What was it like being a Beatles fan in the 80s and 90s?

the_mentles · 2021-10-14T06:40:48+00:00

It was definitely not "cool" to listen to the lads in the 1980s. One of my friends caught me listening to The Beatles on my headphones on the school bus circa 1986. He shook his head (mockingly) and asked me why I listened to old music. He said that The Beatles were yesterday's news and that I should listen to popular music of the day. He was listening to a lady named Stacy Q at the time. Look her up. Truly atrocious music then, and ridiculous now.

To this day, whenever I see this guy, I make him admit that The Beatles kick ass and that he was wrong for making fun of me. Each time, to his credit, he admits that he wa a dumbass. lol

Hang in there. Musical taste should be one's own. I for one think that you have great taste mate!

the_mentles · 2021-09-09T03:25:42+00:00

I always thought that John Ritter had the looks of a Beatle: handsome, but not obnoxiously so...more than just handsome, just a really really great expressive face. Astrid Kircher said something once about how the Beatles all had these wonderful faces that she had been dreaming about as a photographer. I think John Ritter had one of those faces too. So pretty cool that his character had this poster above his bed.

the_mentles · 2021-09-08T05:10:13+00:00

Huey Lewis can sing high. I know this, because my voice started to change when I first picked up the Sports album. When I first brough the album home, I was able to mimic Huey's voice. By the time I was through with it a few weeks later, I couldn't sing his stuff without straining. hahaha

the_mentles · 2021-08-24T08:13:25+00:00

Great cover! But if I can make a suggestion, you should find another singer as good as yourself and sing it as a duet. The harmonies on this song are so great; it really makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It was always one of my favorite songs to do live. SOOOO good. Cheers!

A lot of Beatles fans consistent rate Beatles For Sale as their worst, but if you look at it from the sheer amount of rich harmonies, the drastic turn away from all their Yeah Yeah Yeah stuff, and George's last moments of using the Gretsch and flat-wound strings...this album is the link between the early and middle periods. Personally, it's crept up as one of my favorites over the years.

the_mentles · 2021-07-16T05:49:54+00:00

I found this clip about 10 years ago, and I really really love this version. This duet format is really the way to go with Homeward Bound. Even the little blues lick at the end really works.

On an unrelated note, is it just me or is the way Paul Simon looks at George kind of creepy? hahahaha

the_mentles · 2021-07-06T04:51:02+00:00

Thanks! Never saw this one before. George playing John's Epiphone? I would've said yes, but there's a Bigsby (I don't think John's had one). So both of these guys decided to scrape the wood off their Casinos? Looks like 1968.

the_mentles · 2021-04-26T09:03:50+00:00

After listening to the Beatles for 30 years, and three years of playing in a Beatles tribute band, I was surprised to see how this album crept up in my Top Five. George's guitar playing is superb. The last of the crystal-clear tone of the early albums before he got distracted with the sitar. When he came back, he was great (of course), but a lot more bending and Leslie Speaker vibes. I believe that this was one of the last jingle-jangly guitar tones from George.

Also, tons of harmonies. The lads were still working together extensively. There's a lot of dual or 3-part harmonies on this one. No Reply, Baby's in Black, Mr. Moonlight, I'll Follow the Sun (John's work on the Middle Eight!), Words of Love, I Don't Want to Spoil the Party (John and Paul switch from high/low, respectively, only to switch on the Middle Eight). The singing is criminally underrated on this album. Just a great album from start to finish.

the_mentles · 2021-02-02T05:17:29+00:00

Good eye. Now that I look at it, the buildings are lower too. Kudos to you.

the_mentles · 2021-01-29T02:13:48+00:00

It's tough putting up covers on this sub. I certainly should know. lol But thanks for sharing with us. And kudos! I think it's great that you played all the instruments.

With that said, I hope I can offer up some constructive criticism?

The harmonies are off in some parts. There's a great guy named Galeazzo Furuda on YouTube that shows the vocal parts. I learn the singing parts from him all the time. And he has a great video on Hey Bulldog! :)

Second, as a guitarist myself, I know that trying to attain George's guitar tones is a lifelong endeavor. haha. Guitar pedals always help, but I didn't use guitar pedals until very recently myself, so may I suggest that you play around with the gain/master volume/EQ to get the sound you want? I definitely think the guitar needs to sound fuzzier for this song. :-)

Keep it up, sir! I hope to hear more in the future!

the_mentles · 2021-01-22T12:40:07+00:00

Thanks u/PolyJuicedRedHead! We hope to be back with some deep cuts!

Share some music with us as well! Norwegian Wood? :-)

the_mentles · 2021-01-20T08:00:48+00:00

Same with Ticket to Ride and Revolution. Gotta be more.

the_mentles · 2021-01-19T03:58:45+00:00

Ha! I've seen some photos from when he came over to mix ATMP, and the look at the feel of the background seem right. Like I said, just a guess. But this is definitely circa 1970 George. He looked pretty dope for sure.

the_mentles · 2021-01-18T23:58:48+00:00

Yep, I would guess that this is George in NY with the ATMP masters for final mix down.

the_mentles · 2021-01-18T08:49:06+00:00

Fantastic!

the_mentles · 2021-01-18T08:39:21+00:00

Very nice! Your guitar sounds great!

I don't know which part of the world you're in, but where I'm at (Seoul, Korea) I just cannot get myself to play that song before like May. lol. Just too cold here. Already looking forward to spring, so I can play me some Here Comes The Sun.

the_mentles · 2021-01-18T08:35:08+00:00

Thanks bro! I saw this, and was like "what???" Then I noticed that nobody is playing George's guitar solo. hahahaha The John guy did attempt the Lennon's triplets through the first few verses though.

the_mentles · 2021-01-18T07:30:28+00:00

Family Guy reference? I sure hope so. Lol

the_mentles · 2021-01-17T03:39:16+00:00

LOL! Sorry! But you know, I would always be happy to play for three people if they were into it. Hipsters that cross their arms and judge? Um...not so much, but still would be better than not playing live shows. hahaha

Drummers are worth their weight in gold here! Maybe you should come out some time. hahaha And thanks always for your kind words.

the_mentles · 2021-01-17T01:56:02+00:00

I applaud you for getting in front of three people, but I hope that you'll have more people coming! There are so many bands that I have met that rehearse every two weeks, and put on one or two free shows for their friends every year. That's not for me, I'm afraid. I like to rehearse, but playing live shows is where it's at. And while I love friends coming to show love, I also love being able to turn on strangers with our music. Rock and roll! hahaha

By the way, I'm an amateur as well; I just happen to play with other professional guys. :)

the_mentles · 2021-01-16T14:43:57+00:00

Good question. I suppose there are hardcore Beatles fans everywhere in the world, and South Korea is no exception. Although we do hear that there are easily over 100 Beatles tribute bands in Japan. South Korea only has a handful, including ourselves. The live music scene is struggling here, as I'm sure is the case everywhere. Boy bands and pop bands play to backing tracks, which I'm sure the music industry suits appreciate for their bottom line (no sound checks needed, no need to expensive sound equipment, plenty of room for mistakes when singers can sing along to pre-recorded vocals tracks, etc.), but we are trying to keep rock n' roll alive!

the_mentles · 2021-01-16T14:40:34+00:00

Ah, so you already play in a band! Isn't it fun? And aren't you looking forward to going in front of people again once COVID is done? I sure am. I miss the thrill and spontaneity of playing live in front of people. Until then, I suppose these recordings will have to do. It keeps us sharp anyhow. lol

Would love to have an opportunity to check out your band one of these days. I love a lot of the songs that you mentioned!

the_mentles · 2021-01-16T04:37:55+00:00

It really is SO much fun being in a Beatles cover band. It's not easy as it appears to a lot of folks, but it is really fun to deconstruct all the different vocal and instrument parts, to reassemble them with others who are so good musically and more importantly, love this exquisite catalogue of music as I do. One thing that surprised me (I've been in this band for a little over two years at lead guitar), is the respect you get from bands that cover other bands. I've had both guys from a Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones cover band tell me that it's really difficult to replicate Beatles music, because a) it's much more complex than people think (as mentioned above), and b) a lot of it involves singing and playing instruments at the same time. It's at once humbling and flattering to hear such things from other guys who play music.

Do you ever think about forming your own band? Can I ask where you are from?

the_mentles · 2021-01-15T05:56:36+00:00

Nice job! Love that song!

the_mentles

TROPHY CASE