Latest news with #JohnLennon
Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Telegraph
How to spend a weekend in the most English of German cities
'What was it like growing up in Liverpool?' a journalist asked John Lennon. 'I didn't grow up in Liverpool,' he replied. 'I grew up in Hamburg.' When the Beatles came here in 1960, they lodged in Hamburg's red-light district, the Reeperbahn, so for Beatles fans, Germany 's second city became synonymous with lurid nightlife. And yet the Reeperbahn is only a small part of Hamburg. This has always been a wealthy city, an alluring blend of grunge and glamour. Its gritty docks are awash with clubs and bars; its leafy avenues are full of chic restaurants and designer stores. Hamburg is Germany's biggest port, and it's the water that makes it special. Criss-crossed by canals and bridges, its bustling harbour gives it a gutsy flavour. It's also renowned for art and music. If you want to discover the real Germany, this historic Hanseatic port is the best place to start. For more Hamburg inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, things to do, restaurants, and bars and nightlife. In this guide: How to spend the perfect weekend Day one: morning Begin your day with a bike ride around the Aussenalster, Hamburg's vast and lovely lake. A pleasant cycle path follows the entire five-mile circumference. Allow about an hour, including pit stops. The route is mainly parkland, with lots of laid-back bars and cafés en route. Stop for brunch at the Literaturhauscafé in Hamburg's grand old literary institute. To hire a bike, download the app from Wind up your morning workout with a short stroll around the Binnenalster, Hamburg's smaller inner-city lake. It's lined with local landmarks, including the Alsterhaus, the city's smartest department store, and the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, its most illustrious hotel. After all that walking and cycling, you deserve to put your feet up. Board a pleasure boat at Jungfernstieg for a cruise along the River Alster. Buy a ticket from the quayside kiosk, or online at
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ozzy Osbourne Wanted 1 Song Played at His Funeral
Ozzy Osbourne once revealed the one song he wanted to be played at his funeral. In a 2016 blog for NME, the Black Sabbath legend named the Beatles classic 'A Day In The Life' as his one request for his future funeral. 'I really need a few more years to think this over, but probably something from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver.' Osbourne wrote at the time. 'I definitely don't want my f---ing greatest hits album – I never ever play that thing, I'm f---ing embarrassed about it. And I definitely don't want a f---ing happy song – I'm dead.' He then selected the John Lennon/Paul McCartney-penned 'A Day in the Life.' Osbourne previously said the closing track on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album took him 'back to a magical time in [his] life,' per American Songwriter. Osbourne was a lifelong fan of the Beatles after first hearing their 1963 breakthrough Beatlemania hit, 'She Loves You.' 'This is the one that sucked me in,' he told Rolling Stone. 'I was a 14-year-old kid with this blue transistor radio. I heard 'She Loves You,' and it floored me. It was as if you knew all the colors in the world. Then someone shows you a brand-new color, and you go, 'F---in' hell, man.'' Aside from the Beatles. Osbourne didn't have any other preferences for his funeral playlist. In 2021, he told The Sunday Times, 'I honestly don't care what they play at my funeral. They can put on a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, and We Are the Diddymen if it makes 'em happy.' On July 30, Osbourne's life will be remembered with a funeral procession in his hometown of Birmingham, England, a Facebook post from the city council announced. Local brass band Bostin Brass will accompany a procession down Birmingham's Broad Street, which will end at the Black Sabbath Bridge and Bench tourist attraction, The New York Times reported. Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76, less than three weeks after performing his farewell show with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Aston, Osbourne Wanted 1 Song Played at His Funeral first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 30, 2025
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Popular European city-break route to be axed from major UK airport
The budget airline Wizz Air operates to a number of destinations from Liverpool John Lennon Airport - but it will no longer fly to one European city starting this autumn A significant route from Liverpool John Lennon Airport is set to be axed later this year. Wizz Air has announced its decision to cease operations of flights from the airport in Speke to Budapest starting this autumn. The low-cost carrier currently flies to several destinations in Central and Eastern Europe from Liverpool, including Gdansk, Warsaw, Katowice, Bucharest and Iasi. Despite this network, the airline will stop serving Budapest, with a spokesperson stating that Wizz Air "continuously monitors the performance of its routes to allow for the most popular destinations to have the lowest possible fares". A representative for Wizz Air confirmed: "Wizz Air will discontinue flights from Liverpool John Lennon and Glasgow International Airport to Budapest starting this autumn. Wizz Air continuously monitors the performance of its routes to allow for the most popular destinations to have the lowest possible fares". However, this does not spell the end for travellers wishing to fly from Liverpool to Budapest. Ryanair continues to offer flights connecting John Lennon Airport with the Hungarian capital, reports the Liverpool Echo. Regarding Budapest as a travel destination, the John Lennon Airport website praises the city: "Budapest, Hungary's capital, is fast becoming one of the most visited places in Europe with travellers from all over the world selecting this as their destination of choice. "There's no denying that Budapest is rich in culture, history and beauty, and there's something for every type of holidaymaker to enjoy. Whether you want to sample authentic Hungarian craft beer or soak up the city's spectacular architecture, Budapest is definitely one for your travel bucket list. "With streets steeped in history and a vibrancy amongst its community, Budapest has a number of popular tourist destinations, from the impressive parliament building to St Stephen's Basilica," advising to "also take some time out to visit the Chain Bridge which stretches across the River Danube, joining Buda with Pest". They also advised "the best time to witness it in its full glory is when it's lit up at night". "You'll discover that Buda is the green, leafy side of the city complete with its magnificent castle, while Pest is the more urbanised centre, featuring an array of hotels, museums and more". "No trip to Hungary is complete without a visit to an outdoor thermal pool, so we'd recommend you try Széchenyi Baths towards the north of the city for some authentic relaxation. Why not join the locals with a game of chess in water temperatures of 38C?" "The streets of Budapest are not only littered with jaw-dropping street art but also historical pubs. Immerse yourself in these quirky hideaways and brush up on your knowledge of local ales."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Liverpool street where Beatles legend George Harrison was born puts a chain up...to stop tourists getting in
They come from Here, There and Everywhere to see the childhood home of the Beatles legend George Harrison. But residents in the terrace street where the late guitarist spent the first seven years of his life have become increasingly irate at being inundated with tourists and day trippers – and have now chained off the road in an attempt to stop the disruption. Access to Arnold Grove was restricted earlier this month after residents complained that the number of Beatles fans descending on the street had surged since a blue heritage plaque was put up outside number 12, where Harrison lived, last year. A chain now in place across the entrance to the street in Liverpool's Wavertree district carries a sign which says: 'Private Road - Residents Access Only'. Arnold Grove is unadopted, meaning Liverpool City Council is not responsible for it. Harrison, the Beatles' lead guitarist, was the youngest of four children and lived in the street until his family moved into a council house in the suburb of Speke. The three-bedroom property is now and Air BnB marketed at Beatles fans. As is the case with John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney's childhood homes in South Liverpool, Arnold Grove has become a hotspot for tourists - featuring on tours - and residents of the Wavertree street said this has only increased since the plaque was installed. The BBC reported on Monday that a chain was put up as residents had complained about their privacy being invaded by tourists. Chris Bennett, who lives on the street and is licensee of The Cock and Bottle pub on the nearby High Street, told the BBC: 'Since the blue plaque went up it's been ridiculous.. The volume of traffic is too much now and we don't get any peace. 'The first taxi could come at 9am and my wife will see another on the road when she gets home at 9pm. 'You get people looking through the window and if you leave your front door open they look through the door.' The Magical Mystery tour run by the Cavern Club, the Liverpool venue synonymous with the Beatles, is one of the tours which frequently calls at the site. But a resident called Onyema, who didn't wish to give his surname, said he had lived on Arnold Grove for around a year and did not see the visits of Beatles fans as a problem. He told the Liverpool Echo: 'Tourists don't park here, they park the tour coaches on the main road and then they come here. They always come around but I don't have a problem with it. 'It's a good street to live on - it's a lovely place. I like the fact tourists come here.' Harrison's widow, Olivia, unveils the plaque outside his childhood home in May 2024 The tour used to take people onto the street but this has stopped since the chain was put in place. Holly Andrews, 36, from Pennsylvania, USA, was among the Beatles tourists to depart the bus in Wavertree on Friday. She was sad not to have made it onto the street but understood concerns from the residents. She said: 'I did this tour in 2008 and I was just looking at my photo from being in front of the house. But in the same token, these people have a right to their own privacy and their homes. 'It's great to be able to see it and imagine the guys walking down the street and doing their thing. But it's also being respectful to the home owners and striking that balance.' Liverpool-based Beatles tour guide Jackie Spencer wrote on Facebook: 'Many people are contacting me asking my opinion on the chain across Arnold Grove. I've been biding my time and considering how to reply, but the truth is I am livid. 'Not at the residents of Arnold Grove. Not at all. 'They've put up with a lot over the years and in my 30 years as a guide they've always been lovely and welcoming to me because I have never overstepped the mark and treated everyone with the respect and gratitude they deserve. (left to right) Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney in a Beatles publicity picture from 1963 'I am livid at the fake unlicensed guides, taxi drivers & lone tourists who have absolutely no respect for people's privacy.' 12 Arnold Grove was marked with a blue plaque to celebrate George's contribution to culture through film, music and his humanitarian work. The musician's widow, Olivia Harrison unveiled the Historic England plaque in May 2024. Somewhat prophetically, she said that while her husband would have been 'touched' by his childhood home being honoured, she felt he would be 'nervous' the current residents might get disrupted because of it. A spokesman for the Magical Mystery tour told The Telegraph that it had received no previous complaints about increasing tourist numbers, and said it had a 'great relationship' with the street's residents. Harrison died in November 2001 at the age of 58 following a battle with cancer.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paul McCartney, 83, Says a Fellow Beatle Saved His Most Famous Lyric From Being Cut
Paul McCartney, 83, Says a Fellow Beatle Saved His Most Famous Lyric From Being Cut originally appeared on Parade. Most people would think being one of the most iconic rock stars of all time would silence all hints of self-doubt, but recently said that wasn't the case. 'As a performer, you're often thinking, 'Is this any good? Is this rubbish? Is this a cliché?'' McCartney admitted in an interview with Guitar Player published on July 21, 2025. Even with a laundry list of hits, McCartney said that he still second-guesses himself. He's previously been open about his insecurities and how fellow Beatle John Lennon provided encouragement over the years. 'Any time you write a song, you're going, 'This is crap. This is terrible. Come on,'' the iconic songwriter revealed to GQ in 2020. 'So I kick myself and say, 'Get it better. If it's terrible, get it better.' And sometimes someone will come along, someone who you respect, and say, 'No, that's great. Don't worry about that,' and then show you a side to it that you didn't notice and, then you'll go, 'Oh, yeah.'' Related: One moment in particular involved McCartney showing Lennon a song he was working on. While he considered one line a 'crummy placeholder,' Lennon immediately saw its potential. The song in question? The timeless classic 'Hey Jude.' 'A classic example of that was when I was playing 'Hey Jude' to John,' McCartney explained, 'and I said, 'The movement you need is on your shoulder.' I turned round to him and Yoko [Ono], who was standing behind me, and said, 'Don't worry, I'll fix that.'' He continued, 'And John said, 'No, you won't. That's the best line in it.' When someone's that firm about a line that you're going to junk, and he said, 'No, keep it in,' so, of course, you love that line twice as much because it's a little stray, it's a little mutt that you were about to put down and it was reprieved and so it's more beautiful than ever.' 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Paul McCartney, 83, Says a Fellow Beatle Saved His Most Famous Lyric From Being Cut first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
