Pattie Boyd, the former wife of Beatle George Harrison, has confessed she regrets being wooed by Eric Clapton.

The model married Harrison in 1970 but the marriage lasted seven years.

She tied the knot with Clapton, a friend of her former husband, two years later and the pair split in 1989.

“Eric kept coming over and began declaring his love and passion for me,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

“Because I was being ignored by my husband and being young I found it irresistible.

“Maybe if we weren’t so young, maybe we could have made it work,” she added.

Cynthia, Pattie, and the Beatles

Former wives of John Lennon and George Harrison in Yerevan

Pattie Boyd and Cynthia Lennon during their live interview at the Special Events Auditorium. German Avagyan

by Maria Titizian

Published: Saturday November 14, 2009 in Cafesjian Center for the Arts

Yerevan – John Lennon and George Harrison were two of the four Beatles, one of the most iconic rock groups in history. Their former wives, Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd, were in Yerevan for the grand opening of the Cafesjian Center for the Arts last week. They took part in a live interview with Michael De Marsche, the museum’s executive director, in the brand-new and beautifully appointed Special Events Auditorium, located at the top floor of the complex.

The first-time-ever joint appearance of Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd, took place in Yerevan. Arranging for that to happen was no small feat, according to De Marsche, who recounted the many telephone calls and arrangements that the museum made to ensure their participation at the opening. Watching the interaction of these two phenomenal women on stage was like taking a trip down memory lane.

Those in attendance at the live interview at the Cafesjian Center for the Arts cut across a large swath of Armenian society, including Armenia’s deputy foreign minister Arman Kirakossian who was there with his family. Their nostalgia for the Beatles has a deeper meaning.

The music of the Beatles was repressed during the Soviet era but an underground culture was able to smuggle in and disseminate their music in innovative ways. Their influence was immense; some like the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, would say that the cultural, social, and musical revolution they inspired manifested itself years down the road. “More than any ideology, more than any religion, more than Vietnam or any war or nuclear bomb, the single most important reason for the diffusion of the Cold War was the Beatles,” Mr. Gorbachev has said.

For over an hour, Cynthia and Pattie disclosed intimate moments they shared with their husbands and each other, from fame to drug abuse, to alcoholism, and eventually to break-ups both marital and musical. Those turbulent early years when the Beatles were on the road to becoming one of the most legendary music groups of all times, the wives were along for the ride. However, as they recounted, the ride wasn’t always smooth. Pattie Boyd was very honest when recalling that tumultuous time of her life, “With a lot of help from a psychotherapist I have learned and am a much stronger person now. I am thankful to be free.”

“We have survived,” Cynthia Lennon said. “We have lost so many people along the way.” Indeed, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are the sole surviving members of the Beatles. John Lennon was shot and killed in front of his apartment building on December 8, 1980, by Mark David Chapman. George Harrison died of lung cancer in his Hollywood Hills mansion on November 29, 2001.

Cynthia Lennon, nee Powell, met John Lennon at the Liverpool Art College in 1957. “We were young and very much in love,” she recalled. The two married in 1962, after Cynthia became pregnant with their son, Julian. Lennon left her shortly after their return from India in 1968 to be with Yoko Ono. In 1978, Cynthia wrote A Twist of Lennon, which included her own illustrations and poetry, and a later biography on the famous Beatle titled simply, John in 2005.

Pattie Boyd was a model and photographer. In the 60s she modeled in London, New York, and Paris and appeared on the UK and Italian covers of Vogue. She met George Harrison in 1964 when she was cast in The Beatles film “A Hard Day’s Night.” She said at the time that Harrison was “the most beautiful man I had ever seen.” They were married in 1966; Paul McCartney was the best man. They divorced in 1974, after which Boyd married Eric Clapton. One of the audience members asked her how she came to be with Clapton. “Eric kept coming over [to the house she shared with Harrison] and began declaring his love and passion for me,” she said. “Because I was being ignored by my husband and being young, I found it irresistible. Maybe if we weren’t so young, maybe we could have made it work.”

Boyd’s book, Wonderful Today: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me, which came out in 2007, was on the New York Times bestseller list.

For both Cynthia and Pattie, their fondest memories go back to the time they were all in India in 1968, after the Beatles renounced drugs and became followers of Indian mystic Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. “It was an idyllic, positive situation at the foothills of the Himalayas,” said Ms. Boyd. “I loved it there.”

“The holidays, the times we went away together” is what Cynthia Lennon remembers as the best times.

“When George, John, Cynthia, and I went to Tahiti and sailed on a boat” is what Pattie Boyd said was her fondest memory.

They were hard-pressed to reveal which Beatle song they liked most. “They’re all so different. It’s here, there, and everywhere,” said Cynthia. “But I think that Sergeant Pepper was the most unbelievable album.”

Pressed to say which Beatles song she liked most, Boyd – who is known to be the inspiration for some of George Harrison’s songs – said, “It’s difficult to say which one is my favorite, but ‘All You Need is Love,’ is so strong and profound.”

Someone from the audience wanted to know if there were any hidden messages in the Beatles’ songs. “No, people wanted there to be messages, but there weren’t any,” Cynthia assured the audience.

Questions were asked about what Cynthia’s son, Julian Lennon, was doing musically. Cynthia explained that he completed an album about a year ago, but is still trying to get the best deal, “hopefully by next year.”

Following the live interview, the two women were available for book signings and Pattie’s exhibition of photographs was opened to the public. Ms. Boyd spent a few minutes speaking with the Armenian Reporter, in between signing her books.

She said that this was her first visit to Armenia and to the region in general. “After this book signing, I can’t wait to go out and explore the city,” she smiled. “I want to go to Vernissage and the museum at Republic Square.”

About the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, she said: “I am so blown away; I think this is the most exciting building I have ever seen architecturally; it is so wonderful. I want to bring my friends from London here next year.” She went on to explain that the design of the museum, the different installations on each floor and the gardens were “absolutely beautiful. It’s so beautifully done and the attention to detail is exquisite.”

Cynthia Lennon and Pattie Boyd both seem to have have found peace and happiness. “I am very, very happy,” Cynthia explained. “The one person who has given me strength and hope is my son and my new husband…. It’s important to still have a sense of humor.”

(c) 2009 Armenian Reporter

• ON VOX:

http://fredvidal.vox.com/library/post/fred-vidal-diffuses-the-country-indian-reservation-to-the-memory-of-the-fort-hood-victims-attack.html

Fred Vidal Diffuses The Country INDIAN RESERVATION To The Memory Of The Fort Hood Victims.

I.R. is B-Side of Single SILLY in progress on Youtube (130 views in 72 hours). Songs are written by Fred Vidal, ASCAP registered. Fred is also a Screen Actors Guild member and begins an acting career in Hollywood. SILLY is dedicated to Blake Lively and George Harrison’s Pattie Boyd.

More on Vidal WordPress and Twitter:
http://fredvidal.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/fredvidal
http://www.myspace.com/fredvidal

The SILLY WEB EFFECT: Fred Vidal Gets 1,500 Followers For The First Time On TWITTER, 120 Views SiLly Youtube 72 Hours!!

GEORGE CLOONEY, Myspace FV Street Team, Becomes FRIEND TOP 1!

http://twitter.com/fredvidal

Breaking News (in the afternoon): Fred Vidal Selects Friend GEORGE CLOONEY to be TOP1 MYSPACE STREET TEAM Buddy! That’s not only Rock’n Roll but we like it!

http://www.myspace.com/frenchworld

Fred: “He’s a man who knows very well Men-Women relationships. In this business, it can help because I’m more a Rock composer and Acting is an Art to study and manage the best you can, so George is my new Guru for that on Myspace, he will inspire my work and networking beginning next week!!”

News Movie About George:
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-heslov7-2009nov07,0,1482254.story?track=rss

George Clooney, Fred Vidal's Friend on Myspace almost since the beginning, is The Great Mastermind Of Hollywood today, according to some Insiders who Believe in His Charisma to improve Fred Business & Art Efficiency these next years.

 

“He never stops! Camera focusing on his face. Conceived by Fred Vidal to be a 2nd song dedicated to Pattie Boyd, INDIAN RESERVATION demo is a b-Side of SILLY, explosive first VIRTUAL SINGLE of Fred Vidal & LovE On EartH. Emotional, Fred, tired and happy by the success of SILLY, sends a message to the 60’s: we are still here for you, guys!! Space-Time music and song, through the Web. Original concept: a song that Jim Morrison could have heard at UCLA at the beginning of The Doors…”

INDIAN RESERVATION (Fred Vidal – ASCAP)

I will cross the rain to your rainbow,
walk all day to follow your shadow,
I will drive you to the sea.

We don’t mind the story-tellers,
we just want a lot of things better,
you will show me what are your colors,
I will tell you what is your flavour.

If we are right, we will arrive to the Indian Reservation.

I will like to tell you more now
but I call you from another world,
far away but not forever,
let’s say yesterday will never be over:

I will see you, probably next year, in the Indian Reservation…

I will cross the rain to your rainbow,
walk all day to follow your shadow,
I will drive you to the sea.

“More than 2,600 persons read my blog yesterday, November 4!!”
Fred

8:53AM: Fred Vidal Informs On Youtube Of The Recording/Songwriting Of INDIAN RESERVATION, b-Side Of SILLY And Homage To Jim Morrison, Today Nov 5, On The Internet! Songwriting Conclusion This Weekend Before A Christmas Song In December!

http://www.youtube.com/bramstocker77

A commentator (4:34PM): it’s more Fred’s Spanish origins than his French ones that appear in this adrenaline video but Paris will be always Paris!! (Fred now is American anyway).

Breaking News (3:44PM): Fred Vidal replaces Silence Thomas Spears by Fred Vidal Street Team as only Top Friend with… Blake Lively (the one and only and unique) on his Myspace main page!!!

http://www.myspace.com/fredvidal

2:49PM: After the Adrenaline of SILLY, INDIAN RESERVATION, associated song, composed this morning, long lyrics to be written this afternoon and recording Youtube tonight. Fred diffuses SILLY on his community-celebrity sites and is scheduling 2 Exploration Songs for the weekend and that’s it before A Christmas Virtual Single in December!! That’s it, thank you!

• Did you see EASTWICK on ABC yesterday night? Must have been the episode with Fred Vidal, background working, extra acting? He doesn’t know, no TV now because music seminar!!! Fred was back on this magic set on Monday in a scene with the great actress JAIME RAY NEWMAN, acting is also his second passion!

http://abc.go.com/shows/eastwick/bio/kat-gardener/274807

http://fredvidal.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/fred-vidal-recommends-eastwick-brand-new-tv-show-on-abc-with-3-of-the-most-beautiful-women-in-hollywood/

50 VIP views/17 hours: Thanks! The song for Pattie Boyd! New dedication: To George Harrison and Pattie Boyd, and Paul of course! Breakthrough in Alternative! This is the single. Psychedelic! A Masterpiece of Cake!! Hard FM or Pop’n Roll? A wall of sound to begin a new series of original tunes! The Song of the day, composed this morning, performed this afternoon after rehearsal (11/04/2009). Fred looks more rock’n roll, with some attitude! Dedicated to you… and Iggy Pop And The Stooges! Lyrics on http://fredvidal.wordpress.com SILLY selected On Yahoo! Buzz and Digg. Fred Vidal decided this morning to stop his movie production work for a while to focus on his musical career and acting/screenwriting. According to an insider: ” Still Beatlesque, tradition of FV In LA, 1st LovE On EartH’s Project LP, SILLY is the most Fred Vidal’s personal style song until now, I like that!” Fred (4:33AM): “Its’ about people who are really jealous guys, it’s a sickness and so the guy lives a nightmare, you must have confidence for your girl!!! When your girlfriend is an actress, it’s really a source of stress ’cause she’s in the scenes with other men, but it’s fiction!!” Today Nov 5, B-Side: INDIAN RESERVATION, homage to Jim Morrison on LovE On EartH’s Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/bramstocker77

Pattie Boyd: we didn't know but she's the muse of this song. Fred understood it after songwriting thanks to George style's verse! Fred: "I did not know her, she was not in my Bible history of The Beatles but she's marvelous in this love story with George. I know she is a great photographer in LA and I hope to meet her one day! To perform SILLY and other songs! Thank you!" Fred Update: "in fact, I remember now the Clapton story, it's the reason why you did not belong to my Beatles legend BUT I WAS WRONG."

6:20PM: Fred becomes a Fan of Pattie Boyd on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=pattie%20boyd#/pages/Pattie-Boyd/16513353078?ref=mf

6:44PM: Fred posts his video on Pattie’s Fan page!

• 61 VIP Views, 5:56PM on Thursday 11/05/09!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• SILLY Definition: exhibiting or indicative of a lack of common sense or sound judgment.

“I heard, People alone, I think they are waiting for somebody, they are on the other side” (Silly, F. Vidal – Ascap) On Youtube (33 views in 5 hours, 10:51PM). Watch the news: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hk33wgc7pU

• Twitter (4:53AM): Breakthrough in Alternative! This is the single, Psychedelic! http://bit.ly/1o3Lov SILLY On Youtube Is LovE On EartH’s New Hot FRED Release! New dedication: To George Harrison and Pattie Boyd (Beatles For Sale Inspiration) and Paul, of course.

Pic: George Harrison and Pattie Boyd. Fred was always a George's fan and discovered the verse connection with Beatles For Sale after SILLY's writing, watching the video. Martin Scorsese's preparing a documentary about George!!

• Fred (4:33AM): Its’ about people who are really jealous guys, it’s a sickness and so the guy lives a nightmare, you must have confidence for your girl!!!… When your girlfriend is an actress, it’s really a source of stress ’cause she’s in the scenes with other men, but it’s fiction!”
• According to an insider: ” Still Beatlesque, tradition of FV In LA, 1st LovE On EartH’s Project LP, SILLY is the most Fred Vidal’s personal style song until now, lyrics, music and video, I like that!”
• TWITTER, 9:50PM: “Fred Vidal Stops The Movie Production For Songwriting. SILLY (F. Vidal – Ascap), Virtual Single LovE On EartH. Watch: http://bit.ly/1o3Lov !”
  http://twitter.com/fredvidal
• 9PM: SILLY on Yahoo! Buzz
  http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335:1c1948e69fb344ed3f194e1cfd1df409/SILLY-Fred-Vidal-ASCAP?usc=1
• 8PM: THIS IS THE VIRTUAL SINGLE: S-I-L-L-Y, for Fred Vidal’s Youtube Music Boom, GENRE: ALTERNATIVE!
  Submitted On Digg:
  http://digg.com/music/SILLY_Fred_Vidal_ASCAP

Fred Vidal Stops Movie Production For A While To Focus On Music And Acting, Screenwriting Continues too!

This is Fred Message for his Flag Year in progress to his Myspace friends that he did not contact since last Summer.

http://www.myspace.com/fredvidal

More information this evening as Fred is recording now his 5th new song: SILLY, composed this morning!

Here is the text sent to Myspace community Bulletin Board:

“Hey Myspace Friends:
I hope you having a great time in the community site and your life. I am not often with you and I want to tell you I appreciate we’re friends.
My songwriting is now my #1 activity and I hope you’ll like the new songs for the LOVE ON EARTH band-album.
I stop movie production for a while to focus on acting and music, still screenwriting on my blog http://fredvidal.wordpress as Mike Fuller.
Let’s prepare together Thanksgiving with more songs and have a great November. COME AS YOU ARE!
Fred“

Fred Vidal just published on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/bramstocker77)
his new song composed today: SILLY! (5PM)

I don’t know where you go all the time,
I look around, you don’t call me,

there is maybe someone behind,
I’m lost and found, I’m so angry.

/

I heard people alone, I think they are
waiting for somebody, they are on the other side.

Sorry, I don’t want to be silly,
I don’t want to be nasty,
but sometimes I don’t want to be right!!

Silly, I don’t want to be silly,
I don’t want to be nasty,
but sometimes I don’t want to be right!!

With SILLY, Fred Vidal's Love On Earth Anticipates The Alternative 2010's and Dedicates The Song-Single Virtual To Iggy Pop & The Stooges, Pop, Vidal's Hero Since The 70's (Fred was too young in the 60's to already appreciate FUN HOUSE).

On Friday I wrote a post about Pattie Boyd’s book “Wonderful Tonight”. If you read that post, you’ll notice that someone left a very nice comment at the bottom. Who was that someone? Why, it was Pattie Boyd herself!

I was so excited at the thought of Pattie Boyd first of all finding my blog post, and then leaving a cute little note. After my initial excitement wore off and I had finished masturbating to photos of Pattie from the 60’s (What? Don’t judge me. She was smoking hot!), I started to think more rationally.

First of all, how the hell did she find my blog post? Even if she googles her name, we all know my blog isn’t exactly going to be the first hit. Secondly, Pattie Boyd is sixty-five years old. With all due respect to people in that age bracket, most of them are just getting caught up on that whole “e-mail” thing. I know very few who would be able to find themselves in an obscure Canadian comedian’s blog.

But, to be totally honest, my opinion isn’t that valid because I don’t hang out with a lot of sixty-five year olds. Not since they kicked me out of our weekly Bridge game at the old age home. In retrospect, I can admit that it was a mistake on my part to try to turn Bridge into a drinking game, but I assure you that my playing partner and opponents enjoyed our drunken times. All it takes is one incident of an inebriated resident fondling a nurse, and they overreact and kick out the young guy who brings the whiskey. Classic case of discrimination.

But I digress. I decided to email Patti at the address she left with her comment, pattiboyd@gmail.com. I asked her, “If it really is you, is there any way for you to let me know? Maybe a picture of yourself with today’s newspaper or something?”

Here is the response I received:

Sorry D.J.,

I am not that Patti Boyd… I am much younger and not as beautiful.

I don’t know about your site either, have never visited it. Not sure
how my address was given to you.

Sorry if someone tricked you.

Good luck

Thanks for the good luck, ugly Patti Boyd. It appears that someone really has tricked me. Nevertheless, I am happy that I got to the bottom of it. I would hate to go through my life bragging about the fact that Pattie Boyd commented on my blog, mainly because many people would ask, “Who is Pattie Boyd?” and that would get annoying to answer. Also, if that is my crowning achievement, I believe I’ve failed at life.

I went to bed last night thinking I was separated by the Beatles by just two degrees, but woke this morning to find that I am still but an insignificant speck of dust in this universe. Pattie Boyd doesn’t know I exist, and the enterprising prankster who wrote that comment caused me to waste five minutes of my life emailing Pattie Boyd’s fake email address. But that prankster also caused me to have an awesome masturbation session. Who wins?

We’ll call it even.

I am currently reading a book called “Wonderful Tonight”, written by Pattie Boyd, who was the quintessential beautiful blonde-haired flower child most famous for being married to both George Harrison (of the Beatles, but you knew that) and Eric Clapton.

Needless to say, she has led a very interesting life, filled with all the rock and roll excesses of the Sixties and Seventies. Both George Harrison and Eric Clapton were notorious drug users. Clapton nearly succumbed to a heroin addiction, but he beat it, only to nearly succumb to an alcohol addiction. George was really big into cocaine and acid, among other drugs.

But everyone was high at the time. Their parties were wild affairs attended by Bob Dylan, the Band, the Rolling Stones, and the Who, among others. Every single person in all of these bands was getting f*cked up all day, every day. I marvel at the fact that more people didn’t die, as crazy as that sounds. These people were ingesting copious amounts of drugs and participating in incredibly perilous activities while on drugs.

(Seriously, how the hell are the Rolling Stones are still touring? I’m serious. That is freakish. How are they even still alive, never mind touring? Are we sure they’re human?)

Another astonishing fact from Pattie’s memoirs (and other memoirs from this era) is how many people were fornicating with people with whom they should not have been fornicating. George Harrison was boning Ringo Starr’s wife, Pattie banged Ron Woods while she was with George, and Eric Clapton started making advances on Pattie while she was with George, who was one of his best friends. These people were horny.

I would have loved to meet Pattie Boyd in her prime. For one, she was smoking hot, but there was something more to her than that. She made men fall head over heels. Clapton wrote “Layla” for her, Harrison wrote “Something” for her. Obviously, she inspired something more than a boner out of them.

Mind you, these rock stars were not always making decisions that would seem rational, or sane, if you will, to regular people like you or me. Check out this passage from the book. To set the scene, Eric Clapton has come over to tell Pattie he wants her to leave George for him.

“Eric, are you mad?” I asked. “I can’t possibly. I’m married to George.”

And he said, “No, no, no. I love you. I have to have you in my life.”

“No,” I said.

At this point he produced a small packet from his pocket and held it out toward me. “Well, if you’re not going to come away with me, I’m going to take this.”

“What is it?”

“Heroin.”

“Don’t be so stupid.” I tried to grab it from him but he clenched his fist and hid it in his pocket.

“If you’re not going to come with me, “he said, “that’s it. I’m off.” And he went. I hardly saw him for three years.

Can you believe that? He literally went into hiding after that conversation for three years. Not by himself though. He was with a girlfriend. I guess he was just keeping her around as an inferior option to Pattie. Oh, did I mention he was dating Pattie’s younger sister just before he asked Pattie to be with him? My god, the early rock scene was like a soap opera for drug addicts.

Here is my favourite passage from the entire book. It sums up the debauchery, the playfulness, and the ludicrousness of the rock and roll era.

One evening when John Hurt, the actor, was with us, Eric was due to come over and George decided to have it out with him. John wanted to make himself scarce but George insisted he stay. He remembers George coming downstairs with two guitars and two small amplifiers, laying them down in the hall, then pacing restlessly until Eric arrived – full of brandy, as usual. As Eric walked through the door, George handed him a guitar and amp – as a n eighteenth-century man might have handed his rival a sword – and, for two hours, without a word, they dueled. The air was electric and the music exciting. At the end nothing was said but the general feeling was that Eric had won. He hadn’t allowed himself to get riled or go in for instrumental gymnastics as George had. Even when he was drunk, his guitar playing was unbeatable.

Everything about that passage is awesome. A guitar duel between two guitar legends? Are you kidding me? And I love that Pattie Boyd, who would end up leaving George for Eric, declares Eric the winner due to the fact that “he hadn’t allowed himself to get riled or go in for instrumental gymnastics as George had.” And nothing was said at the end of the battle? Did they just put down their guitars and leave?  Amazing.

Robin Williams once said that if you remember the Sixties, then you weren’t there. I’m just happy that Pattie remembered Eric Clapton and George Harrison dueling for her love with a good old-fashioned guitar duel. My life is better having envisioned the scene.

Thanks to the Armenian-American businessman and philanthropist Gerard Cafesjian and the Cafesjian center for the Arts, the former Soviet monument in the center of Yerevan, Cascade has been renovated and will now be open to the public as one of the world’s prominent contemporary art centers.

The monument occupies 13,000 square meters including a Visitor Center, Museum Store, Special Events Auditorium and an exhibition hall occupying 1,100 square meters’ space.

The Cafesjian Sculpture garden adds a unique harmony to the monument. It is located at the base of the Cascade demonstrating one of the world’s most amazing collections of monumental sculpture.

Such world known designers as Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick, Jaume Plensa, and Barry Flanagan have taken the responsibility of designing the garden’s unhampered walkways, long vistas, and formal paintings.

Works by an international array of glass artists, including Czech artist Jaromir Rybak, the Japanese artist Tadashi Sumi, and the Swedish artist Bertil Vallien will be demonstrated. The exhibition will also include Mr. Cafesjian’s comprehensive collection of contemporary art.

The lovers of Arshil Gorky art are welcomed to admire the demonstration of works of the hero of Abstract Expressionism , as an art critic once called Arshil Gorky. 7 paintings and 16 drawings are exhibited from L. Cafesjian’s Collection of Arshil Gorky paintings.

On view is an eclectic collection ranking from a 28-foot model of a ship on board which Mr. Cafesjian served in the Pacific during World War II, to a unique model N Ford Runabout and a working model of Wabash steam locomotive.

A hall titled Yesterday and Today represents 50 photographs of George Harrison, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, and Pattie Boyd herself. The famous New York architectural studio Diller Scofidio+Renfo exhibits Swarovski “Light Socks”

The Center’s full-blooded exhibition schedule contains a distinct program of visiting lecturers, classic films, concerts and various educational programs, specially for adults and children.

This wonderful and unique event will be open to the public Saturday evening, November 7^th and will be accompanied by an impressive firework just near the Cascade monument at 10:30 pm. On Sunday, November 8^th Armenians and guests from different parts of the world are welcomed to admire the renovation that has taken place inside the Cascade and also to admire exhibitions, lectures, book-signing and events. On this and only on this day The Cafesjian Center of the Artists will be free to the public.

Yerevan, Armenia, 26 October 2009 – The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is proud to announce that after seven years of renovation the Cascade – a former Soviet monument in the center of Yerevan – has been completely transformed into one of the world’s outstanding contemporary art centers. Virtually every aspect of this 13,000 square meter monument has been transformed, and it now houses a Visitor Center, Museum Store, Special Events Auditorium and over 1,100 square meters of exhibition space. The center bears the name of its principal benefactor Gerard L. Cafesjian.

Located at the base of the Cascade is the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, which presents one of the finest collections of monumental sculpture found anywhere in the world. The Garden’s unobstructed walkways, long vistas, and formal plantings have been specially designed to provide a modern setting for large-scale sculpture by such internationally recognized figures as Fernando Botero, Lynn Chadwick, Jaume Plensa, and Barry Flanagan.
Inspired by the vision of its founder, Mr. Gerard L. Cafesjian, the Center offers a wide variety of exhibitions, many of which are derived from Mr. Cafesjian’s own extensive collection of contemporary art.

Particularly noteworthy is a Persian installation by Dale Chihuly, a leading figure of avante-garde glass art. On exhibition in the same gallery are works by an international array of glass artists, including the noted Czech artist Jaromír Rybák, the Japanese artist Tadashi Sumi, and the Swedish artist Bertil Vallien. A large-screen media projection area provides a unique place for informational videos and for the work of video artists living in Armenia and abroad.

• The Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection has one of the largest collections of glass found in any museum, and its collection of work by the Czech glass artists Stanislav Libenský (1921–2002) and Jaroslava Brychtová is undoubtedly one of the finest in the world. The exhibition For Armenia demonstrates the abstract power of Libenský Brychtová’s work, making clear why they are viewed as the single most influential force in the world of glass today.

• Also on view in the center is the first major exhibition of original work in Armenia by Arshile Gorky, an artist once described by a critic of the time as a “hero of Abstract Expressionism.” Arshile Gorky: Selections from the Gerard L. Cafesjian Collection exhibits 16 drawings and 7 paintings by the man who would become known as the most monumental presence in American twentieth-century art.

Another gallery in the center demonstrates Gerard L. Cafesjian’s passion for collecting areas lying outside the arena of contemporary art. His varied interests are on continuous display in an exhibition entitled In the Mind of the Collector. On view is an eclectic collection ranging from a 28-foot model of a ship upon which Mr. Cafesjian served in the

• Pacific during World War II, to a rare 1906 Model N Ford Runabout, and a working model of a Wabash steam locomotive.

• Pattie Boyd: Yesterday and Today lends an intimate view into the lives of George Harrison, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, and Pattie Boyd herself. This unique body of 50 photographs represents 40 years of work and has garnered attention from art critics internationally.

• In a gallery specially constructed for large-scale glass work, the center exhibits an installation of Swarovski “Light Socks” by the well-known New York architectural studio Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Accompanying this piece in the same gallery is the monumental work Sitting Tatoo IV by Jaume Plensa and the glass piece Column #39 by Howard Ben Tre. Immediately adjacent to this gallery is the center’s Special Events Auditorium, which exhibits at its entrance a stunning Dale Chihuly Pergula Ceiling.

A diverse program of visiting lecturers, classic films, concerts, and numerous educational programs for adults and children augment the Center’s vigorous exhibition schedule.

The Cafesjian Center for the Arts Grand Opening Celebration will begin on the evening of Saturday, November 7th, with a spectacular fireworks display near the Cascade monument at 10:30pm. On Sunday, November 8th, the Center invites the public to view all the renovations that have taken place inside the Cascade and to enjoy its outstanding schedule of exhibitions, lecturers, book-signings, and events. For this one day only, the Cafesjian Center for the Arts will be open to the public with no admission fee.

My two favorite love songs of all time are “Wonderful tonight” by Eric Clapton and “Something” by the Beatles, and they both happen to be written about the same woman: Pattie Boyd. What a lady she must be. I read that Clapton and Harrison called each other ‘husbands in law’ following the hook up of Clapton and Boyd, pretty funny.

THE DAILY BEAST came up with this neat-o list of the Muses Behind the Music

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE LIST

I think I like this one the best:

Pattie Boyd – The Woman who Inspired Layla, Something, Wonderful Tonight

“The clear frontrunner among song muses is model Pattie Boyd, ex-wife of Eric Clapton and George Harrison. Clapton’s most famous love song, “Layla,” recorded when he was with Derek and the Dominos, is about Boyd—who was married to the quiet Beatle at the time. Harrison and Boyd married in 1966, and in the late ‘60s, Harrison and Clapton became close friends. In his 2007 autobiography, Clapton notes that it was at this time that he began secretly “falling in love with Pattie,” and recorded “Layla” as a reference to the 12th-century Persian poem in which a moon princess is married off to another man than the one who is lovesick for her. Clapton played the song at a party, and according to story, confessed the same night to Harrison that he was falling for his wife—creating no small rift between the musicians. Still, Harrison and Boyd remained married until 1977, and Harrison graciously attended her second wedding in 1979…to Clapton (they later divorced in 1989). Boyd can also claim of the best stories behind one of the century’s most passionate song, but also inspired two other unforgettably romantic hits, The Beatles’ “Something,” and Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” All other muses bow to her.”

What a cold-hearted bitch.  Why I can’t be more like her and inspire some of the greatest musicians to write some of the greatest songs of all time?  Goddmamnit – I’m really jealous here. This is why Wednesday suck.

Barbara Bach (born August 27, 1947) is an American actress and model best-known as the Bond girl from the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). She is married to musician Ringo Starr, former drummer of The Beatles.

In 1971, Bach co-starred with two other Bond girls, Claudine Auger and Barbara Bouchet in the mystery La Tarantola dal ventre nero (a movie of the giallo kind) and had small roles in other Italian films.

In 1977, her role as the Russian spy Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me gained her recognition as an international sex symbol.  Her character Anya is seen as the first Bond girl who is an equal to Bond, since she is also an experienced spy.   The following year she appeared in the movie Force 10 from Navarone. She did lose a role to actress Shelley Hack when she auditioned for the television series Charlie’s Angels.   Bach has 28 films to her credit, although she has not worked as an actress since the mid-1980s. She has appeared in Playboy several times, from 1977-1981, 1985, and 2008.

Bach holds a Master’s Degree (UCLA, 1993) in Psychology.  She started the Self Help Addiction Recovery Program (S.H.A.R.P.) with the help of George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Patti Boyd, who was a former wife of both Harrison and Clapton. Bach and Starr created The Lotus Foundation, a charity with many sub-charities.

20"x24" B&W Photo Buy Now!

Trivia:

Mother of Francesca Gregorini.

Measurements: 35-24-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

A published interview with her in the late 1970s proclaimed her “Queen of the B-Movies”.

Attended the famous Beatles concert at Shea Stadium in 1965 which is 15 years before she would meet her future husband, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr.

Barbara’s photo was featured on the cover of “Playboy” magazine in January 1981. Inside was a photo spread of Barbara, too. She made several other appearances in “Playboy” related to her movie work, especially as a “Bond Girl” in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

Barbara was sent to Rome as model for the noted “Seventeen” mag. There she fell in love with an Italian businessman, Augusto Gregorini, who was 11 years her senior. At the age of 18 she married Augusto and moved with him to Rome where she began her film career.

Born in Queens, the eldest of five children. Her mother was Irish Catholic, her father was Austrian Jewish and her Grandmother was Rumanian. Her father was a New York City police officer.

Has involved herself in charity work, including the Live Aid connected “Fashion Aid”, and “The Rumanian Angel” appeal which was set up with Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono, George and John’s widows. Barbara worked with the “Parents For Safe Food” Campaign. In 1991, with help from Pattie Boyd (George’s ex), she set up a free clinic for addicts called SHARP (Self Help Addiction Recovery Program) in London.

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While traveling through England in May 1980 Ringo and Barbara suffered a near-fatal car crash, miraculously surviving with few injuries. Ringo decided he never wanted to be separated from Bach again. They married less than a year later.

It was between Barbara and Shelley Hack to replace Kate Jackson on “Charlie’s Angels” (1976). The New York-born Barbara was deemed too European and sophisticated for the role and Hack won the part. Hack was not keenly accepted as an “Angel” by audiences, however, and left after only one season.

Stepmother of Zak Starkey.

1. by Beirut

2. by Seabear

3. by Matt & Kim

4. by Rye Rye & M.I.A.

5. by Fleet Foxes

How cute: Pattie Boyd and George Harrison with his guitar.

La anécdota es muy conocida. Una noche Eric Clapton estaba esperando que su novia escogiese qué vestido ponerse. Ella era la tremenda Pattie Boyd, entonces esposa de George Harrison. Clapton y Boyd habían decidido ir a un concierto. El caso es que ahí estaba Clapton esperando a que su novia se decidiese. Ya sabemos lo que significa esperar a que según quién acabe de vestirse. Eric podria haber hecho lo que tantos: impacientarse, quejarse, o encender la tele y actuar como lo hacen aquel tipo de hombres que nos presentan los anuncios de Heineken, Budweisser y otras marcas de cerveza. Pero no, lo que hizo Clapton fue ponerse a tocar la guitarra mientras esperaba. Y tanto esperó, que como quien no quiere la cosa, compuso una canción: Wonderful Tonight.

En una entrevista en The Guardian, Pattie Boyd explicó cómo vivió ella aquella espera: “Eric estaba ahí, sentado, tocando la guitarra mientras yo me probaba vestidos en el piso de arriba. Llevaba ya tanto rato y estaba preocupada por mi peinado, por mis vestidos, por todo, que bajé las escaleras convencida de que me reñiría. Pero en vez de eso me dijo: ¡Escucha esto!”. Y le tocó Wonderful tonight. La letra nos cuenta lo que sucedía mientras Eric esperaba:

It’s late in the evening; she’s wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blond hair.
And then she asks me, “Do I look all right?”
And I say, “Yes, you look wonderful tonight.”(…)

De algo tan típico y tópico como esperar a que las mujeres decidan (decidamos) qué vestido ponerse, puede surgir una bella creación, cuyo peaje puede ser el aburrimiento y la espera. Así que no se indignen más cuando les tengan esperando una hora en la puerta o en el salón (con suerte) con pretextos del tipo: “Es solo un momento”, “Ya casi estoy”, “Bajo en cinco minutos”. Siéntense, relájense y den rienda suelta a la creatividad. Además, tarde o temprano ella aparecerá, radiante, lista para gustarse y gustarles. Cuando ya no lo haga empiecen a preocuparse de verdad. Corren el riesgo de acabar como George Harrison.

Pattie Boyd with The Beatles

Go here to get a code to receive 15 free Lollapalooza artist singles on iTunes!

“Sugar Town” covered by Zooey Deschanel

“Eet” by Regina Spektor

“Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap

“Ragged Wood” by Fleet Foxes

Happy jamming!

[Source: iamachildofthemoon.blogspot]

version acoustique de cette incroyablement magnfiique chanson des Beatles, écrite et chnatée par George Harrison, et inspirée  Pattie Boyd, sa compagne d’alors, et un morceau de l’artiste James Taylor , Something in the Way She Moves.

à noter qu’on retrouve la trace de cette phrase dans le Something in the Way de Nirvana…

première “face A” des Beatles numéro 1 et non signée “Lenon/McCartney”, et il y aurait pu en avoir beaucoup si, si, si… etc. etc.

cette version , très belle, est celle qui est présente sur l’Anthology 3.

bien @ vous,

nicogé le colporteur

Hoy ando un poco romantica y cuando eso pasa siempre me viene a la cabeza “Something“  canción escrita por George Harrison en 1969 (y dedicada a su primer esposa  Pattie Boyd quien luego se casó con su mejor amigo Erick Clapton pero eso es otra historia). Se dice que es la canción de los Beatles con mas covers despues de Yesterday claro está. Asi que aqui les dejo con el video de la canción en donde aparecen las esposas de cada uno de ellos en aquellos tiempos. Disfrutenlo!

Clearly, there's something about Pattie. Pattie Boyd and George Harrison

I’d want to be Pattie Boyd.  Sure, she’s British, and pretty, and used to be a model, but that’s not why I’d want to be Pattie Boyd.  Nope.  If I had to be a muse, I’d be Pattie Boyd because she inspired George Harrison to write Something for the Beatles, and Eric Clapton to write both Layla and Wonderful Tonight.  Sure, she cheated on George Harrison with his best friend, Eric Clapton when she was still married to the former Beatle.  And sure, she and Eric Clapton went on to have a rocky marriage, and she may or may not have become a drug addict/alcoholic. Whatever. Fine, she did that.  But, is there any finer instrumental closer in a Classic Rock song than the one that happens in Layla? I don’t think so.