January 1, 1962 – 50 years ago today. The Beatles down to London for some recordings that will forever be known as the Decca Audition Tapes. It was a very significant day in their history. Decca turned The Beatles down thinking guitar bands were on their way out. We would kindly say that it was poor judgment on their part!! These were later shopped around by Brian Epstein, being rejected by all, until he got to a producer for a small subsidiary of EMI Records, who specialized in mostly comedy records. He wasn’t sure what he liked about them, but he did, and decided to have them come down for an audition (two months before Ringo joined). His name was George Martin. A moment in history that will forever link him to The Beatles as they explored the world of recording over the next 7 1/2 years that reached heights that will never ever be matched.

We wish all of you a Very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful 2012!!

Dear Beatles Friends and Customers,

It has been another gear Beatles year with Paul and Ringo each doing two tours! In fact, Paul just finished up on Tuesday with a concert in his home town of Liverpool! Paul has announced a new album of standards + two newly written songs, coming out on Feb 7th in time for Valentine’s Day. One of the new songs is written for his new bride Nancy Shevell, called My Valentine. Ringo has a new album being released on January 30th, called Ringo 2012.

Wherever you are or whatever you are doing, please remember the powerful message of Peace and Love that The Beatles believed in so much. John and George will always be physically missed, but their spirit lives on in all Beatles Fans around the world.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year.

Peace and Love,

Mark, Carol, Michelle and Jessica Lapidos

Attention all last minute shoppers looking for Beatles items as gifts (or for yourself). We are now all caught up and all orders placed today (Sunday) will ship on Monday to arrive before Christmas at no extra shipping charges (except if you are on the West Coast, where some additional charges MAY be incurred). The webstore is up to date so if we are sold out of an item, it shouldn’t show up for sale. Orders placed by Monday 3:00PM EST should also be going out on Monday. More updates tomorrow. Thanks for shopping with us.

Today is the saddest day on The Beatles calendar. 31 years has passed by since the day John Lennon was assassinated. Volumes have been written about John since 1980 (and some very good ones, too), but the truth of the matter is John expressed his thoughts, feelings, emotions, love, hate, peace in his music so well, that all we have to do is listen to his music to better understand what John was all about. As we reflect today, we can only suggest you pick out a Beatles album or two or a couple of solo albums and let John personally lift your spirits. He will always be missed but his music is permanently with us. Our thoughts are with Yoko and Sean, and Julian today. All You Need Is Love.

FINALLY! DONOVAN P. LEITCH, one of the great artists of the 1960s, has been elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Donovan, who’s many hits include Sunshine Superman, Mellow Yellow, Colours, Catch The Wind, Season of the Witch, Atlantis, was one of our all time favorite FEST guests – in 2003 in the NY Metro and Chicago FESTS and in Las Vegas in 2008. Donovan was a vital part of the swinging 60s scene in London and was close friends with The Beatles. He went to India with them in 1968. His stories are fascinating, but his music is even better. We are thrilled for Donovan for the great honor. Congratulations.  Now the HOF needs to honor Harry Nilsson, Billy Preston, Moody Blues and, of course, WINGS!

Pictured is Donovan performing at our Las Vegas FEST.

10 years ago today (11/29/2001), George Harrison passed, at the too young age of 58. Yet, in his 58 years, he accomplished so much and improved all of our lives on the way. To list what he has meant to Beatles fans is not possible. We know in our hearts and that will always be with us. Plus, of course, that priceless volume of music he gave us. For younger fans who may not be as familiar with his solo work, go listen. You will find many, many gems not heard on radio. Right now I am listening to Cloud Nine. It brings back many warm memories and feelings. Go listen to his music today to celebrate his amazing life. Guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits. Thank you George for being yourself. Peace and Love.

The Albert Maysles Documentary PAUL McCARTNEY: THE LOVE WE MAKE is being released on DVD on December 6th. This is a poignant look at the immediate post 9/11 look at NYC through Paul’s eyes. It takes us through those weeks leading up to The Concert for NYC. The concert featured Mick Jagger, Elton, Billy Joel, The Who, Clapton, James Taylor, and many others. Albert (along with his late brother) filmed The Beatles 1964 documentary What’s Happening in the U.S.A. We are offering a SPECIAL PRE-RELEASE SALE on this DVD from now until December 5th. Reserve your copy NOW for ONLY $12.00 and pay only $2.00 shipping. (PLEASE NOTE: The regular shipping of $6.75 shows up on your order, but IT WILL BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED TO $2.00 before processing.) If you preorder with other items, we will not add any extra shipping charge for the DVD to your full order.

THIS DAY IN BEATLES HISTORY, NOVEMBER 9, 1961: Some Beatles historians see this as the most important day in Beatles history. (I put it in a very close third behind The Day John met Paul (7/6/57) and the first Ed Sullivan appearance (2/9/64)). On this day 50 YEARS AGO, NEMS store manager BRIAN EPSTEIN and his assistant Alistair Taylor went to a lunch time concert down the street from the store in Liverpool, to see what the commotion was about. Brian was so impressed by what he saw and heard, he decided he wanted to manage them and get them a recording contract. Brian was a man of his word and to his credit, changed their look, put them in suits and most importantly, secured a recording contract with Parlophone Records, with producer George Martin. The stars had to be in alignment as it was the perfect combination of raw musical talent by 4 musicians and songwriters, a producer who understood what he heard and the guidance of a manager who went where no man had ever gone before, fulfilling The Beatles dreams of going to the ‘toppermost of the poppermost’. We give Brian full credit for moving them from the Liverpool stage to the world stage in just over 2 years. We do not understand how Brian has not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There is an ongoing petition to have him inducted. Go to  www.brianepstein.com if you want to sign the petition.

Today we honor John on what would have been his 71st Birthday. The best way is to put on a CD, or open iTunes and listen to your favorite songs of John’s. After all, it was his music that brought him to us! And we will always be grateful. For those around the country (and world), Yoko is in Reykjavik, Iceland to relight the Imagine Peace Tower at 4:00PM  MY time, 1:00PM LA time). Go to www.imaginepeacetower.com for the live event. The are events going on all over the country, but if you are in the New York area, we have Strawberry Fields, across the street from the Dakota, where fans gather to feel his presence in the part of Central Park he and Yoko walked in so often. We know we will see a lot of familiar faces there today. Yoko (and Q104.3) are presenting Gimme Some Truth, a Visual Tribute to honor his birth. It runs through tomorrow at 76 Wooster Street, between Spring and Broome Streets. For info, call 1-888-ART-1969. We are going to check this out before heading up to the park. This evening, we cap off a full day of ‘John’ at BB Kings on 42nd Street at 8:00PM. Our friend and music legend Billy J. Kramer is in concert, with Gary Lewis and will be celebrating the day with some of John’s songs. Tickets are still available.

We also want to wish Sean Lennon a very happy 36th birthday. On a personal note, my father was also born on this day. He would have been 95. As a musician and bandleader, he sent me on a musical path that has lasted a lifetime. Thanks, Dad.

All you need is love!

What a most enjoyable 1 1/2 hours it was last night for Part One of Martin Scorsese’s Epic Bio: George Harrison: Living in the Material World. It was very well done and had enough previously unseen photos and live footage to keep any fan thrilled. It was amazing to see live color Beatles concert footage from 1963 with George singing lead. We can’t wait for part two tonight! It is on HBO at 9:00PM