The Beatles

[pepper67]

Eric Idle of Monty Python was a close friend of George's (was at his deathbed, even) and he described the attack, as told to him by George and Olivia, in his new book that's a compilation of his blog, The Greedy Bastard Diary. It was really horrific, and a 15 minute ordeal. George apparently smacked the intruder on the head first (after being stabbed) as he was going after Olivia. The guy turned back on George and stabbed him some more and that's when Olivia was able to beat him over the head. They guy still didn't quit, so Olivia ran downstairs and the guy was running after her when the head injuries finally kicked in and he fell down the stairs.

I had no idea all that had happened!

God bless, George, though. He had just hired new caretakers for the estate a few days prior and they were looking on in horror as George was being attended to by EMTs. He looked up at them and said, "So. How do you like the job so far?"

Typical George! And don't you love him for it?

[Mutagen]

poorfrances said:

Eric Idle of Monty Python was a close friend of George's (was at his deathbed, even) and he described the attack, as told to him by George and Olivia, in his new book that's a compilation of his blog, The Greedy Bastard Diary. It was really horrific, and a 15 minute ordeal. George apparently smacked the intruder on the head first (after being stabbed) as he was going after Olivia. The guy turned back on George and stabbed him some more and that's when Olivia was able to beat him over the head. They guy still didn't quit, so Olivia ran downstairs and the guy was running after her when the head injuries finally kicked in and he fell down the stairs.

God bless, George, though. He had just hired new caretakers for the estate a few days prior and they were looking on in horror as George was being attended to by EMTs. He looked up at them and said, "So. How do you like the job so far?"

Wow, just... wow. That's just horrifying. I'd never heard it in such detail.

Still, the pitch-black sense of humor is one of the top reasons for my George love. And, the fact that he funded Monty Python's The Life of Brian, and appeared in The Rutles: All You Need is Cash.

On the topic of Paul's songwriting: I think it's a shame he got saddled with the saccharine label -- not that he didn't earn it with certain songs. He may not have had the consistent bite of John (or George for that matter), but "I'm Looking Through You" is one of the more cheerfully brutal songs in the Beatles catalogue IMHO. Also, "Paperback Writer" was allegedly a swipe at John's book career, and taken in that light the song becomes far more savage than it initially sounds.

[dwanollah]

one of the more cheerfully brutal songs in the Beatles catalogue

They gots quite a few of them, huh? "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to see you with another man."

My favorite George moment will always be: "What do you call that haircut?" "Arthur."

[Deleted]

From Julian Lennon's website:

As the anniversary of Dad’s death approaches, I have, inevitably, started receiving many requests for interviews. I am not going to give any interviews on the subject ; I genuinely feel that I have talked about Dad enough. But I do appreciate the enormous interest people have in my father and his legacy and so, in lieu of interviews, I am going to say just this :

"Dad was a great talent whose music and ideals are an inspiration to millions. Yet I have always had very mixed feelings about Dad. He was the father I loved who let me down in so many ways. Who knows how our relationship might have developed if he had not been murdered . it’s painful to think that his early death robbed me of the chance for us to know each other better. What can never be taken away are his words and music, that’s his legacy for me. It’s in my blood for a start. Like Dad I became a musician too, and as with many other artistes in this world his words and music continue to influence me today and probably forever more."

Also, I can direct you to two projects to which I have made a contribution. First, Mum’s book. As you probably know by now, Mum has written a biography about Dad and her time with him and I have provided the Foreword. I am immensely proud of her achievement - it’s an honest and truthful account of the ten years they shared together - half his adult life ! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know the truth, the real truth about Dad and his life with Mum. The book is called ’John’ and is published on 26 September 2005.

And the second is a TV profile of Dad which will transmit on BBC Television in October. I very, very rarely take part in shows like this but I was impressed with the integrity of the company who are making it for the BBC and their commitment to making it a balanced and thoughtful programme.

I expect there will be lots of other programmes and profiles commemorating and celebrating Dad on and around 8 December . for Mum and me that day will be one of private remembrance.

Julian.

[Mutagen]

dwanollah said:

They gots quite a few of them, huh? "I'd rather see you dead, little girl, than to see you with another man."

I always get funny looks when I admit "Run For Your Life" is one of my favorite Beatles songs. Sure it's evil, but it's honestly one of my favorite John vocal performances.

[Deleted]

My ipod is currently obsessed with "Helter Skelter". Every single time I use it, it pops up within the first few songs.

It's fine with me (or will be until the ipod starts commanding its minions to kill people....).

[dwanollah]

Me too, Mutagen. The bass in it is awesome, too.

I know it ain't a popular opinion, but I really dig Julian. I don't always agree with what he says or how he says it, but it's got to be fucking brutal to see your relatively abusive, asshole absentee father hailed as a saintlike harbringer of peace. Or, on a personal level, to see John embracing fatherhood with Sean when he couldn't be arsed to pay attention to Julian when he was younger.

[kostgard]

I can't help but feel sorry for Julian too. It's bad enough when you aren't in a famous family and you watch your dad ditch you for a new family, but it has to truly suck when the world tells you how wonderful he is while he has done nothing for you, his own child.

[Coffeecakes]

So true. I too feel bad for Julian. His dad just adandoned him and completely embraced that annoying shit with the paper-thin voice Sean. I remember Sean was on Howard Stern and was talking about how "hard" his life is. Howad basically told him that at least his father paid attnetion to him when he was alive, unlike Julian. He couldn't say shit after that.

[carrier76]

I always liked Paul and George the best - they both just seemed like nice guys. Lennon, while talented, seemed like he could often be a not-so-nice person, and Ringo is just really goofy.

This is exactly my feelings about it. I LOVE Paul. And his concert is AWESOME, and hopefully I will still get to see him in Des Moines next month!