Posted on 27/08/202427/08/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

THE BEATLES AT SHEA STADIUM – TWO GREAT BOOKS AND A LITTLE BIT OF NOSTALGIA!!!

This post deals with 2 titles that extensively cover the importance of one of the most talked about concert performances in the history of popular culture: The Beatles At Shea Stadium. These are the two books in my collection that I continually turn to answering any questions that I may have concerning that historical event. There is also a little bit of non-Beatles nostalgia included in this post which I hope you will enjoy!!!

Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965 Hardcover – August 1, 2022

by Laurie Jacobson (Author) Rowman & Littlefield Publishers/Backbeat

Laurie Jacobson has written numerous fascinating and interesting popular-culture based titles over the years and this is one of my favorites.

She cites many fascinating anecdotes about the following well-known individuals who were present at this historic concert like the young Caryn Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg), Mary Louise Streep (Meryl Streep), and Steven Lento (Steven Van Zandt); future Beatle wives Linda Eastman and Barbara Bach; stars like Bobby Vinton and Ed Sullivan; and Beatles contemporaries such as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals, Marvin Gaye, and more. Collectively they paint a picture which makes you feel that you are right there with them! An astonishing book which underscores the importance that this one concert had to the evolution of popular music concerts that were to follow!

Here is a podcast interview with Laurie about her book with host Brad Page on the “I’m In Love With That Song” podcast:

The Beatles play Shea Stadium, 1965 (with special guest Laurie Jacobson) – The “I’m In Love With That Song” Podcast – Music Commentary, Song Analysis & Rock History (lovethatsongpodcast.com)

The front cover of the book:

The back cover of the book:

Back Cover of The Beatles at Shea Stadium

And a little bit of extra nostalgia is provided for your enjoyment though not associated with the Beatles. Laurie has the distinct privilege and honor to have been able to chronicle the birth and growth of the importance of TV in American culture in many excellent books. In that vein, this is a photograph signed by Jon Provost playing Timmy Martin in the old Lassie series. The connection with Laurie’s book that is shown above is that Jon Provost years later became Laurie Jacobson’s husband. The photograph is also signed by June Lockhart who played Timmy’s mother, Ruth Martin in the series. She was also to star in several hit TV shows including “Lost in Space.” She made numerous film appearances in Hollywood including “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Her father, Gene Lockhart, was an Academy Award Nominee and appeared in many excellent films.

A little bit of nostalgia to jar your memories – thanks to Laurie and Jon!!!

A few of Laurie Jacobson’s other popular culture book titles:

Hollywood Haunted — Authors’ Cut
Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965
TV Dinners
Dishing Hollywood
Timmy’s in the Well
Hollywood Heartbreak

We now return to the subject of the Beatles at Shea!!!

To get the complete picture of the Shea Stadium event you can not go wrong by acquiring both Laurie’s book and the book below by Dave Schwensen.

The Beatles At Shea Stadium: The Story Behind Their Greatest Concert (Paperback) – November 28, 2013

by Dave Schwensen (Author) Publisher- North Shore Publishing

The details provided in this excellent book will astonish you. Dave is highly regarded as one of the leading authorities concerning the Shea Stadium concert and after reading this book, you will find it difficult to disagree with that assessment.

A wonderful Beatles podcast featuring the author of this excellent Beatles book- Dave Schwensen. You will enjoy this program very much featuring the extraordinary hosts: Allan Kozinn, Ken Michaels, Al Sussman and Steve Marinucci!

Things We Said Today Beatles radio show #142 – Dave Schwensen on the Beatles at Shea Stadium – YouTube

The front cover of the Schwensen book:

The Beatles at Shea Stadium by Dave Schwensen

The back cover of the book:

Dave has also written another Beatles-related title and here are a few of the book details. Dave is one of the fortunate people who can say that they actually saw the Beatles perform live:

The Beatles In Cleveland: Memories, Facts & Photos About The Notorious 1964 & 1966 Concerts Paperback – April 1, 2007

by Dave Schwensen(Author) Publisher North Shore Publishing

Front Cover of the Book:

Back Cover:

You can not go wrong by adding any of these Beatles titles to your book collections. The titles can be found at the expected sources, Amazon and Ebay, as well as the book search services such as Abe Books. Happy hunting!!!

Happy memories

Buzz

Posted on 22/08/202422/08/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

THE PLASTIC ONO BAND – A FLEXIBLE IDEA

The concept of the PLASTIC ONO BAND fit in well with Yoko’s concept of conceptual art. The medium is flexible and so the band should also be flexible in both it’s membership and format. Technically anyone that participates is a member of the band. Towards the end of the Beatles, you get the distinct impression that several of the Beatles were looking to play with other musicians, to expand the horizons, so to speak.

However the pressure of the “expected” commercial success of the Beatles could inhibit that type of choice for the band. John suggests in the “Get Back” by Peter Jackson movie that they incorporate Billy Preston permanently into the band as the group seemed to come to life with his contributions and presence. Paul offhandedly scoffs at that notion suggesting they have trouble enough with satisfying the needs of 4 members never mind expanding the group adding the odds of even more disagreements among a larger membership.

A Thought to Ponder on the Plastic Ono Band:

Band decisions that are made are often trade-offs. To get something desired, decisions made about band direction often can mean giving up something else. The concept of having a band that consistently has the same members offers the elements of predictability of knowing where a song is going to go because of one’s familiarity with the other musicians in the group as a result. It could also offer having a tighter band musically because of that familiarity.

Conversely, a possible negative perception is boredom through that predictability and not being exposed to the talents, suggestions, and contributions of other great musicians. Witness the life that Billy Preston’s keyboard playing interjected into the performance of “Get Back.” Another factor is group dynamics as the Plastic Ono Band concept means that if you are comfortable with the members, you could possibly ask them to return for future recording sessions. If you had problems with one of the members, you would not ask them to return. That flexibility could be construed as both a positive or a negative depending on the people involved and their respective communication skills and talent levels.

Bad Chemistry or Rejected Proposal?

Band chemistry has a lot to do with whether a fixed-format band is preferred to a more flexible set-up. If you have numerous songwriters in a group, tensions could abound as the individual members could see their contributions as being subordinated depending on the group’s individual personalities. An interesting question to ponder would be is if the suggestion proposed by John at the Sept 1969 meeting of John George and Paul had been accepted would that have restored their dynamic or simply have bought some time for an inevitable split.

Here is another question to consider. If the Beatles had agreed to do occasional Beatle albums and solo albums, would they have saved their best material for the “Beatles” albums or would their egos have prompted them to save the best material for their own solo projects to “make a statement” to the others and the public at large?

For me as fan, it was always an interesting exercise to see what musicians John and Yoko were using for their projects. However I must admit, certain musicians because of their talents with their instruments were preferred over others. It was a fun exercise seeing the eventual lineups on the individual recordings.

The front cover of my copy of the July 5, 1969 issue of NME which featured John’s design of Yoko’s concept of flexibility in the perception of the make-up of their conceptual band. The flexible plastic containers with the tape machine, microphones and a phone directory indicated that virtually anyone could be a member of the band.

The Plastic Ono Band Newspaper Advert

The back cover of the Plastic Ono Band NME issue is presented below the “Rock Peace” mentions below. When John and Yoko formed their Plastic Ono Band, Billy Preston performed in the band not only on the Plastic Ono Band LP but he also played in the Christmas Lyceum Ballroom benefit show back in 1969. It is also rumored that it was at a jam session that Billy Preston played on during the recording of George’s “All Things Must Pass” album that John may have suggested to George that the jam session that was conducted that he heard should be released as a Plastic Ono Band recording called “Rock Peace.”

There is no formal substantiation for this story at this point but it is true that a song called “Rock Peace” had been considered or at least talked about. Tony Bramwell had even written a news report about the song in an August 1969 issue of the famous Beatles Monthly magazine which I have included below. Bramwell described the song as a long and heavy instrumental.

Here is a picture I took from my copy of the August 1969 issue of the Beatles Monthly news column where Bramwell mentions the Rock Peace track.

Here is an interesting bit of speculation about the Rock Peace track from the excellent Steve Hoffman Music Forum:

‘Something’ and ‘Rock Peace’ – A single degree of separation? | Steve Hoffman Music Forums

Interview with Lennon expert, Chip Madinger, where he discusses the unreleased Plastic Ono Band Song called Rock Peace and other fascinating subjects. “Things We Said Today” is one of the most informative and interesting podcasts on the net.

Things We Said Today 156 – “Lennonology” With Chip Madinger | Things We Said Today Beatles Radio Show (podbean.com)

The answer to the ROCK PEACE mystery will be forthcoming in a book by Lennon scholar, CHIP MADINGER! YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THAT BOOK!!! The previously unknown Lennon information that Chip Madinger is able to dig up is simply profound!!!

The back cover of my copy of the Plastic Ono Band NME issue featuring a Billy Preston Apple recording promotional ad.

Are you the Plastic Ono Band? What did you think of the concept?

Buzz

Posted on 21/08/202421/08/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

The “Tell Me Why” Beatles Podcast

What is the “Tell Me Why” Beatles Podcast?

Want the latest think piece canvassing The Beatles’ World, without having to invest a ton of your time? Check out the new “Tell Me Why” podcast with host Jude Southerland Kessler, author of The John Lennon Series of narrative biographies. Kessler interviews Beatles personalities, authors, artists, influencers, playwrights, filmmakers, historians – interesting Beatles people – in a succinct 20-minute format.

Described as a “short, sharp podcast for busy Beatles people ‘in-the-know’…or busy Beatles people who want to be ‘in-the-know,’” “Tell Me Why” offers the latest perspectives and happenings without monopolizing too much of your time. Come together with Jude and her fab guests right here, bi-monthly, on The Beatles Bookstore.

The first four shows feature May Pang, Ruth and Angie McCartney, Terry Crain, and the great Ivor Davis! 😍

Here are the links for the first FOUR incredible shows:

May Pang at: https://tinyurl.com/y782ymhy

Terry Crain at: https://tinyurl.com/3ezvfwz7

Ruth McCartney and Dr. Angie McCartney at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFbZoP-U0FU&t=113s

Ivor Davis at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYuAbIsA7hg&t=31s

Check back here where we will let you know about the next shows on a regular basis!!

Jude Kessler

CHECK OUT JUDE’S BOOKS AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE

John Lennon

Books about John Lennon

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Posted on 20/08/202420/08/2024 by Buzz — 2 Comments

ONE HAND CLAPPING GREAT BRITTON

BRITTON DRUMMED ON ONE HAND CLAPPING AND MANY MORE – WHETHER OR NOT HE IS LISTED AS “GEOFF” OR “JEFF”

FORMER MEMBER OF:

CHAMPION, EAST OF EDEN, THE KEYS, MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND, ROUGH DIAMOND, WINGS AND THE SPITFIRES

I love the task of learning as much as I can about the musicians that members of the Beatles chose to work with over the years and the various contributions they made to the songs that reverberate around in our minds. Though Geoff Britton was only with Wings for a very short time, always enjoyed the work that I was aware that he had played on. As well as his drumming skills, he was quite the martial arts expert as well! In keeping with what I said above about learning more about the recordings that the musicians that played with the ex-Beatles over the years, I was fortunate to pick up a rare 45 by the former Wings drummer Geoff Britton. Here is a rare demo of Geoff Britton’s, listed here as Jeff Britton which I recently acquired on Discogs.

Released on Decca in 1976. Special thanks to Dan Ealey for confirming that Geoff and Jeff were indeed the same person before I made my purchase! It is also great to see Geoff getting a writing credit on both of these numbers…

Jeff Britton-Rub Out – YouTube

The flip side-Breakwood

Breakwood – YouTube

Dan Ealey was so kind in arranging for Geoff Britton to sign a drumhead I had purchased from Dan. Geoff wrote some of Paul’s lyrics from Junior’s Farm about “You Should Have Seen Me With the Poker Man” on the drumhead.

Dan Ealey was the guy who gave a Rickenbacker guitar to Paul McCartney when Wings were in Nashville.

Geoff Britton's Signed drumskin for John — Geoff Britton’s Signed drumskin for John

When Wings returned to the UK, they recorded the One Hand Clapping soundtrack which Geoff Britton drummed on and the set was officially released in 2024. There is a special vinyl release as well as a 2 cd set. They are available on the official McCartney website and such vendors as Amazon. It is wonderful to see a man who was only with Wings for a short time having his work preserved and displayed for posterity!

An excellent interview on YouTube of Geoff Britton talking about “One Hand Clapping” and his time with Wings!

PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS Drummer GEOFF BRITTON: 50 Years on From ABBEY ROAD Sessions – YouTube

Would love to hear your feedback of the 2 Jeff/ Geoff Britton and the Spitfires songs on the instrumentals presented above from the 1970’s on YouTube. Links are at the top of this post! I happen to like them very much!

BUZZ

Posted on 15/08/202415/08/2024 by Buzz — 3 Comments

JOHN LENNON BIOGRAPHY WITH 3 SIGNATURES

A John Lennon biography written by someone who was considered by many to be a Beatles confidante, with 3 Lennon-related signatures at three different times.

A confidante will face a special task when they are writing the biography of famous individuals especially when the protagonist had many escapades of controversy during their lifetime. The author/ writer is then often accused of writing the book for the person in a more favorable light than what was deserved in reality. I will leave others to judge that in this circumstance.

I only have to say that I enjoy Ray Coleman as a writer and I believe he gave a balanced portrayal of John in this book, describing both his good and bad sides. His incredible talent and imagination are balanced by the chip Lennon kept on his shoulder throughout his lifetime. If you are only seeking the salacious and meaner side of John Lennon, then you probably need to travel to other books to satisfy that inclination…

The Original Title

Originally this book was published as a 2-volume set, the first volume titled “John Winston Lennon” and the 2nd volume titled “John Ono Lennon.” The photographs of the original volumes appear at the bottom of this post.

This Lennon biography is special to me for the three individuals who signed this copy at three different time frames. It is signed by the author the late Ray Coleman, the late Cynthia Lennon, John Lennon’s first wife, and Julian Lennon, John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon’s son.

The three signers of my volume of the book:

Ray Coleman, Cynthia Lennon and Julian Lennon Autographs

The back cover of this hardcover edition.

Back Cover of Coleman's "Lennon" — Back Cover of Coleman’s “Lennon”

The original Hardcover UK editions, this is Volume 1:

This is Volume 2:

Which is your favourite Lennon biography? Let me know in the comments.

Buzz

More Lennon Books at the Beatles Bookstore

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Posted on 09/08/202409/08/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

GEORGE PECKHAM – CUTTING THE MASTERS FOR THE BEATLES

GEORGE PECKHAM ALSO CUT THE MASTERS FOR A COUPLE OF THE SOLO BEATLES TOO

Highlighting another limited edition book put together by the excellent publisher of special Beatles-related titles, APCOR BOOKS. This publishing outfit centered in the Netherlands has also produced the fabulous 4 book series- A Is For Apple. I try not to miss out on any of their fabulous titles. For a summary of the contents of this fine book, please read the details provided on the back cover in the photo provided below!

The Book About George Peckham and his Career

George Peckham The man Who Cut The Masters for The Beatles

The back cover of the book with a summary of the contents:

The Table of Contents:

The Last Copy

AS IT TURNS OUT IT IS INDEED THE LAST COPY: “TO BE A SPECIALIZED COLLECTOR IS OFTEN NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS.” Here are a few details to explain what I mean… I normally like to collect the last signed and numbered copy of limited edition books that I purchase. When I received my copy of this particular title it was numbered #300 instead of #500 that I had requested and I was wondering why this had occurred? Here is the explanation provided to me by the publisher that it is indeed the last copy of the limited edition! I imagine I have my work cut out for me if I ever decide to sell or part with my copy of the book as a result! Lol! The parting with the book is not likely to occur soon, I must say!!! I like it too much!!!

Buzz

Cavern Club – The Inside Story

This first-hand account of Debbie’s teen years frequenting and eventually helping to run the original Cavern Club is the authentic inside story of the Beatles launch pad, full of triumphs and failures – and surprise celebrity encounters.

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