0/5

Airdate: A Grammy Salute to The Beatles

A who's who of international acts join Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in a 2 hour anniversary special.

2014-01-31_0100Foxtel’s anticipated special A Grammy Salute to The Beatles will air in late February in a special simulcast presentation on FOX8, Arena and MAX.

The special, which was recorded this week in the US, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles’ debut on American television. Airing in the US on February 9th, 50 years to the day of their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, it features a who’s who of international acts alongside Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and the widows of John Lennon and George Harrison.

Recorded in Los Angeles this week, this two hour concert features a cavalcade of powerhouse artists, Stevie Wonder, Eurythmics, Dave Grohl, Alicia Keys, John Legend, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Brad Paisley, Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Gary Clark Jr., Joe Walsh and Jeff Lynne, covering songs performed by the iconic pop outfit on that show, as well as other classics from their prolific songbook. This highly-anticipated event also sees surviving Beatles, Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, reunite on stage.

The Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show is considered a milestone in American pop culture. Attracting 74 million viewers, it is one of the most watched television events ever. A Grammy Salute to The Beatles highlights the legacy of the seven time GRAMMY-winners, with the performances interspersed with archival footage of the Fab Four.

Featuring world-first performances in honour of the music legends, the special opens with Maroon 5 performing All My Loving, the first song the Beatles played on the show. Highlights include John Mayer and Keith Urban teaming up for Don’t Let Me Down; Alicia Keys and John Legend’s two piano performance of Let It Be to a standing ovation; Pharrell Williams and Brad Praisley joining forces on Here Comes The Sun; Katy Perry’s heartfelt rendition of Yesterday; Stevie Wonder’s take on We Can Work It Out; as well as the long-awaited reunion of the Eurythmics with Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart performing Fool On The Hill.

However, no one plays a Beatles song quite like a Beatle as proven when Ringo Starr takes to the stage to deliver Match Box, Boys and Yellow Submarine. Sir Paul McCartney follows with memorable performances of Magical Mystery Tour, Birthday, Get Back, I Saw Her Standing There and the 1967 classic, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The concert culminates in a momentous event as Paul and Ringo reunite on stage to perform With A Little Help From My Friends.

Sunday February 23 at 6.30pm on FOX8, Arena and MAX.

Leave a Reply