RIP, Allan Williams

The Liverpool Echo reports that the Beatles first manager Allan Williams has passed away.

McCartney "Flowers in the Dirt" SHM-CDs versions available in Japan

Standard edition 2-CD version

Deluxe 3 CD/1 DVD version

Ringo, Paul, Stella react to death of George Michael

God bless George Michael peace and love to all his friends and family 😎✌️🌟💖

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) December 26, 2016

Paul on George Michael: https://t.co/t7vu2Hyjey pic.twitter.com/ZBq0VsTatB

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) December 26, 2016

George... you inspired, you filled the room with no apology and filled my childhood with such moments of magnificence... thank you x Stella pic.twitter.com/Tpp3CVpgrx

— Stella McCartney (@StellaMcCartney) December 26, 2016

George Michael, who was known for his generosity, saved John Lennon's piano.

George Michael saved John Lennon’s favourite piano so that it could stay in Liverpoolhttps://t.co/OoHTnz66D9

— Liverpool Echo (@LivEchonews) December 26, 2016

Elton John also said this:

I am in deep shock. I have lost a beloved friend - the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. RIP @GeorgeMichael pic.twitter.com/1LnZk8o82m

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) December 26, 2016

Special Japanese limited editions for "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week" deluxe with extra disc

The Japanese Amazon.com lists a limited edition version of the deluxe "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years" DVD that we haven't seen elsewhere. It contains a third DVD, It appears from the text on the Japanese site that the third disc is the full Japanese version of the film that is excerpted in the U.S. deluxe editions, though we haven't been able to confirm this.

The Japanese Amazon also has special bundles with T-shirts, a poster and a booklet called "Complete Tour List." Some are labeled "limited edition," but we don't know what the difference is. Amazon listings are not always accurate since they are put up by the retailer, not by the record company. So they could be the same.

Here's the rundown on what Amazon Japan is carrying:

• Collector's Edition with three DVDs and black t-shirt
• Collector's Edition with three DVDs and white t-shirt
• Limited edition with three DVDs and poster

Amazon Japan is also listing a second "Limited Edition" that has three DVD and a poster (See picture at bottom.). It appears that all the "Eight Days" versions in Japan come with a poster not in the U.S. set.

If some of this sounds confusing, we've written this as Amazon has them listed. And if we get more information, we'll revise this. (Thanks to Mitch Axelrod of Fab 4 Free 4 All for the alert on this.)

Limited edition with poster

Beatles goodies up for grabs in two holiday contests

We have some news about two holiday contests where you can win FREE Beatles stuff.

First, our "Things We Said Today" radio show has a contest right now where we're giving away two copies of the deluxe Blu-ray of "The Beatles: Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years." Send your name and address (U.S. addresses only, please) to thingswesaidtodayradioshow@gmail.com. Your thoughts about the show would be appreciated, though they aren't a requirement to win. We'll take entries until Dec. 25 and then pick two winners. You can listen to our shows at the Podbean link, on iTunes or on YouTube.

And one of our TWST co-hosts, Ken Michaels, has got his own separate contest through his website www.kenmichaelsradio.com starting Dec. 29. He'll be giving away all this to one winner: Beatles 1+ (CD & DVD), "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week: The Touring Years" BluRay Deluxe, The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl CD, Pure McCartney 2-CD Compilation, and Kit O'Toole's book "Songs We Were Singing: Guided Tours Through The Beatles' Lesser-Known Tracks." That starts Dec. 29.

And if you still need to do holiday shopping, don't forget our That's What I Want Beatles Store with everything Beatles at great prices and with quick shipping. 

Internet petition demands McCartney take downloads out of 'Flowers in the Dirt' reissue

Capitol Records/MPL Communications LTD. 

An internet petition has been started asking Paul McCartney to put the download-material on the deluxed edition of the upcoming "Flowers in the Dirt" reissue on physical CDs. The petition, started by Eugene Sokolov, which minces no words, reads:

We, Paul McCartney fans, are extremely disappointed by the fact that the forthcoming reissue of the classic album Flowers In The Dirt by Paul McCartney will include some great tracks (b-sides, remixes, alternate versions) only as download. The price of the deluxe set is high enough and those who buy those expensive sets deserve actual CD's but not downloads.

Please reconsider the set, otherwise we will not buy it. Please stop hoping that fans are so stupid and blind and will buy everything you put out.

The link to the petition.

George Harrison vinyl box coming

Dhani Harrison posted this on his Facebook page Thursday. It looks like we'll be seeing this next year.