I won an award... It's on the wall in my office
[Posted Thursday, June 18, 2026 6/18/26 10:20 am]
Today we remember the wonderful British character actor Victor Spinetti who passed away on June 18, 2012, at the age of 82. This is my personal remembrance of him.
Over the years, because of a mutual friend, Beatles scholar Martin Lewis, I had the opportunity to spend many hours one on one with Victor.
 | A photo of Victor taken by me
at a Beatlefest in 2007 |
One time, I was helping coordinate logistics at a screening of A Hard Day's Night that Victor had flown in to Hollywood to attend in July, 2007. During the screening we spent most of the time in a small restaurant across the street, but for a while we went back to the theater, and I got to sit next to him as we sat in the back row to watch part of the film. This is my favorite memory of him, sitting in that theater, watching Victor watch the film, smiling and enjoying it with the rest of the audience.
There's no wonder why the Beatles liked him and put him in every one of their movies. He was the warmest, kindest, most wonderful soul I ever met on this planet. The time I got to spend with him was a wonderful gift which I will never forget. I still miss Victor Spinetti greatly.
They say it's your birthday
[Posted Thursday, June 18, 2026 6/18/26 6:30 am]
Legendary musician and former Beatle Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool, 84 years ago today, on June 18, 1942.
Fans and radio stations worldwide are commemorating his birthday today under the theme "When I'm 84", a playful nod to his classic 1967 Beatles track "When I'm Sixty-Four", which was released on the Sgt. Pepper's album.
Although the lyrics of "When I'm Sixty-Four" are about growing old together, it was one of the first songs Paul McCartney wrote, when he was about 14, probably in April or May 1956.
McCartney recently celebrated his 24th number-one album with the release of The Boys of Dungeon Lane, and he says his enduring vitality is due to a dedicated routine of a vegetarian diet and regular sessions at the gym.
From one Gemini to another, happy birthday Sir Paul!
Signs of the times
[Posted Sunday, June 7, 2026 6/7/26 7:15 am]
The BBC reports that because of the new Paul McCartney album, these street signs for Dungeon Lane in Liverpool have been disappearing.
We have a sign problem like this here in my own city, Los Angeles.
George Harrison wrote the song Blue Jay Way while staying in a house on this street in the Hollywood Hills up above Sunset Blvd. back in 1967.
These signs have also been sought after by Beatles fans, so much so that replacement signs have been mounted higher up on the pole than normal and just in case the sign goes missing again, the name of the street has been painted on the street corner's curb.
If you must have one, nice reproductions of these Blue Jay Way signs are available on the internet, and Paul McCartney sells Dungeon Lane signs on his own website.
So, be careful. If these signs are missing, your friends might lose their way.
How Brian made All You Need Is Love broadcast happen
[Posted Thursday, June 4, 2026 6/4/26 10:05 am]
Taking a moment today to reflect on the upcoming anniversary of The Beatles' appearance on "Our World," the first live global satellite television broadcast, on June 25, 1967.
It was the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, who persuaded them to make their history-making appearance. It was also Brian who encouraged them to write and perform a special new song rather play an existing tune. He arranged for the band to represent Great Britain on the broadcast which resulted in a worldwide audience of over 400 million viewers simultaneously watching the Fab Four premiere "All You Need Is Love".
The "Our World" broadcast was a massive undertaking, featuring contributions from 19 different nations. Epstein enthusiastically championed the project to the group, viewing it as a perfect opportunity for them to deliver a universal message of love and unity in very stressful times, which included the Vietnam War.
For the performance of "All You Need Is Love", Epstein and the band transformed the studios at Abbey Road into a party-like atmosphere by inviting close friends and fellow musicians such as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon and Graham Nash.
The event was the final triumph of the astonishing five and a half years during which Brian steered the group from obscurity to global Beatlemania. Tragically, he passed away just two months later in August 1967.
Click here for more information about Brian Epstein.
The Boys of Dungeon Lane Review
[Posted Thursday, May 28, 2026 5/28/26 9:30 pm]
Paul McCartney's most introspective album so far, The Boys of Dungeon Lane offers a glimpse into his early Liverpool years while maintaining the spirit that has defined his career.
Working with producer Andrew Watt, the 14 new tracks strike a balance between acoustic ballads and pop-rock. Lead single "Days We Left Behind" feels like a modern-day Yesterday backed up by years of hard-earned wisdom, and tracks like "Mountain Top" include elements like psychedelic tape loops.
Looking into his past, the song "Down South" recounts an early hitchhiking trip with George Harrison, while "Home to Us" is an historic first-ever duet between Paul and Ringo Starr. These memories are balanced by modern, romantic tributes to his wife, such as the song "Ripples in a Pond."
Paul closes the album with "Momma Gets By," a fully orchestrated ballad that reminds fans of Lady Madonna or She's Leaving Home.
The Boys of Dungeon Lane shows the ever-youthful 83-year-old Macca at his absolute best, refusing to stand still and proving his unmatched gift for making hit records.
New Paul McCartney album
[Posted Tuesday, May 26, 2026 5/26/26 8:00 am]
The new Paul McCartney album drops on Thursday Night!
 | | Photo by Mary McCartney |
Paul's been keeping really busy lately, between his guest shot last week on Saturday Night Live and his surprise appearance at the end of Stephen Colbert's last show.
The introspective Boys of Dungeon Lane is McCartney's first solo album in nearly six years. So far, the two singles released from the album sound great, especially the duet with Ringo!
The new album becomes available on line at midnight, which means on the west coast we get it at 9pm.
Just two more days to go! I'm really looking forward to listening to it for the first time as we all do together!
Review: Ringo's Long Long Road
[Posted Saturday, April 25, 2026 4/25/26 9:45 am]
Following the critical and commercial success of his 2025 country record Look Up, Ringo Starr teamed up once again with legendary producer and songwriter T Bone Burnett for his new album, Long Long Road.
The tracklist features standout original pieces written primarily by Burnett, alongside co-writes by Ringo himself and longtime collaborator Bruce Sugar.
The lead single "It's Been Too Long" features the beautiful backing vocals of Molly Tuttle and Sarah Jarosz. The album also includes guest appearances from the likes of Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, and St. Vincent.
A spirited re-recording of "Choose Love", the title track from his 2005 pop-rock album is reimagined here with an Americana heartbeat, as well as a beautiful cover of Carl Perkins' 1959 hit, "I Don't See Me in Your Eyes Anymore".
For Ringo fans old and new, Long Long Road offers reassurance that the road is still wide open and best traveled with good friends.
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Adam Forrest: 
