No love for Pepper

Monday was definately an exciting day of Beatles news. Hope you all didn't miss it.

Here is something I didn't notice until "Beatles Examiner" Steve pointed it out...it was also the anniversary of Sgt. Pepper. Granted it was the 42nd and not something special like the 30th, 50th or something.

Still that got lost in all this confusion. So kudos to ROCK BAND for generating so much excitement that it overshadows the great Sgt. Pepper!

100

Apparently my next episode will be the 100th episode......technically.

We actually passed the 100 mark sometime ago, but when I started achieving the show in July 2006 (when it officially "returned"), the numbering in feed started at 1. Going by that numbering, episode 99 was just released yesterday.

Go figure.

It's going to be a long summer

Wow. This is going to be really awesome.

I already pre-ordered mine. This is also going to help all these youngins appreciate the Beatles too. New Beatle fans!

Would you look at those graphics? The thing that amazes me is the accuracy in the "Get Back" sequence.

I must play this now!

Beatles Examiner

At one early point in this blog's evolution I wanted to make this a hardcore Beatles news blog. I don't have the time to keep it up (as some of you can see with the way the podcast comes out).

Another reason why I abandoned that idea is because it's already being done and it's being done better than I could ever do it.

You guys should know Steve as he's been a great friend to the podcast and an occasional co-host.

Check out his Beatles Examiner website and his original Beatles news website. Nobody does it better.

Reading

I've had a few people ask me about the Beatles books I've read over the years and if I could list them.

While this isn't a complete list right now (I'll be adding more over the week) here are some highlights (and lowlights) on a new section of the website!

I am chocolate?

I saw this for the first time about a year or so ago.

It gets weirder....according to WIKI

"The 'Bertie Beetle Bonanza' was created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Bertie Beetle in 2003"

Woah.

I have never heard of this candy bar or the "Bonanza" until last year. Could it have been subconscious? I doubt it. Like I said, "Bonanza" was the suggestion of another DJ otherwise the show would've been called "Bertone Beatle Bash". Perhaps she was subconciously influenced......hmmmm.

May/Nancy, Roadtrip, Atlanta and That's 70's Show.....SLIDESHOW EDITION!

Check out the podcast version of this trip here!

This entry is one of the reasons this blog is a good idea. I am able to capture some stuff that just doesn't come through on the podcast. For example...if you think I was full of hot air about some of the May Pang/Nancy Andrews stuff, I have some photos...

Now share my advanced version of a road trip sideshow!



Here is Highway 41...the middle of nowhere. It's Wednesday and I am starting my trek to Georgia!





I've crossed the state line! I feel so accomplished. I've never driven to another state by myself before.....maybe I should find other things to get excited about. By the way, I pulled over for the pictures, I'm not driving off the road!



Here is my hotel room. I didn't spend much time there, but it was a place to rest my head during all the fun.



The next day I went to the Hagerdorn Gallery a bit early. I wanted to pick up some copies of the book. I got to see Nancy Andrews and May Pang, as well as a sneak preview of the exhibit! Nancy even signed a copy of her book early!



This is the (iconic) picture of Ringo which greeted people when they walked in.



I'm a comic book lover, and I missed new comic book day the previous day. It was interesting going to a different store in a different state to catch up on my books. I told you I was weird!



I went to the mall and saw this odd arrangement in the parking garage. You can't see the full picture...but the sign is saying to go right while on the right we are told "do not enter".

HUH!



Now I'm inside the mall enjoying my lunch and devouring Nancy Andrews book....this is the part she signed!



On my way back to the gallery, two things happened. I got stuck in Atlanta traffic (which is apparently famous) and got lost...which was half of the point in me scoping it out earlier in the day!



I made it, and here are the stuff being sold and signed. You could bet I bought everything on that table and got it signed. May and Nancy were troopers signing until the wee hours of the night.



This was one of the most amazing pieces. The original camera Nancy took the pictures in during the 70's and the original copies. THE ORIGINAL COPIES.



The stars of the show...John Lennon's former girlfriend May Pang and Ringo Starr's ex-fiancee Nancy Andrews. Old friends from the 70's reunited.



Nancy mingling with fans of her photos.




May also made the rounds answering every question she could.



Nancy's introduction which ran across the stairs.



The reception was 3 hours long on a Thursday night and it still had many people coming, some staying until after the official closing!







I had May Pang take the picture of Nancy and I, and Nancy take the picture of May and I. This way I would have an "Andrews original" and a "Pang original" portrait of myself and a Beatle muse! We then had our friends at the gallery take some of all three of us together. I love how May's shot gives Nancy the Ringo POPE hat!



May signing a book for a fan who turned out to be a photographer of 70's rockers herself! You can hear her story and a Captain Planet singalong on the podcast! She and May sat in a corner calling old mutual friends.



Where I told Nancy Andrews I was going to see Star Trek (it was premiering in a few hours), we both attempted to do the hand sign. She was better than I was.



I'm at the theater seeing Star Trek. It was good. I've always been a Star Wars guy but I enjoyed myself. I felt stupid for not realizing Spock was Sylar from HEROES (my new obsession).





The next day (last Friday) I drove back down to Florida. A few miles from the state line, I saw some signs for a used book store. It said "all books under 4 dollars" so I decided to check it out. I got a nice Beatles book, an Elvis one and some reality show fiction thriller.





Crossing the state line back to Florida! Once again I am not driving off the road, I'm pulled over.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. This has gone down as one my best Bertone Beatle Bonanza memories. This is right up there with the Pete Best Band back stage access from 2006...maybe even better! I look forward to more like this!

Here are some useful links to check out!

May Pang on Twitter.
May Pang's official website.
May Pang on Facebook.
May Pang on Myspace.
Instamatic Karma website.
Nancy Andrews on Facebook.
Nancy Andrews official site.
Nancy Andrews on Iconic Photos.
Hagerdon Gallery
Bertone Beatle Bonanza interview with May Pang
Bertone Beatle Bonanza interview with Nancy Andrews

Roadtrip!

I'm in Georgia right now enjoying myself.

This will be a very memorable episode of "Bertone Beatle Bonanza". I've already met May Pang and Nancy Andrews in person. I'll be getting my books signed and doing interviews. I'll even be giving away a copy of "Instamatic Karma" in a contest on the podcast!

I'm taking pictures and will post them on this blog (I knew it was good for something) when I get back!

Road trip!

We need new "Bertone Beatle Bonanza" podcast.

At least I should update the blog.

Actually there is a big episode and blog entry coming up.

Georgia road trip tomorrow to see May Pang and Nancy Andrews art show. I'll take pictures and record different things. Should be fun!

New Layout

Thanks APPLE (my friend from "The Batman Universe" podcast) for pimping out my blog.

I suppose it'll be worth it to update this thing more now. I suppose I should update the podcast again soon.

I actually do have another interview done last month, just is undergoing some heavy editing. Happy April!

We're Back!

Back from the break and a new episode has been posted with returning guest, Beatles Examiner Steve!

Hope you all enjoy!

It's good to be back.

Check this blog space out because my Batman friend Apple will be doing some crazy edits with the layout!

On a break

Bertone and Bertone Beatle Bonanza have been super busy and are on a break. Be back soon!

More NEW Beatles

Every now and then we have the media annouce something as "the new Beatles". It never turns out to be.

TWITTER is the latest "Beatles".

In other news I ran out of disk space today. I cleared some of it up but it's only temporary and not alot. Tons of podcasts I've done backed up on here as well as Beatles related mp3's. It was only a matter of time. I will be putting some non-important stuff on discs and jump drives and eventually get a secondary hard drive.

RAM on

A tribute to RAM is coming out.

I approve. I more than approve.

RAM is one of my favorite McCartney albums. Whenever I'm on a roadtrip, it's always one of the albums I'll play to make the drive go by quicker. In fact I just repeated this tactic weeks ago.

We don't know how much of the album and lyrics were actually about the other Beatles, but it's fun to speculate. You can just feel how liberated Paul is letting all the feelings out on the album. The climax of the album with the fadeout of "Back Seat Of My Car" is an album conclusion that is hard to be topped in my book.

In other news, this is our 50th blog entry!

We all live

I started blogging last night when my computer had a power outage. Wasn't too happy about that.

I figure it's time for a normal episode of "Bertone Beatle Bonanza" again. All these interviews, specials, Wings Wednesdays and Monday Reports are cool, but I realize J-Term was our last STRAIGHT NORMAL episode. I will try and get one out this weekend.

Dhani Harrison is starting to become the official Beatles spokesperson. We've learned two interesting items from him as discussed on the podcast

1) The Beatles: Rock Band will contain unreleased songs and

2) The Beatles may decide to digitally sell their music through the website since iTunes isn't working out.

Selling it through their website exclusively is interesting. I do hope we can get on track with iTunes though...

In other podcast news my co-host and I are also on a show called Couch Potatoes where we jabber about TV.

I found a used book store in Tampa this last weekend that had some CHEAP out of print Beatles books. I could have easily spent over 50 dollars there but I controlled myself and only spent a few bucks. Can't wait to read some of them and to go back when I have more money!!

I also bought two books specifically on the making of the YELLOW SUBMARINE film. As I've said before I enjoy the Beatles books when they are more focused on paritcular aspects. This way they bring something more to the table than the other ones do. Now I can become a YELLOW SUBMARINE movie expert.

Not much activity on this blog lately, but plenty of activity elsewhere.

I just posted the first three episodes of the Beatles cartoon up on the website! Be sure to check it out.

The Pete Best Band has annouced that they will not be touring the US this year which saddens me somewhat. They put on a great show and they haven't been to Florida since 2006, so I was looking forward to seeing them again.

Still they will be touring different parts of the world and seeing new sites so I can't fault them for wanting to do that.

Beatles video game news

A release date for the Beatles video game has been annouced. The key word is "number nine" (I wonder if that song will figure in...)

9/9/09

Oh yeah. I thought we were going to have to wait until Christmas so this is awesome!!

I am getting a copy. I'll even be TRYING to get an early press review copy.

It has a website now but isn't much. For all the fuss they were making about how this game will not be a "Rock Band" spinoff, they are now calling it BEATLES ROCK BAND. I hope the name is changed but if it isn't I can live with it.

This is the REASON I own an Xbox360!!! (gamertag bertonebeatle by the way).

It's March

Hope all is well! The podcast and the webpage have been doing alot of growing last month. We did nine shows in one month which is a record for us!

Maybe we'll break it this month...

We also did lots of interviews. My one with Nancy Andrews will air this weekend!

Obama

This article claims that Obama is now bigger than The Beatles. I'd take it seriously if it's reasoning wasn't flawed. It also wants us to believe Obama is bigger than God.

I've seen many articles over the years claiming that everyone from "Wings", "Hannah Montana" "Nsync" "Batman" to "Twilight The Movie" as "bigger than the Beatles".

First of all, when you claim to be "bigger than the Beatles", that is just showing how big the Beatles are in the first place. The statement itself is a contradiction. If you are bigger than the Beatles, prove it.

Decades later we still have thousands of books being published by associates of them, albums being released with their music being recorded in different genres.

Can we say this about any other phenomenons?

Obama might wind up being "bigger than the Beatles" though. Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, it's hard to argue the presence of Obamamania.

Bigger than the Beatles? Let's see what people are saying in a few decades...

Laurence Juber interview

The interview with former Wings member Laurence Juber is now posted. The breakup with Wings was always very ambiguous and I was always very curious about what went down. Laurence helped clear up some myths. Also turns out he is Sherwood Schwartz's son-in-law. I also find out about an unmade Wings movie that I had never heard of.

This interview had some issues. For one I had a sore throat, and the recording program kept malfunctioning. When I went to edit the sound stuff it turned out the interview was deleted from my computer! I was horrified but luckily I was able to recover it. Laurence was great to have on and his body of work is awesome. I hope you all enjoy the interview.

Whoops

Wow. Been a while since the last blog post. On the upside, I have been pretty good about putting new episodes out this month. Even have a new feature called the "Monday Report". Let's see if we that will be as "regular" as Wednesdays With Wings.

Speaking of Wings, I interviewed Laurence Juber earlier this week. Podcast should be up later this weekend when I get time.

Also getting ready to put the picture and lyrics databases on the site. Rick is working on the lyrics and I am currently organizing the picture database on Flickr. Tagging and naming is tedious when it's over 1000 pics! Thank you Alex for donating the pics!

Like I said it's been a busy month. Hopefully the blog won't lapse!

Work has been keeping me busy lately. Like I've said before, 2009 is proving to be a really busy year.

Eric is back from his Beatlequest overseas and we should see, or hear, him back on the show soon.

I haven't been able to keep up with all the news due to my schedule, but apparently Decca Records is ending it's existence in the next few weeks. I wonder how different things would've been had they signed The Beatles.....

Well we would've had a Beatles history with no George Martin and less creativity control and possibly Pete Best over Ringo.

Hmmmm

I've also heard (but no article that I've seen has given a direct source yet...or I haven't found one) that Paul is cancelling his upcoming tour to stay home with his daughter Beatrice. If it's true good for him. In the 70's he dragged Heather, Mary, Stella and James everywhere but I suppose he wants to do things differently now. Wings tours were different anyway, especially the early ones.

At least it's not another "PAUL IS GETTING MARRIED" rumor. Can we stop with those? Please?

Still catching up on all my new Beatles books. Reading Julia Baird's (John's half sister) new book, but decided to read her old one first to do a compare. So far her new one is better as it's more in depth. Like Pauline Sutcliffe's book (Stu's sis), the author (also a sister of a deceased Beatle) seems to have some issues they are working through using the book.

Not that it's a bad thing. Julia seems like a nice person and her childhood was nothing short of tragic.

I'll try and post a new show soon.

Meantime some big stuff are coming up for the website.

Paul in space

I got sent this story by a few fans asking me if it's true...

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i46943

I can assure you all it's not. Look at the title of the publication for crying out loud!

LIVE

Apparently Paul will be performing live at the Grammy Awards.


Cool.

Paul's Soap Opera

I have this GOOGLE NEWS thing set up where it e-mails me headlines daily with anything that has keywords like "beatles" "john lennon" "paul mccartney" etc...

Apparently Heather Mills dating habits are still a big deal. She recently made some statements about her love life and I got the same story in about 20 different headlines. I knew some people would care but wow.

And now that Paul's live in girlfriend (remember Beatrice gave her permission to move in!) Nancy's divorce (I didn't even know she was married) is final, EVERYONE and their uncle is speculating about Paul proposing or wedding plans.

I predict that until any official change is made, we'll be seeing proposal and engagement rumors ENDLESSLY for a while now. Which kind of annoys me because I hate it when we get headlines out of "speculation" and unnamed "inside sources".

In other news, I am thinking about going to Beatlesfest (the NY one) this year. It would be my first. Any advice? Anyone going?

It does worry me that no guests have been announced yet. The guests would probably sway me one way or the other.

Jürgen Vollmer

I read Pauline Sutcliffe's memoir on Stuart in one day. Was alot more interesting and engaging than the one she did with Alan Clayton ("Backbeat") was.

On a side note, what is it with these Beatle people retelling their story in a second books years later? Pete Best, Cynthia Lennon, Julia Baird, May Pang and now Pauline. That is just off the top of my head, I am sure there are more.

I don't agree with all the theories and ideas presented in this book, but it was still a very nice read. She brought up Jürgen Vollmer and mentioned that she thought he had some resentment towards Astrid. This could be wrong and could just be her inference, but she thinks that Astrid gets some of Jurgen's credit for creating the Beatles look.

Looking back, Jurgen does lose alot of places in history and most of the Bealtes look (which Jurgen helped with...he did cut John and Paul's hair) came from him. In the movie "Backbeat" (which I am currently rewatching) he is absent altogether, even though he was there when Astrid met Stu.

Food for thought.

For those keeping score

I've been out of town and still settling back into things but I did catch SOME of the Howard Stern/Paul McCartney interview.

For those keeping score Paul has currently "quit pot" again.

Yeah we've heard this one more than we've heard about Let It Be DVD being released.

Back again

I am back from yet another trip. I seem to be traveling more than the Beatles in 1964 lately! You can find out more about that on my facebook, myspace or various other social networking stuff.

Lots of Beatle things to catch up on I wasn't hooked into the Beatles online world during those few days.

Was happy to find four new Beatle books in my mailbox. Not sure which one to read first. I am currently reading three at this one time, I'm like that.

Tampa Bloggers Meetup tonight at MOSI and I came representing BERTONE BEATLE BONANZA with my brothers as guest. Great fun and met some other bloggers.

I need to get some other stuff done, but figured this deserved an update as I've been gone.

Movies

I've rejoined some Beatles message boards I haven't been a part of or posted on in years. I'm doing it because I'd like to get more in touch with the Beatles community. The Pete Best message board has always been one of my favorites. A nice close knit group of devoted fans who really go above and beyond in promotion for The Pete Best Band.

That and I'm addicted to the forums arcade. I waste so much time on there.

One fan on the Shabby Road message board just sent me the mp3 of my May Pang interview from early 2005. WOW! Relistening to it brought back so many memories! I'll be posting it as a retro episode soon.

I've been watching some Beatles movies on the internet. Like bad biopics. Tonight's viewing pleasure was the 1979 tv movie "Birth Of The Beatles". Oh dear. I stopped counting mistakes. It was horrible. Hilarious though. So many errors my gosh.

The sad thing is Pete Best and Dick Clark worked on it so they should've known better, but perhaps there influence couldn't even save this.

The story about Paul and Pete lighting a condom on fire in the Hamburg club and it being put out? Yeah in the movie it's a full blown inferno.

Rumors

Rumors are flying that Michael Jackson is leaving the Beatles song rights to Paul McCartney in his will.

I'll believe it when I see proof. Just internet buzz. Next you'll tell me Paul is dead.

New Show Posted

First show of the year has been posted! My guest host this week to fill in for absent Eric is none other than Beatles Examiner writer and Abbeyrd webmaster Steve Marinucci. We discuss the Beatles news highlights of last year, the wonders of Ringo's "Caveman" movie and more.

Download and enjoy!

I'll be traveling again for a bit due to family issues, but I should be churning some more shows out this month with different guest hosts. A fan has also unearthed my May Pang interview which I haven't heard in years. It is the most requested rerun and I lost my master tapes years ago. I'll try and post it again soon.

Back From Vacation

Vacation is now over and it was grand but busy. I actually did so much going back and fourth that I needed a break from vacation!

I got some cool Beatles stuff for Christmas. I am too exhausted to make a full list but my family did good this year. One item of particular note was the Beatles Monopoly game. Those of you who read this know I posted about it months ago stating "I must have this". When I saw it, I looked at my Stepmom and asked if she knew from the blog. She didn't. I suppose she just knew from being my Stepmom or something.

Eric is actually on an epic Beatles hunt in Europe this month so we won't be seeing him until February. Lets hope he comes back with some stories.

We'll be doing our first show back in a few days. In place of Eric we will have another guest host. Some of you Beatle Bloggers may recognize him as he's been doing this Beatles Blogging for a long time now. You'll see when the show comes on..

Reread some Beatle books and saw the Beatles cartoons as I now have my DVDs of them. Wow. I will discuss those more in depth later.

Hope you all had a good vacation. Now lets get back to work!