( CHAPTER 8 - Part 1 )
(Revised Edition)
( July 2020 )
(Revised Edition)
( July 2020 )
"Magentalane".
( no rats aboard our magic ship )
Way back in 1981 we didnt have the Internet or Google; smart phones; ipads and laptops and I had to conduct all my communications by either "letter or phone" and much of my research was done at my local library.
. It was slow and frustrating but I kept my nose to the grindstone and struggled to obtain information.
. I read everything I could get my hands on relating to both The Beatles and Klaatu and set about putting the jigsaw pieces together.
. I read everything I could get my hands on relating to both The Beatles and Klaatu and set about putting the jigsaw pieces together.
Finally in 1980, with the release of Klaatus "Endangered Species" album the world was finally told that Klaatu consisted of 3 individuals called "Terry Draper, Dee Long and John Woloschuk".
Six months after the albums release, for some unknown reason Capitol Records of America "withdrew the sales of Klaatu albums from sale all across the globe".
Rumours of "legal action" being taken against Klaatu by Capitol Records circulated in the media at this time and the band members returned to Toronto from L.A. to decide if they had a future.
After their "identities" had been revealed,
I was still suspicious that there was still more to the story especially considering the possible legal action being taken against the band for possible " false misrepresentation" by Capitol Records.
When Klaatu released their final album "Magentalane" in 1981 I figured that after all the Beatles Hype, that the album would be devoid of "any Beatle" links and yet exactly the opposite would prove to be the case.
Strangely, some of the "links" discovered are so strong that I remain suspicious of the declared identities of the Klaatu members.
During the period covering 1980- 1984 a number of "strange events/co-incidences" occured that made me question whether we had all been conned when told that Klaatu consisted of three obscure Canadian musicians?.
" Harrison verses Draper ".
On the 23rd February 1981 I recieved a phone call ( on my landline) from an individual claiming to be TERRY DRAPER from the band KLAATU. Mr Draper stated " that he had recieved sections of my Book Manuscript " Under an assumed name" dealing with the "Beatles/Klaatu Conspiracy" and that he was impressed with the contents because he was very much into books of a Conspiracy nature" and asked me how my research was progressing?
I informed him that the book was progressing well though I was having trouble tracking down certain pieces of information.
He told me that if I were " to forward what I had completed of my manuscript and that he would sift through the contents and make " corrections" to any material that was " incorrect".
I said " that I would be happy to take him up on his generous/ helpful offer" and said I would send him the manuscript immediately.
I asked him if he had any plans to visit Australia? to which he replied " not this year but he may make a personal visit sometime in early next year 1982".
So ended my 20 minute phone conversation with a member of the band KLAATU, being Mr Terry Draper and I set about sending him a complete copy of my manuscript which covered up to the release of the 4th album "Endangered Species". I sat and awaited a response.
When speaking with "Terry Draper" i detected a " Canadian/British accent".
When speaking with "Terry Draper" i detected a " Canadian/British accent".
14th MARCH 1982
On this date, ex-Beatle George Harrison secretly arrived in Australia on a "one month holiday", which on face value was nothing to get excited about.
What did excite me was the fact " from the availble photos of the Klaatu members, Terry Draper could easily be mistaken for being George Harrison" ; with their "facial features "being almost identical.
This photo of George Harrison comes from his Autobiography "I, Me, Mine", which was first published in 1982.
This photo of Terry Draper originates from the "lyric sheet" issued with the October 1981 release of Klaatus "Magentalane" album.
The similarities of their facial features clearly suggests that "perhaps" they both could be "the same individual . .
"Could it just be another " co-incidence" that George Harrison should arrive in Australia during the same period that Terry Draper claimed that he might visit Australia during our phone conversation back in Feb 81?".
"Could it just be another " co-incidence" that George Harrison should arrive in Australia during the same period that Terry Draper claimed that he might visit Australia during our phone conversation back in Feb 81?".
Upon Harrisons arrival in Australia I began to question the possibility of Harrison getting in touch with me in some way during his visit to " confirm" that there was a " connection" between his visit and my "phone coversation with Terry Draper".
I began to try to "monitor" George Harrisons movements and discovered that he spent some time staying with Racing Car driver "Allan Jones" on his farm in Victoria. I tried to contact "Allan Jones" by phone and letter without any success.
I began to try to "monitor" George Harrisons movements and discovered that he spent some time staying with Racing Car driver "Allan Jones" on his farm in Victoria. I tried to contact "Allan Jones" by phone and letter without any success.
A few days after sending my letter to George C/- Allan Jones, on TUESDAY 22ND MARCH 1982. @ 9PM
upon opening up my Private Post Office Box at Coogee I discovered a "cyndrical parcel" from CANADA , with CANADIAN STAMPS .
Inside the parcel was a "giant Poster of the Klaatu "Endangered Species" album. There was nothing else in the parcel.
Inside the parcel was a "giant Poster of the Klaatu "Endangered Species" album. There was nothing else in the parcel.
. Upon arriving home, I discovered that "none of the stamps had been Franked/Stamped" either by Canada Post or Australian Post, which I thought was very unusual.
Next morning, I returned to the Post Office in Coogee and showed them my parcel and asked why the "Stamps had NOT been Franked" by either Australian or Canadian Post? to which I was told that it was " unusual and a million to one chance that this would happen".
On TUESDAY 23rd March 1982 the Sydney Newspaper published an article titled " Ex-Beatle skips talk of Re-union" in which the following statement can be found.
"Reclusive Harrison met briefly with WEA Records executives in SYDNEY early this week ( being Monday 22nd March) before joining Motor Racing champion Allan Jones on his Victorian farm".
During his Australian visit George Harrison is confirmed as spending "only 1 day" in Sydney; being Monday the 22nd March 1982, which co-incidently happens to be the "same day" that I recieved a parcel from Klaatu containing "unfranked Canadian stamps" on it.
"Could it be possible that on this date, either Harrison or one of his Staff visited Coogee Post Office and asked for their parcel to be placed in my Private PO Box to "inform me that their was a "connection between his visit and Terry Drapers proposed visit"?
A few days later, I discovered that Harrison planned to fly to his property/home on Hamilton Island after the Australian Grand Prix in Victoria.
I managed to obtain the phone number of the Main Switchboard on Hamilton Island and decided to give the number a call. I got through and told the operator "that I believed Mr Harrison had just arrived on the island and I would like to be put through to him," which was done'.
Hamilton Island.
Harrison's home.
I managed to obtain the phone number of the Main Switchboard on Hamilton Island and decided to give the number a call. I got through and told the operator "that I believed Mr Harrison had just arrived on the island and I would like to be put through to him," which was done'.
Harrison's home.
"Hi, this is George, who am i speaking with?" came his voice on the other end. I explained who I was and that I was seeking his "approval" to publish my manuscript "Under an assumed name". He replied; "Im on holidays at the moment but if I wanted to send a copy of the manuscript to his home address at Friars Park in England he would take a look at it when he got back to England". He said, " he'd be happy to review the contents and maybe correct any "errors"/misinformation" he may find".
I thanked him sincerely for his time and agreed to send my "manuscript to review" and finished by wishing him a happy holiday.
Having now spoken with both "George Harrison and Terry Draper" I now conclude that they are " two different individuals" and not the "same individual". Or am i wrong?
.
For months I was excited as Hell that at last I had connected both with George Harrison and Terry Draper and I waited patiently for a reply from both.
I did finally recieve a reply from Harrison, from his Company lawyer Gareth Jones at EuroAtlantic Ltd on the 22nd November 1985, which states that "unfortunately Mr Harrison will not be available to edit my manuscript and doesnt have the time to read through the manuscript. Regretably therefore we are returning your book and apologise that Mr Harrison does not enter into personal correspondence."
This was the last of my communications with George Harrison and still awaited for further communications with Terry Draper,
" APRIL FOOLS DAY ".
Another strange event took place on the 1st April 1981 when I recieved a parcel from Capitol Records in Los Angeles, USA containing a "Black & White" photo of the Klaatu members with no cover letter. The date is significant because it was originally claimed that KLAATU planned to reveal their true identities on APRIL FOOLS DAY.
I phoned Capitol Records and couldnt track down "who had sent me the Klaatu pic" and was told that "no-one else had been sent the pic" so why had I been sent the pic?. No one would own up to sending me the pic and even EMI Records in Sydney wasnt aware of such a pic in existance; "no-one knew who Klaatu were at that time".
I phoned Capitol Records and couldnt track down "who had sent me the Klaatu pic" and was told that "no-one else had been sent the pic" so why had I been sent the pic?. No one would own up to sending me the pic and even EMI Records in Sydney wasnt aware of such a pic in existance; "no-one knew who Klaatu were at that time".
In this pic, Terry Draper can be seen on the "Middle Right" and looks amazingly like George Harrison.
On the front left is "John Woloschuk" whom resembles Paul McCartney and at the back we find "Dee Long" whom clearly resembles pics of John Lennon.
Could all this be purely co-incidental? I doubt it.
Back in 78, their manager Frank Davies told the Press " the band plans to spend 4 months getting a concert act together for a 1ST APRIL 1979 debut in CHICAGO.
They have a concept of being unknown and remaining unknown until they are ready to unveil themselves. Its funny really, they could be GIRLS, they could be 60 YEAR OLDS ; they could even be FROM ANOTHER PLANET".
They have a concept of being unknown and remaining unknown until they are ready to unveil themselves. Its funny really, they could be GIRLS, they could be 60 YEAR OLDS ; they could even be FROM ANOTHER PLANET".
Strangely on the 1st APRIL 76 Paul McCartney and Wings gave a live concert in Chicago where at the end of the concert Paul declared "See you when the Earth Stands still".
Remember that the name KLAATU originates from the 1951 science fiction movie "The Day the Earth stood still". The main character of the film is called "KLAATU" and Ringo Starr can be seen portraying KLAATU in his video singing "Only You" way back in 1974; 2 years before KLAATU released their debut album "3.47 EST" in 76.
Only You.
"Dont forget KLAATU BARADA NIKTO" was the original title for Ringos 1974 album "Goodnight Vienna" which was changed at the last minute before its release.
The album "proves without a doubt that one ex-Beatle member had an association with the name KLAATU 2 years before Klaatu released their debut album. "
The album "proves without a doubt that one ex-Beatle member had an association with the name KLAATU 2 years before Klaatu released their debut album. "
How much more proof does the reader need"?
" Magentalane "
the album.
Released on the 7th October 1981 in Canada only and becoming their Swansong album. I became aware of its release through the bands Quarterly Newsletter called "The Morning Sun" which I recieved from the band in early January 1982.
The Newsletter states; "This is the first album to be produced and engineered entirely by the Klaatu members".
Released on the 7th October 1981 in Canada only and becoming their Swansong album. I became aware of its release through the bands Quarterly Newsletter called "The Morning Sun" which I recieved from the band in early January 1982.
The Newsletter states; "This is the first album to be produced and engineered entirely by the Klaatu members".
"So who produced their first 4 albums?".
"Could it be George Martin?".
I immediately wrote to Capitol Records in Canada and on the 28th January 82 I recieved a reply stating; "Unfortunately, we can not sell direct to the public and are therefore returning your cheque but under seperate cover we have sent you a copy of the album you reqested, free of charge. Thanks for your interest." signed Jean Bartolini (ms).
A few weeks later, I recieved my FREE COPY of the Magentalane album on the same day that a friend of mine recieved his FREE COPY.
"Perhaps the band was really sending out FREE COPIES of the album to the subscribers of their Quarterly Newsletter "The Morning Sun" whom lived "outside" Canada?. Remember the album was only originally available for purchase in Canada alone.
"Perhaps the band was really sending out FREE COPIES of the album to the subscribers of their Quarterly Newsletter "The Morning Sun" whom lived "outside" Canada?. Remember the album was only originally available for purchase in Canada alone.
In the 8th and final issue of the Quarterly Newsletter can be found the statement; "This 8th issue marks the Final Edition of The Morning Sun, which after 2 years of publication , is to be indefinately discontinued , effective at the time of printing. We'd like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all our subscribers". signed Sandra White.
A question kept repeating itself in my head ; "Why was the Magentalane album ONLY released in Canada when all their preivous 4 albums were released in just about every country in the world?".
The only logical answer I could come up with was " that because of the Beatle connection, Klaatu were becoming "too hot" and "risky" for Capitol Records in America to handle anymore, so Capitol decided to dump the band in fear that some evidence might come to light revealing the "true identities" of the Klaatu members"?
The only logical answer I could come up with was " that because of the Beatle connection, Klaatu were becoming "too hot" and "risky" for Capitol Records in America to handle anymore, so Capitol decided to dump the band in fear that some evidence might come to light revealing the "true identities" of the Klaatu members"?
With such pressure on the "identified members of Klaatu", perhaps the band decided to adopt a low profile by allowing the Magentalane album to ONLY be made available in Canada and by "closing down" the publication of their Morning Sun newsletter.
Perhaps with the rumours of Capitol Records in America threatening to take legal action and sue Klaatu for "false representation/fraud" the band had " had enough"
Wings
and decided to record a Farewell album and then disappear into the wilderness.?
and decided to record a Farewell album and then disappear into the wilderness.?
Whatever the truth maybe, the Magentalane album prooved to be their "finest" album and is a treasure trove of beautifully crafted songs; its a pure musical masterpiece.
This album is compareable to "Abbey Road" by The Beatles and showcases some of their finest produced songs; its a Must Listen To album before you die. The album proves that the composers and musicians of the songs are highly gifted and talented and deserve full respect and appreciation for this fact.
This album is compareable to "Abbey Road" by The Beatles and showcases some of their finest produced songs; its a Must Listen To album before you die. The album proves that the composers and musicians of the songs are highly gifted and talented and deserve full respect and appreciation for this fact.
Its time to take a look at the songs contained on Side One of the album and place each song under a microscope and analyse each song for its Musical and Lyrical contents.
" A MILLION MILES AWAY ".
The first lyric line; "They used to tell me that I was just a fool" is remarkably similiar to the George Harrison lyric line "But yet you play me for a fool" from his song "I really love you" off his "Gone Troppo" album.
Remember that in The Beatles film "Magical Mystery Tour" Paul plays "The Fool on the Hill".
Fool on the hill
In the mid/late 60s The Beatles owned a clothing boutique called "The Fool" which they ended up closing down and giving all their clothes away.
Remember that in The Beatles film "Magical Mystery Tour" Paul plays "The Fool on the Hill".
Fool on the hill
In the mid/late 60s The Beatles owned a clothing boutique called "The Fool" which they ended up closing down and giving all their clothes away.
The 2nd Klaatu lyric "Dreaming away my time" closely resemble John Lennons lyric line " Dreaming my life away" from his song "Watching the Wheels" from the "Double Fantasy" album.
In The Beatles song " Im only sleeping" from their "Revolver" album can be found the lyrics; "Please dont spoil my day, Im Miles away, and after all, Im only sleeping".
The Fab Four
In Johns song "Imagine" we hear him sing; "You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one" whilst in his song "Jealous Guy" we hear him sing " dreaming of the past".
Meanwhile on the Harrison song " Dream Away" from his "Gone Troppo" album George invites us all to " dream away". Strangely many songs by Yoko One contain themes and references to Dreams and Dreaming ones life away.
In Johns song "Imagine" we hear him sing; "You may say Im a dreamer, but Im not the only one" whilst in his song "Jealous Guy" we hear him sing " dreaming of the past".
The next Klaatu line; "I used to get my teacher so uptight , he'd always have to ask his questions twice" is very similar to the McCartney lyric "You dont wanna stay in my school" from his song "Again, again and again" from the "Back to the Egg" album.
The lyric line reminds one of the Lennon lyric "they hurt you at home and hit you at school" from his song "Working Class Hero".
John Lennon
The lyric line reminds one of the Lennon lyric "they hurt you at home and hit you at school" from his song "Working Class Hero".
Lennon declared on page 133 of the book "Strawberry fields forever" by Vic Garbarini " I daydreamed my whole way through school. I was just in a trance for 20 years because it was so bloody boring. If i wasnt in a trance, I wasnt there. Whenever I got my School Report Card , they would contain comments like " DREAMING HIS LIFE AWAY".
Watching the wheels
Lennon continues with " Daydreaming is what Im saying in "Watching the Wheels" , Im talking about "dreaming my life away".
Lennon continues with " Daydreaming is what Im saying in "Watching the Wheels" , Im talking about "dreaming my life away".
Lennon's school days are certainly reflected in the Klaatu lyric "I'd be a million miles away, drifting through time and space".
Strangely on McCartneys "Back to the egg" album can be found a song titled " A Million miles" whilst in George Harrison's song " The art of dying" can be found the similiar lyrics " living through a million years".
Tug of War.
On the same album, in the song "Ballroom Dancing" we find Paul singing "On a carpet ride to a foriegn land".
On his "McCartney 11" album in the song "Waterfalls" Paul sings "dont go chasing polar bears in the great unknown".
Klaatu continue with; "In a world of my own, a million miles away to parts unknown" which centre around the same theme found in McCartney's song "Tug of War" where we find him singing; "In another world, we could stand ontop of the mountain with our flag unfurled".
On the same album, in the song "Ballroom Dancing" we find Paul singing "On a carpet ride to a foriegn land".
On his "McCartney 11" album in the song "Waterfalls" Paul sings "dont go chasing polar bears in the great unknown".
All lyrics are centred around the theme of "exploring the unknown/ foriegn lands and other worlds" and provide a "composer fingerprint" for us to consider.
Lyricists tend to have their own "identifiable style" and often write around similar themes and use similar language to express their topic.
If the reader compares the lyrics in the songs featured on the Magentalane to the lyrics of songs featured on the below albums released by Lennon/ McCartney and Harrison around the same time, they will discover similiar themes and lyrics.
If the reader compares the lyrics in the songs featured on the Magentalane to the lyrics of songs featured on the below albums released by Lennon/ McCartney and Harrison around the same time, they will discover similiar themes and lyrics.
The lyrical theme of "A million miles away" centre around the same theme found in the George Harrison song "The Inner light" . This theme covers "the art of daydreaming/ meditation and astral travel".
In this indian inspired song George sings " without going out of your door, you can know all things on Earth. Without looking out of your window, you can know the ways of heaven. Arrive without travelling; see all without looking".
The inner light.
In this indian inspired song George sings " without going out of your door, you can know all things on Earth. Without looking out of your window, you can know the ways of heaven. Arrive without travelling; see all without looking".
In comparison, Klaatu can be heard singing "Ive flown through the galaxies and been to Berkerley Square. Ive passed the time with Sophocles but Never left my chair".
The reference to the Greek philosopher "Sophocles" is very interesting indeed when we consider that during early 1980 George Harrison spent time residing in Greece whilst completing his autobiography "I, Me, Mine", which concludes with the statement "Somewhere in Greece".
1979 Greece.
Many of the plays written by Sophocles centre around the themes of " the tragic ironies of human existence , and particularily the role that Fate plays", which can be found expressed in the lyrics of many songs found on the Harrison albums "All things must pass" and "Living in the Material world".
Mystical and Esoteric teachings saturate the lyrics of many of Harrisons recordings and George was considered to be a very learned Spiritual man.
Many of the plays written by Sophocles centre around the themes of " the tragic ironies of human existence , and particularily the role that Fate plays", which can be found expressed in the lyrics of many songs found on the Harrison albums "All things must pass" and "Living in the Material world".
Mystical and Esoteric teachings saturate the lyrics of many of Harrisons recordings and George was considered to be a very learned Spiritual man.
Musically the song opens with a Harrisonish guitar riff, thumping bass runs and overlayed synthesizer strings weaving a magical musical webb of sound.
Verse 1 features la-McCartney style single track vocals which eventually flow into beautiful 2 and 3 part harmonies reminiscent of the harmonies found on The Beatles "Abbey Road" and "Revolver" albums.
Musical similarities can be found in many songs found on the Harrison album "Somewhere in England" especially within the songs "Teardrops", "Save the world", "Unconscious Rules" and "All those years ago".
Save the world.
Save the world.
From the "Gone Troppo" album the reader should take a listen to the songs "Wake up my love" and "Dream away".
Dream Away
In regards to Paul McCartney, musical similarities can be found on his albums "Tug of War", and "Back to the Egg"; a good comparison can be found in his song "Ballroom Dancing".
Overall, " A million miles away" sounds very Harrisonish inspired and sets up a musical apetite for the remaining treats on the album.
Gee wiz, Ive only covered Song 1 and still so many interesting connections to the ex-Beatle members which Im sure that any rational thinking individual would consider "purely co-incidental"?
" THE LOVE OF A WOMAN ".
A love song reminiscent of the Lennon song "Woman" off his 1980 "Double Fantasy" album whilst a few years earlier we heard Lennon declare "Woman is the nigger of the world" from his "Sometime in New York City" album.
This song contains similair lyric lines found in Harrisons " Hong Kong Blues" from his "Somewhere in England" album and Paul McCartneys song " Another Day".
Klaatu sing " Cos Im tired of being lonely" closely resembles the lyric line " Im tired and feel so alone" from Lennon's "Scared" off the " Walls and Bridges" album.
In the Harrison song "Teardrops" we find the lyric " In the heart of a lonely man"; which can be found on his "Somewhere in England" album.
In the Harrison song "Teardrops" we find the lyric " In the heart of a lonely man"; which can be found on his "Somewhere in England" album.
Klaatu sing; " Lord, I just cant face another day" which contains the title of a McCartney song being "Another Day" and is similair to the Lennon lyric line " Dont let Another Day go by" from his song "Starting Over" from his "Double Fantasy" album.
Klaatu sing; " So I ask you please, I'll get down on my knees" which is almost identical to the Lennon lyric line " got to get down, down on my knees" from his song "Going down on love" off his "Walls and Bridges" album.
On Yoko Ono's 1st album after the death of John, her album "Seasons of Glass" featured a song titled " She gets down on her knees". ( just another strange co-incidence?)
Klaatu sing; " i just wanna be where ever you are" can be found echoed in the Lennon lyric " where ever you are, you are here" from his song " You are here" off his 1973 album "Mind Games".
Klaatu sing; " I dont need no power, fortune or fame" reminds one of the statement John Lennon made in Rolling Stone magazine on 28th June 1970 which states; " and the old gag about money, and power and fame is not the answer. We didnt have any HOPE just because we were famous".
Klaatu sing; " I dont need no power, fortune or fame" reminds one of the statement John Lennon made in Rolling Stone magazine on 28th June 1970 which states; " and the old gag about money, and power and fame is not the answer. We didnt have any HOPE just because we were famous".
Lennon held the philosophy/belief " that without HOPE there was no future for the human race and without the HOPE for global peace mankind would destroy itself and every living SPECIES on planet Earth".
His beliefs/philosophy can be clearly found expressed on Klaatu's 2nd album titled "HOPE" which is saturated with links to Lennon.
His beliefs/philosophy can be clearly found expressed on Klaatu's 2nd album titled "HOPE" which is saturated with links to Lennon.
The Klaatu lines are similiar in structure and theme to the Harrison lyrics "we all move around with objectives in mind to become rich and famous" from his song "The lord loves the one" off his 1973 "Living in the material world" album.
There are a number of other lyric lines I could quote here that have Beatle links or similarities and many which would only be " purely co-incidental" so I shall move along and explore a musical interpretation of the song.
In the Summer 1981 issue of The Morning Sun can be found Klaatu's manager Frank Davies review of the song which states; " The song features a fabulous string arrangement in the best tradition of the Electric Light Orchestra and examplifies the grandiosity that has become a Klaatu trademark. It features a seering Sax solo that will certainly stand up as one of the best for the year. Listen to the scorching rhyhm guitar that leads into the final chorus's towards the end of the song. So many other nice arrangements, ideas in this song".
The Sax solo is surely hot and reminds me of the Sax playing found in the Lennon songs " I dont wanna be a soldier" off his "Imagine" album.
Also check out the song "Dear Yoko" from his "Double Fantasy" album.
Parts of this Klaatu tune are similiar to musical sections/arrangements found in the McCartney songs "Ballroom Dancing" and " Take it away" from his "Tug of War" album.
Paul McCartney
In parts the tempo and arrangements differ, still; the musical similarities are quite evident.
In parts the tempo and arrangements differ, still; the musical similarities are quite evident.
Musical similarities can be found in Harrisons songs " Mystical One"
Mystical One
and "Dream away" off his "Gone Troppo" album and in the songs " Teardrops", " Unconscious Rules" and "Blood from a Clone" off his "Somewhere in England" album.
and "Dream away" off his "Gone Troppo" album and in the songs " Teardrops", " Unconscious Rules" and "Blood from a Clone" off his "Somewhere in England" album.
Slight touches of " the love of a woman" can be found expressed in the Lennon songs " Cleanup Time" and " Dear Yoko" from their "Double Fantasy" album.
The "musical interpretations and comparisons" are too numerous" to cover in this blogg and condensing down 400 pages and more into a workable Blogg is difficult and tiresome. Many artists sound like other artists and it is absurb to assume that "Klaatu are The Beatles" just because they sound like them. The band "The Rutles" is a fine example of this.
" BLUE SMOKE ".
Reminscient of The Beatles version of Chuck Berry's "Roll over Beethoven". This Klaatu tune shows the Rock n Roll side of the band, featuring some superb vocal harmonies and with the sound of a Sitar kicking the song off. (Remember George Harrison spent many years studying how to play the Sitar with his tutor Ravi Shankar.)
Lets begin again with a look at some of the lyrical content of the song and match them up with the lyrical contents of songs by various ex-Beatle members.
Klaatu begin with; " when the blue smoke gets in your eyes, you'll choke, choke till you cry, oh you'll die. where you gonna hide?" are remarkably similair in theme to the McCartney lyric " In years to come they may discover, what the air we breathe and the life we lead are all about" from his song "Tug of War".
Meanwhile in his song " One of these day" off the "McCartney 11" album we find the lyric line " see whats right, see whats there and breathe fresh air ever after".
One of these days.
Meanwhile in his song " One of these day" off the "McCartney 11" album we find the lyric line " see whats right, see whats there and breathe fresh air ever after".
One of these days.
Both the McCartney and Klaatu deal with the Concerns over Air Pollution and it is quite well known that Paul McCartney is a Conservationist and in fact in 1982 donated the royalties from the sales of his re-issued album "Wildlife" to aid the Tasmanian "Save the Franklin River Fund".
Next we hear Klaatu sing; "Well you can talk about the fog in London" which could be interpretated as a reference to the 1978 Wings album "London Town". In the song "London Town" Paul can be heard singing " Silver rain was falling down upon the dirty ground of London town" which I consider a direct reference to "Air Pollution" and "the fogs of London".
London Town
Its interesting to note that once again Klaatu have adopted to sing about the Capitol city of England; being London instead of singing about somewhere in their own locality; for example Canada.?
One must not forget that there exists a place called "London" in Ontario but i doubt that this is the same place they are singing about in "Blue Smoke" and I doubt that that this 1 Caribeau town would have an "air pollution" problem.?
One must not forget that there exists a place called "London" in Ontario but i doubt that this is the same place they are singing about in "Blue Smoke" and I doubt that that this 1 Caribeau town would have an "air pollution" problem.?
The subject of "Air Pollution" can be found expressed in the lyric lines of Ringo Starr's 1981 song "Stop and smell the roses" which read; "stop and take the time to stop that smoking" which directly relates to Klaatu's "Blue Smoke".
Ringo Starr
Meanwhile on Harrison's album "Extra Texture" album can be a song with a reference to SMOKE being a song titled " Pure Smokey" and in the Lennon song " Old dirt road" fom his "Walls and Bridges" album we hear John sing " trying to shove smoke with a pitchfork in the wind".
From my memory, all of the ex-Beatles were "smokers" and loved their "ciggies" and the act of smoking can be found in many of their lyrics, for example; "had a smoke and went into a dream" from "A day in the life".
Klaatu sing; " Now long before the dinosaur had come" could be interpretated as a reference to Ringo Starr's 1981 film "Caveman".??
The movie featured a number of odd looking dinosaurs whom used to raid the Hemp Plantations belonging to Ringo and the other cavemen and cavewomen. The movie was full of "blue smoke". It was a hoot and worthy viewing. It's also where he met his 2nd wife Barbara Bach, who co-stars.
The movie featured a number of odd looking dinosaurs whom used to raid the Hemp Plantations belonging to Ringo and the other cavemen and cavewomen. The movie was full of "blue smoke". It was a hoot and worthy viewing. It's also where he met his 2nd wife Barbara Bach, who co-stars.
Klaatu continue with; " he poaches leopard skins from Zanzibar" which may be a reference to John Lennons secret visits to various parts of Africa and Sth Africa during the late 1970s.
I became a little suspicious that he may have visited "Zanzibar" during his trips to purchase rare "leopard skins" for Yoko to add to her large collection of rare furs and skins. She uses One of her apartments in the Dakota Apartments just to store her huge collection.
I became a little suspicious that he may have visited "Zanzibar" during his trips to purchase rare "leopard skins" for Yoko to add to her large collection of rare furs and skins. She uses One of her apartments in the Dakota Apartments just to store her huge collection.
( Zanzibar is an Island situated 22 miles off the West Coast of Africa and became a British Protectorate in 1890 and eventually in 1964 bacame the Republic of Tanzania ).
Unfortunately I have no proof that Lennon made such a trip but perhaps with a little research on the internet the truth my be discovered?
Klaatu warn us " you'll be sorry come Judgement Day" which reflects the same sentiments express in the Lennon lyric line " the world may not have many years" from his song "Isolation" off his "plastic ono band " album.
Many of the lyrics found in "Blue Smoke" can be found expressed in the Harrison song "Dream Away" from the "Gone Troppo" album where we find similar ideas and themes in the lyrics "Tumbling through a thousand centuries/ you dont know where you'll land. Its so dark in Mythology, treasures of history to be found. Near the legends of time, all the handiworks remain there".
Both songs contain references to Ancient mytholgy; Time and History which offers us a insight into the "worldliness" of the composers.
Only Enlightened individuals obtain wisdom and knowledge and the lyricist of this song is a very "Worldly Individual". He has seen much; well travelled and an avid reader of Historical fact.
Only Enlightened individuals obtain wisdom and knowledge and the lyricist of this song is a very "Worldly Individual". He has seen much; well travelled and an avid reader of Historical fact.
There exists many, many other lyrical connections/links I could list here, but space does not permit me to do so, so lets look at some "musical comparisons"
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The Intro of "Blue Smoke" featues the sound of a Sitar backed by distorted lead and rytham guitar riffs along with some fine touches of an electric organ. The song then plunges into a middle eight featuring Jerry Lee Lewis style honky tonk piano and begins to rock. The song is filled with 3-4 part vocal harmonies that compliment the musical landscape.
Similar musical arrangements can be found in such Harrison songs as " This Song", "Gone Troppo", "Teardrops", "Save the World" and " Wake up my love" and also bears similiarities to The Beatle songs "Ballad of John and Yoko", "Rock n Roll Music", "I saw her standing there", "You cant do that", "Roll over Beethoven" and "Revolution"
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The 2nd Middle Eight repeats the same onslaught of raw, thrusting Rock n Roll primal energy, along with overlaying textures of electric organ, honky tonk piano and two part vocal harmonies; overall reminiscent of the rawness found on The Beatles "Let it Be" album.
"Blue Smoke" then launches into a very forcefull " 3 part guitar solo" reminiscent of that found on The Beatles song "Carry the Weight" from their "Abbey Road" album.
Paul McCartney
On this song "Harrison, Lennon and McCartney" took it in turns to play lead guitar on the track. The reader should really take some time to compare these 2 songs to discover the 3 different, distinctive guitar styles within both songs. This is purely the work of Master craftmen of musical composition.
On this song "Harrison, Lennon and McCartney" took it in turns to play lead guitar on the track. The reader should really take some time to compare these 2 songs to discover the 3 different, distinctive guitar styles within both songs. This is purely the work of Master craftmen of musical composition.
If the reader were to compare the "lead guitar styles" of Harrison, Lennon and McCartney to the "lead guitar styles" found on many of Klaatu's compositions , to their amazement they discover almost " identical" styles.
Klaatu have certainly acquired the "musical expertise" and "composing skills" to reproduce Beatle-ish sounding albums of superb quality. Their Production and Arrangement/ Mixing abilities are compareable to those of the late Beatles record producer George Martin.
Klaatu have certainly acquired the "musical expertise" and "composing skills" to reproduce Beatle-ish sounding albums of superb quality. Their Production and Arrangement/ Mixing abilities are compareable to those of the late Beatles record producer George Martin.
"Blue Smoke" ends with the sound of "people coughing their lungs out due to too much Blue Smoke" whilst a similar ending can be found on McCartney's song "Get it" from his "Tug of War" album.
Get it.
The song features Carl Perkins whom can be heard " laughing his lungs out".
The song features Carl Perkins whom can be heard " laughing his lungs out".
"I DONT WANNA GO HOME ".
This song would have to rate as one of the finest acoustic ballads that Klaatu has written and is reminiscent of the melodies found in the John Lennon composition " Across the Universe" from the Beatles "Let it Be" album.
The title of the song contains the slang word "wanna" which should rightfully be expressed as " want to " and can be identified with the usage of "slang words" by all of the ex-Beatle members.
For example, McCartney sings; "You dont wanna stay in my home" from his song " Again, again, again" from his "Back to the Egg" album, whilst on the Lennon album "Imagine" we find a song titled " I dont wanna be a soldier".
Most songwriters/composers have their own "identifiable language" and " slang" can often identify the birthplace of the composer.
"I dont wanna go home" is remarkably similiar to the lyric line " on our way back home" from The Beatles song "Two of Us" off their "Let it Be" album. They both also have a similiar feel and tempo.
Two of us.
Klaatu sing; " I see the hour is getting kinda late" which compares to the Harrison lyric " i hear a clock ticking" from his song " Blood from a clone" off his "Somewhere in England" album.
Klaatu sing; " I wish you'd ask me to spend the night" which closely resembles the lyric line " even if its just one night" from the Lennon song " Dear Yoko" off his "Imagine" album.
Klaatu continue with; " it may be wrong and it may be right" is similiar to the lyric line " and if things go wrong, you'd better make it right" from the McCartney song " Deliver your children" off the Wings "London Town" album.
Another similiar lyric line can be found in Lennon's song " Whatever gets you through the night" off his "Walls and Bridges" album which reads; " do it wrong or do it right".
Deliver your children
Another similiar lyric line can be found in Lennon's song " Whatever gets you through the night" off his "Walls and Bridges" album which reads; " do it wrong or do it right".
Klaatu then sing; " Cos when Im with you the time goes by so fast" which is almost identical to the Lennon lyric " I know time flies so quickly" from his song "Starting Over" off his "Double Fantasy" album.
Again, in the Lennon song " Only People" off his "Mind Games" album we hear John lament; " the years have passed so quickly".
Again, in the Lennon song " Only People" off his "Mind Games" album we hear John lament; " the years have passed so quickly".
Klaatu sing; " Each time I kiss you I pray it wont be the last" which could be interpretated as a reference to the song "Kiss, kiss, kiss" from John and Yoko's "Double Fantasy" album.
Remember that many of the songs mentioned so far were all written and recorded around the " same time frame" which would reflect similiar "subject matter".
Remember that many of the songs mentioned so far were all written and recorded around the " same time frame" which would reflect similiar "subject matter".
Klaatu's next lyric reads; " Yes if you ask me you know I will" which is again almost identical to the Harrison lyric " you know that i love you, yes I will" from his song " I still love you" found on Ringo's 1976 album "Rotogravure".
Finally we hear Klaatu sing; " I want to hold you close to me" which contains similar wording to the Lennon lyric " and woman hold me close to your heart" from his song "Woman" off the "Double Fantasy" album.
Woman
There exists many other "lyrical comparisons" I could quote but i feel its time to Review the Musical comparisons.
In the Summer 1981 issue of Klaatu's own newsletter "The Morning Sun" their manager Frank Davies gives the following review;
" This is one of those songs that makes the record business people and music publishers do strange things, like taking the day off or open their office windows and invite whoever is standing in the street below out to lunch. In short, it is a " smash", " a hit" , " a killer ", " a monster" or whatever currently used expression that signifies a song that will have enormous commercial potential. It is skillfully ladden with what the industry calls "hooks" and its likely to be recorded by dozens of artists from L.A to New York, to London over the next few years. So just remember that you heard it here first."
After dozens and dozens of listens of the song I believe that the "lead guitar " work is remarkably similiar to that found on the Harrison songs; " Dark sweet lady" and " your love is forever" from his 1979 self titled "George Harrison" album.
Dark sweet lady
Similiar musical arrangements, tempo, laidback style, the spacing of vocals and vocal harmonies can be found in his other songs " Soft touch", " all those years ago " and "Writing on the wall".
Similiar musical arrangements, tempo, laidback style, the spacing of vocals and vocal harmonies can be found in his other songs " Soft touch", " all those years ago " and "Writing on the wall".
Similiar arrangements and musical textures can also be found in the Lennon songs " Woman", "Beautiful Boy", "Jealous Guy" and "Julia".
Beautiful boy
In the case of McCartney, the reader should check out his songs; " Here today", " Only one more kiss" and "little lamb dragonfly".
One more kiss
"Could all these musical and lyrical similarities be purely co-incidental or not?". Perhaps the guys in the band are simply very knowledgeable on Beatle History and their work as Solo Performers and have incorporated some of this into their own recordings?
Its strange that many of the songs on Magentalane centre around the same "song themes" found on the recordings of Harrison, Lennon and McCartney done around the same " time frame".
In some cases, "Personal information" is mentioned within a song that almost immediately appears on a John Lennon album. We shall look more in depth of this issue a little later.
Its strange that many of the songs on Magentalane centre around the same "song themes" found on the recordings of Harrison, Lennon and McCartney done around the same " time frame".
In some cases, "Personal information" is mentioned within a song that almost immediately appears on a John Lennon album. We shall look more in depth of this issue a little later.
Regardless of the fact that we have been told that Klaatu are "Terry Draper", "John Woloschuk" and "Dee Long", the links to THE BEATLES and the 4 ex-Beatle members continue to saturate the "Magentalane" album.
"Surely if they wanted to rid themselves of any connections to the Fab Four, the Fab Three would have gone out of their way to ensure that their final album was devoid of any Beatles link"?
" DECEMBER DREAM ".
So finally we arrive at the final track on Side One of the album, which is a song dedicated to the late John Lennon; with the song written only months of his assassination on December 9, 1980.
The lyrics and musical arrangements are very reminscient of such Lennon songs as " No 9 Dream", "Isolation", "God", "Jealous Guy" and "Nobody loves you when you are down and out".
The lyrics and musical arrangements are very reminscient of such Lennon songs as " No 9 Dream", "Isolation", "God", "Jealous Guy" and "Nobody loves you when you are down and out".
So without any further ado, let's take a look at the lyrics of the song and see if we can uncover any similarities to lyric lines found in songs by The Bealtes and the 4 ex- Beatle members as Solo Artists.
Firstly, many songs written by Lennon, McCartney and Harrison within the Beatles camp and as Solo Artists contain references to the subject of "Dreams".
Strangely, many of the songs by Klaatu also contain references to the same subject matter; being that of "Dreams".
On the Lennon album "Walls and Bridges" can be found the fab song "No 9 Dream", whilst in the closing of his song "God", John can be heard singing "The dream is over".
Meanwhile in his song "We're all water" off his "Sometime in New York City" album, John sings; "There may be not much difference between you and me/ if we show our Dreams".
In his song "Watching the wheels" John informs us that "People say I'm lazy, dreaming my life away" whilst in the song "Imagine" John declares; "You may say I'm a Dreamer but I'm not the only one".
Meanwhile in his song "We're all water" off his "Sometime in New York City" album, John sings; "There may be not much difference between you and me/ if we show our Dreams".
In his song "Watching the wheels" John informs us that "People say I'm lazy, dreaming my life away" whilst in the song "Imagine" John declares; "You may say I'm a Dreamer but I'm not the only one".
In the song "Oh Yoko" from his "Imagine" album can be found the lyric line "In the middle of a dream" whilst in another song off the same album, being "Jealous Guy" we hear him sing "I was dreaming of the past".
With Yoko's serious interest in Psychic powers; tarot cards readings and Dream interpretation, its only logical that her interests would influence the subject matter of songs written by her husband John. Remember, its was Yoko Ono's book "Grapefruit" that inspired John to write/compose his legendary Peace Anthem " Imagine ".
Yoko had a great influence of the work produced by her husband and many of her solo recordings contain references to the subject of "Dreams". In her song "Silver Horse" we hear her sing "A story of a dreamer" and "When i come in my dreams to a house" whilst on her song "Toyboat" Yoko can be heard singing "I'm dreaming of a lake I've never seen before" and "But most times I hold my dreams/ i hold my dreams/ I dreamt of us".
Both songs can be found on her "Seasons of Glass" album.
Both songs can be found on her "Seasons of Glass" album.
On her 1982 album " It's Alright " can be found the song "Never say goodbye" which contains the lyric line " But we know we share our Dreams today" whilst in another song titled "Wake up" Yoko can be heard singing " I know you are still in Dreamland". The album also contains the haunting song " Dream Love " which features the lyrics; " Dream love, dream universe, dream come true, dream power, dream energy, dream eternity".
Dream love
I suspect that Yoko had a big influence over Johns writings and recordings and remember that both their 2 albums "Double Fantasy" and "Milk and Honey" were "corroborations", " passion plays".
In " December Dream " we hear Klaatu sing " December dream, the last snowfall in June" bears a similarity to the Harrison lyric line " No like shovelling snowfall" from his song " Gone Troppo" off his album of the same name.
Meanwhile in the McCartney song " Winter Rose" off his "Back to the egg" album we hear Paul singing " Now the snow is coming off the ground, snowfalls in winter". Both the McCartney and Harrison songs were written around the same time frame and around the same time as the writing of this classic Klaatu song.
Klaatu go on to sing; " Dont cry darling, dont cry we all will die" are remarkably similiar to the McCartney lyric line " what about the night we cried" from his song "Here Today" off the "Tug of War" album.
Here today
This song was Paul's tribute to the loss of his lifelong friend John Lennon.
This song was Paul's tribute to the loss of his lifelong friend John Lennon.
It's interesting to note that both songs "Here Today" and "December Dream" are the " last songs on Side One of both albums" and both songs were written as Dedications to John Lennon.
Both albums were recorded roughly around the "same time period" and possibly at the "same recording studios". Both album jackets are composed of the " same colours"; being " red + blue" which when blended together make up the colour "Magenta".
"Could this strange fact be just another co-incidence or simply two seperate events?".
"Could this strange fact be just another co-incidence or simply two seperate events?".
Strangely, in one of John Lennon's last live performances he can be seen singing his song "Imagine" whilst dressed in a "MAGENTA COLOURED JUMPSUIT".
Again I can hear the reader thinking " what the fuck, this whole story is too bloody unreal" and " naa, he cant be right, he's making this shit up". To which I reply; "Check the facts out for yourself and then ask yourself " could this all be true?".
Meanwhile lets continue with a lyric line found in the Harrison song "Teardrops" off his "Somehwhere in England" album which reads; " Teardrops, I've had enough of shedding buckets of teardrops" which centres around the act of "crying" , being the theme found contained within the Klaatu lyrics.
In the Harrison song " Life itself" George can be heard declaring " You are the one that I'd die for" and " you are my friend and when life's through, you are the light in death" with both the Klaatu and Harrison lyrics centreing around the theme of " dying". In the same Harrison song we find George singing " While death holds on to us much more with every passing hour" and " till they're drunk away or shot away or die away from you".
Klaatu then sings; "December dream, dont let me down" which may be interpretated as a reference to The Beatles song "Dont let me down", which was mostly written by Lennon.
The reference to Dreams continues with the Harrison lyric line; " You're in my dreams" from his song "Life itself" off the "Somewhere in England" abum, whilst in his song " All those years ago" we hear George sing; "We're living in a bad dream".
The composer credits for John Lennon's song "No 9 Dream" off his "Walls and Bridges" album list a " Dr Dream" as the composer with "Dr Dream"being a pseudonym used by Lennon.
. In the Beatles film "Magical Mystery Tour" John is featured in a " dream sequence" showing him shovelling spagetti onto a fat womans plate.
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. In the Beatles film "Magical Mystery Tour" John is featured in a " dream sequence" showing him shovelling spagetti onto a fat womans plate.
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The subject matter "Dreams" found in songs by both Klaatu and the ex-beatle members are so numerous that it is becoming to absurb to list them all. I dare not list Beatle songs containing similiar reference or this Blogg may never end.
In the Summer 1981 edition of Klaatu's newsletter "The Morning Sun" can be found Frank Davies review, which reads;
"Side One of the album closes with a beautifully haunting and very grand ballad that reminds one of the finest work of the Moody Blues in their heyday. There is an urgency and pathos rolled into this song which also takes me back to an earlier Klaatu masterpiece " Calling occupants of interplanetary craft". The song ends vocally with what may be interpretated as a subtle salute to the late John Lennon".
The song features some fine acoustic guitar , synthesizer string arrangements, piano, bass guitar riffs and solid Ringo style drumming. The vocals are almost one track lead with a few touches of 2 part vocal harmony. The overall style of the song is very reminiscient of the magical haunting spell cast in the Lennon song " No 9 Dream" off his "Walls and Bridges" album
No9 Dream
. The tempo and musical arrangements are almost identical to that found in The Beatles song " Dont let me down". Similiar musical arrangements/ styles can be found in The Beatle songs " Dig a Pony", " The long and winding road", " Hey Jude" and "Golden Slumbers".
. The tempo and musical arrangements are almost identical to that found in The Beatles song " Dont let me down". Similiar musical arrangements/ styles can be found in The Beatle songs " Dig a Pony", " The long and winding road", " Hey Jude" and "Golden Slumbers".
Touches of "December Dream" can also be found in the Harrison songs " Your love is forever", " Writings on the wall" and " Life itself".
Life itself
The lead guitar solo at the closing of " December Dream" is extremely reminiscient of the lead guitar solo's found in songs off The Beatles "Double White" and "Abbey Road" albums.
Summing up;
Klaatu's "December Dream" could very easily be mistaken for a McCartney or Lennon creation; its textured with Lennon and McCartney vocal harmonies; Harrison style guitar work and steady Ringo style drumming.
Summing up Chapter 8
Contact was made with both Terry Draper and George Harrison and yet nothing was proven or unproven and the mystery to the real identities of the Klaatu members still remained. Regardless of being told that Klaatu were composed of 3 Canadian musicians called "Terry Draper, Dee Long" and "John Woloschuk" their final album continued to be saturated with " links/ connections and co-incidences" to The Beatles and the 4 ex-Beatle members as Solo Artists.
Creating a Conspiracy is a very thought out operation and planting clues within the Artwork, song lyrics and musical arrangements is a very time consuming process. A jig-saw piece here, a jig-saw piece there and its just a matter of time before all the pieces fit together. When all the pieces are fitted together they present a Picture of the possible Truth.
All of my pieces still suggest that at one time a "Beatles/Klaatu Conspiracy" did exist.
All of my pieces still suggest that at one time a "Beatles/Klaatu Conspiracy" did exist.
Perhaps my 6 years of research into the conspiracy during the 70's/ 80's discovered The Truth to the whole affair or perhaps I was manipulated by the Conspirators to at some later date present my findings and therefore create a new public interest in KLAATU?
Like me, they are probably in their mid-late 60's, retired and in need of a few extra bucks to get them through. I must admit, it would be great if their music was given the acclaim for how great it was.
Like me, they are probably in their mid-late 60's, retired and in need of a few extra bucks to get them through. I must admit, it would be great if their music was given the acclaim for how great it was.
Stay tuned for Chapter 9 where I will Review Side Two of the "Magentalane" album; interpretate the Artwork and present a new theory on the Coming of Klaatu based on the artwork and photo's of The Beatles.
Did they plan to record secret albums under another band name way back in 1967?
Did they plan to record secret albums under another band name way back in 1967?
End of Chapter 8
Email : utaalkback@hotmail.com
