Year: 2020

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!

~Donald Richard, TopShelf Reviews

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.

Get Your Copy Now

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.

httpss://www.facebook.com/102039781472574/videos/635753160617018

PART 2

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.

httpss://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=687547215425150&ref=watch_permalink 

Find out more about Jude on her author page

Purchase Jude’s books too:

Debbie sees The Beatles at The Cavern

The Beatles had just returned from their second trip to Hamburg and were guests of The Swinging Blue Genes at the Cavern for their welcome home appearance. They were already by far the best group in Liverpool. Everything about them was exciting and intoxicating. They seemed to be infused with even more vigour and passion than before. The transformation was unbelievable, with their gyrating hips, humorous banter on stage and sexy outfits- clad in tight black leather with Cuban heeled boots.

Their repertoire was now wide-ranging making them stand out from other bands. The Beatles sound was unique and addictive their energy palpable. Liverpool had never seen or heard anything quite like them before.  We couldn’t get enough of them.

Read about this story and so much more in Debbie’s book: Cavern Club: The Inside Story

I was happily surprised when Daniel Sam, AKA Plastic EP, invited me to do a live interview for his website regarding my novel 30 Minutes in Memphis: A Beatles Story. I had seen a couple of his others, most notably with American Deejay/Beatles enthusiast Chachi Loprete, who had expressed a desire to have me on his weekend show Breakfast With The Beatles, which originates in Boston. So, I asked “Plastic” if he was going to send me a list of questions so I could prepare. “No worries,” he said in typical Aussie style. “You’ll do great!” Just come on and sell your book!”

What Time is It?

The morning of the interview I just happened to get up early to exercise in my home gym, and took a peek at my computer. (It was 5:30 AM in Connecticut, where I live, but the next evening in Melbourne.) When he saw I was on Facebook he asked me to chat live about the upcoming interview. With the help of my groggy wife, Maria, we were patched through. So I described the history behind the story, namely, the Beatles’ tumultuous 1966 tour. Then I got into the actual plot and he said, “Wait…you mean this story isn’t real? You are so detailed, I thought it was real!” I explained it was historical fiction, and used the film Titanic as an analogy. He became very excited. “This is incredible! My first novel!” he cried. “Wait! Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to make a promo video, RIGHT NOW!” And that’s what we did, which would explain my scruffy appearance.

A Bundle of Plastic

Eleven hours later, we did the live interview, and it was tremendous fun. Plastic is a bundle of enthusiastic energy, and sets up his guests beautifully. We had a great time, and the story behind my novel has reached hundreds of people around the world. Overall, it was a memorable experience! His Facebook page has given many Beatle insiders/enthusiasts/collectors/authors a chance to come together, and there’s obviously an audience out there that’s hungry for this information. Just look at the number of views these interviews, which he conducts at a dizzying pace, receive. My thanks to Plastic EP, and everyone who’s come aboard to watch our chat.

Watch Now

httpss://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=308739713617841&ref=watch_permalink

Get Paul’s book here in The Beatles Bookstore