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| Martha |
Raids Recover Original Beatles Tapes
49 minutes ago
LONDON - Police raids in England and the Netherlands on Friday recovered what could be about 500 original Beatles tapes that were stolen in the 1970s, including some never-released tracks.
British police said the tapes were "priceless," and that the only such recordings that have been heard before were bootlegs.
Dutch police, who recovered all the tapes in the Netherlands, agreed, but said they were still analyzing the material.
"We're currently investigating whether they really are the originals, but it appears to be so," said prosecutor spokesman Robert Meulenbroek in Amsterdam. "There are about 500 tapes, so there's quite a bit to research."
Five people were arrested in separate police raids in England and Holland. Their names were not immediately released.
The tapes contain what are known as the "Get Back" sessions, which were to become an album in 1969 before the project was shelved. Some of the songs, including "Get Back" itself, became part of the "Let It Be" album, said London police.
For many devoted fans and collectors, the original reel-to-reel tapes would be a valuable recovery by Apple, the Beatles' record company. Over the years, pirate copies had turned up in Britain, continental Europe and the United States.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry led the investigation with help from London detectives. They first identified suspects who were thought to have been involved in the theft and handling of the tapes. Further inquiries across Europe led to the joint operation by British and Dutch police.
Two people were arrested Friday in West London, and three at an undisclosed location south of Amsterdam, police said. |
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| parmeda |
Well, one good thing....I don't think Josh put our little friend Rik up into pulling this hiest, LOL...he wasn't even born yet back in 1970! |
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| telecaster |
No maybe they will find the 18 guitars of Keiths that were
stolen.
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| littleredrooster |
The Dutch police are probably 'analyzing the material' at a coffee shop in Amsterdam! |
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| Nellcote |
What's the over/under Macca looks to grab these tapes quickly....Poor Ringo hosed forever...
JB, any thoughts.... |
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| Prodigal Son |
Better yet, what's the over/under Paul grabs the mofos and immediately releases them as a three volume double-disc set called Archeology at $50 a pop. And then, don't forget, changes the song credits to McCartney-Lennon and if they are cover songs, he'll just change them, say "Save the Last Dance for Me" to McCartney/Leiber-Stoller. And then, don't forget as well, give Buddy Holly and Linda co-producer credits even though George Martin will remaster them. |
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| nankerphelge |
You know it -- Paul is all a giggle I'd wager!
(As are the police in the coffee shop!)
Maybe Paul will make a minty mint out of them and our heros will get the scent and once again look into the Vault for some treasures for us Stones fans!!
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| Scot Rocks |
This is big news in the UK, if it had been the Stones I doubt if it would have made pge 49 in the press...
Mark |
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| Prodigal Son |
According to the Associated Pot, uh, press: Yes, those Dutch police are indeed working closely with Paul to determine if these are the right tapes. But they can't get past "I've Got a Feeling" without going into hysterics when John sings "Everybody had a wet dream." As well, playing it backwards caused another 20 minute delay due to a case of the giggles.
As Frank Sinatra (SNL-Phil Hartman) said to Paul (Dana Carvey)-"Yeah, lay off the funny stuff, Ringo!" |
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| Martha |
A bit more on the subject......
01/11/2003��07:54:10�EST
Beatles Tapes, Stolen in '70s, Said Found
By THOMAS WAGNER
Associated Press Writer
Police appear to have recovered about 500 original Beatles tapes that were stolen in the 1970s, including some never-released tracks, during raids on members of a piracy racket in England and the Netherlands.
British police said the tapes were "priceless." Dutch police, who found the tapes in the Netherlands on Friday, agreed, but said analysis of the material was ongoing.
"We're investigating whether they really are the originals, but it appears to be so," prosecutor spokesman Robert Meulenbroek said in Amsterdam. "There are about 500 tapes, so there's quite a bit to research."
The tapes soon will be turned over to British authorities, he said.
Police arrested five people in raids in England and in Holland, following an investigation that began about a year ago. The suspects' names were not immediately released.
The tapes contain songs, including "Get Back," for an album the Beatles planned in 1969. The project was shelved, and some of the songs instead became part of the "Let It Be" album. The rest of the tapes disappeared.
In 1970, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr broke up, disappointing millions of people around the world.
That's one reason that for many devoted fans and collectors, the original reel-to-reel tapes would be a valuable recovery by Apple, the Beatles' record company.
"We applaud this exemplary police operation, which reflects the extraordinary level of international coordination that is needed to tackle the sophisticated cross-border strategies of today's organized music pirates," said Jay Berman, chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, which led the investigation with help from London detectives.
The federation and London police first identified suspects who were thought to have been involved in the theft and handling of the tapes. Further inquiries across Europe led to the joint operation by British and Dutch police.
Two British men were arrested in west London, and two Dutch men and a British man were arrested south of Amsterdam, where Dutch and British police were working together.
"This is a good example of how an international multiagency approach by both the private sector and police agencies can combat offenses of this nature," Detective Inspector Paul Johnston said in London.
The material disappeared shortly after the 1969 Beatles sessions which attempted a more back-to-basics approach to recording after the tensions of the 1968 "White Album."
They met in the Twickenham area of London to rehearse, rather than Abbey Road, where they usually recorded. Continued problems within the band saw Harrison briefly quit during that period.
The recovered reels are believed to contain dozens of entire songs, as well as snippets of tracks the band attempted, then abandoned. Along with new songs, the Beatles ran through earlier tracks for old time's sake.
"Get Back" originally was written to satirize negative attitudes toward immigration in Britain in the late 1960s. In early versions, it was referred to as the "Commonwealth Song" and "No Pakistanis."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. |
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