John Lennon News

Ozzy Osbourne and Wife to Lead John Lennon's 70th Birthday

Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne will lead the birthday celebrations for the late John Lennon in his hometown of Liverpool, England in October. The former Black Sabbath's frontman, who is a big The Beatles' fan, was invited by Liverpool's Lord Mayor, Councillor Mike Storey, to help mark what would have been the tragic singer's 70th birthday - and he has happily accepted.

Local radio DJ Pete Price, who received the news in a phone call from rock matriarch Sharon Osbourne herself, explains, "She said she is coming to Liverpool and it is something to do with what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday. Ozzy is a huge John Lennon fan."

Robert Pattinson Not Yet Confirmed to Be John Lennon

Robert Pattinson may have claimed he and his "Twilight" co-stars are like The Beatles in being worshiped by fans, but that does not make him easily secure a spot in "Yellow Submarine", a film about the legendary British band. Despite report that he could play John Lennon, Gossip Cop has claimed it is still too early to say that the 23-year-old actor will be part of the upcoming movie project as no one that has been contacted by the site, "even at [director Robert] Zemeckis' company, could confirm Pattinson's potential involvement."

Words of Pattinson being in negotiation to appear in "Yellow Submarine" were brought into attention earlier by Star Magazine. According to the publication, the British star who received sudden rise of fame after playing Edward Cullen in the vampire drama movie "is in talks with director Robert Zemeckis to play the late great Beatle in Disney's 3-D remake of the classic cartoon 'Yellow Submarine'."

John Lennon's 'Nowhere Boy' Gets a Trailer

The movie that centers around John Lennon before The Beatles era, "Nowhere Boy", has got its trailer made available for viewing pleasure. Found via Tom Leavy's YouTube account, the promo video offers first look at Aaron Johnson as Lennon and Thomas Sangster as Lennon's fellow Beatle, Paul McCartney.

Based on the book "Imagine This: Growing Up With My Brother John Lennon" by Lennon's half sister Julia Baird, the biopic tells the story of young Lennon. It follows his teenage year and his first steps to stardom. The story is said to take the highlight on the influence his aunt Mimi and his mother Julia had on his early life, and explores his friendship with McCartney.

Video: John Lennon's Charity Ad for 'One Laptop per Child'

Almost three decades after his death, John Lennon still proves to be a popular household name as the former The Beatles member is tapped to appear in a charity commercial. Using advanced technology that enables the deceased star to speak for the good cause, the commercial ad is aimed for "One Laptop per Child".

Lennon will encourage people in the States to donate for the campaign that distributes solar-powered XO laptop for the world's poorest children. The commercial has been approved by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono and was premiered on Thursday, December 25.

John Lennon's Troubled Adolescence to Be Filmed

The story about the early years of the legendary member of The Beatles, John Lennon, is heading to the big screen. Entitled "Nowhere Boy", the movie will highlight the acclaimed singer/songwriter's troubled teenage as told by his half-sister, Julia Baird through her memoirs.

Retelling his deeply personal account, the movie will provide a deeper look into his relationship with his mother who abandoned him and his Aunt Mimi who raised him with a strict authority. It will also show how Lennon find his only escape in music and art as well as in his friendship with Paul McCartney.

Elvis Presley Reclaimed His Predicate as Forbes' Richest Dead Celebrity

It's been 30 years since his death, but Elvis Presley still scores well, very well indeed, in case of cash. The late King of Rock n Roll has reclaimed his predicate as Forbes' Richest Dead Celebrity.

Having his Graceland taking in an estimated $49 million in the past 12 months, Elvis seizes the No. 1 spot on Forbes.com's seventh annual list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities, again, after he last topped the list in 2005.

Mick Jagger Releasing First Retrospective Album

The Rolling Stones vocalist Mick Jagger will release his first retrospective album this autumn. He also revealed that among the 17 tracks, the record titled 'The Very Best of Mick Jagger' will contain some rarities.

The unreleased materials are: 'Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)' which was produced by John Lennon and recorded in a Los Angeles studio in 1973, 'Charmed Life', a cut material from his 1993 solo album 'Wandering Spirit', and 'Checkin Up on My Baby', a song recorded with blues band The Red Devils during 'Wandering Spirit' sessions.

R.E.M. Records John Lennon's Song for Charity

Not only receiving the induction ceremony in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, R.E.M. is also giving out something. In that evening, the band presents "Number 9 Dream", a song by John Lennon which is re-recorded to be included in charity album "Instant Karma: The Campaign To Save Darfur".

Involving original members, Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry who retired in 1997, the track will be the album's first single released. It debuted in radios on March 12, the same day the band received the induction ceremony.

George Harrison's Guitar Up for Auction

A guitar owned by George Harrison of The Beatles is to go under the hammer for a special auction in London later this month.

The coveted Maton MS500 Mastersound, which was played by the late Beatle at the height of Beatlemania in 1963, is expected to raise about £100,000 when it is auctioned on November 30th at Cooper Owen's Music Legends auction.

Forbes' Top-Earning Dead Celebrities

It's been twelve years after his death that Kurt Cobain, Nirvana singer-songwriter, is making another record. The late rocker, whose wealth in an estimated $50 million between October 2005 and October of this year, tops the top spot on Forbes' 6th annual Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list.

In the last 12 months, Cobain reportedly earned $50 million, which is said largely due to his widow, Courtney Love, who sold a stake in his song catalog to publishing company Primary Wave. The once proclaimed King of Pop Elvis Presley, who died in 1977 and reigned as the top earner from 2001 to 2005, slips to 2nd spot with earnings of $42 million.

The Beatles' "Love" to be Released Next Month

The Beatles is back and about to give fans their newest music album. The new effort, titled "Love", was created from a past suggestion by the late George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté.

Producer Sir George Martin and his son, Giles Martin were the two persons working on the set after getting permission from Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, and George Harrison's widow Olivia Harrison.

Axl Rose Sued Over John Lennon Portrait

Axl Rose is just one among the many Hollywood celebrities dealing with legal wrangle. The rocker has been sued by a Los Angeles art broker, claiming the star failed to pay $2.36 million for a portrait of John Lennon as done by Pop Art master Andy Warhol.

In the lawsuit, filed Sept. 11 in Los Angeles Superior Court, broker Acquire d'Arte stated that it negotiated with a New York art gallery and was able to lower the price of the artwork from $2.65 million to $2.36 million for Rose. However, after agreeing to buy the portrait, Rose paid only $1.21 million.

Sarah McLachlan to Celebrate Christmas with "Wintersong"

Christmas has yet come, but Sarah McLachlan has prepared all to celebrate the big day. The singer has planned to release a new album, titled "Wintersong", slated for October 17th release date.

The set, consists of 12-track CD, marks McLachlan's first new studio recording in three years. The collection features among other Diana Krall on piano for the 1965 Charlie Brown song "Christmas Time Is Here", and the Barenaked Ladies' Jim Creegan on double bass.

A John Lennon Schoolbook Fetches £126,500

A John Lennon schoolbook containing the music legend's thoughts, drawings and poems has been sold at auction for £126,500.

The 10-page red exercise book, entitled "My Anthology", was copied when Lennon was still 12 years old and includes an illustration of a walrus, from Lewis Carroll's poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter".

Lennon's Lyric to Fetch $2M

The two-sided lyric sheet of John Lennon's "A Day In the Life" which became the centerpiece of the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," is up for auction.

The sheet is part of an auction of memorabilia at Bonhams and Butterfields and is predicted to fetch more than $2M.

Original Draft of 'A Day in the Life' Up for Sale

The original draft of the lyrics to The Beatles' classic "A Day in the Life" which was written by late John Lennon up for sale Tuesday January 17th.

Speaking on the auction, Bonhams auction house announced the manuscript will be sold in a sealed-bid auction ending March 7.

Rock Icon Lennon Available for Internet Download

Former Beatle John Lennon will get the honor as one of world's music legends. The singer's music will be made available on Real/Rhapsody, Napster, MSN and Yahoo! Unlimited. The entire Lennon solo catalogue will then be made available digitally beginning December 5th (December 6th in the US).

Commenting on the matter, Lennon's widow Yoko Ono said "I am very happy that John's music is now available to a new generation of music fans. New technology is something he always embraced and this is something he would have loved." And to your notice, Lennon's greatest hits album "Working Class Hero," which was released on CD in the UK and US in October, is available to purchase in download form now.

Leto as John Lennon's Killer

The assassination of the legendary John Lennon of The Beatles 25 years ago apparently inspired a Canadian-based film company, Peace Arch Entertainment, to make a film which explores the mind of his killer, Mark David Chapman. Entitled "Chapter 27", this independent feature is about to be helmed by a first-time director Jarrett Schaeffer who also wrote the script while has already been joined by Lindsay Lohan and Jared Leto. Lohan will portray a fictional fan of Lennon who also befriends Chapman, played by Leto, shortly before the awful incident. Meanwhile, the parts of Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, have not been cast yet.

Peace Arch Entertainment President, John Flock, explained that the title of this film is actually a reference to the 26 chapters in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", which prompted Chapman, as he cited, to do the murder. "It's a psychological study of (Chapman)," Flock said. "I wouldn't call it a sympathetic portrayal of him, but you do kind of get into Chapman's head." The production is slated to begin on January 16 in New York with the aim to be released by the late next year.

Legend's Auction

Not only he is one of the most celebrated celebrities, but more than that this former Beatle also is ranked third on Forbes list of the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities. What an achievement. It's John Lennon. The music legend has scored another record as the white suit he wore on the cover of The Beatles' "Abby Road" album was sold at auction Sunday for $118,000.

The buyer was Anthony Pugliese of World Films in Del Ray, Florida. Besides the suit, Pugliese also bought the jacket Lennon wore in his video to the song "Imagine" for $32,000. In addition to those, the Austin Princess Lennon drove in the film "Imagine" was sold to a private Japanese investor for $150,000.

No. 1 Top-Earning Dead Celebrity Is Elvis Presley

King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley still has the power. The grave doesn't restrict his charm. The late music legend proves that he is the king and none can beat him.

The Memphis singer who died in 1977 has topped a list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities compiled by business magazine Forbes. Generated $45m for his estate this year through royalties, it's the fifth consecutive year that Elvis has topped the list, beating Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz in 2nd with $35m.

Ozzy Osbourne Covers All Under

Auctioned; John Lennon's 1956 Austin Princess

John Lennon Memorabilia Sold Out

Stamp Collection of Lennon Displayed for Public

Lennon Memorabilia will Go on Sale