The Beatles in Cuba
The Beatles when they arrived in America were not initially accepted on the island situated 90 miles away from the state of Florida, the homeland of Desi Arnaz, Cuba. Also, they were banned from the country by the Communist regime of Fidel Castro as being representative of the capitalist consumption-based society. The Beatles were never allowed in Cuba during the repressive Castro regime. As the years passed by, and the Beatles’ music was being heard by more of the population, the group began to be appreciated and respected on the island. In fact, following John Lennon’s murder a statue of Mr. Lennon was erected in one of the Cuban Parks in Havana where George Martin, the Beatles former producer visited and was photographed sitting next to the statue. (see the link below for the photograph)
Los Beatles En Cuba
Even though I do not speak Spanish, I decided I wanted this book, for a number of reasons. It demonstrated that the appeal of the Beatles reached beyond borders and yes even those with repressive regimes and this verified that there is “power in the music” that has a far greater reach than information indoctrination by dictators. Bought this book on Ebay and it was from the former collection of Hunter Davies, the official Beatles biographer. Signed by the editor and compiler Ernesto Juan Castellanos, when he mailed it to Hunter, and later when Hunter was downsizing his collection, he also signed the volume when he put it up for sale.
Front cover of the book:
Back cover of the book:
Click the link below to see the photo of George Martin at the statue of John Lennon in Havana, Cuba
George Martin sits with John Lennon bronze sculpture in Vedado district, Havana, Cuba : r/beatles
This link on the internet shows Fidel Castro at the statue’s dedication in Havana:
Cuban President Fidel Castro unveils a statue of John Lennon on the… News Photo – Getty Images
The photo of George Martin at the Lennon statue is now followed by the signature page of the book about the Beatles influence in Cuba, signed by both the compiler of the book’s information, and none other than the person he sent the book to, the Beatles official biographer Hunter Davies.
This book was in Hunter’s personal collection until he began downsizing his massive Beatles book collection.
The Beatles in Sick
In the tradition of humor (humour) magazines like Mad Magazine, there were quite a few others during Mad’s reign at the top of the humor magazine echelon. Another magazine of that ilk was called Sick and here are two Beatles-related issues for your review. I believe I purchased both of these collecting artifacts through eBay as well.
Another issue of Sick Magazine designed to take advantage of the Beatles immense popularity:
This is Part 2 of a great 2-volume work by author Jorg Pieper. “The Solo Beatles Film and TV Chronicle 1971-1980.”
Basically, it deals with the first 10 years of their solo careers until the year of John’s murder. The first volume was entitled “The Beatles Film and TV Chronicle 1961-1970” and dealt with the known existing footage of the Beatles at the time of writing. The two volumes make a very respectable catalog of what was known to exist in Beatles film and video archives at the time the volumes were written.
Pre:Fab! Colin Hanton
A wonderful book by Colin Hanton of the Quarrymen and Colin Hall, the one-time caretaker of Menlove Ave. Colin Hanton’s memories are now preserved in a new film called PRE FAB which I anxiously await the dvd release of.
Here is a brief preview:
The signature page featuring the signatures of Colin Hanton (Quarrymen drummer and Colin Hall (former Mendips custodian)
Contents of the book are outlined:
Guitar With Wings – Laurence Juber
A special title written by former Wings guitarist Laurence Juber along with author Marshall Terrill with a Foreword by the late Denny Laine, this beautiful, limited-edition book came in a 1,000-hand numbered and signed copy edition encased in a wonderful slipcase. Features many beautiful photos of Laurence’s tenure with Wings and some of the stories that he wanted to share about that unique experience. Laurence is a guitar virtuoso and was one of the best musicians to ever have played with the several incarnations of Paul’s bands over his solo years. The book is also available in hardback as a regular edition as well. Seek it out, you will be pleased.
Front cover:
Back Cover:
The signature page and you will notice my collector’s fixation of collecting the last numbered copy of Limited-edition books that somehow have a connection that is Beatles-related.
The Juber book as featured in the beautiful slipcase.
Staffan & Beatles
FROM WIKIPEDIA’S DESCRIPTION – Staffan Olander (born 14 August 1951) is a Swedish economist and former bank director of Sparbanken Finn. In 1973 he became champion of the TV program TiotusenkronorsQuestion (Kvitt eller dubbelt) for his knowledge of the pop group The Beatles. I purchased this book because Staffan is one of the most knowledgeable Beatles scholars in Sweden and he has many photographs of Beatles-related interest to me in this wonderful hardback book. Even though I cannot speak or understand Swedish, I thoroughly enjoyed Staffan’s collection of wonderful photos as it pertains to his interactions and Beatles-related activities over the years. A very interesting life, indeed!!!
Back Cover of the book:
Horst Fascher
Love the stories of Horst Facher in this wonderful English edition of his memories of the Beatles in the early years He not only served as a bouncer in a club that the Beatles played at in Germany, but he was also an occasional singer with the Beatles backing him on a few tracks on the Hamburg Star Club Tapes, for example. For a while the book was only available in German and then an English edition appeared and then seemed to have been quickly withdrawn possibly for edits and now it has reappeared. My signed edition of this book is packed away!
The back cover of the book:
Beatles 20 Anniversaire
A recent acquisition I bought even though it is in a foreign language. I bought it for a multitude of reasons. I also collect comic books that have a Beatles connection. This one is special to me. Though written in the French language it contains two Marvel comics about the Beatles bound together as a single volume. The first one is the Marvel Beatles biography which I also have in English, but the bound volume also contains the Marvel comic of the ill-fated and critical flop of the Robert Stigwood-produced Sgt. Pepper movie featuring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton. It was going to be also released in English but never was due to the movie’s poor reviews. The attractive element to me was to have both of the Beatles comics together in a book format.
Front cover of the book containing the 2 comics:
The Beatles Story:
Details of the book from the eBay description of the item: It says hardback but the book actually is a softcover:
Looking for your stories about unusual Beatles-related print items in your collections? How did you come across them or find them? What was the ultimate variable that may have compelled you to purchase the unusual print item? Thanks for your input!
Buzz
Another Collection of Beatles Books at The Beatles Bookstore
Biography
Biographical books about The Beatles or those associated with them
