The Dirty Mac
The Dirty Mac was a name given by John Lennon to a one-time performance with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Mitch Mitchell in December 1968. They played the Lennon Beatles composition "Yer Blues" for the Rolling Stones' TV special titled The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus, which was not released until October 1996. Lennon and Clapton later recorded the first Plastic Ono Band album, Live Peace in Toronto 1969, which also included "Yer Blues".
The Dirty Mac | |
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Background information | |
Origin | London, England |
Genres | |
Years active | 1968 |
Associated acts | The Plastic Ono Band |
Past members |
Overview
Recorded on 11–12 December 1968, this TV show was the first time since the formation of the Beatles that Lennon—who was still in the group—had performed in public without them, and the first time he had performed live since the Beatles' last tour ended in August 1966. Before the performance, Lennon was filmed briefly chatting with Mick Jagger while eating a bowl of noodles. He listed the other members of the Dirty Mac by their proper names but introduced himself as "Winston Leg-Thigh".[1]
The Dirty Mac recorded a rendition of the Lennon-penned Beatles track "Yer Blues" and then went on to back up Yoko Ono and violinist Ivry Gitlis on a track called "Whole Lotta Yoko" (essentially an extended blues jam on top of which Ono improvised free-form vocalizations). The name, thought of by Lennon, was a play on "Fleetwood Mac" who at that time were a very popular band in the United Kingdom. When asked what type of guitar amp Lennon would like to use for the performance his answer was "One that plays".[2]
In 1996, the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus album of the event was issued, concurrently with the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus home video. The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus DVD edition followed in October 2004. Fifteen years later, a limited U.S. remastered theatrical release of the film run during the first week of April 2019 in conjunction with what was—still then—the ongoing North American leg of the Rolling Stones' No Filter Tour (before it was later postponed).[3] A remaster (4-disc and 3LP vinyl) reissue box set followed on 7 June 2019.[4][5]
Members
- John Lennon (as "Winston Leg-Thigh") – vocals, rhythm guitar (from the Beatles)
- Eric Clapton – lead guitar (from Cream)
- Mitch Mitchell – drums (from the Jimi Hendrix Experience)
- Keith Richards – bass (from the Rolling Stones)
- Additional musicians
- Ivry Gitlis – violin
- Yoko Ono – vocals (on "Whole Lotta Yoko")
References
- "Dirty Mac - Yer Blues - Vidéo". Dailymotio.comn.
- "The Dirty Mac | News, Music Performances and Show Video Clips | MTV". Mtv.com.
- "Rolling Stones' 'Circus,' once lost and unfinished, will receive a theatrical release". Los Angeles Times. 19 March 2019.
- "Rolling Stones Prep Remastered 'Rock and Roll Circus' Box Set: Reissue will boast previously unreleased recordings from impromptu John Lennon, Keith Richards, Mitch Mitchell, Eric Clapton supergroup, the Dirty Mac (by Jon Blistein)". Rollingstone.com. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
- "Rolling Stones / Rock and Roll Circus four-disc box and 3LP vinyl: Dolby Atmos surround – 2CD+DVD+blu-ray box – unheard audio (by Ian Wade)". Superdeluxeedition.com. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.