Spotlight: Paul McCartney (2013) Back in the USSR! Music as protest in Russia is alive and generating heat and support from Beatle Paul! McCartney has written a second letter to Russian officials, calling for justice in the case of imprisoned artist-activists Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. Ms Alyokhina declared a hunger strike after being denied the right to attend her own parole hearing. Both Alyokhina and Tolokonnikova are members of the band, "Pussy Riot," in jail (10 months) for singing anti-Putin songs in a church! McCartney's message is that the whole world is watching this human rights violation unfold and he has many friends in Russia. The letters are hand-written and signed by Beatle Paul. Details:

Spotlight: Ringo Starr (UK) One day you might find yourself on a Beatles Taxi Tour of Liverpool and wonder...where did Richard Starkey live between the ages of 4 and 22? What was the lad's home life like? The lady with all these answers is Margaret Grose who lives there now and lets fans into her living room "Ringo shrine" for a few moments of memories and little-known "fab" facts.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone's "Wednesdays With Wings" all day!streaming 24-7! | Beatles music internet radiobeatlesarama.comBeatles internet radio, listen to the Fab Four 24 hours a day!

Spotlight: George Harrison (1970) The "B" side to "The Long And Winding Road" was George's "For You Blue." This double-sided hit climbed to #1 on the US Billboard chart. Experts say it's one of the few Beatles songs where every section follows a classic 12-bar blues pattern, as Harrison sings this is "the twelve bar blues." Lennon is playing bottleneck slide using a shotgun shell as the bottleneck. (The lady in the song may be Patti Boyd.) Phil Spector added an introduction: a Lennon quip from studio tapes: "Queen says no to pot-smoking FBI members." Single was released May 8, 1970.

British Press Beatles Special!British Press Beatles Special! | Beatles music internet radiobeatlesarama.comBeatles Related Press (2013) The editors of Britain’s Uncut music magazine have gathered the best special stories the original writers composed during the heyday of Beatlemania. This 148-page edition contains choice bits of trivia for every Beatles fan!…

Spotlight: John Lennon | When "Dr. Winston O'Boogie" originally wrote the tune "Come Together," it came unlawfully close to a Chuck Berry song. Berry's publisher, Morris Levy sued and Lennon promised to record three songs Levy published. In Levy's catalog, John found so many of his favorites, he decided to make an album devoted to cover songs. The official "Rock 'n Roll" release charted at #6 in the US and UK. A version of rough mixes was rush-released via mail-order by Levy for a short time. Original copies are rare and mint condition copies of "Roots" have sold for $2000. Details:

Beatles Related Press (UK) Spotlighting the reports of the writers who were in the midst of Beatlemania, this UK Uncut magazine special contains choice bits of trivia for every Beatles fan! It's a very thorough review as only the British press can generate for its own classic band of a lifetime. The publication was released earlier this year and remains available. Details:

Beatles Music Related (BMR) Tomorrow never knows except tomorrow, May 18, we do know a guitar played by John Lennon and George Harrison will be sold in a New York auction at the Hard Rock Cafe, on Times Square. It's a one-of-a-kind Vox guitar used by Lennon for "Hello Goodbye" and other songs. The likely price? Somewhere between $200k and $300k.Lennon and George Harrison electric guitar to be auctionedwww.latimes.comA Vox electric guitar said to have been played by John Lennon and George Harrison , jewelry given by Elvis Presley to associates and an autographed pillow Michael Jackson threw to a fan from a Paris hotel window are among a bevy of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia items coming up for auc...

Beatles Hit Story (BHS) 1963: "Please Please Me" is in its 7th week in the Top 10 on the UK New Musical Express chart. Beatle George recommends his buddies in the Rolling Stones to Decca records rep, Dick Rowe. 1965: in the studio recording "Dizzy Mizz Lizzy" and "Bad Boy." At this time in '65 they were shooting scenes in Cliveden House, Buckinghamshire for their forthcoming movie, "Help!" Trivia Q: Who suggested the tune "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" for a record, and to which Beatle?

Spotlight: Paul McCartney (2013) "Some days the inspiration is a musical one and other days it has just got to be painting," says Paul in an interview. He showed artful promise in his teens, and has been painting ever since. Two of his hand-signed lithographs will be on display at the 13th Annual WMGK Classic Rock Art Show and Sale, Bensalem, Pennsylvania, Friday, May 17 to Sunday, June 2nd. Art from Beatle drummer Ringo will also be on display; he uses his computer to create designs before going on stage. Details: rockartshow.com

Beatles Related Movie (BRM) The June NXNE Film Festival in Toronto, will screen, "B.B. King: The Life of Riley," which includes Ringo Starr! Other musical legends will be featured: Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Leon Russell, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman and the late John Lennon. BB is now 87 years young and continues to play his beloved "Lucille" this summer on the North American tour. What's your favorite BB King song?

Spotlight: George Harrison (2002) The "Quiet Beatle's" final album, "Brainwashed," was his 11th, written and recorded between 1988 and 2002. George was battling cancer and sharing ideas with son Dhani and long-time friend and producer, Jeff Lynne, about the songs sound and artwork. George died before it was finished; his advance planning made it possible to complete the CD as he wished. "Any Road" became a hit on Top 40, the album charted at #18 and went gold. The track "Marwa Blues" won a 2004 Grammy for the Best Pop Instrumental Performance. What's your favorite Harrissong?

Imagination is a wonderful place. Visit often!Fotos de la biografíaJohn art ♥

Spotlight: John Lennon | Can you "imagine" Al Pacino starring in a movie where a long-lost letter from John Lennon changes a musician's life? The movie, titled "Imagine," is slated to start filming in July, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

McCartney & Wings News: The 2013 "Out There" Tour schedule has been announced! Gonna be a great summer! May 6 - 9: Brazil May 18 - 19: Orlando, Florida May 22 - 23: Austin, Texas May 26: Memphis, Tennessee May 29 - 30: Tulsa, Oklahoma June 8, 10: Brooklyn, New York June 14: Bonnaroo Festival June 22: Warsaw, Poland June 25: Verona, Italy June 27: Vienna, Austria July 7: Ottawa, Canada July 9: Boston, Maine July 12: Washington DC July 14: Indianapolis, Indiana July 16: Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 19: Seattle, Washington July 23: Quebec, Canada Aug 12: Winnipeg, Canada Aug 14: Regina, Canada Details: paulmccartney.com

Beatles Hit Story (1966) 47 years ago this week, the Beatles breakthrough "folk-rock" album, "Rubber Soul" marked its 22nd week in the UK top 10 New Music Express chart. Recorded in just four weeks it's now ranked #5 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the top "500 Greatest Albums of all Time." Note: The stereo mix sent to the US from England has what are commonly called "false starts" at the beginning of "I'm Looking Through You," which are on every American stereo copy of the album from 1965 to 1987. "The Word" also has different vocal tracks from the UK version. The 14-track UK version is now the international standard configuration since 1987. The disc's title pun was coined by Paul and means an "English soul." Top photo by Aaron Kinney: sunshinewashere.com

Spotlight: Paul McCartney (2013) Beatle Paul's "Out There" world tour with Wings this year visits places he's never been before including Poland and the state of Tennessee. Dates: June 13th through the 16th, Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, followed by the band's appearance June 22nd, at Warsaw's National Stadium. This is just the start of Paul and Wings' output--there's also a new album in the works!

Spotlight: Ringo Starr (1971) Ringo's signature song, "It Don't Come Easy," was his first top five hit in the US and #1 in Canada. The tune was originally titled "You Gotta Pay Your Dues" and George Harrison and Eric Clapton participated in the sessions. The song was checked in Starr's 1992 album "Time Takes Time:" in the line, "Well I said It Don't Come Easy, well I sure know how it feels." Ringo and the song were featured in the Simpson's tv episode "Brush With Greatness."

Spotlight: George Harrison (1974?) Was there ever a band named "Platinum Weird?" If so, what did it have to do with George Harrison? Listen to "This Guitar" and you'll know. The "Quiet Beatle's" lyric tells all: "learned to get up when I fall/can even climb Rolling Stone walls..." He was disappointed in the media's negative coverage of the Concerts for Bangladesh. Take a good listen to this version of the song (link below). You may not have heard it before! Or have you?Weird & George Harrison - This Guitar (2006)Dave Stewart overdubbed this rerecording from 1992 with Dhani and Ringo! Was planned for a CD release of Dave's group project "Platinum Weird", but abandoned.

Spotlight: John Lennon (1974) During the 18-month long "lost weekend," Lennon wrote and produced "Walls And Bridges," his fifth album. John and son Julian rebuilt bridges between them; Lennon had not seen Julian in four years. Vocal overdubs were done with an old stage mic..."it turned out to be a great vocal sound like on '#9 Dream,'" says engineer Jimmy Iovine. Elton John stopped by and added piano and vocals to the #1 single "Whatever Gets You Through The Night." The album was a #1 commercial success, certified gold. The second single, "#9 Dream," peaked in the US at...number 9! Where were you in 1973?

Beatles Related Stories (1967) Singer-songwriter and director Seth Swirsky has filmed interviews with many who have stories to tell, such as Graham Nash. Nash tells how "All You Need Is Love" was first broadcast on tv live from the EMI studios. Lots of guests: Mick, Marianne, Keith, Eric and other rockers were part of the whole event in '67. Beatles fan Swirsky made a movie of these interviews, cleverly titled "Beatles Stories," unforgettable moments such as Art Garfunkel's conversation with John Lennon at his Dakota apartment about possibly reconciling with "his Paul." Details and a video clip:Stories Clip 1*********** Graham Nash discusses his invitation from Paul McCartney to come down on a Sunday morning to the first televised broadcast of “All You Need is Love,”…

Big Beatles Questions (BBQ) Did the Beatles ever meet Marilyn Monroe? Not likely, since her death happened in August 1962. In the mid-50's, another hot bombshell was making movies. She became a Beatles favorite when the lads and friends watched a potent celebration of rock and roll: the movie, "The Girl Can't Help It," starring buxom blonde Jayne Mansfield. Gene Vincent, Fats Domino and Little Richard were also featured in the flick. In August 1964 the Beatles did meet Jayne after Paul made his wish known in an interview. As it worked out, Mansfield walked into the rented Bel-Air mansion in LA at midnight with her entourage. John, George and Ringo had a fab time in Jayne's presence--but Paul, alas, was somewhere else with someone else!

Beatles Song Facts (BSF) Q: How many songs did the Lennon-McCartney song writing team give away? From 1963 to 1964, the list is recounted in detail online, as Slate's writers follow the Beatles in real time, though some 50 year later! The feature is called "Blogging The Beatles" and aims to recap the Fab Four's career through to 1970. A: 16 tunes went to other artists including the Rolling Stones! UK: two hit #1 and ten more in the Top 40. US: one #1 and five others in the Top 40. Mighty successful start to the British Invasion!

Beatles Hit Story (1963) On this day in 1963, British record stores began selling the Beatles UK stereo album "Please Please Me." Careful exam of the label shows the songwriter credits: "McCartney-Lennon." Six years later (1969) the "Yellow Submarine" album was in its 15th week in the top 100 Billboard chart, and "Get Back" was #1.

Spotlight: Paul McCartney | The late 70's were a time of transition and growth for Paul, his family and the Wings band. The "London Town" album (1978) was recorded in studio sessions at Abbey Road, AIR London and aboard a yacht in the Virgin Islands! The boat provided the ambience which inspired an ode to Macca's own High Park Farm in Scotland and its headland promontory, "The Mull Of Kintyre." It became a world-wide hit and the UK's most popular non-charity single. McCartney's drummer departed and Wings' lead guitar Jimmy McCulloch joined the Small Faces. Then Paul became a father to son James and later hit #1 in the US with "With A Little Luck." Whew! Changes a plenty. Do you have a favorite song from this CD?

Spotlight: Ringo Starr | Though Mr. Starkey played great drums, he sang lead on 11 Beatles songs and wrote only two: "Don't Pass Me By" and "Octopus's Garden." Many fans wanted Ringo to sing more, and over time he's done just that by releasing a total of 17 albums and 26 singles. In 2011, readers of Rolling Stone magazine named Ringo the fifth greatest drummer of all time. Ringo's 2012 "All Starr Band" touring lineup performance DVD celebrates the Beatle's 72nd birthday on "Ringo At The Ryman."

Spotlight: George Harrison | Q: Which Beatle last charted a #1 hit on the Billboard chart? George Harrison was the first solo Beatle to the top with the "My Sweet Lord”/”Isn’t It a Pity" release. 25 years ago, "Got My Mind Set On You" topped the chart and was followed by "When We Was Fab," featuring Ringo on the drum kit and producer (and Beatles fan!) Jeff Lynne at the mixing console.

More Beatles, with an interesting question, this time from an LA rock station!Rock History Notebook: Tuesday, April 23, 2013www.youtube.comFrom 100.3 The Sound's Los Angeles air studios, Andy Chanley remembers the events that shaped this day in rock history.

Patient Listeners! Thank you for arriving at our revised web site and clicking on the "popup player" button. You discover as we did, the link does not work at this time. We are working on a solution. Try the Facebook "Listen Now" fan page link. More: Beatlesarama Listening Help (BLH) While we work to enable our new site to easily play the stream, try these four alternatives: 1) open Winamp, enter this URL to play:4) Open iTunes (if you have it) and select Advanced --> audio stream and type ininternet radio, listen to the Fab Four 24 hours a day!

Beatles Love Earth (BLE) On this Earth Day, 2013, fans know the Fab Four's songs related to the beauty of our world. Heard in Lennon-McCartney lyrics many times: earth: 5x, sun: 19x, moon: 4x and sky: 7x. We hear Beatles love for our Mother Earth, in these tunes today and everyday. How do you love the Earth?

Here's a picture that is seldom seen...Fotos de la biografíaAlbert Pritchard TBU Question of the Day! In Beatledom, what does "NUYV" represent? Answer Tomorrow Same Beatle Time and Station! Yesterday’s TBU Question: On what occasion did John slightly change the words to his song Imagine and what was the change? There were actually 3 answers to this one. The one I expected was: John performed at the Salute to Lew Grade. He change the line in Imagine from "no religion too" to "no immigration too". Congratulations to Kirby Raley the only one to get this answer. Answer 2: At the “Live in New York City” concert where he changed the words from “Brotherhood of Man” to “Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Man”. Congratulations to Jamie Lipup Menor, Dennis Howes, Judy Nelson Gramo, Linda fleming, Michalle Mikki Marshall, Sue Johnson Julseth, De Coen Freddy, Ingeborg Schonrock, Allison Fry Belliveau and Bernie Oliver who gave me this correct answer. Lastly Anser 3: Changed the words from “Imagine if you can” to “Imagine if we can” Congratulations to Jackie Jones, David Hope, Mark L Kuniegel, Kathy Bona Templeman and Per Hanson for that answer. Thank you all for playing and your comments. I appreciate the response from you all.

Beatlesarama Listening Help (BLH) While we work to enable our new site to easily play the stream, try these four alternatives: 1) open Winamp, enter this URL to play:4) Open iTunes (if you have it) and select Advanced --> audio stream and type in http://65.60.25.242:9255/ and you'll be rockin' with Beatlesarama!

Beatle Graphic Novel (BGN) Images of the forthcoming graphic novel, "The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story," are being posted on the artist's web page. Andrew Robinson has been painting the story over a three year span for Dark Horse publishing as a "labor of love." Epstein or "Eppy" (his nickname) was the mercurial manager who guided the Beatles to world stardom.

Beatles Hit Story (1965) The Fab Four began the new year with "I Feel Fine" charting #1. Between March and May, two more songs hit the top: "Eight Days A Week" and "Ticket To Ride." The lads finished the year with two more smashes: "Help!" and "Yesterday." Producer George Martin and the Beatles ambition drove them to release three albums that year: "Beatles VI," "Help!" and the game-changer, "Rubber Soul." All three records became #1 album hits.

McCartney Hit Story (1976) Paul and Wings' 5th album capped a run of four consecutive records which climbed the Billboard Hot 200 all the way to #1. "Wings At The Speed Of Sound" was powered by two key tracks: "Let 'Em In" and "Silly Love Songs," both top three smash hits. "Silly" was Paul's answer to complaining critics. McCartney launched the "Wings Over America Tour" and for the first time in 10 years (after the Beatles last US tour in 1966) Paul was back in the US of A! The 1993 remastered disc includes three bonus tracks.

It's Triple Play Thursday!!! Tune in now!!!

Spotlight: Paul McCartney (2013) Is Paul looking to R&B hitmaker Usher for new inspiration? Mark Ronson is producing Macca's new album and tells how Paul played an Usher song and says "I love where all the sonics sit in this." McCartney must know something about what works for him; he is now the world's highest earning musician according to the UK Sunday Times 2013 list of millionaires. Actual quotes, details here:

Beatles Golden Snare Drum (1964) When Ringo saw the "Ludwig" American drum kit in the music store, he wanted it complete with the maker's name on the bass drum right above the Beatles logo. After the Fab Four's first Ed Sullivan show appearance, the Ludwig Drum Company went into overdrive to keep up with orders for "the Ringo set!" In appreciation, the drum company presented Ringo with a 14kt gold-plated snare drum when the band played Chicago in September, 1964. Chicago is the HQ of the Ludwig Drum Company. Full details:

Beatles Golden Snare Drum (1964) When Ringo saw the "Ludwig" American drum kit in the music store, he wanted it complete with the maker's name on the bass drum right above the Beatles logo. After the Fab Four's first Ed Sullivan show appearance, the Ludwig Drum Company went into overdrive to keep up with orders for "the Ringo set!" In appreciation, the drum company presented Ringo with a 14kt gold-plated snare drum when the band played Chicago in September, 1964. Chicago is the HQ of the Ludwig Drum Company. Full details:

Spotlight: Ringo Starr (1983) Ronald Reagan was the US President and MTV began to kill the radio star! IBM personal computers and the new compact disc (CD) began the march of digital progress! It was also the year Ringo and producer buddy Joe Walsh created "Old Wave," his 9th album. Starr returned to England to live in John Lennon's former home which Ringo bought in 1973. A great crew of classic rockers played in "Startling Studios" including Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), John Entwistle (The Who) and Eric Clapton. One cover tune deserves your ears: "She's About A Mover," by Doug Sahm. Check into it in this YouTube clip!about a mover.wmvRingo cover 1983 no copyright implied

Spotlight II: George Harrison (1981) More than a year in the making, "Somewhere In England," is George's 8th album and also his first after the death of John Lennon. "All Those Years Ago" originally had different lyrics, but was changed after Lennon's death. Ringo pounded the drums, Beatle Paul and Linda and Wings band member Denny Laine added background vocals. The song became Harrison's personal tribute to Beatle John and a top 5 hit on the Billboard music chart.

Have you seen our new Beatlesarama.com website? Launched today and it's a beauty! Lots of features about John, Paul, George and Ringo, plus rock n roll news and more. Check it out and tell us what you think.

Spotlight: George Harrison (1966) The "Quiet Beatle's" blistering song about taxation opened "Revolver," their seventh studio album, with a bang! US radio stations and DJ's play the song every tax season in April. The song's ascerbic lyrics made people wonder if morticians actually use pennies on the deceased's eyes to keep them closed. (The answer is no, they use special contact lenses or glue.) Beatle Paul performed the lead guitar solo and bass on the track. The album was voted 3rd on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."

Spotlight: John Lennon (1968) "Dear Prudence," The "White Album's" second track was written by Beatle John--encouraging Mia Farrow's sister, Prudence, to come out of the cottage when she and the Beatles were studying with the Maharishi in India. Farrow took her meditation very seriously! John was asked to make contact with her and help her socialize; later he wrote the song and played it for her. Submitted for your approval: music can travel from exotic places and spaces, through the airwaves and bits and bytes, all to reach--you!

Beatles Music Influences (BMI) Because Liverpool was a port city, 45 rpm single releases from America provided a regular supply of r&b music for the town's record stores and musicians. The Beatles were inspired by a these singer-songwriters and one of John Lennon's earliest favorites was Arthur Alexander. Alexander was just 20 when he began making what would become a string of hits from studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This soul singer's songs have been covered by many including the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan--plus: the Fab Four. John (on lead vocals), Paul, George and Ringo recorded his song, "Anna (Go To Him)," for their first album, "Please Please Me," February 11, 1963. Check out both versions!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4iQB8VINik

Beatles Related Feats (BRF) How many innovations can you count which show how the Beatles changed music? Think there could be at least ten (maybe more?) Begin with how 1) their music helped change how AM & FM radio stations played music, 2) no touring, 3) printed lyrics on album packaging...the rest of the list here:

Beatles Hit Story | On this date: 1990, the Astronomical Union Planet Centre named the minor planets (Asteroids 4147-4150) Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr. 1996, The Beatles album, "Anthology 2" compilation spent 37 weeks on the charts, reached #1 in its first week! The record consisted of outtakes, rarities and alternative song versions, spanning sessions from 1965 through 1968. The surviving Beatles completed the second new Beatles song of the Anthology series, "Real Love," which was credited solely to Lennon.

Beatles Hit Story (1963) 50 years ago, John Lennon's song, "Please Please Me" became the historic first US Beatles single and second UK release. Producer George Martin thought the song needed to be "pepped up." The lads came back with major changes, a faster tempo and John's harmonica riffs. (It was a massive hit 12 months later, #3 on the Billboard chart.) Collectors look for the Vee-Jay label pressing #498, issued Feb. 7, 1963. The song did not chart until its reissue on January 3, 1964, selling 1.1 million copies! A special sleeve claimed it as "the record that started Beatlemania!" The Fab Four scheduled appearance on the Ed Sullivan tv show was a few weeks later...and lit the fuse of screaming American teen Beatlemania!

There's something special about Thursday...