On April 9th, 1971, Ringo Starr made his first major statement as a solo artist. After a pair of lackluster solo albums in Sentimental Journey (1970) and Beaucoups of Blues(1970), the ex-Beatle released the blockbuster single “It Don’t Come Easy” b/w “Early 1970,” a record that would set into motion an impressive string of commercial successes that, for […]
Everything Fab Four: The Beatles in March 1969
For the Beatles, March 1969 found the bandmates at a crossroads. Having succeeded in bringing the Get Back project to a landing, albeit a bumpy one, in January, they went their separate ways for a much-needed respite from life in Beatlemania’s unremitting spotlight. First, there was March 12th, 1969, when Paul McCartney and fiancée Linda Eastman exchanged […]
Everything Fab Four: The Beatles Play Carnegie Hall!
Organized by famed promoter Sid Bernstein, the Beatles performed a pair of concerts at New York City’s celebrated Carnegie Hall on February 12, 1964. Having just returned from their appearance at Washington, DC’s Coliseum, the Beatles sold out both shows, for which the Briarwoods served as the supporting act. The Beatles’ appearance at Carnegie Hall […]
Everything Fab Four: George Harrison Quits the Beatles
In January 1969, George Harrison was at tenterhooks. Life with the Beatles was becoming increasingly too much to bear. Harrison had spent the past few months producing an album by Apple recording artist Jackie Lomax, as well as hanging out with Bob Dylan and the Band, who had developed enormous respect for Harrison’s musicianship. It […]
Everything Fab Four: Ray Connolly’s “Being John Lennon”
With his recent book Being Elvis: A Lonely Life, veteran British journalist Ray Connolly offered a rare glimpse behind the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s dizzying highs and soul-crushing lows. His latest work, entitled Being John Lennon: A Restless Life, affords the Beatles legend with similar treatment, reminding us about the powerful, always wavering spirit […]