On a warm July 28th in 1968, The Beatles went on ‘The Mad Day Out’, a phrase coined by now legendary photographer, Tom Murray. One of the locations was by the River Thames in Wapping. The Beatles posed on the river bank with Tower Bridge in the background.
Tom very kindly allowed me to use one of his amazing photos as the cover of my book ‘Guide to the Beatles London’.
The book is divided into the followings sections:
1. The Story of The Beatles in London. A chronological history from their first visit to London to their break-up.
2. A walking tour of The Beatles London. A three hour walking tour around major Beatles locations in Central London.
3. Drive My Car. Other Beatles locations in and around London. My book is still available
Liverpool’s terminally happy and enthusiastic export, Angie McCartney, stepmum to Paul, is still loving life at 90, and in two great interviews here, listen to Angie being interviewed by Jude Kessler and Lanea Stagg on their She Said She Said podcast, and also our favourite Antipodean, Plastic EP!
Angie’s Fascinating Book
Your Mother Should Know by Angie McCartney
Angie with Jude Kessler and Lanea Stagg on She Said, She Said
Breathtakingly well-written… Absolutely, not to be missed!
What a unique and entertaining jaunt. For me, The Beatles’ number one fan (at least in my heart) 30 Minutes in Memphis by Paul Ferrante is made all the more special due to the 100% accurate attention to Beatle history as well as the general socio-political atmosphere of the nation back in 1966. When ultimate Beatles fan, Marnie––daughter of the Memphis police sergeant and a typical example of teenage innocence in the ’60s, is told that the Fab Four are scheduled to perform and that her best friend has secured tickets for her birthday, she is over the moon! That is, until a disastrous yet misrepresented quote by John Lennon, on Christianity’s declining popularity, is released in a popular teen publication, which ignites a firestorm in an already racially charged atmosphere.
Forbidden from going to the concert, Marnie is paralyzed with fear when she discovers that the local KKK chapter, led by her father’s boss, Lieutenant Joe Bob Sutter, is planning to make this Beatles concert their last. They plan to assassinate John Lennon, perhaps all four of them on stage. With the show just days away, Marnie and Myles must prevent this tragedy from occurring. 30 Minutes in Memphis is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. A unique blend of historical fact and “on beat” storytelling that blends seamlessly, creating an indelible portrait of teenage life in the ’60s touched by the volatility of the period. Breathtakingly well-written, without a scrap of profanity. Absolutely, not to be missed!
Bill Harry, friend of John Lennon and Founder of Mersey Beat, who wrote the foreword to the book, says: “This is a treasure chest of research and a visual delight, this will prove to be a work no Beatles fan should be without.”
After “Liddypool“, David Bedford expanded a chapter from “Liddypool” called the Fab 27, which told how John’s first Quarrymen ended up as John, Paul, George and Ringo.
By the time he had expanded the story to include those who taught The Beatles to play and the artists they backed on stage, he had 104 people and couldn’t believe how many he had, and the connection with the Fab Four.
Geoff Lee, classmate of John Lennon at Quarry Bank School reveals for the first time how he suggested to John Lennon that, because of his great singing voice, he should start a skiffle group. The group Lennon started was called The Quarrymen: the Quarrymen became The Beatles.
Not only did Geoff suggest John start the group that became The Beatles, but gave the young Lennon his first guitar. Bedford says, “We had always thought that John’s first guitar was purchased by his mother, but it wasn’t!” John later remembered Geoff’s generosity.
“I used to borrow a guitar at first. I couldn’t play, but a pal of mine had one and it fascinated me. Eventually my mother bought me one from one of those mail order firms. I suppose it was a bit crummy, when you think about it. But I played it all the time and I got a lot of practise.”
Geoff’s story is featured in the new book by Beatles historian and author David Bedford, “The Fab one hundred and Four” which tells of the evolution of The Beatles from The Quarrymen to the Fab Four.
Featured in The Fab one hundred and Four are: 1. the first published photographs of Silver Beatles’ drummer Norman Chapman. 2. the real influences in their formative years – family members, schoolmates, mentors and musical contemporaries. 3. profiles of every musician who was a member of the group – from The Quarrymen to The Beatles – from 1956 through 1962. Whether they were in the group for a night, a week, a year, two years or more, they are all mentioned here.
Listen to David’s interview with podcaster Bob Sorrentino about the book.
On his podcast, host Bob Sorrentino is joined by David Bedford and Lou Longobardi as they look at the meanings and stories behind some of the most famous, and some obscure, Beatles songs and lyrics.
Listen in and be amazed as to the stories revealed behind the songs.
Aussie VideoBlogster Plastic EP interviews Jude in a fantastic two-part interview, discussing her lifelong love of John Lennon and her commitment to completing her remarkable book series on John Lennon’s life.
PART 1
They discuss her books and her current book and looking at the incredible recording process of The Beatles’ first LP, Please Please Me.
This is Part Two, which is the end of that famous day from 4 p.m. on…including the recording of “Twist and Shout.” It’s almost a minute-by-minute account of what happened.
