The Beatles • I Want To Hold Your Hand

Left to right: George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney.

Fifty years ago, there was a revolution going on in the music world, and it wasn't an American Revolution. Quite the opposite, really. By the summer of 1964, the British Invasion was in full force, as artists from the UK were entrenched in a hostile take-over of the Billboard charts. It was The Beatles who announced the start of the invasion, with the release of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" in December of 1963. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #45, but soon scaled the chart and became the first Lennon/McCartney song to top the chart in the United States. The week of February 1st, the song was #1, and it stayed there for seven straight weeks. And what knocked it out of the top spot? It was "She Loves You", which spent a few weeks at #2, and then two weeks at #1. But it all began with the four lads from Liverpool singing "I Want To Hold Your Hand".

Have a great weekend!

The Beatles • In the Beginning

Left to right:Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Pete Best, and George Harrison.

In 1961, Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers released a recording of "My Bonnie", a modern take on the Scottish folk favorite, "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean". What makes this to be something of interest to most people is the fact that the Beat Brothers were not always known by that name. Soon they would become famous world-wide as The Beatles. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best played with Tony Sheridan, an English Rock 'N Roller on an album, most notably the Scottish tune. The song did well on the British charts, and also went to #26 on the US Billboard Hot 100 when released in 1964.The album was a combination of Rock classics, Blues favorites, and some traditional Folk songs. But the star of the lot was "My Bonnie", by Tony Sheridan and featuring the Beat Brothers.

While the song started out like a traditional Folk take on the song, it soon became a Rock song, influenced by Americans like Buddy Holly and the Crickets. You can find "My Bonnie" on the album 'The Beatles: In the Beginning Featuring Tony Sheridan', available on iTunes and Amazon.

Left to right:Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.

It was not long before the Beat Brothers had hooked up with manager Brian Epstein, changed their name to The Beatles, and set about recording their own music. In 1962, the band released their first single, which also happened to be the first of their songs penned by Lennon and McCartney. "Love Me Do" was met with some success, especially considering it was their first ever. And when it was re-released in 1964, the song went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. This is John, Paul, George and new drummer Ringo Starr singing "Love Me Do".

The song on the B-side of "Love Me Do" was another track written by Lennon and McCartney, already showing the way the two boys from Liverpool were taking over Pop music. "PS I Love You" was also met with much praise, and had a life of it's own. While not meant as a single early on, the song did go to #10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. The simple love song charmed it's way into be a favorite fo many Beatles fans around the world. Interestingly enough, record producer George Martin was not sold on Ringo, and brought in drummer Andy White to play on this track, while Starr shook the maracas. While Martin remained unsure, once the fans and the other members of the band got behind him, Ringo found his place. This is The Beatles singing "PS I Love You".

Needless to say, this was just the start of an incredible journey of four boys from Liverpool, England. It wasn't long before they were ruling the world of music. On February 9, 1964, The Beatles appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show', and the screaming girls in the audience were signals that music was never going to be the same again. Until they broke up in 1970, the band topped the charts and proved John Lennon to be correct when he suggested that the Beatles were 'more popular than Jesus Christ'. You can purchase "Love Me Do" and "PS I Love You" on the album 'The Early Beatles' from iTunes.

Sunday Morning with The Beatles

I thought it might be ease into the Sunday morning with George, John, Paul and Ringo. That is right, I mean The Beatles! The iconic band of the 60s and 70s, known more, perhaps, for their rock and upbeat songs, had their share of ballads. On of the most love is This Boy, one of my favorite songs, was a B-side in 1963, but showcased the writing of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison.



This video uses the Beatles song Across The Universe, but uses images captured by the Hubble telescope, making this a true intergalactic collaboration. It was written by John Lennon in 1968, and certainly has the lyrical beauty of a Lennon classic.



And, finally, there is the beautiful song In My Life, here done with a video compilation from other sources, but a wonderful tribute to the band and this amazing song. The song was released in 1963, appearing on the Rubber Soul album. Written by Lennon/McCartney, is certainly showcases why their catalog of songs has become iconic.

April 15 - Tax Day

What Better Way to announce the day than with the Beatles in cartoon form, singing about the Taxman. Here's to John, Paul, Ringo and George.