Paul McCartney releases Red Rose Speedway

On April 30, 1973, Paul McCartney released "Red Rose Speedway", the second album by Wings and successor to the weak performing Wild Life.

The original idea was to release a double album but in the end it was cut down to just a single album.

Track List

1.     "Big Barn Bed"       3:48
2.     "My Love"       4:07
3.     "Get on the Right Thing"       4:17
4.     "One More Kiss"       2:28
5.     "Little Lamb Dragonfly"
6.     "Single Pigeon"       1:52
7.     "When the Night"       3:38
8.     "Loup (1st Indian on the Moon)"       4:23
9.     "Medley: Hold Me Tight/Lazy Dynamite/Hands of Love/Power Cut" 

Personnel

    Paul McCartney — vocals, piano, bass, guitar, mellotron, electric piano, celeste, Moog synthesizer
    Linda McCartney — vocals, electric piano, organ, harpsichord, percussion
    Denny Laine — vocals, guitar, bass, harmonica
    Henry McCullough — guitar, backing vocals, percussion
    Denny Seiwell — drums, backing vocals, percussion, bass on "Single Pigeon"

Strangely enough this record is out of print on CD (but available on iTunes Store)

Hard Rock Cafe to Auction Beatles Memorabilia

Ever wanted to own a piece of musical history?

Then head down to Hard Rock Café New York where on May 18th, 2013, they will be selling loads of rock 'n' roll memorabilia.

Maybe you want to get your hads on a signed copy of "In His Own Write", John Lennon's literary debut.

Other interesting stuff by the Fab Four includes copies of the famour "Butcher" cover of "Yesterday and Today", signed copies of the Please Please Me debut album and much more

But the real eye-cather is the rare offering of a VOX guitar played by both John Lennon and George Harrison.

The striking custom guitar built by Mike Bennett and Dickey Denney was gifted to “Magic Alex” Mardas by John Lennon in 1967.

Harrison played the guitar while practicing “I am the Walrus” during The Magical Mystery Tour and by Lennon while recording a video session for “Hello, Goodbye.”

The spectacular piece of Beatles history is estimated to bring $200,000-300,000 and offers collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own one of the rarest pieces of Beatles memorabilia ever to be offered.

Interestingly, if you are in Ireland then you can see the guitar already today.

The John Lennon/George Harrison played Beatles guitar will be on display at The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge Silverware in County Kildare, Ireland from April 16th – May 8th 2013

Emili Sande takes The Beatles UK record

Records are there to be broken. And so Emili Sandé broke one of the longest running records by The Beatles. In the 1960's, Please Please Me, The Beatles' debut LP remained in the charts for a staggering 62 weeks in the Top 10 in Great Britain. And on Saturday Emili Sandé did one better by being in the charts for 63 weeks with her debut "Our Version of Events". Good for you Emili, and lets see in 10 years' time if you managed to break any other Beatles' records.

Wings over America re-issue already going strong

As you all know, 2013 is going to be a pretty cool year for Paul McCartney fans everywhere. Not only will the the successful Wings Over America live-album be released in the already famous "Paul McCartney Collection" series, but on May 15 there will be a special cinema screening all over the world of the 1976 Rockshow tour. Incidentally, on June 10 2013 Rockshow will be released on DVD for the first time. Hopefully also on BluRay And when you look in the Amazon pre-order sales, you will see that the pre-orders for the Wings over America CDs are a going strong. I have reserved my copy of the Superdeluxe edition. And you?

Please Please Me reaches number 2 in the UK Album Charts

UK OFFICIAL ALBUM CHART of 27 April 1963

1. Summer Holiday - Cliff Richard and the Shadows (1)
2. Please Please Me - The Beatles (3)
3. Reminiscing - Buddy Holly (2)
4. Girls! Girls! Girls! - Elvis Presley (5)
5. I'll Remember You - Frank Ifield (7)
6. Sinatra-Basie -Frank Sinatra and Count Basie (2)
7. All Star Festival - Various Artists (8) 
8. West Side Story - Original Soundtrack (4)

9. Out of the Shadows - Shadows (7)
10. South Pacific  - Original Soundtrack (11)

Ringo Starr buys his first Ludwig Drum Kit

Around this time, 50 years ago, Ringo Starr visited Drum City in London with Brian Epstein, and picked up his first Ludwig kit. It was a small 20" set in oyster black pearl.

Epstein had agreed that the transaction would cost nothing if Ringo traded in his old Premier drumkit and if the Ludwig logo would appear on the front drum skin. In return Drum City would put a Beatles logo. Legend has it that Ivor Arbiter, the owner of Drum City, drew a couple of suggestions, including the now famous "dropped T" that we all came to learn and love.

Eddie Stokes was a London sign painter who was commisioned to put Arbiter's design into practice, and on May 12, 1963 Ringo took possession of his first Ludwig drumkit, just in time for the taping of Thank Your Lucky Stars, a U.K. Talent Show

Richie Havens dies, aged 72

Richie Havens, famous for opening the Woodstock festival in 1969, died today aged 72.

He will be remembered by Beatle fans for his version of "Here Comes the Sun" which made it into the charts in 1970.

He also released two other Beatles singles: Rocky Raccoon and Lady Madonna