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.
The Tell Me Why Podcast
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:
BRITTON DRUMMEDON ONE HANDCLAPPING 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…
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
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!
One Hand Clapping with Wings
An excellent interview on YouTube of Geoff Britton talking about “One Hand Clapping” and his time with Wings!
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!
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.
Ray Coleman Lennon
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”
The original Hardcover UK editions, this is Volume 1:
Original Volume 1
This is Volume 2:
John Ono Lennon
Which is your favourite Lennon biography? Let me know in the comments.
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:
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.
£17.25Original price was: £17.25.£13.50Current price is: £13.50.
Barry Miles has a long history of dealing with prominent figures of the ’60s. From his interactions with Jon (John) Dunbar, and Robert Fraser at the famous Indica Gallery where John met Yoko, to the involvement of Miles with the International Times, to his interactions with Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Miles represents much of the ’60s countercultural movement to a public that may have followed his work over the years. His backlog of books of figures from that age includes titles about Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, and Charles Bukowski.
Here is a limited signed edition of one of Barry Miles’s books. This title features his recollections of what he deems to be the most significant moments and issues of the ’60s. The slipcase that this book came in is not pictured in the photos provided below.
In The Sixties Barry Miles
The back cover of the book:
The signature of Barry Miles on the copy that I was able to acquire:
Signature of Barry Miles
Many Years From Now
The universally liked book that Barry Miles authored was about his good friend, Paul McCartney, called Many Years From Now. The book was well received by the public and sold many copies. It demonstrated that Paul was indeed at the forefront of examining subjects and artists that were considered avant-garde or experimental.
In a matter of historical irony, Paul was instrumental in Yoko Ono meeting John Lennon, when she was seeking famous people to contribute one of their musical transcripts or compositions as a celebratory gift to her artist friend, John Cage. She approached Paul first, and he was initially resistant to the request, and he suggested she go ask John Lennon first. This of course helped to set the wheels in motion and time and other events (like business) resulted in the songwriting partners drifting apart and helped to contribute to the eventual dissolution of the group.
This is further evidence that it is never a single factor that results in a major cultural decision or event, but it serves as a reminder that it is indeed a tangled web we weave by the things that are said and done!!! Fans speculate about such matters all of the time. It does not change what occured but people seem to have the NEED to know! The sad thing is that fans have a tendency to want to take sides and want to blame one party over the other. What we should be sad about is how lifelong friendships can deteriorate and fragment…. for whatever the reasons turn out to be!
Many Years From Now
The very rare book that was organized in part by Barry Miles (see the reference to him on the cover) was a collection of fan photos of the Beatles taken over the years. It was only on sale for about a week when either because of administrative hassles or copyright issues, the book was quickly withdrawn. Fortunately, I was able to acquire a copy from another collector, but I truly empathize with others who are frantically searching for a copy of the book and are unable to find it. I have had numerous requests from people asking me where they can acquire a copy of this book and I feel bad that I can only give them the information to keep their eyes open on eBay for someone who may be getting rid of their own personal copy.
The People’s Beatles
The People’s Beatles
The Beatles – A Diary
While I was preparing this post, noted book publisher Steven Wilson reminded me of this book, which he was involved with publishing. Sometimes, keeping track of all of the Beatles-related books by a particular author and keeping them properly sorted is a difficult task. Here is a day-by-day Beatles diary authored by Miles…Thanks for the update and reminder Steven!
The Beatles A Diary
Finding my copy of the Beatles Diary in the collection thanks to Mr. Steven Wilson, reminded me of another Barry Miles limited edition book that I have that came in a slipcase – A special Limited Edition issued in 2012 – The Beatles Phenomenon. Published in 2012 by Omnibus and authored by Barry Miles, is described by Amazon in their promotion of the book as being; “The Beatles Phenomenon is a unique new Beatles chronicle that brings their astonishing legend to vivid life using sheet music, rare photographs and a detailed chronology of their gigs, venues, public quotes and most memorable moments.”
The Beatles Phenomenon
The Beatles Phenomenon
Of course we need to mention “The Zapple Diaries” by Barry Miles which was the first book to document the special label set up by the Beatles to deal with more non-conventional matters whether in musical expression or matters of literary concern. Zapple was a short-lived Beatles project.
Leading literary and cultural figures of the time, including Allen Ginsberg, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, William Burroughs, and Frank Zappa are discussed in the book and projects that Zapple was considering regarding these individuals are mentioned. The Zapple Diaries details and summarizes the ill-fated venture and presents a revealing account of a little-known segment of Beatles’ history.
Publisher: Abrams Image
Publication Date: 2016
The Zapple Diaries
The Zapple Diaries
Earlier UK cover of the book
Title:The Zapple Diaries : The Rise and Fall of the last Beatles label
Publisher: Peter Owen Limited
Publication Date:2015
The Zapple Diaries
Barry Miles was such an influential part of the ’60s scene and his eyewitness accounts are essential reading.
Buzz
Discover More About The Beatles at The Beatles Bookstore
And it will be Felixstowe’s first-ever Beatles weekend. In fact it is not just a weekend, it will be a festival!! and one to remember forever.
The Quarrymen and Friends
The Original Quarrymen
Already so far, The Quarrymen and Friends have been booked and are confirmed to play. There will also be a Question-and-Answer session, along with a discussion and presentation by David Bedford along with Nigel Pearce, the author of Inside Number Three.
Inside Number Three
Also already appearing is Nigel Pearce who will be offering the Video Inside Number Three Presentation. This will consist of a talking introduction, along with photographs, videos, and part of his invaluable Apple Records memorabilia collection. This will be a unique opportunity to see many of the fabulous items from this colourful late period of The Beatles group career. He will again answer questions and explain fully the significance of this cultural collection and movement. Quite simply a chance not to be missed!!
Nicky Horne
Even at this early stage, there is more!! The promoter has been able to obtain the appearance of EX Capital Radio DJ and Host Nicky Horne. Nicky flew to New York in 1971 and interviewed John and Yoko, then later George Harrison and these interviews will be discussed and presented for the very first time!
So, you can already see that this unique event will be the very first we believe to cover the entire career of our favourite group from 1957 up to the mid-1970s, and all in one event!! Truly groundbreaking indeed, and as said more is to be added, so keep tuned in and stay close!! There will be weekend packages, part or day tickets, along with stalls, records, and memorabilia, and we may be able to have some Beatle authors there as well It will only get bigger !!
There will also be a special website where all this information and ticket booking guides will be collated in one place, along with accommodation information, so again stay tuned, and tell your friends the date – you won’t want to miss this!!
Finally – Phew!! The Beatles Bookstore will be an integral link in this whole process, so, as usual, this is the place to be, and there are plenty of places to stay within the Felixstowe area, again information will be made available on the event website!!
Nigel Pearce
Inside No 3
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
