SNODGRASS– BY IAN R. MACLEOD

Everyone’s life can feature speculation as to what life may have turned out to be if you made choices to take a different turn in the forks of the road you were facing along the way. Ian R. Macleod wrote a fictional short story which examines the “what if’s” of life, in the case of the restless spirit of John Lennon, and what might have happened if John had quit the Beatles in 1962, instead of climbing the mountain of musical fame with his former partners. Beatles fiction is probably the most difficult genre for any author to attempt because so many Beatles fans are resistant to stories that do not reflect actual facts or events. Conversely, those authors that are able to attempt Beatle fiction and make it seem credible or possible are to be commended for attempting that very difficult task. In reading the short story and watching the UK feature, I kept wanting to scream out to the Lennon character, “Don’t make that choice,” fully knowing what he would have thrown away in terms of accolades and fame. However, you can also look at the other side of the coin and realize if Macleod’s Lennon had made that choice in 1962, he may still be alive!!! No matter where you stand on the issue of Beatles fiction, the story made me ponder the issue of life choices and where those choices might have redirected one’s destiny.

Wikipedia description of the book that the short story Snodgrass appears in: In Dreams (ISBN 0-575-05201-5)

In Dreams is a 1992 anthology book of science fiction and horror short stories, ‘a celebration of the 7-inch single in all-original SF and horror fiction’. It includes stories by Jonathan Carroll, Greg Egan, Ian R. Macleod, Alastair Reynolds, Lewis Shiner, and Don Webb. It was edited by Paul J. McAuley and Kim Newman, and published by Gollancz.

The paperback book which features the Snodgrass short story:

In Dreams (book) – Wikipedia

In Dreams by Paul J. McAuley | Goodreads

The UK TV program of Snodgrass posted by someone on YouTube which features Ian Hart of Backbeat fame as John Lennon If John Lennon had left The Beatles in 1962…. – YouTube

A series of 4 little books issued in 1968 which featured reproductions of the Beatles birth certificates and brief bios which often featured some disputed information such as John being born during an air raid in 1940, which has since been challenged by old newspaper accounts from that day! Loved the cover design and unusual approach to the subject matter.

1968 GLENLOCK PRESS THE BEATLES THE GENERAL REGISTER FOLDOUT BOOK SET

Let The Good Times Roll: The Star-Club founder tells his story. Paperback – April 10, 2020

One of the biggest frustrations in seeing books about the Beatles that did not formerly appear in the English language is the precious information that we were missing out on or not privy to and needed translation for. A potential remedy for that dilemma is either to learn the language the book is written in, or to have someone translate it for you. That is why I was so happy to eventually see the English edition of the book by former Star Club bouncer and part-time singer, Horst Fascher, issued back in 2010.

Prior to the issuance of the book in English it only appeared in Horst’s native German. I do collect some foreign language books as I do know some German but on a very limited basis. That is why when I purchase a foreign language book, it must be abundant in previously unseen photographs as the main source of appeal.

With this book the stories are just important as the photographs as it not only deals with the Beatles but stories about other prominent artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Ray Charles and Bill Haley and Horst Fascher’s interactions with them. The book also deals with the stories of Horst singing with the Beatles backing him at the Star Club.

Charles Rosenay, knowing of my interest in acquiring signed copies of Beatles-related books for my collection was so kind in being able to secure a signed copy of this book by Horst for me! Thanks, Charles!

Saw these two Star Club performances which are reportedly Horst singing with the Fabs!

The Beatles – Live In Star Club: [3]: Hallelujah I Love Her So [Remastered 2025]

The Beatles – Live In Star Club: [1]: Be-Bop-A-Lula [Remastered 2025]

Amazon US edition of the book:

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 10, 2020

Let The Good Times Roll: The Star-Club founder tells his story.: Fascher, Horst, Flesch, Oliver, Danker, Garrelt: 9798615006289: Amazon.com: Books

UK edition of the book:

For some strange reason, the UK English paperback edition of the book does not seem to be available for purchase

Let The Good Times Roll: The Star-Club founder tells his story.: Amazon.co.uk: 9798615006289: Books

The back cover of the book:

Wikipedia background info about Horst:

Horst Fascher – Wikipedia

KLAUS VOORMANN

One German book English language translation I have been clamoring and longing for a considerable amount of time is the Klaus Voormann collection of memories from his book Warum spielst du Imagine nicht auf dem weissen Klavier, John (Why Don’t you play Imagine on the white piano, John?) The book was once available on his website and occasionally on eBay!

I did obtain a signed autographed version of the German book, yet no English translation was ever issued as Klaus and his wife stated they were seeking the proper English translator for the task. Seeing that this disclosure was several years ago, it does not appear that we are ever going to see an English edition!

What a Shame, Mary Jane!!!

Hope you enjoyed the post!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

A two volume set of books about Medieval Gardens, written by Sir Frank Crisp, the man who originally made George Harrison’s home (Friar Park) a showplace, and his example encouraged George to continue the spectacular landscaping of the property when George purchased Friar Park. Acquired this 2 volume set a few years ago. Some might say collecting books like this is foolish as the connection to the Beatles is peripheral at best. However, I wholeheartedly disagree, because for me it is simply another piece to the big jigsaw puzzle in the study and observation of their lives and interests! These two volumes were found on eBay!

If you have not yet registered/subscribed for the Beatles Print blog, would genuinely appreciate it if you would register and subscribe to the blog. By doing so, it will ensure that you will receive email notifications when new posts are issued. It also serves as an incentive to look deeper into the archives!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

The most difficult challenge facing any Beatles book author is when they attempt to write Beatles fiction! Most fans and collectors are unaccepting of fictional tales about the Beatles. However, it must also be noted that many Beatle fans that may not be as well-read about the group as others, often accept tales they believe to be the truth that turn out to be fictional in the long run. So it is reasonably safe to say there is little middle ground about the perception of Beatles fiction. You either are among a smaller crowd that likes some of it or you are part of a larger coterie of people that dislike it!

Featured here are alternate covers of a work of Beatles fiction and other short stories. On a marketing level, wonder if the Beatles being mentioned as part of the book title was a similar tactic of what music magazines like Mojo and Uncut do when they feature the Beatles on the cover of a new issue of the magazine. Would love to see if the magazine sales for those issues significantly increases from their normal circulation of the magazine as a result?

The Girl Who Sang With The Beatles – Robert Hemenway – hardback book, 1970

Publisher-MacDonald 1 970

Author-Robert Hemenway

Alternate cover of the book:

New York: Knopf, 1970

The Girl Who Became a Beatle Hardcover Greg Taylor

Publisher-Feiwel & Friends

Publication Year-2011

The Girl Who Loved The Beatles —a one act play by D.B. Giles published in 1974 by Dramatists Play Service Inc.

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

More examples of the specialized Beatles books that are out there lurking in the Beatles marketplace

As stated in a previous post, the biggest public reception the Beatles ever received in their stellar career was in Australia. Several books have been published over the years dealing specifically with their visits to both Australia and New Zealand. Since so many Beatles biographies have been published, the trend now for Beatles-related literature is more specialized books dealing with a smaller segment of their story. The exception to that trend may of course be Mark Lewisohn’s trilogy.

Here are a few books that may be of interest:

The Beatles Records in Australia

Self Published in 1981 by Bruce Hamlin

Bruce passed away in 2018

The print editions of the following book by Jaesen Jones are extremely difficult to find!

 “AN OVERVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN BEATLES RECORDS”

2011 first edition and revised edition published in 2012- Canberra. The print run of the book has long been sold out but the Online book is available at the link below, available in digital format!

I Am The Platypus – The Beatles Australian Records Labelography – BOOK BY JAESEN JONES

This book by Jaesen Jones reflects an overview of Australian Beatles records released in Australia or for Australia from Feb 1963 until 1991, primarily those records distributed by EMI (Australia). It took me a very long time to secure a copy of the hard-to-find print edition.

This edition of the Bruce Renwick book about the Beatles in New Zealand is also very difficult to find and was published in 1993 by  B. Tell Publications. You will need to watch out for this edition on either Ebay or Abe Books:

The Beatles Down Under, The 1964 Australia & New Zealand Tour-Hardback

Great book by Glenn A. Baker concerning the Beatles in both New Zealand and Australia in 1964

By Glenn A. Baker and Roger Dilernia, Pierian Press 1995

Occasionally found on Ebay and Abe Books:

The softcover version of Glenn A Baker’s book

Beatles Down Under – The 1964 Australia & New Zealand Tour Paperback – January 1, 1982

by Glenn A. Baker

Published by Wild & Woolley Available on Amazon:

Excellent book about  their concerts in New Zealand and meeting John’s relatives in NZ.

Eight Days A Week: The Beatles’ Tour of New Zealand 1964 Paperback – August 5, 2014

by Graham Hutchins Available on Amazon:

Published by ReadHowYouWant

The Beatles in Australia-By Mark Hayward

New Holland Publishers Pty, Limited-2005

This book is predominantly a photo book put together by Beatles photo collector extraordinaire, Mark Hayward. The photos are excellent and it is a book well worth having for your collection. If you do not have this one, you may be able to locate a copy at Amazon, Ebay or at Abe books: