Beatles News | Page 182 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

The Penny Lane street signs in Liverpool may soon have a plaque alongside acknowledging the city’s involvement in the slave trade.

Mayor Joe Anderson is proposing that artworks owned by the city, buildings, and street names, that are a part of that dark part of the city’s history are presented to all with their historical context openly displayed and acknowledged.

Penny Lane is believed to have been named after James Penny (17??-1799), shipper of slaves and anti-abolitionist, making it an obvious site for an acknowledgement of a shameful part of Liverpool’s history, the trade in human beings.

Of course, it is important to acknowledge the wrongs of yesteryear, big fan, but more important is learning the lessons history offers, which we unfortunately never do seem to…

Though, of course, Penny Lane is not about the actual Penny Lane , where Beatles fans flock to see the mythical – oft-stolen, now painted or high-up – street sign, but rather Smithdown Place around the corner and down the road…

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Just a thought on the Nielson results I posted, the decade that saw every landmark in their career pass 50, they are still the 6th best-selling artist of the decade…

Can anyone imagine those in the top 5 for the decade – Adele, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Justin Bieber, and Drake – still being in the top 10, however it is judged then, in 50 years time?

Fender Custom Shop have unveiled a faithful recreation of Rocky, George’s iconic Fender Stratocaster, at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) 2020 in Anaheim, that will be released in April, price currently unknown.

The guitar is the work of master builder Paul Waller, who studied the original instrument close up in order to ensure accuracy. Its body, pickups, wiring and the rare, asymmetrical C neck shape of this Strat is as identical to the actual guitar as possible – even Harrison’s DIY psychedelic paint job and the “Grimwoods” decal are re-created.

@Dark Overlord

I think I mentioned recently that Apple was going after a bunch of internet sellers on e-Bay and Amazon who were selling counterfeit merchandise and infringing their copyright and trademarks. Can’t be naffed to stroll back and find out. Sorry. Anyway, the case ended up involving 77 different sellers, and a Florida court this week awarded them $77 million in damages, $1 million for each seller.

Of course, they’re very unlikely to see a cent of that but the point was to fire a shot across the bows of e-Bay and Amazon for hosting counterfeit merchandise and letting them know if they don’t do a better job at policing their marketplaces they will be next.

And I missed this at the end of last month, and it may have been mentioned, but Dhani has relaunched Dark Horse Records with a sign up to BMG (who also have Ringo):

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I can finally announce a new chapter for Dark Horse Records in the music industry alongside our friends at BMG. The label started by my father in 1974 has been a family business my whole life (and is indeed even the reason that my parents met.) From the Indian classical Ragas of Ravi Shankar to the Rock and Roll of ‘Attitudes’ I look forward to reintroducing, to a new audience, all of those artists that my father loved so much. We will also be expanding the Dark Horse family with new artists and classic catalogues in the coming years to include a rich and varied roster of incredible musicians whom we love. Please watch this space! With love, Dhani Harrison.

The first artist signed to Dark Horse is deceased former-Clash frontman Joe Strummer, who they have gained the rights for his solo work along with his band The Mescaleros. So, Joe Strummer’s now available on Dark Horse Records.

Tempted as I am, afraid I won’t be applying for the Forthlin Road job. My health situation would probably count against me, and I would have problems financing a trip to Liverpool for the interview. Though thanks for the encouragement.

Anyway…

Today, on what would have been his 77th birthday, Liverpool City Council announced the creation of a 12-acre George Harrison Woodland Walk in the Allerton part of the city. It will also feature art installations inspired by George’s life and lyrics, along with a “nature classroom” for school children to learn about nature and the environment.

City mayor Joe Anderson said:

It has been one of my ambitions as mayor to find an appropriate way for us as a city to celebrate one of our most-loved sons, so I am overjoyed that at last we can announced the George Harrison Woodland Walk.

The site is beautiful and the plans for the area in the coming months are really exciting. It feels right that at last we have a permanent memorial to celebrate George’s life, loves and influence.

While Olivia has said:

George was an avid gardener who found solace and joy in being in the outdoors. I don’t think there is any better way to commemorate him in Liverpool than with a garden which can become a place of tranquility and reflection for everyone.

I am really looking forward to watching it change and grow over the coming years.

It will open in 2021.