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Suggestions for a newbie?
Read this in a comment this morning: “I am 59 years old, and a brand new Beatles fan as of two months ago, so basically a blank slate with no preconceived thoughts on the band.” Which got me to thinking, what sources would I recommend to a person who was new to The Beatles? Of […]
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Astrid Kirchherr, 1938-2020
And so we say goodbye to one of my favorite parts of the Beatle story, the complex and talented Astrid Kirchherr. Though their influence is impossible to quantify, Astrid, Klaus and the “Exis” are foundational to what John, Paul, George and Ringo became. It was in Hamburg that the Fabs transformed from a group of […]
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A bolt of insight!
This morning while listening to “Fame,” the David Bowie song guest-starring our pal John Lennon, I realized something. At a certain point, John ad-libs “What’s your name?” Why does he do that? Because, when you’re famous and someone comes up to you for an autograph, you ask… “What’s your name?” Related posts: Shenk’s “Powers Of […]
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Ladies and Gentlemen, The Blues Beatles
Stumbled across this via a comment thread on BoingBoing.net, and it was too good not to share. By the way, you’ll like the BoingBoing post as well. Related posts: Which Beatles album is actually their last? Who’s buying the Abbey Road Anniversary Edition? Blank on Blank on John and Yoko on Love Thank God for […]
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Of course you want a Beatles face mask!
It was 20 years ago todayyou didn’t have to walk around wearing a goddamn facemask If you want a Beatles face mask, and of course you do, here’s where to order one. If the zombie apocalypse comes, there will be Beatles-themed machetes. (Not officially licensed, but still.) Related posts: Shenk’s “Powers Of Two”: 3 Takes […]
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Buddhist Monk Singing Yellow Submarine
What the world needs now, I feel, is this: a Buddhist monk singing Yellow Submarine. I know who I want to go do karaoke with! Enjoy! (And enjoy the two minute sit afterwards.) Related posts: Did Yellow Submarine beget The Simpsons? Yellow Submarine Liner Notes Yellow Submarine by Alex Ross Holes Kids React to the […]
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Is internet Beatle culture toxic?
Wake up, Sheeple. When approving the last ever comments on the gargantuan “Were John and Paul Lovers?” thread, I found myself asking a simple question, which some of you might have an interest in as well. There are certain niche interests where, if not for fan-generated content, there wouldn’t be anything new to talk about. […]
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Sgt. Pepper in the Age of Social Distancing
From friend of Bystander Stephen Kroninger…I’m just glad Sgt. Pepper wasn’t alive to see this… Related posts: Counterpoint on Magical Mystery Tour Critic Amanda Marcotte: Sgt. Pepper’s made rock “music for men” Underrating Sgt. Pepper’s Smile vs. Sgt. Pepper Hitler on Sgt. Pepper Sgt Pepper and Psychedelic Utopianism Starostin re-reviews Sgt. Pepper Keith Richards on […]
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Shenk’s “Powers Of Two”: 3 Takes
When Joshua Wolf Shenk’s book Powers Of Two: Finding The Essence Of Innovation In Creative Pairs was published in 2014, Michael Gerber, Devin McKinney and I each wrote a post about it. Since Shenk’s book has come up in recent comments, I thought I’d bring those posts back to the forefront. You can read take […]
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Help Dullblog out: Try the Brave Browser
“You’re right, she DOES look like Alma Cogan…” A lot of people have asked how you might help the blog, so I’m always looking for painless (read: free) ways you can show your HD-love. I just found one. The Brave browser works just like Chrome, but is faster, more private, and more secure. I’ve been […]