last week’s Jonathan Ross show. He didn’t slag Liverpool off, mind. He just dismissed it. But if you’re a Scouser, that’s just about as bad. I don’t think he meant to offend. I reckon his ego simply got in the way and, in an attempt to get a cheap laugh in front of a national audience, he misjudged his remarks. A colleague interviewed him while he was in the city and asked what was the best bit of advice he’d been given when he lived in Liverpool. “Run,” said Ringo and laughed like a drain, obviously comfortable cracking a Scouse gag in Scouse company. Then he grew serious and asked the journalist not to write it. “These things can look bad in print,” he explained. If only he’d regulated himself a bit more on telly.

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Liverpool-link for SIRIUS

American satellite radio network SIRIUS is to broadcast an exclusive interview with Liverpool born Beatles drummer Ringo Star. The chat, with host Meg Griffin, will air just moments before a live outside broadcast in LA. Ringo will discuss the making of his latest album and his early musical influences and favorite drummers. Immediately following the interview, SIRIUS will cross to the Liverpool 8 album release party at LA’s House of Blues. The event will included a performance by Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart, the albums co-producer and half of the British music duo, Eurythmics. Liverpool 8 is the fourteenth studio album by Ringo Starr and was released in the UK on January 14th 2008. It entered the UK Album Chart at number 91 last week. SIRIUS subscribers will find the entertainment on the Disorder Channel 70 and The Spectrum channel 18 on Friday afternoon (25th January) from 3:15pm ET.

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