Beatle News Briefs 1/8/09 - Aaron Johnson, Kristin Scott Thomas signed for young Lennon film
- Aaron Johnson, whose credits include "The Illusionist" and the TV series "Nearly Famous" and "Talk To Me," will play the young John Lennon in the upcoming film "Nowhere Boy" about Lennon's early life, reports the Daily Mail. Anne-Marie Duff will play John's mother, Julia, while Kristin Scott Thomas will play Aunt Mimi. The paper says it will go on location around Liverpool in March. The script was inspired by a memoir by Julia Baird, Lennon's half-sister. The paper says the film will include how he came to live with Aunt Mimi and later formed the Quarrymen.
- The Beatles placed #2 in Lycos' list of the top 10 bands searched for on the Internet last year. Only the Jonas Brothers ranked ahead of them. (And sorry, but as much as these guys would like to link themselves to the Beatles, there is no comparison. None.) The rest of the top 10: Metallica, Slipknot, Linkin Park, Pink Floyd, 'N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Rolling Stones and the Pussycat Dolls.
- Yoko Ono's latest blog post on MySpace features pictures of the Imagine Peace billboard in Washington, D.C. And isn't that the cloud from the "Live Peace in Toronto" album?
- A reminder: "Making the Monkees" premieres at 8 p.m. Saturday on the Smithsonian Channel. (Does anyone get this channel?) The Monkees, of course, were manufactured and patterned after the Beatles, but they surprised everyone and made great music. "Porpoise Song," from "Head," is one of the greatest song titles ever. (It's also a fantastic song.)
- Make them stop, please: Does anyone really and truly believe Michael Jackson plans to will the Beatles catalog to Paul McCartney? Why do the stories keep showing up on the internet? Roger Friedman of Fox News, who follows every development of Michael Jackson news, says he's doing fine physically and is not ill. So let's give this one a rest.
- And if you want to hear me discuss a variety of Beatle topics, catch me on the latest edition of Bertone Beatle Bonanza, available as a free podcast through iTunes or the podcast's webpage. It's not really an interview, but a free-wheeling discussion with host DJ Bertone.
- Last minute addition: My spy Peggy tells me Dhani Harrison's band thenewno2 will be on "Late Night With Conan O'Brien" on Feb. 16 and play New York's Mercury Lounge Feb. 17.
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