Tag Archives: The Beatles

Iggy Azalea Tops Hot 100 With ‘Fancy,’ Matches Beatles’ Historic Mark

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This blew my mind when I read this on Billboard! Iggy Azalea is now keeping company historically with The Beatles!

 

Iggy Azalea Tops Hot 100 With 'Fancy,' Matches Beatles' Historic Mark - Rhode Island Wedding DJ - Providence DJ

Iggy Azalea Tops Hot 100 With ‘Fancy,’ Matches Beatles’ Historic Mark by Gary Trust

“As the Australian rapper rises 2-1 with ‘Fancy’ and 3-2 as a guest on Ariana Grande‘s ‘Problem,’ Azalea joins the Beatles as the only artists to rank at Nos. 1 and 2 simultaneously with their first two Hot 100 hits

It’s a fab week for Iggy Azalea, who earns a chart honor not achieved since the Beatles swarmed the U.S. in early 1964. The Australian rapper crowns the Billboard Hot 100 with her debut hit “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX (2-1). As Azalea also rises 3-2 as the featured artist on Ariana Grande’s “Problem,” Azalea joins the Beatles as the only acts to rank at Nos. 1 and 2 simultaneously with their first two Hot 100 hits.

Action abounds on this week’s Hot 100, including climbs into the top 10 for Nico & Vinz and Jason Derulo, while “Fancy” additionally takes over atop the Digital Songs chart, so let’s dive into our weekly look at the numbers behind the Hot 100’s top 10 and more.

Iggy Azalea, Charli XCX – Fancy (2014 Billboard Music Awards) Video

Iggy Azalea adds a chapter to the Hot 100’s record book by achieving a feat that the Beatles last earned on the Feb. 22, 1964, chart. That week, the Fab Four’s debut pop culture-changing smash “I Want to Hold Your Hand” held at No. 1 and “She Loves You” lifted 3-2. The songs had debuted the weeks of Jan. 18 and 25, 1964, respectively, and soared to the chart’s top two spots after the band made its landmark appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Feb. 9, 1964.

(Incredibly, “Hand” and “Loves” would hold the top two rungs for six weeks, with “Hand” on top for four frames before they swapped spots. On April 4, 1964, “Loves” fell 1-3 and “Hand,” 2-4, so, that week, the Beatles would have to settle for a consolation prize: the group locked up the April 4 list’s entire top five, the only time an act has monopolized the region in the Hot 100’s 55-year history.)

Flash-forward 50 years to March 22, 2014, when Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” bowed at No. 88. On the May 17 tally, Iggy Azalea launched her second entry, as Grande’s “Problem” roared in at No. 3. (The same week, Iggy Azalea’s “Work” entered at No. 88; the cut climbs 77-63 this week.)

Iggy Azalea Work Video

Expanding beyond only artists’ first two Hot 100 hits placing up at Nos. 1 and 2 in the same week, Iggy Azalea is the 15th act to double up at those ranks with any two titles. Iggy Azalea’s the first since Pharrell Williams did so for five weeks last year as featured on Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” (also featuring T.I.) and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” She’s just the third woman to rank at Nos. 1 and 2 concurrently, following Mariah Carey (Sept. 10, 2005) and Ashanti (five weeks, 2002).

Iggy Azalea additionally becomes only the fourth solo female rapper ever to top the Hot 100. Lauryn Hill was the first, having taken her debut solo hit “Doo Wop (That Thing)” to No. 1 for two weeks in November 1998. (She had first made her mark with the Fugees.) In 2001, Lil’ Kim led for five weeks with Christina Aguilera, Mya and P!nk on “Lady Marmalade,” while Shawnna assisted Ludacris on “Stand Up,” which topped the Dec. 6, 2003, chart.

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Notably, a pair of other prominent female rappers have yet to reach the Hot 100’s summit. Among her nine top 10s, Missy Elliott climbed to No. 2 twice: for 10 weeks in 2002 with “Work It” and for seven frames in 2005 as a guest on Ciara’s “1, 2 Step.” Nicki Minaj has also tallied nine top 10s, reaching No. 3 twice, both in 2011: as featured on Britney Spears’ “Till the World Ends” and with her own “Super Bass.” This week, Minaj debuts at No. 47 on the Hot 100 with her new single “Pills N Potions.”

(Honorable mention to Blondie, who, led by frontwoman Debbie Harry, is widely regarded as scoring the Hot 100’s first rap No. 1, “Rapture,” in 1981.)

Not to be lost in the celebration of Iggy Azalea’s new Hot 100 leader, Charli XCX likewise lands her first No. 1. In her sole prior visit, the U.K. pop singer/songwriter peaked at No. 7 a year ago this month as featured on Icona Pop’s “I Love It.”

Until this week, the last time that at least two solo women had teamed for a Hot 100 No. 1? Rihanna and Britney Spears sent “S&M” to the top of the April 30, 2011, chart. That title marked the first all-solo female No. 1 collab since “Lady Marmalade” nearly 10 years earlier. (The last pairing of only two solo women at the summit prior to “Fancy” and “S&M”? Brandy and Monica, who fought their way to No. 1 for 13 weeks in 1998 with “The Boy Is Mine.”)

2013wireless-sat-iggy azalea9150713 beatles - Rhode Island Wedding DJ - Providence DJ

(One other fun fact regarding the coronation of “Fancy”: the new Hot 100 is dated June 7, 2014. That makes for a perfect birthday present for the soon-to-be 24-year-old Azalea, who was born on June 7, 1990.)

How did “Fancy” fly to the Hot 100’s top spot? The song surges by sweeping the chart’s top Digital, Streaming and Airplay Gainer awards (for the second time in four weeks). It rises 2-1 on Digital Songs with a 44 percent gain to 336,000 downloads sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Aiding the song’s advance? Azalea and Charli XCX performed it on the Billboard Music Awards on May 18, the day before the latest sales tracking week began on May 19. “Fancy” spends a second week at No. 1 on Streaming Songs (14 million U.S. streams, up 66 percent, according to Nielsen BDS) and reaches the Radio Songs top five (7-5; 104 million, up 23 percent).

Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea – Problem (Billboard Music Awards) Video

“Problem,” meanwhile, pushes 3-2 on the Hot 100, also with gains in each of the chart’s three metrics. It dips 1-2 on Digital Songs after spending its first three weeks at No. 1, but grows by 15 percent to 284,000. Grande likewise sang the song on the Billboard Music Awards (after Azalea performed “Fancy”; Azalea returned to the stage to join Grande for “Problem”). It slips 2-3 on Streaming Songs (10.4 million, up 39 percent) and bounds 16-10 on Radio Songs top 10 (73 million, up 30 percent), where it’s her first top 10 hit; her debut single, “The Way,” featuring Mac Miller, reached No. 12 on Radio Songs last year.

 

As she competes with herself (and Grande) at No. 2, Azalea handily lands the Hot 100’s top spot, as “Fancy” (up 46 percent) boasts 28 percent more overall chart points than “Problem” (up 25 percent).”

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What a great accomplishment for the young artist Iggy Azalea. Regardless of what you think of her music, this is a unique experience and needs to be acknowledged.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ and Boston DJ

Ask about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ and Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

Paul McCartney Turns 72!

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My entire life has been one amazing Paul McCartney song after another. It started obviously, with The Beatles, followed by Wings and his solo career. Paul McCartney is a living legend in the music industry and continues to be so.

Paul McCartney and The Beatles with Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Rock DJ

The Paul McCartney Story

Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the Beatles, and hiscollaboration with Lennon is one of the most celebrated songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. After the band’s break-up, he pursued a solo career, later forming Wings with his first wife, Linda, and singer-songwriter Denny Laine.

Paul McCartney & The Beatles First Visit to The USA

Guinness World Records described McCartney as the “most successful composer and recording artist of all time”, with 60 gold discs and sales of over 100 million albums and 100 million singles, and as the “most successful songwriter” in United Kingdom chart history. More than 2,200 artists have covered his Beatles song “Yesterday“, more than any other song in history. Wings’ 1977 release “Mull of Kintyre” is one of the all-time best-selling singles in the UK. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in March 1999, McCartney has written, or co-written 32 songs that have reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and as of 2013 he has sold over 15.5 million RIAA-certified units in the United States.

Paul McCartney & Wings Jet Live

McCartney has released an extensive catalogue of songs as a solo artist and has composed classical and electronic music. He has taken part in projects to promote international charities related to such subjects as animal rights, seal hunting, landmines, vegetarianism, poverty, and music education. McCartney has married three times and is the father of five children.

Paul McCartney: Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five

Paul McCartney Dominates Bonnaroo

For anyone born in the last quarter century who wondered whether Paul McCartney’s allotted two-and-a-half-hour set would be “too much” for the 70-year-old Beatle was justly put to shame Friday night when Macca delivered a truly legendary, 24-song set that, by the way, lasted almost three hours.

Paul McCartney at Bannaroo with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Every year, Bonnaroo’s Friday-night, headlining artist is the impetus for many to splurge on the festival ticket. McCartney’s main-stage act was no exception, considering its cross-generational, grin-inducing appeal to, well, everyone. Not one to settle for the expected, McCartney played more than his back-catalogue staples (which, for the record, would have been completely acceptable). Among the lovingly off-kilter setlist selections were “Your Mother Should Know,” “All Together Now” and “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da,” all of which were met with equal affinity as the “Let it Be’s” and the “Hey Jude’s” of the night.

It was the greatest, most sincere sing-along that has ever been conceived. To witness McCartney perform “Something” on ukulele in tribute to George Harrison, moments before a cannon-blazing rendition of “Live and Let Die” and a suitably zealous “Helter Skelter,” was as fantastical as it was fierce. It was the perfect environment for Bonnaroo’s Dropping Point — the point at which Bonnaroo gently lifts you and then not-so-gently drops you into the festival, typically spearheaded by the Friday night, headlining act. Arcade Fire and Radiohead occupied the spot in 2011 and 2012, respectively, and McCartney passed the torch as if “Love Me Do” were released yesterday. It will be arduous to top someone whose song book is so collectively enamored, but if there is a festival in which we can instill faith, it’s Bonnaroo (they brought us a Beatle).

Paul McCartney in Brooklyn

Happy Birthday Paul McCartney!

McCartney said he had the idea of “Let It Be” after he had a dream about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (the “White Album”). McCartney explained that his mother—who died of cancer when McCartney was fourteen—was the inspiration for the “Mother Mary” lyric. He later said, “It was great to visit with her again. I felt very blessed to have that dream. So that got me writing ‘Let It Be’.” He also said in a later interview about the dream that his mother had told him “It will be all right, just let it be.”

Paul McCartney & The Beatles Let It Be Live in Studio

What is your favorite Paul McCartney Song or memory?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

 

 

Julian Lennon Someday

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Julian Lennon Someday is now released globally! Julian Lennon Someday features Steven Tyler on backing vocals. It is a beautiful song with an equally moving music video.

Julian Lennon Someday Music Video

John Charles Julian Lennon (born 8 April 1963) is a British musician. He is the only child of John Lennon and Cynthia Powell (Lennon’s first wife). Beatles manager Brian Epstein was his godfather. He has a younger half-brother, Sean Lennon. Lennon was named after his paternal grandmother, Julia. He remains close friends with his father’s former bandmate Paul McCartney (although there was a public falling out in 2011, when Julian publicly complained about being snubbed for McCartney’s wedding and reception, although many of his friends and acquaintances were asked to attend).

Julian directly inspired three Beatles songs: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds“, “Hey Jude“, and “Good Night“. He is also devoted to philanthropic endeavors, most notably his own White Feather Foundation and the Whaledreamers Organization, both of which promote the co-existence of all species and the health and well-being of the Earth.

His sixth studio album Everything Changes was released on 3 October 2011.

Julian Lennon Valotte Music Video

“Valotte” is a song by British singer Julian Lennon, the title track and second single (first single in the US) from his debut album Valotte. It was a top-ten hit single in January 1985 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the US, peaking at number nine.

It was co-written by Lennon, Justin Clayton and Carlton Morales and recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The first line of the chorus, “Sitting on a pebble by the river playing guitar”, was written by Lennon, inspired by theTennessee River in Muscle Shoals.

The music video for the song was directed by Sam Peckinpah.

Julian Lennon Too Late For Goodbyes Music Video

“Too Late for Goodbyes” is the first single (second in the US) from Julian Lennon‘s 1984 album Valotte. It featured the harmonica of Jean “Toots” Thielemans, and it was a top-ten hit in the UK and the US, reaching number six in the UK Singles Chart in November 1984, and number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in late March 1985.

“Too Late for Goodbyes” peaked at number one on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1985, spending two weeks at the top of this chart. The music video for the song was directed by Sam Peckinpah.

Julian Lennon has had an inconsistent career as a musical artist. He enjoyed immediate success with his debut 1984 album Valotte. The album was produced by Phil Ramone. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1985, and produced two top ten hits, the title track “Valotte“, and “Too Late for Goodbyes“. Lennon promoted the album with music videos for the two hits made by movie director Sam Peckinpah and producer Martin Lewis. The song “Valotte” has remained a staple on adult contemporary radio stations since its release. After the release, Paul McCartney sent him a telegram wishing him good luck. Later that year, the two met up backstage at the New York studios of the TV show Friday Night Videos. His second album, 1986’s The Secret Value of Daydreaming, was panned by critics, but reached number 32 on the Billboard magazine‘s album chart, and produced the single “Stick Around”, which was his first #1 single on the U.S. Album Rock Tracks chart.

Julian Lennon Someday at the unveiling of the John Lennon Peace Monument with Rhode Island DJ

Julian Lennon at the unveiling of the John Lennon Peace Monument

It is very inspiring to me to hear Julian Lennon attempt to follow in his father, John Lennon’s, footsteps with Julian Lennon Someday and its message of world peace, love and community.

What do you think of Julian Lennon Someday?


DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

973.908.8147

 

Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time

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The list of best selling music artists includes artists with claims of 75 million or more record sales in multiple third-party reliable sources. The claimed sales figures and the total certified sales figures (for each country) within the provided sources include sales of albums, singles, compilation-albums, music videos as well as downloads of singles and full-length albums. The artists in the following tables are listed with both their claimed and certified sales figures and are ranked in descending order, with the highest claimed sales at the top. Artists with the same claimed sales are then ranked by certified units. Sales figures, such as those from Soundscan, which are sometimes published by Billboard magazine, have not been included in the certified units column. Currently, The Beatles are listed at the top of the list as they are considered the highest-selling band based both on sales claims and certified units. Elvis Presley, who is listed the second on the list is considered the highest-selling individual artist based both on sales claims and certified units.

All artists included on this list, which have begun charting on official albums/singles charts have their available claimed figure(s) supported by at least 20% in certified units. That is why Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, Charles Aznavour, Bing Crosby, Nana Mouskouri, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Tom Jones, The Jackson 5, Dionne Warwick, The Andrews Sisters,Luciano Pavarotti and others have not been included on this list. The percentage amount of certified sales needed increases the newer the artist is, meaning, artists such as Rihanna are expected to have their claimed figures supported by over 60% in certified units. The certified units are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. Note that all certified units are converted from Gold/Platinum/Diamond certification awards based on criteria provided by certifying bodies.

The requirements of certified sales are designed to avoid inflated sales figures, which are frequently practiced by record companies for promotional purposes.

The claimed figures are sourced to articles that use the term records (singles, albums, videos) and not albums. However, if all available sources for an artist/band say albums, such sources can only be used if the certified album units of the said artist meet the required percentage amount. Note that this list uses claimed figures that are closer to artists’ available certified sales. In other words, inflated claimed figures that will meet the required certified sales amount but are unrealistically high from available certified sales, will not be used.

Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time

  • The Beatles Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

    The Beatles

The Beatles United Kingdom 1960–1974
 1962
 Rock / Pop

600 million
Michael Jackson Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

Michael Jackson

 

Michael Jackson
 United States 1964–2009
 1971
 Pop / Rock / Dance /R&B

400 million
350 million
300 million
  • Madonna Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

    Madonna

Madonna United States 1979–present
 1982
 Pop / Rock / Dance

300 million
275 million
  • Led Zeppelin Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time with Rhode Island Wedding DJ

    Led Zeppelin

    Led Zeppelin United Kingdom 1968–1980
    		 1969
    		 Hard rock / Heavy metal

    		300 million
    200 million

    I am not surprised The Beatles are #1 but am a bit so that Elvis Presley is ahead of Michael Jackson, due to Michael Jackson’s global appeal. It is somewhat amazing that Led Zeppelin can be this high on Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time without a long history of hit singles, based solely on the strength of their album sales. These have been the most consistent hit producers of Pop Music and deserve their ranking. All are great artists for any professional Wedding DJ or Party DJ.

    is there any artist(s) that you thought would be in the top five Best Selling Music Artists of All-Time that did not reach this level of sales?

    DJ Mystical Michael New jersey DJ & Boston DJ

    973.908.8147

John Lennon Imagine

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John Lennon Imagine. I remember the bittersweet night of being a professional DJ at a club in Randolph, NJ on a Monday night, it was December 8,1980. The club was mostly packed, especially for a Monday night in winter. The dance floor was jamming and everybody was having a good time. A young woman came up to the DJ booth and begged me to play Bruce Springsteen. I explained that the dance floor was full and she would have to wait till it thinned out, otherwise everybody would probably stop dancing. She finally convinced me to play him while she was standing there. I had the record in my hand when one of the bouncers ran up and told me John Lennon had just been shot and killed. I dropped the record on the floor of the DJ booth. After the song playing was over, I turned on the mike and announced his death. I asked for moment of silence and then played “Imagine” before returning to my regular set, although not regular at all. It is the moment I think of the most when I get behind my turntables, then CD Players and now MacBook. Growing up, he was hero my hero with his music and desire for peace.

John Lennon Imagine Music Video

The next day, as Program Director of the local college radio and DJ, I stated that we only play John Lennon Imagine and music by John Lennon for the next twenty-four hours.

The Beatles and John Lennon Imagine Icon

 

“BMI named John Lennon Imagine one of the 100 most-performed songs of the 20th century. The song ranked number 30 on the Recording Industry Association of America‘s list of the 365 Songs of the Century bearing the most historical significance. It earned aGrammy Hall of Fame Award and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. A UK survey conducted by the Guinness World Records British Hit Singles Book named it the second best single of all time, andRolling Stone ranked it number 3 in their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time“. Since 2005, event organisers have played it just before the New Year’s Times Square Ball drops in New York City. Dozens of artists have performed or recorded versions of “Imagine”, including Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Joan Baez, Elton John, and Diana Ross. Emeli Sandé recorded a cover for theBBC to use during the end credits montage at the close of the 2012 Summer Olympics coverage in August 2012. “Imagine” subsequently re-entered the UK Top 40, reaching number 18.” Wikipedia

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Paul McCartney at 12.12.12 Rocks This DJ

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It was such a treat to see Sir Paul McCartney onstage at the 12.12.12 Benefit Concert for Hurricane Sandy! Of course, the whole line-up was great to see from Bruce Springsteen to The Who, Roger Waters and The Rolling Stones to Kanye West and Alicia Keys and Bill Joel.  Most of the performers looked old, well, because they are old. I am not sure why I give a pass to Paul McCartney and not as much the rest of the Classic Rockers who made the trip from near and far to support us here in the New Jersey, New York and Long Island area hit by Hurricane Sandy. There is something about Paul McCartney that is different, I felt it as a kid and still do today. Paul McCartney has that ‘thing’ that few people posses to the degree he does. It also might have something to do with this past Saturday Night being the memorial of John Lennon’s death, which hit me harder this year than most.

 

Paul McCartney’s set began with “Helter Skelter” that somehow seemed very appropriate. “Let Me Roll It” and “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five”. It was fun to hear this song played with such energy! The video is below.

Paul McCartney Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five Music Video

Paul McCartney  invited Diana Krall onstage for “My Valentine”. There was also a heartfelt dedication to the victims of Sandy and rendition of “Blackbird”.  Members of the band Nirvana joined Paul McCartney for a song. Paul McCartney then played “I’ve Got A Feeling” and “Live and Let Die”.

Fifty-one years ago Paul McCartney & The Beatles signed with Brian Epstein!

Paul McCartney and Beatles Icon with Rhode Island Rock DJ

I enjoyed many of the performers but Paul McCartney’s set moved me the most. I also was inspired by Bill Joel’s “Miami 2017” and Kanye West’s “Golddigger”. The only negative perspective I would add is that Alicia Keys was the sole female musical performer. She did a great job but would have liked to had more female musicians represented. It was a great night for an excellent cause. Any professional DJ would be thrilled to support this benefit if they live in the area or anywhere.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

John Lennon Life, Death and Influence on A DJ

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John Lennon, born John Winston Lennon and murdered outside his apartment in New York City on December 8th, 1980. John Lennon was and still is one of my heroes, possibly the only one at the time of his murder. His music, lyrics, message and lifestyle inspired me to be a better person and professional DJ.

 

I had the opportunity to view some of John Lennon artwork at an exhibit in Bloomington, Indiana in 1995. The beautiful simplicity had an effect on me and I recall reflecting on how simple he was, which seemed contradictory to what many might view him. John Lennon was a controversial man who pissed-off almost as many people as he inspired. His views on peace and religion caused major ripples throughout American and Western culture at the time, and possibly to a lesser degree today.

John Lennon Imagine

I remember the night he was murdered. I was working as the Resident DJ at a large New Jersey club called The Final Exam. It was somewhat busy for a Monday Night but enough people to have fun and a filled dance floor. I was cueing a record, when one of the Bouncers came running up, out of breath, “Michael, John Lennon was just shot and killed!” I dropped the record to the floor and began to weep. After the song playing ended, I announced over the PA system the news and played “Imagine” even though it was a dance night and not Rock Music. The next day, the radio station I was Program Director collectively decided to play twenty-four hours straight of John Lennon music in all its forms. For the year that followed, I played “Watching The Wheels” as my closing song live and on radio.

John Lennon Watching The Wheels

When I lived in South Korea, where I was an English Teacher, one of the school’s Teachers, who was a friend of mine, decided to use The Beatles, “Let It Be” as a song that her class would sing at the school talent show. She was disappointed at how they were not getting enthusiastic about the performance during their rehearsals. She asked if I would talk to them and explain the song and its significance. I shared with them about Vietnam, Beatlemania, peace, love and the anti-violent messages of the song. I further explained how it impacted people around the world and is considered, along with “Imagine”, to be one of the most famous community-building songs of peace and love for millions then and now. They got it and their performance the following week was powerful.

John Lennon  & Plastic Ono Band Let it Be

It was thirty-two years ago December 8th since his death. He is still one of the most influential people in my life that I have never met personally. He packed so much into his forty years with us; his music changed the music industry and supported a peace movement, along with other social movements at the time. The messages are still with us.

John Lennon give Peace A Chance

John Lennon & The Beatles Icon

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

The Beatles: Best Selling Album of The 21st Century

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On this date in 2000, The Beatles released their first compilation available all on one CD. The title of the album is ‘Beatles 1’ with nearly every number single that the band released from 1962-1970. The release date was chosen based on it being thirty years since the band had broken-up. It is the world’s best selling album of the 21st century with more than 31 million copies sold to date!

Interestingly enough, this was also the date that The Beatles recorded “Please, Please Me”. The singe was released in The USA on Vee-Jay records with a typographical error on the first pressing of the ’45’. It had their name printed as ‘The Beattles’, not The Beatles!

 

The Beatles icon with DJ Mystical Michael

Here is a list of of the songs on ‘1’ from The Beatles Website.

 

1. Love Me Do (1)
2. From Me to You (1)
3. She Loves You (1)
4. I Want To Hold Your Hand (1)
5. Can’t Buy Me Love (1)
6. A Hard Day’s Night (1)
7. I Feel Fine (1)
8. Eight Days A Week (1)
9. Ticket To Ride (1)
10. Help! (1)
11. Yesterday (1)
12. Day Tripper (1)
13. We Can Work It Out (1)
14. Paperback Writer (1)
15. Yellow Submarine (1)
16. Eleanor Rigby (1)
17. Penny Lane (1)
18. All You Need Is Love (1)
19. Hello, Goodbye (1)
20. Lady Madonna (1)
21. Hey Jude (1)
22. Get Back (1)
23. The Ballad Of John And Yoko
24. Something (1)
25. Come Together (1)
26. Let It Be (1)
27. The Long And Winding Road (1)

The Beatles Story

“The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music.[1] The group’s best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later utilized several genres, ranging from pop balladsto psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania“, but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era’s sociocultural revolutions.” Wikipedia

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Beatles First Visit to USA

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It is hard to imagine that there was a time music existed before The Beatles. I realize how short-sighted that is to write but still what’s on my mind. For those who were not born yet to witness Beatlemania, there is not really a way to accurately convey just how big they were and how quickly it happened. If you can visualize Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Akon, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus all wrapped into one band in its impact and complete domination of the Billboard charts. They were their only real competition for many years. In 1964, during the week of 4 April, the Beatles held twelve positions on the singles chart, including the top five. Just to make sure you understood what was just written, The Beatles had the top five songs and twelve in general! The Beatles First Visit to USA!

 

The influence of The Beatles still continues today. They were the avalanche that made the British Invasion what it became and paved the road for the British artists in America today. The mindset of peace and imagining a world with equality, respect and freedom for all are still with us. The legacy of The Beatles outlasted their actual careers together as a musical group. They were together for less than a decade and here we are almost forty years later still listening to and appreciating their greatness and artistry. From the days of cute ‘moptops’ to Sargeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and finally Let It Be, The Beatles have left their mark globally and definitely for me personally. The Beatles First Visit to USA!

 

I remember the first ’45’ I owned was The Beatles I Want To Hold Your Hand. It is where this all started for me. In a world dominated by performers more interested in being noticed by paparazzi than trying to create world peace and love, groups like The Beatles are missed. Maybe it is time for some of the major acts of today to step-up and lead the way for the next generation. The Beatles First Visit to USA!

The Beatles First Visit to USA! Who will be the ones to do this?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Engineer With Pink Floyd and The Beatles Born Today: Alan Parsons

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Alan Parsons, studio audio engineer, musician, and record producer was involved with the production of The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Let It Be, and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon.  He was born today, December 20th 1948. As a music listener and professional DJ in the industry, the idea of working on two of Rock’s greatest achievements is quite a resume to attach to your name.  It is interesting that his participation in these monumental projects still has not brought him the public recognition that one wold assume would come with such great accomplishments.

 

Alan Parsons was only nineteen when he was hired to work at Abbey Road Studios. Soon after that, The Beatles were in the studio recording the album Abbey Road.

 

“But working with The Beatles was an amazing experience. And working with producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick gave me a great deal to learn from, and that experience too was amazing. The album Abbey Road was actually recorded very quickly, it was done in about eight weeks which for The Beatles was pretty fast. But I enjoyed every second of it. And I was getting paid to work with the greatest pop band of all time!” Alan Parsons Interview with Joe Matera from Ultimate-Guitar.

 

Alan was a main ingredient in the most successful Rock album in the history of Billboard’s Top 200 album charts.  He engineered its highly technical production with only sixteen tracks in analog.  They did not have digital technology yet.

 

He has been nominated for ten Grammys, which seven were for his critically acclaimed Alan Parsons Project work. Additionally one more for his solo work as Alan Parsons.

Alan Parsons Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ