Classic Pop Icons

Some of the most iconic and compelling photographs of Elvis Presley from the 1950s were taken by Alfred Wertheimer during 1956. Many of the best of these are now available in the book ‘Elvis 1956′.

Elvis had made his first record in 1954 and had built a solid following throughout 1955, but 1956 was the year he become a national star, making his first television appearance, his first movie and having his first of many million selling records. Wertheimer travelled with Elvis Presley throughout 1956, capturing both the public and private side of the young rock star, including legendary television and on stage appearances.

‘Elvis 1956′ is a 128 page hardcover book featuring 72 of Wertheimer’s photographs in very high quality, as well as recollections from the photographer and essays by E. Warren Perry, Jr. and National Portrait Gallery historian Amy Henderson. The book serves as the catalogue for a nationally travelling exhibition developed collaboratively by the Smithsonian Institution Travelling Exhibition Service, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, and the Govinda Gallery to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birthday.

After 1956, no photographer would be granted such intimate access to Elvis again. Thankfully, Wertheimer was there to capture some of the most important moments in the history of 20th century popular culture.

If you don’t have a collection of Wertheimer’s photos in your collection, this is a great place to start.

‘Elvis 56′ is available from Amazon US and Amazon UK. Both are currently offering around 35% off the RRP.

Paul McCartney’s historic three-night musical christening of New York’s Citi Field, witnessed by 120,000-plus attendees, will be immortalised November 17th when the multi-disc ‘Good Evening New York City‘ is released. The UK release date is November 23rd. As the inaugural musical event at Citi Field, the site of the former Shea Stadium, the July 2009 shows held special significance not only for McCartney but for generations of his fans. The shows were performed on the same hallowed ground that The Beatles, in 1965, played the 34-minute show that would set the precedent for the modern day stadium rock show.

‘Good Evening New York City’ ‘ will be available in two formats:

* a 3-disc (2 CD + 1 DVD) standard edition

* a 4-disc (2 CD + 2 DVD) deluxe version featuring expanded packaging and a bonus DVD including McCartney’s traffic-stopping, headline-making July 15 performance on the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee (including bonus numbers not aired on the Late Show with David Letterman broadcast).

The set will also be made available in high quality vinyl.

Highlights of ‘Good Evening New York City’ include Beatles classics such as ‘I’m Down’, ‘Drive My Car,’ ‘Got To Get You Into My Life,’ ‘The Long And Winding Road,’ ‘Blackbird,’ ‘Eleanor Rigby,’ ‘Back In The USSR,’ ‘Paperback Writer,’ ‘Let It Be,’ ‘Hey Jude,’ ‘Helter Skelter’, ‘Something’ played on a ukulele gifted to Paul by George Harrison, and a tribute to John Lennon in the form of a medley of ‘A Day In The Life’ and ‘Give Peace A Chance.’ Also featured are Wings era classics such as ‘Band On The Run,’ ‘My Love,’ ‘Let Me Roll It’ and ‘Live And Let Die,’ and McCartney solo material that brings the music right up to date with tracks from the 2008 album ‘Electric Arguments.’

The concert footage featured on ‘Good Evening New York City’ standard edition comprises 33 songs, with a running time of 2 hours 40 minutes. The footage was shot using 15 high definition cameras, but there is also footage incorporated from 75 Flipcams handed out to fans over the course of the three night stand.

Commenting on the Citi Field shows, Paul McCartney said:

‘It was three great nights for the band and for me personally it was very exciting to be back opening a new stadium on the site of the old Shea Stadium where we had played 44 years previously. Even more exciting because this time round you could hear us!’

These informal videos from Citi Field show Paul was in rocking form:

Day Tripper

I’m Down

Let it Be

You can pre-order the set at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Two fantastic concerts took place last week at Madison Square Garden to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The first concert on Thursday 29 October  ran four and a half hours and featured  brilliant performances from Simon and  Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen and the E  Street Band, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel,  Jackson Browne, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John  Fogerty, Sting, Smokey  Robinson, Jerry Lee  Lewis, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor,  Dion, Little Anthony & the  Imperials, Tom  Morello and John Legend.  Before being joined by Art Garfunkel, Paul  Simon did a solo set of his 70s and 80s hits.

Many of the highlights of the first night featured Bruce Springsteen, including duets with Sam Moore on “Hold On, I’m Coming” and “Soul Man”, John Fogerty on “Fortunate Son,” U2 on “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, Billy Joel on “New York State of Mind” and Darlene Love on “Da Doo Ron Ron.” He also led a great group finale on Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher.”

Friday nights star-studded line-up included U2, Metallica, Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, the Jeff Beck Band, Ray Davies, Ozzy Osbourne, Annie Lennox, Buddy Guy and Lenny Kravitz.

Some of the first night highlights are below.

Group performance - “Higher and Higher”

Bruce Springsteen & John Fogerty - “Fortunate Son”

Bruce Springsteen & Darlene Love - “Da Doo Ron Ron”

Bruce Springsteen & Billy Joel - “New York State of Mind”

Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder - “Tracks of My Tears”

An edited version of the two shows will air on 29 November on HBO. Let’s hope for a more extensive DVD release.

The John Lennon biopic ‘Nowhere Boy’ has received critical praise after debuting at the 53rd London Film Festival.

The film, which is the debut feature from artist Sam Taylor Wood, tells the story of the future Beatles’ teenage years. Newcomer Aaron Johnson takes on the title role and there is an impressive supporting cast, including Anne-Marie Duff as Lennon’s mother Julia, Kristin Scott-Thomas as Aunt Mimi and David Morrissey as Julia’s partner. The role of Paul McCartney is played by Thomas Sangster, who is best remembered as the little boy in ‘Love, Actually’.

Aaron Johnson as teenage John Lennon

Written by Matt Greenhalgh (’Control’) and based on Julia Baird’s ‘Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon’, the film commences in 1955 with a 15-year-old John Lennon living with his conservative Aunt Mimi. In this period John reconnected with his mother and the film explores the friction this caused with his Aunt Mimi and the impact of this relationship on his musical ambitions.

Critic, Sandra Hebron, says:

“Decidedly a love story rather than a John Lennon biopic, Nowhere Boy nevertheless provides a wealth of imaginatively presented insights into what fuelled his musical genius.

It’s great credit to Sam Taylor-Wood that she has made a film of broad appeal while retaining an assured authorial signature. Her experience of working with actors in her previous film and photographic work pays off, with tremendous performances from all the key cast, and her collaboration with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey gives the film a visual beauty which underscores its considerable emotional heart.”

Nowhere Boy trailer

The film will go on general release in December, so look out for it.