'Lucy In The Sky' Inspiration Dies

Lucy Vodden, passed away at age 46 due to complications with the immune disease lupus. She was the inspiration for The Beatles' 1967 hit song "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds".

It all stemmed from a drawing done by Julian Lennon, John Lennon's eldest son. The picture was of classmate Lucy Vodden, nee O'Donnell, at the Weybridge Nursery School in 1966. This must have been one heck of a drawing, as it inspired Lennon to pen one of the most famous Beatles songs of all time.

The Beatles: Rock Band Coming Soon!

I am sure that you all have been hearing the buzz surrounding this game for quite some time, but now everything is official and Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix, and MTV Games have announced that 9/9/09 will be the world-wide release date for "The Beatles: Rock Band". The music-based video game, an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles, will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii(TM) home videogame console from Nintendo.

The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band's legendary career. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a limited number of new hardware offerings modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.

The Beatles: Rock Band will be offered as standalone software and hardware as well as a limited edition bundle. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers and other current music-based video game peripherals.

The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band will be published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band®. Electronic Arts will serve as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, is providing his expertise and serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

Exclusive content created by Apple Corps, MTV Games and Harmonix will be made available to fans over the next few months who participate in a pre-order campaign through major retailers. More details on The Beatles: Rock Band game and pre-order will be revealed in the coming months.

Please visit http://www.thebeatlesrockband.com.

Jacko Hopes To Kiss & Make-Up With Paul McCartney!

Could this celebrity feud be over and done with? Michael Jackson hopes to bury his 24-year feud with Sir Paul McCartney – by leaving his share of the Beatles back catalogue to him in his will.

Sir Paul was furious when Jacko outbid him in 1985 to win ownership of the £350million publishing rights to the whole Lennon-McCartney songbook.
The stars, once good pals who collaborated on early 80s hits The Girl is Mine and Say, Say, Say have not spoken since. Jacko has apparently written in his will that all the ownership rights are to go back to McCartney! Hmm, how do you think Jackson would feel if McCartney did that to him?

No Autographs Please!

Hearts are probably creaking and cracking everywhere! A Beatle is totally being a diva! Well, if any celebrity has that right, I suppose it's a legendary former Beatle, huh? He just doesn't have the time anymore, folks! What a bummer!

Ringo Starr proclaimed the following in a video on his personal website:

"Please do not send fan mail to any address you have. Nothing will be signed after the 20th of October. If that is the date on the envelope, it's gonna be tossed. I'm warning you with peace and love I have too much to do… No more fan mail and no objects to be signed. Nothing."

The “Fifth Beatle” Passed Away

Neil Aspinall, close friend to the Beatles, passed away from lung caner in New York City on Sunday. He was 66 and is survived by his wife and five children.

Aspinall was a childhood friend of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, and was the band’s first road manager. He later became the head of the Beatles’ label Apple Records and was instrumental in maintaining their success long after the band had broken-up.

The remaining members of the Beatles issued the following statement:
“As a loyal friend, confidant and chief executive, Neil’s trusting stewardship and guidance has left a far-reaching legacy for generations to come.”