THE BEATLES: 50th anniversary of India visit on the way
As we approach the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' visit to India, there's an effort to restore the ashram where they studied under the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi -- and wrote classic White Album songs such as "Back in the U.S.S.R." and "Dear Prudence."
The New York Times reports that the enclave near the Ganges River fell into disrepair -- especially after the Maharishi moved to Europe. Now Rishikesh trades off the Beatles connection. There's an open-air Beatles Cathedral Gallery, a cafe that plays Beatles music and plans for a Beatles-Maharishi museum.
And The Beatles' hometown is also remembering their Indian journey. Liverpool's Beatles Story museum will open a new exhibit marking 50 years since the Fab Four found the Maharishi.
ERIC CLAPTON: Ashamed of remarks he made in the 70's
Eric Clapton says his most shameful moment in the new documentary Life in 12 Bars is the examination of remarks he made on stage one night in 1976.
Clapton expressed support for white nationalist politician Enoch Powell during a show in Birmingham, England by saying, "I don’t want you here, in the room or in my country. Listen to me, man! I think we should vote for Enoch Powell. Enoch’s our man. I think Enoch’s right, I think we should send them all back. Stop Britain from becoming a black colony. Get the foreigners out."
Clapton has apologized many times over the past 40 years for the comments, which helped inspired the Rock Against Racism movement in England. In a new Q-and-A session for the film, he says it was a low point in his addiction and that he's "disgusted" with himself for his "fascistic" comments "I sabotaged everything I got involved with. I was so ashamed of who I was, a kind of semi-racist, which didn’t make sense. Half of my friends were black, I dated a black woman, and I championed black music."
BRIAN WILSON: High school grade gets changed
Brian Wilson is now officially an A student.
The creator of the '60s classic "Be True to Your School" recently returned to his alma mater, Southern California's Hawthorne High School, where believe it or not, he once failed a music course!
He tweets that teacher Fred Morgan originally gave him an F for an original composition. That tune became "Surfin'," the first Beach Boys single. Decades later, Morgan had second thoughts. Brian’s failing grade has now been changed to an A by the school's current principal, Dr. Vanessa Landesfeind!
Brian tweeted a photo with Landesfeind, showing him holding the revised report card.
STEPHEN STILLS: Looks back on playing with Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix's collaboration with Stephen Stills highlights Both Sides of the Sky, billed as the final album of new material from the guitar god's archive.
On a pre-CSNY version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock," Hendrix played sideman on an upbeat, keyboard-driven take. Stills recalls the 1969 session for Rolling Stone: "At one point, Hendrix picked up a bass and they started playing the song. I wanted to see what would happen playing that with him. He was just the gentlest guy. Watching him play was like watching the greatest athlete you ever saw, like Julius Irving or Muhammad Ali. It was unbelievable. He taught me to quit thinking and let it happen."
Both Sides of the Sky is due in March.