Tributes to the Beatles
The Beatles were originally a quartet, but only Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr remain.
John Lennon was murdered in December 1980 and George Harrison died of lung cancer in 2001. There have been numerous tributes to both.
The Beatles edit
During the mid 1960s, Beatlemania was an unprecedented global phenomenon, and two songs devoted to them reached the charts: "We Love You Beatles" by The Carefrees (#39) and "A Letter to the Beatles" by The Four Preps (#85).
Over the years, many other songs mention the group in their lyrics:
- The Police – "Born In the 50s"
- The House of Love – "The Beatles and the Stones"
- Run-DMC – "King of Rock"
- The Who – "The Seeker"
- Jellyfish – "All I Want is Everything"
- The Clash – "1977"
- The Dream Academy – "Life in a Northern Town"
- Leonardo Favio – "Ding Dong, Ding Dong, Estas Cosas del Amor"
- Akustikats - "Bit by Beat - A Tribute to The Beatles"
- Billy Joel - "All You Wanna Do Is Dance"
- Marie Laforêt - "Il a neigé sur Yesterday"[1]
The Beatles have inspired a number of tribute acts and theatrical productions; among them are the American Beatles tribute band Rain (originally Reign), which evolved into the stage production Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles;[2][3] the Cirque du Soleil stage production Love, which utilizes music from an accompanying 2006 remix album of the same name produced by George Martin and his son Giles Martin;[4] and the Japanese tribute band the Parrots,[5] whom in 2013 McCartney booked for and played alongside at a birthday party for his wife Nancy Shevell.[6]
John Lennon edit
Lennon was murdered in New York City by Mark David Chapman, who had a been a childhood fan of The Beatles. After his death, a crowd gathered in mourning to pay tribute to him in ten minutes of silence as requested by his widow, Yoko Ono.
Posthumous recognition edit
Lennon has been the subject of numerous posthumous awards. His album Double Fantasy was awarded a 1982 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and a 1982 Brit Award for outstanding contribution to music. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Lennon in sixth place in a countdown of the greatest artists of all time, and Lennon's song "Imagine" was voted the third greatest song of all time.[7] Several posthumous compilation albums have been released, such as Lennon Legend and Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon.
Concerts and albums edit
Instant Karma: The Campaign to Save Darfur edit
In 2006, a selection of modern recording artists released versions of Lennon's songs on a charitable album called Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, named after a John Lennon song. Performers included U2, Lenny Kravitz, The Cure, Green Day, R.E.M., Christina Aguilera, Duran Duran, and The Black Eyed Peas, among others. U2 recorded the title track.
Songs edit
"All Those Years Ago" edit
George Harrison had written "All Those Years ago" before the death of Lennon. The lyrics were originally different, however; upon hearing the news of Lennon's death, Harrison changed the lyrics and rewrote the song as a tribute to Lennon.[8] Surviving Beatles, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, along with McCartney's wife Linda and Wings member Denny Laine, contributed to the recording.[9]
"Here Today" edit
McCartney recorded his own personal tribute to Lennon, titled "Here Today," on his 1982 album, Tug of War.[10] McCartney had been affected by Lennon's death to the extent that he became reluctant about touring.[citation needed]
"Life Is Real (Song for Lennon)" edit
Freddie Mercury of Queen wrote "Life Is Real" as a tribute to Lennon. The title may be a reference to the lyric 'love is real', from Lennon's 1970 song "Love", or the line 'nothing is real', from The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever".
"Hey John" edit
The GDR rock band Die Puhdys dedicated Lennon their song "Hey John", performed and recorded in 1981. The band describes their fan feelings about John Lennon, especially to his song "Give Peace a Chance". The song contains Lennon samples from "Give Peace a Chance" and "Imagine".
"Roll On John" edit
Bob Dylan wrote "Roll On John" as a tribute to Lennon on his 2012 album entitled Tempest.[11]
"Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)" edit
Elton John wrote "Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)" for Lennon, a dedication for Lennon to show a love for their friendship. Elton John titled it "Empty Garden," as Lennon told him stories how he was going to create a garden outside of The Dakota, which was the building where Lennon lived, and how he never was able to grow it as he was shot by a crazed fan outside of his home in 1980.
"The Late Great Johnny Ace" edit
Paul Simon wrote this song about both the fifties singer Johnny Ace and John Lennon in 1981. It was first performed for the concert in Central Park in 1981, as seen in the film, but not included on the album. It was finally released on his 1982 album "Hearts and Bones".[12]
Films edit
The U.S. vs. John Lennon edit
Imagine: John Lennon edit
George Harrison edit
George Harrison died from lung cancer on 29 November 2001. Tributes were performed by some of the most well known musicians of the time.
Posthumous recognition edit
A year after Harrison's death, his final album, Brainwashed, was released. The Dark Horse Years 1976–1992, a compilation set of a selection of his albums, was released in 2004. Harrison was voted the 21st greatest Guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Film director Martin Scorsese directed a feature-length documentary about Harrison's life, George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011).
Concerts and albums edit
Concert for George edit
A year after his death Harrison's friends commemorated him in a tribute concert held at the Royal Albert Hall.[13] The show featured musicians Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynne, Ringo Starr, Tom Petty, and Paul McCartney among others. Harrison's son Dhani performed, playing the guitar. Jim Keltner, a session drummer who had played with Harrison in the Traveling Wilburys, also appeared.
Songs edit
"Never Without You" edit
Ringo Starr wrote and recorded a tribute song to Harrison titled "Never Without You", released on Ringo Rama in 2003.
Films edit
George Harrison: Living in the Material World edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Perrin, Denis (2023-08-12). "Il a neigé sur Yesterday". Académie de la Chanson (in French). Retrieved 2024-03-16.
- ^ Merrell, Sue (25 January 2009). "After 26 years, Beatles' tribute band Rain still going strong". MLive.com. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Sion, Mike (21 January 2015). "Rain: New generation takes reins of Beatles tribute". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Rogers, Florence (30 June 2006). "'Love' Brings Beatles and Cirque Du Soleil Together". NPR. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Kuhn, Anthony (11 October 2007). "Japanese Tribute Band Parrots The Beatles". NPR. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Stevens, Jenny (5 December 2013). "Paul McCartney gets Beatles tribute band to perform at his wife's birthday party". NME. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Wenner, Jann (2010) [2004]. 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. p. 13. OCLC 641731526.
- ^ August 2008 Uncut Magazine
- ^ Badman, Keith (1999). The Beatles After the Breakup 1970-2000: A day-by-day diary. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-7520-5.
- ^ "Here Today". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
- ^ Greene, Andy (17 July 2012). "First Details of Bob Dylan's Upcoming Album 'Tempest' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Paul Simon Deep Cuts". Rolling Stone. 24 September 2015.
- ^ The Concert for George, Catalogue number: 0349702412