The Best Summer

The best summer was 1963. His dad took just him on a road trip in England.  They stopped in Liverpool, you might have a hint of what happened. 

The photographer Ethan Russell Tweeted a link to this story by the writer Bobby Stevenson.  It's a very touching account of the bond between he and his dad, that summer when he was 10 years old.  It would make a great movie. 

Beatles Shocker

I just watch Mad Men.  As I've been reading, I was not the only one who was shocked to hear an original Beatles recording, Tomorrow Never Knows played on Mad Men.  According to the Wall St Journal, Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner has been trying to license the Beatles for a few years.  Original recordings are rarely, if ever heard in films or TV.  When Megan gave Don a copy of Revolver and told him to start listening with this track, I thought for sure they would reference the song title and that was it.

The WSJ also goes on to talk about the alleged money paid by Lionsgate to license the track:  a whopping $250,00, yes a quarter of a million dollars.  

Two very smart song placements have been heard on the show. Of course the Beatles, which was a coup and the Beach Boys' I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, which played during Roger's mushroom trip.

Ringo, The Monkees & A Bit Of Pizza

Not sure how I missed this commercial when it aired in the mid-90's, but I thought it was worth posting. Ringo sitting in for Mike?

Allen Klein Dies

Business manager, accountant and music executive Allen Klein died in Manhattan yesterday. He was encouraged by Don Kirshner to get into the music business. He worked with The Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke and the Beatles. Combining tough New Jersey street smarts and tenacity, he was able to negotiate better than average royalty deals for his clients. John Belushi famously and fictionally portrayed Allen as Ron Decline in the The Rutles, All You Need Is Cash.