Election Year Strategy Information Center

March 8, 1972

On March 1, 1972, a confidential source of the Federal Bureau of Investigation who has provided reliable information in the past, advised that Thomas Hayden, a convicted Chicago Seven conspiracy trial defendant, flew to the Washington, D.C. area on February 26, 1972, and met with Rennard Cordon Davis, another convicted Chicago Seven conspiracy trial defendant. These two individuals discussed the possibility of forming a group calling itself the "anti-war union". This was described as a coalition of individuals who, in the past, had shown leadership in various new left oriented organizations. The projected purpose of the anti-war union would be to formulate tactics in regard to movement actions during the 1972 election year primary elections, including confrontations with candidates during their speaking tours, and as a support base for the "arena stage" a recently coined description of the new left oriented "entertainment group" that would include John Winston Lennon, former Beatles rock singer, and his wife, Yoko Ono, and function as a stimulus to encourage youths to be in the vicinity of election candidates when they are on tour.

The source indicated that currently the following organizational titles coined by Rennard Davis and his followers appears to be synonymous, and will be functioning toward the general goal of candidate harrassment and general disruption during the 1972 election year: arena stage, Internatioanl News Service, Election Year Strategy Information Center (Office), the youth contingent of the Peopl's Coalition for Peace and Justice.

John Lennon: Listen To This Book

by John Blaney

John Lennon: Listen To This Book covers the records issued by John Lennon in Britain and America from his debut in 1968 to his latest album of archive recordings. Packed with over 500 illustrations the book reviews each release, providing information about recording locations and personnel, label variations, promotional releases and chart positions. An essential source book for seasoned collectors and those new to Lennon, it is a comprehensive guide to:

- Every officially released Lennon recording
- British, American and Japanese releases
- Apple, Geffen and Polydor label variations
- Promotional releases
- Interview discs

Introduction

As one quarter of the Beatles John Lennon recorded some remarkable music. The music he made as a solo artist was every bit its equal. In just twelve-years he recorded an extraordinary body of work that encompassed avant-gardism, agitprop, rock 'n' roll and pop. Although Lennon's music-making took many forms, he always stayed true to the ideas and ideals he'd established with the Beatles. Themes that encompassed personal and universal love, self-knowledge, liberation, utopianism and idealism were honed to perfection. He also perfected his songwriting which, like him, could be simple or complex, transparent or opaque, base or urbane. Lennon used his songs to tell the world of his feelings, his thoughts and desires. Whatever the subject, Lennon expressed himself with a compelling honesty. At times he was perhaps too honest. His probity challenged, it questioned and it shocked. It made him all the more intriguing, all the more human.

The records he made are tangible reminders of a quixotic mind, visceral musician, sensitive songwriter, passionate individual and family man. If you want to trace Lennon's development as a musician, thinker and rock star, then his records provide an audible map for you to follow. But Lennon's records did more than reflect, they redefined popular music and had a marked impact on the cultural and political landscape from which they emerged. To say that they changed people's lives wouldn't be an over statement. Jerry Rubin, for one, had his life turned around by one of Lennon's songs, long before he met him. Through his songwriting, Lennon touched the hearts and minds of people from Liverpool to Tokyo. At their best his songs challenge the listener to reconsider and question the world they inhabit. They are personal epistles that resonate around the globe, offering hope and inspiration. They proffer a genuine desire for change, for personal development, for a revolution in the head that will benefit all humanity.

In the years following his death, Yoko Ono has maintained her late husband's legacy with a string of archival releases that have contributed to his slim but select oeuvre. The amount of material issued has been considerable: respectfully and carefully managed, it now outweighs that released in his lifetime. These albums have revealed aspects of his work that, had he survived, would have remained unknown. All too often posthumous releases betray an artist's reputation. This can't be said for the majority of Lennon's posthumous albums, which have sustained the exceedingly high standards set in his lifetime. Whether recording a home demo, leading a band through a rehearsal or recording a guide vocal, Lennon simply couldn't give less than 100%.

Listen To This Book sets out to trace the recordings that Lennon left behind and, I hope, shed some new light on them. While it is primarily a discography, it also reveals the influences and stories behind the songs. It collects together for the first time in one book information about label variations, promotional records chart positions, recording locations and much more. Entries are arranged chronologically. The book begins with Lennon's debut solo album, Two Virgins, and ends with his latest, John Lennon Acoustic. Information about each record is broken down into discrete parts. Song titles are followed by the artist's name, release date and catalogue number. Chart positions from Billboard and BMRB/Music Week are provided for American and British releases. Japanese chart positions, taken from 'Oricon', are also provided. As a comparison, I've included an appendix that gives chart positions for Lennon's single releases, excluding re-entries, from Billboard and Cash Box and Music Week and NME. In addition, each song has been assigned an index number followed by the song title, composer credit, recording personnel, recording studio, recording date and producer credit. Where songs appear on more than one release, a cross reference is provided. A song index, to help trace each song and the record it appears on, has also been provided.

Appendices for British, American and Japanese discographies provide the following information: release date, title, record label, catalogue numbers for LPs, 8-tracks, reel-to-reel tapes (US only), CDs, 7-inch singles, 12-inch singles, cassette singles (UK only), CD singles and promo singles. An appendix to the main John Lennon discography details interview records and discs issued with books. Information about Capitol, Geffen and Polydor label variations issued in America is also provided.

August 14, 1966 - Municipal Stadium, Cleveland

Taped: Sunday 14 August 1966

Two sets to 20,000 fans. When 2,500 fans got into the arena area, the show was stopped midway through a performance of "Day Tripper," and The Beatles retired backstage for about 20 minutes until order was restored.

Radio station KLUE in Longview, Texas, was taken off the air the day after their Beatles records bonfire when a lightning bolt struck their transmission tower, destroying electronic equipment and knocking their news director unconscious.

John Lennon: We All Shine On - The Stories Behind Every John Lennon Song 1970-1980

by Paul Du Noyer

Much has been written about John Lennon's life and about The Beatles' music. But the extraordinary solo work that Lennon produced in the final decade of his life -- 1970-1980 -- is often overlooked. The period in which he moved to New York with Yoko Ono and changed from frontman of the world's biggest pop group to global peace campaigner and figurehead for radical causes was a time of great creativity for Lennon during which he wrote some of his most powerful and memorable songs.

Freed from the restrictions of The Beatles his style became more confessional than ever and his music gives an extraordinary insight into his life, feelings and beliefs. In songs such as 'Mother', 'Working Class Hero' and 'How Do You Sleep?' he explored the traumas of his childhood and the bitter legacy of The Beatles. He chronicles his infatuation with Yoko, as well as his infidelities and his insecurity with songs such as 'Woman' and 'Jealous Guy.' There are the classic anthems of social protest, such as 'Give Peace A Chance' and 'Power To The People'. Even his choice of cover versions tells us much about his musical roots. Finally, there are his accounts of his domestic contentment and optimism for the future, including 'Imagine'.

Now updated throughout with information that has recently come to light about people, events or pieces of music that influenced Lennon's songwriting during his solo years, We All Shine On gives a track-by-track analysis of the stories behind every song he wrote after leaving The Beatles. It is the definitive illustrated guide to the creative genius of Lennon's last decade.

Paul Du Noyer was born in Liverpool. He began as a music writer for the NME, moved on to edit Q magazine and in 1994 launched the rock monthly Mojo. He wrote the definitive history of his home town's music, Liverpool: Wondrous Place, and is now the Associate Editor of WORD.

'In the hands of one as fluent and well-informed as Du Noyer, both the songs and the troubled life that informed them emerge with fascinating clarity' Sunday Times

The Beatles Archival Treasures 1964-1971

The 2008 Communicator Award Winner Archival Treasures will take you behind the scenes where the public would normally not have access. The tributes, rarities, and one-of-a-kind artifacts offered here are a must for any Beatles fan.

This is a truly unique collection, first time ever offered with these special features...a wonderful gift idea anytime!

Hosted by recognized Beatles collector Gary Mayes, and national recording artist, Biz Haddock, this episode is everything from the Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine eras to insights about The Beatles recording sessions from Alan Parsons. Take a peek into a secret room at the Hard Rock Cafe, Florida where you will see a detailed reproduction of John Lennon’s living room with original contents from his Dakota apartment in New York. This energetically paced collection of stories demonstrates once again The Beatles' supreme influence, not only on music, but on history and culture around the world.

One in every 50 box sets includes an actual piece of original 1964 Beatles memorabilia, much like the topps® baseball card packs where you get a randomly inserted major league player's live autograph. But with this box set your odds are much better. With this introductory offer, buy two, one to open and enjoy and one to keep sealed as a collectible.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
-DVD Television Show
-Collectible Embossed Beatles Tin
-16 page booklet on rare Beatles treasures
-Beatles concert ticket reproduction
-An original 1964 Beatles collectible item

Rent or purchase this DVD from BLOCKBUSTER Total Access - click to activate coupon for $10 off your first month.

The Beatles: A Bio-Bibliography

by William McKeen

The career of the Beatles, England's and probably the world's most famous rock'n'roll musical group of the 1960s, has interested a wide variety of people from journalists to rock historians, from popular writers to the American public. In this one-volume reference book, McKeen traces The Beatles' career from the first American appearance in a film clip on the Jack Paar show in 1964 to their breakup in 1970.

The first part of the book contains a biographical essay, and chapters on the group's work--albums, films, performances--their influence on popular culture, and a summary of what happened to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr after the dissolution of the group in 1970. Part II continues with reference material, a discography, a bibliography and a list of concerts, television appearances, and film performances. The final chapter is a chronology of events from 1940-1970.

This book is an invaluable resource for courses in Rock Music, Popular Music, and Introduction to Music. It is also a priceless reference book for rock historians and will certainly interest Beatle fans.

"McKeen intends to provide a "one-volume reference that attempts to cover a lot of ground" (p. ix), and he does that, although this is not an exhaustive volume. The 52-page biographical essay that begins the work does a nice job of summarizing more than 30 Beatles' biographical sources. Separate, shorter essays briefly discuss their work, the influence they had on the times, and the end of the group and the individuals' subsequent careers. The second half of the book contains a discography, a bibliography, and a listing of performances. The discography covers official releases (no bootlegs), but provides only brief information on each work (the single or album title, the record number, the release date, and the song titles and songwriters from the album cuts). J. Castleman and W.J. Podrazik's All Together Now, The Beatles Again, and The End of the Beatles (1985) supply fuller coverage and much more detailed information about each recording (including illustrations of jackets). The bibliography relies heavily on C.D. Terry's Here, There, & Everywhere, the most complete list of citations currently available. McKeen divides the works by format, covering about 150 books, more than 300 magazine articles, selected newspaper articles, fan magazines, major interviews, and collections. Concluding sections include films (with summaries), TV appearances, concert dates (with city listings but not venue), and a chronology. The index provides access to personal names and titles of works (but not individual songs). This is a good beginning source for anyone interested in the Beatles."
—Choice

"A reference tracing the Beatles' career: The first part contains a biographical essay, chapters on the group's work and their influence on pop culture, and a summary of what happened to each after dissolution of the group in 1970. The second part includes a discography, bibliography, and a list of concerts, television appearances and film performances. The final chapter is a chronology of events from 1940-1970."
—Reference & Research Book News

"In The Beatles: A Bio-Bibliography, William McKeen traces the fabulous foursome's career from their first American appearance in 1964 on the Jack Paar show to their breakup in 1970. In part one, McKeen summarizes the singers' lives through the early 1980s, the group's work and impact, and their breakup. Part two contains a discography, bibliography, chronology from 1940 to 1970, and lists of the Beatles' films, television appearances, and concerts."
—American Libraries

Postcards from the Boys

by Ringo Starr

A sensational collection of 51 postcards from John, Paul and George to Ringo Starr offering a unique and revealing insight into the real life of the most famous band in the world.

This fabulous book is an essential addition to the bookshelves of anyone interested in the story of The Beatles phenomenon.

Each card, eccentric or banal, is accompanied by Ringo's memories of his private life and the trials and joys of the band, triggered by the in-jokes, fond wishes and doodlings on the back of each image. Touching evidence that throughout all and everything they remained friends, even if they couldn't go on being The Beatles.

Introduction

'A lot of other people know more about my life than I do' writes Ringo Starr here.

He may well be right. Many others' lifetimes have gone into chronicling those of The Beatles. Countless hours of research, analysis and debate have consumed amateur myth-makers and professional pedants alike. Such has been the Fab Four's impact on western society, the facts of their lives have become public property.

We know, for instance, that they meditated with the Maharishi, and that they played their last concert on the roof of the Apple building. And we know that in the final years, recording sessions could be tense, fractious affairs.

But lives are more than a series of facts cemented together into a proper order. For all the factual breeze-blocks of the Beatles' lives we piece together, we only ever see the outside of the building. We rarely get to peek inside the rooms where John, Paul, George and Ringo played together, laughed, bickered and forged relationships stronger then mere friendships. In this book, Ringo opens 51 small windows into those rooms.

On the following pages are a selection of postcards sent to him by 'the boys.' Accompanying them are Ringo's comments; whatever thoughts and memories came to him as he thumbed through this collection. The well-known stories do not need to be re-told; as Ringo observes, 'it's in all the books.' Instead these little windows throw light in unexpected places.

There are the three sent by Paul between 27-31 January, 1969, while the band were finishing the trouble recording of Let It Be; one is a cryptic apology from 'Mr B Lumpy' while another, sent the day after the band's performance on the roof of Apple Studios states simply: 'You are the greatest drummer in the world. Really.' There's news from the band's retreat in Rishikesh -- Ringo had returned home early -- that John and George had managed seven hours of meditation; Paul and his girlfriend of the time, Jane Asher, two and a half. And that the Maharishi was planning to build a new swimming pool.

Less than a month after the initiation of court proceedings to bring about a legal dissolution of The Beatles, on a card dated January 21, 1971, John has written simply and despondently, 'Who'd have thought it would come to this?' By the late Seventies, when Ringo's solo career was -- in his words -- 'turning to hell,' John is suggesting Blondie's 'Heart Of Glass' is 'the type of stuff y'all should do.'

One card, bearing just a cartoon and the legend, 'Hiya Toots', stirs Ringo's memories of a fireworks party he and John gave for their kids. Another reminds him of quitting The Beatles in 1968. As the rest of the band got on with mixing The White Album he flew to Sardinia where he spent an afternoon on Peter Sellers' yacht and wrote 'Octopus's Garden'. When he returned ten days later, it was partly as a result -- Ringo has since revealed -- of several telegrams and postcards from the boys he received in that time.

The postcards themselves range from the bizarre to the banal; from naked Hawaiian beauties to cats playing with balls and a photo of Scotland's Campbeltown high street. On them the correspondents have scribbled haikus, drawings, odd references to long-forgotten private jokes and wishes of love and happiness for a good friend.

In fact, this is the most revealing aspect of these cards: that no matter what we might have read, no matter what we've been told and no matter how it sometimes might have appeared to the world at large, John, Paul, George and Ringo retained a familial bond throughout all and everything. They stayed friends, even if they couldn't stay as The Beatles.

As Ringo writes: 'It didn't matter what people's perceptions of us were, you can see from these cards that there's still a lot of contact, a lot of thought. The relationship never went away.'

R B Elson

Queen Says "No" To Pot-Smoking FBI Members

4/23/70

airtel

To: SACs, New York, Los Angeles

From: Director, FBI

JOHN LENNON
GEORGE HARRISON
PATRICIA HARRISON
INFORMATION CONCERNING

On 4/22/70 a representative of the Department of State advised that the American Embassy in London had submitted information showing the captioned individuals planned to depart from London, England, on 4/23/70 via TWA Flight 761 which will arrive in Los Angeles at 7:15 local time. These individuals are affiliated with the Beatles musical group and Lennon will be traveling under the name Chambers while the Harrisons are using the name Masters.

Lennon and the Harrisons will remain in Los Angeles until 5/6/70 for business discussions with Capitol Records and other enterprises. They will travel to New York City on 5/7/70 for further business discussions and will return to London on or about 5/16/70.

Waivers were granted by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Embassy was to issue visas on 4/22/70. In this case waivers were necessary in view of the ineligbility of these three individuals to enter the U.S. due to their reputations in England as narcotic users.

While Lennon and the Harrisons have shown no propensity to become involved in violent antiwar demonstrations, each recipient remain alert for any information of such activity on their part or for information indicating they are using narcotics. Submit any pertinent information obtained in form suitable for dissemination.

August 19, 1966 - Mid-South Coliseum, Memphis

Taped: Friday 19 August 1966

An already tense atmosphere in the Deep South was heightened when a spokesman for the Memphis city authorities announced that "The Beatles are not welcome in Memphis." A local preacher, the Reverend Jimmy Stroad, organized a mass rally outside the stadium, to protest against the presence of the "blasphemous" John Lennon within a municipal arena. Six Ku Klux Klansmen also picketed the stadium in their costumes. A small number of fanatics threw rubbish on stage and exploded a firecracker. Outside, decoy cars were used to fool protesters, but The Beatles' coach was still surrounded by hordes of Christian demonstrators screaming abuse. Paul: "They were zealots. It was horrible to see the hatred on their faces."

Before They Were Beatles - The Early Years: 1956-1960

by Alan J. Porter

Liverpool, England, October 1956. Schoolboy John Lennon and his best friend, Peter Shotton, decide to start a skiffle group as “a bit of a lark.” Four years later John, now accompanied by Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best, leaves Liverpool to start a series of near legendary gigs in Hamburg, Germany. His group now performing under their newly acquired name – THE BEATLES.

This is the story of those four years. The story of how one of thousands of amateur schoolboy skiffle bands evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence and at times just sheer luck. This is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.

Beatles News

Game to be based on Beatles catalog
Ventura County Star - Camarillo,CA,USA
By Antony Bruno MTV Networks and Harmonix, the game developer behind the popular "Rock Band" franchise, plus the Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., are developing a ...

You can miss school for The Beatles
Hattiesburg American - Hattiesburg,MS,USA
Two words: The Beatles. I have pulled my second-grader and sixth-grader out of school to travel to Las Vegas to see Cirque du Soleil's production "The ...

The Beatles in Scotland: George Harrison's story
Glasgow Sunday Mail - UK
But the tramp was none other than Beatle George Harrison heading for Skye with model wife Patti Boyd to visit folk legend Donovan. ...

The Beatles in Scotland: Ringo Starr's story
Glasgow Sunday Mail - UK
ON December 31, 1962, The Beatles said goodbye to Hamburg's famous Star Club. Three nights later - billed as the Love Me Do Boys - they were at the Two Red ...

Beatles music will be part of video game
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - MO, United States
By Hiawatha Bray and Nicole C. Wong Nearly four decades after they disbanded for good, the Beatles are back, but on a digital stage. ...

The Beatles seem on cue to test the digital market
The Province - Vancouver,BC,Canada
The Beatles are taking a tentative step forward into the digital media market with a new video game that will include the group's music and will be ...

Beatles Game Officially Announced
antiMUSIC.com - CA,USA
Beatles Game Officially Announced was a top story for this week. Here it is again: (PR) The Beatles' extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to ...

Yesterday-Beatles Tribute Show Band owns Atlantic City
PR-USA.net (press release) - Varna,Bulgaria
Currently running over a year and a half at the Tropicana Casino/Hotel in AC, Yesterday shows why it's the best Beatles Show in the land. ...

A piano gave uniqueness to the Beatles’ Hard Day’s Night’s Opening Chord
Newspost Online - Baroda,India
Washington, November 2 (ANI): A Dalhousie University mathematician has a mystery as to why the opening chord to The Beatles’ “A Hard Day’’s Night” is ...

Beatles tribute band coming to area
Muskogee Daily Phoenix - Muskogee,OK,USA
Beatlemania Live!, the critically acclaimed Beatles tribute band, shows off their authentic sound at 7 pm Thursday at the Osage Event Center. ...

Beatles News

DVD Review: Composing The Beatles Songbook
Blogger News Network - USA
Composing The Beatles Songbook takes a look at what likely are the most productive years for these two composers. It is clear though that while fellow band ...

Pricey Beatles deal hinted
Play.tm - UK
On Thursday it was announced that MTV, Harmonix and EA are conspiring to release a new Beatles music game, which will arrive at the end of 2009. ...

The Beatles Live on through Digital Video Game
eFluxMedia - USA
The Beatles’ two surviving members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, have hailed the initiative, stating they were thrilled to have their tunes live on ...

1967 The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Liverpool Echo - UK
From that point on the Beatles became an entirely studio-based band. As EMI's premier act and Britain's most successful pop group they had almost unlimited ...
See all stories on this topic

THE BEATLES – MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR MEMORIES (DVD)
Film Threat - Los Angeles,CA,USA
by Phil Hall When the Beatles decided to roll up for their “Magical Mystery Tour” back in 1967, they assumed they would be able to make their own movie ...

New Beatles rhythm game in development
GamesAreFun.com - USA
Yesterday, Thursday, the 30th of October, executives from MTV Games, Harmonix, and Apple Corps – the conglomerate founded by the Beatles and the holder of ...

MTV first to land Beatles
VNUNet.com - UK
The Beatles will make their 21st-century debut in a new version of the popular Rock Band franchise. The band's Apple Corps label has inked a deal with MTV ...

Beatles Save Penny Lane
Altsounds.com - Cardiff,UK
Liverpool's world famous Penny Lane is to escape a name change - because of the famous Beatles song in its honour. Liverpool council have undertaken plans ...

Electronic Arts Set to Distribute Harmonix' Beatles Game [UPDATE]
Kotaku.com - New York,NY,USA
Yesterday's surprise announcement that the deal inked between MTV and The Apple Corps. wouldn’t result in a Beatles Rock Band title, but rather an entirely ...

Beatles Help Coming to DVD...
Altsounds.com - Cardiff,UK
The Beatles' classic 1965 film Help! will finally get the deluxe-DVD treatment on October 29th. The digitally restored film will come complete with a second ...