All Things Beatles

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The Beatles with Paul's dog, Martha.
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In 1965 soon after buying his house on Cavendish Avenue, Paul McCartney bought his first pet, an Old English sheepdog puppy he named the dog Martha. She was born June 16, 1966.

“She was a dear pet of mine. I remember John (Lennon) being amazed to see me being so loving to an animal.” He said, ‘I’ve never seen you like that before.’ I’ve since thought, you know, he wouldn’t have. It’s only when you’re cuddling around with a dog that you’re in that mode, and she was a very cuddly dog.”
❤️


In 1997, McCartney revealed that Martha had been the inspiration behind the song “Martha My Dear” and that it was not a message of love to Jane Asher, who McCartney intended to marry in 1968 and who many listeners thought the song was actually about.

Martha died in 1981 at the age of 15 at McCartney’s farm house in Mull of Kintyre, Scotland.


 
It was 61 years ago today. The Beatles sang "On Moonlight Bay."

 
The Beatles' Decca audition tape found on a reel-to-reel in Vancouver record shop: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/arts/music/beatles-vancouver-demo-session.html
Understandably, Frith isn't looking to sell this priceless artefact, but he has said Frith that he is willing to give Decca a copy if they wish to correct their historical faux pas and release it. Alternatively, he says that if Paul McCartney visits his record shop, he will hand over the recording to him in person.
:heart:

ETA: I just learned that artefact is the original (British) English spelling.
 
Over at the Steve Hoffman Music Forums, someone posted this list of Beatle songs about animals:

The Long and Winding Toad
There's a Plaice
A Hard Day's Newt
Happiness Is a Warm Gnu
You Never Give Me Your Monkey
Carry That Whale
Eight Jays a Week
The Foal on the Hill
I Want to Hold Your Hound
Martha My Deer
You've Got to Hide Your Dove Away
Drive My Cat
Fixing a Mole
Maxwell's Silver Hamster
 
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