Year 2000 Annual Review

This past year would have been John Lennon’s 60th birthday (and the 20th anniversary of his death). In response, the last quarter 0f 2000 was rife with retrospective projects celebrating his life and legacy - ensuring that John’s influence will extend well into the next century.

In 2000, Paul McCartney made more news with charity involvements, promoting his art work, appearances at awards shows and his personal life as opposed to musical activity. There was a relatively low key release (“Liverpool Sound Collage”) but with McCartney’s workaholic tendencies, this past year could just be the calm before the storm.

Beatles fans spent much of 2000 reacting to the late 1999 attack on George Harrison and wondering about his well being. In a happy contrast, George reemerged in late 2000 to publicize the upcoming reissue of “All Things Must Pass” and announce his plans for further reissues and (dare I say it!) a new album.

Ringo toured with his “All Starr Band” and became the first Beatle to have a 60th birthday. Ringo future plans are uncertain. Unfortunately, he was dropped from Mercury Records and is currently without a contract. In an interview with “US Weekly”, he mentioned another tour, possibly another solo album, then speculated on retiring. Even if this happens, his life as a Beatle and a 30 year solo career secures his place in history.

What follows is a month by month run down of the year 2000, plus a few hints of what may happen in 2001... 

February - “A Garland for Linda” is released in tribute to Linda McCartney and as a fundraiser for cancer. The album includes Paul’s composition “Nova”. Many of Paul fans get a mild case of depression when Paul makes the cover of AARP’s “Modern Maturity” magazine.

John Lennon’s “Imagine” album is reissued in the UK and Canada. Also, based on the Freedom of Information Act, a judge rules that Lennon’s FBI documents are to be released to author Jon Weiner. There is a controversial rumour circulating that John supplied financial support to the IRA. A few books are in the works “based on” Lennon’s diaries.

April -  “Imagine” is reissued in the US. The companion documentary, “Gimme Some Truth: the making of the Imagine album” is televised and released on home video. Some of the pre promotion begins for the Beatles Anthology book.

May - Reunion rumours circulate in reaction to the upcoming release of the Beatles Anthology book. There are early reports about a  “greatest hits” CD to tie in with the book’s release. In late May, a television bio movie about Linda McCartney is aired on CBS.

May - July - Ringo Starr tours the US with the latest edition of the All-Starr band. In a live web chat to promote the tour, Ringo reveals that he has been dropped from Mercury Records. Around the same time,  Ringo tells David Wild in a "US Weekly" interview, that he intends to record one more CD before retiring. On July 7th, Ringo is the first Beatles to have a 60th birthday.

June - In early June the movie soundtrack for “Maybe Baby” is released with Paul’s cover of the Buddy Holly tune as the title track.

July - Plans are announced for the opening of a John Lennon museum in Japan on what would have been John’s 60th birthday. NBC begins work on a televison movie about the life of John Lennon. It is announced that John’s “Plastic Ono Band” and John and Yoko’s “Double Fantasy” albums will be reissued in the fall in a similar manner to the “Imagine” re release. Paul’s “Live At The Cavern” was voted Best Live Event at the Yahoo Internet Life Awards.

August -  "Paul McCartney's Liverpool Sound Collage", a collaboration with the band "Super Furry Animals" and producer Youth is issued on CD.  The disc includes Beatles session tapes from the mid ‘60s, snippets from the Liverpool Oratorio and samples of a random interview that Paul conducted on the streets of Liverpool. The collage was premiered during a Peter Blake art show. The “Beatles” aspect of this release is much hyped by the media.

The Annual Beatles Festival was held in Liverpool on August 25th including a reunion by surviving members of the Quarrymen.. Tourism officials say that the Beatles' hometown of Liverpool, England, attracts about 500,000 visitors a year. An estimated 2,000 people make a full time living off the band by organizing Beatles festivals, retailing Beatles memorabilia, and (still) publishing the Beatles monthly magazine.

Irish group, rubyhorse, has a new single entitled "Punch Drunk" which features George Harrison on guitar.

September - Advance promotion really kicks in for the Beatles Anthology book. In early September, it is reported that advance orders exceed 1.5 million copies. Book excerpts begin to appear in newspapers and publications throughout the world. In addition to the Beatles Anthology book, publishers lists indicate that there are no less than 9 Beatles / John Lennon books set for fall release. The Very Best of Badfinger is released on CD. Due to a proposed merger between EM I and Time Warner, the CD includes some tracks that were recorded for Warner Brothers. The merger fell through shortly after the CD was issued. In mid September, Billboard announces the summer 2001 release of the Wings anthology entitled “Wingspan”. Paul McCartney initiates a tour of his art work which will run throughout the fall. In late September,  Capitol’s web site has George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” re issue set for a November 23rd release. The item is removed from the site a few weeks later.

Ringo plays drums on a new version of John Lennon’s "Power To The People" by former Animals frontman Eric Burdon and Billy Preston, for the soundtrack of the film "Steal This Movie!", about the life of ‘60s activist Abbie Hoffman. According to the Daily Express, George Harrison and Ringo Starr played together at a 40th birthday party for retired racer Damon Hill. The performance featured Harrison on guitar; Starr on drums, Damon Hill on guitar and Leo Sayer on vocals. The occasion was the first time in more than 5 years that George and Ringo had played together. According to an observer: "The two former Beatles were brilliant."

October - This month has a flurry of activities related to what would have been John’s 60th birthday: the opening of the Lennon museum in Japan; the exhibit at the R&R Hall of Fame in Cleveland; the enhanced reissue of the “Plastic Ono Band” and “Double Fantasy” albums; various web events including an updated site from Capitol Records and extensive sites from Rolling Stone and the NME; radio specials, interviews with Yoko; extensive print media coverage and at least one Broadway play in development. The Beatles Anthology book is released in early October, followed by the re issue of the expanded version of  “Lennon Remembers: The Rolling Stone interviews” As stated an Ottawa Citizen article: "It's been quite an autumn for John Lennon. He turned 60, released a couple of albums, and earned about $500 million, his share of the proceeds from the record-breaking release of the book, The Beatles Anthology. Not bad for a guy who was killed 20 years ago." In sad contrast, Lennon’s killer is given undue publicity surrounding his parole hearing. Fortunately for Lennon’s family, friends and fans, his appeal was denied. Yoko also has a travelling art exhibit. Some people note the irony that she and Paul McCartney are pursuing similar ventures at the same time.  After the successful launch of the Anthology book, the track listing for the best of CD now titled “Beatles 1" was officially announced. In late October, ABC announces plans to broadcast a prime time special on the Beatles to air 3 days after the release of “1".

November - The Beatles “1" is released in mid November. An official web site is launched on November 13th, on the UK release date for “1". It attracts two million hits in the first 6 hours that it was online (and over 25 million hits in five weeks). The Beatles “Revolution” special aired on ABC on November 17th and attracted 8.7 million viewers. At first there was little admitted enthusiasm about the “1" album. However, in the week prior to it’s release, promotional copies were sent to radio stations. Soon the word was circulating about the CDs remastering and much improved sound quality. To date, “1" has surprised industry insiders by selling 18 million copies worldwide and topping the charts in 30 countries. The Guinness Book of Records is tracking the sales of the album as potentially the fastest selling album in history. Jumping on the bandwagon, the Nov. 11 issue of TV Guide featured four covers, each featuring a different member of the Beatles. A fifth issue had an all-white cover. Also, “The Beatles Featuring Tony Sheridan -- In The Beginning (Polydor/UME) was remastered and reissued in the US on November 7th.

The trial for George’s attacker is held in mid November. The person is judged not guilty by reasons of insanity. He is ordered to be detained indefinitely at a mental health facility. Currently, the Harrison family is appealing to be notified in the event of his release. That may set a precedent that could lead to an actual change in the law and an increased consideration of the victim’s right to be notified. In late November, “All Things Must Pass” was reinstated on Capitol’s web site and is now set for a January 23rd, 2001 release date. The reissue is set to include a new version of “My Sweet Lord” entitled, “My Sweet Lord 2000" and several out takes.

December - On December 1st, a restored version of the Beatles “A Hard Day’s Night’ was given a limited theatrical release in 12 US cities. A DVD release is set for March 2001.  The NBC TV movie, “In My Life: The John Lennon Story” is aired. The gesture is somewhat compromised by NBC auctioning some of the bricks from Lennon’s childhood home. In my opinion, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation got the edge on NBC by airing “John and Yoko’s Year of Peace” which includes lots of rare archival footage and is one of the better CBC efforts that I’ve witnessed. The CBC also launched an extensive web site as a memorial to Lennon and a tie in with the “Peace” special.

In early December, Paul announces that he will spent the next year devoted to projects dedicated to the memory of his late wife Linda, the most interesting of these remains the “Wingspan” project which is now being described as a 3 hour television special and a double CD retrospective. According to an article in the Star-Telegram, McCartney is looking forward to a busy 2001: “ On the music front, he's got at least another CD of rock tunes percolating inside of him while he's polishing up a choral piece composed for Oxford University. And he's looking to publish a book of poetry combining a hybrid of prose and song lyrics." The poetry book, entitled “Blackbird Singing” is set for a March 2001 release.

Jeff Lynne announces a new ELO album for March 2001 which includes musical contributions from both George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

ABC unveils an extensive “webumentary” as a memorial to John Lennon on the 20th anniversary of his death. A candle light vigil is held in Central Park on Dec. 8th. Being the 20th anniversary of Lennon’s death, media sources throughout the world editorialize on his legacy and lasting influence. Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and Julian Lennon all issue statements. Yoko’s comments includes views on gun control, Paul’s are more sentimental, Julian’s are much less affectionate.

The official press release for “All Things Must Pass” finally appears followed by a restored version of George’s “Wonderwall” film on DVD. The promotion for  “All Things Must Pass” was set in motion by an exclusive December 22nd interview with George by Timothy White of Billboard. In the interview, George indicates that he is preparing an album for a fall 20001 release aided by his 22 year old son, Dhani and drummer Jim Keltner. He also verified that the rest of his solo catalogue will be remastered with bonus tracks. George specifically mentioned “The Concert for Bangla Desh” and  “Living in the Material World”as well as his Warner Bros. albums including those recorded with the Traveling Wilburys.

According to a year end article in “Entertainment Weekly”, Ringo is set to release a live 3 CD retrospective: '' The Anthology…So Far'' in early 2001. Also in the works is an All-Starr Band DVD with live performances and backstage footage, as well as a new tour in 2002. Dave Fishof, producer of all the All-Starr tours, says of Ringo: ''He's performed for over a million people in the last 12 years.''

In late December, the RIAA sales figures for the Beatles are at 156 million; 18 million units in the year 2000, alone. The year ends with media sources everywhere editorializing with amazement on how the Beatles can remain so popular 30 years after the breakup and how a compilation CD of previously released material can outstrip the sales figures of today’s “hottest” acts. Once again, the Beatles are setting a precedent which other acts can only dream of following. Just “Imagine....”