MOSCOW (Reuters) - A member of punk band Pussy Riot was freed on appeal on Wednesday but a Moscow court upheld prison sentences for two others imposed over a raucous cathedral protest against Vladimir Putin, who said they had got the jail terms they deserved.
Yekaterina Samutsevich walked free from Moscow City Court after six months behind bars but the appeal judge who suspended her two-year sentence said fellow band members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina should serve out their terms.
'I have mixed feelings,' Samutsevich said outside the court, where she was greeted by applause and whistles from a crowd of about 150 people in the rain. 'I'm happy, of course, but I am upset about the girls.'
Samutsevich, 30, Tolokonnikova, 22, and Alyokhina, 24, were convicted in August of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for a 'punk prayer' imploring the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin, and sentenced to two years in jail.
The case had sparked an international outcry, with Western governments and pop star Madonna condemning the sentences as disproportionate, a view not widely shared in Russia where public opinion was shocked by the protest.
Her lawyer told the court that Samutsevich had not performed the 'punk protest' near the altar of Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February because she had been stopped and led away before it took place.
Samutsevich's father Stanislav said he would take his daughter away for a time to rest but that when she returned to Moscow 'she will fight for the rest of the girls'.
Defense lawyers, relatives of the women and rights activists including the chairman of Putin's own presidential human rights council, Mikhail Fedotov, welcomed Samutsevich's release but criticized the split ruling.
'It would be reasonable to release all the women,' Fedotov told Reuters. 'What they did was minor hooliganism, for which they should have got 15 days of detention.'
Calling for the immediate release of Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina, Amnesty International said in a statement: 'Justice has not been done today.'
A spokeswoman for the EU foreign policy chief said Catherine Ashton had been 'deeply disappointed' by the original verdict and regretted the appeals of two of the women were rejected.
In emotional statements from a courtroom cage during the hearing, women from the band said they had not meant to offend the faithful but criticize Putin, who foes say has cracked down on dissent since starting a new Kremlin term in May.
'We'll be going to a prison colony while civil war is brewing in this country. Putin is doing everything to make this happen,' Tolokonnikova said, raising her voice to drown out the judge, who interrupted when she mentioned the president's name. 'He is setting people against each other.'
'MORALS AND VALUES'
In an interview aired on Sunday to mark his 60th birthday, Putin defended the sentences: 'It is right that they were arrested and it was right that the court took this decision because you cannot undermine the fundamental morals and values to destroy the country.'
Defense lawyer Mark Feigin said those comments had compromised the appeal and Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina told the hearing their protest was purely political.
'We did not want to offend believers,' said Alyokhina. 'We came to the cathedral to speak out against the merger between spiritual figures and the political elite of our country.'
Tolokonnikova said the group was not motivated by religious hatred: 'It's painful for me to hear that I am speaking out against religion. I have no religious hatred and never have.'
Feigin said they would continue to fight their conviction on procedural grounds and also take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
The women say their protest was an comment on the close ties between the Kremlin and Russia's dominant church, which considers about two-thirds of the population as its flock.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had given Putin, then prime minister, unofficial but clear support in his campaign for a third presidential term, likening Putin's years in power to a 'miracle of God'.
Kremlin opponents said the jail terms were part of a clampdown on dissent since Putin began his six-year term in May.
'We are in jail for our political convictions,' Alyokhina said. 'Even if our sentences are upheld, we will not be silent. Even if we are in Mordovia or Siberia, we will not be silent.'
Sympathy for Pussy Riot is limited in Russia, where Patriarch Kirill has cast the protest as part of a concerted attack meant to undermine traditional Russian values and curb the church's post-Soviet revival.
An opinion poll conducted on September 21-24 by the independent Levada centre found 35 percent of Russians believe the two-year sentences were appropriate, while 34 percent said they were too lenient and only 14 percent said they were excessive.
Parliament is considering stiffening punishment for offending religious feelings and Putin has warned that such offences - against Christians, Muslims or other believers in diverse Russia - could incite violence.
'The Russian Orthodox Church has practically become the state religion,' said human rights activist Lyudmila Alexeyeva, 85, a Soviet-era dissident. The constitution stipulates that Russia is a secular state.
(Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel; Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Jon Boyle and Alison Williams)
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Wednesday, October 10, 2012
One Pussy Riot member freed on appeal by Russian court
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A member of punk band Pussy Riot was freed on appeal on Wednesday but a Moscow court upheld prison sentences for two others imposed over a raucous cathedral protest against Vladimir Putin, who said they had got the jail terms they deserved.
Moscow City Court confirmed the two-year prison sentences handed down to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina but suspended the sentence on Yekaterina Samutsevich.
Her lawyer told the court that Samutsevich had not performed the 'punk protest' near the altar of Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February because she had been stopped and led away before it took place.
In emotional statements from a courtroom cage during the appeal hearing, women from the band had earlier said they had not meant to offend the faithful with their actions but criticized the courts and the Kremlin chief.
'Putin is doing everything for the development of civil war in this country,' said Tolokonnikova, raising her voice to try to drown out a judge who tried to interrupt her as she began to talk about Putin.
Tolokonnikova, 22, Alyokhina, 24, and Samutsevich, 30, were convicted in August of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for a 'punk prayer' imploring the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin, and sentenced to two years in jail.
The case sparked an international outcry, with Western governments and pop star Madonna condemning the sentences as disproportionate, a view not widely shared in Russia where public opinion was shocked by the protest.
In an interview aired on Sunday, Putin defended the sentences: 'It is right that they were arrested and it was right that the court took this decision because you cannot undermine the fundamental morals and values to destroy the country'.
At the appeal hearing, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina told the court their protest was purely political.
'We did not want to offend believers,' Alyokhina, 24, told the court. 'We came to the cathedral to speak out against the merger between spiritual figures and the political elite of our country.'
Alyokhina said she did not expect the appeal would succeed, however. 'I have lost all hope in our courts,' she said.
Defense lawyer Mark Feigin asked the court to reverse the verdict and censure Putin.
'No official ... is permitted to interfere with the court,' he said angrily.
REPENTANCE
Relatives and lawyers for the trio complained of political interference in the original trial and said that Putin's weekend comments on the case in the interview marking his 60th birthday had compromised the appeal.
'After Putin's comments, I don't think lawyers can do anything anyway,' Samutsevich's father, Stanislav, told Reuters on Tuesday.
The women contend their protest in the cathedral in central Moscow was an acerbic comment on the close ties between the Kremlin and Russia's dominant church, which considers about two-thirds of the population as its flock.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had given Putin, then prime minister, unofficial but clear support in his successful campaign for a third presidential term, likening Putin's years in power to a 'miracle of God'.
Kremlin opponents said the jail terms were part of a clampdown on dissent that has produced restrictive laws and criminal cases against critics of Putin since he began his six-year term in May.
'We are in jail for our political convictions,' Alyokhina said. 'Even if our sentences are upheld, we will not be silent. Even if we are in Mordovia or Siberia, we will not be silent, no matter how uncomfortable it is for you.'
Tolokonnikova also told the court the group was not motivated by religious hatred.
'It's painful for me to hear that I am speaking out against religion. I have no religious hatred and never have,' she said.
Sympathy for Pussy Riot is limited in Russia, where Patriarch Kirill has cast the protest as part of a concerted attack meant to undermine traditional Russian values and curb the church's post-Soviet revival.
Parliament is considering legislation stiffening punishment for offending religious feelings and Putin has warned that such offences - against Christians, Muslims or other believers in diverse Russia - could incite violence.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said last month that they have already served enough time, while the Russian Orthodox Church has said they should repent if they want forgiveness - a request they made clear they found inappropriate.
An opinion poll conducted on September 21-24 by the independent Levada centre found 35 percent of Russians believe the two-year sentences were appropriate, while 34 percent said they were too lenient and only 14 percent said they were excessive.
(Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and Alissa de Carbonnel; Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Jon Boyle)
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Moscow City Court confirmed the two-year prison sentences handed down to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina but suspended the sentence on Yekaterina Samutsevich.
Her lawyer told the court that Samutsevich had not performed the 'punk protest' near the altar of Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February because she had been stopped and led away before it took place.
In emotional statements from a courtroom cage during the appeal hearing, women from the band had earlier said they had not meant to offend the faithful with their actions but criticized the courts and the Kremlin chief.
'Putin is doing everything for the development of civil war in this country,' said Tolokonnikova, raising her voice to try to drown out a judge who tried to interrupt her as she began to talk about Putin.
Tolokonnikova, 22, Alyokhina, 24, and Samutsevich, 30, were convicted in August of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for a 'punk prayer' imploring the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin, and sentenced to two years in jail.
The case sparked an international outcry, with Western governments and pop star Madonna condemning the sentences as disproportionate, a view not widely shared in Russia where public opinion was shocked by the protest.
In an interview aired on Sunday, Putin defended the sentences: 'It is right that they were arrested and it was right that the court took this decision because you cannot undermine the fundamental morals and values to destroy the country'.
At the appeal hearing, Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina told the court their protest was purely political.
'We did not want to offend believers,' Alyokhina, 24, told the court. 'We came to the cathedral to speak out against the merger between spiritual figures and the political elite of our country.'
Alyokhina said she did not expect the appeal would succeed, however. 'I have lost all hope in our courts,' she said.
Defense lawyer Mark Feigin asked the court to reverse the verdict and censure Putin.
'No official ... is permitted to interfere with the court,' he said angrily.
REPENTANCE
Relatives and lawyers for the trio complained of political interference in the original trial and said that Putin's weekend comments on the case in the interview marking his 60th birthday had compromised the appeal.
'After Putin's comments, I don't think lawyers can do anything anyway,' Samutsevich's father, Stanislav, told Reuters on Tuesday.
The women contend their protest in the cathedral in central Moscow was an acerbic comment on the close ties between the Kremlin and Russia's dominant church, which considers about two-thirds of the population as its flock.
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill had given Putin, then prime minister, unofficial but clear support in his successful campaign for a third presidential term, likening Putin's years in power to a 'miracle of God'.
Kremlin opponents said the jail terms were part of a clampdown on dissent that has produced restrictive laws and criminal cases against critics of Putin since he began his six-year term in May.
'We are in jail for our political convictions,' Alyokhina said. 'Even if our sentences are upheld, we will not be silent. Even if we are in Mordovia or Siberia, we will not be silent, no matter how uncomfortable it is for you.'
Tolokonnikova also told the court the group was not motivated by religious hatred.
'It's painful for me to hear that I am speaking out against religion. I have no religious hatred and never have,' she said.
Sympathy for Pussy Riot is limited in Russia, where Patriarch Kirill has cast the protest as part of a concerted attack meant to undermine traditional Russian values and curb the church's post-Soviet revival.
Parliament is considering legislation stiffening punishment for offending religious feelings and Putin has warned that such offences - against Christians, Muslims or other believers in diverse Russia - could incite violence.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said last month that they have already served enough time, while the Russian Orthodox Church has said they should repent if they want forgiveness - a request they made clear they found inappropriate.
An opinion poll conducted on September 21-24 by the independent Levada centre found 35 percent of Russians believe the two-year sentences were appropriate, while 34 percent said they were too lenient and only 14 percent said they were excessive.
(Additional reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and Alissa de Carbonnel; Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing by Jon Boyle)
This news article is brought to you by CELEBRITY MUSIC NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Rihanna, Nicki Minaj lead American Music Awards nominations
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - R&B star Rihanna and rapper Nicki Minaj led nominations for the American Music Awards with four apiece on Tuesday, edging out stiff competition from pop sensations Justin Bieber and One Direction.
Rihanna, 24, was nominated in the top category - artist of the year - where she will compete with Bieber, Katy Perry, pop-rockers Maroon 5 and Canadian rapper Drake.
She also won nods for female soul/R&B artist and album for 'Talk That Talk,' and will battle Minaj, 29, in the female pop/rock artist category.
Minaj scored two nods for her album 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' in both the pop/rock and rap/hip hop categories this year, as well as a nomination for favorite rap artist, alongside Drake and American newcomer Tyga.
Minaj has been making headlines after joining the 'American Idol' judging panel, where she was caught feuding on camera with fellow judge Mariah Carey in early audition rounds.
'Boyfriend' singer Bieber, 18, landed three nominations this year, tying with British boy band One Direction, Maroon 5, Drake and R&B star Usher.
Following in the footsteps of the Grammy Awards earlier this year, which hosted a tribute to electronic dance music, the American Music Awards introduced a new category in that genre, with David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex competing for the trophy.
Last year's big winners, Adele and Taylor Swift, who both scored three awards each, received one nomination each this year. Swift scored a nod for female country artist alongside Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, while Adele was nominated in the favorite adult contemporary artist category alongside Kelly Clarkson and Train.
The closely-watched new artist category will be a battle between R&B singer J.Cole, indie-pop ban fun., Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepson and One Direction.
The AMA winners are determined by fans through online voting, which starts on Tuesday.
The American Music Awards will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the ceremony and performance show will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on November 18.
Pop star and 'The Voice' judge Christina Aguilera, who announced the nominees on Tuesday, was the first performer to be announced for the live show.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant and Marguerita Choy)
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Rihanna, 24, was nominated in the top category - artist of the year - where she will compete with Bieber, Katy Perry, pop-rockers Maroon 5 and Canadian rapper Drake.
She also won nods for female soul/R&B artist and album for 'Talk That Talk,' and will battle Minaj, 29, in the female pop/rock artist category.
Minaj scored two nods for her album 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' in both the pop/rock and rap/hip hop categories this year, as well as a nomination for favorite rap artist, alongside Drake and American newcomer Tyga.
Minaj has been making headlines after joining the 'American Idol' judging panel, where she was caught feuding on camera with fellow judge Mariah Carey in early audition rounds.
'Boyfriend' singer Bieber, 18, landed three nominations this year, tying with British boy band One Direction, Maroon 5, Drake and R&B star Usher.
Following in the footsteps of the Grammy Awards earlier this year, which hosted a tribute to electronic dance music, the American Music Awards introduced a new category in that genre, with David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex competing for the trophy.
Last year's big winners, Adele and Taylor Swift, who both scored three awards each, received one nomination each this year. Swift scored a nod for female country artist alongside Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, while Adele was nominated in the favorite adult contemporary artist category alongside Kelly Clarkson and Train.
The closely-watched new artist category will be a battle between R&B singer J.Cole, indie-pop ban fun., Australian singer-songwriter Gotye, Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepson and One Direction.
The AMA winners are determined by fans through online voting, which starts on Tuesday.
The American Music Awards will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and the ceremony and performance show will be broadcast live from Los Angeles on November 18.
Pop star and 'The Voice' judge Christina Aguilera, who announced the nominees on Tuesday, was the first performer to be announced for the live show.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant and Marguerita Choy)
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Rihanna's "Diamonds" reaches UK pop chart summit
LONDON (Reuters) - Barbadian pop singer Rihanna climbed to the top of the British charts on Sunday with her new single 'Diamonds', ousting South Korean pop star Psy and his internet video sensation 'Gangnam Style' from the number one spot.
Local boy band One Direction were new in third place with 'Live While We're Young', while London-born singer Adele burst in at number four with the theme song for the latest James Bond film 'Skyfall'.
English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding arrived in fifth place with her new single 'Anything Could Happen', the Official Charts Company said.
British stadium rockers Muse shot to the summit of the album charts with their new release 'The 2nd Law', including the track 'Survival', the official song of London's 2012 Olympic Games.
Boy band Overtones entered the charts at number six with their second album release 'Higher'.
Veteran British rock band the Electric Light Orchestra re-entered the list at number 10 with their 2005 greatest hits compilation 'All Over The World', notching up a 173rd week in the charts. (Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Will Waterman)
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Local boy band One Direction were new in third place with 'Live While We're Young', while London-born singer Adele burst in at number four with the theme song for the latest James Bond film 'Skyfall'.
English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding arrived in fifth place with her new single 'Anything Could Happen', the Official Charts Company said.
British stadium rockers Muse shot to the summit of the album charts with their new release 'The 2nd Law', including the track 'Survival', the official song of London's 2012 Olympic Games.
Boy band Overtones entered the charts at number six with their second album release 'Higher'.
Veteran British rock band the Electric Light Orchestra re-entered the list at number 10 with their 2005 greatest hits compilation 'All Over The World', notching up a 173rd week in the charts. (Reporting by Tim Castle; Editing by Will Waterman)
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Friday, October 5, 2012
Amnesty issues rights plea to Rihanna, Shakira before Azeri concerts
(Reuters) - Human rights group Amnesty International urged pop stars Rihanna and Shakira on Friday to open their eyes to recent arrests of journalists, bloggers and activists in Azerbaijan, before their performances in the former Soviet republic this month.
Amnesty and Sing for Democracy said in a joint letter that it wanted to draw the singers' attention to human rights and freedom of speech issues in Azerbaijan.
'Both singers should be aware of the situation in the country post-Eurovision,' the letter said, referring to the singing contest in the Azeri capital of Baku in May, which spurred protests and rallies by Azeris demanding democracy.
Authorities in Baku arrested dozens of protesters in May and have since arrested several journalists and political activists.
'We Found Love' singer Rihanna, 24, is scheduled to perform in Baku on Saturday. 'Hips Don't Lie' singer Shakira, 35, is performing in Baku for football organization FIFA's under 17 women's world cup on October 13, and at another venue in the capital on October 14.
International rights groups often have criticized Azerbaijan for curbing public dissent, while the government in Baku says Azerbaijanis enjoy full freedom of speech.
'Amnesty International believes that the Azerbaijani government should afford all artists, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens the right to express themselves freely without fear of reprisal. We hope that you share our belief,' said the letter to Rihanna and Shakira.
Representatives for both singers did not immediately return calls for comment.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant)
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Amnesty and Sing for Democracy said in a joint letter that it wanted to draw the singers' attention to human rights and freedom of speech issues in Azerbaijan.
'Both singers should be aware of the situation in the country post-Eurovision,' the letter said, referring to the singing contest in the Azeri capital of Baku in May, which spurred protests and rallies by Azeris demanding democracy.
Authorities in Baku arrested dozens of protesters in May and have since arrested several journalists and political activists.
'We Found Love' singer Rihanna, 24, is scheduled to perform in Baku on Saturday. 'Hips Don't Lie' singer Shakira, 35, is performing in Baku for football organization FIFA's under 17 women's world cup on October 13, and at another venue in the capital on October 14.
International rights groups often have criticized Azerbaijan for curbing public dissent, while the government in Baku says Azerbaijanis enjoy full freedom of speech.
'Amnesty International believes that the Azerbaijani government should afford all artists, journalists, activists and ordinary citizens the right to express themselves freely without fear of reprisal. We hope that you share our belief,' said the letter to Rihanna and Shakira.
Representatives for both singers did not immediately return calls for comment.
(Reporting By Piya Sinha-Roy, editing by Jill Serjeant)
This news article is brought to you by CELEBRITY GOSSIP NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Fans, filmgoers get look at vintage Rolling Stones
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fans celebrating the Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary get a never-before-seen look at the band on tour in 1965 with a new film revealing the young musicians chased by crazed fans, poking fun at musical rivals and playing raw versions of songs that would become legend.
'The Rolling Stones Charlie is my Darling - Ireland 1965,' premiered at the New York Film Festival held this week, featuring painstakingly restored footage from a hand-held camera of the band's two-day journey to Belfast and Dublin.
Shot in the wake of the release of 'A Hard Day's Night' with its close-up look at the Beatles, the filming was an effort to get the Rolling Stones used to being followed around by a camera, said producer Robin Klein. It was shot by filmmaker Peter Whitehead.
'They didn't know what they were going to do with it at the time,' she told reporters at the festival, which like the Stones is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. 'It was just to have them in front of the camera.'
While edgier and darker than many of their musical contemporaries, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts nevertheless exude a youthfulness and affability as they cavort for the camera.
But their sophistication shines through, particularly in Jagger's comments pondering the band's success and the politics of the era. Also on display is the Stones' sexual power, as the notorious front man seduces audiences into such a frenzy that the band is chased off stage in Belfast by excited fans.
The tour took place just weeks after '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' hit the top of the musical charts.
Behind the scenes, the film shows Jagger and Richards playfully singing the Beatles' tunes 'I've Just Seen a Face' and 'Eight Days A Week' and imitating Elvis Presley crooning 'Are You Lonesome Tonight.'
'Charlie' features more than 90,000 hand-restored individual frames, and more than half of it has not been seen publicly before, said director Mick Gochanour.
Two earlier and shorter versions were made from the footage in the 1960s but never formally released, although they made their way into the bootleg market, said film publicist Tracey Jordan.
'Charlie is my Darling,' will be released in DVD and Blu-ray formats as part of a box set on sale worldwide on November 6.
(Editing by Christine Kearney and Marguerita Choy)
This article is brought to you by PICTURES OF GIRLS.
'The Rolling Stones Charlie is my Darling - Ireland 1965,' premiered at the New York Film Festival held this week, featuring painstakingly restored footage from a hand-held camera of the band's two-day journey to Belfast and Dublin.
Shot in the wake of the release of 'A Hard Day's Night' with its close-up look at the Beatles, the filming was an effort to get the Rolling Stones used to being followed around by a camera, said producer Robin Klein. It was shot by filmmaker Peter Whitehead.
'They didn't know what they were going to do with it at the time,' she told reporters at the festival, which like the Stones is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. 'It was just to have them in front of the camera.'
While edgier and darker than many of their musical contemporaries, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts nevertheless exude a youthfulness and affability as they cavort for the camera.
But their sophistication shines through, particularly in Jagger's comments pondering the band's success and the politics of the era. Also on display is the Stones' sexual power, as the notorious front man seduces audiences into such a frenzy that the band is chased off stage in Belfast by excited fans.
The tour took place just weeks after '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' hit the top of the musical charts.
Behind the scenes, the film shows Jagger and Richards playfully singing the Beatles' tunes 'I've Just Seen a Face' and 'Eight Days A Week' and imitating Elvis Presley crooning 'Are You Lonesome Tonight.'
'Charlie' features more than 90,000 hand-restored individual frames, and more than half of it has not been seen publicly before, said director Mick Gochanour.
Two earlier and shorter versions were made from the footage in the 1960s but never formally released, although they made their way into the bootleg market, said film publicist Tracey Jordan.
'Charlie is my Darling,' will be released in DVD and Blu-ray formats as part of a box set on sale worldwide on November 6.
(Editing by Christine Kearney and Marguerita Choy)
This article is brought to you by PICTURES OF GIRLS.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Book of rare Beatles photos offers inside peek at iconic band
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The heyday of Beatlemania may have been nearly 50 years ago, but the Beatles and their music remain loved, scrutinized and relevant to an adoring public forever clamoring for more details of the Fab Four.
A new book, 'LIFE With the Beatles,' gives an inside peek at the band that split up in 1970. It features hundreds of never-before-seen and rare photos by the late Robert Whitaker, who was granted generous access to John, Paul, George and Ringo from 1964 to 1966.
Whitaker, who died last year at 71, was hired by the group's then-manager, Brian Epstein, and documented candid and personal moments from concerts to cover shoots. Editors of Life magazine compiled the photos into the book recently released by Time Home Entertainment Inc.
Whitaker's images end when the band stopped touring in the summer of 1966, but for the preceding two years he captured the Beatles in moments of happiness and humor, mischief and creativity, boredom and fatigue.
'We've used many of Bob's seldom or never-seen-before photographs,' said Barbara Baker Burrows, director of photography for Life Books in New York. 'He tried hard to catalog his work, and on a couple of trips to England I was able to encourage him to dig deeper into his files than he had done before.'
Whitaker's access to the band came after he gained Epstein's trust when the Beatles performed in Australia. Though born in Hertfordshire, Whitaker had moved to Australia and was already a photographer when the Beatles invaded the Southern Hemisphere.
The young photographer initially turned down Epstein when offered a job, but he reconsidered after seeing the group perform.
The close access he was to enjoy for those two years is what makes the photographs unique, said Burrows.
'Bob's time with the Beatles was in an era quite unlike today when a photographer is lucky to get a few minutes with a subject,' she said. 'He also had what Life photographers had - the trust of his subjects, and their respect.'
Whitaker was thrilled by the prospect of the 300-page book's publication, Burrows added, and he often said it was what kept him alive.
'Although he didn't live to see the finished publication, I think that he would be pleased,' she said.
Though his time with the Beatles was likely a career highlight, Burrows said, Whitaker photographed Epstein himself and his other acts including Gerry and the Pacemakers and Cilla Black.
After the Beatles disbanded, Whitaker, who first picked up a camera as a child, had a successful run documenting the art world, photographing Salvador Dali and other luminaries.
But those other career doors were likely opened by the Beatles, a group that remains relevant to music and popular culture today.
'They mirrored the times, and helped create the times,' said Robert Sullivan, managing editor of Life Books. 'Whether you think that was a service or a disservice to society, it was an extraordinary achievement, especially for what was, at bottom and in the beginning, a pretty gritty rock and roll band.'
(Reporting by Nick Olivari; editing by Patricia Reaney and Matthew Lewis)
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A new book, 'LIFE With the Beatles,' gives an inside peek at the band that split up in 1970. It features hundreds of never-before-seen and rare photos by the late Robert Whitaker, who was granted generous access to John, Paul, George and Ringo from 1964 to 1966.
Whitaker, who died last year at 71, was hired by the group's then-manager, Brian Epstein, and documented candid and personal moments from concerts to cover shoots. Editors of Life magazine compiled the photos into the book recently released by Time Home Entertainment Inc.
Whitaker's images end when the band stopped touring in the summer of 1966, but for the preceding two years he captured the Beatles in moments of happiness and humor, mischief and creativity, boredom and fatigue.
'We've used many of Bob's seldom or never-seen-before photographs,' said Barbara Baker Burrows, director of photography for Life Books in New York. 'He tried hard to catalog his work, and on a couple of trips to England I was able to encourage him to dig deeper into his files than he had done before.'
Whitaker's access to the band came after he gained Epstein's trust when the Beatles performed in Australia. Though born in Hertfordshire, Whitaker had moved to Australia and was already a photographer when the Beatles invaded the Southern Hemisphere.
The young photographer initially turned down Epstein when offered a job, but he reconsidered after seeing the group perform.
The close access he was to enjoy for those two years is what makes the photographs unique, said Burrows.
'Bob's time with the Beatles was in an era quite unlike today when a photographer is lucky to get a few minutes with a subject,' she said. 'He also had what Life photographers had - the trust of his subjects, and their respect.'
Whitaker was thrilled by the prospect of the 300-page book's publication, Burrows added, and he often said it was what kept him alive.
'Although he didn't live to see the finished publication, I think that he would be pleased,' she said.
Though his time with the Beatles was likely a career highlight, Burrows said, Whitaker photographed Epstein himself and his other acts including Gerry and the Pacemakers and Cilla Black.
After the Beatles disbanded, Whitaker, who first picked up a camera as a child, had a successful run documenting the art world, photographing Salvador Dali and other luminaries.
But those other career doors were likely opened by the Beatles, a group that remains relevant to music and popular culture today.
'They mirrored the times, and helped create the times,' said Robert Sullivan, managing editor of Life Books. 'Whether you think that was a service or a disservice to society, it was an extraordinary achievement, especially for what was, at bottom and in the beginning, a pretty gritty rock and roll band.'
(Reporting by Nick Olivari; editing by Patricia Reaney and Matthew Lewis)
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