…That The Beatles played two shows in the Pavillion at Candie Gardens, St Peter Port, Guernsey.

Earlier this, evening, Guernsey Arts put on a Beatles tribute band, who not only replicated the (25 minute) live set from 8 August 1963, but also played another hour’s worth of songs The Beatles played and/or recorded that year.

Also, to mark this anniversary, GNET Radio is broadcasting 3 hour-long programmes of Beatles-related music:

Part 1 = “Yesterday & Today” – including influences on, and contemporaries of, the band during its lifetime.

Part 2 = “Can We Work It Out?” – we imagine (if you will) a potential 13th Beatles’ LP, utilising tracks being worked on/started during the band’s existence.

Part 3 = “Help(ed)!” – a focus on bands and musicians clearly influenced by The Beatles.

Parts 1 and 2 – in case of any interest – already available here:

We are always grateful for any bouquets and/or brickbats…

…that The Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band In The World released their dayboo single.

Who knew what adventures would occur over the next 3 score years.

Any thoughts, observations, strong opinions etc. about this and/or their continuing longevity?

I am very lucky to have nearly reached a hundred programmes of a (mostly) weekly two-hour show on digital radio.

To mark this “momentous occasion”, I want to do something other than just play my favourite ‘independently-minded music from the post-punk period and beyond” (i.e. from 1978 to tomorrow)…

…Therefore perhaps you could post some appropriate songs that to you sum-up the above, as being perfect/important/influential over that period. Or just post some favourites that would fit-in well to my celebratory show.

Spent a weekend with The Boy in his new (first) house.

Managed to build a “simple” IKEA bookshelf and desk, but failed on the main project – hanging his collection of guitars on the wall.

Purchased proper brackets, but could not drill far enough into the wall, and an adhesive/velcro solution failed miserably.

The Boy was disappoint.

Any help from The Massive greatly appreciated!

My best mate Keith is 60 today.

On Sunday, there is a “big” (60+ people) party at his house.

We have secured Keith Christmas to come over and play a 90 minute set, along with local musicians, poets and other contributors (wine, cheese, gin, etc.).

Having never done this kind of thing before, any thoughts/suggestions/dos and don’ts gratefully received.

(btw, I am a big, KC fan, but have already been informed that he will not/can not play some old)

For the last (nearly) 35 years my only best friend and I have visited each others’ house to “educate, inform and entertain” about music and literature – mostly on a Sunday, when his lovely wife did lunch, which is why we separated for 10 years after he dumped on her…

…Anyway, now that we are back together, we are are on a quarterly lunch at each others’ house, basically cooking for each other, swapping CDs and links to novels (used to be reckids and books).

He is 10 years older than me, but the scary thing today was that we swapped CDs by the same artist (different albums) and one of the books was also the same.

So, do I need therapy, education, or would someone like to explain the rationale for this, and/or their own experiences of sharing the same music with friends…

…if I receive responses, I will share the music/books that weirdly happened today.

Bit of a strange one, last night was.

I’ve buggered up our mattress, rendering it uncomfortable for the two of us to occupy. Mrs Biggles is also partial to a little bit of snoring – not necessarily an issue, but on school nights when it occurs it doesn’t make for a harmonious night’s kip, so off I went after a couple of hours to the spare room.

I was awoken at 05:20 today by noises at the front door. Mrs B swims 100 lengths every morning before work, so my initial reaction was that she may have had an alarm malfunction and was up an hour early. Not true, as noises were also emanating from the “master bedroom”…

…began descending the stairs, now concerned, as there was a distinct stink stink of booze and fags (neither of us smokes). Witnessed a shadowy figure legging it out the front door. Thought of giving chase, but in just boxers and slippers (why did I even bother with the latter?) decided against it. “Secured the premises” – I did have to give lengthy police statements – awoke Mrs B, we determined that nothing had been nicked, and then called 999.

Can’t fault » Continue Reading.

Was it just the lateness of the hour (UK time), or was the Coldplay/Bruno Mars/Beyonce “gig” – especially the ending with the montage of past performances – really rather good?

Grateful if those who saw/have seen/will see it can put me right, or otherwise.

Passed away, aged 87, today.

In my opinion, the most important/influential man in English football since WWII…

Hi,

I am in That London today to see The Unthanks and Marry Waterson at The Scala tonight.

Any recommendations for decent boozers in the vicinity greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

My daughter has the opportunity of 4 months at the University of Auckland next year (she is currently in Edinburgh).

She will have a week off in the middle of April, so we are going to visit her for that time (via Sydney for a few days). Given such a short time there, should we stay in the north of North Island, fly straight to the South Island or something completely different.

Difficult to plan when one has never been, not helped by browsing (online) brochures and doesn’t really have a clue, so grateful for any thoughts the informed may have!

..from a double heart attack after performing in Madrid.

Shame. As a massive Costello fan, very much enjoyed their collaborations.

Can’t post a clip from here, but if anyone can, the track he wrote on the Feat’s Dixie Chicken would be nice.

third time lucky…

Hi,

I have a spare £75 ticket for DG at the Royal Albert Hall this coming Friday, 25/9. The page full of admission instructions means you’d have to arrive with me and The Boy, but I am sure it can be arranged.

Anyone desirous, please send me a message.