Month: February 2024

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THE BEATLES IN AUSTRALIA – TO THE TOPPERMOST OF THE POPPERMOST

Beatles in Australia

The Beatles in Australia? Hamburg has often been credited as the birth of the Beatles as it was the place where they honed their musicianship there with long 7 or 8-hour sets. Fans in the UK and Liverpool specifically, would probably object to that description because the hysteria surrounding Beatlemania occurred when the Beatles returned to their native England after their Hamburg stint. It was after the Beatles had returned to the UK that their songwriting skills also began to flourish. Most Beatles scholars would state that once the Beatles came to America, they conquered the world.

However, the Australians will point out proudly that the largest Beatles crowd and reception to view them during 1964, was not in any of those countries. The biggest crowd to attempt to see the Beatles was in Australia and this book published in Australia is a historical photo essay of the Beatles’ 1964 trip to that country. It is estimated that more than 300,000 fans came to welcome the band In Adelaide, which was the largest crowd seeing them in their touring career.

The Beatles must have been in shock for such a large crowd to view them along a 10-mile route that day.   Another reason the book holds a special place in my collection is that the drummer pictured on the cover is not Ringo Starr, it is Jimmie Nicol, who substituted for Ringo while he was ill for 13 days during the Beatles playing in the Netherlands and in Australia. Ringo was to rejoin the Beatles in Melbourne, Australia in June of 1964.

The book was put together by noted Beatles photo collector Mark Hayward and the photos in the book are fantastic. New Holland Publishers Pty, Limited-2005.

The book is occasionally featured on Ebay and on the book search service at Abe books.

The Beatles in Australia
The Beatles in Australia
The Beatles in Australia
The Beatles in Australia

A sad newspaper article which details what happened to Jimmie Nicol” a man that had seen the mountaintop but only for a very short time. “Fame” can certainly be fleeting. Author Jim Berkenstadt has written a superb book about the Jimmie Nicol story and that book is pictured below

Paul Harris wrote this story for the Daily Mail.

Jimmie Nicol
Jimmie Nicol

The superb book written by Jim Berkenstadt, deals with Jimmie Nicol’s story with the Beatles.

The Beatle Who Vanished
The Beatle Who Vanished

Hope you enjoy it.

Buzz

Discover Books on Ringo and The Beatles Drummers

Ringo Starr

Books about Ringo Starr

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LIMITED EDITION SGT PEPPER BOOK

Sgt Pepper

I just got this note from Alex Franchi about a new Sgt Pepper book. I love these independently produced books that highlight items acquired by collectors for their personal collections over the years. Part of the attraction of these books is the very few copies that are actually made and years later they become increasingly more difficult to find and somewhat akin to the feeling of being in a treasure hunt!

Here is Alex’s note:

THE BEATLES – THE SGT. PEPPER’S ERA
by Fulvio Fiore and Alex Franchi
(295 pages, Isla Publishing)

This is the fourth chapter in a successful new series of photographic publications retracing the myth of the Liverpool quartet in the international printed paper weekly. 1967 was a fantastic and a very innovative year for the Fab Four!!!
Rare newspapers, promotional posters, charts, rare covers relating to record publications, charts, and other international press finds. Much of the material from the authors’ personal collection is unpublished or rarely seen before testifying a collecting interest which, after more than 50 years, has not shown signs of decreasing, indeed… Available in a limited edition of 50 hand-numbered copies:

A SPLENDID TIME IS GUARANTEED FOR ALL!

Enjoy the previews and contact Alex Franchi to get a copy Soundlover30@hotmail.com

The cover of the book:

Sgt Pepper Cover

A few sample pages:

The real Sgt Pepper as speculated by a newspaper

The Real Sgt Pepper?
The Real Sgt Pepper?

The back cover

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COME AND GET IT IF YOU WANT IT

Come and Get It

A MAGIC CHRISTIAN MYSTERY and BEATLE CONNECTIONS GALORE

According to reports, this version of the Paul McCartney song was released around the same time as the Apple Badfinger version. The Magic Christian version was not a hit. Produced by the late keyboardist, Gary Wright, who was to back both George Harrison and Ringo Starr in their solo careers.

Ex-Move guitarist Trevor Burton was supposedly involved with this recording and speculation abounds that Denny Laine and Steve Gibbons also played a role in the record. I believe Beatles associate Tony Bramwell has mentioned at one time that Denny Laine had a role in this recording. I was able to find a copy of this recording at the DISCOGS site.  Some of the 45’s issued had the song title listed as “If You Want It” rather than “Come and Get It.” The first pressings had the publisher listed as Apple. Later copies had the publisher listed as Northern Songs!

Come and Get It
Come and Get It

A different title is used on this McCartney tune as well as having a different publisher listed.

If You Want It
If You Want It
If You Want It by The Magic Christians

THE MAGIC CHRISTIANS

There is another connection. The Magic Christians were supposedly made up of some of the members of the group Balls which included Denny Laine who was with the Moody Blues and later with Wings and the flip side of one of the 45’s by Balls was written by both Denny Laine and Alan White who was to join the Plastic Ono Band and later the group Yes. Alan and Denny both passed away a while back. Because of the scarcity of a Denny Laine/ Alan White co-authored track and the multiple solo Beatles and McCartney connections, I bought a copy of the 45 at the Discogs site.

Janie Slow Down by Balls
Janie Slow Down by Balls

BALLS

This is the rare Denmark picture sleeve to the Balls 45 which contains the obscure Denny Laine/ Alan White co-authored track called “Janie Slow Down.” Odd that Denny Laine would play with Wings and Alan White would end up being in a band with John Lennon and also backing George Harrison!

Here is a brief history of the group Balls provided by this internet link:

Balls, a Birmingham supergroup of the 1960s (brumbeat.net)

Balls also did an Apple acetate of the song “Fight For My Country.”

Fight for My Country
Fight for My Country

Great Book About Badfinger

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The Fest for Beatles Fans

Fest for Beatles Fans

The Beatles Bookstore will be at The Fest for Beatles Fans in New York this coming weekend – 9th to 11th February 24. Come and find them in the Marketplace and talk to them and buy some books too! And if you can’t make it, you can order their books below.

Authors At The Fest:

David Bedford
David Bedford
Jude Kessler
Jude Kessler
Terry Crain
Terry Crain
Madeline Bocaro
Madeline Bocaro
Kit O'Toole
Kit O’Toole
Bill Zygmant - Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)

Bill Zygmant – Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)

Get your copy of Bill Zygmant’s portfolio book of unique photographs covering his career from the late 1960s to the 1980s.

This will be a signed, numbered edition – maximum of 250 numbered editions.

It comes with one of Bill’s signed photographs, which usually sells for £50!

£75.00
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NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966 (2ND EDITION)

NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966 (2ND EDITION)

The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!

Barnes and Noble site: httpss://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nems-and-the-business-of-selling-beatles-merchandise-in-the-us-1964-1966-terry-crain/1137422952?ean=9783347096165#

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She Loves You (Vol. 3) 1963 - 1st March 1964

She Loves You (Vol. 3) 1963 – 1st March 1964

 

She Loves You, lets you ride along with John Lennon and The Beatles on the whirlwind tour that was 1963-early 1964. Available on Kindle only here

£7.20
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In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Signed Hardback)

In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Signed Hardback)

Now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives
Acclaimed by MOJO & Goldmine
Recommended by Olivia Harrison
Spotlighted on The Beatles Channel, Sirius XM Radio

The true story of the woman John Lennon loved. Includes the work and music they made together, the love story of John & Yoko, and her relationship with the Beatles.

Ono’s incredible story goes way beyond what most people know.

There are astounding details about Yoko’s life (thirty-three years before meeting Lennon, twelve years with him, and over forty years of creativity since his death).

The author has followed Ono’s career since the mid-1960s, assembling a vast media archive on the artist. Yoko’s own voice, along with Lennon’s and others (in cited, published interviews) tell her undeniably true and complete story, disproving many myths. Bocaro has spent valuable time with Ono, gaining incredible insight.

Here is the ultimate exploration of Yoko’s childhood, her relationship with Lennon, her art, films, music and activism for peace and women’s rights.

£44.00
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Songs We Were Singing

Songs We Were Singing

Take A “Magical Mystery Tour” through the Beatles’ Deep Tracks. The Beatles’ music has become so ingrained in our culture that their songs have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Who doesn’t know the words to “Hey Jude” or “Let It Be”? Who hasn’t been moved by the poetry of “Eleanor Rigby” or energized by that opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night”?

Songs We Were Singing uncovers the buried treasures that deserve a second listen.

£15.20
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EASY RIDER WITH A LENNON MAGAZINE IN THE HOPPER

REBELS WITH A CAUSE “GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN”

I recently obtained the late actor Dennis Hopper’s copy of this magazine featuring Mr. Lennon and Miss Ono on the cover. The issue of the magazine is from 1969. Got it for a very reasonable price, on eBay!

Lennon Magazine
Lennon Magazine
EBay description of the item fiba: Actualite, Issue #1, 1969. Side-stapled, 56 pgs. Includes articles on Turkish & Greek cinema, the fiba award for best films (8-page section on winning films No5 & Two Virgins by Yoko Ono, with brief article by Ono), poem by Lionel Ziprin, Zeffirelli’s Romeo & Juliet, and more. From a collection of publications obtained from the estate of Dennis Hopper.

There are a couple of Beatle/Lennon connections with the late Dennis Hopper. He co-starred with Peter Fonda in Easy Rider and Fonda turned out to be the inspiration for the Beatles tune, “She Said, She Said.” The late Terry Southern, who helped to co-write the screenplay for “Easy RIder” also wrote “The Magic Christian” and “Candy,” which were film vehicles for Ringo Starr. Terry Southern also taped an hour-long cassette of John Lennon jamming with Mick Jagger during the “Lost Weekend.”

Dennis Hopper


Background of Dennis Hopper from Wikipedia–Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010) was an American actor and film director. He is known for his roles as mentally disturbed outsiders and rebels.
Hopper made his directorial film debut with Easy Rider (1969), which he and co-star Peter Fonda wrote with Terry Southern. The film earned Hopper a Cannes Film Festival Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Hopper was also in a few films associated with another prominent rebel, James Dean, “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant”!

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Beatles and Epstein NEMS Contract

The NEMS Contract – Sign It On The Dotted Line!!!

When I ran the now defunct Beatles in Print page on Facebook, I posted the following item on that page and it seemed to generate a lot of keen interest.

Most Beatles collectors would probably agree that one of the most desirable pieces of Beatles memorabilia to have an authentic set of their four signatures. I was fortunate to have purchased a set from the Sotheby’s auction house before the price explosion of autographs occurred following the death of John Lennon. Collecting is often a feature of being at the right place at the right time and going with your instincts. I could kick myself as I once had the opportunity to purchase John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to “Because” and I did not pull the trigger figuring it was way too expensive.

Well, you can “imagine” what I think of that decision now! However I was happy with this purchase, it features all four of the Beatles signatures on a NEMS stock transfer issued in 1967 several months following the death of their manager, Brian Epstein. What is unusual about this document is that it also features the signatures of Brian Epstein’s mother, Queenie Epstein, and his brother Clive Epstein. The signature of Ringo is very rare as well as he signs the document in his real name-R. Starkey (Richard Starkey). Documents with the signatures that appear with this configuration are extremely rare. Signatures from 1967 are also well-sought after as that was the year credited to be the apex of their career.

A photo of part of the back of the stock transfer that features the four signatures of the Beatles.

The NEMS Contract with The Beatles signatures
The NEMS Contract with The Beatles signatures

The front page of the NEMS stock transfer.

The NEMS Contract
The NEMS Contract