1974
June
Pleased by the results of recording together for Ringo’s sake, the four decide to try recording some songs together again (from late 1970 on, they mostly recorded separately). Four songs from these short sessions make the next album: BAND ON THE RUN, WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT, GOODNIGHT VIENNA and NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE.
July
Ringo releases solo album RINGO, consisting of leftovers from sessions over the past two years that didn’t make it to Beatles albums.
August
John releases solo album WALLS AND BRIDGES, consisting of leftovers from the sessions over the past two years and some new songs. He holds back a few songs for the next Beatles release.
October
Beatles release album
BAND ON THE RUN
BAND ON THE RUN (5:09)
GOODNIGHT VIENNA (2:34)
JET (4:08)
SCARED (4:37)
HELEN WHEELS (3:45)
BLESS YOU (4:37)
WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT (3:27)
DARK HORSE (3:41)
LET ME ROLL IT (4:51)
NO. 9 DREAM (4:48)
NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE (5:30)
(47:07 running time)
BAND ON THE RUN goes to No. 1 and stays there most of the rest of the year.
SINGLES:
BAND ON THE RUN b/w BLESS YOU
WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT b/w JET
GOODNIGHT VIENNA b/w HELEN WHEELS
BAND ON THE RUN goes to No. 1.
WHATEVER GETS YOU THRU THE NIGHT goes to No. 1.
GOODNIGHT VIENNA peaks at No. 8.
Ringo also submitted ONLY YOU, but was rejected strongly by Paul, declaring “This isn’t an oldies album.” Miffed, Ringo considers leaving the group again. John gets an idea for next Beatles album.
November
Paul releases single JUNIOR’S FARM b/w SALLY G
December
George debuts his new solo label with the release of his album DARK HORSE, ironically minus the song DARK HORSE, which he used as his Beatles release this year. He adds the song I DON’T CARE ANYMORE. George also releases the single DING DONG, DING DONG.
-Zube.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Beatles 1973
1973
May-July
Paul tours England again with Wings. In a cover story, Rolling Stone declares “Beatle Paul is Dead”
July
Beatles are asked to record the title track for the next James Bond movie. They refuse, but Paul relents. Paul, with Wings, releases single LIVE AND LET DIE.
SUMMER
Ringo, determined to submit strong songs for the next Beatles album, and mulling another solo album, convenes his best friends (including the Beatles) and records a dozen tracks. He submits four, all of which are taken: PHOTOGRAPH, YOU’RE SIXTEEN, OH MY MY and I’M THE GREATEST. PHOTOGRAPH, written by George, is the strongest of the lot and is penciled in as the lead single. It becomes the album’s title track.
September
Beatles announce a new album is on the way, surprising critics.
November
Beatles release album
PHOTOGRAPH
PHOTOGRAPH (3:47)
MY LOVE (4:07)
OUT THE BLUE (3:23)
BIG BARN BED (3:48)
LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD (5:21)
YOU’RE SIXTEEN (2:48)
MIND GAMES (4:14)
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) (3:36)
OH MY MY (4:16)
AISUMASEN (I’M SORRY) (4:46)
I’M THE GREATEST (3:23)
GET ON THE RIGHT THING (4:16)
(47:53 running time)
PHOTOGRAPH goes to No. 1.
Ringo’s strong songs force Beatles to abandon 1 John, 1 Paul, 1 Other policy for singles. They now go with what they consider their six strongest songs. All singles will be considered double A sided. Ringo has 3 songs on 3 singles.
SINGLES:
PHOTOGRAPH b/w MIND GAMES
MY LOVE b/w OH MY MY
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) b/w YOU’RE SIXTEEN
Ringo’s PHOTOGRAPH goes to No. 1, delighting the rest of the Beatles.
MY LOVE goes to No. 1.
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) peaks at No. 3.
-Zube.
May-July
Paul tours England again with Wings. In a cover story, Rolling Stone declares “Beatle Paul is Dead”
July
Beatles are asked to record the title track for the next James Bond movie. They refuse, but Paul relents. Paul, with Wings, releases single LIVE AND LET DIE.
SUMMER
Ringo, determined to submit strong songs for the next Beatles album, and mulling another solo album, convenes his best friends (including the Beatles) and records a dozen tracks. He submits four, all of which are taken: PHOTOGRAPH, YOU’RE SIXTEEN, OH MY MY and I’M THE GREATEST. PHOTOGRAPH, written by George, is the strongest of the lot and is penciled in as the lead single. It becomes the album’s title track.
September
Beatles announce a new album is on the way, surprising critics.
November
Beatles release album
PHOTOGRAPH
PHOTOGRAPH (3:47)
MY LOVE (4:07)
OUT THE BLUE (3:23)
BIG BARN BED (3:48)
LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD (5:21)
YOU’RE SIXTEEN (2:48)
MIND GAMES (4:14)
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) (3:36)
OH MY MY (4:16)
AISUMASEN (I’M SORRY) (4:46)
I’M THE GREATEST (3:23)
GET ON THE RIGHT THING (4:16)
(47:53 running time)
PHOTOGRAPH goes to No. 1.
Ringo’s strong songs force Beatles to abandon 1 John, 1 Paul, 1 Other policy for singles. They now go with what they consider their six strongest songs. All singles will be considered double A sided. Ringo has 3 songs on 3 singles.
SINGLES:
PHOTOGRAPH b/w MIND GAMES
MY LOVE b/w OH MY MY
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) b/w YOU’RE SIXTEEN
Ringo’s PHOTOGRAPH goes to No. 1, delighting the rest of the Beatles.
MY LOVE goes to No. 1.
GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) peaks at No. 3.
-Zube.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Beatles 72
1972
The Beatles go their own ways this year and pursue their own interests. Breakup rumors persist.
February
Paul releases single GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH. He also hits the road with Wings, touring universities in the UK and playing solo songs.
March
Ringo releases single BACK OFF BOOGALOO
April
With no new product and uncertainty of any product to come anytime soon, EMI releases two greatest hits compilations, underscoring rumors of an impending Beatles breakup.
THE BEATLES 1962/1966
(THE RED ALBUM)
[same as actually issued]
Love Me Do (2:23)
Please Please Me (2:03)
From Me To You (1:57)
She Loves You (2:22)
I Want To Hold Your Hand (2:26)
All My Loving (2:08)
Can't Buy Me Love (2:13)
A Hard Day's Night (2:34)
And I Love Her (2:31)
Eight Days A Week (2:45)
I Feel Fine (2:19)
Ticket To Ride (3:10)
Yesterday (2:05)
Help! (2:19)
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away (2:11)
We Can Work It Out (2:16)
Day Tripper (2:49)
Drive My Car (2:27)
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (2:05)
Nowhere Man (2:44)
Michelle (2:42)
In My Life (2:27)
Girl (2:31)
Paperback Writer (2:18)
Eleanor Rigby (2:08)
Yellow Submarine (2:39)
THE BEATLES 1967-1971
(THE BLUE ALBUM)
Strawberry Fields Forever (4:07)
Penny Lane (3:01)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (2:01)
With A Little Help From My Friends (2:43)
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (3:27)
A Day In The Life (5:06)
All You Need Is Love (3:48)
I Am The Walrus (4:34)
The Fool On The Hill (2:59)
Lady Madonna (2:18)
Hey Jude (7:08)
Revolution (3:25)
Back In The U.S.S.R. (2:45)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (4:46)
Get Back (3:12)
Here Comes The Sun (3:07)
Come Together (4:18)
Something (3:02)
Let It Be (single version) (3:52)
Across The Universe (3:47)
The Long And Winding Road (3:37)
All Things Must Pass (3:49)
Working Class Hero (3:50)
My Sweet Lord (4:41)
Another Day (3:43)
It Don’t Come Easy (3:02)
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (4:50)
Imagine (3:04)
May
Paul releases single MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB
The Beatles go their own ways this year and pursue their own interests. Breakup rumors persist.
February
Paul releases single GIVE IRELAND BACK TO THE IRISH. He also hits the road with Wings, touring universities in the UK and playing solo songs.
March
Ringo releases single BACK OFF BOOGALOO
April
With no new product and uncertainty of any product to come anytime soon, EMI releases two greatest hits compilations, underscoring rumors of an impending Beatles breakup.
THE BEATLES 1962/1966
(THE RED ALBUM)
[same as actually issued]
Love Me Do (2:23)
Please Please Me (2:03)
From Me To You (1:57)
She Loves You (2:22)
I Want To Hold Your Hand (2:26)
All My Loving (2:08)
Can't Buy Me Love (2:13)
A Hard Day's Night (2:34)
And I Love Her (2:31)
Eight Days A Week (2:45)
I Feel Fine (2:19)
Ticket To Ride (3:10)
Yesterday (2:05)
Help! (2:19)
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away (2:11)
We Can Work It Out (2:16)
Day Tripper (2:49)
Drive My Car (2:27)
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (2:05)
Nowhere Man (2:44)
Michelle (2:42)
In My Life (2:27)
Girl (2:31)
Paperback Writer (2:18)
Eleanor Rigby (2:08)
Yellow Submarine (2:39)
THE BEATLES 1967-1971
(THE BLUE ALBUM)
Strawberry Fields Forever (4:07)
Penny Lane (3:01)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (2:01)
With A Little Help From My Friends (2:43)
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (3:27)
A Day In The Life (5:06)
All You Need Is Love (3:48)
I Am The Walrus (4:34)
The Fool On The Hill (2:59)
Lady Madonna (2:18)
Hey Jude (7:08)
Revolution (3:25)
Back In The U.S.S.R. (2:45)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (4:46)
Get Back (3:12)
Here Comes The Sun (3:07)
Come Together (4:18)
Something (3:02)
Let It Be (single version) (3:52)
Across The Universe (3:47)
The Long And Winding Road (3:37)
All Things Must Pass (3:49)
Working Class Hero (3:50)
My Sweet Lord (4:41)
Another Day (3:43)
It Don’t Come Easy (3:02)
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (4:50)
Imagine (3:04)
May
Paul releases single MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB
George releases album THE LIGHT THAT HAS LIGHTED THE WORLD. He holds back GIVE ME LOVE (GIVE ME PEACE ON EARTH) and LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD for next Beatles album. He adds tracks MISS O’DELL and DEEP BLUE to album.
June
John releases album SOME TIME IN NEW YORK CITY
July-August
Paul and Wings tour Europe.
December
Paul releases single HI HI HI b/w C MOON
-Zube.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Beatles 1971
(Thanks for the words, Bruce. By the way, when I get these on CD, I'll ship 'em to you. I'll have to track down some CDs I never bothered to get.)
OK, so we hit 1971.
February
George releases album ISN'T IT A PITY, consisting of the songs he didn't submit for ALL THINGS MUST PASS, including a 7-minute version of the title track. The only songs that don't make it onto the album are RUN OF THE MILL, I DIG LOVE and ART OF DYING. They surface later on bootlegs and finally as CD bonus tracks.
May
John releases album PLASTIC ONO BAND, consisting of songs that he didn't submit for ALL THINGS MUST PASS. Added to the leftover tracks is the leadoff single, POWER TO THE PEOPLE, as well as tracks recorded in support of the Oz obscenity trial, GOD SAVE US and DO THE OZ. The album still times in at barely 30 minutes long.
George, busy with his Bangladesh relief effort, supplies only the song BANGLA DESH for the next Beatles release.
August
Beatles release album
IMAGINE
IT DON’T COME EASY (3:02)
GIMME SOME TRUTH (3:11)
TOO MANY PEOPLE (4:09)
JEALOUS GUY (4:15)
UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY (4:50)
IMAGINE (2:59)
I DON’T WANT TO BE A SOLDIER MAMA, I DON’T WANT TO DIE (6:10)
THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR (4:29)
OH MY LOVE (2:45)
HEART OF THE COUNTRY (2:22)
BANGLA DESH (3:59)
SMILE AWAY (4:10)
(43:21 running time)
IMAGINE goes to No. 1
SINGLES:
IMAGINE b/w TOO MANY PEOPLE
UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY b/w JEALOUS GUY
IT DON'T COME EASY b/w BANGLA DESH
IMAGINE goes to No. 1
UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY peaks at No. 4
IT DON'T COME EASY peaks at No. 2
Songs Paul and John don't submit are abandoned, showing up soon thereafter as bootlegs and later as CD bonus tracks.
December
Paul, with an informal band he calls Wings, releases album WILD LIFE.
John, with Plastic Ono Band, releases single HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER).
George releases album THE CONCERT FOR BANGLA DESH.
more tk ...
-Zube.
OK, so we hit 1971.
February
George releases album ISN'T IT A PITY, consisting of the songs he didn't submit for ALL THINGS MUST PASS, including a 7-minute version of the title track. The only songs that don't make it onto the album are RUN OF THE MILL, I DIG LOVE and ART OF DYING. They surface later on bootlegs and finally as CD bonus tracks.
May
John releases album PLASTIC ONO BAND, consisting of songs that he didn't submit for ALL THINGS MUST PASS. Added to the leftover tracks is the leadoff single, POWER TO THE PEOPLE, as well as tracks recorded in support of the Oz obscenity trial, GOD SAVE US and DO THE OZ. The album still times in at barely 30 minutes long.
George, busy with his Bangladesh relief effort, supplies only the song BANGLA DESH for the next Beatles release.
August
Beatles release album
IMAGINE
IT DON’T COME EASY (3:02)
GIMME SOME TRUTH (3:11)
TOO MANY PEOPLE (4:09)
JEALOUS GUY (4:15)
UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY (4:50)
IMAGINE (2:59)
I DON’T WANT TO BE A SOLDIER MAMA, I DON’T WANT TO DIE (6:10)
THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR (4:29)
OH MY LOVE (2:45)
HEART OF THE COUNTRY (2:22)
BANGLA DESH (3:59)
SMILE AWAY (4:10)
(43:21 running time)
IMAGINE goes to No. 1
SINGLES:
IMAGINE b/w TOO MANY PEOPLE
UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY b/w JEALOUS GUY
IT DON'T COME EASY b/w BANGLA DESH
IMAGINE goes to No. 1
UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY peaks at No. 4
IT DON'T COME EASY peaks at No. 2
Songs Paul and John don't submit are abandoned, showing up soon thereafter as bootlegs and later as CD bonus tracks.
December
Paul, with an informal band he calls Wings, releases album WILD LIFE.
John, with Plastic Ono Band, releases single HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER).
George releases album THE CONCERT FOR BANGLA DESH.
more tk ...
-Zube.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
What if ... ?
Ok, indulge me.
I love writing up speculative alternate history. I've written up what happens if the American Football League doesn't merge with the National Football League by 1966, and what happens if the United States Football League wins it's antitrust suit against the NFL, and gets money too. (I'll go over that sometime.)
One of my favorites is what would have happened if the Beatles had not broken up in 1970.
(If you're not a Beatles fan, it's best to just pass this one by ... )
Several web sites have put together so-called Beatles fantasy albums. Here are a few: Here and here and here. There used to be more; they disappeared.
My problem with people who do this is that they either they ignore the actual timeline of events to cram together their favorite tracks, or they have the Beatles issuing double albums in perpetuity just so the writer doesn't have to make tough choices. Or their single-disc albums are 60+ minutes long ... great for a CD but anachronistic for an LP.
So I wrote up a story myself. I have no agenda or preconceived notions. I have dumped some tracks because they didn't fit. I actually wanted to use tracks from Paul McCartney's first album, but it didn't fit in to the timeline.
So here goes, and will go until I'm done.
(Bruce, tell me what you think)
1970:
February
John, with Plastic Ono Band, releases single INSTANT KARMA.
Beatles release album HEY JUDE.
March
Ringo releases album SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY.
April
Paul releases album McCARTNEY. He hints strongly at a breakup, but does not announce it, as he did in real time (this is where the timeline diverges). Instead of "When will the Beatles reunite?," the early 70s are filled with questions of "When will the Beatles fall apart?".
May
Beatles release album LET IT BE.
August
Beatles reconcile for now. They will continue to record mostly separately and submit their best tracks for inclusion in group albums. Anything not used by the group will be available for solo release.
September
Ringo releases album NASHVILLE. He holds back one song, BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES, for the next Beatles album.
October-November
For his submission to the Beatles, George selects tracks he was recording for what later becomes a solo double album. He holds back an epic-length version of ISN'T IT A PITY for himself and the album's title. Paul, having released his best tracks already with McCARTNEY, hurriedly records and presents only two tracks, ANOTHER DAY and OH WOMAN OH WHY. John, in the middle of recording a self-confessional album, picks four of the gloomiest songs he has recorded, including one that says "I don't believe in Beatles," spurring new rumors.
December
Beatles release
ALL THINGS MUST PASS
ALL THINGS MUST PASS (3:49)
WORKING CLASS HERO (3:50)
OH WOMAN OH WHY (4:55)
BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES (2:35)
WHAT IS LIFE (4:19)
LOVE (3:24)
MOTHER (5:36)
MY SWEET LORD (4:41)
ANOTHER DAY (3:41)
ISN'T IT A PITY [VERSION TWO] (4:47)
GOD (4:10)
(45:47 running time)
ALL THINGS MUST PASS goes to No. 1
Beatles are loath to record more songs for singles and so adopt the American practice of releasing singles from album tracks. They agree that one single will be a John song on the A side, one a Paul song, and one a George or Ringo song. Three singles are released from this album:
MY SWEET LORD b/w OH WOMAN OH WHY
ANOTHER DAY b/w LOVE
WORKING CLASS HERO b/w WHAT IS LIFE
Top 40 radio embraces MY SWEET LORD and ANOTHER DAY, but flips over the profane WORKING CLASS HERO to play WHAT IS LIFE.
MY SWEET LORD goes to No. 1 and stays there for 6 weeks.
ANOTHER DAY peaks at No. 2.
WORKING CLASS HERO, spurred by radio play of the flip side WHAT IS LIFE, goes to No. 1
... more TK
-Zube.
I love writing up speculative alternate history. I've written up what happens if the American Football League doesn't merge with the National Football League by 1966, and what happens if the United States Football League wins it's antitrust suit against the NFL, and gets money too. (I'll go over that sometime.)
One of my favorites is what would have happened if the Beatles had not broken up in 1970.
(If you're not a Beatles fan, it's best to just pass this one by ... )
Several web sites have put together so-called Beatles fantasy albums. Here are a few: Here and here and here. There used to be more; they disappeared.
My problem with people who do this is that they either they ignore the actual timeline of events to cram together their favorite tracks, or they have the Beatles issuing double albums in perpetuity just so the writer doesn't have to make tough choices. Or their single-disc albums are 60+ minutes long ... great for a CD but anachronistic for an LP.
So I wrote up a story myself. I have no agenda or preconceived notions. I have dumped some tracks because they didn't fit. I actually wanted to use tracks from Paul McCartney's first album, but it didn't fit in to the timeline.
So here goes, and will go until I'm done.
(Bruce, tell me what you think)
1970:
February
John, with Plastic Ono Band, releases single INSTANT KARMA.
Beatles release album HEY JUDE.
March
Ringo releases album SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY.
April
Paul releases album McCARTNEY. He hints strongly at a breakup, but does not announce it, as he did in real time (this is where the timeline diverges). Instead of "When will the Beatles reunite?," the early 70s are filled with questions of "When will the Beatles fall apart?".
May
Beatles release album LET IT BE.
August
Beatles reconcile for now. They will continue to record mostly separately and submit their best tracks for inclusion in group albums. Anything not used by the group will be available for solo release.
September
Ringo releases album NASHVILLE. He holds back one song, BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES, for the next Beatles album.
October-November
For his submission to the Beatles, George selects tracks he was recording for what later becomes a solo double album. He holds back an epic-length version of ISN'T IT A PITY for himself and the album's title. Paul, having released his best tracks already with McCARTNEY, hurriedly records and presents only two tracks, ANOTHER DAY and OH WOMAN OH WHY. John, in the middle of recording a self-confessional album, picks four of the gloomiest songs he has recorded, including one that says "I don't believe in Beatles," spurring new rumors.
December
Beatles release
ALL THINGS MUST PASS
ALL THINGS MUST PASS (3:49)
WORKING CLASS HERO (3:50)
OH WOMAN OH WHY (4:55)
BEAUCOUPS OF BLUES (2:35)
WHAT IS LIFE (4:19)
LOVE (3:24)
MOTHER (5:36)
MY SWEET LORD (4:41)
ANOTHER DAY (3:41)
ISN'T IT A PITY [VERSION TWO] (4:47)
GOD (4:10)
(45:47 running time)
ALL THINGS MUST PASS goes to No. 1
Beatles are loath to record more songs for singles and so adopt the American practice of releasing singles from album tracks. They agree that one single will be a John song on the A side, one a Paul song, and one a George or Ringo song. Three singles are released from this album:
MY SWEET LORD b/w OH WOMAN OH WHY
ANOTHER DAY b/w LOVE
WORKING CLASS HERO b/w WHAT IS LIFE
Top 40 radio embraces MY SWEET LORD and ANOTHER DAY, but flips over the profane WORKING CLASS HERO to play WHAT IS LIFE.
MY SWEET LORD goes to No. 1 and stays there for 6 weeks.
ANOTHER DAY peaks at No. 2.
WORKING CLASS HERO, spurred by radio play of the flip side WHAT IS LIFE, goes to No. 1
... more TK
-Zube.
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