Latest news with #Beatles'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Parade atrocity hit hard in Ireland thanks to our unique links to Liverpool
News of the atrocity which befell the city of Liverpool on Monday quickly reverberated around the globe. Shortly after 6 pm, a 53-year-old man drove into multiple fans who were attending the Reds' bus parade. What started as a truly joyous occasion quickly turned into utter devastation. Nearly 80 people were injured, some of whom remain in a serious condition in hospital. Here, in Ireland, our strong ties with Liverpool meant it hit hard. The decades-long deep-rooted connections between Ireland and the English port city meant the pain and devastation were felt even more deeply here. Figures show there are nearly 500,000 Irish Liverpool fans and it's estimated around 75 per cent of Liverpudlians have Irish ancestry. The link is deeper, though - from music to accents to our vernacular and emigration, there's a lot that connects Ireland with Liverpool. Here, we take a deeper look at the unique Liverpool-Irish links. Everybody knows the Beatles hail from Liverpool. But some might be surprised to learn that the four members of what is arguably the most famous band in the world had Irish roots. John Lennon's grandfather James was born in Down while his great-grandmother, Elizabeth Gildea, hailed from Omagh in Tyrone. Paul McCartney's clan had connections with Monaghan. His maternal grandfather, named Owen Mohan, came from Tullynamallow. Ringo Starr is considered the most English member of the band, but his roots go back to Mayo. George Harrison's family, meanwhile, originally hailed from Wexford as it emerged that they were landowners before being stripped of their land by Oliver Cromwell during the plantations. All the families eventually found their way to Liverpool. During the Beatles' infamous visit to the Irish capital in 1963, Lennon declared: 'We're all Irish!' A more recent musical connection would be Nathan Carter. The 35-year-old Wagon Wheel singer was born in Liverpool to Northern Irish parents. He moved across at 18 and is now based in Fermanagh. Liverpool was also featured in songs by The Dubliners, including The Leavin' of Liverpool and Liverpool Lou. Trade Unionist leader James Larkin, who, along with James Connolly and William O'Brien, founded the Labour Party, was born in Toxteth in Liverpool in January 1874 to Irish emigrants. Big Jim gained national and international acclaim for his part in organising the 1913 strike that sparked the Dublin lockout. The lock-out was an industrial dispute that began over pay and conditions and the right to unionise. It involved around 20,000 workers and 300 employers and lasted from August 1913 to 18 January 1914. It is widely considered the most severe and significant industrial dispute in Irish history. Another well-known Irish figure with connections to Liverpool was William Butler Yeats. A New York Times article recalls how, as a youngster, he would frequently travel across the Irish Sea to Liverpool on board his grandad's boat. Many Liverpudlians have Irish heritage. Most of this can be traced back to the famine, but some stretches even further back. The Irish Famine began in 1845, at which point around 50,000 Irish settlers were already living in Liverpool. The numbers grew exponentially in the subsequent years as conditions in Ireland continued to deteriorate. A staggering 120,000 Irish arrived in Liverpool during the first three months of 1847. Eight months later, around 300,000 had landed. Most had plans to continue on their journey to the USA, but a large portion, who were considered the poorest and weakest, remained in Liverpool. It's been estimated that over the course of 63 years, between 1850 and 1913, more than 4.5 million Irish men and women left Ireland for Liverpool. The famine had a lasting impact on the demographics of Liverpool. It is believed that an estimated 75 per cent of the city's residents have some Irish ancestry. The company that built the Titanic, known as the White Star Line, had its headquarters on James Street in Liverpool. The infamous ship was constructed in Belfast and set sail from Southampton to the US, stopping in Cork. She was registered in Liverpool and, as a result, bore the city's name on her stern. The ship left for New York on April 10, 1912. In total, 2,208 people were onboard when the ship struck an iceberg. More than 1,500 lost their lives. Many of those onboard the ship, including passengers and staff, had ties to Liverpool. The Scouse accent and particular words and phrases are heavily influenced by the Irish who emigrated there. One example of this is the 'Ta-ra' which is regularly used by Liverpudlians. It is a shortened version of 'take care' and is often used as a way to say goodbye. The exact origins of the phrase are disputed, but one theory is that it emerged from the Irish phrase 'tabhair aire' which means take care. Another example of this is calling someone 'a wool' when they are from outside of Liverpool. It is thought to come from Irish slang when referring to people from the countryside, 'a woolyback'. Other common slang phrases which are heard in both Ireland and Liverpool include words and phrases like 'grand', 'melter', 'gaff', 'baltic' and 'swelterin'' and 'craic'. The roots of the late Cilla Black go back to Ireland. The British singer's great-grandparents were all Irish while her maternal grandfather was born to Irish emigrants in Wales. Her Irishness also shaped her upbringing. She was raised as a Roman Catholic and lived in the Irish-Catholic stronghold of Scotland Road in Liverpool. TV presenter Paul O'Grady, who passed away in 2023, also had strong Irish roots. During his life, he often said he'd love to move to Ireland - particularly to Roscommon. Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney also has links to Ireland and it's been reported he even considered playing for the Boys in Green.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billy Joel Reveals He Has a Rare Brain Disorder. Here's What It Means for His Tour and Future
1949–present Billy Joel has canceled all upcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with a rare brain disorder. The Grammy-winning singer announced on May 23 that he has normal pressure hydrocephalus, an uncommon condition characterized by fluid buildup inside or around the brain. According to a statement posted on Joel's Instagram, the disorder 'has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance.' Joel is undergoing physical therapy to help treat his condition and will refrain from performing while he recovers. 'I'm sincerely sorry to disappoint our audience, and thank you for understanding,' he wrote. The 76-year-old previously postponed his tour in March after having surgery for an undisclosed medical condition. It's unclear if his surgery was related to his newly disclosed diagnosis. The brain disorder affects memory, movement, and concentration, and can even lead to vision changes and hearing loss. Treatment typically includes surgical intervention and physical therapy. Five-time Grammy-winning musician Billy Joel is best known for the songs 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' 'Piano Man,' and 'Just The Way You Are,' as well as his acclaimed 1978 album 52nd Street. The native New Yorker's first album from 1971 disappointed, but he bounced back with a string of successful records later in the decade including Piano Man, The Stranger, and 52nd Street, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The Piano Man continued topping charts in the '80s and '90s with the albums Glass Houses, Storm Front, and River of Dreams. By 1999, his worldwide song sales had topped $100 million, and he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2013, Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors. FULL NAME: William Martin JoelBORN: May 9, 1949BIRTHPLACE: New York, New YorkSPOUSES: Elizabeth Weber (1973–1982), Christie Brinkley (1985–1994), Katie Lee (2004–2009), and Alexis Roderick (2015–present)CHILDREN: Alexa, Della, and RemyASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus William Martin Joel, best known as Billy Joel, was born in New York City's Bronx borough on May 9, 1949, to Howard and Rosalind Joel. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to a section of America's famous 'first suburb,' Levittown on Long Island. Although his father was an accomplished classical pianist, it was Joel's mother who pushed the young boy to study piano. He began playing at the age of 4 and showed an immediate aptitude for the instrument. By the time he was 16, Billy was already a pro, having joined his third band before he could drive. It wasn't long before the artist, inspired by the Beatles' iconic Ed Sullivan Show performance, committed heart and soul to a life in music. He dropped out of high school to pursue a performing career. Joel devoted himself to creating his first solo album Cold Spring Harbor, which was released in November 1971 when he was 22. The terms of Joel's contract with Family Productions turned out to be onerous, and the artist was unhappy with the quality of the album they released. It wasn't a commercial success. Disillusioned with trying to make it as a rock star, Joel moved to Los Angeles to fly under the radar for a while. In early 1972, he got a gig working as a lounge pianist under the pseudonym Bill Martin. His time playing at The Executive Room on Wilshire Boulevard would later be immortalized in his song 'Piano Man,' which describes a no-name lounge's down-and-out patrons. By late 1972, an underground recording of Joel's 'Captain Jack' had been released on the East Coast and was garnering positive attention. Executives from Columbia Records sought out the lounge player and gave Joel a second chance to become a rock star. With the momentum of a Top 25 single—'Piano Man'—to his name, Joel began recording new music, coming out with the Piano Man album in November 1973 and Streetlife Serenade in October 1974. Many of his songs related to a growing frustration with the music industry and Hollywood, foreshadowing his exit from Los Angeles in 1976. As the years passed, Joel's style began to evolve, showing his range from pop to the bluesy-jazz stylings that are now closely associated with his name. The Stranger (1977) was Joel's first major commercial breakthrough, landing him three songs in the Top 25 of the Billboard Hot 100. Among those was 'Just The Way You Are,' which netted Joel his first Grammy Awards in 1979. It won the coveted categories Song of the Year and Record of the Year. His next album would be an even bigger hit. In October 1978, Joel's sixth studio album arrived in 52nd Street. By mid-November, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking the musician's first chart-topping album. 'Big Shot,' 'Honesty,' and especially 'My Life' continued to rise on the mainstream singles chart in 1979, then Joel scored two more Grammys the following year as 52nd Street was named Album of the Year and its title track won for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. 'Honesty' was nominated for but didn't win Song of the Year. 'Glass Houses' secured Joel's fifth Grammy in three years when it won Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1981. Through the decade, Joel was crowned a hit-maker with smashes such as 'Tell Her About It,' 'Uptown Girl,' 'Innocent Man,' and 'The Longest Time.' He released two volumes of Greatest Hits and become the first American performer to unleash a full-scale rock production in the Soviet Union. While churning out hits, Joel also frequented the benefit circuit, performing with stars such as Cyndi Lauper and John Mellencamp to raise money for various causes. Notable nominations also continued to rack up for the musician. Glass Houses (1980), The Nylon Curtain (1982), and An Innocent Man (1983) were also in the running for Album of the Year at the Grammys. In 1989, on the heels of the successful single 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' Joel was presented with the Grammy Legend Award. His professional success continued unabated into the early 1990s, although his personal life became somewhat dramatic. After the release of River of Dreams in 1993 (another Grammy nominee for Album of the Year), Joel slowed his studio recordings but continued to tour alone and in combination with fellow artists such as Elton John. In 1999, the worldwide sales of his songs passed the $100 million mark. Also that year, Joel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by his idol, Ray Charles. Several years later, in 2013, Joel received the Kennedy Center Honors. In the early 2000s, Joel found himself in and out of rehab, struggling with an ongoing alcohol addiction. In 2007, Joel released the single 'All My Life,' his first song with original lyrics in 13 years. In 2015, 'Piano Man' was inducted into the National Recording Registry. Although semi-retired in terms of recording new songs, Joel has continued to tour and branch out as an artist. He has composed a number of classical songs and even reworked older ballads with an orchestral backing. Throughout the years, Joel's songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that 'meant something during the time in which I lived... and transcended that time.' When Joel's residency at Madison Square Garden was announced in 2013, his devoted fans proved how much the singer's music resonated with them. As the first music franchise in MSG's history, Joel broke records; his monthly concerts sold out every time, grossing over $480 million in sales. The final concert of the long-running residency was on July 25, 2024. Still, Joel kept up his performance schedule. In March 2025, he underwent surgery for an unnamed medical issue that forced a five-month pause in his shows. Before his Billy Joel in Concert Tour could resume, however, the musician revealed in May that he was diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus, a rare disorder that causes spinal fluid to build up in or around the brain. Joel cancelled his remaining tour dates to focus on his recovery, which includes physical therapy. Joel has been married to Alexis Roderick, his fourth wife, for nearly a decade. The couple dated for roughly six years before tying the knot at their annual Fourth of July party on Long Island in 2015. Andrew Cuomo, then the New York governor, presided over the nuptials. Before getting married, Joel and Roderick announced they were expecting their first child together. They now share two daughters: Della, born in August 2015, and Remy, born in October 2017. Joel's eldest child is his daughter Alexa, whom he had with his second wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley. Alexa was born in December 1985, the year after her parents were married. Her middle name is Ray after Joel's idol Ray Charles. Joel and Brinkley divorced in 1993 after nine years together. The musician's other marriages were with Elizabeth Weber Small, from 1973 to 1982, and TV personality and journalist Katie Lee, from 2004 to 2009. As of March 2025, Joel has an estimated net worth of $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. [Music is] an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Life of Beatles' road manager celebrated with museum display
The life of the Beatles' road manager has been celebrated on what would have been his 90th birthday. Mal Evans was road manager and personal assistant to the band from 1963 until their break-up in 1970 but died six years later when he was shot by police in Los Angeles in the US. A display dedicated to Mr Evans was revealed at the Liverpool Beatles Museum on Tuesday, which would have been his birthday, in front of his children Julie Rossow and Gary Evans. Ms Rossow said: "I find it a real honour to be honest; the recognition and the interest people have in him. It's really lovely and very special." She said interest in his life had grown since he was shown in Peter Jackson's documentary series The Beatles: Get Back, which aired in 2021. A biography about him, Living The Beatles Legend, written by Kenneth Womack, was published in 2023. Ms Rossow said: "It's changed my life in ways. People who knew him and knew stories have been able to tell me and I've learnt more about him. It's been an incredible journey." She added: "I was born in 1966 when he was away with the Beatles and from what I know he was told by them 'your wife's had a baby girl - go and see her'. "He loved those four boys, to the detriment of his family at times. What a life he had." Among the items going on display on Tuesday is a signet ring which Mr Evans lost in a poker game to fellow roadie Neil Aspinall - whose son Roag Best runs the museum. The ring was apparently thrown into the pot by Mr Evans during card games in 1964, when the band stayed in Paris for concerts at the Olympic Theatre. Ms Rossow said: "I never knew this story. The ring was given to him on his 21st birthday from his parents so it was a bit naughty of him to lose it but he must have been caught in the wildness and excitement of a poker match. "From speaking to Roag I believe he lost the ring several times and was given it back but lost it finally to Neil." A portrait of Mr Evans, by artist Dave Miles, was also unveiled on Tuesday.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour Setlist: Every Song From the First Show
'Five Nights of Beyoncé!' That was the tagline trumpeted across television and radio throughout Los Angeles ahead of the Monday night (April 28) kick-off for the 35-time Grammy winner's highly anticipated Cowboy Carter Tour at SoFi Stadium in neighboring Inglewood, Calif. More from Billboard Yeat Sets 2025 Australian Dates for The Bell Down Under Tour Ye Releases 'Donda 2' Album to Streaming Services for First Time Fugazi Are Bringing Their Extensive Live Series to Streaming The 32-market stadium tour — across nine cities in the U.S. and Europe — borrows its name from Beyoncé's eighth studio album. Released in March 2024, the country-themed project is the second act in a three-album arc that launched with Act 1: Renaissance in 2022. Featuring a mix of R&B, folk, blues and Americana, Cowboy Carter presented guest turns and cameos by country legends Dolly Parton, Linda Martell and Willie Nelson, contemporary stars Miley Cyrus and Post Malone, and emerging Black country artists such as Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and Brittney Spencer. (Not to mention a cast of stellar musicians from Stevie Wonder and Nile Rodgers to Jon Batiste, Gary Clark Jr. and Rhiannon Giddens.) Powered by hits and fan faves like 'Texas Hold 'Em' (her ninth Billboard Hot 100 No. 1), covers of Parton's 'Jolene' and the Beatles' 'Blackbird' plus 'Levii's Jeans (with Malone) and 'Ya Ya,' Cowboy Carter garnered a leading 11 nominations for the 67th Grammy Awards. The album ultimately won three gold gramophones: best country duo/group performance for 'II Most Wanted' (with Cyrus), best country album (the first Black artist to claim that honor) and album of the year — an honor that had long eluded Beyoncé, making her the first Black female to win that marquee category since Ms. Lauryn Hill in 1999. Beyoncé last visited SoFi Stadium when she brought her Renaissance World Tour to the venue. She played three sold-out nights at the venue in September 2023, highlights of which included a surprise appearance by Diana Ross who led the audience in singing 'Happy Birthday' to Beyoncé. On Christmas Day last year, Beyoncé gave fans a glimpse of what might be in store for the Cowboy Carter Tour when she performed several tracks with special guests like Post Malone, Shaboozey and daughter Blue Ivy for the halftime show during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans football game at Houston's NRG Stadium. Here's a look at Beyoncé's opening night setlist for the Cowboy Carter Tour. Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) The American national anthem (lyrics 1814; adopted 1931) Album: Lemonade (2016) 'YA YA'; Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) 'Why Don't You Love Me'; Album: I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008) Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Lemonade (2016) Single to promote Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (2023) Album: I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) 'SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN''; Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) 'Summer Renaissance' & 'Pure/Honey'; Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Lemonade (2016) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Renaissance (2022) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Dangerously in Love (2003) Album: Renaissance (2022) Maze featuring Frankie Beverly cover (1981) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Album: Cowboy Carter (2024) Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Los Angeles Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
2025 Emmys predictions: best drama actor
As expected, the stars of 'The Pitt' and 'Severance' mirror their shows' battle atop the drama series category — though this time it's 'The Pitt' and Noah Wyle with the upper hand. Wyle and 'Severance's' Adam Scott are the only two performers named on all six Buzz ballots. 'Noah Wyle has come of age,' says Matt Roush of the 53-year-old star and executive producer. 'The 'ER' rookie now rules 'The Pitt' with absolute authority and shattering vulnerability. As in other categories, the stiffest competition comes from 'Severance': Adam Scott, so compelling as the emotionally conflicted Mark S.' As the voting shows, the panel is passionately split. Lorraine Ali writes, 'Adam Scott embodies the mental anguish and rage of a loyal worker who uncovers the evil intentions of his billionaire employer.' 'While 'The Pitt' was airing, I started playing the Beatles' 'Revolver' deep cut 'Doctor Robert' on a loop, subbing in 'Doctor Robbie' each time the chorus came around,' says Glenn Whipp. 'So, yes, you could say my loyalties lie with Noah Wyle here.' As to the strong No. 3 pick, Trey Mangum writes, 'We still have a bit of 'The Last of Us' left to see, but for now, Pedro Pascal is contending in the lead actor category.' The actor and character certainly cast a long shadow on the show's well-received second season. Kristen Baldwin and Tracy Brown, meanwhile stan for less-heralded work: 'Look, 'Landman' … is a crime against women,' says Baldwin, 'but Billy Bob Thornton is objectively excellent.' Brown pleads, 'I just need the Television Academy to finally recognize Zahn McClarnon for his stellar, sensitive work as Joe Leaphorn' on 'Dark Winds.' The field is so strong this year that critics' darling and Oscar winner Gary Oldman doesn't make the top 6 for 'Slow Horses.' Previous winner Lee Jung-jae, likewise, is on the outside looking in, along with big names such as Jon Hamm, Eddie Redmayne and Thornton. More predictions: Drama actress / Drama series 1. Noah Wyle, 'The Pitt'2. Adam Scott, 'Severance'3. Pedro Pascal, 'The Last of Us'4. Sterling K. Brown, 'Paradise'5. Mark Rylance, 'Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light'6. Diego Luna, 'Andor'7. Gary Oldman, 'Slow Horses'8. Zahn McClarnon, 'Dark Winds'9. Lee Jung-jae, 'Squid Game'10. Jon Hamm, 'Your Friends and Neighbors'
