The Atelier 13 Rock History Blog

The Beatles-Paul is Dead

By Annika

In 1969, the cover of the Beatles' recently released album Abbey Road started a rumor that quickly spread through America. "Paul is dead." The theory was that on November 9, 1966, Paul McCartney stormed out of the recording studio, got into his car, and drove off. Soon after, he got into a car accident and died. Not wanting to make a big fuss, the remaining Beatles replaced him with the winner of a Paul McCartney look-alike contest, who, with a little plastic surgery, looked so much like Paul that nobody noticed.

Coincidentally, Paul's double can also talk and sing exactly like him. They were so much alike that nobody noticed that the real Paul was dead until three years later, when the Beatles released Abbey Road.

The Evidence:

Some of the most substantial "evidence" was on the cover of Abbey Road.

This scene was interpreted by some fans to be a funeral procession. In front, John is dressed in white, like a religious person. Next, Ringo is dressed in black, representing a mortician or a mourner. Paul, barefoot with a suit, would of course be the corpse. Lastly, George is wearing simple jeans, representing the grave digger. In addition, Paul is out of step. The license plate of the yellow VW bug is 28IF. This was interpreted to mean that Paul would be in his 28 year of life IF he were still alive.

Since Paul had died earlier than the release of Abbey Road, previous albums also had clues, claimed the believers of this rumor.

On the back cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Paul has his back turned to the camera.

In this picture, also included in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Paul is shown sitting in the fetal position. This is how Indians bury their dead. The Beatles were known to be fascinated with the Indian culture. On his uniform, the white bars and epaulets are trimmed in black for death. Most shocking, however, is the patch on his left arm, which reads "O.P.D." In Britain, this means "Officially Pronounced Dead."

The Magical Mystery Tour came with a 24-page pamphlet full of pictures, many of which also have hidden "clues."

If one examines the drum closely, it is possible to read the words on the drum: "Love the 3 Beatles."

In this pictures, also included in the pamphlet, the Beatles all have red carnations. Except for Paul...his is black, symbolizing death.

In many of the pictures published with later albums, there is something about Paul that makes him stand out from the others, be it a black carnation, a different angle, no shoes, etc. Fans took these as "clues" telling them about his death. The list of evidence goes on and on. In addition, "deeper meanings" were found in some of the songs telling fans more about the death of Paul.

The Beatles denied accusations of having planted these clues either as a joke or to promote sales, so whether or not they did it purposely will remain a mystery.

If you would like to read more about the "Paul is dead" theory and the evidence, visit:
http://www.ispauldead.com/501.html
http://www.turnmeondeadman.com/index.php

Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin

The song was written and sung by the members of Led Zeppelin in 1971.
The song was produced more accidentally. The band was trying to finish the song "4 Sticks" but they failed. So they were just playing around and spontaneously they created the son "Rock and Roll".

Other Cover Versions:
There are more than 40 different versions.
For example:

Heart (1980)
Gotthard (1994)
Cactus Jack (2002)
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2008)

I think that the version of Alvin and the Chipmunks is the best, because it's really cute!^.^

by Annick

Hush by Billy Joe Royal

The song was written by Joe South for Billy Joe Royal, which became just a minor hit. The more famous version is from Deep Purple, recorded in 1968 for their debut album Shades of Deep Purple.

Original sung by Billy Joe Royal

Other cover versions:

Deep Purple 1968
Russell Morris & The Rubes 1976
Kula Shaker 1997

The version from Deep Purple was used in various movies:

Appollo 13 (1996)
Isn`t she great (2000)
When strangers appear (2001)
Beyond the sea (2004)
Children of men (2006)

I think that the version by Gotthard is the best, because... Well, just because^^

© by Flavia

The Beatles-Part 3: The Break-up

By Annika

During an interview in 1966, Lennon stated that in his opinion, Christianity was dying, and the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus now." This started a huge controversy in America, especially in the "Bible belt" (the South). South African radio banned the Beatles until 1971. Religious and social conservatives, as well as the Ku Klux Klan, criticized Lennon and the Beatles. In a press conference, Lennon said, "if I'd said television was more popular than Jesus, I might have got away with it," but "if you want me to apologize, if that will make you happy, then okay, I'm sorry."

In June 1967, they released Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece, and Rolling Stone ranked it number one among its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." On June 25th, they performed their newest song, All You Need is Love, on television. This was the "Summer of Love," and the song was adopted as a "Flower Power" anthem.

Two months later, their manager, Brian Epstein, died. The Beatles were disoriented and worried about the future. On December 26, 1967, the band aired The Magical Mystery Tour film. For this they received their first major negative feedback from the UK press. It was called "blatant rubbish," "a colossal conceit," and "a kind of fantasy morality play about the grossness and warmth and stupidity of the audience."

During recording for a new album, trouble started for the members of the Beatles. Starr quit for a while, so McCartney had to play drums for several tracks. More tension was caused by Lennon's romance with Yoko Ono. Despite the agreement that partners were not to enter the recording studio, Lennon brought her to all their recording sessions. He lost interest in writing with McCartney, and became more and more critical of McCartney's songwriting.

Recording for Let It Be was "a miserable experience" for the Beatles, so McCartney suggested recording another album, Abbey Road. Before they could start recording in February, they had to agree on the format on the album. Lennon wanted his music and McCartney's music to be on separate sides of the album. The compromise that they were finally able to agree on was to have separately composed songs on the first side and a medley on the second. On August 20, 1969, they finished Abbey Road with the recording of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)." This was the last time that all of the Beatles were in a recording studio together.

On September 20 1969, Lennon told the group he was leaving. In January 1970, the remaining three Beatles recorded Harrison's "I Me Mine" to complete the Let it Be album. On April 10, McCartney publicly announced that he was leaving the band. On December 31 1970, McCartney filed a suit for the dissolution of the Beatles. However, because of legal disputes, it did not take effect until 1975. The "reassuring, geometrically perfect, once apparently ageless family of siblings" that had captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world was over.

Mighty Quinn by Bob Dylan Cover Versions

Dylan originally recorded the song in 1967 under the name Quinn the Eskimo (Mighty Quinn), but didn't release a version. The song was picked up and recorded by the British band Manfred Mann, who released it under the title Mighty Quinn.

Bob Dylan Manfred Mann

Manfred Mann 1968
Ian and Sylvia 1968
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap 1968
Fruitgum Company 1968
Julie London 1968
The Hollies 1969
The Beatles 1970
Gotthard 1996
Phish 1999
Grateful Dead 2000
Les Fradkin 2006
Nena Daconte 2007
Cornershop 2009

Gotthard

The success story of Gotthard began in 1990. Founded by Steve Lee (lead singer) and Leo Leoni (guitar).

Gotthard was founded in the beginning of 1990 in Ticino under the name Krak. They changed their name after Chris von Rohr joined them as their producer and co-songwriter and they signed the recording contract with BMG.

Their first album "Gotthard" was released in 1992 and instantly became a great success in switzerland. All the following albums reached No.1 in the swiss album charts.

The Band was the supporting act of many famous rock bands and singers such as Bon Jovi, ACDC, Deep Purple, Bryan Adams,...

Band Members

Steve Lee - Lead Vocals

Leo Leoni - 1. Guitar

I don't like: Warm beer
I like: Ice cold beer
Literature: ?????What's that?????

Hena Habegger - Drums

Pets: Two cats (Bijou & Simba)
Favorite Color: Dollar Green
Hobbies: Gardening

Freddy Scherer - 2. Guitar

Best Place: Next to the barbecue
Favorite Clothes: Yes!
Weaknesses: Hm????!!!

Marc Lynn - Bass Guitar

Literature: Asterix
Fears: Last call at the bar!
Favorite Rockband: Everything that rocks!

For more information Gotthard Official Website --> The Band

Death of Steve Lee

Singer Steve Lee† (5.8.1963 - 5.10.2010)was on a bike trip in the desert of Nevada with his wife and was involved in a traffic accident on the 5. october 2010 and died. This bike trip has been his dream for a long time.

His last appearance was in the end of september during the Miss Switzerland election and their last concert in front of an audience was at the Open Air Gampel in august.