Today’s Hidden Gem

Elvis covering “Get Back”

The King starts off by singing “Little Sister”, but then kicks things into gear at the 1:35 mark.

Today’s Hidden Gem

Dana Fuchs Band - “Helter Skelter”

That voice is just insane.

Today’s Hidden Gem

Prince’s guitar solo on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”

This took place during George’s induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Dhani, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne also joined in on the performance.

Today’s Hidden Gem

The Birthday Boy, Buddy Guy, singing “Money (That’s What I Want)”

There are very few guitarists out there that could ever play like this dude.

Today’s Hidden Gem

Ringo as the Mock Turtle in “Alice in Wonderland”

Here’s a clip of the Fab drummer singing “Nonsense” from this 1985 TV special.

Also, the dialogue here is just priceless.

Today’s Hidden Gem

The Beatles 1st U.S. Visit, in Washington D.C.

Here’s the Fab Four performing during their first U.S. visit.  The performance features “She Loves You”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, “Please Please Me” and Ringo’s fantastic rotating drumset.

Today’s Hidden Gem

The Beatles - “And I Love Her” (Anthology Version)

This is one of the early takes of the song that I actually prefer over the final version - probably because it features some bigger and better percussion from our friend Ringo.

Today’s Hidden Gem

Paul rehearsing “Blackbird”

I love the close-up of the feet tapping.  Killer shoes too, Paul.

Today’s Hidden Gem

Helen Shapiro singing “Look Who It Is”

The Beatles first national tour came in 1963 as the supporting act for Helen Shapiro.  They even wrote the song “Misery” for her, but EMI in all their wisdom decided to not have her sing it.  Here she is performing on the “Ready, Steady, Go!” show in 1963 with three of the four Beatles.

There’s John with his usual smirks and weird looks, Ringo with his innocent smile and George with some surprising aggression (1:38 mark).  Surprisingly, there’s no Paul in sight.

Today’s Hidden Gem

Ringo pays tribute to John with “I Call Your Name”

Usually this would be no big deal — a Beatle covering a Beatles song.  But in this case, Ringo’s backup band consists of Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Joe Walsh and Jim Keltner.

Not too shabby.

Today’s Hidden Gem

John performing an acoustic version of “Dear Yoko”

It’s almost eerie to watch this knowing that the footage is from a few months before Lennon was killed.  The first few seconds though is classic John weirdness, which is great.

(via Fark)

Today’s Hidden Gem

George Harrison aka “Pirate Bob” singing “The Pirate Song”

I think my hours upon hours of Youtube watching have finally paid off.  This thing is absolutely incredible.

Today’s Hidden Gem - Part II

Paul and Ringo singing “With a Little Help From My Friends”

Reunion tour, please.

Today’s Hidden Gem

The Beatles performing Shakespeare

John with his pony tails and blacked out tooth kills me every time.

Today’s Hidden Gem

George and Ringo working on “Octopus’s Garden”

This is a clip from the Let It Be film that pretty well repesents the beginning of the end for the Fab Four - John is off in the corner with Yoko while George and Ringo are doing their thing and acting friendly. Then Paul walks in with his kids and immediately asks what they’re doing.