Tuesday, 2nd December

The Times published  three photos of three Beatles in today's paper (p19).  They were on holiday in Tenerife with Astrid Kirchherr in 1963. Rare colour pictures taken before Beatlemania and are "expected to fetch £6,000 when they are sold at auction". And the caption was "Yesterday when all their roubles seemed so far away"

Last few days ...

Thursday, 20th November: "Ringo Starr (Thomas the Tank Engine). The most unlikely post-Beatles career turn of any of the Fab Four came with Starr's contribution to the mid-1980s TV incarnation of the rail icons".  This came from the Top Ten Children's TV Voices list in added to the end of a review of the new Paddington film (T2, p9)

Saturday, 22nd November: "Paul McCartney earns 60K per day".  Overheard conversation at Whitemoors Antique Centre - a group of unit holders were discussing an article in a tabloid newspaper.

Monday, 24th November: "Pete Best, original drummer for the Beatles, 73" from The Times "Birthday's Today" (p30).

I caught a little bit of Sweet Sixteen by Ringo this afternoon on Johnny Walker's show.  This week's guest was Captain Sensible who spoke about his early days touring explaining it was a "Magical Mystery Tour-like the Beatles film".

But my favourite reference was in The Times Saturday Review (p9).  In a review of a new book, "A history of the 20th century in 100 maps" I read the following sentence: "And the childhood haunts of John, Paul, George and Ringo are meticulously plotted on a 1974 map catering for the millions of Beatles fans making the pilgrimage to Liverpool". Great, eh!

Saturday, 25th October

Caitlin Moran (my favourite journalist) devoted her regular column in The Times Magazine to discussing who's the best Beatle.  She started with Ringo, her writing as humorous as ever, but she finally chose - Paul McCartney. I think I agree.

I listened to the last bit of Elaine Page's R2 show and was surprised to learn that Paul McCartney's song "All my Life" featured in the film "Rainy with a chance of Meatballs!".  Later on the in the afternoon, Johnny Walker, interviewed Joan Armatrading - whilst talking about playing to big crowds she mentioned a famous gig at "Black Bush" adding, it was where she met her first Beatle, Ringo Starr.

I walked into Hinckley's little shopping mall this morning to the sound of Ringo, singing "With a Little Help from my Friends".  

I never watch "Would I lie to you" - but I caught the last 10 minutes tonight.  Lee Mack was trying to convince the others that he had a system for remembering the teletubbies and added ... "Stuart, but he left before Ringo"! I must have missed something, because doesn't really make sense does it?

Something else I missed was in yesterday's Times (until I read it late last night in bed): was a little piece about  lego artworks:  "Lego recreations of The Beatles, One Direction and a telephone box will go on display as part of The Art of the Brick ... " (p21).

And as I type this I'm listening to "Mull of Kintyre" as Anton and Judy dance a waltz on "Strictly Come Dancing"

My newspaper's lead story concerns the British ISIS guard responsible for yesterday's filmed killing of an American hostage. "One former hostage said that he recognised the voice to be that of a jailer known as John.  The group were jokingly referred to as "the Beatles", he said" (The Times, p1).  The Radio2 news bulletins tell it slightly differently saying that 3 or the 4 jailors were British and known as John, Paul and Ringo. Either way, its not a reference I am happy to record.  And I imagine Paul and Ringo are distressed at this use of their names.

After a long (but successful) day shopping for a wedding outfit I listened to Liza Tarbuck (2) in my summerhouse.   She "bigged-up" Stella and Paul who requested a mention and mused if they were McCartneys.  A Beatles number also turned up on the show (one that Stranded used to do), but now I've forgotten what song it was.

Lots of Beatle songs today.  Chris Evans may be off poorly but his stand-in, Liz Kershaw, still played two tracks this morning: "Good day sunshine" and a rare offering by Ringo "Octopus' Garden".

And in the evening I watched the remaking of "Please, please me" again.  As before I enjoyed Mark Hucknell's version of "Anna", Beverly Knight's "Twist and Shout" and the Beatles Liverpool contemporaries doing "Boys".  I did skip through one or two of the others though!

Three Beatle-free days - must be a record. 

Doreen Speight in 1961

But everything is back to normal today because ... "Ringo's love letters shed light on birth of the Beatles" (Times p23). A former girlfriend (Doreen Speight) is selling her letters from a youthful Richard Starkey.  They chart his rise from Butlins to Beatles. They are expected to reach £8,000.

Finishing off Saturday's T2 crossword tonight.  Delighted that 6 Down is: "One of the Beatles (5)". Answer: Ringo

I watched about 45 mins of last night's show - some good covers.  Paul and Ringo in the audience with Beatle family members and a host of celebrity fans. A bit too "sentimental" and "groupie-ish" for my liking but will "catch up" with the rest sometime.

I heard two more Beatles songs today.  The first was Jamie Callum singing a jazzy version of "Can't buy me love" whilst I had a picnic in the park (they play music over the bandstand speakers). More piped music in B & Q. I caught "Eight Days a Week" just as I was leaving the store with another tin of paint.