Many Beatles fans have made the pilgrimage to discover Beatles-related sites in London. Recently I received several wonderful photos from a friend that I know in the UK that I have never personally met, Robin Hadden. Robin has been so kind to me since I first heard from him on my old Facebook page. He has helped me acquire several nice Beatle collectibles that I had been searching for quite some time!

Recently Robin made a trip to London, and he sent me a few photos of a trip he made to several Beatles-related sites. He graciously has allowed me to share those pictures with you!

RICHARD PORTER’S LEGENDARY BEATLES WALKING TOUR OF LONDON:

This is a highly recommended tour that noted Beatles expert Richard Porter has conducted for many years to the great satisfaction of so many fascinated Beatles fans. When you are planning a trip to London, please check out this site to arrange a tour with Richard. You will love it and will remember for the balance of your lives!

Beatles London Walks and Tours with Richard Porter

WHERE THE 4 KINGS OF EMI MADE THE MOST OF THEIR RECORDINGS

On a personal note, one of the highlights of my life was in 1988. We got to visit the Abbey Road studios where most of the Beatles superb catalog was recorded. Additionally, we got the opportunity to go inside the studios with a tour group from Liverpool Productions. Not only did we visit Studio 2, but we were also very fortunate in being able to make a recording as backing singers on a cover version of Ben E. King’s Stand by Me.

You could feel the ghosts in that room and that is not hyperbole. On the exterior wall years later, I was able to post a message on the wall that was published in a book before it was washed away in the weekly/bi-weekly cleaning of the wall done as a regular maintenance to make room for thousands more messages by Beatles fans honoring their favorite band!

Photos by Robin Hadden from his recent London excursion:

IF ONLY THE WALLS IN THIS BUILDING COULD TALK: ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

A couple of photos by Robin Hadden of the world-famous crosswalk where the famous album cover was shot. You can see in the background the white exterior wall of Abbey Road studios where fans leave their messages honoring the Fab 4.

An anonymous bystander took this photo of Robin Hadden making the obligatory trek across the famous crosswalk!

The site of the last live Beatles performance on the roof of this building at 3 Savile Row!

Photos by Robin Hadden: You can see the blue plaque on the building!

The blue plaque in closeup!

1 Soho Square, London-MPL

The site of Paul McCartney’s business operations of MPL in the Soho district

To conclude this blog post I wanted to discuss one of Robin Hadden’s former collecting passions. Robin had specialized in the collection of vinyl records that were in stereo that had the gold Parlophone label. Some of those records were extremely difficult to find but Robin has a great talent of being patient and not being impulsive as a collector like I am. He eventually acquired a near complete gold Parlophone collection. He has since moved on from that passion and has sold off some of his rarities.

Robin’s stories highlight the fact that most collectors have different approaches and interest in their passions for collecting. Some collect vinyl 45s with picture sleeves, some collect vinyl LPs, some collect Eps, others collect 8-Tracks whereas there are also reel-to reel collectors. Some collect Bubblegum cards, some collect CDs or laser disks. My particular collecting passion is Beatles print material. Collecting has a variety of interests that may appeal to a large group of individuals or a very small segment of the population! It demonstrates the wisdom of the old cliche that VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!!!

THE SPECIALIZATION ASPECT OF COLLECTING: Robin Hadden Collected Gold Parlophone Vinyl Records!

The mentioning above of Robin Hadden having specialized in the collecting of gold Parlophone’s is demonstrated by one of the more difficult stereo gold Parlophone records he was looking for. (see below) He acquired the disk below and discovered it was not the stereo edition he was looking for but the record he acquired was in Mono instead.

Robin has now left his former passion for Gold Parlophone’s and has moved on.

At this juncture I would like to pose a question. How many collectors out there would find it to be extremely difficult to move on from their collection of items that they have loved so dearly? If you would have great trouble parting with your collections, what would soothe that transition for you?

Wings – London Town (Audio)

Hope you enjoyed this post that veered away from our regular discussion of print media! Thanks again Robin for the use of your photos!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

A LUCKY 21!!!

In card games, Blackjack or 21 represents a very lucky number. In my book collection the number 21 again appears to be lucky as I recently uncovered 21 Pierian Press Beatles-related book titles that I had in my book collection that were kept in secure boxes waiting to be reread at a later date! Blackjack also has a subtle Beatles reference as well as this blog reference will attest to: From The Blackjacks to The Beatles | Richard Oliff’s Blog …

Pierian Press, a Michigan based publisher had published many excellent Beatles reference books issued during the 1970s and 1980s. I was fortunate in being able to acquire 21 of them for my collection which are featured in today’s post. They are not presented in chronological order of release date but are listed in a random fashion. Some of the titles published were exclusive publications by Pierian. Others were published by Pierian after they had received publication by larger mass circulation publishers. I believe that all of the Pierian releases are now out-of-print! Though out-of-print, many of the titles are still available on Amazon and other sources such as eBay and Abe Books. I highly recommend that you seek them all out for your Beatles libraries!

The first title listed is by Tom Schultheiss represented a day-by-day account of known Beatles activities between 1960 and 1970. Kudos to Mr. Schultheiss for being able to compile the data for this volume.

A Day in the Life: The Beatles Day-By-Day, 1960-1970
Tom Schultheiss
Published by Pierian Press, U.S.A., 1980

The Beatles Reader: A Selection of Contemporary Views, News & Reviews of the Beatles in Their Heyday (Rock & Roll Remembrances Series) (Rock and roll remembrances series)

Editor and Compiler: Charles P. Neises

Published by Pierian Press, 1984

Various essays about the Beatles from numerous sources. Some are funny, some are sarcastic and some are based on serious critical analysis. You will be amazed at the variety of opinions that were expressed about the band especiall from conservative critics like William F. Buckley.

Here, There and Everywhere: The First International Beatles Bibliography, 1962-1982 (Rock & Roll Reference Series) Hardcover – January 1, 1985

by Carol D. Terry (Author)

Unfortunately, bibliographies are like discographies in that they are never really complete as new titles continue to spring up following their publication. This bibliography made a wise choice in limiting the scope of the book to the years 1962- through 1982. Also, it is a difficult task to thoroughly compile these titles as there are many independent publications that can easily avoid detection by collectors. Ms. Terry does a wonderful job with the 20 year span she has chosen. It would be interesting to see how many Beatles-related books have been published since this project.

Collecting the Beatles: An Introduction and Price Guide to Fabulous Four Collectibles Volume 1 (Rock & Roll Reference Series)
By Barb Fenick

Published by Pierian Press, 1982

For those of you who remember the excellent Paul McCartney/Beatles fanzine, The Write Thing, you will enjoy the following two books by collector author, Barb Fenick who amassed a very impressive and extensive Beatles/Paul McCartney collection over the years which are detailed in the following two volumes of Collecting the Beatles.

Price Guides have a limited scope as collectibles often rise extensively in value, though the state of the economy can also cause lapses in the value the collectible marketplace.

Barb does an excellent job with these two volumes.

Collecting the Beatles: An Introduction and Price Guide, Vol. 2 (Rock & Roll Reference Series) Hardcover – June 1, 1985
by Barbara Fenick (Author)

AS I WRITE THIS LETTER: AN AMERICAN GENERATION REMEMBERS THE BEATLES-By Marc A. Catone

Published by Greenfield Books of Ann Arbor, MI in 1982.-a division of Pierian Press Inc, Ann Arbor, MI, 1982

A wonderful collection of remembrances and letters from Beatles fans describing their love and interest in the band and why the group was so important in their lives. Well done, Marc!

The Castleman/Podrazik Trinity:

All Together Now: The First Complete Beatles Discography, 1961-1975 (Rock & Roll Reference Series) Hardcover – January 1, 1975
by Harry Castleman (Author) and Wally Podrazik (Author) 2nd Edition

Perhaps my favorite titles in the Pierian listing of Beatles-related books, these three titles All Together Now, The Beatles Again, and The End of the Beatles helped set the standard for Beatles-related discographies and reference works about the band, and laying the groundwork for continuous excellent research and reporting of Beatles recording activities and their social significance and cultural impact.

In my opinion the three titles that follow are must haves in any Beatles book collector’s library…

The Beatles Again? (Rock & Roll Reference Series)
Harry Castleman; Walter J. Podrazik
Published by Pierian Press, 1977

The End of the Beatles? (Rock & Roll Reference)
Harry Castleman; Walter J. Podrazik
Published by Pierian Press, 1985

The Beatles at the Beeb: The Story of Their Radio Career, 1962-65 (Rock & Roll Remembrances) – Hardcover by Kevin Howlett

Publisher: Pierian Pr, 1984

Love this account of the Beatles involvement with their BBC radio and TV appearances over the years! Kevin Howlett is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world about this subject matter!

The Literary Lennon: A Comedy of Letters (Rock and Roll Reference Series)

By James Sauceda

Publisher-Pierian Press January 1, 1984

Hunter Davies was later to use an idea that was originally approached by James Sauced in the excellent book which explores John Lennon’s literary talents and his unique way of being able to express himself. Though not as extensive as the Hunter Davies, The Lennon Letters book, Sauceda gives a wonderful cross-section of Lennon’s notes, letters to both friends and perceived enemies, and such oddities like his Goon Show recollections from a newspaper review.

This book was a must have for me!

Beatlefan (The Authoritative Publication of Record for Fans of the Beatles), 2 books, (vols. 1 & 2, 3 & 4), 1985, 1986, Pierian Press-Editor Bill King. (TWO VOLUMES)

Since the 1970s, 6 times per year I eagerly anticipate my copy of the newest issue of Beatlefan magazine. Compiled, edited and written by journalist, Bill King, this is one of the best sources of Beatles information and news in the marketplace. Highly recommend that you become a subscribing member, Pierian published the first 5 years of Beatlefan fanzines in two hardcover books. I have expressed to Bill that I would love to one day see all of the issues of Beatlefan hardbound for collectors. I realize that would probably be cost prohibitive, but one can always dream, especially if an arrangement could be made with a publisher to print on demand.

If you would like to subscribe, here is Beatlefan’s website:

Beatlefan

Brian Epstein by Brian Epstein (ghostwriter assistance provided by Derek Taylor)
Pierian Press, 1984

Brian Epstein’s earlier autobiography was supposedly ghostwritten by Derek Taylor and later was reissued by Pierian Press.

YOU CAN’T DO THAT!: BEATLES BOOTLEGS AND NOVELTY RECORDS, author, Charles Reinhart 1981 Pierian Press

I found this 1981 release by Charles Reinhart to be one of my favorite Pierian Press titles because it deals with two of my favorite subjects for discussion purposes, Beatles Novelty records & Beatles underground recordings.

As Time Goes By: Living in the Sixties by Derek Taylor published by Perian Press 1984

Another title that also appears in a mass market edition. These are Derek Taylor’s recollections if the Golden Age of Music-the 60s!

Things We Said Today – Complete Lyrics And Concordance To The Beatles Songs 62 – 70 by Colin Campbell and Allan Murphy, published by Pierian Press, Michigan in 1980

Do you want to know how many times the Beatles use the word LOVE in their musical catalog from 62-1970? If you do, then this is the source you need. This concordance is one of the most unusual and odd approaches to the Beatles library. However, it still serves as an excellent research and cross-reference tool for Beatles scholars and researchers!

LISTENING TO THE BEATLES: AN AUDIOPHILE’S GUIDE TO THE By David Schwartz

Author: David Schwartz
Publisher: Popular Culture Inc Pierian Press
Publication Year: 1990

Every Little Thing: The Definitive Guide to Beatles Recording Variations, Rare Mixes & Other Musical Oddities, 1958-1986 (Rock & Roll Reference Series) – Hardcover
William McCoy, Mitchell McGeary

The Beatles Down Under
The 1964 Australia & New Zealand tour
1985 reprint ed., with additions. (Pierian Press)
by Glenn A. Baker and Roger Dilernia

THE LONGEST COCKTAIL PARTY BY RICHARD DiLELLO 1983 EDITION Pierian Press by the Apple House Hippie, Richard Dilello, who I had breakfast with at the Bradford Hotel in Boston while we were all attending one of the first Joe Pope Beatles conventions!

A MISCALCULATION—I WAS WRONG-THERE ARE 22 PIERIAN BEATLES-RELATED TITLES:

Blog Subscriber, Mike Stenger, kindly informed me there are actually 22 titles as he pointed out the following to me. Ironically, I found my copy of this edition in a different box than I had stored all of my other Pierian books. My original calculation of 21 Pierian titles was obviously wrong! Thank you, Mike, for the correction!

Turn Me On, Dead Man: The Complete Story of the Paul McCartney Death Hoax (Rock Roll Remembrances)
Andru J. Reeve,1994

This book by Andru Reeve has been recently updated and published by Genius Books-see this link:

ANDRU REEVE’S BOOK ABOUT THE  1969 PAUL McCARTNEY RUMOR-TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN HAS ARRIVED!  – The Beatles Bookstore

Hope you enjoyed the presentation of these 22 Pierian Press Beatles-related books. Highly recommend that if you do not have these titles, that you seek them out for your Beatles libraries!

Let me know if I have forgotten any of your favorite Pierian Press Beatles-related titles!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

evolver: 62

Amazon description:

Globally renowned historian Mark Lewisohn weaves an array of short, sharp stories into a savvy and surprising reveal of a band that’s remained both cutting-edge and massively popular. Celebrating The Beatles’ seminal year 1962, the year that changed everything the film explores the band’s evolution through the places and artefacts that shaped their story.

AMAZON US:
Amazon.com: Evolver 62 [DVD] : Mark Lewisohn, Mark Lewisohn, Simon Weitzman, Mark Lewisohn, Stuart Everett: Movies & TV

Watch Evolver 62 | Prime Video

AMAZON UK:

Amazon.co.uk : EVOLVER 62

An excellent episode of Things We Said Today/Talk More Talk featuring Mark Lewisohn:

Things We Said Today-Talk More Talk #453 – Some Quality Time With Mark Lewisohn & “Evolver 62”

Watch this wonderful program on YouTube about the film:

Mark Lewisohn’s Evolver 62: A New Beatles Film | Director Interview

Another great show about the video featuring Mark Lewisohn:

Episode 267 – Talking ‘Evolver:62’ with Mark Lewisohn

And another one…

#114 (video) Beatles historian/researcher Mark Lewisohn!!!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

ONE FINAL POINT:

I want to know why the Beatles organization refuses to talk to Mark Lewisohn concerning his trilogy of books about their history? Many longtime Beatles fans do not understand why the most qualified person to tell their story is being denied access to their archives for research material for his books. Is it because they want to have a sanitized version of their story to be presented to the public? I am sure we will learn the answer to those questions in time!

Most of you know about the incredible impact that these artists had on the culture of the world in the 60s and beyond. Writer Jim Windolf has used the differing impact that these two incredible acts had on the world but also on each other as the main literary focus of his new title!

Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and The Beatles Changed Each Other – and the World Hardcover – 16 April 2026
by Jim Windolf (Author)

FEATURING AN EXCLUSIVE NEW INTERVIEW WITH SIR PAUL McCARTNEY
AMAZON UK:

Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and The Beatles Changed Each Other – and the World: Amazon.co.uk: Windolf, Jim: 9781399627849: Books
AMAZON US:

Where the Music Had to Go: How Bob Dylan and the Beatles Changed Each Other―and the World: Windolf, Jim: 9781668075562: Amazon.com: Books

THE US COVER & THE UK COVER:

US edition is published by Scribner UK edition is published by White Rabbit

AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE JIM WINDOLF TITLE:

“Persuasive, captivating and bursting with insight, this dual biography by acclaimed journalist Jim Windolf dives into the surprisingly supportive, occasionally rivalrous, always fertile relationship between Bob Dylan and the Beatles.

Few artists have shaped pop culture as profoundly as the Beatles and Bob Dylan. In Where the Music Had to Go, Jim Windolf offers a new, persuasive interpretation of how two of the twentieth century’s greatest recording artists influenced one another – and reveals how their apprenticeships, accomplishments and legacies are uncannily intertwined.

From Dylan’s early dismissal of the Beatles as being for ‘teenyboppers’ to his rapid acknowledgment of their talent, the book captures the pivotal moments that pushed Dylan to ‘go electric’ and inspired the Beatles to deepen their lyrics. Packed with vivid anecdotes (the Beatles rehearsing Dylan songs; Dylan spending hours at Lennon’s childhood home), the book paints a picture of a relationship full of camaraderie, rivalry and mutual evolution.

Windolf’s meticulous research uncovers hidden gems, peeling back layers of history to reveal the stories fans didn’t even know they were missing. From Lennon’s and McCartney’s lyrical transformations to George Harrison’s growth as a songwriter, the book showcases the ripple effects of the Beatles-Dylan connection. More than a music biography, this is a front-row seat to the forces that shaped the sound of a generation.”

Published by White Rabbit

Publication date April 16, 2026

Reviews of the book from Amazon and a few words about the author:

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Lively…a fresh portrait of two of the most influential music acts of the 1960s and ’70s.”
—Publishers Weekly

“A meeting of great musical minds….There’s enough Beatlemaniacal and Dylanocentric trivia to please fans of either or both, from Windolf’s note that Dylan’s ‘Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door’ was the result of a dream he’d had about the Beatles to the odd notion that Lennon had of producing Dylan’s next album after Blood on the Tracks.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Exquisitely researched, thrilling, and moving…I thought I’d been down every Beatles and Bob Dylan rabbit hole, traveling far into their separate histories—and I consider myself well-versed in their individual influences—but this book was revelatory. Windolf is extraordinarily attentive to the details of the Beatles’ and Dylan’s parallel evolutionary tracks, and he is an impressive harvester of their interactions…I felt as if I were listening for the first time to a riveting story, carefully told in cinematic detail, about the most interesting people on the planet.”
—Rosanne Cash, four-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter

“The friendship between Bob Dylan and Beatles and how they influenced, competed with, and revered each other is meticulously, lovingly told in this delightful history of a magical world in an historic era.”
—Jann Wenner, cofounder of Rolling Stone

“This delicious book twins the lives of Dylan and the Beatles to tell the whole history of the 1960s and 1970s. What struck me most was the vulnerability—even, I daresay, the sweetness—in some of these macho guys’ interactions. For example, deep into their careers, Dylan admits he’s ‘in awe of’ McCartney, and McCartney addresses Dylan affectionately as “lovely boy.” We also discover zigzagging connections—including how close Joan Baez was to John and Paul, and how Dylan played host to Marianne Faithful—as well as landmark synchronicities. Readers will find here a host of fascinating cameos and name drops.”
—Sheila Weller, New York Times bestselling author of Girls Like Us

“Dylan’s and the Beatles’ relations were more than comradely or competitive. They became a call and response—a tit for tat—that was an exploration of the consciousness of their generation. Jim Windolf explores this dynamic brilliantly in Where the Music Had to Go. It’s a book for serious fans and students of the ’60s and ’70s that’s not to be missed.”
—Toby Thompson, author of Positively Main Street: Bob Dylan’s Minnesota

“I’ve always known how important the Beatles and Dylan were to me, but I had no idea how important—even crucial—they were to each other. With backstage tales and critical insights, Jim Windolf connects the dots to paint an astonishing dual portrait.”
—Susan Morrison, New York Times bestselling author of Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live

“Jim Windolf is an American original, and Where the Music Had to Go is a great gift—a brilliantly fresh take on Dylan and the Beatles that illuminates connections and crosscurrents between the five immortals that we’ve never thought of before. Reading this book reignites the giddy thrill that these pop-culture visionaries gave us and each other.”
—James Kaplan, bestselling author of Frank: The Voice and Sinatra: The Chairman

“Bob Dylan and the Beatles have long been lionized as two of principal wellsprings of creative genius that transformed Anglo-American popular music in the 1960s and beyond. Drawing on a wide range of contemporaneous sources, Jim Windolf’s scrupulous account sheds new light on the often rivalrous yet consistently rewarding relationship between the paradigmatic singer-songwriter and paradigmatic rock group. Though the canon of rock biographies contains a multitude of books on these world-changing artists, Where the Music Had to Go is the first to examine the full breadth of their interplay and influence on one another.”
—Jonathan Gould, author of Can’t Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and America

“Where the Music Had to Go isn’t just a single book. It’s at least five: a biography of these great artists, a history of modern music, a meditation on creative influence, a deep dive into the role of politics in art, and an analysis of media and fame. The good news: each is wonderful on its own, and together they’re absolutely stellar—a joy to read.”
—A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Know-It-All and The Year of Living Constitutionally

“A revelation. The complementary, at times rivalrous, and always influential relationship among Bob Dylan and the Beatles fueled a musical revolution that transformed popular music into art. With nuance and eagle-eyed research, Jim Windolf offers an unprecedented look at the mechanics of a musical fusion that we’re only just beginning to understand. With wisdom and insight, he brings Dylan and the Beatles’ story vividly to life.”
—Kenneth Womack, author of Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans

“I didn’t think it was possible to add anything to either the Beatles or Dylan canon, but Jim Windolf has crafted a compelling and knowledgeable narrative chronicling the magnetic push and pull between these two giants of modern music and culture. It’s never less than absorbing, even for diehard obsessives like myself.”
—John Leventhal, six-time Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, and songwriter

“One-part delightful nostalgia, two parts smart analysis and perceptive connections, this book expertly re-explains those magical long-ago years we loved so much.”
—Lee Child, internationally bestselling author of the Jack Reacher novels

About the Author

“Jim Windolf is a features editor at The New York Times. He has published articles, reviews, essays, and humor pieces in Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, New York magazine, Rolling Stone and other publications. Additionally, his short fiction has appeared in Ontario Review, 3:AM Magazine, Puerto del Sol and other literary journals. He lives in New York City.”

Looking forward to receiving my copy in the mail!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

Another wonderful title from Luca-Out Now!

Special thanks are extended to Buzz’s Beatles Book/Print member, Seamus Hayes for notifying me of this great new title!

George Harrison by George Harrison: Day Turned to Bright (Milestones) Paperback – February 8, 2026
by Luca Perasi (Author)

Publisher ‏ : ‎ L.I.L.Y. Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 8, 2026

Luca Perasi
Luca Perasi (Milan, 1969) is an Italian freelance journalist and author. In 2013 he has published “Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions 1969-2013” (L.I.L.Y. Publishing), a volume that has been quoted by Rolling Stone editor David Fricke in the accompanying book to the “Wild Life” Deluxe Edition (2018). In 2021 he has been appointed as one of the two official Italian translators for Paul McCartney’s “The Lyrics” (Rizzoli). In 2022 he has worked with MPL, helping the team with additional research for the label copy of “The 7” Singles Box.” In 2023 he has published “Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989” a complete reference book on the first twenty years of Paul McCartney’s solo career.

AMAZON US LINK:
George Harrison by George Harrison: Day Turned to Bright: Perasi, Luca: 9791281758285: Amazon.com: Books

AMAZON UK LINK:
George Harrison by George Harrison: Day Turned to Bright (Milestones): Amazon.co.uk: Perasi, Luca: 9791281758285: Books

AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:

George Harrison by George Harrison: Day Turned to Bright (Milestones) Paperback – February 8, 2026
by Luca Perasi (Author)

Publisher ‏ : ‎ L.I.L.Y. Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 8, 2026

The last album released by Harrison in the Seventies, the eponymous George Harrison is a record whose importance and quality deserve to be considerably re-evaluated. Few pop artists have been able to offer the public such a high-calibre beginning and end to a decade.
Although appreciated by the public and commercially successful at the time, George Harrison has been somewhat underestimated, perhaps coinciding with the historical moment at which it was released, with new wave increasingly dominating the music scene.
Instead, this album should be recognised for admirably closing a difficult decade that George himself had gone through without entirely escaping unscathed. To some extent, George’s detachment from the music scene and its fashions contributed to the album’s timeless quality, replete with melodies, acoustic instrumentation and mellow tones. A real ear-candy production made possible through the collaboration between Harrison and Russ Titelman, one of key figures of Warner Bros. at the time.
Enriched by images and photos, the volume George Harrison by George Harrison. Day Turned to Bright tells the story of one of Harrison’s most melodic albums and of the period that lie beneath its creation (1977–79), retracing the main events of his life (the death of his father, the birth of his son Dhani and the marriage with Olivia) and also paying attention to Harrison’s passion for gardening and for Formula 1, which proved itself a not only a relief valve for him but also provided inspiration for some songs and prompted George to get back to music after a period of detachment. In its detailed account of the album’s creation and analysis of its songs, based on contemporary sources and an in-depth interview by the author with co-producer Russ Titelman, the book guides readers through the elements that make this record a triumph of simplicity.
The album’s instrumentation reflects the wide array of inspirations and nuances of Harrison’s songs, ranging from soft ballads to catchy pop tunes, from Latin atmosphere to psychedelic touches, from exotic, spiritual nuances to more mundane subjects as motor racing: a blend of tradition and innovation. An essentially acoustic album, George Harrison
features some latest state-of-the-art synthesizers such as Minimoog, Polymoog, Prophet, Yamaha CS-80 and Oberheim – a modern touch that add to the joyous and harmonious atmosphere of the album. The technical setup of Harrison’s own studio, F.P.S.H.O.T., is also explored.
The volume covers the timeline of the sessions, the stories behind the songs of the album (including the outtakes, the demos and other songs from the period), their harmonic and rhythmic inventions, the lyrical analysis. A fascinating insight into an album that boasts a melodic quality unparalleled in Harrison’s discography.

Back Cover of the book with description of the contents!

Another great book from one of our favorite Italian-based authors!

Hope you will enjoy it when you add it to your collections!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

This is the final installment of many of the session players that played on John Lennon Imagine LP sessions.

Great sax player King Curtis played on the LP on 2 of the album tracks, It’s So Hard and I Don’t Want To Be a Soldier.

Soon after returning to NYC from the UK, he was murdered in front of his New York apartment on August 13, 1971.

King Curtis was part of one of the opening acts at Shea Stadium for the Beatles historic concert in 1965.

KING CURTIS-WAS AT THE BEATLES SHEA STADIUM CONCERT AS AN OPENING ACT:

Biographical information about Curtis Ousley (King Curtis)

King Curtis – Wikipedia

King Curtis on the Imagine LP

It’s So Hard (Ultimate Mix)

I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier Mama I Don’t Wanna Die (Ultimate Mix)

King Curtis covers a Beatles song

King Curtis – Let It Be (John Lennon – Paul McCartney)

A King Curtis Cover of The Games People Play for which he won a Grammy award:

Games People Play

King Curtis’ signature on a copy of his Sweet Soul LP-an eBay purchase:

MIKE PINDER-A MOODY BLUE

The Beatles post breakup involved Denny Laine formerly of the Moody Blues joining Wings. However, there was another Moody Blue that played on an ex-Beatle ‘s album and that was Moody Blues co-founder, Mike Pinder who played on Lennon’s Imagine album.

Pinder died at his home in northern California on 24 April 2024, at the age of 82. He had been suffering for some years from dementia (see Wikipedia entry below)

Many of the articles I have read about Pinder give him the credit to introducing the Mellotron to John Lennon and the Beatles resulting in Paul’s use of it to be used in the intro of Strawberry Fields Forever.

Mike Pinder – Wikipedia

How the Moody Blues Helped the Beatles Make ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’

THE CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC REPORTER: Michael Pinder Exclusive: The Moody Blues Founder Admits to Seeing UFO Formations

Mike Pinder

Acquired this Mike Pinder CD which was signed on eBay!

Mike Pinder describes how the mellotron works

Om – Moody Blues – Mike Pinder

MIKE PINDER Moody Blues Founding Member Passes Away Keyboards Mellotron Nights In White Satin Prog

Mike Pinder – The Promise – 50th Anniversary

Pinder’s signature on the inside of his cd Off The Shelf!

ANDY DAVIS OF STACKRIDGE

About | www.andrewcresswelldavis.com

Andy Davis who played guitar on Oh Yoko on Imagine was a member of the group called Stackridge and he signed this LP which I acquired recently:

Interview — Andy Cresswell Davis (Stackridge, The Korgis, DLM)

A STACKRIDGE BEATLES TRIBUTE

Stackridge featuring Andy Davis wrote this wonderful Beatles tribute song which was released on a live LP in 2007

Stackridge ‘Something About The Beatles’ 2007

The studio version of the song:

Something About The Beatles

And another band that Andy Davis was in-the Korgis, and an alternate version of the Beatles tribute song:

The Korgis – Something About The Beatles

STILL NEED TO FIND THESE SIGNATURES FOR THE IMAGINE COLLECTION:

IF YOU CAN HELP ME FIND THESE SIGNATURES FOR MY COLLECTION I WOULD BE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL

STILL NEED TO FIND– Rod Lynton. Steve Brendell, Jim Gordon (deceased) and Jon Barham as the remaining signatures that I need to complete the collection of autographs from the IMAGINE session musicians.

Do you have any suggestions about where I may be able to find these autographs to purchase without breaking the bank?

Hope you enjoyed these bits of information about some of the players that added their talents to John Lennon’s epic Imagine album.

Some of the backing musicians on that LP are better known than others and I hope there was some information on this blog post that you were not aware of before….

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz