Quick Takes: George Harrison, The Byrds, Tony Iommi & John Bonham

Released yesterday (December 16th) was the first official video for George Harrison's 1970 chart-topper, "My Sweet Lord." The remixed track is featured on the recently issued 50th anniversary box set edition of All Things Must Pass, with the Harrison estate — led by widow Olivia and Dhani Harrison — producing and appearing in the comedic new clip. Among the high profile cameos in the video are Ringo Starr, ELO's Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh, Mark Hamill, Saturday Night Live alumnus Fred Armisen and Vanessa Bayer, Reggie Watts, Jon Hamm, Patton Oswalt, Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Rosanna Arquette, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Natasha Legerro, and many more.
Available for pre-order is the deluxe The Byrds: 1964-1967 — a large-format tabletop book chronicling the first classic era of the band. The project marks the first time in over three decades that surviving co-founders Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Chris Hillman have collaborated on a collective project together. The book spotlights more than 500 images from legendary photographers such as Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, Curt Gunther, Jim Marshall, Linda McCartney, Tom Gundelfinger O’Neal, and Guy Webster. The Byrds: 1964-1967 also includes restored images from the Columbia Records archives and the personal archives of the band’s original manager.
- The tome will be published in four configurations: a Standard Version, a Deluxe Limited Edition, a Super Deluxe Limited Edition, and a Super Deluxe Limited Edition with Fine Art Print. While the future Deluxe Limited Edition will be signed. The Super Deluxe Limited Editions — are available for presale now at byrdsbook.com. (Press release)
During a recent chat with BBC Radio, Black Sabbath founder Tony Iommi recalled how back in the day the great John Bonham had difficulty keeping his drum seat in many local bands. The guitarist recalled, "It was a good little scene in Birmingham at the time. There was the Move. And there was the Band Of Joy, which was Robert Plant's band — and John Bonham's. And I used to see John regularly every few weeks because we used to do an alternate week at this venue. And every other week in between there was another band. Quite more often than not, John Bonham was in the new band because he lasted for a week (in the old one) because they fired him as he was too loud. We would turn up again and he'd be in another band." (Ultimate-Guitar.com)