Beatles top the charts again; Giles Martin news

Copyright UME/Apple Corps Ltd. 

The Beatles' 50th anniversary release of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" has been a big success in countries around the world. In the U.S., it hit No. 3 on the Billboard album charts, a repeat of the rank it hit back in 1967. In the UK, it hit the top of the that country's Official Charts with a No. 1. In Australia, the reissue also hit the Top 10 at No. 5.

Look for Giles Martin on tonight's (June 5) "Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" on NBC. Check your local listings for time and station.

And be sure to check out the in-depth two-part review of the new set on our "Things We Said Today" podcast we do with Allan Kozinn and Ken Michaels. You can find both parts available for download on Podbean and iTunes, streaming on our YouTube page and on the Tune In Radio app.

And be sure to visit our online That's What I Want Beatles store on Amazon.com. Everything Beatles (and more) at great prices. A great place to explore.

Special Beatles 'Sgt. Pepper' media event on June 1 in Los Angeles

The historic Capitol Records tower at night. Photo: Steve Marinucci

The 50th anniversary of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" album will be celebrated June 1, 50 years to the day of the release of the album with a special media event photo op flag raising at 9 a.m. PT at the Capitol Records tower on Vine Street in Hollywood. According to the media announcement, "Sgt. Pepper’ from the Las Vegas stage production of The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil® will raise a custom ‘Sgt. Pepper’ flag at 9:09am PDT that day.

The announcement said the Capitol Records tower will also be decked out in commemorative ‘Sgt. Pepper’ regalia from the ground up, including special signage and a large inflatable ‘Sgt. Pepper’ drum above Capitol’s Vine Street entrance. After sunset, vibrant rooftop lighting in the four colors of The Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ suits will be featured. A spokesman for Universal Music said Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr would not be attending.

The news of the event comes a day before the release of several CD box sets, including the big prize -- a 6-disc set with a new remix, outtakes, the mono mix, a hardback book and a DVD and Blu-ray. The price on this has dropped in the last several weeks and is now under $120.

Giles Martin on working on "Pepper," why no "Carnival of Light" and what might be next; other Beatles news

Copyright Apple Corps Ltd.

In a shameless self-plug, we interviewed Giles Martin about his work on "Pepper." You can read it on Billboard.com. 

And iTunes announced Friday night that those who have pre-ordered the 2-disc digital version have received both the new remix and take 1 of "Lucy in the Sky (With Diamonds)" in advance of the album release. If you get automatic downloads, you won't need to do anything. Otherwise, you can download them from the Purchased page in iTunes.

 On the first day of the Beatles Channel, we heard a variety of songs -- John Lennon's "Real Love" demo, influences like Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock," and plays of some of the 2017 "Sgt. Pepper" mixes. Paul and Ringo did audio promos that were heard the first day. Look for a 30-second TV commercial from SiriusXM for the new Beatles Channel which started Friday on Friday's Jimmy Kimmel show.

"Sgt. Pepper" deluxe pre-order comes with outtakes preview

iTunes now has a pre-order for the digital deluxe 2-disc version of the new remixed "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" that comes with two outtakes (of "Sgt. Pepper" and "With a Little Help From My Friends") and two of the main album remixed tracks (four all together) when you pre-order. You can order at this link or at the button below. You can hear the opening take 9 of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and a little speech at the bottom.

New video Pepper teaser update 4-4-17

Amazon links:

• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition on Amazon.com (6 Disc)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Anniversary Deluxe Edition on Amazon.com (2CD)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Anniversary Edition on Amazon.com (1CD)
• Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Anniversary Edition on Amazon.com (2LP)
• All four on Amazon.co.uk (England)
• All four on Amazon.de (Germany)
• All four on Amazon.co.jp (Japan)

No official "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" announcement yet, but there's this. Some links on Amazon for anniversary releases, including a six-disc version, but it's not certain (without an announcement) how real these are.

Ringo and Paul have remastered 'Sgt. Pepper' ... are we next?

Former Paul Revere and the Raiders guitarist Keith Allison posted an interesting story on ;his Facebook page. Keith is a good friend of Ringo Starr.

If you're a Beatle fan you might like this this story...I know I do. So today is the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper album being released.

A couple months ago I was at Ringo's home. We were in his man cave watching tv, when a delivery from England came in. It's was from Giles Martin, George Martins son. What's this? It's the Sgt. Pepper album remastered. I said, "I haven't listened to this in I don't know how long." Ringo exclaimed, "You haven't heard it in a long time? I haven't listened to it in decades." So we decide to listen to it on his high def top of the line system. So here we are sitting on the sofa, facing the Tv, muted, but with soap operas playing. We listened to every track together. I thought, this is a historically great moment. Sitting here with my friend, listening to Sgt. Pepper, that he's on as a Beatle, and that he hasn't listen to track by track, since it came out.

Only two copies of the remastered Sgt. Pepper album were sent out, one to McCartney and one to Ringo, to be approved by them both. So what did Ringo think? He thought it was great! Why? Because it originally was recorded on a 4-track with a lot of over dubs, which buried the drums. Now, the drums have been lifted and come through as they should. He was pleased. You'll be glad to know it was remastered at EMI Studios where it was originally recorded.

I remember the first time I heard Sgt. Pepper. It was in Carmel, at Raiders drummer Mike 'Smitty' Smith's home. He got an advanced copy prior to its release. We sat there listening to it, in its entirety. Revisiting certain songs.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Sgt. Pepper!

So Ringo and Paul have it. Are we next? What do you think?

Update: The Beatles website has changed its home page look. Getting ready for a big announcement, maybe?

Something's afoot for the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper' 50th anniversary

A story in the UK Times of London today says the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album will be re-released in June with two extra tracks, "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields Forever.". Sources tell us that's not accurate, though something is in the works. More details will be coming soon. 

We told you a while back about a book coming June 1 called "Sgt. Pepper at Fifty: The Mood, the Look, the Sound, the Legacy of the Beatles' Great Masterpiece."  Subscribe to this blog and keep us on your radar for "The Word." 

Beatles vinyl and bonus magazine in the UK

Jackie Spencer of Beatlesguides.weebly.com took this picture. No other details, it's a combination of vinyl and a magazine and they're available in the UK.