Beatle news briefs: Ono single debuting in top 10; Julian Lennon's stepdad dies

Yoko Ono's latest single, “Hold Me,” the latest in a string of dance-charting songs for her, will debut in the Billboard top 10, the singer announced Monday.

“Hold Me” will make its first appearance at #9 with a bullet in Billboard's March 23 issue that hits the newsstands on March 16. It will appear on the Billboard.com website on March 14. The song is a collaboration co-written and produced with Dave Audé, whose work includes remixes and productions for U2, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Depeche Mode, Coldplay and Pussycat Dolls. You can hear the song here.

SAD NEWS: Noel Charles, Cynthia Lennon's husband since 2002 and Julian Lennon's stepfather, passed away from cancer Sunday. Julian Lennon announced his death Monday on Facebook, saying, “it is with the heaviest of hearts, that I bring this news to you today, that my mother, Cynthia's husband, stepfather to me and friend for over 30 years, Mr. Noel Charles, passed away from cancer yesterday on Mother's Day whilst sleeping. He had fought a brave battle for just over two years, but now finds himself at peace, as we are, after a very heartbreaking last couple of months of severe pain and panic.”

Ringo at the RymanRingo at the Ryman

Lennon praised him as “the greatest of men on so many levels & brought much love and laughter, to those all around and within his company” and concluded his comments saying, “Luv You Noel... You will be remembered every day & Someday, we shall all meet again... x” Charles published an autobiography, "In My House," in 2012. The book had a foreward written by Julian Lennon and an afterword by his mother, Cynthia.

RECORD STORE DAY WITH WINGS: A rare Wings live version of “Maybe I'm Amazed” sent out as a promotional single in the '70s is being reissued especially for Record Store Day on April 20, Hear Music and Concord Music announced Friday. The live version was originally serviced as a radio-only 12" vinyl single back in 1976 to promote the release of “Wings Over America.” The reissue faithfully reproduces the earlier collectible and features both stereo and rare mono mixes of the track that will only be available on this disc. The bigger question is when will the “Wings Over America” reissue finally be announced?

VIDEO PREVIEW: At left is a video preview of the new "Ringo at the Ryman" DVD, which hits the streets March 26.

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