The Dream Is Over...Again
Around the world, Beatle fans and fans of Beatle fans are mourning the unexpected break-up of a newly formed supergroup, and are left pining for " what might have been."
News broke late on May 10 that the group comprised of the famous offspring of the Fab Four was breaking up almost as soon as it had formed.
First announced only two months prior(RS- April #34519-"Here Comes the Sons") the group calling itself The White Alumni comprised of Sean Lennon, Stella McCartney, Dhani Harrison and Zak Starr broke the world's heart through a terse press release, effectively ending what was a thrilling prospect for rock fans worldwide: the closest thing to a Beatles reunion we could possibly expect.
In case you have been living in a cave for the last two months, here is a brief recap of events.
Phoenix-like, the hopes of this band rose from the ashes of the inferno that claimed the life of many stars, among them the last surviving Beatle , Lord Ringo Starr, at the tragic and ironically named Ringo Starr Celebrity Roast disaster of January 8, 2019. (RS -February #34517 -"Helter Swelter") " We should not have booked Great White to play at the event, " Gilbert Gottfried, the Roast's coordinator conceded. The funeral for the fallen Starr brought the famous Beatle offspring Dhani Harrison and Zak Starr together. Jamming through their pain, a bond was formed, and then, a Band was formed. "It just felt right," said Starr, "And I think our Dads would approve."
A call was made to Julian Lennon with the invitation to join his mates. Unfortunately,a back injury incurred in a plumbing accident precluded Lennon's ability to tour, and he was unable to get vacation time from his boss to allow any studio time either. Reluctantly, a call was then put in to Sean Lennon who immediately joined up. The last vacancy was to be filled by someone more famous in the fashion world than in the music world, Stella McCartney . "We considered signing on some of Uncle Paul's bastard sons but in the end Stella offered to design our tour wear for free if we signed her, so fate smiled on us there," Dhani Harrison said during the band's launch press release.
With the aide of the Martinizer, the state of the art production computer designed by the original Fifth Beatle, Sir George Martin himself , the band was now equipped with the essential tool that could not only mix, record and edit their music, but could also brew the best pot of tea in England.
After kicking around various monikers including, Bad Seed, Bad Blood, The Nowhere Men and The Apple Doppel-Gang, the band settled on the now famous The White Alumni.
Preparations were made at Abbey Road; the world was enthralled by the press releases, the family of Mark David Chapman was put under police surveillance; everything was set for The White Alumni-mania. Then fate stepped in. On the first day of recording, Kyoko Ono, daughter of John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono from her first marriage, arrived with Sean Lennon, at their mother's insistence. The band, attempting to cut their first song, were aghast at the wailing and caterwauling of Kyoko , and a chill fell on the proceedings that was never to thaw out.
"We unanimously decided that the time was not yet right," Dhani Harrison sadly announced after the May 10th press release was broadcast. "We thought that once all the original Beatles were no longer with us, we could make a respectful go of it, but we didn't really take the fact that Yoko is still living into account."
The world is left bereft again.In the words of John Lennon: "And so, dear friends, we'll just have to carry on...The dream is over!"
1 comment:
When I read 'The Apple-Dopple Gang' I laughed so hard, I got the hiccups.
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