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3 articles from 2008

3 April 2008 12:24 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

The Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood stunned Beatles fans at a Fab Four convention in New York at the weekend (29/30Mar08) - by showing up to support George Harrison's ex-wife Patti Boyd.

Wood was in the Big Apple promoting new Stones rockumentary Shine A Light when pal Boyd alerted him to the 34th annual get together, dubbed The Fest, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The rocker decided it would be fun to show up with the former model to show once and for all the Stones' fabled rivalry with The Beatles throughout the 1960s was just a myth.

The ruse started when Wood, who joined the Stones in 1975, invited Boyd to join him and some pals on a night out in New York last Friday - the first Mrs. Harrison declined, but invited Wood to join her at the convention instead.

Convention host Martin Lewis says, "Ronnie saw the humour of the situation... and arrived by stretch limo at the hotel."

Even though it was nearly 2am, the hotel lobby and corridors were still jammed with hordes of Beatles fans participating in informal singalongs of Fab Four tunes.

Lewis adds, "The fans were shocked and stunned as I ushered Ronnie through the crowd to the gallery in the hotel, where Boyd was displaying her exhibit of historic photographs and original '60s mod outfits."

Wood chatted with some of the delighted fans, who launched into an impromptu version of I Wanna Be Your Man, the 1963 John Lennon and Paul McCartney tune that gave the Stones their first hit.

Lewis concludes, "Ronnie was in great form... He found the whole situation of sneaking into a Beatles convention hilarious."

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18 March 2008 12:05 PM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Latest: Funnyman Eric Idle's mock Beatles, The Rutles, performed live for the first time in Hollywood on Monday night.

Following a question-and-answer session at the Egyptian Theatre, which marked the first time the quartet had appeared together since making 1978 mockumentary All You Need Is Cash, Idle and bandmates Neil Innes, John Halsey and Ricky Fataar took to the stage at a Vip party.

The sold-out event was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the film, which the four-piece introduced at the beginning of the evening.

Celebrities who turned up to salute the mock rockers included Andy Summers, Jeff Lynne, Peter + Gordon star Peter Asher and The Simpsons regular Dan Castellaneta.

Asked about their 'reunion' after 30 years apart, Idle quipped, "This is the first time in history that a band has reunited before they have actually united in the first place!"

There was a surprise in store for the Rutles - 'reunion' instigator and 30th anniversary celebration host Martin Lewis read out a message from Sir Mick Jagger.

Jagger appeared as himself throughout the original 1978 film and, in the closing scene of the film, he was asked if he thought the Rutles would ever reunite. His response: "Hope not!"

Playing on that, Jagger sent the band the following message: "After all the on and off promises and cancelled shows, I can't believe you have finally decided - at your great age - to defy all the odds and recreate your magnificent past. I wish I could be there. If only to laugh!"

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16 March 2008 6:35 PM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Latest: Eric Idle's The Rutles 30th anniversary revue is set for a limited run in New York, coinciding with former Monty Python star's 65th birthday.

Idle devised the Rutlemania show to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the spoof Beatles band's All You Need Is Cash mockumentary, which first aired in 1978. A one-week season of tribute concerts, featuring Beatles covers act The Fab Four as The Rutles, interacting with clips from the original film and dancing girls is currently playing in Hollywood.

And Rutlemania will continue at the Blender Theater in the Big Apple from 24 March and run until 29 March - Idle's 65th birthday.

The anniversary celebrations in Los Angeles also include the first time the original Rutles - Dirk McQuickly, Barry Wom, Stig O'Hara and Ron Nasty - have appeared in public together; the quartet made no personal appearances at the time of the film's 1978 premiere.

Rock stars like Dave Stewart, Jeff Lynne and The Police's Andy Summers are expected to be among the fans in attendance to see a special screening of the 1978 All You Need Is Cash film, followed by a question-and-answer session with the four Rutles, Ron Nasty, Dirk McQuickly, Stig O'Hara and Barry Wom (aka Idle, Neil Innes, John Halsey and Ricky Fataar).

Reunion organiser Martin Lewis says, "This will be a magical evening where real rock stars show up to salute a reunion of mock rock stars."

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3 articles from 2008