Latest news with #JohnLennon
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Everybody Loves Raymond' creator reveals John Lennon was best man at Peter Boyle's wedding
All you need is love. 'Everybody Loves Raymond' creator Phil Rosenthal recently revealed that John Lennon served as the best man at actor Peter Boyle's 1977 wedding. Rosenthal, 65, shared the surprising news while celebrating 30 years of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' at the Paley Center in New York City on Monday. 11 John Lennon served as the best man at 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Peter Boyle's 1977 wedding. CBS via Getty Images 11 Creator Phil Rosenthal shared the surprising news on Monday during an 'Everybody Loves Raymond' 30-year reunion in NYC. Getty Images Ray Romano (Ray Barone), Patricia Heaton (Debra Barone) and Maggie Wheeler (Linda Gruenfelder) were also in attendance. Boyle, who portrayed Romano's on-screen father, Frank Barone, in all nine seasons of the CBS sitcom from 1996 to 2005, died from multiple myeloma in 2006 at the age of 71. 'Two interesting things about Peter Boyle,' Rosenthal said while remembering the late actor. 'He studied to be a monk when he was younger. I asked him, 'Why'd you give it up?' And he says, 'There weren't enough girls there.'' 11 'Two interesting things about Peter Boyle,' Rosenthal began during a discussion about the late actor. Getty Images 11 'You know who the best man at his wedding was? John Lennon,' Rosenthal revealed. 'He was cool, Peter Boyle.' Bettmann Archive 'And the other thing is, I wonder if you know this. You know who the best man at his wedding was? John Lennon,' Rosenthal added. 'He was cool, Peter Boyle.' Boyle met his wife, Loraine Alterman, in 1974 on the set of Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein.' Alterman was working as a reporter for Rolling Stone magazine at the time, and Boyle, who was starring in the film as Frankenstein's monster, allegedly asked her out while still wearing his costume and makeup. 11 Boyle married his wife, former Rolling Stone reporter Loraine Alterman, in 1977. FilmMagic 11 Alterman was good friends with Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono, which was how Boyle and the Beatles star connected. Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images 'He actually was out of makeup when we met, but let him have it his way,' Alterman clarified during an interview with The New York Times in 2001. The pair began dating, and they married in 1977. Alterman, who also worked as a music critic for Rolling Stone, was friends with Lennon's wife, Yoko Ono. It was through Ono that Boyle became close to the Beatles star. 11 'At the last minute, I asked John to stand in as my best man. And he said yes,' Boyle said in 2005. 'The rest is history.' WireImage 11 'He is John Lennon,' Boyler added one year before his death. 'And everything he does is memorable.' Redferns 'My wife and I had a very low-key wedding,' Boyle told Philadelphia magazine just one year before his death. 'At the last minute, I asked John to stand in as my best man. And he said yes. The rest is history.' 'He is John Lennon,' the actor added, noting that Lennon did not perform at the wedding. 'And everything he does is memorable.' Three years after Boyle and Alterman's wedding, Lennon was tragically shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his residence at The Dakota in NYC on Dec. 8, 1980. The 'Imagine' singer was 40 years old. 11 Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman outside his residence at The Dakota in NYC on Dec. 8, 1980. Getty Images Meanwhile, Rosenthal revealed that he would never reboot 'Everybody Loves Raymond' during the show's 30-year reunion in NYC on Monday. He explained that it would be 'impossible' without Boyle and Doris Roberts. Roberts portrayed Marie Barone on the show and passed away from natural causes in 2016 at the age of 90. 'I'll be honest with you, I'm a student of TV, and I've seen the shows that try to come back and do reboots. They're never as good,' Rosenthal told People shortly before the reunion event kicked off. 'So I'm happy with the memory.' 11 Boyle passed away in 2006 at the age of 71. His 'Everybody Loves Raymond' wife, Doris Roberts, passed away in 2016 at the age of 90. CBS via Getty Images 11 Rosenthal revealed that he would never reboot 'Everybody Loves Raymond' because it would be 'impossible' with Boyle and Roberts. Getty Images 'It's not the show that I miss doing,' he added. 'We did it. We did 210 episodes. That's a lot of anything. We decided to stop when we felt like it was enough. We weren't canceled. We stopped for a reason. What I miss are my friends. That's what I miss. All the people who made the show with us.' Brad Garrett, who played Romano's older brother, Robert Barone, on the beloved sitcom, said something similar when asked about an 'Everybody Loves Raymond' reboot earlier this month. 'There won't be,' Garrett said at the premiere of Disney Pixar's 'Elio' in Los Angeles on June 10. 'And I'm just saying that because that's something that Ray and Phil [Rosenthal] have always said.' 'There is no show without the parents. They were the catalyst, and to do anything that would resemble that wouldn't be right to the audiences or the loyal fan base,' he added. 'And it was about those two families, and you can't get around that.'
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
From bullied teen with an absent father to Italy's first female PM: Giorgia Meloni's rise to right-wing politics in her own words
Autobiography In New York's Central Park there is a memorial to John Lennon that features a mosaic of stones with the word 'Imagine' engraved in the centre. The public artwork remembering the Beatles's most famous lyric was donated by the city of Naples. Giorgia Meloni is not a fan though. 'The world that John Lennon envisioned is not my utopia. Is it truly a dream to imagine a world without borders?' Italy's prime minister writes in I Am Giorgia: My Roots, My Principles.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Beatles Return To Multiple Charts As Fans Keep Buying And Streaming
The Beatles return to U.K. charts with 'Now and Then' and compilation album 1, as fans continue ... More streaming and purchasing the band's classic material. Promotional studio portrait of The Beatles, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, 1963 (Photo by Daily Herald Archive/National Science & Media Museum/SSPL via Getty Images) It's a quiet week for The Beatles on the music charts in the United Kingdom, which means the group appears on only a handful of tallies. Still, it seems that British citizens will never stop consuming the music the Fab Four created, whether through hugely popular compilations or steady buying and streaming activity of individual tunes. The Beatles return to multiple rankings in the country this week, as both a hit single and a massively popular album manage to reappear. The Beatles claim just one popular track in the U.K. this week, as "Now and Then" becomes a bestseller once more. The tune, which was released in 2023 and marketed as the final release by The Beatles, reenters the Official Physical Singles chart at No. 50. "Now and Then"—which earned the group a new Grammy Award only months ago—never stays away from this tally for long. It has now spent 78 weeks somewhere on the list of the top-selling tracks on any physical format, including nearly two months at No. 1. The Beatles also appear with multiple charting albums at the moment, but only one had to return. 1, a compilation of the group's No. 1 hits, finds its way back to the Official Album Downloads chart at No. 93. Among all of the band's projects that performed well enough to appear on at least one list, 1 is the longest-charting, as it is now up to 238 weeks on the ranking of the most-downloaded titles in the country. 1 is also the only full-length by The Beatles this week to appear on just a single roster. The Beatles typically keep two related compilations on the charts, and both are still present at the moment. 1967–1970 and 1962–1966 take up space on both the Official Albums chart and Official Albums Streaming ranking. Only 1967–1970 manages to climb, as it ascends two spots on the streaming-only tally, while in every other instance, the projects — which contain the singles the band released during the years in the albums' titles — are falling. Interestingly, there's no crossover between the two connected compilations and 1, as it seems that both 1967–1970 and 1962–1966 perform especially well on platforms like Spotify, which may be keeping them going on the charts, while 1 is a bestseller.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Athens workshop where celebrities shop
At the foot of the Acropolis, one family has been handcrafting leather sandals for more than a century, fitting the feet of Sophia Loren and John Lennon. Now, a new generation is reinterpreting the family's legacy of bespoke footwear. Before Athens had hundreds of souvenir shops, it had the self-appointed "Poet Sandal Maker". A craftsman and writer of poetry, Stavros Melissinos was the first modern cobbler to adapt Ancient Greek-style leather sandals into fashion-forward everyday footwear. By the mid-1950s, his designs had caught on among the jet-set crowd crisscrossing Europe. Sophia Loren stopped by to have a pair of sandals made while filming Boy on a Dolphin in Greece. Then came Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and John Lennon, who discovered the humble workshop at the foot of the Acropolis while visiting Greece in search of an island to buy. Melissinos inherited the shop, originally opened in 1920 by his father and uncle, and transformed it into a hub for art, literature and creative leatherwork. As I sit in the eclectic Melissinos Art – The Poet Sandal Maker atelier, I can't help but think of the many famous faces who have passed through these doors. In the early 2000s, Melissinos retired and passed the torch to his son, Pantelis, a playwright and artist in his own right. Part studio, part stage, the space is filled with relics of celebrity visits: a signed headshot of Sarah Jessica Parker to my right; a photo of Pantelis with Bob Saget to my left; and a catalogue of sandal styles bearing names like "The Maria Callas" and "The Jeremy Irons" in front of me. As Pantelis custom-fits a pair of Spartan sandals for a woman from Charleston, South Carolina, his white dog Poy-Poy curls up in an antique armchair beside a hand-painted, abstract-style coffee table that wouldn't be out of place in the MoMA. Customers don't just come for the sandals. They flock here for a distinctly Greek experience. After all, sandals have long been a symbol of status and craftsmanship in Greece. The word sandal is derived from the Greek sandálion, with depictions of the footwear appearing in myths like that of Hermes, the messenger god often portrayed with winged sandals. Worn by philosophers, actors and warriors alike, these traditional sandals – often made from leather and cork – embodied the intersection of utility and fashion in Ancient Greece, with various styles reflecting the wearer's gender, age and even social status in the community. When Stavros began crafting Ancient Greek-style sandals, which at the time were primarily used in theatrical performances, for everyday wear, it helped propel his shop into the international spotlight long before people discovered the poet's sandals via social media. "Back then, everything spread through word of mouth," says Pantelis. Mykonos was booming, thanks in part to frequent visits by Greek shopping magnate Aristotle Onassis, his wife, Jackie, and their entourage of luminaries like Elizabeth Taylor and Maria Callas. "When people saw these icons wearing our sandals, it created a ripple effect that brought international attention to our small shop." One of the most legendary brushes with fame came in 1967 when The Beatles dropped by. "My older brother was just 13 at the time and happened to be there," says Pantelis. "He was such a huge fan that he nearly had a heart attack seeing his idols being fitted for sandals. Later, I asked my father why he didn't get their autographs… He simply said, 'They should have gotten my autograph instead.' That moment perfectly captures his quiet confidence." Stavros used the shop not just as a place to craft sandals, but also as a platform for sharing the poetry that he wrote. It was this artistic combination that drew visitors in and made the experience impossible to replicate, even though the shop has had its fair share of copycats over the years. Stavros is now in his 90s, but the shop's cachet hasn't faded. Recently, Pantelis made sandals for the Bidens. "At first, I didn't recognise them," he says. "It was only when Ashley Biden introduced herself that it clicked. Suddenly, I realised the workshop had been quietly surrounded by Secret Service." On any given day, the atelier attracts a small crowd of people eager to get their hands on a pair of his handmade sandals. Pantelis, who draws inspiration from Ancient Greek mythology and modern art, uses full-grain, vegetable-tanned leathers from Crete to create pieces like the minimal double-strap Socrates and Diogenes sandals. The natural-coloured leather darkens to a rich brown over time – a patina that can be sped up with baby oil or Vaseline. Each pair takes about 30 minutes to make, though wait times vary depending on how busy the shop is. Pantelis compares the atmosphere to a "spontaneous little party", especially during Greece's high season between May and October. But not far away, another workshop also carries the family name, though its approach is slightly different. While Pantelis inherited the original sandal shop, his younger sister, Olgianna, carved her own path with Olgianna Melissinos Sandals. "I wanted to continue the legacy, but on my own terms," she says. Though her father never formally taught her his craft, she absorbed his techniques during summers spent working in the family shop and opened her atelier in 2004. "One day, when I was watching my hands working, it was like a choreography of my dad's hands," she says. "But after a certain point, you create your own choreography." How to visit: • Melissinos Art – The Poet Sandal Maker is on the corner of Diakou and Tzireon, less than a 10-minute walk from the Acropolis. • To purchase sandals, customers must visit the workshop in person to be fitted and place their order (credit cards, cash, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted). You don't need to make an appointment, but fittings can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours or longer depending on the model. • The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 • Sandals start at €150 That natural instinct, paired with her focus on comfort and elegance, has earned her a loyal clientele, some of whom make her shop their first stop after touching down in Athens. Her approach includes giving guests the option to create brightly coloured or metallic leather sandals in addition to the classic natural-hued ones. Part of what motivates Olgianna is the desire to make every person feel good. She recalls designing a pair of sandals for a woman in her 50s who wasn't happy with the way her feet looked in open-toed shoes. "She came to the shop in tears and said, 'I walked about 3km in your shoes and this is the first time in my life that I actually felt elegant'," says Olgianna. "I got emotional, too." For Olgianna, sandal-making is as much about people as it is about craft. "They remember the experience and the conversation." That human connection is one of the driving forces behind more travellers seeking out handcrafted mementos rather than touristy trinkets. According to Expedia's travel trends report for 2025, nearly half of surveyed travellers say they now prioritise locally made specialty items they can't purchase at home. "People are often surprised by how vibrant and creative the Greek design scene is," says Agathi Kefala, an Athens-based guide who leads shopping tours through Withlocals. "There's a deep sense of pride in the craftsmanship, and guests can actually see the process, hear the stories and connect with the maker." More like this: • Is it time to change how we buy travel souvenirs? • A style icon's expert guide to shopping in Paris • Bodegas: The small corner shops that run NYC After constantly being asked for shopping recommendations from friends and family, Kefala saw an opportunity to share some of her favourite spots that are not typically found in guidebooks. Today, she leads travellers to shops specialising in handmade ceramics, leather goods, linen clothing, olive oil, honey and organic skincare. Since launching her tours in 2018, she's seen firsthand the rising interest in craft shopping experiences. Still, the preservation of these traditions isn't guaranteed. "The factories that once supplied us with rubber and other materials have either closed down or are in the process of closing," says Pantelis. While sourcing materials locally is becoming more challenging, the story may not end with this generation. Olgianna is hopeful this millennia-old tradition will continue for generations to come. In a city shaped by myths and legends, the Melissinos name still holds its weight. And for travellers seeking a souvenir with a story, these Athenian sandals are nothing short of wearable poetry. -- If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week. For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Time Magazine
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
The Top 10 Songs of All Time According to AI
This article is published by a partner of TIME. Music has always been a universal language, capturing emotions, memories, and stories in ways that few other mediums can. Each of us has a personal list of favorite songs that have left lasting impacts, whether through lyrical beauty, instrumental brilliance, or nostalgic appeal. Over the years, countless attempts have been made to define the "greatest songs of all time." For example, Rolling Stone magazine's frequently updated list of iconic songs has long been a touchstone for music lovers. Similarly, the BBC and VH1 have each curated lists that combine critical acclaim, historical impact, and popular appeal. We used research assistance from ChatGPT to comb through thousands of sources to determine the most universally beloved and culturally significant songs of all time. Here are the top 10 songs that AI ranks above the rest. Note that AI can produce "hallucinations" (inaccuracies or mistakes), and we question whether number seven on this list deserves to be included in the top 10. We would instead have preferred to see a song from the Rolling Stones or The Who in the number seven spot. 1. "Bohemian Rhapsody" – Queen Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is often lauded as a rock masterpiece, known for its operatic segments, powerful guitar solos, and hauntingly poetic lyrics. Freddie Mercury's unique composition blends rock, opera, and ballad into one cohesive piece, making it both innovative and emotionally resonant. 2. "Imagine" – John Lennon John Lennon's 'Imagine' envisions a world united in peace, free from divisive boundaries. It became an anthem for hope and activism. Its gentle melody and straightforward lyrics evoke a sense of calm, yet the song's message remains as relevant as ever. 3. "Like a Rolling Stone" – Bob Dylan Bob Dylan's 'Like a Rolling Stone' revolutionized popular music with its raw sound and lyrical depth. The six-minute track defied industry norms, paving the way for artistic freedom in rock music. Dylan's biting lyrics capture disillusionment with society in a way that remains powerful today. Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' combines acoustic balladry with hard rock, building intensity through a carefully crafted crescendo. Its mystical lyrics and epic guitar solos make it a favorite among rock enthusiasts and guitarists alike. 6. "What's Going On" – Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' is a soulful plea for peace and understanding, reflecting the social and political upheavals of the 1970s. The song's smooth, soulful sound paired with its powerful message resonates with listeners across generations. 7. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' defined the grunge movement of the early 1990s, resonating with a generation frustrated by conformity. Kurt Cobain's enigmatic lyrics and the song's raw energy made it a staple of alternative rock. 8. "Hey Jude" – The Beatles 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles is a comforting ballad with a sing-along outro that has captivated audiences worldwide. Paul McCartney's lyrics offer empathy and encouragement, creating an enduring song that transcends generations. 9. "Hotel California" – Eagles The Eagles' 'Hotel California' tells a haunting story of excess and entrapment in the guise of a laid-back rock ballad. Its iconic guitar solo and mysterious lyrics have made it an enduring classic in the rock genre. 10. "Respect" – Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' became an anthem for both civil rights and women's empowerment. Her powerful vocals and the song's demand for recognition resonate across decades, making it a timeless hit. Conclusion on Top Songs These ten songs, spanning decades and genres, represent some of the most influential and enduring tracks in music history. Each song's unique combination of artistry, social impact, and popularity has earned its place as one of the greatest of all time. Whether through powerful messages, genre-defining styles, or unforgettable performances, these songs are the soundtracks to lives across the world. Related Articles: About the Authors: Richard D. Harroch is a Senior Advisor to CEOs, management teams, and Boards of Directors. He is an expert on M&A, venture capital, startups, and business contracts. He was the Managing Director and Global Head of M&A at VantagePoint Capital Partners, a venture capital fund in the San Francisco area. His focus is on internet, digital media, AI and technology companies. He was the founder of several Internet companies. His articles have appeared online in Forbes, Fortune, MSN, Yahoo, Fox Business and Richard is the author of several books on startups and entrepreneurship as well as the co-author of Poker for Dummies and a Wall Street Journal-bestselling book on small business. He is the co-author of a 1,500-page book published by Bloomberg on mergers and acquisitions of privately held companies. He was also a corporate and M&A partner at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. He has been involved in over 200 M&A transactions and 250 startup financings. He can be reached through LinkedIn. Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has acted as a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
