Michael Gerber • Hey Dullblog, the Beatles fan blog

Do female Beatles fans understand John and Paul better?

By Michael Gerber|2014-12-08T14:00:31-08:00December 8, 2014|John and Paul|

Is everybody seeing the same thing? Even close? Commenter Linda asked a provocative question this morning which I felt was worth its own post. I'll paraphrase it: Do you think that female Beatle fans see the relationship between John and Paul more clearly, more accurately, more totally than male Beatle fans do? Here's Linda's comment: Do more women than men see the John and Paul relationship for what it really was? That is, not simply a “rivalry” or two “business partners” who were “very different” and just about every other person in their orbits were more important to them than [...]

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Whatever Gets You thru the Night…

By Michael Gerber|2014-12-07T23:00:07-08:00December 7, 2014|1974, John Lennon|

Recently we've been discussing the gargantuan "Time Lapse Photography" comment thread, which discusses Beatle sexuality, and specifically the erotic tension between John and Paul. It's clear that some existed; whether or not it was acted upon is a matter of endless fan speculation (hello Johnheartpaul! Thanks for the traffic!) but ultimately between those two men alone. This morning, while listening to Chris Carter's wonderful radio show "Breakfast With the Beatles," I had an interesting thought: perhaps the 1974 hit "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" is Lennon talking to himself about his (possible) bisexuality? Now obviously: this is total speculation, and shouldn't [...]

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What is Life Video Contest Entry

By Michael Gerber|2014-12-06T13:39:58-08:00December 6, 2014|George Harrison|

Yesterday, I got the most interesting email from two Beatle fans working in the international film business. Apparently the Harrison Estate is running a worldwide contest to name the "official music video" for the Harrisong "What is Life" Based in Spain, Victor Suñer and Óscar Turín have used facial tracking and 3D modeling tech to resurrect our pal George -- and create a nice little love story, too. Victor sent me the What is Life video, plus a Making of featurette, both of which I think you'll enjoy. It's very cool, and the affection they have for George Harrison -- and the [...]

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The Beatles in St. Louis, 1966

By Michael Gerber|2014-12-05T11:20:16-08:00December 5, 2014|1966, concert|

Meet the Beatles for Real is a favorite blog of many Dullblog readers, but that's not the only link. The blog's proprietor, Sara, is a proud product of the St. Louis metro area, just like yours truly. So when I heard that Sara is writing a book of fan memories of the Fabs' one and only concert in St. Louis, naturally I did two things: put her in touch with my Aunt (hi Mary!) who went to the concert; and I offered to post an Author Query on her behalf: Hello Beatlefans! This is Sara from the Meet the Beatles for Real [...]

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Help Dullblog Get to 100,000 Views!

By Michael Gerber|2014-12-02T10:30:40-08:00December 2, 2014|Housekeeping|

Admire the commitment, and note with pleasure that this is the Correct Period of the group Friendies, Last January, I set a secret goal for the site: 100,000 pageviews in 2014. This was a bit ambitious, but only a bit -- probably 15% more traffic than we've gotten every year since 2008 when this little monster was born. This morning I checked our logs, and we need just 11890 pageviews to reach our goal. So I'm asking: would you tell a friend about Dullblog? Forward a favorite (or unfavorite) post, or just let a Beatlefriend know we exist. We do [...]

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Collector’s Edition by Stuart Tolley

By Michael Gerber|2014-12-30T23:59:21-08:00December 1, 2014|books, Covers, Paul McCartney|

In the run-up to the holiday, I'm going to begin posting on some of the Beatle books that have been hurled over our e-transom in the last several months. This morning author Stuart Talley wrote to tell me about his book Collector's Edition, a roundup of the graphic and product design employed in limited-run collectibles. It looks like a fascinating book -- who wouldn't want a peep at The Vatican Secret Archives, for example, "hand-bound in the Vatican and produced in an edition of just 33 copies"? "One Man and His Dog......" by Paul McCartney But there's something of special [...]

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A Dylan Beatles Stones Album In A Parallel Universe

By Michael Gerber|2014-11-11T19:58:00-08:00November 11, 2014|1969, alternate history|

These proportions would've been pretty accurate I think Eagle-eyed Dullblog commenter Hologram Sam writes us: "In 1969, Bob Dylan had the idea to form the ultimate temporary supergroup. He wanted to record an album with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He told his idea to Glyn Johns, who immediately started making phone calls. Long story short: George Harrison and Keith Richards were in favor of the project. Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger were not interested. John Lennon didn't care either way. Ladies and Gentlemen: The Dylan Beatles Stones! Today's thought experiment: Try to imagine a parallel universe where this [...]

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Interview: McCartney Recording Sessions author Luca Perasi

By Michael Gerber|2014-10-28T13:52:09-07:00October 28, 2014|books, Interviews, Paul McCartney, Wings|

"Groundbreaking and definitive" Here's a welcome sign that Paul McCartney's solo work is being looked at with new and appreciative eyes: Luca Perasi's Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013) catalogs all Paul's solo recording sessions in detail. Well, the first 44 years of his post-Beatles career, anyway. Among the book's revelations is just how often McCartney recorded songs he didn't release for years, or in some cases didn't release at all. In the course of his researches, Perasi interviewed over seventy people who have worked with Paul over the years, and the perspectives they give on the man and his work are invaluable. Better still, Perasi doesn't let his obvious affection for McCartney's [...]

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Howard Goodall’s Twentieth Century Greats The Beatles

By Michael Gerber|2014-10-26T22:29:01-07:00October 26, 2014|Documentaries|

Commenter Buck Turgidson pointed me to this documentary, "Howard Goodall's Twentieth Century Greats The Beatles," deconstructing the Beatles' music, and placing them within the musical trends of the 20th Century. I found it fascinating -- what do you think? http://youtu.be/HbcHG7lL_T4

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Shepard Fairey George Harrison Poster

By Michael Gerber|2014-10-23T13:49:44-07:00October 23, 2014|George Harrison, Graphic Art|

Star graphic designer Shepard Fairey (yes, you know him -- think "OBEY" or that Obama poster) has created a new poster of George Harrison, to celebrate/promote the release of The Apple Years 1968-75. I think it's pretty cool. What say you? Please tell me he did this by hand and eye, and didn't just apply a Photoshop filter. That MATTERS to me somehow Interested in purchasing a Shepard Fairey George Harrison Poster for your own cozy little Beatle-infused digs? Be quick and vigilant: "Silver edition to be released 24/10/14 through the George Harrison web store at 10am PST/6pm BST located [...]

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About Michael Gerber