the Beatles

the Beatles

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Peter Jackson To Assemble New Beatles 'Let It Be' Film From Archival Footage

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The "Let It Be" sessions have more than 50 hours of archival footage that will be culled through and re-edited for the new project
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 30, 2019 - 3:35 pm

After the release of Abbey Road in 1969, the Beatles stopped recording together but the previous sessions of Let It Be were released in 1970. The album was released on May 8 and the film of the same name debuted in New York City on May 13. Now a new film is being prepared by director Peter Jackson of Lord Of The Rings fame based on more than 50 hours of never-before-seen footage.

For his first documentary, 2018's They Shall Not Grow Old, Jackson combined archival footage with 3D modeling to recreate British soldiers during World War I. Jackson's remarks about Let It Be raised expectations more realistic FX will be used for the Beatles too. "This movie will be the ultimate 'fly on the wall' experience that Beatles fans have long dreamt about," said Jackson. "It's like a time machine transports us back to 1969, and we get to sit in the studio watching these four friends make great music together."

Let It Be's title track and "The Long And Winding Road" both reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1970, and "Get Back" had already been a hit in a previous Billy Preston version. "Get Back" was a protest song, ridiculing politicians who whipped up voters' fears of outsiders. On Jan. 30, 1969 the Beatles were recording a third take of "Get Back" with Preston on the roof of their Savile Row Apple Corps headquarters as police arrived to shut down their now historic performance. The sense that this protest song was the Beatles' final public performance took on a greater meaning that stuck with the version on the album as well.

Accoriding to a statement, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, and Olivia Harrison are all cooperating on the project, adding the excitement.

Giles Martin On Reissuing The Beatles' 1968 Enigma 'The White Album'

Cher

Cher

Photo: Jenny Anderson/Getty Images

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Cher Adds More 2019 Performance Dates In North America

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The diva adds to her demanding 2019 tour schedule while her recent albums chart at career highs
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 29, 2019 - 2:53 pm

Cher's Here We Go Again Tour has added 14 new North American stops in November and December of 2019. This year is keeping the GRAMMY-winning diva busy as she finishes one of her residency series at MGM Resorts' Park Theater in Las Vegas tonight and tomorrow night.

Touring with special guests Nile Rodgers and Chic, Cher's first of the new dates is Nov. 19 in Portland, Ore. with performances in Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Toronto through the end of the month. Next stop is Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 3, then heading south through Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans. The beat goes on in mid-December at Houston and San Antonio, followed by the last of the new dates in Dallas, Texas on Dec. 19 at the American Airlines Center.

If that sounds like a busy itinerary, glance at what Cher has going on before then. Beginning Apr. 18 in Pittsburgh, Penn., she'll be completing previously announced dates in North America and Canada through the end of May. In August, Cher returns to Park Theater in Las Vegas for another round of performances. Then from late September through early November she'll be visiting European capitals including multiple concerts in Germany and the UK including at London's O2 arena on Oct. 20 and 21.

After three Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles in the early 70's, as a solo artist, in 1999 Cher's "Believe" went to No. 1 again and won Best Dance Recording at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards. Both 2013's Closer To The Truth and 2018's Dancing Queen reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 album charts, Cher's career high to date.

Tickets for Cher's Nov. and Dec. performances go on sale on April 5 to the general public at Live Nation's website, with pre-sales opening on April 2.

Cher, Reba McEntire, "Hamilton" Receive Kennedy Center Honors

Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart

Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart

Photo: Peter Simon/Getty Images

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Grateful Dead's 'Aoxomoxoa' Reissue Has Remixes Plus 1969 Live Recordings

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50th anniversary reissue of the breakthrough third album shows their signature psychedelic style's beginnings
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 29, 2019 - 12:21 pm

Aoxomoxoa is the title of the Grateful Dead's 1969 album — a palindrome, it is pronounced the same way backwards as reading the usual way, left to right. That was "far-out" 50 years ago, and on the album's 50th anniversary the Grateful Dead and Rhino Records will reissue Aoxomoxoa including remastered versions of both the album's 1969 mix and 1971 remix by Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh, as well as 1969 live performances of the songs at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco.

The album was a creative breakthrough, as the band broke from label guidance, explored acoustic-only arrangements and self-production, and also welcomed lyricist Robert Hunter. Hunter and Garcia composed all the songs on the album and were joined by Phil Lesh in creating Aoxomoxoa's first track "St. Stephen." 

A limited edition of 10,000 vinyl 12" picture discs will be released in addition to the 2-CD set. Both versions are now available for pre-order online.

Dead & Company continue to tour with Grateful Dead members Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir as well as GRAMMY winner John Mayer. Their latest run of dates begins May 31.

Bob Weir Holds Court At GRAMMY U SoundChecks: "The Passion Is Up To You"

Cardi B

Cardi B

Photo: Randall Michelson/Getty Images

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Transformed Las Vegas Palms Counts Down To "Unstatus Quo" Relaunch

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Guests get their first look at the $690 million renovation's results next week
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 28, 2019 - 2:21 pm

Las Vegas, get ready to "Get On The Good Foot," as per the James Brown song providing both the promotional video soundtrack and the core philosophy behind the Palms Casino Resort's "Unstatus Quo" mega renovation. Set to open next week, the new Palms thinks of itself as "different by design" and seeks to share how they have "completely reimagined" the Las Vegas excursion experience, including the debut of their Kaos nightclub and dayclub venues.

The video, directed by GRAMMY winner Sam Brown, is a vision-statement featuring celebrities from sports and the fine arts as well as musical talents including GRAMMY winner Cardi B, Marshmello, Ezra Miller, Rita Ora, and Latin GRAMMY nominee Ozuna.

Anticipation during this lead-up is intense. The Palms invested $690 million to embody its bid for restored relevance as a cultural destination. Restaurants, gaming, luxury suites, multiple music venues and residencies, surrounded by museum-caliber fine art are about to be put to their first real-world test — combining graciously together into an unforgettable get-away.

A signed Cardi B microphone and one of Marshmello's signature helmets are among the giveaways in the "Unstatus Quo" video, which can be unlocked in daily YouTube Card promotions from Mar. 29 to Apr. 5. The Palms website has also been redesigned so that visitors' digitally interactive experience blends seamlessly with the Palms' on-site hospitality.

The attitude, vision and commitment are reassuring. The new Palms' first guests will judge their success in just a few days.

KAOS Las Vegas To Feature Sets From J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Deadmau5, Eric Prydz & More In April

Sigur Ros

Sigur Ros

Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

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Sigur Ros Tip Summer's 20th Anniversary Reissue Of 'A Good Beginning'

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The album 'Ágætis Byrjun,' meaning "a good beginning," elevated the Icelandic rockers to international attention
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Mar 28, 2019 - 11:48 am

On June 12, 1999, experimental rockers from Iceland Sigur Ros released their critically acclaimed second album Ágætis Byrjun, meaning "a good beginning." On March 28, 2019 the band announced the album's massive 7-LP 20th anniversary reissue, due on June 21, including demos, rarities, a 1999 live concert recording from Reykjavik's opera house Islenska Operan, and an 84-page hardbound book accompanying the collection.

Sigur Ros' follow-up third album, Untitled, was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 46th GRAMMY Awards. Their most recent release is 2013's Kveikur. Since then Sigur Ros attended King Joffrey's wedding in season 4 of "Game Of Thrones," providing their own cover of "The Rains Of Castamere," and they have been breaking into augmented reality in their Magic Leap collaboration "Tonandi." On April 13–28 in Taiwan, the band's music will be featured in choreographer Cheng Tsung-lung's world premier dance piece "22° Lunar Halo."

In addition to the 7-LP box set of Ágætis Byrjun — A Good Beginning — 20th Anniversary Edition, the collection will also be available on four compact discs or as a double-LP with the additional material available for download. Pre-orders are now on sale at Sigur Ros' website.

Thom Yorke Takes His Artistic Solo Catalog On Tour