Can't Buy Me Love

Front row, second from left, is a young Beatles fan

I was 10 years old on 4 April 1964, & I had a grade A infection of something that was going around called Beatlemania.  On this day 48 years ago,The Beatles held the top 5 positions on the pop charts, a feat has never been matched by any other artist to date. The top 5 songs were Can't Buy Me Love, Twist & Shout, She Loves You, I Want to Hold Your Hand, & Please, Please Me.

My father & I had one of our few fights, when he remarked: “She Loves You, yeah, yeah, yeah? You call that music?”  He was only 34 years & already a bit of a square, but, he loved Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & so did I. I loved his music & I was frightened that he hated mine.

Despite my parent's rejection of early Beatles music, they reluctantly came around, with my Mother knocking on my bedroom door one afternoon, requesting another playing of Yesterday (the most covered song in pop music history). My parental units gave me the gift of Beatles music for Christmas for 40 years. I remain a lifelong fan of the Fab Four.

Favorite Beatle: George

Favorite Beatle Song: A Day In The Life

Favorite George Harrison Song: While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Favorite Lennon/McCartney Song: In My Life

Favorite John Lennon Song: Come Together

Favorite Paul McCartney Song: Blackbird

Yes, I understand that all songs, except those written by George or Ringo, are considered the Lennon/McCartney catalog, but recently Yoko Ono has given her blessing separating the songwriting credits.

Today marks the accomplishment of The Beatles having the top 5 songs on the charts, but it does not stop with that landmark. Also in the top 40 on 4 April 1964: I Saw Her Standing There, You Can't Do That, All My Loving, Roll Over Beethoven, From Me To You, Do You Want To Know A Secret?  & Thank You Girl.

You've Got To Hide Your Love Away... A Consideration of Brian Epstein On His 77th Birthday

John Lennon: “I was on holiday with Brian Epstein in Spain, where the rumours went around that he & I were having a love affair. Well, it was almost a love affair, but not quite. It was never consummated. But it was a pretty intense relationship. It was my first experience with a homosexual that I was conscious was homosexual. He had admitted it to me. We had this holiday together because Cynthia was pregnant, & I went to Spain & there were lots of funny stories. We used to sit in a cafe in Torremolinos looking at all the boys and I'd say, 'Do you like that one, do you like this one?' I was rather enjoying the experience, thinking like a writer all the time: I am experiencing this, you know. Eppy just kept on & on at me, until one night, I finally just pulled me trousers down & said to him: ‘Oh, for Christ's sake, Brian, here, just stick it up me fucking arse then.'

He said to me, ‘Actually, John, I don't do that kind of thing. That's not what I like to do.’ "Well," I said, ‘what is it you like to do?’ & he said, ‘I'd really just like to touch you, John.’ & so I let him toss me off, & that was it... Yeah, so fucking what! He's having a fucking hard time anyway. So what harm did it do, for fuck's sake? No harm at all. The poor fucking bastard, he can't help the way he is.”

This Spanish holiday was later dramatized in the rather well done 1991 film- The Hours & Times, with David Angus as Epstein & Ian Hart Lennon.

Epstein certainly led an interesting life. Born during the depression in the 1930's, At the age of 16 he started working in his parent’s Liverpool department store & soon realized he was born to sell. His father promoted him to managing the record department, as the family business- "NEMS" expanded.

In December of 1961, Epstein assumed his role as Manager of the Beatles. After seeing them play at a Liverpool club in their leather jackets, smoking cigarettes & swearing on stage he immediately decided to change their image. Changing their look & stage presence, he purchased Mod Mohair suits for the boys, insisted on their signature haircuts & made a dogged effort to get them gigs.he sacked the drummer-Pete Best so that he could be replaced by Ringo. He pitched The Beatles to the various record labels, determined to get them signed to a recording contract. After being rejected by Decca, among other labels he managed to get them signed with EMI. Initially The Beatles weren't completely confident or trustful of "Eppie", but through his hard work & devotion he earned their respect & admiration.

It was no secret that Epstein was gay. In school he recalled being "ragged, nagged & bullied", & dropped out at the age of 16. He was drafted into the Army but after 10 months he was discharged for being "mentally unfit" afte once again being harassed & bullied. Epstein began pursuing his sexual interest in men. In 1956 he was arrested for propositioning several men in a subway lavatory, a victim of an undercover sting, pleading guilty Epstein was fined & released.

The Beatles knew that Epstein was a homosexual. Although he was professional & a distinguished business man, his double life wasn't always as private as he wanted it to be. There were relentless rumors that Epstein was in love with John Lennon. Epstein was very attracted John's talent, his wittiness & his good looks. He was not able to look John in the eye when speaking with him for fear he would reveal his secret. Actually, John was completely aware of Epsteins's feelings toward him & was sometimes teased by his mates about "Eppie's" subtle advances. The gossip began.

Epstein also managed Gerry & The Pacemakers & Cilla Black. He appeared on television a number of times, & hosted a regular slot on one of my favorite shows- Hullabaloo.

As The Beatles' career was soaring, Epstein found himself less involved in the routine daily operations. The Beatles empire was growing & Epstein was no longer holding the key. Epstein was feeling insecure about his future with the boys, his contract was due to expire as manager, & he feared it would not be renewed. He would remain their manager until his death. He began a downward spiral, becoming depressed & driven by his drug addiction, he was drinking, gambling, tripping on LSD, & popping pills. Epstein's lifestyle became more than he could handle.

When The Beatles went to India to meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in August 1967, it was the first time they had gone anywhere without Brian being in charge. Epstein had seemed interested in what Maharishi had to offer, but it was a Bank Holiday weekend and he was committed to spending it with friends.The Beatles were like kids allowed to play without their nanny. John: "like going somewhere without your trousers on"

While in India, The Beatles received word that Epstein, who was just 32, had died, disillusioned & alone from a drug overdose. The Beatles were devastated & in shock. He was their friend, their enabler, their hero. He was irreplaceable. After Epstein's death The Beatles were like orphans, & that was when underlying tensions & resentments began to surface. John said it was the beginning of the end of The Beatles. John Lennon: "He was in love with me. It’s interesting & will make a nice Hollywood Babylon story someday about Brian Epstein’s sex life, but its irrelevant, absolutely irrelevant." Double Life/Double Fantasy, the secret was not buried with Brian Epstein.

He Would Have Been 70 Today

Today is John Lennon’s birthday. He’s probable the most celebrated songwriter of all time, & easily one of the most famous people of the 20th century. He was assassinated. He died a revolutionary & a somewaht of a martyr. I loved him. I still listen to his music.

Despite what you hear on the radio these days, writing pop music is difficult. The very best pop music is sad & beautiful, both inspirational & existential.


Julia is not a rocker or a message song. It grew out of the guitar lessons John & Paul took from the ethereal- Donovan, during their time in India.


Julia has no soaring melody, no harmonies, no clever arrangement, no discernible chorus, & no instrumentation except Lennon on guitar. The song lacks everything that made The Beatles are known for.


Lennon said that telling the truth in his songs as being more important than anything else. Julia has no social cause or great message, instead it is the lament of distressed man still coping with childhood with no mother. The mood is sad & low-key, & you can feel Lennon’s humanity. That is the loveliest thing a great artist can give his audience.


I have deep passion for Beatle history, & I am looking forward to the release next week of Nowhere Boy, a new film that imagines the 15 year old John Lennon.

Hide Your Love Away... A Consideration On The Occasion Of the Birthday Of Brian Epstein

John Lennon: “I was on holiday with Brian Epstein in Spain, where the rumours went around that he & I were having a love affair. Well, it was almost a love affair, but not quite. It was never consummated. But it was a pretty intense relationship. It was my first experience with a homosexual that I was conscious was homosexual. He had admitted it to me. We had this holiday together because Cynthia was pregnant, & I went to Spain & there were lots of funny stories. We used to sit in a cafe in Torremolinos looking at all the boys and I'd say, 'Do you like that one, do you like this one?' I was rather enjoying the experience, thinking like a writer all the time: I am experiencing this, you know. Eppy just kept on & on at me, until one night, I finally just pulled me trousers down & said to him: ‘Oh, for Christ's sake, Brian, here, just stick it up me fucking arse then.'


He said to me, ‘Actually, John, I don't do that kind of thing. That's not what I like to do.’
"Well," I said, ‘what is it you like to do?’ & he said, ‘I'd really just like to touch you, John.’
& so I let him toss me off, & that was it... Yeah, so fucking what! He's having a fucking hard time anyway. So what harm did it do, for fuck's sake? No harm at all. The poor fucking bastard, he can't help the way he is.”


This Spanish holiday was later dramatized in the rather well done 1991 film- The Hours & Times, with David Angus & Ian Hart as Epstein & Lennon.

Brian Epstein certainly led an interesting life. Born during the depression in the 1930's, At the age of 16 he started working in his parent’s Liverpool department store & soon realized he was born to sell. His father promoted him to managing the record department, as the family business- "NEMS" expanded.


In December of 1961, Epstein assumed his role as Manager of the Beatles. After seeing them play at a Liverpool club in their leather jackets, smoking cigarettes & swearing on stage he immediately decided to change their image. Changing their look & stage presence, he purchased Mod Mohair suits for the boys, insisted on their signature haircuts & made a dogged effort to get them gigs.he sacked the drummer-Pete Best so that he could be replaced by Ringo.  He pitched The Beatles to the various record labels, determined to get them signed to a recording contract. After being rejected by Decca, among other labels he managed to get them signed with EMI. Initially The Beatles weren't completely confident or trustful of "Eppie", but through his hard work & devotion he earned their respect & admiration.

It was no secret that Brian Epstein was gay. In school he recalled being "ragged, nagged & bullied", & dropped out at the age of 16. He was drafted into the Army but after 10 months he was discharged for being "mentally unfit" afte once again being harassed & bullied. Epstein began pursuing his sexual interest in men. In 1956 he was arrested for propositioning several men in a subway lavatory, a victim of an undercover sting, pleading guilty Epstein was fined & released.

The Beatles knew that Epstein was gay. Although he was professional & a distinguished business man, his double life wasn't always as private as he wanted it to be. There were relentless rumors that Epstein was in love with John Lennon. Epstein was very attracted John's talent, his wittiness & his good looks. He was not able to look John in the eye when speaking with him for fear he would reveal his secret. Actually, John was completely aware of Epsteins's feelings toward him & was sometimes teased by his mates about "Eppie's" subtle advances. The gossip began.

Brian Epstein also managed Gerry & The Pacemakers & Cilla Black. He appeared on television a number of times, & hosted a regular slot on one of my favorite shows- Hullabaloo.


As The Beatles' career was soaring, Epstein found himself less involved in the routine daily operations. The Beatles empire was growing & Brian was no longer holding the key. Epstein was feeling insecure about his future with the boys, his contract was due to expire as manager, & he feared it would not be renewed. He would remain their manager until his death. He began a downward spiral, becoming depressed & driven by his drug addiction, he was drinking, gambling, tripping on LSD, & popping pills. Brian Epstein's lifestyle became more than he could handle.

When The Beatles went to India to meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in August 1967, it was the first time they had gone anywhere without Brian being in charge. Brian had seemed interested in what Maharishi had to offer, but it was a Bank Holiday weekend and he was committed to spending it with friends.The Beatles were like kids allowed to play without their nanny. John: "like going somewhere without your trousers on"

While in India, The Beatles received word that Brian Epstein, who was just 32, had died, disillusioned & alone from a drug overdose. The Beatles were devastated & in shock.  He was their friend, their enabler, their hero. He was irreplaceable. After Epstein's death The Beatles were like orphans, & that was when underlying tensions & resentments began to surface. John said it was the beginning of the end of The Beatles.John Lennon: "He was in love with me. It’s interesting & will make a nice Hollywood Babylon story someday about Brian Epstein’s sex life, but its irrelevant, absolutely irrelevant." Double Life/Double Fantasy, the secret was not buried with Brian Epstein.

Golden Slumbers... Nap Time At Post Apocalyptic Bohemia

Once there was a way, to get back homeward.

Once there was a way, to get back home.

Sleep pretty darling, do not cry.

& I will sing a lullaby.

Golden Slumbers fill your eyes.

Smiles await you when you rise.

Sleep pretty darling, do not cry.

& I will sing a lullaby.

Once there was a way, to get back homeward.

Once there was a way, to get back home.

Sleep pretty darling, do not cry.

& I will sing a lullaby.

Lennon/McCartney
1969

Will It Go Round In Circles? Born On This Day- September 2nd... William Everett Preston

Billy Preston was one of the greatest keyboard players in pop music, & probably the greatest session player of the modern era. Preston is one of several people sometimes referred to by outsiders as a 5th Beatle. At one point during the Get Back sessions, John Lennon actually proposed the idea of having him as the "5th Beatle" (Paul: “It was bad enough with 4 Beatles”) Preston first met The Beatles in 1962 while part of Little Richard's touring band, when The Beatles manager- Brian Epstein (who was gay) organized a Liverpool show, which The Beatles opened.

Are you able to resist this song?

They would meet again in 1969, when The Beatles were on the verge of breaking up while recording the last album to be released, Let It Be (they would later record Abbey Road which was released before to Let It Be). George Harrison had quit & walked out of the studio & gone to a Ray Charles concert in London, where Preston was playing organ. Harrison brought Preston back to the studio, where his keen musicianship & gregarious personality calmed the tension, & recording continued.


Preston was a child prodigy on piano & organ. By the age of 10 he was performing in the bands of gospel singers Mahalia Jackson & Andrae Crouch. At age 12 he began a side career acting, & appeared in the film St. Louis Blues, playing blues composer W.C. Handy as a young man. In the 1960s he performed with Little Richard & Ray Charles. In the mid-1960s, he was a regular on my much loved musical variety series- Shindig! as a member of the show's house band. Preston collaborated with & recorded with: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Band, Nat King Cole, Barbra Streisand, Little Richard, Eric Burdon, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, Sammy Davis JR., Aretha Franklin, the Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Mick Jagger, Sly Stone, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Red Hot Chili Peppers & Ringo Starr. He played the Fender Rhodes electric piano & the Hammond organ.

Preston was the very 1st musical guest on the 1st show of a brand new TV show- Saturday Night Live (along with the still closeted- Janis Ian. He wrote Joe Cocker’s biggest hit- You Are So Beautiful, Me & Mrs Jones (which is in my repertoire...always a hit in my act) & he had a string of solo & duet hits in the 1970s that were so infectious that I can still hear the groovy hooks: Outa-Space, Will It Go Round In Circles, Space Race, one of my favorite songs of the era- Nothing From Nothing, & the duet with Syreeta Wright- With You I’m Born Again (which I want to be sung at my wedding to James Franco).


It was well known in the music industry that Billy Preston was gay, with a penchant for young male hustlers. He died at age 59, in 2006, of complications of malignant hypertension.



He had a very distinctive & recognizable keyboard style.I was always a very big fan of his work as a session player & solo artist. Here is a zany coincidence with me & Billy Preston : Preston began his recording career as a solo artist with the 1965 album- The Most Exciting Organ Ever, the very same year that I released my 1st single, the swingin’- Steve’s Most Exciting Organ...Ever!.

Yesterday

The Beatles are on the cover of EW & Rolling Stone & with the release of Rock Band Game: Beatles, I feel like it is Beatlemania all over again. That is fine with me. They are my all time favorite band. I was at the perfect age of 9 when they really hit it big in the USA in spring of 1963. My parents, only in their early 30s, did not approve of them. My father: “ Yeah, Yeah, Yeah… is that music?!?” My father really hated their hair & announced that his son would never have hair over his ears. Oh, the fights we had on that subject. Now my father fusses with his fairly long hair & I have no hair. I loved them like crazy & I had one of my first male crushes on George, until I decided that was John that I felt special feelings for. My parents did give me gifts of Beatles albums for the next 7 years & even later in life, when they would give me gifts of re-issues & collections. They also learned to really like The Beatles.



My Top Ten Beatles Songs:
1. Across The Universe
2. A Day In The Life
3. A Hard Days Night
4. Something (the 1st released single penned by George)
5. In My Life
6. Blackbird
7. Help!
8. I Want To Hold Your Hand
9. Ticket To Ride
10. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End

What is your favorite Beatles Song?