Rock Encyclopedia

The Walt Disney Studios has made a deal with Apple Corps Ltd. to develop a new 3D performance capture adaptation of the 1968 hit animated film “Yellow Submarine” to be written and directed by Robert Zemeckis, it was announced today at the D23 Expo by Dick Cook, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios.

The film will be created by ImageMovers Digital, Disney’s state-of-the-art performance capture animation studio operated in conjunction with Zemeckis and his partners, Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey, who will serve as producers on the project.

For this fantastic new voyage to Pepperland, Zemeckis will incorporate the 16 Beatles songs and recordings from the original motion picture licensed from Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC and EMI-Capitol Records, respectively. The songs include “All Together Now,” “All You Need Is Love,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “With A Little Help From My Friends” while combining his unique vision and style to bring this dazzling tale to life.

In making the announcement, Cook said, “This is truly an inspired collaboration, and a wonderful opportunity to revisit one of the most imaginative and memorable musical fantasies of all time. To be working with the amazing folks at Apple Corps, and to have Bob helming the sub is truly as good as it gets. With all those incredible Beatles songs and imagery, the spectacular vision of Bob and his pioneering team at ImageMovers Digital, and a classic adventure full of wit and action, we’re sure that moviegoers are going to have a great time on this latest trip to Pepperland.”

Zemeckis said, “‘Yellow Submarine’ is one of the greatest fantasy films of all time, and making this new 3D performance capture movie is a dream come true for me. With the latest advances in technology, we will be able to take moviegoers on a voyage unlike any other, and bring new excitement and dimension to Pepperland and the various sea worlds they encounter. I’m thrilled to be working with the good folks at Apple Corps and our partners at Disney on this epic retelling of one of my all time favorite films.”

Jeff Jones, CEO, Apple Corps Ltd., said, “With The Beatles and Walt Disney Studios, we have a partnership between two of the best loved creative entities in the world. We’re very excited about the magical fantasy that will result from this collaboration. The marriage of the music of The Beatles with the talent and technical wizardry of Robert Zemeckis and ImageMovers Digital should produce something very special. We look forward to working with Bob and his team on realising his new vision for ‘Yellow Submarine’”.

The original motion picture (released in the U.S. on November 13, 1968) based on the music of The Beatles was directed by George Dunning and featured the inspired art direction and design of Heinz Edelmann. The movie is set in Pepperland, an undersea paradise inhabited by music lovers who live in peace and harmony and are protected by Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. That is… until they are threatened by the music hating Blue Meanies. It’s up to John, Paul, George and Ringo to set off on a magical adventure in their yellow submarine and bring music and harmony back to Pepperland.

Source: The Walt Disney Studios

The Australian rockers debut on HDNet this Sunday August 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET

The HDNet Concert Series presents the premiere of “JET: Live in the USA 2009,” this Sunday, August 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET – just days after their highly anticipated third studio album Shaka Rock is released in the US.

After four million albums sold worldwide and four Top Ten modern rock and rock hits, these authentic Aussie rockers hit the HDNet Concert series with this recent performance that was recorded at The House of Blues in Anaheim, California.

The band plays their hits (“Cold Hard Bitch,” “Look What You’ve Done,” “Rip It Up,” “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”) as well as songs from their latest album, Shaka Rock including “She’s A Genius.” This new album closes the gap between the raw roots of their first album, Get Born, and the grace and melody of Shine On which together went on to make JET an international band of style and substance.

Catch JET as they skillfully combine the raw pulsing classic riffs with today’s modern sounds and swagger on HDNet – Sunday, August 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Source: HDNet

Premiering in Three Installments August 26, September 2, and September 9 at 9PM

VH1 Classic To Air 9 Days of Beatles Programming Starting September 1 with Classic Beatles’ Documentaries, Concerts, and Films VH1 and VH1 Classic’s Beatles Programming Marathons Support September 9 Debut of MTV Games’ The Beatles(TM): Rock Band(TM)

VH1 and VH1 Classic are kicking off a programming bonanza centered on one of the biggest-selling bands in pop culture history – The Beatles. The networks extensive and wide-ranging programming is airing in support of the highly anticipated launch of MTV Games’ The Beatles(TM): Rock Band(TM) on September 9.

The 3-week-long programming block begins with the airing of “The Beatles Anthology,” the comprehensive documentary series focused on the history of the “Fab Four.” “The Beatles Anthology” simulcasts on VH1 and VH1 Classic on Wednesday, August 26, Wednesday, September 2, and Wednesday, September 9 at 9PM*. Then beginning Tuesday, September 1, VH1 Classic goes into full gear with “9 Days of Beatles” featuring classic Beatles’ documentaries, concerts and films.

Footage from “The Beatles Anthology” documentary was compiled from interviews, studio sessions, films, and home videos, with production taking place over the course of five years. From their childhood in England to the band’s eventual breakup, this in-depth documentary takes a look into the careers of four of the greatest musicians to grace the stage. Directed by Geoff Wonfor and Bob Smeaton, this Emmy-nominated film follows John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr around the world as they share their stories. Fans will have an opportunity to see and hear some of their favorite Beatles performances as well as rarely seen footage.

All You Need Is. . .. “9 Days of The Beatles” on VH1 Classic

In addition to the Anthology, VH1 Classic will be airing an unprecedented “9 Days of The Beatles” programming. Select programming is highlighted below. For a full schedule visit VH1Classic.com.

On Tuesday, September 1 at 8PM* “9 Days of The Beatles” kicks off with “The Beatles Retrospective” hosted by Mark Goodman. Take a stroll down memory lane as VH1 Classic takes you through The Beatles’ catalogue of amazing videos with “She Loves You/I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl,” “Penny Lane,” “Revolution,” “When I’m 64,” “I Am The Walrus” and “Hey Bulldog.”

Following on Tuesday, September 1 at 9 PM*, VH1 Classic will premiere the classic Beatles movie “Help!” which showcases The Beatles in a plot that revolves around Ringo’s possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. Songs included in the film are “Help!” “Another Girl” and “Ticket to Ride.”

“The Beatles Anthology 2″ airs on Wednesday, September 2 at 9PM* and is simulcast on VH1. This anthology takes viewers through the harrowing tour of “Hard Day’s Night” and into the frenzy of Beatlemania. From performances at Shea Stadium in New York City to receiving medals from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in London to meeting and hanging out with Elvis, the “Fab Four” are seen at the height of their fame. The anthology continues with behind-the-scenes footage of Rubber Soul and takes viewers through one of the group’s most prolific albums, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The documentary also follows the band through their classic “Strawberry Fields” and into the summer of love as Timothy Leary called his “avatars” to sing the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love” during the first world satellite television program.

“A Hard Day’s Night” premieres on Thursday, September 3 at 9PM*. This Academy-Award nominated film offers fans a typical day in the life of a Beatle. Songs: “I’ll Cry Instead,” ” A Hard Day’s Night,” ” I Should’ve Known Better,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “If I Fell,” “And I Love Her,” “I’m Happy Just to Dance with You,” “Ringo’s Theme (This Boy),” “Tell Me Why.” “Don’t Bother Me,” “I Wanna Be Your Man,” “All My Loving’” and “She Loves You.”

“The Making of Sgt. Pepper” premieres on Friday, September 4 at 9PM*. This documentary celebrates the classic album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and features outtakes and interviews from Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, George Martin, Brian Wilson, Phil Collins and more.

Later that evening, “Paul McCartney: St. Petersburg Live” premieres on Friday, September 4 at 11PM*. This special documentary story of Paul’s historic visit to Russian 2003, marking the first time McCartney set foot on Russian soil. Songs include: “Hey Jude” “Yesterday” and “Let It Be,” and “Back in the U.S.S.R.”

On Saturday, September 5 at 11PM* VH1 Classic will air “John Lennon Live in NYC.” In his last full-length concert, John Lennon delivers some classic performances of songs “Instant Karma,” “Come Together” “Imagine” and “Give Peace a Chance” among others.

On Sunday, September 6 at 5PM* VH1 Classic celebrates John Lennon’s legacy with the 1998 documentary “Imagine: John Lennon.” The self-narrated documentary presents a wealth of Lennon footage and bridges his two musical phases – as a member of The Beatles and as a solo artist – together and presents a career-spanning collection of Lennon’s many musical highlights. In addition there are a couple of heretofore unreleased recordings: an acoustic demo of “Real Love” taped in 1979 (an alternate recording of which would be finished by The Beatles for 1996′ s Anthology 2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthology_2) and a rehearsal take of “Imagine” in mid-1971 before the final take was captured.

Two special concerts highlight the Beatles’ legacies on Monday, September 7. “The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited,” airs at 8PM* and follows the 1971 landmark benefit concert that brought together an extraordinary ensemble of major artists collaborating to raise money for UNICEF to help the people of Bangladesh after the Bhloa Cyclone and Liberation War ravished the country. George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and more held the sold out concert on August 1, 1971 at Madison Square Garden. Next premiering at 9PM* is “The Concert for George.” On November 29, 2002, one year after George Harrison’s death, his many friends gathered to celebrate his life by playing his music, including artists Eric Clapton, Jools Holand, Jeff Lynne, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Billy Preston, and Ringo Starr.

The Beatles week on VH1 Classic continues with “Storytellers: Ringo Starr” on Tuesday, September 8 at 8:30PM*. Taped in front of a live studio audience in 1998 before the release of his album “Vertical Man,” Ringo devotes his set to the stories behind some of his solo successes including, “Back off Boogaloo” and “It Don’t Come Easy” and The Beatles hits including “Love Me Do,” “With A Little Help from My Friends” and “Don’t Pass Me By.”

“9 Days of The Beatles” programming comes to a close with “The Beatles Anthology 3″ which premieres on Wednesday, September 9 at 9PM* and is simulcast with VH1. Having already found fame and international success The Beatles form their new recording company, Apple Corp and release a new string of hit albums including, The White Album, Yellow Submarine, and finally one of their quintessential best, Abbey Road.

MTV Games’ The Beatles(TM): Rock Band(TM)

The Beatles have sold more than 600 million albums internationally; in the U.S., they have had more number one singles (20) on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart than any other music artist in history, as well as 15 number one albums. This anthology depicts the music, mayhem, and the men behind one of the biggest music phenomenon in music history.

The Beatles: Rock Band gives fans the chance to experience for themselves The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music for the first time via a gameplay journey. From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in The Beatles’ footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania.

Additionally, for the first time in a music videogame, The Beatles: Rock Band introduces three-part vocal harmonies, allowing gamers to revel in the unparalleled vocal styling of The Beatles. Beatles fans will also be thrilled to hear previously unreleased authentic voice recordings from John, Paul, George and Ringo chatting between takes during studio sessions recorded at Abbey Road more than four decades ago. Of The Beatles’ epic catalogue, 45 songs will be available on-disc. In addition, the entire Abbey Road album will be available for future download purchase, as will additional music from The Beatles’ catalogue.

In conjunction with the release of the entire, original, digitally re-mastered Beatles CD catalogue, The Beatles: Rock Band will be available Sept. 9, 2009, simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), and the Wii(TM) system from Nintendo. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band(TM) instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero and other authorized third-party music video game peripherals and microphones.

The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Harrisongs Ltd and Startling Music Ltd has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive videogame format.

The Beatles: Rock Band is published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band. Electronic Arts Inc. will serve as distribution partner for the game. Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, has also provided his expertise, serving as Music Producer for this groundbreaking project

Source: VH1