As well as loving Beatles recordings, I have another collecting passion. I also attempt to acquire the musical contributions of Julian Lennon, John’s first son. He has a wonderful voice, and I only wish he had more confidence in his musical prowess as he is extremely talented. I personally believe he chose photography as his primary life focus because he wanted to avoid comparisons with his legendary father. The world is missing out on a lot of magical music as a result. As a collector I love to find the lesser-known recorded works of an artist. (Being the obsessive detective) Julian Lennon has made numerous guest appearances on other’s recordings and is both exhilarating and rewarding finding them and adding them to the collection!
This work published in 2017 was composed by the musician, Brian Byrne, and was a very challenging but intriguing idea on his part to take the words of famous author James Joyce and to write compositions inspired by those words as the lyrics to the musical pieces.
Golden Globe-nominated and IFTA award-winning composer Brian Byrne released Goldenhair on June 16th, 2017. The release date coincided with Bloomsday, the holiday celebrated worldwide in commemoration of Irish author James Joyce, whose poems inspired Byrne’s album.
I loved this recording when it came to my attention and I purchased an autographed copy by the musical composer, Brian Byrne who is a very talented man!
The blog post contained here today is my copy of the cd that I purchased!
The song that Julian Lennon appears on is called Sleep Now and he performs it with singer, Kristina Train:
The song has a beautiful melody, and the singers perform the composition superbly! It serves somewhat as a peaceful lullaby for an older adult audience!
THE SONG SLEEP NOW SUNG BY KRISTINA TRAIN & JULIAN LENNON:
Do you have a favorite Julian Lennon vocal recording that you believe deserved greater recognition and exposure to a larger audience? Please let us know what it is in the comments section!
Broadcaster Nigel Pearce brought the story of Apple Records to life at Carrow House in Norwich during a special fundraiser for Future Radio and Future Projects. With rare footage, memorabilia and shared memories from the Beatles era, the evening transported the audience back to the famous Savile Row years.
Nigel Pearce during his Inside No.3 presentation exploring the story of Apple Records and the Beatles’ Savile Row years at Carrow House in Norwich.
It was lovely spending the evening with Nigel Pearce at Carrow House, fundraising for Future Radio and celebrating Apple Records music and memories.
Arriving at Carrow House on foot from Norwich station left me slightly puffing but pleased. The air that night had a real bite to it, and I felt sure even before getting there that the evening would be enjoyable.
Not long into my stroll, lights from Carrow House caught my eye through the glass panels of the elegant Orangery. As I approached, people were arriving and being greeted by members of the Future Radio team already inside.
The talk ‘Inside No.3: The Story of Apple Records’ was being presented by broadcaster and musicologist Nigel Pearce. The atmosphere inside was warm. There was chat from around the room, glasses clinking together and excitement building from guests eager to hear Nigel tell the tale of the Beatles’ iconic record label.
Copies of Nigel Pearce’s Inside No.3 book were displayed alongside Apple Records memorabilia before the talk at Carrow House in Norwich. Image by Andreas Yiasimi.
Beforehand, guests were invited to take a look at Nigel’s incredible collection. Items from the Apple era sat upon tables around the room. Vinyl covers, unique pieces and memorabilia allowed visitors to get even closer to the story Nigel was about to tell us.
Thankfully, Nigel permitted me to snap a few pictures of these treasures before his presentation began, and the Future Radio volunteers were absolutely brilliant throughout.
It set the tone immediately. This was not simply a lecture. It felt more like stepping into a living archive.
The Story Behind Apple Records
Nigel Pearce took to the stage, and within seconds the chatter in the room had subsided. He transported the audience back to the late 1960s when The Beatles formed Apple Records under the umbrella of Apple Corps.
The concept of Apple was revolutionary. Instead of artists being controlled by record company bosses, Apple would be different. It would allow creative minds to do what they do best with less interference from corporates. It was a true test of freedom of expression.
A selection of Apple Records releases from Nigel Pearce’s collection, including albums by Badfinger and composer John Tavener.
As Nigel spoke, vintage footage from the era was played on screen. He told the story behind 3 Savile Row, London. Home of Apple Corps Ltd. The address that would become world famous.
In conversation after his talk, Nigel mentioned how the audience reacted.
“It’s an immersive evening looking at what went on at Number 3 Savile Row and the record label side of the Beatles’ Apple story,” he said.
“The audience reaction would suggest that people enjoyed the evening. It’s great that we have raised money for Norwich’s Future Projects charity.”
I thought there was a good balance of history and personal memories. Nigel obviously knows his stuff inside out, but he also knows how to keep his audience interested. We were enthralled as rare film clips, photos and stories were mixed into his presentation.
Many times during the night, I found myself leaning forward in my seat, amazed at some little-known fact or remembered story from that fantastic period of music.
Music, Memories and Cultural Icons
Founded by the Beatles, Apple Records became something bigger and attracted other artists to the label.
Throughout the lecture, Nigel touched on various personalities associated with Apple, from Mary Hopkin and Badfinger to the Radha Krishna Temple recordings produced by George Harrison.
There were brief insights into the fashion subculture of Apple and Savile Row, too. The era was rich with creativity and collaboration, and Nigel’s presentation captured that atmosphere beautifully.
Guitars and a violin-shaped bass were displayed among Nigel Pearce’s Beatles-era memorabilia during the Apple Records event at Carrow House in Norwich. images by Andreas Yiasimi.
One moment might feature a rare photograph from the period. The next might move to a piece of music or a film clip that transported the room back to the late sixties.
It was personal for many in the audience.
Nigel threaded the talk together with snippets that members of the audience could relate to from their own memories. Many of those there will have lived through those times, and there were smiles and nods of recognition aplenty.
There were audible chuckles of appreciation as familiar scenes popped up on screen.
It wasn’t simply nostalgia.
At moments, it felt closer to stepping back into the era itself.
A Room Full of History
Part of the charm of the evening came from the remarkable collection Nigel had brought with him.
Vinyl copies of Apple Records artists’ albums were featured too, including Badfinger. Beatles releases were also present, along with various memorabilia from the Beatles’ time on Savile Row.
Nearby were two guitars mounted on stands, and one violin-shaped bass guitar. They served as a quiet reminder that the Apple story was not only about business or record labels. At its heart, it was about music, instruments and the creativity that shaped an entire generation.
A parcel addressed to Apple at 3 Savile Row, London, was displayed among memorabilia from Nigel Pearce’s collection. Image: Andreas Yiasimi
Copies of Nigel’s book Inside No.3, telling the story of the iconic Savile Row building and the wider Apple world, were also available for purchase.
Items in the collection transported visitors from the past to the present. Stopping to look at a record sleeve or exhibition artefact allowed guests to place themselves in that iconic cultural moment.
It added a tactile quality to the evening that made the history feel wonderfully close.
The Community Behind the Event
While celebrating musical history, the night also had a job to do.
It was organised as a fundraiser for Future Projects, the charity which runs Future Radio, one of Norwich’s cherished community radio stations.
Future Radio has provided an invaluable service for many years, allowing volunteers and would-be presenters the chance to gain broadcasting and media skills, often their first taste of radio.
Members of the Future Radio team gathering in the Orangery at Carrow House during the Apple Records fundraising evening in Norwich. Image: Andreas Yiasimi.
Speaking during the evening, Dean Tucker, station manager at Future Radio, explained the wider work carried out by the charity.
“Future Radio is part of the wider Future Projects charity,” he said.
“We work across the community helping people who need support, whether that’s financial help, homelessness support or education.”
Future Projects operates several initiatives, including Future Support, which helps individuals facing hardship, and Future Education, an independent school supporting young people who need additional help in their learning.
Future Radio itself remains at the heart of the organisation’s community outreach.
“We have around ninety volunteers supporting the station,” Dean explained.
“We’re more than just a radio station. We work closely with the wider charity to help people across Norwich.”
Future Radio station manager Dean Tucker (left), a volunteer serving refreshments, and broadcaster Nigel Pearce during the Apple Records fundraising evening at Carrow House. Images: Andreas Yiasimi.
That community spirit was tangible throughout the evening. From volunteers greeting guests as they arrived and serving drinks throughout, there was a real team effort to make sure everything went well.
You could tell that many hands had made light work.
Bringing People Together
As Nigel concluded his presentation, there was warm applause from the room. Chat started up again as folks talked about their own impressions and memories of the night.
There was also a raffle prize, which helped raise a little more cash for the charity, too.
Moments from the Apple Records evening at Carrow House, including Future Radio volunteers, broadcaster Nigel Pearce, guests and memorabilia from the Savile Row era. Images: Andreas Yiasimi.
Events like this have a knack for bottling up something rather unique about nights hosted by community organisations. You go along to listen to a presentation or watch a show, but usually end up walking away with much more than you expected.
For some of those present that night, it was about reconnecting with more than just The Beatles or Apple Records. They had rediscovered a collective memory.
For others, it was an insight into the work of a great local charity doing good work right on their doorstep with Future Radio and the wider Future Projects charity.
Some music lovers also made the journey to revel in stories about a wildly creative era in music.
History That Lives On
Apple Records releases from artists including Delaney & Bonnie and The Iveys, part of Nigel Pearce’s memorabilia collection, were displayed during the Inside No.3 talk at Carrow House. Image: Andreas Yiasimi.
More than fifty years after Apple Records was founded, the fascination with the Beatles’ creative experiment shows no sign of fading.
The Beatles were innovators in pioneering not just with their music but also in how artists should be handled by the industry.
Yes, it may have all unravelled at one point. Yet amidst the whirlwind, they were reinventing the rules.
Nigel Pearce has taken years of research and turned it into a wonderfully told story about the successes of Apple Records.
And on the night itself, within the orangery at Carrow House and surrounded by friends, family and Future Radio volunteers, that story was told to another audience.
Guests milled around outside as they filtered into the refreshing night air, and you got the feeling that everyone had been part of something special.
They’d come back in time together.
Not just to hear the music but to experience again what it must’ve felt like to be at the centre of something special, something that would alter pop culture forever.
Apple Records and 3 Savile Row
Founded in 1968, Apple Records began as part of Apple Corps, created by The Beatles. At 3 Savile Row in London stood the headquarters of this recording company. Though best known for The Beatles’ work, its catalogue included artists like Mary Hopkin, Badfinger, and James Taylor. On that same street, atop their building, The Beatles gave what became their final live performance in January 1969.
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.
On 21st March 1961, The Beatles made their evening debut at The Cavern Club.
Debbie Greenberg is not only an expert on The Cavern, but with her father, she went from Beatles fan who saw every single Cavern performance of The Beatles, to running the Cavern.
Discover the amazing story in her book, and in this interview with Mike Croaker on his “You Can Talk To Me” podcast
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.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE- ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE?
Ringo’s drumhead for the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show:
Auction catalogs have always held a strong fascination for me especially as it relates to Beatles-related items.
I recently learned from one of my blog subscribers about the Jim Irsay collection, the late owner of the Indianapolis Colts was going to have many of his pop-culture artifacts auctioned off by Christie’s auction house in March of 2026.
Some biographical information about James (Jim) Irsay from Wikipedia
“James Irsay (June 13, 1959 – May 21, 2025) was an American billionaire businessman who was the principal owner, chairman, and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL) from 1997 until his death in 2025.”
The news of the auction:
I became instantly intrigued. Not because I could afford any of the wonderful high-ticket Beatles items that Mr. Irsay had acquired in his extensive collection over the years but I was now getting the opportunity to view the items in my own copy of the photographs of the magnificent items going up for auction by purchasing the Christie’s auction catalog which I was able to findbefore the auction. A viewer of this blog post was disappointed after the original link that was used to purchase my copy of the auction catalog was apparently no longer offering it once the auction had ended!
Not being able to personally afford any of these high-priced items, I was able to do the next best thing as I was able to have the photographs of the items being auctioned by purchasing the 439-page massive catalog of Mr. Irsay’s fabulous collection directly from the Christie’s auction website provided above.
Not only did the catalog contain many Beatles collectibles but it featured many superb items from virtually all of the major characters prominent in pop-culture over the years. Mr. Irsay had good taste as the many great items in the catalog would attest to!
The front cover of my copy of the catalog:
A side view of the thick catalog of auction items:
The back cover of the mammoth auction catalog!
A few sample pages from my copy of the Christie’s catalog of the Jim Irsay Collection:Here are the main categories of the Table of Contents of the auction catalog
AUCTION INFORMATION FROM THE CATALOG:
INFORMATION ABOUT JIM IRSAY:A GREAT MUSIC FAN!
A FEW SAMPLE PHOTOS FROM MY COPY OF THE CATALOG:
Though I love viewing all of the items in this auction catalog, it is the Beatles collectibles that primarily attract my interest. Mr. Irsay had tremendous taste in the items he chose to acquire for his tremendous collection. I am includinga few sample photographs from my copy of the auction catalog so you can get a flavor for what is being offered at the auction. One can only imagine what some of these items will end up fetching!
According to the auction catalog, this is Ringo Starr’s first Ludwing drum kit used with the Beatles from May 1963 to February 1964!
THIS LENNON RICKENBACKER SOLD FOR ONE MILLION DOLLARS AT THE CHRISTIE’S AUCTION:
John Lennon’s Rose-Morris Rickenbacker Guitar:This guitar was used the Beatles’ Christmas Shows December 1964-January 1965!
Hope you enjoyed this brief view of my recently acquired Christie’s catalog and some of the items contained within. Though I could never own any of the items personally, it is nice to have a photographic record of some of the pop-culture history, artifacts and the treasures compiled by Jim Irsay when he was around. He collected these items to preserve them for posterity and future generations.
A Beatles book rarity is always great to see re-published. “The ups and downs of being in and out of the limelight. Showbiz from the wings. Dancing with Sinatra, singing with Robert Mitchum, chatting with the Beatles, dining with Buzz Aldrin, making cake for David Bowie, taking the Duchess of Gloucester shopping, and having strange meetings with Anthony Hopkins have added to a life well-lived, rich with good friends, family, and memories.”
Singer Mary Hopkin ofThose Were the Days fame has a sister named Carole who is an artist. Several years ago, she wrote a book that was her memoir of recollections of encounters she had with many fascinating celebrities. The book was independently published and after a very short time it was impossible find a copy as it went out-of-print rather quickly. Good news though, as it has apparently been re-published as new listings for the book have appeared in March of 2026 on Amazon.
When I posted my original find of this book through a friend on Facebook, I remember receiving several requests from people searching for this book and they simply could not locate a copy. It appears that problem has now been solved!
Hear the story of how George’s brother invited Carole to Friar Park to do some sketches for his brother, George! Some of the sketches are included in the book. For more stories, you can find the book at these 2 links:
“The ups and downs of being in and out of the limelight. Showbiz from the wings. Dancing with Sinatra, singing with Robert Mitchum, chatting with the Beatles, dining with Buzz Aldrin, making cake for David Bowie, taking the Duchess of Gloucester shopping, and having strange meetings with Anthony Hopkins have added to a life well-lived, rich with good friends, family, and memories. As the author graduates from Art School her career path is waylaid by her sister’s sudden rise to world fame, and the two girls are whisked from recordings at Apple Records and Abbey Road to first class travel several times around the world. Through this the author manages to sustain her writing and painting, adding singing, dancing and acting to her C.V. along the way. She stars in The Mousetrap, and Dr. Who, chats to Richard Burton in New York, and Maxime de la Falaise as she makes Andy Warhol’s birthday cake. She’s on-board H.M.S. Hermes, entertaining the troops after the Falklands war and gets to paint in George Harrison’s garden when she lives in Henley. In Monte Carlo she meets Anthony Burgess and Rex Harrison and parties away with the best of them. The book sums up the best and the worst of being in and out of the limelight!”
Glad to see this book rarity reappear for Beatles book collectors. I had searched originally for months in trying to obtain an original copy when it was out-of-print and ultimately found one. Now that problem is solved! Though this is not a Beatles book per-se, you will enjoy many of the stories and illustrations!
A COLLECTOR’S ECCENTRIC RECIPE IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FOR MY BEATLES COLLECTION ITEMS
A DIRTY MAC PRINT BY PAUL SKELLET, A CD BOOK READ BY CYNTHIA LENNNON, A BOOK SIGNED BY JIM KELTNER & A SIGNED BOOK BY THE FAB PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE BEATLES ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE OUR WORLD SESSION IN 1967
There are always many reasons why individuals may make choices as to what may constitute some favorite items in their personal Beatles collections. Like your favorite Beatles songs those feelings and choices can vary and change on a a virtually daily basis. Some may seem like very logical choices and others may seem to be deemed irrational by others. In any case that is part of the fun of this big adventure that we as collectors can be on. So many memories may be tied in with the items and how they were acquired or added to the collection!
Whereas they may not be the absolute favorite items in personal collection or even approach the things that are most valuable and command the most money upon selling, they appeal to me very much for one reason or another. Would love to hear some of your own personal collection favorites in the comment section below especially those that you feel that others would find to be unusual choices!
I remember several years ago viewing some of multimedia artist Paul Skellett’s popular culture portraits/paintings at his Online catalog and I was amazed at the man’s talent. I wish I had been able to buy the painting of the Dirty Mac image shown below but at the time I knew it would not fit in my budget to do so, prompting me to do the next best thing! I purchased the 1st signed and numbered print of Skellett’s Dirty Mac portrait issued in a run of 99 prints.
I loved John’s appearance in the supergroup from the Rolling Stones Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus when he was being backed by Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Keith Richards on bass guitar and Mitch Mitchell from the Jimi Hendrix band on drums!
This is the way Amazon describes Paul Skellett
“Paul Skellett is one of the most accomplished image restoration and remastering experts. As well as being a fine artist he is also a highly experienced illustrator, image curator, book designer, leisure brand creative and musician, in a career spanning over twenty-five years. Paul is a self-confessed Beatles fanatic.”
It is also available on a DVD of The Rock ‘n’ Circus on Amazon. Copies can also be found on eBay and several other sources which carry DVD’s!
I need to get around very soon to frame this print!
PAUL SKELLETT’S DIRTY MAC PRINT:
Title of the piece:
Paul Skellett’s signature and his acknowledgement to me that I had bought the first copy of his beautiful print!
A BOOK ABOUT THE “OUR WORLD” LIVE BROADCAST OF THE BEATLES PERFORMING “ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE.”
As stated above, Paul Skellett is a multimedia artist, and he has been involved in the production of several unique Beatles books including:
All You Need Is Love. The complete story of The Beatles historical performance highlighting the first-ever live global satellite broadcast. Paul Skellett; Simon Weitzman Published by Archivum, United Kingdom, 2016
All You Need Is Love
THE BEATLES: IN STEREOSCOPIC 3D
This particular item is now very difficult to find. It was created by Paul Skellett and Simon Weitzman and is a 3D photo book. Unique and difficult to find. I was glad to add a copy to my collection. The book was arduous process to bring to completion according to one of the creators!
A great description is provided at the Richard Porter website:
Presented in a unique 10 inch album box ‘The Beatles In Stereoscopic 3D’ Book Box Set features an accompanying 8 page overview booklet, high quality stereograph viewer and 50 digitally mastered viewable stereographic cards painstakingly re-imagined from our Beatles photographic vaults.
A BOOK WRITTEN BY STEVE TURNER WITH PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER WHO PRESERVED THE IMAGES OF THE ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE SESSION FOR POSTERITY – DAVID MAGNUS. HE ALSO TOOK SOME OF THE LAST IMAGES OF BEATLES MANAGER BRIAN EPSTEIN BEFORE HIS PASSING!
PHOTOGRAPHIC SESSION JUNE 24/25 1967 EMI STUDIOS ABBEY ROAD LONDON
Photographs-BY DAVID MAGNUS Text-BY STEVE TURNER
Thoroughly love this title offering the details of the historic “All You Need is Love” satellite performance for the Our World program which was seen by an estimated 400 million people in 1967. Written by noted author, Steve Turner who has written several excellent books about the Beatles, it features the magnificent photos of David Magnus and the book was signed by him.
All You Need Is Love – The Beatles Dress Rehearsal
THE BOOK SIGNED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER:
The photographer who took so many wonderful photographs in preparation for the live All You Need is Love satellite broadcast of the Our World program, David Magnus!
David wrote the date of the Our World broadcast at the bottom of the inscription!
SIMON WELLS AND PAUL SKELLETT’S EIGHT ARMS TO HOLD YOU BOOK:
Paul Skellett worked on the images and Simon Wells wrote the text for this beautiful book of images about the production of the Beatles 2nd movie, Help!
Eight Arms to Hold You: 50 Years of Help! and the Beatles Simon Wells; Paul Skellett
Published by Acc Art Books, 2017
AN AUDIO BOOK ABOUT JOHN LENNON READ BY CYNTHIA LENNON:WITH AN AUDIO INTRODUCTION BY JULIAN LENNON
I love this 4-cd set which featured Cynthia Lennon reading her book about her life with John Lennon. The set also featured an audio introduction by their son, Julian Lennon. In the introduction, you can easily see the devotion and love Julian had for his mum!
FACES OF MUSIC BOOK SIGNED BY DRUMMER JIM KELTNER, PHIL PROCTOR OF THE FIRESIGN THEATER, 2 MEMBORS OF THE GROUP DEVO AND THE AUTHOR MR. BONSAI, WHO WAS AT THE BEATLES “I AM THE WALRUS: RECORDING SESSION AT JOHN LENNON’S INVITATION:
Jim Keltner is my second favorite drummer after Ringo Starr. He is universally praised by other musicians and his peers for his drumming skills. He does not sign his autograph very frequently and seems averse to doing so. To have his signature in a book was very special to me. He has played with virtually all of the giants of the pop music genre and was also the drummer for the legendary Traveling Wilburys. I had never seen a signed book by Jim Keltner and that was the primary motivation for purchasing it. I was very pleased with the books content as the stories in this volume impressed me with the amount of popular culture that Mr. Bonsai had witnessed!
Book signed by Jim Keltner, Phil Proctor of the comedy troupe Firesign Theater, Mr. Bonsai who was present at the Beatles I am the Walrus session and is the author of the book and then two members of the group Devo, who became famous for their hit Whip It-Bob Mothersbaugh and Bob Casales!
Published by Alfred Music, 2011-the back cover of the book:
The signatures of Jim Keltner & Phil Proctor from Firesign Theater, one of the Bob’s from Devo and the author of the book:
Michael Hill is one of the few people to have been friends with John Lennon from the age of five, through Dovedale School and Quarry Bank too. It was Michael who introduced John Lennon to rock ‘n’ roll – the moment John said changed his life. This is the story of how that happened.
