SIXTY years ago The Beatles achieved what every British act really dreams of – breaking America.
And to coincide with the anniversary of Beatlemania blowing up Stateside, I am told Apple TV+ have created a documentary following the Fab Four’s phenomenal rise in the US.
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Insiders tell me the film, which is called 1964, will feature new interviews and archive footage.
And it is set to take fans of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison on an amazing trip down memory lane.
An insider said: “The Beatles made history when they cracked America in February 1964.
“Apple TV+ have a documentary coming out which looks back at their rise — and how the band paved the way for acts like the Rolling Stones when it came to making it big in America.
“Beatlemania was crazy in the UK, but the Americans gave our fans a run for their money.
“People will remember the hysteria that took over the US when The Beatles arrived, and the incredible scenes where thousands of teenagers turned up to see them wherever they went.
“It was a moment in music history that has been repackaged and resold, and the result is genuinely brilliant.”
My insider said 1964 is slated for release on Thanksgiving — November 28 — adding: “It is a must-watch for Beatles fans.”
The documentary will whet the appetite for what is to come.
In February, film director Sam Mendes confirmed he was working on biopics about each member of the band.
It was the first time the group had given the go-ahead for scripted films about their lives, and Sam has been allowed three years to complete the projects.
Meanwhile, in November last year, the “last ever” Beatles song, Now And Then, powered to No1.
An insider said of the biopics: “Sam has a mammoth task on his hands, but Paul and Ringo trust him to do them justice.
“The films will all be inter-connecting and will tell the story of the band from each of the group’s perspectives. It’s likely Sam will find four British rising stars to step into their shoes. But people are already talking about actors such as Barry Keoghan and Will Sharpe.”
The more Beatles nostalgia, the better, in my eyes. Bring it on!
SHANIA THRILL AT A MUSICAL
SHE’S had a killer year, topped off by playing the Legend’s slot at Glastonbury this summer.
And now Shania Twain has heaped another project onto her plate – after finally getting a stage show inspired by her music off the ground.
We can reveal a musical made up of Shania’s biggest hits is now in production, with hopes it could open late next year.
A source said: “It’s been a long time coming but the Shania musical is finally happening.
“The script has been completed and it’s now moved into the development stage, with discussions about staging and costumes.
“Rather than being about herself, the musical follows ABBA’s Mamma Mia! which tells a story using their music.
“Shania is thrilled it’s been given the green light.”
The insider added: “It’s being produced by Eliza Lumley Productions. Eliza was in the original Mamma Mia cast and worked at Shania’s label Universal for almost a decade.”
With Mamma Mia!, Abba had phenomenal success – with the show dominating in London’s West End and on Broadway in New York.
Shania first told us she was working on a musical two years ago.
Quizzed on the prospect of using her megahits including That Don’t Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like A Woman!, for a stage show, Shania said: “Yes. Both of those things are possibly in the future.
“There’s all sorts of things coming up but things I probably can’t talk about right now. But I’ve got a very busy few years ahead of me.”
She wasn’t kidding.
By Jack Hardwick
GOOD LUCK TO CHAPPELL
SABRINA CARPENTER could be knocked off the top spot on Friday by Chappell Roan, who is at No2 with Good Luck, Babe!.
Sabrina’s runaway hit Taste has been at No1 for four weeks but now Chappell is just 2,000 chart units behind her – and I think she could take the crown.
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Sonny Fodera, Jazzy and D.O.D’s new song Somedays is continuing to rise and looks set to get the No6 spot, while Coldplay’s new single We Pray featuring Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna and Tini is slowing moving closer to the Top Ten.
MADONNA GETS INTO THE SMOOTH
MADONNA is starting to give Benjamin Button a run for his money.
She was partying at Milan Fashion Week after Dolce and Gabbana’s show in the city – and any wrinkles Madge might have at the age of 66 look like they’ve been totally ironed out.
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Before heading to the party, she was on the front row with models including Naomi Campbell and Ashley Graham.
The Into The Groove singer gave the catwalk clothes horses some competition by arriving in a full-length black veil with a crown perched on top of her head.
They don’t call her the Queen of Pop for nothing.
LEIGH-ANNE A STREET GLEAMER
LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK took to the streets to pose in this revealing outfit.
And I’m surprised she didn’t cause an accident while getting photographed near a London road wearing the chainmail-style dress.
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Leigh-Anne launched her solo career away from Little Mix last year, with singles including Don’t Say Love and My Love.
She is yet to drop her debut album, and said this summer that she had chosen to slow the process down to make sure the record was perfect.
Leigh-Anne confirmed it was finished and added: “I’m excited for it to finally come out.”
Bandmate Jade Thirlwall was the last of the group to drop new music, with her debut tune Angel Of My Dreams in July.
Along with Perrie Edwards, they promised not to compete against each other, so if Leigh-Anne is holding off to allow Jade time to shine, I wouldn’t be surprised.
OVERHAUL FOR OLLY RELEASE
OLLY ALEXANDER has gone back to the drawing board for his new album following a disappointing performance at Eurovision.
The singer, who previously performed as Years & Years, finished 18th out of 25 countries in Sweden with his single Dizzy.
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Since May’s event, I’m told he has been back in the studio working on his next project, to come out next year.
Olly, whose last album was 2022’s Night Call, says his album is finally finished and is now being “mastered”, meaning the songs have been written and recorded and the final touches are being added.
It sounds more promising, after he said it was “ready to go” ten months ago.
Hopefully all that extra time was worthwhile, as there’s a lot riding on this one.
ZOE BALL is back at work today, returning to her Breakfast Show on Radio 2.
She took a break after the death of her mum and has been helped out by Radio 2 pals DJ Spoony and Scott Mills, who have been covering.
Now Zoe is raring to go, but I bet getting out of bed for the 6.30am show wasn’t something she had been looking forward to.
Welcome back Zoe.
CHARLI’S BRAND NEW IDEA
CHARLI XCX is having a stellar time thanks to brilliant album Brat, so I don’t blame her for cashing in.
She is planning to launch her own clothing brand while preparing to start a huge tour across the US with singer Troye Sivan.
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Charli has filed papers with government departments in the UK and America to trademark her name.
The documents reveal she intends to make clothes, hats and even cigarette lighters.
A source said: “Brat is Charli’s sixth album, so she’s hardly a rookie. But this year has been massive and surpassed all her exceptions.
“She is keen to strike while the iron is hot.”
Charli will drop a remix edition of Brat on October 11.
The record features collaborations with Billie Eilish and Lorde.
KYLIE HAS THE EDGE
KYLIE MINOGUE gave fans a taste of what’s to come as she appeared on stage at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The singer, who will release her new album Tension II next month, belted out the track Edge Of Saturday Night live for the first time.
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Kylie also performed Good As Gone, another song from the album, during her 75-minute set on Saturday.
From the look of the videos on social media, the crowd absolutely loved it.
The week in bizness
MONDAY: Only Fools And Horses The Musical will be heading out on a nine-month tour following its West End run, kicking off at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, Kent.
TUESDAY: LINKIN PARK will perform at London’s O2 Arena for their first tour without singer Chester Bennington, who died in 2017. Emily Armstrong has joined as the vocalist.
WEDNESDAY: Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix walk the red carpet at the UK premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux at Cineworld Leicester Square, London, ahead of the film’s release on October 4.
FRIDAY: Janet Jacckson is expected to kick off her first UK tour in 13 years with a show at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena ahead of gigs in Manchester, London and across Europe.