Beatles Business Man Passes
Neil Aspinall, a longtime friend and business associate of The Beatles, has died in New York City, the surviving band members said Monday. He was 66.

His death was announced in a statement released by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison, and the band's Apple Corps Ltd. company.
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Eric Clapton-The Autobiography Paperback Release Date Set
Broadway Books announced that the #1 bestseller, Clapton-The Autobiography will be released in paperback in June 2008.


YES 40th Anniversary Tour to Commence in July
Smerconish Annouces Campaign for Rock Hall

Philadelphia, PA-March 4, 2008- WPHT morning host and Today Show Contributor Michael Smerconish and nationally syndicated host and producer Denny Somach have launched
an online petition campaign to have YES inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
 
Smerconish along with Somach who is an entertainment contributor on the show, made the announcement on air this morning during a guest appearance by Yes front man Jon Anderson.
 
"Yes is one  of the most forward-looking and enduring of the stable of progressive rock bands that emerged during the 1960's and 1970's and they deserve to be inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio," stated Smerconish.

"Yes has survived for 40 years and we would respectfully ask that the selection committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame consider Yes for inclusion in an upcoming vote, so this oversight
can be corrected as soon as possible, and Yes can take their rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," added Somach.
 
Anderson was pleasantly surprised by Smerconish's announcement and proceeded to make an announcement of his own when he stated that YES would be doing a 40th Anniversary Tour to commence in July.  Anderson then revealed a shocker when he said that the classic lineup of himself, Chris Squire, Alan White and Steve Howe would be joined with Wakeman, but not
Rick. Apparently, Rick Wakeman has opted not to take part and his place will be taken by his son Oliver Wakeman.   
 
An official announcement of the tour, to commence in Quebec, will be made shortly. Anyone who would like to sign the online petition can go to Smerconish's web site at  www.mastalk.com

Who is the so called “Fifth Beatle”?  The honor of that informal title has been associated with several individuals throughout the years, including famed New York disc jockey Murray the K, musician Billy Preston who performed on later Beatles albums, Australian disc jockey Bob Rogers.  Some fans might say the fifth Beatle is former drummer Pete Best. At the Beatles' 1988 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, George Harrison stated that there were two "fifth Beatles": Derek Taylor and Neil Aspinall.. And Paul McCartney is quoted as having said "If anyone was the fifth Beatle it was Brian" (Epstein).

“The Fifth Beatle” is the title of a film in pre-production.  Brian Epstein was the flamboyant, brilliant, but troubled entertainment industry visionary best-known for discovering and managing The Beatles. The Fifth Beatle is a non-documentary feature film that will cover the last 6 years of his life. His story will unfold via a mixture of history, fantasy, allegory, dream sequences, and hallucinations.

Film Update: The Fifth Beatle
Recent Production Updates
 
Casting - The search for the actor to play the lead role as Brian Epstein continues.  The Casting Director is Kerry Barden, a partner at Hopkins, Smith & Barden. Kerry Barden has cast “Seven,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Shakespeare In Love,” “Sex And The City,” “World Trade Center,” “Alexander,” “Monster’s Ball,” “Chocolat,” “Any Given Sunday,” among other films.

Music Supervisor – Wayne Issak is the music director. He has been a producer of VH1’s “Storytellers’ series, as well as programs such as Eric Clapton & Friends in Concert: A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua, Elvis Lives and VH-1 Where Are They Now: Former Childstars.

Production - Production Designer Gavin Bocquet ("Star Wars: Episodes I, II, III"),and Costume Designer Jany Temime (the "Harry Potter" films, "Bridget Jones," "Children of Men") are on board.

2006 article in Rolling Stone Magazine about the film.

Zeppelin Will Play Bonnaroo

It was a rumor, but now it’s a fact.  Zeppelin will play Bonnaroo.  Sorry, not the legendary Led Zeppelin, it will be Lez Zeppelin, the all-female tribute band.

However, Led Zeppelin fans attending Bonnaroo will see a performance by Robert Plant, without his Zeppelin band mates.  Robert Plant will play Bonnaroo with Alison Krauss and T-Bone Burnett.  Plant and Krauss teamed up for their album 'Raising Sand' which is produced by T-Bone Burnettt.

Additional Bonnaroo performers will be: Pearl Jam, Metallica, The Allman Brothers, BB King, Levon Helm, Willie Nelson, Ben Folds, Jack Johnson, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Allman Brothers Band, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm and the Ramble on the Road, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Robert Randolph's Revival, Jakob Dylan, and more – details here

Bonnaroo takes place June 12-15 in Manchester, Tennessee.