Fifty years ago tonight, on February 9th, 1964, The Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in CBS Studio 50 to a broadcast audience of 73 million viewers. The largest television audience in history up to that date. CBS received more than 50,000 requests for the 750 seats in Studio 50.

Before their Ed Sullivan appearance, The Beatles had played more than 1,000 live shows. Few people in the general public understand that this is why they were so good by this date. Their electrifying performance on Ed Sullivan was the culmination of almost 8 years of work. They exploded on the American public, fully formed.

This could never happen again. The world is too connected now. When thousands of kids were trying to get into the 250 capacity Cavern Club in Liverpool, years before Ed Sullivan, it would have been Twittered and put on Youtube today. The Beatles had the benefit of being able to grow organically, without hype, into what Eric Clapton would call “The Four Headed beast”.

The Beatles performance on Ed Sullivan was so good and so unique that we are still talking about it 50 years later.

Today’s music industry is largely filled with mediocre talent, saturation marketing, and hype. Some of the horrendous performances on the 2014 Grammys prove this… but on February 9th 1964, America saw a fully formed professional band whose performance and talent has never been equaled, and likely never will be.

George has received industry VIP invitations to the 2014 Brit Awards.

As well as planning for the 2014 MPG Awards and London Fashion Week A/W 14.

His 2014 London schedule has completely changed due to film planning and the beginning of principle cinematography on his London based thriller.

George will also be attending (The Sundance Film Festival) “Sundance London” this spring.

Phil Everly Has Died. The Everly Brothers are part of the foundation of Rock and Roll. They had a profound, seminal, and lasting influence on many of the greatest musical acts in history, and indeed on rock and roll and pop music to this day.

The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds, The Mamas & The Papas, and Bob Dylan were all directly and seminally influenced by the Everly Brothers.

A large part of The Beatles pop harmonies and vocal delivery onstage can be directly attributable to the Everly Brothers influence.

I was very fortunate to see them live several times.

They had a level of song-craft and musical talent that is rarely if ever seen in today’s music industry.

Paul McCartney… “When we first heard them we were blown away”!

Godspeed Phil Everly.

Phil Ramone was one of the greatest record producers of all time, one of the all time standard bearers of versatility and excellence in the production world, and simply one of the longest held and greatest heroes in my musical life. I last saw Phil in 2009 in London, which was funny as it was rare to see him in London.

My A & R Rolodex Card from 1979.

Everything that I could ever be as a record producer has some piece of Phil in it.   Thanks Phil!

Phil was very calm, and I am not calm.

That is maybe the greatest lesson on sessions I could take from him

Godspeed Phil!

(February 20th 2013)

We had phenomenal seats in the first section stage right for this years Brits, and I can only Thank Geoff Taylor and the BPI ticketing office for this. It was great to see my old friend Robbie Williams back onstage in full form. Justin Timberlake was outstanding singing to a live band. Emeli Sande cleaned house as I told her she would, and also ended the show with a stunning and real performance. Overall the show was smooth and lacked any outrageous controversy that the Brits are known for. We got a surprise and met MPG Chairman Steve Levine and his wife backstage after the show. The champagne was flowing. Millie looked awesome in her black bandage dress….. It’s always a special night to be so close to the action for a show that is going out to many millions. Looking forward to many more with so many special people surrounding my world.

Separate photo album for Brits and MPG Awards 2013, and London Fashion Week 2013 being put up soon.

I have been confirmed to attend the MPG Awards in London on February 7th, two weeks before the Brits.

To say that it will be a special night is an understatement. The Guild is honoring its greatest member and founding patron Sir George Martin. Arguably the greatest record producer of all time and without question the guiding steward of the greatest band in history, Sir George will receive the “Outstanding Contribution To British Music Award” (The MPG’s highest honor).

George Martin is not only one of the most talented persons in the history of popular music, but one of the most generous, interested and nicest people one could ever meet.

It has been one of the great privileges of my musical life to have had the interaction I have had with him, and I along with everyone else am very excited and look forward to seeing him again on the 7th.

I have had to give up my Grammy Tickets for the second year in a row as I will be in London from February 7th forward, for work, meetings on my film, and the Brit Awards on the 20th, and beyond.

During Grammy Week in LA, The Producers and Engineer’s Wing of the Recording Academy is honoring Quincy Jones, one of my greatest heroes. I would have loved to be there but London is calling.

I’m very happy to announce that the BPI has confirmed and seen fit to allocate two industry VIP tickets to me for the 2013 Brit Awards and BPI After Show Party. I must be doing something right.

I will also be on the guest list for at least two major label group parties following the official BPI gig.

My Lawyers, Agent, Manager, and everyone surrounding me in the music industry know to never ever doubt my Rolodex or my relentless determination.

Report on the night to follow. Can’t say more than every beautiful woman I know in London could be in the same room at the same time.

I’m quite fortunate to have been in and around the major fashion world for many years now by virtue of the intersection of orbits surrounding the music business. I’ve been to two major fashion shows in my life, Herve Leger (when Herve owned it) and Dolce and Gabbana. I’ve have had the surreal experience of getting into it with Suzy Menkes on one occasion in Paris. I’ve also been invited to many smaller shows over the years that showcase rising fashion talent. It’s no secret that I have more than a passing interest in fashion photography and that  I’ve spent a significant amount of time at Central St Martins over the years and was pleased to do so again in 2012 at the stunning new campus in King’s Cross.

I don’t know what comes first, the relentless hard work or the magic. Or do they exists as one?  Then forcefully finding the reasonable balance between art and commerce without destroying artistic vision. If one thing is certain it’s that some of the most brilliant artists in fashion design history have become close to fully formed at St Martins.

David Koma is one of these designers. I was aware of David right after his graduate showcase at St. Martins, long before Kylie came calling.

His stunning, jaw dropping sculptural designs and modern baby-doll dresses make a woman look so good that it hurts. I’ve rarely seen a designer hit so hard right out of the gate.When I saw Kylie at the amfAR inspiration gala 2010 in LA she was wearing a stunning dress that David had made.

I’ve contacted David about the possibility of dressing a new girl group.

David Koma is a stunning visual force and inspiring artist.

2013 London Fashion Week show in February .

Guess who’s coming with me?