Actually Elton wrote music to Bernie's lyrics. I wasn't there but it's in all the books and videos.

Andrew had cited Elton/Bernie as an exception.

Ooops.

Actually Elton wrote music to Bernie's lyrics. I wasn't there but it's in all the books and videos.

I think it sounds very nice. Good job.

I wonder if they'll be serving the H.E.L.P. type menu?

I think they should serve creative food.

Oh. I actually wasn't there so I don't know for sure. But the story the way I understood it was that it was kinda mutual. I've heard tales told of Ringo hanging out listening to the Beatles' late night Hamburg sets, sitting in when Pete was sick or whatever, plus Ringo saying something along the lines of "I wanted to play with the Beatles because they were the best band in Liverpool". Whomever had the initial desire notwithstanding, Ringo pretty much dropped what he was doing and joined. Not much arm twisting from what I recall. But I guess the point is that they were made for each other, no?

Ringo for me. I've been defending Ringo for many years now (as if he needs me to do so) and eventually I whittled my response to - "He was the Beat in the Beatles. What more do you want?"

He didn't "luck into" anything. They specifically picked him to be in the group. George says in the Anthology that he was the guy for the role but didn't enter the movie until that scene. Or something like that. If anything, Pete Best lucked into the Beatles when they needed somebody that day to go to Hamburg. Or whatever the story really is. He was just a warm body. But they really dug Ringo. And he quit Rory in a heartbeat to play with them. It was cosmic, man.

Don't get me wrong, I loves me my Charlie Watts. Never fails to get me dancing. That's a trait you want in a drummer.

I forgot Sub-Rosa Subway - oh wait, that was a single

HA! Another Klaatu fan out there? Great sounds - especially on that first album.

Thanks for the chuckle.

Very difficult to answer. In these instances I usually go with "I Am The Walrus". After all these years I still dig it immensely.

The tempo and Maccas base lines are very catchy.

There is a school of thought that says Paul does not play bass on this track. Now I don't have my books or anything with me but it goes something like this - They recorded the basic track with lead vocal live. This was during what I call Paul's Piano Period - you know, around Revolver or so he really hit that hot streak of piano-based songs. So, Paul's playing the keyboard and singing so he can't be on bass because apparently the basic is all on one track performed live (no bounce-down). That leaves either John or George. I'm guessing George. Sounds a little too "involved" to be John to me. Plus I seem to remember that John was doing something else that prevented him from playing bass - maybe percussion, or maybe he wasn't even there.

Anyhoo - again, this is all from memory. I know it came from the Lewisohn book plus some essay in the 910 or something. So these are not stone facts but I believe they point the way to The Truth. I just do not have the time to find it right now.

BTW, I've been lurking for about a month. Nice place you got here. My name is Pete but "DV" is fine too. Less letters.

I think EST (a kind of meditation I think) is what pulled him out of it.

EST was not a "medication" but a controversial self-help program popular in the 70s. An acronym for "Erhard Seminars Training", an EST workshop promised a "personal transformation" but questions were raised about the cult-like methods employed by the practitioners.

In MBE's defense, I think the word was "meditation".

My first post, by the way. Sorry.