BOND BEATLES 60TH

If there is a cultural axis to the earth, then it certainly shifted 60 years ago today on October 5th, 1962. That's the day two of our major touchstones made their first mainstream releases: Bond and The Beatles! One can't overstate the impact both 007 and The Fabs had on culture around the world. And amazingly, the first big-screen 007 movie and the first Beatles single came out on the same day. What followed was the great Spy Boom, a complete re-invention of popular music, the galvanizing of youth, and a British invasion of style and design that continues to reverberate today in every Mini Cooper, well-dressed action hero, and new concept album. Bond and The Beatles spawned generations of imitators and each "brand" continues to produce new projects that expand the fan-base. Their iconography represents so many chapters in the changing climate of the 1960s, yet these monumental creations first arrived in such simple packages.

The Beatles first single, Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You, was released on October 5th, 1962. It arrived in a Parlophone striped paper sleeve and a simple silver-on-red company label. Talking about the song before he passed away, John Lennon said, "Love Me Do is Paul's song. He wrote it when he was a teenager. Let me think. I might have helped on the middle eight, but I couldn't swear to it. I do know he had the song around, in Hamburg, even, way, way before we were songwriters" (All We Are Saying/1980). Paul McCartney apparently remembers a more collaborative creation and he went on to tell Barry Miles about the overall importance of the track to the band's launch: "We loved doing it, it was a very interesting thing to try and learn to do, to become songwriters. I think why we eventually got so strong was we wrote so much through our formative period. Love Me Do was our first hit, which ironically is one of the two songs that we control, because when we first signed to EMI they had a publishing company called Ardmore and Beechwood which took the two songs, Love Me Do and PS I Love You, and in doing a deal somewhere along the way we were able to get them back" (Many Years From Now). A 50th anniversary vinyl reissue was planned in 2012, but the album version (without Ringo on drums) was accidentally used. In a flurry of news, EMI recalled all of the records with plans to scrap them. Some copies found their way to collectors before the corrected version was pressed (I had a copy, but sold it). Beatles insider, Bill Harry, wrote a book about the recording of the first record called Love Me Do. The Beatles show no signs of slowing down. Both Paul and Ringo continue to release new albums and tour the world with their positive energy and enthusiasm. George Martin's son Giles has been releasing in-depth editions of Beatles album projects over recent years, which include new mixes, demos, and outtakes. This month will see the release of a deluxe Revolver box set, chronicling the group's highly experimental output in 1966. Dr. No continues below.

Beatles related posts: Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Interview: Fab 4 Mania, The Beatles: Mission to India, Sgt. Pepper 50th, The Beatles: The Curious Camera, Revolver At 50, Ringo Rocks At 71, Pattie Boyd Exhibit, Peter Sellers to John Lennon: UK Satire, Ringo Tribute, John Lennon Remembered, Vintage Vinyl, Experimental Beatles, Ivan Vaughan, Essential Ringo, Paul at 72, Notes Behind the Curtain 1, Notes Behind the Curtain 2, Notes Behind the Curtain 3, Notes Behind the Curtain 4, 1960s Overdrive, Make Love in London, George Martin R.I.P., Tony Sheridan R.I.P., Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Encouragement From Yoko, My Experimental Re-Mix & Film with Yoko, Lennon70 Tribute Film, Home Movies, Sean Lennon Release, Gilbert Taylor R.I.P., Atomic Art, Love Piece, Sean Lennon Scores, Sean Lennon Limited Edition, Fab Fall 2013, George Harrison, New Beatles Fashion, Yellow Submarine 50th.

It was years before author Ian Fleming finally saw his literary creation make it to the big screen. Although "Casino Royale" had appeared on TV's Climax in 1954 (starring Barry Nelson and Peter Lorre), it took the combined efforts of producers Salzman and Broccoli, and the creative team of Terrence Young, Richard Maibaum, Peter Hunt, Ken Adam, John Barry, Monty Norman, Syd Cain, Maurice Binder, and Sean Connery to finally bring all the elements into place. Dr. No was eventually chosen as the first story to film and it was released on October 5th, 1962. The Bond franchise would be built over subsequent films, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger. The UK advance poster, like Love Me Do, arrived in simple attire: black and red titles/graphics on yellow, with a minimal aesthetic that anticipated the Raymond Hawkey designed 007 book covers for Pan in the UK. There had been spy movies going back to the beginning of cinema, but Ken Adam's stylized design approach to Dr. No helped to create an atmosphere for the Space Age. Speaking in 2002 with Todd Longwell for the Hollywood Reporter, Adam remarked that his seminal design for the "Tarantula Room" was the result of some resourcefulness late in his schedule: "I think it is one of my favorite sets, because it is so simple and theatrical or stylized. I think it somehow became the basis for some of the later Bond designs and certainly encouraged me to not only stylize Bond films but other films as well with rather simple means. Because this set was an afterthought and I had no money left. I think I had 450 pounds left. So I really had to come up with something very quickly that was very easy to construct and at the same time create a very important effect. It really worked (Longwell)." Adam probably drew from some of his experiences designing bomb shelters in the past to come up with the iconic domed room with asymmetrical ceiling- a reoccurring villain motif in the Bond series. Indeed, that modernist set coupled with pulp-style fantasy defined the cinematic Bond universe for me. Like that moment Patrick McGoohan's Number 6 enters Number 2's lair in The Prisoner, first-time Bond moviegoers surely knew they were suddenly in unknown territory, both technological and sinister. Bond recently wrapped up an era with actor Daniel Craig and fans are waiting to hear what is planned next for the franchise. Many of us hope for a reboot set in the 1950s or 1960s. And as much as I longed for realism as a teen, I'd sure welcome a return to the panache and Space-Age fantasy of the classics. In the meantime, Ian Fleming Publications have announced that distribution rights for Ian Fleming's books have reverted back to the family company and they plan to launch a new wave of Bond publishing soon. And last night, Bond fans in the UK attended a special 60th anniversary concert which has lit up the internet with excitement (I'm hoping it will be streaming on Amazon soon). 

See Spy Vibe for many James Bond and Ian Fleming posts, including:  Bond at Bletchley, Spy Vibe's interview with Fergus Fleming, Ian Fleming Grave, SE Asian 007, Fleming Jamaica Book, Bond Japanese Editions, Fleming Chinese Edition, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50th, Ian Fleming: Mt. Demon Hell Japan, Collecting Fleming, Live and Let Die 60th, Appropriating Bond Exhibit, The Goldfinger Variations, Double 007 Book Designs, Double 007 designs II, rare Ian Fleming edition, Book Design Dopplegangers, Turkish Bond design, Ian Fleming Letters, Erno Goldfinger, Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview.

There were, of course, various connections between these two iconic camps, mostly notably: George Martin produced the Goldfinger single with Shirley Bassey and signed Matt Monroe to EMI (the singer later recorded From Russia With Love), and Martin later worked with Paul McCartney on Live and Let Die. Bond and Beatles films shared cast members -drawing from the many talented performers in the UK at the time- and shared a location in the Les Ambassadeurs club gaming room. Sean Connery quipped about The Beatles in Goldfinger, The Beatles (and composer Ken Thorne) spoofed Bond in the movie Help!, and both Paul McCartney and George Harrison picked up Aston Martin DB5s (George's sold at auction in 2011 for £350,000.00). Ringo Starr later married Spy Who Loved Me actress Barbara Bach. And Swinging London just keeps swinging!

On this anniversary of Bond and The Beatles, try to imagine what it was like to be there 60 years ago in 1962, getting the first taste of new artistic visions. Love Me Do and Dr. No must have seemed fresh and exciting, but surely folks would have wondered what would follow. One-hit wonders? The Beatles were constantly asked what they would do after their popularity ran dry. So just image you are there. You put the needle down on the record... The lights go down in the theater... and the new world begins...

REVOLVER AT 50

Spy Vibers, I've returned from my mission at last! Stay tuned for my new photographs of filming locations from classic 1960s spy adventures (and from Doctor Who!). I also shot many images for my upcoming Spy Vibe book, so I'll try to share a sneak peek of some of the rare artifacts that crossed my lens. Peering through my jet-lag haze, I see The Beatles released their groundbreaking Revolver album 50 years ago today. Fifty! The 1960s represented a great renaissance of new ideas and pushing the boundaries in fashion, fine art, design, and the performing arts. Revolver sat right at the crossroads in 1966. For readers who are not familiar with the story, Revolver marked an important paradigm shift in the band's career. Bob Dylan had inspired The Beatles to explore a more personal approach to songwriting, which was increasingly evident on Help and Rubber Soul. The transition away from third-person pop continued into Revolver, but new elements were also making their way into the mix. The media loves to highlight drug influences, which were indeed referenced in some of the music. But it was in the field of avant-garde experimentation that the group made their greatest discoveries. As his bandmates moved out into the suburbs, Paul McCartney famously became increasingly involved in the London Art scene. He supported avant-garde galleries and the publication of International Times, and McCartney became fascinated with experimental filmmaking and sound collage. The most notable leap of curiosity focused on the use of tape loops inspired by performances of new music and the work of Karlheinz Stockhausen. Ever inventive as a group, The Beatles took to these new techniques in the recording studio and created the now-classic Tomorrow Never Knows. They each created tape loops, compiling about 30 in the end, and George Martin selected 16 from the batch. BTR3 tape machines were set up and the loops could be held at constant tension on the spools by hand with a pencil during playback. As John Lennon's voice chanted out lines inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead, studio technicians positioned themselves throughout the hallways and tended to the long tape loops- played in real time- as the track was assembled. Revolver is filled with top-tier compositions such as Here, There, and Everywhere and Eleanor Rigby, but with this experimental track, the record ultimately stood as a bridge between the youthful moptops of A Hard Days Night and the sophisticated, mature artists stretching toward Sgt. Pepper and beyond. This creative journey would redefine Rock music and their ideas continue to ripple through contemporary culture. The use of Musique Concrete was revolutionary in pop, and I'd hazard to suggest the construction in Tomorrow Never Knows connects us conceptually to the evolution of nonlinear audio composition. Revolver was released on August 6th, 1966. The band performed their final public concert on August 29th that same year at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Beatles manager Brian Epstein was worried that fans wouldn't accept the group's new direction. But the album cover art by Klaus Voormann apparently put Epstein at ease, as he felt the graphics would function as a kind of invitation into the band's experimental world. If you look closely at the cover design below and compare it to Tomorrow Never Knows, one can recognize a cohesive process using cut-ups and collage. Klaus Voormann (designer, artist, musician, and insider from the band's early days in Hamburg) worked at his kitchen table for three works to create this now-classic record jacket. He was paid 50 pounds for the job. Voormann recently spoke in an interview about his new book chronicling Revolver. Readers can order the book at his website here. By the way, Sean Lennon has been performing Tomorrow Never Knows on his recent tour promoting the Claypool Lennon Delirium project. Enjoy! Related posts: New Beatles film, The Curious Camera, Paul At 71, Notes Behind the Curtain I, Notes Behind the Curtain II, Notes Behind the Curtain IV, The Goldfinger Variations, UK Surrealism Sellers to Lennon, Ivan Vaughn and The Beatles, Tony Sheridan RIP, George Martin RIP, Essential Ringo Tribute, 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Interview:Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

60s EXPERIMENTAL

“When I made my first tape loops, man was it a buzz!” McCartney said. “Bringing tape loops into the studio as I did, finding out that John has got a really funky tune called ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ that needed a solo…. Well, what was better than the crazy stuff I was doing? (Wired)." Paul McCartney has dusted off his original tape machines and is planning a new experimental project!


At the heart of "1960s Style in Action" remains the magic cocktail that blended space-age experimentation and artistic flair. It's what I love about the combination of Ken Adam set designs with the larger-than-life adventures of 007. It was an era of invention, like Rabanne molding industrial and sculptural materials into new fashion. For songwriter Paul McCartney, who was a fan of musique concrete, Stockhausen and avant-garde expression, the cultural soil was ripe for the planting of a new hybrid of pop music- one might say that hybrid has blossomed as the mainstay of contemporary, loop-based production.

During the mid-1960s, Paul McCartney became fascinated with tape loops and experimental film. As he described in a recent interview for Wired, Lennon's song Tomorrow Never Knows provided a perfect opportunity to bring his experimental work into a Beatles production. Lennon himself would catch the loop-buzz and added his Revolution 9 to the 'White Album' and in three experimental records with Yoko Ono. McCartney revisited the approach again electronically in McCartney II (remastered release out this Tuesday), in his three Firemen projects with Youth, and in his collaborations with Sgt. Pepper cover artist Peter Blake on Liverpool Sound Collage (a fave of mine!).


Maybe it is because I have been working more on experimental projects myself lately and my ears are fascinated to hear and to create in that sandbox of 'chance' and playfulness, but I am excited to learn that McCartney has literally dusted off his original tape machines from the Tomorrow Never Knows sessions and is planning a tape loop project. Read the complete article by Scott Thill at Wired here. You can learn more about McCartney's travels off the pop-path in the books, Many Years From Now and The Unknown Paul McCartney: McCartney and the Avant-Garde. Listen to Tomorrow Never Knows on SoundCloud here. Check out Spy Vibe Jason Whiton's music and remix for Yoko Ono on SoundCloud here. Below is one of my fave documentary clips about how to make analogue tape loops.

Check out 60s experimental: BBC Doctor Who here. Learn about avant-garde composers the Avant-Garde Project here. Readers might also like to check out the series Obscure Tape Music of Japan, which includes Yoko Ono's first husband, composer Toshi Ichiyanagi. Nice overview of the series here, and Julian Copes introduction to Ichiyanagi here. Being a fan of Noh music, I particularly like Vol #1 in the series, which featured Joji Yuasa's Aoi no Ue ("blue above"), and Ichiyanagi's Opera From the Works of Tadanori Yokoo.