Photo: Walt Disney Pictures, Apple Corps, WingNut Films, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Traditionally on Thanksgiving morning here in the United States we wake up early get some bagels and get ready to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. However as the editor of a classic rock sites\ and a long long time Beatles fans, that tradition changed this morning as I sat down to watch the long awaited Beatles documentary Get Back. I wish I could break tradition like this every year after watching this wonderful film.
The opening screen at the beginning of the documentary noted that in January 1969 there was over 60 hours of film footage that had been taken from the Get Back sessions. Also, over 150 hours of audio recordings. The Director makes the statement that numerous editorial choices had to be made. The opening screen also states that they will be representing pictures supplemented with audio only material. And that’s completely understandable. In a few seconds the legendary Green Apple appears and the excitement builds to a furry. So here we go…… watching Get Back for the first time.
The documentary starts where it should in the city of Liverpool in 1961. Black and white photos fill the screen as the titles run down some of the Beatles early history before they actually became the Beatles. Almost instantly, photographs and videos that we have never seen before (some we have) appear on the screen. They start to move through the years pretty quickly. In less than five minutes we are already seeing clips from the Ed Sullivan show. One minute later it’s the first two films Hard Days Night and Help. The video clips go from black and white to color and back to black and white.
The hair is getting longer, the press isn in an uproar over John Lennon’s we are bigger than Jesus quote and all of a suddens we are in Strawberry Fields and walking down Penny Lane. This is a history of the Beatles being shown in about ten minutes. It’s brilliantly done. Yet what it really means is that if the director is going through almost the entire Beatles career in less than ten minutes, there must be an incredibly long story that he wants to tell to fill out all the time that’s left even in this first episode that is almost two and a half hours long. Before you know it, Yoko appears on the screens and things are heading towards what this entire documentary is all about, the Let It Be sessions and the breakup of the Beatles.
What we learn early on is that the live promo that was shot before a studio audience for the song “Hey Jude,” so inspired the Beatles to perform again, they decided to record their next album in front of a live audience. Thus the Lets It Be live rooftop performance and tv special was spawned from the “Hey Jude,” experience.
What anyone watching this special will soon be blown away by is the quality of the footage that begins to appear on the screen. The reason behind the films high quality footage is that Ringo Starr had been set to start filming a major motion picture with Peter Sellers entitled The Magic Christian. The film was being produced by the head of Apple Films. The film studio offered the movie stage that was going to be used for the film to the Beatles to rehearse in and shoot their television special before Ringo’s movie was start to start production.
The motion picture film director for the Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr film Michael Lindsay-Hogg agreed to film the Beatles rehearsals and the television special. It would include the rooftop concert for the TV special. So with the help of a major motion picture film director and all the professional movie equipment the Beatles wound up with incredible footage shot and very high-quality film that would eventually become the material used for this special. It is unbelievable.
As the film begins to unfold in all it’s stunning glory you will start to question what you are watching. It’s so clear and close, you will ask yourself if these are actors portraying the Beatles because it’s so intimate, clear and close, and how in the names of rock and roll have we never seen this before.
We are going to stop right there because this needs to be experience by everyone. It’s wasn’t long before I was overcome with emotion watching this breathtaking film. The four Beatles sitting together on wooden chairs all facing Ringo and learning the song I Got a Feeling. Wow, John Lennon singing the lead and Paul McCartney singing harmony right next to him while Yoko Ono knits a sweater. Ringo Starr tap dancing while Paul McCartney plays the piano.
At times the group is just hanging and jamming out. George get shocked by the mic and almost jumps out of his skin. John Lennon jokes all the time yet has a pretty serious look when he is listing to what Paul McCartney is doing musically. The pint that will send shivers through your heart is when George starts talking about getting more of his songs on the albums and Paul sort of just shrugs him off. Later in the film there is a somewhat heated exchange between George Harrison and Paul McCartney over the parts that Harrison is playing that Paul McCartney is not happy with. In a very telling statement McCartney talks about being the leader of the band over that past couple of years and its in that exchange with Harrison as Ringo and Lennon stay silent, we see it was McCartney who was indeed the leader of the group at the time.
It just keeps getting better and better with every minute of the film that passes by. Don’t miss this, it is your rock and roll birthright to experience it. What a Thanksgiving gift this is.
Beatles Get Back Debuts Today On Disney + And It’s Stunning article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
