| Order Keith Badman's book "The Beatles After the Breakup 1970-2000". |
Q: Dear Keith, It seems that there has been a rift between Paul & George for some time now
-- they seem unusually reluctant to collaborate on anything (except for the
Anthology). What caused this rift? Shouldn't George be eternally grateful to Paul since
he was the one who convinced John to include him in the Quarrymen?
Thanks,
Bob Elliott (mizzou94@hotmail.com)
KB: "Hi Bob, I think, basically, Paul and George just grew apart. George, as well as Ringo, has remarked that Paul can be a bit overbearing. George said in 1974, when anouncing his US Tour, that he wouldn't play in a band with Paul again. George has made it quite clear that he likes to play music and socialise with the regular players, ie. Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, Joe Brown, Tom Petty, Ringo, etc etc, all people that George, possibly, doesn't feel threatened by and is suitably relaxed. I feel pretty certain that George doesn't feel that way about Paul. Of course, George should be grateful to Paul for getting him in The Quarry Men, but, in George's own words, 'All Things Must Pass'.
Q: Dear Mr.Badman,
In your interesting book we can find on page 128;
Sunday July 14
Scotland, recording the famous piano tape.
That would would be the answer on the question when the tape was
recorded,but... In the very good booklet of the DCC cd inlay we can read that "Sally G." was
recorded in the Soundshop Studios in Nashville on July 9 and that "Bridge on
the River Suite" was recorded on July 11 and "Walking in the Park with Eloise"
on July 16! But even when this information was incorrect,I can't imagine he played at
his first sunday at home after weeks of rehearsals and recordings with
probably a jetlag, one hour of new music!
Thanks for answering.
Jan Cees ter Brugge [jan.cees.ter.brugge@rtlveronica.nl]
The Netherlands
KB: Hi Jan, In my opinion, I am really not surprised that Paul should play music at home after four weeks of rehearsing and recording. Paul has often remarked that music is his life. We often hear the story about how Paul fell out of bed and played 'Scrambled Eggs/Yesterday' on the piano which was beside his bed. As we know from listening to the famous piano tape, it is hardly a proper studio recording, is it? What do you think? ------------
Q: Was there really plans for John to join Paul in New Orleans for recording in time period of "Venus and Mars" --- Thanks. Christopher Lindsay [CHRISJL@webtv.net]
KB: Hi Christopher, a few reports at the time suggested that Paul wanted John to join him in New Orleans for the recording of 'Venus & Mars'. As we know from this period, John and Paul were beginning to socialise briefly again. So, an invite by Paul would not be out of the question. Their ultimate fall out didn't happen until 1976.
Q: Did Paul and John record something together after the breakup of The Beatles, becouse there were some notes that they did in 1974 and had a jam session? Bartholomew Flis -Poland [flycho@nowanet.lub.pl]
KB: Hi Bartholomew, Yes, the famous 1974 jam session with John and Paul did take place, and I mention it on the pages 121 and 122.
Q: I have a question for Keith: Recently, a "lost" solo Lennon track called "Rock Peace" has been discovered. There are photographs that exist of the supposed lyric sheet and Mal Evans mentioned the track once long ago in an issue of Beatles Monthly although he mentions that the track was an instrumental. Do you have any light to shed on this subject???
KB: Hi, John, hasn't this been bootlegged in various short 'dittie' sequences? I don't think this was ever completed.
Q: 2) In Albert Goldman's book there is a mention of a track Lennon was working on and had committed to cassette called "Street of Dreams" in which John finished the track with an old middle eight he had written in the Beatle days. Do you have any light to shed on this track. Was it one of the items that Fred Seaman stole from the Lennon estate???
KB: Yes, I know of that. Sadly, the only thing I can add is that I suspect your statement may well be true.
Q:3) Any info regarding the Lennon/McCartney jam from 1974 "including Midnight Special." A tape/CD is circulating containing some of that jam but Midnight Special has not been aired or pressed to CD. Why?? Is the tape in a private collection such as Roy Cicala???? Thanks! John Bezzini JBEZZINI@LIMRA.COM
KB: Yes, if you go to pages 121 and 122 you'll see the story about these sessions. I also explain why 'Midnight Special' was not on the 'Toot And A Snore in 74' cd. Hope this helps.
Q: I enjoyed the book very much but why did it come out in 1999 and not 2000??? Will there soon be a second edition which will only have a few additional pages in it? (I know that looks like two questions, but it really is only one!) Thanks, Richard Sinclair [richardsinclair@dial.pipex.com]
KB: Hi Richard. I'm glad you enjoyed my book, thanks. It came out when it did due to the marketing plans by Omnibus, my publishers. Yes, a full updated version of the book, including, for instance, all of Paul's "Run Devil Run" items, will be out later. I intend to keep on updating it.
Q: How are relations between Paul and George today? Do you think, in terms of their relationship these days, that Paul is more sinned against than sinning? And can you shed any further light about what was wrong with the third song they did for the Anthology (Now and Then, I think)? From your (excellent) book, it seems as though it was George who blocked its release... Cheers Stephen Pepper [stephen.pepper@geseaco.com]
KB: Hi Stephen, I'm glad you enjoyed my book. Thank you! Sadly, from the information I've received from those close them, I don't think they see much of each other, at all, now. Paul has said he rings him, but George doesn't reply. Ringo always does. Take a look at pages 569/570 - June 1997 - in my book to see a revealing interview with Paul. I think this could sum it all up. George, as we know, is more frequently seen 'hanging out' with people like Joe Brown and the Monty Python star Eric Idle. It was Eric who visited and stayed with George shortly after the tragic stabbing incident last December. As for the third Anthology new song, I honestly believe that George thought it was rubbish, and he told them. A good song, but not good enough to be by The Beatles! Yes, it was him that blocked it. Not long ago, I was in Europe and a 'fan' played me a tape which had alternate early versions of Paul, George and Ringo's version of John's 'Free As A Bird', and it was very different to what was released. And not very impressive! I think if this third song, 'All For Love', did come out, it would do more harm than good for The Beatles.
Q: How accurate was VH1's "Two of Us"? Can you give me some insight on what really happened that infamous day? What was John's and Paul's relationship like? thanks Rob (MstoBlsto@aol.com)
KB: Hi Rob, I think VH-1's Two Of Us was, by everybody's standards, a bit far fetched, don't you think? John and Paul were, at last, becoming friends again. Nothing heavy or strong as in The Beatles' days, but it was now friendly and didn't turn into big slanging matches. Paul and Linda even dropped by the Dakota at Christmas 1975, but John and Paul had grown apart anyway, John was now a proud father again, and a house husband, and Paul was enjoying great success with Wings. Simply, Paul and Linda turned up at the Dakota on April 24 1976 and watched the SNL reunion offer, and, because the evening went so well, Paul turned up again the following day, this time with a guitar, but John had been very busy looking after Sean, and got annoyed with Paul's sudden appearance at his door. Paul took offence and left. That was it. That's what basically happened (see pages 181/182). Sadly, according to Jack Douglas, Paul tried ringing John during the Double Fantasy sessions, but he did not receive the call. Hope this answers your question.
Q: Hello Keith!! Can you pinpoint the LAST TIME that all 4 Beatles were in the same room,at the same time?? I know in your book you have a date in September of 1979 when they were suing the producers of"Beatlemania!" Is that the last time The Beatles were together?? Great book by the way!! Thank You!! Jim Cushman JIMFAB4@aol.com
KB: Hi Jim, Glad you enjoyed the book, thank you! The last time the four Beatles were in the same together was back at the end of 1969, shortly after the last photo session at John's home in Ascot (August). Yes, they sued the producers of "Beatlemania," but this was all done by lawyers representing The Beatles. We almost had four Beatles a few times in the seventies. For instance, the Apple paper-signing of December 1974, but John didn't show, and Ringo stayed in England, and Eric Clapton's wedding to Patti in 1979. John said, 'I would have come if I had known.'
Q: Keith: When will George Harrison release his "supposed" new solo album-"Portrait
of a Leg End" (i think it's called)--Everyone is waiting on news of
this??????? also, Was there truly a meeting of John and Paul in the
70's--and if so what
really transpired between the two??? Did the members of the Beatles ever discuss seriously getting back together
for a show, album, appearence, etc.??? Hope to get some great answers. Look forward to them.
Ryan (rbschwar@students.wisc.edu)
KB: Hi Ryan, Yes, we're all looking forward to George's "Portrait Of A Leg End." He has definitely recorded stuff for it, including a track written by Jim Capaldi. Sadly, due to that idiot who burst into Friar Park last December, George may well be quite reluctant to go back into the soptlight again. What a shame! Let's hope he does! Yes, Paul and John met many times in the 70's. A picture of a meeting in 1975 is in my book. They toyed with getting together again, but it appeared that they all agreed to do it at different times, when the others were saying no! John said they may do it 1976 when their EMI contract expired but, by then, he was otherwise engaged with Sean and Yoko, and somewhat retired from music. Surprisingly, over the years, it seemed that George and Ringo were the most against a full blown Beatles reunion.
Q:Keith, in your book you mention John's, then later Ringo's home, Tittenhurst Park in Ascot. After a certain date, there are no further mentions of Tittenhurst Park. Did Ringo sell it? And if so when and to whom? By the way, I've just finished the book and found it totally spellbinding. There's so much more information in there than in the autobiographies I've read so far. Well done! Kind regards Maureen Fitzpatrick [maureenf@insightgroup.co.uk]
KB: Hi Maureen, A fine compliment indeed. Thank you very much! Yes, Tittenhurst Park was bought off Ringo by an old sheik. He then subsequently knocked some of the house down and painted the remainder pink!! Sadly, I didn't know the date of the purchase, hence it wasn't in the book.
Q: Hi Keith. I've heard that there were several occasions during the mid to late 70's when Paul would make an attempt to contact John , but Yoko wouldn't put the calls through to John or even tell give him the messages. I'm a big fan of Yoko's and can't believe this could be true. Can you shed any light once and for all? Chris BEATLHAIR@aol.comKB: Hi Chris, The story about Yoko not putting through Paul's phone call to John came from the great Jack Douglas. My book lists as many John-Paul meetings as I could find out, and includes the only picture taken of John and Paul together after The Beatles' break-up! I too am a big Yoko Ono fan. A most fascinating and intelligent woman.
Q:Relationship between Ringo and John, I think they were very close friends, isn't it? meriemiki@supereva.it
KB: Hi, Merie ?, Yes, John and Ringo remained close friends right to the end. Ringo had even asked John to play on his "Can't Fight Lightning" album in 1981. As we know, Ringo was the only Beatle to visit the Dakota after the terrible incident in December 1980.
Q:Hello Mister Badman. First off all, thanx for your great book. Absolutely the best in it`s (ex-Fab) field! My question concerns the possible meeting of John & Paul at the Grammy Awards ceremony, march 1 1975. John was 1 of the masters of ceremony there and Wings got an award for BOTR (by whom??). I know PM was in L.A. that day, because Linda got `busted` then for possesion of the evil stuff. Would be very likely Paul would attend the show because of the award AND that he saw John at the afterparty. Could be the only time in the seventies they were seen together in public! But you didn`t mention it. Maybe you know more about it now? Thanx very much for answering. Greetings, Meindert Hiemstra (Holland) [m.a.hiemstra@st.hanze.nl]
KB: Hi Meindert. Glad you enjoyed my book. Thank you! No, I believe that Paul and Linda left the Grammy Awards ceremont before the end. A friend of mine was at the event, covering the event for a UK music paper, and assures me that the McCartneys left early. Hope this answers your question.
Q: What was the real reason George Martin did not produce the Beatles' reunion singles? He has always said that it was because of his hearing,, yet he went on to produce "Grow Old With Me" for the John Lennon Anthology and his farewell album "In My Life". His hearing seemed to be fine for those projects. I would love to know if you have any insight into this. Thanks. Pixar User [bscott@pixar.com]
KB: Hi Pixar, From what I understand, I think George Martin didn't produce the Anthology reunion singles because George wanted Jeff Lynne. And, of course, George Martin was working on "The Beatles' Anthology" albums anyway. I think that's basically what happened. George Harrison has made it quite clear that he enjoys working with Jeff Lynne.
Q: Hi Keith, Will you please publish an INDEX for your wonderful book as a supplement? It will make it much more useful! Knd regards, Bengt Warmlind, Sweden [bengt.warmlind@post.utfors.se]
KB: Hi Bengt. Yes, we planned an index for the book but, sadly, we ran out of time and pages. To put it simply, I wanted to cram as much information in the book that we didn't have time to add an index before the printing deadline. I am updating the book now to include all recent activities.
Q: It was mentioned in the book that John & George met up at a Monty Python concert in September 1980. There seems to be some doubt as to whether this actually happened. Where did this information come from? What were his sources? angela [angela.mc@cwcom.net]
KB: Hi Angela, This came a reporter at the time and, to add weight to this story, John left New York this evening and wasn't seen again until the following day, when he was seen at the Hit Factory sporting a new haircut. I also have George's personal itinerary from that time, and there, on the listing, it says "George - Monty Python" concert. A fascinating story, eh?
Q: Hi Keith I'd like to have your e-mail address, because I have some information I have that you omitted in your book.- You gave me last December that email adress at the Bonnington hotel, but I can't read it so.... It is about Ringo Starr being in Brussels for 3 days in March 1986, see my web page, you'll find the full information there too : http://www.geocities.com/rafvdberghe/index.html Raphaël VANDENBERGHE, from Belgium [andre.vanhulle@planetinternet.be]
KB: Hi Raphael, Good to hear from you again. Thanks for sending this information in. Please keep in touch.
Q: Did the Beatles ever have fistfights amongst each other? Bone709@aol.com
KB: Hi Bone, I'm sure that they had many fights, arguments, etc. Especially 1968 onwards.
Q: I loved the book, but I think it would really been helpful to have an index that list all dates that involved two or more Beatles interacting. Thanks. Bruce Snively Bsnive@aol.com
KB: Hi Bruce, Yes, I agree, an index would have been more helpful, but, as I typed before, time was against us. A lame excuse I know, but I am most pleased that you loved the book, thanks very much.
Q:Hey Keith: Great book!!!... You mention that in 1980 that John Lennon went to LA to see Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl with George Harrison.....I'm wondering where you got this info from...I've never heard this anywhere else.....thanks. i really enjoyed your book. mike MFK31@aol.com
KB: Hi MIke, Thanks for the e-mail. I am most pleased that you enjoyed my book. Thank you! As I typed above, I got this info from original reports, and George's personal schedule. I must add, the meeting between the two Beatles was only brief, from what I can believe.
Q: My name is Jeffrey. I was wondering exactly how Mr. Badman compiled all this information for "The Beatles After the Break-up." He did a real great job on that. Thank you. JPGR007@aol.com
KB: Hi Jeffrey, I am very pleased you enjoyed the book. How did I do this? Masses of research, ploughing through millions of files, cuttings, books, mags, etc etc. I think it's always best not to reveal your sources, don't you think. But thanks again for your compliment.
Q: Great book -- really enjoyed it -- read it cover to cover in spite of myself. Obvious question -- why no index? There was also an obvious (from the US standpoint) factual error in there. I think you claimed that Billy Crystal played Fr. Guido Sarducci on Saturday Night Live. I'm not sure who played Sarducci, but it definitely was not Billy Crystal. I'd find the exact date of the reference but...no index. Seriously, really enjoyed it. Kevin and Bridget Walsh [bkwal@erols.com]
KB: Hi Kevin and Bridget, Yes, no index. Please see above. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the book. Thank you very much. Yes, I agree, it wasn't Billy Crystal who was on SNL. I was most angry that I got this wrong. Sloppy research I'm afraid to say. This will be corrected in the next version of my book. Thanks again.
Q: Hi Keith! How certain are you that the four lads would reunite as the Beatles for either a concert performance or some studio work (album) had John not been killed? I am totally certain that they would have eventually. What do you think? Thank you, Tony Bryan [dianntony@yahoo.com]
KB: Hi Tony, Yes, I think that they would have done something together eventually. Don't forget, John's 1979 affidavit said words to this effect when they were suing the producers of "Beatlemania." Would a reunion have been any good though? What do you think?
Q: :The Beatles After the Break-Up" is a wonderful book and extremely full of details about dates, recordings and events of the life of The Beatles from 1970/2000. So, this is my question : in 1996, George Harrison recorded in Friar Park gardens a message for his famous friend Emerson Fittipaldi , who had suffered a serious car accident in that year. George even composed a little song (using the melody of Here Comes the Sun) , wishing Fittipaldi's restablishment. The images were transmitted late in 1996 in a Brazilian TV program called " This Is Your Life" and the song was included in some bootlegs cds. Why doesn't the book mention this fact? And just a little other question : why not an indice was included in the book? Vladimir Araújo. Brazil. 21/03/00 [dvla@secrel.com.br]
KB: Hi Vladimir, Thanks for the compliments about my book. Very nice to hear. I agree, I failed to mention George's message to Emerson. Thanks for reminding me. I intend to add this to the next version. As for no index? Please see a previous question. Thanks again for your nice words.
Q: 1) Why was there A) no index and B) no sources listed for your entries? 2) Was there some sort deadline that didn't allow for the book to be proofread or fact-checked? There are so many glaring errors (It got to the point where I started keeping track and compiled three legal pad pages of silly mistakes.) that it causes the reader to question information the rest of the material. (Examples: Harrison's studio is FPSHOT, not "FPHOT", McCartney's 1988 version of "Beautiful Night" is NOT on Flaming Pie, "All Those Years Ago" was a single therefore it could not have reached #2 on the Billboard ALBUM chart, Father Guido Sarducci was played by Don Novello not Billy Crystal on Saturday Night Live, etc etc etc) 3) Why did you decide to include items in the future (ie, everything from mid-1999), much of which was pure speculation and which (like the "hits" album and home video that was supposed to be out for Christmas) wound up not happening? SarahVee@aol.com
KB: Hi Sarah, Thanks for your e-mail. Please see above regarding a reason for the non-appearance of an index. If you go to the front of the book, you'll see my list of credits and sources for the book. I think I was a bit too generous in crediting some and places. I'm sorry you found so many mistakes. The fact that I missed out an S on FPHOT was down to a 'typo'. I simply made a mistake. I'm not perfect. None of us are. You listed a few mistakes, and you have others, but, to be honest, when I started the book almost two years ago, if someone had said to me, out of all the thousands and thousands of facts, figures and words etc in the book, I would make just a dozen or two mistakes, I would be most pleased. Every book has a mistake, and, don't forget, I can only be as good as my source material. Look at Paul's great biography "Many Years From Now." Even he has some mistakes. Every book has, but, unless you're knowledgable, you won't know the truth. That is not to say that I am 'hoodwinking' the fans, I am not. I did the research to the best of ability within the time allowed. My book was the first of its kind. I had nothing to compare it to, but now, thanks to the many great Beatles fans around the world, I am able to correct these slight errors. Look at every previous book, they all listed the incorrect date for the American Let It Be release. My book details, for the first ever, George's fax to Paul during his time in a Tokyo jail in January 1980. This was not known before. I am pleased with the book. I'm sorry you weren't. But, believe me, it was a hard task. No wonder no one had ever tried this before! As for the non-appearing items, I am not a clairvoyant. All of these items were on the cards for a happening item. Paul's rock & roll album happened. John's Wonsaponatime happened, but, by then, it became Gimme Some Truth. (I have the original PMI working sheets/info which list the orginial title. That is how I got this entry, all from genuine sources.) The Beatles' hits compliations (video and CD) would have happened, but EMI/APPLE were late with getting them out. Shelf space at places like HMV, Virgin, etc, is valuable and were booked well in advance for the Christmas rush. When the book is updated/revised, all of these entries will be taken out and replaced. Thanks for your questions, and I hope I've answered them suitably.
Q: I haven't read the book yet - I live in Holland and can't find it - but still I have a question: what exactly did Badman expect / hope to add to what already has been written about the (ex-members of the) Beatles? Jeroen Dekker [dekker.@worldonline.nl]
KB: Hi Jeroen, You should be able to get my book from Rene at Beatles Unlimited (tell him Keith sent you). He runs one of the biggest Beatles clubs in Europe and can supply all legitimate items. When you read my book, then ask me your question again. I think you'll be surprised. Thanks for writing.
Q: Hi there: In a previous edition of Beatles Monthly (1999) was a review of Beatles books. One was about O'Donell's "The day John met Paul". Its said that information was mostly invented due to the fact that between the main charaters of the day, John, Paul & Ivan Vaughan, the only surviving one (Paul) never met him. My question is: Is Ivan Vaughan still living or not. The last information in your book about him is December 3, 1984. Alban de Jerphanion [adejerpha1@cybercable.fr]
KB: Hi Alban, Sadly, Ivan Vaughan died due to his illness.
Q: While I agree that this book is probably one of the best Beatle reference books since Mark Lewisohn's Beatle Chronicle bboks, I must say I am quite disappointed that there is no Index!! The book's value as an easy reference is quite diminished as a result. Why wasn't an Index included?? Robert [Astronet@webtv.net]
KB: Hi Robert, Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I agree an index would have helped. We calculated that an index would have added another thirty pages to the book!
Q:Was there anything you were surprised to discover about the individual Beatles through your research of their activities after the breakup? Diane A. Long Island, NY Dattanas@aol.com
KB: Hi Diane, There were many things that surprised me, mostly their comments about things and the other Beatles, etc. Thankfully, I was also pleaseantly surprised by their activties and, in particular, just often they used to meet up or phone each other. For instance, when Paul's father died, the first person he rang was John! Hope you enjoyed the book.
Q: First, was there any realism in the possibilities of the surviving Beatles playing together in Live Aid 1985? Was it only a huge pr-hype-thing for Bob Geldof and Live Aid? Second, are you sure that Paul, George and Ringo recorded also one or two new things besides "Free as a Bird" and Real Love" in the Anthology-reunion -sessions? which songs? Ilkka Yrjä [ilkka.yrja@kolumbus.fi]
KB: Hi Iikka, No, I don't believe there was ever a chance of the three reforming for Live Aid. This was newspaper hype. I am very pleased to have detailed most of the Anthology reunion sessions in my book. Have a read, and see if my book answers your question. Thanks for writing.
Q: Dear Keith, I'd like to respond to an answer you gave to one of the questions posed to you in Steve Maninucci's Beatles site. It's in regards to the Monty Python concert in L.A. and the evidence you cited claiming a John and George meeting. You wrote:
>>...to add weight to this story, John left New York this evening and wasn't seen again until the following day, when he was seen at the Hit Factory sporting a new haircut.<<
I'm not sure if you're familiar with U.S. time zones, but there's a three-hour difference between New York and L.A., as well as 6.5 hours required to fly from NY to L.A. Thus, even if John _did_ leave New York "this evening," there's no physical way he could have been at the Monty Python concert in L.A. that same evening. (Let's say he leaves "that evening" at 6 PM, NY time; add 6.5 hours flight and it's 12:30 a.m.; minus 3 hours and it's 9:30 PM in L.A.; add an hour on both ends for transportation and airport check-in, and it's 11:30 PM in L.A.) Plus the extremely dubious suggestion that he'd spend 13 hours flying back and forth from NY to LA and back to NY within a day, just to attend a concert.
Do you have any _concrete, documented evidence that John met George then? You mentioned a reporter -- what reporter? Where? What newspaper? Or was that in reference only to George's presence, which is not being disputed? If not, I'd suggest that this alleged meeting never occurred. Thanks. Don Giller [donz5@aol.com]
KB:Dear Don, As for the John- George story 1980, I am aware of the time differences. I should have, obviously, said John left New York early this morning. I know if John had left NY later he wouldn't have got there in time for the MP concert. Since I reported this story in my book, I checked out whether or not other Beatles fanzines at the time picked up on this meeting. I found out that Holland's Beatles Unlimited also saw this report. The plot thickens, but a reporter obviously reported this. I am sorry to report that I don't recall who the reporter was, sorry! I'm quite fascinated myself now to check further on who reported this originally. Thanks for writing.