REMEMBERING THE BEATLES 26,710

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by Felicity Blaze Noodleman

Los Angeles, CA

3. 7.14

We have literally scrubbed the internet searching for many new and revealing photos to continue celebrating the Beatles 50^th. Anniversary.  This will be a pictorial of their recording career from about 1961 until the bands breakup in 1970.  Almost ten years of working together to create some of the most influential and creative music ever.

Before Ringo.  The Beatles in Hamberg, Germany.  Leather jackets and barely

recogniseable with Peate Best on drums who was replaced with Ringo Starr.

http://wall.alphacoders.com/by_sub_category.php?id=173660

The Beatles introduced the world to a new sound in rock ‘n roll and set the trend for a new generation of recording artist both in England and also here in the United States.  If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, that the Beatles have been so highly complemented that it even continues today.  A number of Beatle impersonators of revival bands continue to entertain with their acts which so closely resemble the Beatles while they were together and recording during the 1960’s.

In the beginning the Beatles signature look were their collarless jackets, “mot top” haircuts and Beatle boots (a black ankle high boot with Cuban heels) http://history.absoluteelsewhere.net/April/april4.html

New to recording at Abby Road studios.  (Ringo, George, John and Paul.)  http://onabbeyroad.com/studioposes.html

Brian Epstein

George Martin

Two of the most influential men of the Beatles team were their manager and recording producer; Brian Epstein and George Martin  

Mr. Epstein had taken on the task of managing the Beatles.  Epstein is credited with molding the Beatles into a marketable show business act for his new acquisition, the Beatles.  

Brian polished their look insisting they were suits and their haircuts, well the haircuts were inspired from photos made by Astrid Kirchherr of the group while in Hamburg, Germany.  Photos taken by Kirchherr also inspired the album covers of “With The Beatles” and “Meet The Beatles”

Epstein  delivered the Beatles demo record to many recording companies in London trying to secure a recording deal which eventually happened with George Martin and EMI Parlophone in London. 

George Martin acquainted the Beatles with the recording studio and taught the Beatles about sound production.  In 1962 stereo was still new and the recording equipment of that era was limited to two track recording on quarter inch acetate.  Martin and the Beatles would push the limits and were pioneers in new recording techniques such as "drop down - over dub" stereo reproduction which maximised the medium.  By the time of the Beatles last recording session much newer equipment was available and these masters of sound engineering left a legacy of recording practices which are still used to this day. 

Astrid Kirchherr and the Beatles revisited after the Hamburg days and

now a very successful rock band.

http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/astrid-kirchherr/images/31471227/title/astrid-with-beatles-photo

In a sense it could be said that the Beatles were in competition with their own success.  So many recording acts of their day so closely mimicked the Beatles style that the look and sound became somewhat passé.  It was such a huge change in the music industry that everything which came before Beatlemania was quickly forgotten. 

One group in particular, was such a direct copy of the Beatles in many ways and it was clearly an attempt to capitalize on the Beatles fame.  They were a Hollywood creation called the Monkees.  “Colgems”  took a whole production company complete with independent song writers to do what the Beatles were accomplishing themselves.  Quite a number of times the Beatles mixed things up and flipped the script to progressed into a new look, sound and reinvention of themselves.  That is what this weeks “Noodleman” article is all about.  Tracing the Beatles during their Magical Mystery Tour through the 1960’s!

The Beatles With Friend, Roadie and Rival Neil Aspinall

The band got on fine with their Liverpool schoolmate and road manager Neil Aspinall, left, in Paris in 1964, but not when they got to Miami a few weeks later. Beatles manager Brian Epstein kept many young female fans away from the Fabs to avoid scandal, and when George Harrison discovered all the pretty ones were in Aspinall's hotel room, "they were furious," says Benson. 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/beatles-mccartney-lennon-harry-benson-337149#2-beatles-friend-roadie-rival-neil-aspinall

1964  The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan television show
http://www.walterjonwilliams.net/2014/02/lessons-for-writers-the-fab-four/

Fighting Over Ringo's Fan Mail

The Beatles read their mail in 1964. "Ringo wasn't good-looking, but who do you think got the most fan letters?" says Benson. "Ringo: big pile. Then George, then John. Paul got a little teensy pile. I thought it would be the opposite. There'd be a row. They went on like children."

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/beatles-mccartney-lennon-harry-benson-337149#5-fighting-ringos-fan-mail

A look inside Abby Road Studios in London, at the Beatles 

(John, Ringo, Paul and George – L to R) on 25 February ’64.

Copyright EMI Records Ltd.  

http://www.beatlesocialnetwork.com/blogs/1265/147/the-beatles-in-studio-2-feb-2

A picture from a new book, "LIFE: With The Beatles," with never-before-seen and rare photos by the late photographer Robert Whitaker Photo: Reuters

An undated handout photo shows members of the band The Beatles walk and sing as they are filmed during a promotional video for their song ìRainî, in a garden outside Chiswick House. The hey day of Beatlemania may have passed but some 40 years after the band split, The Beatles and their music are still loved, scrutinized and relevant to an adoring public forever clamoring for more details of the Fab Four. A new book, "LIFE: With The Beatles," gives a glimpse into the band with mostly never-before-seen and rare photos by the late photographer Robert Whitaker of John, Paul, George and Ringo spanning the years 1964 through to 1966.  Photo: Reuters

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/the-beatles/9588820/The-Beatles-New-book-of-rare-photos.html

The Beatles with music publisher Dick James at EMI Studio 2.  Notice George Martin in background holding Guitar.

http://www.thebeatlesrarity.com/category/site-information/

The guys around the time of recording “Every Little Thing”. http://onabbeyroad.com/studioposes.html

1965.  55,600 fans came to see the Beatles at Shea Stadium, NYC 

http://gsv107.tumblr.com/post/4035224183/beatles-at-shea-stadium-nyc-1965-1

Season's greetings from the Beatles!  This is one feature of being in the Beatles

fan club.  Members could look forward to a Christmas Greeting each year from the band!

http://popculturesafari.blogspot.com/2013_12_08_archive.html

The Beatles in EMI Studio Two, 1967. http://www.beatlesebooks.com/fixing-a-hole

Inside album photo for Sgt. Pepper
http://php.scripts.psu.edu/users/t/y/tyc5093/assignment7.html

The Beatles perform “I Am The Walrus” for the film Magical Mystery Tour. Photo Credit: Apple Films Ltd.

http://www.thirteen.org/13pressroom/press-release/great-performances-the-beatles-magical-mystery-tour/

Hello Good by video. 

http://beatlephotoblog.com/hello-goodbye-3

Memories of Yellow Submarine and the Beatles.The Beatles as they appeared in the end credits, searching for newer and Bluer Meanies. Screen shot-the Beatles end credit shot (Subafilms: 1968)  Fair use with no intent to compete or hinder copyright owner in any way.

http://www.examiner.com/slideshow/info-101-at-the-movies-164-yellow-submarine-to-thwart-blue-meanies-again#slide=2

Paul, John and George – “All You Need is Love” session. http://onabbeyroad.com/studioposes.html

The Beatles ham it up with a pre-production version of Yellow Submarine cardboard cutout. Promo 1968.  Jon Cramer was the senior artist who initially designed the Yellow Submarine, per designer Heinz Edelmann. As you can see - the submarine was still in it's pre-production stage. The large "P" on the tower would be replaced by a pink and white flower. The yellow submarine with this "P" was almost used as the final film version.

http://www.yellowsubmarineart.com/siteimages/siteimages_picture_1.htm

The Beatles made for TV promotion of their song "Revolution".
http://vimeo.com/channels/201136/22660096

”We went on the roof in order to resolve the live concert idea, because it was much simpler than going anywhere else; also nobody had ever done that, so it would be interesting to see what happened when we started playing up there. It was a nice little social study.

We set up a camera in the Apple reception area, behind a window so nobody could see it, and we filmed people coming in. The police and everybody came in saying, ‘You can’t do that! You’ve got to stop.’” – George Harrison (Anthology)

http://johannasvisions.com/today-the-beatles-played-the-rooftop-concert-apple-building-30-jan-1969-2/

Just four guys waiting at the Abby Road street crossing in London, England.

http://webodysseum.com/art/beatles-abbey-road-on-08-august-1969/

By 1970 the Beatles had accomplished everything they had hoped for as a band.  By this time they had formed their own record label for EMI (Apple) and continued to record as four solo artists.  Apple added other artists to their label - James Taylor, Mary Hopkins, Badfinger and even Yoko Ono had a go at it! 

We have collected a few articles which discuss the Beatles record sales numbers and illustrate what a force they were in the recording industry and the music world.



"Rolling Stone"

'On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2'

debuted at Number Seven

Early photo of the band after meeting with manager Brian Epstein.  The Beatles have a lot of respect for Freda' … Film-maker Ryan White. Photograph: V&A Images/Getty Images

The Beatles have granted permission for their music to be used in a documentary about their longtime secretary, Freda Kelly. Four of the band's tunes have been licensed for Good Ol' Freda, in what is a major coup for the indie production.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/feb/21/beatles-music-documentary-secretary

By KORY GROW

November 21, 2013 3:50 PM ET

The latest Beatles release, On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2, has debuted at Number Seven on the Billboard 200, making it the Fab Four's 31st Top 10 album. The album, which contains recordings the group made between 1962 and 1964, sold 37,000 copies according to Billboard.

On Air is the sequel to the group's 1994 album Live at the BBC, which debuted at Number Three and sold 360,000 copies; that release returned to the charts this week, too, reaching Number 34. The last time the band was in the Top 10 was when their greatest hits comp 1 from 2000 returned to the upper echelons of the chart in 2011, though their last original compilation to make it into the Top 10 was the 2006 release Love that complemented the Cirque du Soleil show of the same name.

Read Our List of the 100 Greatest Beatles Songs

The Beatles are not, however, the group with the most Top 10s. That distinction still belongs to the Rolling Stones, who have amassed 36 since forming. They made their most recent entrance into the Top 10 in 2005 with their last original album, A Bigger Bang.

Billboard has also updated its list of the artists with the most Top 10 releases since it began tabulating record sales in 1956. Following the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra comes in at Number Two with 33 Top 10 releases. Barbra Streisand is Number Three with 32, the Beatles just earned their slot at Number Four with 31 and Elvis Presley is Number Five with 27 Top 10 releases.

Like the Beatles, Elvis extended his record for the most charted albums this week when his album Merry Christmas . . . Love, Elvis, debuted at Number 147. It's his 129th LP to make the chart. The artist with the second-most charted albums in Billboard history is Frank Sinatra with 82.

"Rolling Stone"

"Forbes"

How The Beatles Earned $71 Million This Year, Sort Of

Zack O'Malley Greenburg  Forbes Staff The Beat Report: I cover the business of music & entertainment.

A song written by Harry Nilsson (and often attributed, incorrectly, to the Beatles) once declared one the loneliest number. It’s safe to say that $71 million is much more enjoyable. That’s how much the group’s four principal members—including the late John Lennon and George Harrison—combined to earn over the past year.

That number, an estimate gleaned from conversations with industry veterans and data sources like Pollstar, includes individual earnings as well as cash from the ongoing sale of Beatles records and ventures like the Cirque du Soleil show Love!, which is based on the music of the Fab Four.

Paul McCartney leads the way with $47 million. The highest-earning Beatle dead or alive, his haul was fueled by live solo gigs, where he grosses over $4 million per city. He also earns big from music publishing—both from his own songwriting and from copyrights he owns of artists including Buddy Holly. His latest album, New, debuted Oct. 15.

More than 30 years after his untimely death, Lennon is No. 2 among the Beatles in annual earnings, thanks to his extensive list of songwriting credits. As such, he cashes in on record sales, radio play and productions like Love!

The Fab Four’s drummer, Ringo Starr, ranks third with $6 million. He wrote far fewer songs than his bandmates, but makes up for the lack of publishing income by touring as the frontman of Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. He’s played over 200 shows in the past 15 years and grosses about $300,000 per night, about one-tenth what McCartney gets.

Perhaps the most underrated Beatle, the late Harrison wasn’t as prolific a songwriter as Lennon and McCartney, but he still penned hits including “Here Comes The Sun” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” That keeps him neck-and-neck with Starr at $6 million.

McCartney’s earnings, originally calculated for our annual Celebrity 100 issue, are from June 2012 through June 2013. The estimates for the other three principal Beatles are from October 2012 through October 2013. Taxes and management fees are not deducted.

The combined $71 million is more than any living musical act over the past year besides Madonna ($125 million), Lady Gaga ($80 million) and Bon Jovi ($79 million), and more than any deceased act besides Michael Jackson ($160 million).

Individually, the Beatles could still do more to exploit their images—Bob Marley earned 50% more from beyond the grave than John Lennon, thanks not only to his music but to the launch of his Mellow Mood relaxation drink and House of Marley consumer electronics brand.

A set of John Lennon branded headphones? Imagine all the profits—but don’t bet on it.

"Forbes"

The Beatles Album Sales Statistics

Statistic Verification

Source: RIAA, Apple Records, EMI

Research Date: 2.19.2014

Let’s not kid ourselves, the Beatles were the biggest band on the planet, period. If you disagree just let the stats below do the talking. Over 2 billion albums sold! Come on! How many people have sold 2 billion of anything let alone recorded music? Their recording studio may as well have been a money printing mint.

The Beatles Total Album Sales Statistics	Data
Total Albums Sold	2,303,500,000
Total Albums Sold on iTunes	585,000
Total Singles Sold on iTunes	2.8 Million
Sales By Available Markets
United States	209.1 Million
Canada	13.6 Million
United Kingdom	7.5 Million
Germany	7.3 Million
France	3.1 Million
Australia	2.8 Million
Japan	1.9 Million
Argentina	1.6 Million
Brazil	600,000
Sweden	584,000
Austria	570,000
Switzerland	450,000
Beatles Billboard Chart Statistics
Total weeks on chart	1,278 weeks
Total number ones	15
Total weeks at number one	175 weeks
Album with longest time spent at number one ("Please Please Me")	30 weeks

http://www.statisticbrain.com/the-beatles-total-album-sales/

Before the Beatles' catalog was placed on compact disk, many of the band's music in the United States was available in different configurations on sometimes differently named albums.

For example, those of us who grew up in the 1960s and 70s remember LPs such as Meet the Beatles, Something New and Yesterday and Today, which were never released in Britain.

Capitol Records did this, mainly, to put out more Beatles product early in the band's career and also to do some catching up with the band's output in Britain, where they hit the charts a full year ahead of the U.S.

The Capitol albums were more numerous, featured fewer tracks, and sometimes altered mixes and edits and extra studio processing, such as heavy echo.

The American soundtracks for "A Hard Day's Night" and "Help!," both issued on the United Artists label, were also different, featuring George Martin's instrumental tracks from both films. 

Whereas the Beatles only rarely put songs released as singles on their LPs, Capitol had no qualms about double-dipping, putting singles out as 7-inch singles and including them on LPs.

Once the Beatles' output slowed down a bit with Sgt. Pepper, the albums in the U.S. and U.K. featured the same names and track lineups.

Many fans prefer the English versions. Those are the LPs the Beatles themselves approved for release. But some of us also are nostalgic about the Capitol LPs, even those the label screwed up with too much echo and haphazard track selection and sequencing. Not to mention, the tossed off cover art.

Capitol has released most of the American albums on a pair of CD box sets, but now comes news of a new, bigger, better collection. Out January 21, The Beatles U.S. Albums features all 13 of the band's pre-Pepper U.S. releases.

The albums also will be available individually on CD (click the individual album links below), which comes as good news to folks who want to cherry pick their favorites and/or those that are "most different" from their British cousins. No word on vinyl, yet. 

Some additional info on the box:
These new releases seek to replicate the unique listening experience heard by Americans at the time by preserving the sequences, timings, and artwork found on the albums. Capitol’s engineers in the 1960s took great care to produce what they believed to be the best possible sound for the playback equipment in use at that time. Due to the limitations of the record players of the day, engineers often compressed the sound by raising the volume of the softer passages and lowering the volume for the louder parts of the songs. They also reduced the bass frequencies since too much bass could cause the record to skip. In some cases, reverb was added to the tracks to make them sound more “American.”The CDs are packaged in miniature vinyl sleeves that faithfully recreate the original U.S. LP releases down to the finest detail, including the inner sleeves. 11 original U.S. albums presented in both mono and stereo. Hey Jude and The Beatles’ Story are in stereo only. A Hard Day’s Night [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack], The Beatles’ Story, Yesterday And Today, Hey Jude and the U.S. version of Revolver are presented on CD for the first time.Yesterday And Today features the original album cover of The Beatles posing with raw meat and baby dolls. The package also comes with a collectible sticker of the subsequent Yesterday And Today cover art. Also included is a 64-page booklet which includes a new essay examining the U.S. albums and their historical significance, written by American author and television executive Bill Flanagan. The box set’s dimensions are: 6 inches wide x 6 1/8 inches tall x 3 ¼ inches thick.

http://popculturesafari.blogspot.com/2013_12_08_archive.html

Much in the world has changed since the Beatles recorded their last album and disbanded.  Both John and George have passed away.  Ringo's hair is much shorter and thinner these days.  The USSR is now dissolved so there in no USSR to go back to.  Shea Stadium has been torn down and now music fans are at the mercy of ituns and MP3's. So now we are out of time for this week.  Wish we could have done more for this very important Beatles Anniversary but all good things must come to an end. I'm Felicity for the "Noodleman Group".

http://jacobsaurusrex.tumblr.com/

 

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