Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 12, 1994 TAG: 9403120111
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CODY LOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
"Yes!" said someone who signed herself an Original 60s Beatlemaniac. "I believe this will heal a lot of their old wounds, give the world a lift in spirits and give us all another century of great music memories."
A pretty tall order.
On the other hand, there was Marshall Azen of Southwest Roanoke: "John Lennon was the main ingredient of this foursome. This reunion is nonexistent without `The Beatle.' Could you have an Elvis reunion without Elvis? Mothers of Invention without Frank Zappa? I grew up listening to the Fab Four and I see no reason to have a pseudo-reunion. Let John rest in peace."
The overall vote wasn't overwhelming - about 35 readers responded to our Beatles survey. But a majority said "yes," the remaining Beatles should get back together.
But, we probably shouldn't expect too much, many of them added. And most of you were skeptical of finding a truly acceptable substitute for John Lennon, should a fourth band member be sought. Julian Lennon, John's son and an artist in his own right, was listed most often as the top choice as a fourth.
Here's a sampling of the responses:
"Yes, by all means the remaining three Beatles should reunite. We diehard fans would always wonder if they didn't. No, it won't be the same, but we won't care. It'll be hard for them to come up with new songs without John [and] the last thing we want to hear is Wings stuff. So I'd suggest sticking with the old classics. Now if they DID use a fourth person, how about Peter Noone (from Herman's Hermits)? He'd have to tone down the perkiness a little, but he's from that era and has that same nasal quality that John had. Julian Lennon would be a good choice and would make his Dad proud. Marshall Crenshaw would also be an excellent choice, but not enough people know who he is (whatever happened to Marshall, anyway?). Eric Clapton might add too much of a tragic element . . . If George doesn't get in a better mood, he's going to ruin the whole reunion."
Sarah N. Gaut, Roanoke
"It is the greatest idea in rock 'n roll in 24 years. I think they should get back together." This writer suggested a new line-up including Pete Best - the Beatles' pre-Ringo drummer, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and PaulMcCartney. Ringo apparently gets the boot this time.
Anonymous, Penhook
"It's not the greatest idea, but it would be real cool. I would not expect any new material, just their oldies but goodies. They may not perform well together, but who would care? Besides, the world's greatest rock 'n roll band is still together - the Rolling Stones. No doubt about it, Julian Lennon is the right choice [for a fourth], but no one could really replace John."
Bruce Rakes, Roanoke
"I love the Beatles. I especially like Paul McCartney. I'm only 9 years old, but I think the Beatles should regroup. [For a fourth,] maybe you should get Paul's wife, Linda. She sings pretty good."
Jessica Peters, Wirtz
"The Beatles are as timeless as Mozart, James Dean and Da Vinci rolled into one. As long as peace and love and hope remain there IS a place for the Beatles, then and now. I really think I should be the fourth Beatle, but since not not quite famous enough yet, it definitely should be Julian."
Anonymous, Charlottesville
"I'm 28 and sick of the [music] charts belonging to people who don't bathe, drum machines and pedophiles. Hell, yes, bring on the Beatles!"
Anonymous, Charlottesville
"At the mere mention of a reunion the old feelings from 1964 came to life. I would love it, I don't care how they sound as long as they don't add a lot of extra hype."
Anonymous, Roanoke
"The `three-grip' boys killed music in the 50s, along with Elvis! 3 guitars and a set of drums don't hack it as far as good music goes. I'm a musician. 76 years young. Played in big bands, combos. Still very active playing. Beatles are for teeny-boppers. Sorry."
James Lilburn Caldwell, Glasgow
"Hell, no. Hope the nuts never return."
Bill Walls, Bedford
A reunion is "not of interest." For a fourth member: "Virginia's own Rev. Gallimore. He sings (I think) Strength: Very attractive to ladies (he thinks), Weakness. media burn-out."
Anonymous, Roanoke
"There will never be anything like the 60s Beatles. No matter if three original members participate." For a fourth member: "Madonna. Strengths: she'll have them all hyped up to play. Weakness: would not look good in a bowl cut and black suit. P.S. This year at Festival in the Park, everyone should go see "1964 As the Beatles." They are the best (now) - even better than this reunion."
Anonymous, Roanoke fax
"Regardless of the talent involved, it's hard to imagine a performance equal to the hype this one would generate. We have only to look back as far as the Fleetwood Mac reunion at the Clinton inauguration to appreciate the POSSIBLE disappointment a `Beatles get-together' MIGHT bring about. I think it was Lennon who said it best when he sang the words, `Let It Be.' " [Except for the fact that Paul wrote and sang those words.]
Anonymous, Roanoke
"Disappointment? This is THE Beatles. They never produced a bad song! Whatever they do I am interested. They are indeed FAB."
Bill Clingenpeel, Roanoke
"When I heard that the three surviving Beatles were going to get together for a project such as `The Beatles' Anthology," I was thrilled. I've been a loyal Beatle fan since they came to America in 1964. However, the thrill is tempered by anxiety because, although they have the potential of doing some great work together, they aren't use to working together anymore. Mix in huge egos (understandably, with what they've been through) and worldwide expectations . . . who knows what will happen. As far as having a fourth person join them, I think this is a total mistake. They are going to have a hard enough timne getting used to each other again as it is without mixing another personality in there. Also who could ever replace John Lennon? . . . I'll treasure whatever they do."
Marlene Morgenstern, Roanoke
Thanks to all of you who wrote or faxed your responses in. We'll keep you up-to-date on the latest about the new releases.
Which brings us to the latest news, that there really may be some new Beatles recordings - complete with John - being created.
Working with a demo tape provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, of Lennon singing a song called "Free as a Bird" (recorded in 1980 and already made public on the "Lost Lennon Tapes" syndicated radio series), Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr have been adding their own instrumental and vocal tracks.
The demo Ono provided also includes three other songs by Lennon: "Real Love" (also known as "Boys and Girls"), "Grow Old With Me" (a version of which was issued in 1984, on Lennon's posthumous "Milk and Honey" album) and a piano piece, the title of which has not been disclosed.
According to Beatlefan, "considerable electronic enhancement" on the demo recordings of Lennon's voice was needed in order to make them usable.
by CNB