The Beatles: New track featuring all four band members set for release next week
Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr will release what they say is the last song featuring all four Beatles next week.
The track, called Now And Then, was written and performed by John Lennon and later developed alongside the other band members, including George Harrison.
The track has now been finished by Sir Paul and Sir Ringo decades after the original recording – using new technology.
A demo was first recorded by Lennon in the late 1970s at his New York home and features piano music.
After his death in 1980 aged 40, Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono gave the recording to the band along with Free As A Bird and Real Love, which were released by the band in the 1990s.
Former Beatles Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney in 2016
During this period, Harrison, Sir Paul and Sir Ringo recorded new parts and completed a rough mix for Now And Then with producer and musician Jeff Lynne.
But the band did not release the song – blaming issues extracting Lennon’s vocals and piano in a clear mix due to limited technology at the time.
Harrison died in November 2001 aged 58.
New audio restoration technology has now allowed for vocals, music and conservations by the band to be isolated.
Lennon’s decades-old demo, and Harrison’s electric and acoustic guitar recorded in 1995, were both included on the track, which Sir Paul and Sir Ringo finished last year.
Backing vocals from Here, There And Everywhere, Eleanor Rigby and Because were also added.
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Sir Paul said: “There it was, John’s voice, crystal clear. It’s quite emotional and we all play on it, it’s a genuine Beatles recording.
“In 2023, to still be working on Beatles music, and about to release a new song the public haven’t heard, I think it’s an exciting thing.”
Sir Ringo said: “It was the closest we’ll ever come to having him back in the room so it was very emotional for all of us. It was like John was there, you know. It’s far out.”
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Meanwhile, Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, said the new song was “incredibly touching”.
“It’s the last song my dad, Paul, George and Ringo got to make together. It’s like a time capsule and all feels very meant to be,” he added.
Two compilation albums will also be released on 10 November – 1962-1966, The Red Album, and 1967-1970, The Blue Album – featuring 21 newly added tracks.
A documentary about the new song, Now And Then – The Last Beatles Song, will premiere at 7.30pm on 1 November on The Beatles YouTube channel.
Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer, has died at the age of 91.
Jones worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many other artists.
Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson’s historic Thriller album.
Jones oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record We Are The World.
He also composed the soundtrack to the hit 1969 British film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine.
Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
Naomi Campbell, left, and Claudia Schiffer flank Quincy Jones. Pic: AP
His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday surrounded by his family.
In a statement, his family said: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’s passing.
“And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. Pic: AP
Quincy Jones and Peggy Lipton. Pic: Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP
His family added Jones was “truly one of a kind” who they would “miss dearly”.
“We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” they added.
“Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”
His career, which spans more than 75 years, saw him achieve 28 Grammy award wins out of 80 nominations.
He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.
Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are The World and was among the charity single’s featured singers, called Jones “the master orchestrator”.
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Jones, a father of seven, was married three times to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton.
His children include music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for Parks And Recreation and the US version of The Office.
Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has said he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The 47-year-old American actor – famous for his role as Dawson Leery in the drama series – told US outlet People on Sunday that he has colorectal cancer.
Bowel cancer – sometimes also called colorectal cancer – starts in the colon or the rectum, which makes up the large intestine in the digestive system.
It is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK, with around 42,900 people diagnosed each year.
Speaking to People, Van Der Beek added: “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
The 47-year-old actor is best known for playing Dawson Leery in Dawson’s Creek. Pic: Columbia Tristar/Everett/Shutterstock
He said he has been prioritising time with his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.
The actor – also known for his roles in Don’t Trust The B—- In Apartment 23, CSI: Cyber, and the FX drama Pose – also posted on Instagram about his diagnosis.
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Van Der Beek said he planned on “planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon,” but instead announced the news on Sunday morning “when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news”.
He then added: “I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialling in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.
“I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”
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In December, Van Der Beek will appear in the Fox special The Real Full Monty, which will see male celebrities strip naked to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research.
Margot Robbie has reportedly given birth to her first child.
The Australian actress has welcomed a baby boy with her husband, British actor and film producer Tom Ackerley, according to People magazine.
The couple have not publicly announced the arrival or revealed the baby’s name.
The 34-year-old actress went into labour two weeks ago, shortly before her due date, according to the Mail On Sunday.
(L-R) Tom Ackerley, film producer Bronte Payne, Robbie and Josey McNamara. Pic: Reuters
Robbie’s pregnancy became public in July, when the couple were pictured on holiday in Italy, followed by several red carpet appearances.
Robbie and Ackerley married in Byron Bay in 2016 after meeting three years previously on the set of World War II drama Suite Francaise.
Prior to becoming a couple, Robbie described herself as the “ultimate single gal” in an interview with Vogue.
She said Ackerley changed all that, and after being friends “for so long,” eventually “it happened”.
The Barbie actress went on to say their relationship “makes so much sense, the way nothing has ever made sense before”.
Robbie and Ackerley met in 2013. Pic: Reuters
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Robbie and Ackerley founded production company LuckyChap Entertainment in 2014, along with British assistant director Josey McNamara and Australian film producer Sophie Kerr.
Championing female-focused film and TV, it has been involved with movies including Barbie and Saltburn, and the Netflix series Maid.
Sky News has reached out to representatives for Robbie and Ackerley for comment.
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