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
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!
John by Cynthia Lennon
Back cover of the cd set:
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.
As Beatles fans, we often find ourselves speculating about Beatles history and asking, yes, but What If…….
What if John and Paul did not meet?
What if The Beatles didn’t go to Hamburg?
What if they didn’t meet Brian Epstein?
What if they didn’t meet George Martin and work with him?
What if The Beatles didn’t break up in 1970?
Now, in one book, all of those questions have been asked, and potential answers given, for what would or could have happened.
Through over 70 different key moments in Beatles history, David Bedford and Andrew Phillips have examined these key moments and, using their knowledge and research, give their opinion as to what the outcome might have been.
Through these scenarios, you will gain a better understanding of Beatles history in a new way, and also start some great discussions too.
GET YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK NOW – SIGNED LIMITED EDITION COPIES AVAILABLE – SELECT EITHER US/ CANADA OR UK/EUROPE
Beatlemania: Four Photographers on the Fab Four Hardcover – Illustrated, 16 Sept. 2024
In 2024, I was very pleased to learn that a book was to be published featuring a collection of Beatles photographs taken by four prominent photographers that helped to document the Beatles during those explosive early years of 1963-1965.
The four photographers were Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson, Michael Ward and Derek Bayes! The text for this book was provided by renowned Popular culture historian, Tony Barrell.
BEATLEMANIA – PHOTOGRAPHERS ON THE FAB FOUR
Beatlemania: Four Photographers on the Fab Four Hardcover – Illustrated, 16 Sept. 2024
by Tony Barrell (Author), Norman Parkinson (photographs) (Author), Michael Ward (photographs) (Author), Terry O’Neill (photographs) (Author), Derek Bayes (photographs) (Author)
Publisher-ACC Art Books Publication date Sept.16, 2024
The rise of the Fab Four – The Beatles in their fledgling years of fame
Incredible photos, many unseen, from the cameras of Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson, Michael Ward and Derek Bayes
With text by renowned Pop historian Tony Barrell
The perfect gift for any fan who keeps Beatlemania alive today
“The Beatles ascended like no band before, hurtling to the dizzy heights of international stardom in the early 1960s. Their counter-cultural vibes and unmistakable talent are still the subject of much discussion today – as is the rabid devotion of their fans. But how did one pop group become, as Lennon infamously quipped, “more popular than Jesus”?
The work of four photographers provides an enlightening insight into the band’s rise to fame. Ward captured the Fab Four when Beatlemania was still confined to their own home city – the band braved the icy Liverpool streets for a promotional shoot during the Big Freeze of ’62-63. O’Neill crossed paths with The Beatles amid the buzz of the Swinging Sixties, resonating with the band in 1963 as a photographer of their generation. Parkinson delivered a deceptively relaxed shoot later that year, when the band were recording their second album; while Bayes captured never-before-published candid shots of The Beatles filming Help! in 1965.
Accompanying these pictures, Tony Barrell’s text delves into the Beatlemania phenomenon – the good, the bad, the ugly and the odd. From the creation of their early hit records to the hails of confectionery that peppered stages after John claimed George had eaten his jelly babies, Beatlemania: Four Photographers on the Fab Four reveals how one band became a lasting sensation.”
Back cover of the book:
BEATLEMANIA – PHOTOGRAPHERS ON THE FAB FOUR
Hope you enjoyed this blog piece about a truly wonderful photography book about the Beatles!
Do you have this title in your collections? If not, it is a worthy addition!
Who is your favourite Beatles photographer?
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
MORE GREAT BOOKS ABOUT THE BEATLES AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE – OUR FEATURED BOOK
It’s All Too Much is the unique memoir by music industry veteran David Stark, who grew up in north London during the 1960s as a dedicated Beatles fan and was lucky enough to meet his musical heroes on various memorable occasions. From gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine film premiere in 1968 (aged just fifteen) and ending up sitting directly behind the group, to meeting all of them individually in some extraordinary circumstances, David has some highly entertaining stories about his many Beatles…
