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With Ron Howard’s documentary movie Eight Days a Week: The Touring Years hitting cinemas in a couple of months’ time, it has been announced that a specially restored film The Beatles’ iconic concert performance at Shea Stadium in 1965 will receive a limited theatrical run at the same time.

On Thursday (July 28th), it was revealed that a fully-restored 4K version of the show that the Fab Four played at New York’s Shea Stadium on August 15th 1965 will be released in certain cinemas to support the roll-out of Howard’s documentary, which will premiere on September 16th.

Continue reading: 4K Restoration Of The Beatles' Shea Stadium Gig To Be Released In Cinemas

An extremely rare Beatles record that was found gathering dust in a loft is to be auctioned next month, and is expected fetch at least $10,000.

The 10-inch record of ‘Till There Was You’ and ‘Hello Little Girl’ is described as a “Holy Grail item” by Beatles collectors, and bears the handwriting of the Fab Four’s manager Brian Epstein. It was cut before the band broke through to the national charts in late 1962, and the predicted price is only a conservative estimate since the record is so rare.

It was discovered in the home of Les Maguire, who used to be the keyboardist in The Beatles’ early Liverpool rivals Gerry & The Pacemakers, where it was left in the attic for decades.

Continue reading: Extremely Rare Beatles Record Expected To Fetch Over $10,000 Next Month

A guitar stolen from John Lennon in 1963 has sold for $2.4m at an auction in Beverley Hills. The Gibson acoustic was used on the recordings of ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘PS I Love You’ and auctioned alongside other items of Beatles memorabilia, including a drum head which went for $2.1m.

A guitar stolen from John Lennon has sold for $2.4m at auction.

The guitar and the drum head fetched two of the highest prices ever paid for items of rock and roll memorabilia. Lennon’s guitar had been in the possession of novice musician John McCaw for decades, who bought it in the late 1960s without knowing it had been stolen from the Beatle.

Continue reading: John Lennon's Stolen Guitar Fetches $2.4m At Auction

The original contract signed by The Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein sold at auction for £365,000 on Tuesday (September 29th).

The document, dated October 1st 1962, was signed at Epstein’s office in Whitechapel a matter of days before the group released their first single ‘Love Me Do’. It confirmed Epstein, often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle’, as the group’s permanent manager and also brought in Richard Starkey (known obviously as Ringo Starr) in place of their former drummer Pete Best.

The Beatles' management contract went under the hammer this week

Continue reading: The Beatles' Management Contract With Brian Epstein Fetches £365,000 At Auction

A critical piece of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia is to go on sale next month, with the news that the first ever recording contract signed by The Beatles is to go under the hammer in New York.

The Associated Press reports that the contract, believed to have been signed when The Fab Four were in Hamburg, Germany in 1961 serving as backing band for Tony Sheridan on the song ‘My Bonnie’, will be up for auction alongside about 300 other pop music artefacts sold by the estate of Uwe Blaschke, a German record producer and graphic designer who died in 2010.

A fresh-faced Fab Four at the start of their career

Continue reading: The Beatles' First Ever Recording Contract Going Up For Auction In New York

A tribute to the late John Lennon was unveiled in New York on Wednesday, with a tapestry unveiled in a ceremony attended by a number of stars including Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono and U2 stars Bono and The Edge.

The cheeky artwork, which depicts Manhattan as a yellow submarine in a sea of blue, is on display at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Lennon himself appears on the tapestry as the captain of the submarine and giving the peace sign. The piece was commissioned by an organisation called Art For Amnesty to thank Ono for diverting more than $5 million in royalties from the singer’s post-Beatles music to Amnesty International since 2004.

Yoko Ono unveiled the tapestry honouring her late husband John Lennon

Continue reading: Ono And Bono Unveil Tapestry In New York Honouring John Lennon

British singer Sam Smith has secured his place in chart history, after achieving a record-breaking milestone previously managed only by the Beatles. The singer has become the only artist since the fab five to spend nearly a year in the top five with a debut album thanks to his massively successful, In The Lonely Hour.

Sam Smith has made chart history with In The Lonely Hour.

The singer’s debut album has so far spent 50 weeks in the top five of the UK album chart, according to the Official Charts Company. That’s only one week short of The Beatles’ record, as they managed 51 weeks on the chart with Please Please Me in 1963.

Continue reading: Sam Smith Joins The Beatles In Making Chart History With 'In The Lonely Hour'

It may have been 50 years since The Beatles released ‘Yesterday’, but on Saturday night in front of a packed crowd at London’s 02 arena, 72 year Paul McCartney proved he’s certainly still got it.

Paul McCartney performing at the 02 Arena in London.

The former Beatle played a career spanning three hour set for the enthusiastic crowd, opening with 1964’s ‘Eight Days A Week’. Macca then took the audience through his storied career playing classics from his Beatles’ days such as ‘Paperback Writer’, The Long and Winding Road, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Lady Madonna’.

Continue reading: Paul McCartney Plays Hit Packed Three Hour Set At London's O2 Arena

Simon Cowell is set to produce a movie biopic of the late Beatles manager Brian Epstein, which will be entitled The Fifth Beatle. It’s an adaptation of a graphic novel of the same name published in 2013 by Vivek J. Tiwary, and tells the story of how Epstein took the legendary group from local stardom to international success under his stewardship.

According to a report in Variety, Tiwary himself has written the screenplay and is also signed on to be a producer alongside the ‘X Factor’ judge. The project has also secured the rights to use the group’s music in the film, with a director set to unveiled in the near future.

Simon Cowell is set to co-produce a film about Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager

Continue reading: Simon Cowell To Co Produce Biopic About Brian Epstein

The Fab Four may have once sung "Can't buy me love", but Friday's auction at the Hard Rock Cafe proved you can buy George Harrison's prized Maton Mastersound guitar - if you have almost half a million dollars handy.

George Harrison (far right) with the rest of the Fab Four

Rolling Stone reports that the instrument sold for $485,000, the top earner at Julien's Auctions in New York, which specialized in the sale of hundreds of rare items from the world of music.

Continue reading: George Harrison's Guitar Plucks $485,000 At Auction

It’s been 48 years since Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play, and now it appears that he’ll be helping a whole new generation about music too, with the news that The Beatles’ era-defining album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is to be taught to Music GCSE students.

The Independent reported on Wednesday that British exam board AQA is shaking up its Music curriculum for 13 to 16 year olds, and is set to make the iconic 1967 album one of the central themes of its course, which will be implemented for the start of the 2016 academic year.

The Beatles in 1967 circa 'Sgt. Pepper'

Continue reading: The Beatles 'Sgt. Pepper' Album To Be Included In New Music GCSE Syllabus

A study by the University of London and Imperial College has concluded that the emergence of hip hop has had the biggest impact on the charts of any genre since the 1950s. The study also found that the importance of The Beatles may have been overstated, suggesting that the fab five did not spark a musical revolution.

The Beatles may not have been that revolutionary

The study found there were three musical revolutions on the charts, the first being in 1964 with the rise of rock and roll bands such as The Beatles. The second was in the mid 80s with the use of synthesisers and drum machines, while the third came in 1991 when rap and hip-hop infiltrated the mainstream charts.

Continue reading: Scientific Study Concludes Hip Hop Was More Impactful Than The Beatles

A Westminster councillor is making plans to create a job opening for a lollipop lady or man to work at the famous 'Beatles' zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road Studio. Hundreds of music fans visit the crossing in St John's Wood each day, slowing traffic by recreating the famous album cover.

The Beatles famously walked across the zebra crossing for the cover of their seminal 'Abbey Road' album cover

Business owners and local residents have complained about pedestrian safety, traffic issues and graffiti caused by the tourist destination. Councillor Lindsey Hall is looking to install a lollipop lady or man at the site, to act as the "eyes and ears" for the council when such issues arise.

Continue reading: Job Advert: Lollipop Lady, Or Man, For 'Beatles' Abbey Road Crossing

A tree planted in tribute to former Beatles guitarist George Harrison has died after being infested by...beetles. The pine tree was planted in Los Angeles' Griffith Park in 2004, three years after the musician's death.

George Harrison in 1965 [Getty/Keystone]

Council officer Tom LaBonge told the Los Angeles Times that the tree had grown to more than 10 feet tall, but that an infestation of beetles had overwhelmed it. A new tree will be planted at a date yet to be announced.

Continue reading: Guess Which Insects Have Killed The George Harrison Memorial Tree?

Beyoncé's fabulous collection of stage outfits in addition to some of her red carpet looks will be the focus of a new exhibition hosted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. 

Beyonce's 'Single Ladies' outfit has been immortalised at Madame Tussauds.

Read More: It's "All Good" Between Solange Knowles & Jay-Z Following Elevator Fight.

Continue reading: Beyoncé "Honoured & Humbled" By Hall Of Fame Exhibition

Ron Howard is set to direct a new documentary focussing on The Beatles' journey from The Cavern Club in Liverpool to their final performance in San Francisco in 1966. The documentary will use archive footage and recent interviews to trace the astronomic rise of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.

Ron Howard will direct the upcoming Beatles documentary.

Read More: Beatles Documentary In Safe Hands As Ron Howard Signs To Direct.

Continue reading: Happy Days! Why Ron Howard Will Make A Great Director Of The Beatles Documentary

Ron Howard will direct and produce a fully authorized documentary on The Beatles touring years between 1960 and 1966, it has been confirmed. This is Howard’s second music documentary, following last year’s Jay-Z festival film 'Made in America.'

The Beatles are getting the Ron Howard treatment

With the full cooperation of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, Apple Corps, White Horse Pictures and Howard’s Imagine Entertainment will produce the documentary. “I am excited and honored to be working with Apple and the White Horse team on this astounding story of these four young men who stormed the world in 1964,” Howard said. “Their impact on popular culture and the human experience cannot be exaggerated.”

Continue reading: Beatles Documentary In Safe Hands As Ron Howard Signs On To Direct

Big news, Beatles fans: a new authorised documentary on the rock icons is in the works, with Ron Howard slated to direct. The film will include new interviews with both surviving members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, the surviving wives of John Lennon and George Harrison. The production has been authorised by Apple Corps Ltd., the band's holding company.

Nearly 45 years after their break-up, fans of The Beatles are still hungry for more from the iconic band.

As for the subject matter, the as-of-yet-unnamed documentary is slated to focus on the band’s earliest years, between 1960 and 1966, during which the Liverpool foursome released 20 studio and live records in total, from their first record Please Please Me, released in ’63 to the 1966 landmark, Revolver.

Continue reading: The Beatles Revived One More Time In Concert Documentary About The Early Years

A tasty chunk of news for the music nerds: Manic Street Preachers have been found to be the most lyrically diverse act in a study of Welsh artists. Wales Online conducted the study to celebrate the release of the rock act's latest album, Futurology, and found that 2,056 unique words were used in only the Manics' first three albums.

The band emerged as top of the study, beating fellow Welsh superstars Stereophonics and Tom Jones. As the news site so appropriately points out, "For a band who sang "libraries gave us power," it's no shock that their use of language and words to get their message across."

For comparison, Cynon Valley group Stereophonics also scored highly with 1,453 different words used in their early back-catalogue, but Tom Jones' early work in the '60s saw just 867 words used over the his three first albums, with his third most-used word being "pussycat."

Continue reading: Manic Street Preachers Named Most Lyrically Diverse As 'Futurology' Released

Paul McCartney was forced to cancel his appearance in Toyko on Saturday (17th May) because he was suffering from a virus. The 71-year-old is currently travelling with his Out There tour but was unable to appear in Tokyo as his doctors deemed him too unwell to perform at the National Stadium.

The Beatles star was seemingly unwell on Friday (16th May) but his symptoms progressed over the following 24 hours. McCartney posted an apology on his Facebook page, stating “I am very sorry to all my fans as I was greatly looking forward to the concert, but the situation is out of my hands.”

Fans who were unable to see McCartney perform will be able to see the singer on Monday, when he continues his tour. He promised fans he would be well enough on Sunday to appear and that tickets from the cancelled show would be valid for an additional performance on Monday. Considering how much fans have paid for the tickets, they should be entitled to at least catch a glimpse at McCartney. According to The Washington Post, tickets ranged from $130 to $650.

Continue reading: Paul McCartney Cancelled Tokyo Performance Due To Virus And Reschedules

You’d think someone of Ozzy Osbourne’s status wouldn’t be star struck by anyone, but the legendary rocker was left speechless when he was tasked with introducing fellow musician, Ringo Starr at The Grammy Awards.

Ozzy Attended The Grammys With His Wife Sharon & Daughter Kelly.

Apparently, he joined his Black Sabbath bandmates on stage to pay tribute to Starr, but immiedietly became overcome with nerves when he saw Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in the crowd looking back at him.

Continue reading: Ozzy Osbourne Was Left (Literally) Speechless By The Beatles

It has been 50 years since The Beatles crossed the pond in an attempt to break into the US music industry. Well, calling them a success is quite an understatement, 5 decades later the boys from Liverpool have arguably one the one of the most coveted legacies ever.

The Beatles' original full line-up

So to commemorate their success in the US, the New York Port Agency are going to unveil a historical marker at the location the band first arrived on American soil- JFK International Airport. Rolling Stone reports, the maker will be unveiled in a ceremony at JFK's Central Terminal Area, which is the same place The Beatles gave their first US press conference.

Continue reading: The Beatles Will Be Honored AT JFK Airport With Historical Marker

It was revealed early last week that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr would be among the performers at this years Grammy Awards, a prospect that had a number of people speculating that this spelled an on-stage reunion between the two surviving Beatles. Whilst we still wait on any word regarding that, Ringo has confirmed that the two will be reuniting on stage soon, but not at the Grammys.

Ringo was given a Lifetime Achievement Award bt The David Lynch Foundation

The drummer was in attendance at an awards gala put on by The David Lynch Foundation in Los Angeles on Monday, 20 January, where he was bestowed with the Lifetime of Peace & Love Award. Whilst there, he was grilled on his upcoming Grammys appearance and whilst he sidestepped the part concerning whether he and Paul will be performing together at the ceremony, he did confirm that a special performance involving the two will be taking place some time before it.

Continue reading: Ringo Starr Confirms Reunion Performance With Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are set to perform at this years 56th Grammy Awards, with their inclusion to the Grammys set list being announced this week by the music awards showcase. Although the organisers for the event have revealed that the pair will perform, they have yet to specify whether the two will appear on stage together at all, a prospect that most are hoping for.

Paul and Ringo will hopefully be performing together

The pair were announced as two of the latest confirmed acts to appear at the awards show, with fellow performers John Legend, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Sara Bareilles and Carole King also added to the bill.

Continue reading: Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr Confirmed For Grammy Awards Performance. Does This Spell A Beatles Showcase?

The Beatles’ incredible contribution to music is set to be recognized once more by a lifetime achievement award; this time it’s the Grammy’s lavishing praise on the Liverpool pop pioneers. The honorary gong will be handed over at a special ceremony that's taking place on January 25, the night before the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

Seminal popsters The Beatles are getting a lifetime achievement award

“It is a great privilege to recognize such an exceptional group of honorees and celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the recording industry," Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement.

Continue reading: Another Lifetime Achievement Award For The Beatles; This Time, The Grammys

The Beatles' cover of the classic Buddy Holly track 'Words of Love' is certainly not new but director Pete Candeland (Gorillaz, Imagine Dragons) has given the track a new lease of life with a partially animated music video.

The Beatles Are Reunited Via Pete Candeland's Video.

The clip uses footage from The Beatles' concerts, tomfoolery and time on the road and intersperses them with cute animation which gives the short video an endearing, home-woven aesthetic.

Continue reading: 'Words Of Love': Sweet New Beatles Music Video Released [Video]

Rihanna made chart history this weekend when her latest collaborative effort with rapper Eminem entered the chart at number one, meaning she's hit the top spot for seven years running, at some point or another. The feat has only ever been matched by The Beatles and Elvis Presley and has etched her into the history books alongside those two recording greats.

'The Monster' - her second number one collaboration with Eminem following their massively successful link up on 2010's 'Love the Way you Lie' - continues a run of form that began in 2007 with 'Umbrella' and it looks as though she could even break the eight year mark.

Rihanna has now had 8 number one singles over a period of 7 consecutive calendar years. But let's put that into perspective: alongside her fellow 'Club 7' record breakers, The Beatles had 17 number one singles in the same period, more than double that of Ri-Ri. She's got a long way to go.

Continue reading: Rihanna Makes UK Chart History As Eminem Collaboration Storms To The No. 1 Spot