Beatles Magazine

BEATLES MAGAZINE : ED RUDY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

…New York City, Washington DC, New York again, Miami Beach, Florida, and again return to NYC for flight to London comprised the itinerary of The Beatles’ first American Tour in February 1964… and ED RUDY WAS THERE!…

Shortly after landing in America from England, on February 7th, at the start of the First Beatles’ American Tour, The Beatles dazzled the world with their perspicacity, humor and charm when they answered reporters’ queries at the iconic Idlewild Airport (now JFK) press conference. Ed met The Beatles at Kennedy Airport, covered them at the Plaza Hotel on Park Avenue, traveled with them to Washington DC for their first US concert, reported on their shows at Carnegie Hall, and headed with them to Miami later that week, even sharing a suite with George Harrison at the Deauville Hotel on Collins Avenue.

Of course, The Beatles’ quick wit attracted huge very positive international film, newsreel, television and other press coverage. The Beatles also caused a great teen fan uproar while they were headquartered at NYC’s Plaza Hotel. The Beatles, on their first American tour, appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and, prior to that performance, recorded another show at the theatre which would be their third Ed Sullivan appearance.

The Beatles well photographed and documented, then traveled by rail, because the weather was bad, and performed and were filmed at their first major American sold out performance concert in the Washington D.C. Coliseum.

They were also honored at an internationally publicized Ambassador’s reception at the British Embassy in Washington. With The Beatles, we then returned to New York for The Beatles’ celebrity studded SRO performance at NYC’s famed Carnegie Hall.
The Beatles flew to Florida with Ed Rudy, for their second Ed Sullivan Show performance at The Deauville Hotel. The Beatles, their entourage and Brian Epstein enjoyed their stay at the luxurious Deauville in Miami Beach. Wonderful weather, great press coverage and marvelous fan reaction were the impetus for what became an extended stay in sunny Miami, Florida.
Along with The Beatles, Brian Epstein, Malcolm Evans, etc.Ed returned to the original New York airport (now JFK) before the marvelous Liverpool lads and entourage continued on their return flight to London.
This was the first American Tour of The Beatles and the start of American Beatlemania! and Ed Rudy now a Miami resident, was very much involved as a radio and television reporter and journalist. He tell us about this….Happy 50th, Ed! You were there!

BEATLES MAGAZINE: Ed you were the only reporter who followed the group for the entire USA tour …

ED RUDY: I was the only American reporter to accompany The Beatles on their first American Tour, though there were many international reporters and photographers on the tour and many local journalists at each stop.
Our life changing relationship with The Beatles, though the prism of a very experienced journalist and radio and television interviewer and commentator, almost immediately converted us to aficionados of the fab four Liverpool Lads!

BM: Which of the Beatles you knew better ?

ED: We enjoyed our relationship with all of The Beatles, but probably influenced by the fact that we both lived in NYC, maintained a close relationship with only John Lennon until his tragic and untimely assassination, by a deranged fan, as he returned to his apartment at 1 West 72nd Street (The Dakota), in Manhattan.
John Lennon was, unquestionably, the leader of The Beatles, Paul McCartney was, as fans proclaimed, very talented and ‘the pretty Beatle”, George Harrison, the youngest, was very friendly personally but in public very much “the quiet Beatle”, and Richard “Ringo” Starr , the oldest, most professionally experienced, shortest and most recent addition, was “the different Beatle”!

BM: You saw the shows at the Washington Coliseum and Carnegie Hall, tell me about your experience.

ED: We have probably been present and enjoyed more Beatles’ concerts and performances than anyone else, except The Beatles and their managers.
All were outstanding despite often being difficult to hear because of very enthusiastic and loud fan reaction.

BM: What´s the most precious memory?

ED: Their first appearance on Ed Sullivan TV show was of the true highlights of “The American Tour with Ed Rudy” first Beatles´USA visit.

BM: You have a great albums from the period of Beatlemania. Really a interest collection piece of the Beatles´story wich contains a collage of comments by East Coast fans, press conferences and Beatles inteviews . Please tell me more about this

ED: These documentary albums are an historical footprint of Beatlemania in America. They’re fun, upbeat and an innocent reflection of the times, catching The Beatles in playful, off-guard character as they plunged full force into the American mainstream. Today these two interview albums have been digitally remastered and speed corrected for broadcast and are now available for your personal collection. The world famous recordings are part of the digital DNA of The Beatles mark on America and are clearly a must-have for Beatle fans who want to hear the true, inside story on The Beatles American Invasion.

BM: The Beatles dubbed you “Ed Rudy, The Fifth Beatle” in some broadcast…

ED: We were flattered and very pleased when
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr dubbed “Ed Rudy, The Fifth Beatle” in international broadcasts while we interviewed the for a huge network of 440 broadcast operations.

BM: What is your opinion about the Beatlemania of today?

ED: Beatlemania was born in the UK and became a world changing event for all young people when the phenomenon arrived in the USA on February 7th, 1964. Fifty years later, one half century, 2014, we can see that the change has certainly not been limited to musical tastes only. Beatlemania continues to reach across all generations in the universe and permanently made our planet more progressive, friendlier, more accepting of difference and change, and a much more peaceful place .

BM: Thank you very much Ed, you are part of the Beatles´story, a pleasure talk with you and a honour to me.

ED: Love the concept of BEATLES MAGAZINE! is an excellent site for autenthic Beatles related news, in English and spanish. This publication should prove to bevery popular for english and spanish speaking fans around the world. Si es verdad! we have a very high opinion of BEATLES MAGAZINE!. We will always be available to you, Lovely Rita!

For More Information on ED RUDY and his historic albums “THE AMERICAN TOUR WITH ED RUDY” AND “ED RUDY WITH NEW U.S TOUR” HERE:

www.EdRudy.com
http://www.edrudy.com/home.htm
https://www.facebook.com/EdRudy1

BEATLES MAGAZINE: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HEIDI JO HINES

By Beatles Magazine Saturday, January 11, 2014Thursday, October 3, 2019 In BRIAN EPSTEIN 0 BEATLES MAGAZINE, INTERVIEWS 0

Heidi Jo Hines, singer, songwriter and guitarist, with a great, powerfull and lovely voice, really is a talent as a rock singer.
Heidi is daughter of two great persons: Denny Laine and Jo Jo Hines and have two lovely childs Jaylie and Jesse. With influences from the Stones, Janis Joplin, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple & many more musical greats of the past Heidi and his rock band Earth Prayer -sound fresh and vital- from London are on a mission to bring back Rock n’ Roll in it’s truest form.
Earth Prayer is: Heidi Jo Hines-lead singer, Ian Montlake-lead guitarist, Max Edwards-Bass, Gonzalo Carrera-Keys and Nicola Barchiesi-Drums. 2014 is the year of Earth Prayer…and we talked about it! …

Parents: Denny Laine and Jo Jo Hines

BEATLES MAGAZINE: Heidi, you began very young in the music…which was the opinion of your parents about you pursuing a musical career?

Heidi Jo Hines: Both my parents are musical, so it wasn’t even a question growing up, I naturally gravitated towards it and they supported me. when I was 21 My father advised me to study and go to theatre school to train properly ,but I ended up on a different path learning the hard way on my own, which took longer, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

My mother also wanted me to pursue art as I love to draw ,so I took Graphic design for a year ,but it didn’t give me the same thrill ,so I switched my subject to Music Theory, but only for a year as I moved back to England. The rest, as they say…is history.

Check this out on Chirbit

BM: What have been your musical influences?

HJH: Both my parents of course, Janis Joplin,Aretha Franklin , Michael Jackson,and creedance clearwater… there are too many to mention.

BM: Heidi you touring with Wings in the seventies, can you tell me about this days?

HJH: It was a lot of fun , I remember being on planes, tour buses, living like a gipsy and loving it. Being back stage was fun, I remember seeing Wings performing from the side of the stage and I was dancing along . The whole atmosphere was magical!

BM: You have contact with the McCartney´ family? with Mary or Stella?

HJH: Not anymore, I used to see Paul and Linda years ago around where I live as we lived in the same area and everytime I would see them, they were very warm and would always greet me with a big hug, but I moved to America and lost touch.

Mary’s children attended the same school as mine so we would see eachother and say hello. I saw stella years ago and she remembered me from when I used to go to their house during the wings days ,she was very lovely, but I haven’t seen her since.

BM: You are a mother to two beautiful children, they like music?

HJH: Yes very much, My daughter Jaylie who’s 12 loves to sing and act, she is a natural.Jesse my son is equally as talented and has such a sweet voice.

BM: Please tell me about “Everything I ever Wanted” a session with your father and great musicians

HJH: I was working with my friend Keyboardist Gonzalo Carrera on a project and we were asked by Odette Winstanley from the Classic Rock Society to perform on’ Everything I ever wanted’ a song she wrote to raise funds for the CRS.

Gonzalo is good friends with Hugh McDowell (ELO)so he asked him if he would play the Cello . Andy Thomas has done sessions for David Bowie,George Benson and Steve Winwood, did the Programmed drums and my dad Denny Laine (Wings/Moody Blues)who happened to be in the country at the time did the lead guitar.
It was a great experience to be on such a lovely record with such talented musicians.

BM: Do you include Wings´ songs or your father in the setlist of your shows?

HJH: Not with my band Earthprayer , but Gonzalo and I do a covers duo ocassionally and I sang “Mull of Kintyre” for the first time recently ,it went down a storm.. so watch this space.

BM: New projects to this new year with your group Earthprayer? Maybe a new album… maybe a tour?

HJH: Yes this year will see the proper birth of Earthprayer , we’ve recently signed with manager Geoff Eaton in the states with his company Respectable Artists, we will be releasing our EP through Respectable, distributed by Universal/Interscope… and touring parts of Europe.

BM: Thank you very much Heidi, is a honour talk with you, thank you.

HJH: I´m really grateful to be asked by you to be interview for Beatles Magazine, it´s one of the best Online Magazines out there and very well respect!.

—————————————————————–*For More Information on HEIDI JO HINES:

https://www.facebook.com/heidijohines?fref=ts
https://www.youtube.com/user/heidijohines

https://www.facebook.com/earthprayer?fref=ts
http://www.reverbnation.com/earthprayer
https://twitter.com/earthprayeruk
http://www.youtube.com/earthprayerofficial

BEATLES MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: A CONVERSATION WITH MARK RIVERA – ABOUT HIS NEW ALBUM “COMMON BOND” FEATURING RINGO STARR

By Beatles Magazine Saturday, December 28, 2013Thursday, October 3, 2019 In BRIAN EPSTEIN 0 BEATLES MAGAZINE, INTERVIEWS 0

He’s performed before millions of fans with a ‘who’s who’ of music’s elite including Elton John,Bruce Springsteen,Don Henley,Tony Bennett,Paul Simon and Paul McCartney. And now Mark Rivera, longtime Billy Joel band mate and Ringo Starr’s Music Director steps into the spotlight with his first solo album:”Common Bond” an eclectic mix of his rock,pop and soul influences rolled up into a new package of 8 original songs and 2 covers, sure to appeal to the huge audiences he’s been reaching for so many years.

BEATLES MAGAZINE: Mark, you are a fantastic and talented musician, you play soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flute, guitar, percussion, keyboards, and vocals. Also musical director. How do you begin in the music? Who are your musical influences?

Mark Rivera: I began playing guitar when I was six years old as it was the first instrument in our home. When I was eight my Father bought me my first Alto Saxophone. The BIGGEST influence on my musical career had to be February 9th 1964 when The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan show. My Life was Changed Forever after that n=Sunday night.

BM: Can you tell me about your latin roots ? Where did your family come from ?

Mark Rivera: My Father: Deider Rivera was Born and raised in Puerto Rico and my Mother Angela Crocco Rivera was Born in Brooklyn New York. Her Parents were both Italian.

BM: Your work as a musical director with Ringo Starr and His All Star Band, Billy Joel and Elton John has gained recognition from all the world. In 1995, you joined Ringo & His All-Starr Band, how both are contacted?

Mark Rivera: The only connection would be the fact that I had been working with Billy Joel & Elton John so when Ringo was looking to replace Clarence Clemmons my name came up through George Travis. He & I met years ago working with Billy.

BM: Is there any special reason why Ringo does not include “Octopus´s Garden” or “What Goes On” in the set list of this tour?

Mark Rivera: Ringo prefers not to do Octopus’s Garden because he say’s Yellow Sub is already a song about the Sea. As for What Goes on I’m still working on that on so don’t count it out.

BM: What is your favorite beatles album and why? and Ringo´s album? (I know that you saw the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964!)

Mark Rivera: I would have to say that Revolver is My Favorite Beatle Album.The reason for that is, at the time they just (Did It AGAIN)…

They too Everything that we thought we knew about Beatle Music and Turned it Upside-Down. Im LOVE the sound of Ringo’s Drums on “He Said, She Said” and “Tomorrow Never Knows” I especially Love John’s lyric on “Tomorrow Never Knows”

My Favorite Ringo album STLL has to be “Ringo” The songs were Amazing and It’s when the world found out Just How Great He Is.

BM: Over the years, you worked with Hall & Oates,Peter Gabriel,Tycoon, Simon & Garfunkel, Billy Ocean, Joe Walsh and more. Can you tell us about your work with John Lennon in 1975?

Mark Rivera: It was Unbelievable. It was the first time I had ever met anyone the Important in my Like. And I mean Important regarding how that person Changed my life. He was one of the Funniest men I’d Ever had the pleasure to spend time with and just like Ringo he was the most Present and In The Moment Human Being I’ve ever met.

BM: Mark, please tell me what you’ll be doing next year, new projects?

Mark Rivera: Well, Right now in the middle of preparing for Billy Joel’s New Years Eve Show at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn (Where I Was Born)

But at the same time I’m THRILLED to be launching my Solo CD “Common Bond”. It will be released on February 18th, 2014.

BM: This is fantastic, can´t wait for this album, I know about one song with Ringo in your new material, can you tell me about this track with Ringo?

Mark Rivera: The title is “Money, Money, Money” and the WHOLE song had to be re-written once Ringo put his Drums on it. His playing was a Gift and my Producer (Jimmy Bralower) said “Buddy… Now we’ve got to Raise the bar. It’s one of my Favorite songs on the Album”.BM: Thank you so much Mark, I follow your work many years ago, It’s safe to I say that you has touched many through of your wonderful music.

Mark Rivera: Beatles Magazine ROCKS! It’s a place were Beatle Fans can go to to keep up with “The Greatest Band EVER”

And THAT”S a FACT!

Dearest Lovely Rita, Thank You for your Kindness and “Where Would We Be Without You”… (Paul 1967)

Peace, Love & Gratitude Always…MR

DEBUT RELEASE OF MARK RIVERA “COMMON BOND” (DYNOTONE, RED RIVER) FEBRUARY 18, 2014

It’s a stunning piece of work that brings this well-known multi-instrumentalist and singer center stage for the first time on record with a little help from musical friends like Ringo Starr, Billy Joel, Steve Lukather and Nils Lofgren, to name just a few.

In addition to Mark Rivera playing a variety of instruments, and Bralower backing him on drums and percussion, the album features – in alphabetical order- Kenny Aaronson, John Bertsche, John Conte, Steve Conte, Charley Drayton, Johnny Gale, Billy Joel, Jeff Kazee, Will Lee, Nils Lofgren, Steve Lukather, Karen Manno, Robert Randolph, Kasim Sulton, Ringo Starr and Andy York.

COMMON BOND

By Mark Rivera

TRACK LISTING

1. Loraine

2. Sticky Situation

3. Start Over

4. Spanish Castle Magic

5. Money, Money, Money (with Ringo Starr)

6. Tell Me All The Things You Do

7. Hard To Let Go

8. Turn Me Loose

9. Why You Dance So Good

10. Rise

LISTEN HERE! “MONEY, MONEY, MONEY” with RINGO! :

If you can not see this chirbit, listen to it here http://chirb.it/Ex6Byr

(M. Rivera, K. Manno, J. Gale, J. Bralower)
MREG Songs (BMI)/Lucky Girl Music (ASCAP)/Stompanato Music (BMI)/Fancy Footwork Music (ASCAP)
Ringo Starr-Drums
Will Lee-Bass
Johnny Gale-Guitars
Steve Conte-Lead Guitar
Robert Randolph-Pedal Steel Guitar
Jimmy Bralower-Drum Programming
Mark Rivera-Vocals, Saxes & PercussionFor More Information on Mark and his new album Common Bond:
www.markrivera.com
https://www.facebook.com/Markriveramusic
https://twitter.com/markriveramusic

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: PETE BEST TALK WITH BEATLES MAGAZINE

By Beatles Magazine Thursday, July 11, 2013Wednesday, January 3, 2018 In BEATLES MAGAZINE, INTERVIEWS 0 BEATLES MAGAZINE, INTERVIEWS 8

Thursday, 11 July 2013
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: PETE BEST TALK WITH BEATLES MAGAZINE

Pete is a very simple and kind guy, a very friendly and personable fellow,even though he is part of a great story. He was a former member of the best group in the music history. He has no resentments and no hard feelings towards his former colleagues. He answered all of my questions. He has no trouble in meeting Paul and Ringo, even though he knows this is not easy and it doesn´t depend only on him. He also talked directly about his point of view of his departure from the fab four, in a very final version.
We talked about many things, and this gave me the opportunity to spend a great time with him and to get to know more about the beginning of the Beatles…

Lovely Rita: Pete, you were once a Beatle, you will always be a part of the Beatles, you spent a lot of time together with John, Paul, George and Stu, a lot of time. You are a big part of the story and you are the one that knew them best at that time. Can you tell me what it´s your perception of each one of them in those early years?

Pete Best: I will start with John first, because we were friends in The Beatles. Close to John, ok, close to my heart (Pete puts his hand on his chest) I was as close in the very early days to observe John very well. He was the leader in the very beginning in Hamburg. We were simply friends and we had the chance to travel together and ended up talking about girlfriends and drinking together back in Liverpool. You know, let me tell you something about the another side of John Lennon, he just seemed at the same time a very tender guy and someone who was always watching everything around. And we just got together and it felt complete for me… and you know, how was John, a great musician, a leader and a friend.

Ok, next Paul McCartney ….Macca or Sir Paul, (Pete rises his arms cheerfully). Great musician from the very early days, very much into public relationships. Great performance skills and always longing to be the center of attraction. Ok, even on stage.
We were fine, we used to drink and socialize, which meant getting to know girls in Hamburg and all the things we did in those early days. Paul was the guy which everyone knew back home in Liverpool. Hoping to do it in Hamburg,not too much… but, you know, we had got a contract, and you know…And he gets to be well known, and now he is one of the biggest entrepreneur of the music industry. I think he stood out from the very beginning in the early days and his music reached the top since the early years, through the seventies and until now.

About George, little George. There is a funny thing I remember from The Beatles, George was quite a guitar man. When he first entered the group in the very early years, he wanted to be the very best guitar man in the group and when all that stuff of songwriting credits of Lennon-McCartney started to develop, he wanted to be a songwriter too. He was a young man, at the perfect stage of his life to try to be perfect with the guitar, to be a good musician. Like I´ve said before, I think he wanted perfection. But he is no longer among us anymore. Anyway, we want to remember him as the best guitar musician.

Stu…everyone knew Stu was a brillant painter. But I defending Stu, he was really good playing bass guitar. Old rock and roll was simple in those days… bass and drums coordinated well in the band, and the band played great. And he also got a beautiful woman that we meet in Hamburg, Astrid Kircherr. This made us feel so jealous, because we all wanted something like it.

Lovely Rita: Could you give me some details of the recording sessions at Decca? Did you agree with the song list? Did you wanted to play other songs, instead? Brian (Epstein) selected the songs…

Pete Best: Decca was the biggest record company in London, and Brian Epstein our manager, told us in december 31st, we had got an appointment for the first day in January. And selected the material we would use to impress Decca. So we concentrated on country westerns, on Carl Perkins,and he also told us not to get drunk… but we did get drunk, because it was new year´s eve in Trafalgar Square. We stayed there until 2:00am, and of course we got late for the appointment at Decca. Brian was angry because this was a big occasion for us. And we didn´t know that Mike Smith, the operator was late too because he had been celebrating too. We spend the day at the studio. We recorded 14 or 15 songs, we only did one or two takes of each in the audition. And at the end of it we felt very happy and MIke Smith said: “You have got the contract!”. So we went out to celebrate… (Laughter…and Pete raises an imaginary bottle close to his mouth as if he is drinking from it wildly! … more laughter…)… When you listen carefully to the bootleg Decca session tapes, you realize that even though we knew we were playing ok, we made some mistakes, bad voices…

Lovely Rita: What memories do you have of the time in between 1960 to 1962?

Pete Best: Oh, I have a many memories… wonderful memories… it was a wonderful time back in the sixties. The shows at The Casbah, the trip to Hamburg, the recordings. Beautiful years, and so, and so, and so….ha ha ha (laughs). Too many favourite memories. It was a wonderful time.

Lovely Rita: How was the experience of recording with Tony Sheridan?

Pete Best: Tony Sheridan was a great musician, I remember “My Bonnie” was a great song, great recording. For us it was a great experience, recording at the studio in Hamburg. the first album. We provided backing music for a great musician. The great Tony Sheridan was something very special for us. We had really a good time.

Lovely Rita: All The Beatles change the hairstyle…and you?

Pete Best: I never refused, they never asked me.

Lovely Rita: Pete, when you left the group, did this change your life…

Pete Best: Yes, it changed my life. I can say I learned not to be so innocent. I put what I learned into practice… I have nothing to forgive The Beatles for what happened long ago. Now I travel around the world and no one can kick me out of my own band. I don´t have fear of playing with Paul or Ringo, though I doubt such a session would ever happen.

Lovely Rita: What is your final version of your departure?

Pete Best: I wish I knew!!… (kidding)… there maybe so many reasons. Initially it was said that I was not a good drummer, ok, that´s rubbish. Then the people in Liverpool who knew me for playing drums, realized this wasn´t true. Then other people started thinking about another reasons, and they thought maybe there was jealousy, I was too good looking, hairstyle, antisocial, you know, not so friend with the others. The people would make their own opinion of it. That was 50 years ago… there is only one person alive who knows this particular answer. And that person is Paul. Ok, so then I suggest you seek the chance to ask Paul directly this question. He might give us the definitive answer. As I´m concerned it´s something that happened many years ago. I don´t think about it anymore, you know. If Paul and I would get together again I don´t think we would talk about why I left the group back then. We are both grandparents now, that is something we could talk about now. I am not concerned about the people out there who is still trying to find out the real reasons why I left The Beatles, because I´m enjoying my life now, and that happened 50 years ago.

Lovely Rita: Which is your favorite Beatles album?

Pete Best: Umm… I would have liked to play at all (laughter)… the White Album, yes the White Album. Because I think it is the most diverse of all… the most various of all their records.

Lovely Rita: What was you reaction to John´s dead?

Pete Best: My reaction was exactly like it was for the rest of the world. We were in shock. I couldn´t believe Mark Chapman did it. When I first heard the news because of time differences, I didn´t believe it. Unfortunately this happened just at the same time when John was coming back to the music industry.

Lovely Rita:What kind of music do you listen besides rock and roll?

Pete Best: Yeah, lots of music, Latin American, Jazz, Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Country, Bluegrass, and of course rock and roll… cause you know, Rock is what I do and we play this kind of music with my band.

Lovely Rita: Yes Pete, of course!! (Laughter)

Lovely Rita: Thank you so much Pete, it´s been an honour to talk with you.

Pete Best: Thank you it´s a pleasure to be with you, I hope to see you again and great page.

Lovely Rita: Thank you again Pete.

Afterwards I talked with Roag, Pete´s brother and Neil Aspinal´s son – which gently wrote this words for Beatles Magazine: