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INSIDE NUMBER THREE: TWO IMPORTANT UPDATES

Inside Number Three The Illustrated History of Apple Records

Step Inside No. 3 – An Exclusive Celebration of The Beatles

Future Radio in Norwich is inviting Beatles fans to take a trip down memory lane with Inside No. 3, which is a brand-new audio and visual presentation that’s set to transport you back to a time, when not only the world was different, but when British art and culture ruled the world, or so it seemed. The music world was centred around No 3 Savile Row, London which was the headquarters of Apple the musical arts foundation set up by The Beatles. 

Taking place at the Orangery, located within Carrow House, on Saturday 7th March this unique event is hosted by Future Radio’s Groove Britain presenter, Nigel, whose passion for The Beatles and deep knowledge of their history will guide audiences through the evening. This immersive journey explores the creativity and cultural impact that made The Beatles a phenomenon. From the early days in Liverpool to the heights of global fame, audiences will be guided through the moments that defined a generation.  

Ex BBC and USA and Canada Radio Personality Alan Thompson is also now joining the proceedings to add an extra level to the event

Tickets are on sale now at: futureradio.co.uk/events  www.futureradio.co.uk/events

Inside No. 3 is being held in aid of Future Projects, a Norwich-based charity dedicated to transforming lives and building stronger communities. Future Projects works to support people facing disadvantage through education, wellbeing, and community development programmes. By attending this event, guests will contribute directly to the life-changing work Future Projects delivers across Norwich and beyond, as all monies are to be headed into this direction. 

Host, Nigel Pearce said “Inside No.3 is about more than music, it’s about connection. The Beatles changed the world with their songs, but also with their spirit of creativity and togetherness. This event is our way of inviting people to step inside that world and feel the joy it continues to bring.” 

 Inside Number Three – The Book – Latest Update!!

Please also accept my personal apologies for anyone who has experienced delays and frustration in ordering Inside No3 the book.

This has been down totally to demand for the publication. On Wednesday 14/01/2026 I personally met with the publisher and signed a further 110 copies of Inside No3 from the fourth print run of the release. Whilst this does not ease your frustration to those who have ordered the book, – I do hope that you understand a little better. 

These personally signed books are now being sent to the packing and distribution centre for onward sending to customers. The company which publishes the book has also undergone re-organisation to better cope with this and other publications it has within house, and that all orders will be despatched as soon as possible – thank you for your understanding in this matter

Nigel Pearce

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE FOURTH PRINT RUN NOW

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The Beatles’ Touring Era: Inside the Fab Four’s Musical Artistry, Song by Song, 1962-1966 Hardcover-expected in Oct. 2026

This blog takes pride in being able to present the notification of new and forthcoming books about the Beatles from many prominent authors. Both these authors, Ken Womack and Scott Freiman are leaders in their respective areas of expertise. I love their work and you will too. The career of the Beatles will be covered in a two-book series using the red and blue motif created by the Beatles red and blue album 2 disk sets that presented many of the musical highlights of their career!

Amazon Description of the forthcoming book by Kenneth Womack (Author) & Scott Freiman (Author)

“World renowned Beatles experts provide groundbreaking insights into the Fab Four’s artistry, from Please Please Me to the incredible heights of Rubber Soul and Revolver.

Dive into the songwriting, musicianship, and production of some of the most influential popular music ever created. In this revelatory assessment of the band’s artistic development from 1962 to 1966, Kenneth Womack and Scott Freiman provide accessible, close readings of songs – based on cutting-edge Beatles research – and tackle hard-hitting questions: What were the song’s origins, and how was it written? How was the song transformed in the studio? What instruments were used and how did that impact the song’s arrangement?

Discover the lyrical and musical elements that give these songs their magic and the techniques used by producer George Martin and engineers Norman Smith and Geoff Emerick that add that extra spark, bringing these songs to fruition. The unparalleled artistic journeys of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr as the Beatles are revealed here.”

Background Information about the Authors from Amazon:

Kenneth Womack is one of the world’s foremost writers and thinkers about the Beatles. He is Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University, USA. He also serves as the Music Culture critic for Salon, as well as a contributor to a host of print and web outlets, including Slate, Billboard, Time, Variety, USA Today, The Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine, The Independent, NBC News, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He is the author of The Beatles Encyclopedia (2014), Maximum Volume (2017), Sound Pictures (2018), Solid State (2019), John Lennon 1980 (2020), and Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans (2023). In October 2020, Rolling Stone magazine published a feature story outlining Womack’s groundbreaking research associated with Lennon’s life and work.

Scott Freiman is the composer, producer, and music tech entrepreneur behind the acclaimed PBS series Deconstructing the Beatles. Over the years, he has presented his lectures to sold-out audiences at theaters nationwide and has spoken at colleges, universities, and corporations, including Pixar, Google, and Facebook. He co-hosts the monthly Fab Four Master Class with fellow musicologist Kenneth Womack, with whom he leads annual Beatles-themed trips to Liverpool and London.

For those who like to pre-order their Beatles titles, here are the Amazon US and Amazon UK links! To be published by Bloomsbury

AMAZON US:
The Beatles’ Touring Era: Inside the Fab Four’s Musical Artistry, Song by Song, 1962-1966: Amazon.co.uk: Scott Freiman, Kenneth Womack: 9798216275497: Books

AMAZON UK:

The Beatles’ Touring Era: Inside the Fab Four’s Musical Artistry, Song by Song, 1962-1966: Amazon.co.uk: Scott Freiman, Kenneth Womack: 9798216275497: Books

The Beatles Touring Era
The Beatles Touring Era

Looking forward, as many of you reading this are, to add this forthcoming 2-book series from two excellent Beatles lore presenters to your collections!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

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THE RUTLES – CAN’T BUY ME LUNCH

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE RUTLES IDLE MIND – LOL!

The late Beatle friend and associate Neil Aspinall once gave a private screening of the pre-Anthology Beatles Anthology documentary which at the time had the title of The Long and Winding Road to none other than Eric Idle of The Rutles. Viewing this Aspinall documentary gave Eric Idle the idea and inspiration to write the script for his successful Beatles parody entitled, All You Need Is Cash.

A Fanzine/booklet celebrating The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles created by Eric Idle (Monty Python’s Flying Circus) and Neil Innes (The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band) is shown here!

14 pages, with color & B&W photos, with text by Eric Idle, signed on the cover by Eric Idle. I was able to recently acquire this signed booklet on eBay!

The Virtually True Story of The Rutles
The Virtually True Story of The Rutles

SOME NASTY MUSIC BY NEIL INNES

The Rutles 2 – Can’t Buy Me Lunch (Official Documentary)

A favorite Rutles song:

THE RUTLES – Cheese And Onions (1969)

The Rutles: Goose-Step Mama

An excellent Neil Innes interview:

Interview with Neil Innes – The Rutles – YouTube

Interview with Neil Innes (Part 2) – John Lennon et al

All You Need Is Cash
All You Need Is Cash

An interesting YouTube post about the Rutles:

Get Up And Go- The Making Of The Rutles (2008)

Hope this post has brought a big smile to you!

Best wishes!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

OUR FEATURED BOOK

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JOHN, YOKO, & PHOTOGRAPHER JACK MITCHELL

Icons and Idols: A Photographer’s Chronicle of the Arts 1960-1995 By Jack Mitchell:

When John and Yoko returned to the studio in 1980, they were photographed by a few exceptional photographers to record for posterity what would end up being some of the last professional photographs to be taken of the couple together. Photographers like Roger Farrington, Allan Tannenbaum, Jack Mitchell, Bob Gruen, Annie Leibovitz and David Spindel were part of that exclusive coterie of individuals that helped to chronicle and preserve the last days of a man who gave so much to the world…

It is no coincidence when you look at all of the prominent people that the late Jack Mitchell had photographed over the years, that the cover photograph chosen for the book published in 1998, entitled Icons & Idols: A Photographer’s Chronicle of the Arts 1960-1995, was John Lennon and Yoko Ono! Jack’s photographs of the famous couple were part of a New York Times photography assignment that he had been given!

Jack Mitchell passed away in 2013, but he left a rich legacy. The following book is part of that legacy!

This is my copy of the Jack Mitchell book, Icons & Idols:

The back cover of the book:

I was so happy and fortunate to be able to obtain a signed copy of the Jack Mitchell book for my collection:

The front dustjacket flap of the book which provides some background information:

The back dustjacket flap of the book:

Jack Mitchell’s website: Home – Jack Mitchell Archives

by Jack Mitchell (Author, Photographer)

Edward Albee-Foreword

Publisher WatsonGuptill Publications

Publication date January 1, 1998

The links to purchase the book at Amazon UK and Amazon US:

AMAZON US LINK:
Icons & Idols: Mitchell, Jack: 9780817440251: Amazon.com: Books

AMAZON UK LINK:

Icons and Idols: A Photographer’s Chronicle of the Arts 1960-1995: Amazon.co.uk: Mitchell, Jack, Albee, Edward, Mitchell, Jack: 9780817440251: Books

Amphoto Books Publication date 1 Oct. 1998

AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:
For thirty-five years, almost everyone who was anyone in the arts found themselves in Jack Mitchell’s photography studio in New York City. This book distills the finest results of Mitchell’s own artistic mission to portray the greatest actors, dancers, painters, composers, writers, choreographers, and musicians of his day.
Mitchell’s list of subjects is a crash course in late twentieth-century art, including such luminaries as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Lauren Bacall, Alfred Hitchcock, Twyla Tharp, Jack Nicholson, Robert Rauschenberg, Meryl Streep, Luciano Pavarotti, Uta Hagen, Tommy Tune, Julie Andrews, Philip Glass, and on, and on.
In the sixties, his self-assigned goal of photographing the greatest painters and sculptors living in New York – for example, Isamu Noguchi, Louise Nevelson, Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Indiana, Andy Warhol, and Claes Oldenburg – led to a retrospective exhibit in 1974.
Although the photographs that follow speak for themselves, captions accompany each one, providing a time-capsule context. Mitchell’s wry sense of humor peeks out from behind the lens in these anecdotes about America’s greatest living (and sometimes now deceased) legends.

Author discusses his Lennon/Ono shoot on YouTube:

Jack Mitchell Photographs John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Photographer’s Gallery/Website:

Jack Mitchell and his Photographic Archives

Gallery – Jack Mitchell Archives

Photographer Background info:

Jack Mitchell (photographer) – Wikipedia

Hope you enjoyed this blog piece about the work of photographer, Jack Mitchell!

A little teaser-there are two more books by other photographers from the 1980 photography sessions that will hopefully be seeing the light of day, very soon! Do you know who they are?

Wishing you all the best for a healthy and happy 2026!

Buzz

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THE BAND “RUPERT’S PEOPLE” AND THEIR BEATLES/JOHN LENNON CONNECTIONS

Ruperts People
Ruperts People

The other day I stumbled upon a wonderful video on YouTube which featured a man with a gray beard taking a stroll through a UK park.

Finding John Lennon’s mate in a park

When he mentioned his name, I distinctly remembered who he was. His name was Rod Lynton, and he played guitar with John Lennon on the Imagine LP. That is only the beginning of the story though. Prior to playing with John Lennon, he was a guitarist and songwriter with a psychedelic band of the 60s called Rupert’s People. Recently I was able to acquire a couple of the cd releases of Rupert’s People. Rod Lynton and his Rupert’s People bandmates John Tout and Steve Brendell got the Imagine session gig because one of the band members had an association with Brian Epstein. As an additional bit of popular culture trivia, another band member at one time in Rupert’s People was Dai Jenkins, who was a former Ivey’s pre-Badfinger member!

Badfinger – Wikipedia

A Great Rupert’s People biography:

The bio of Rupert’s People:

Rupert’s People | Psychedelicized

The late Mal Evans who was the Beatles assistant and early road manager also produced a Rupert’s People acetate called Water to a Stone

THE ACETATE PRODUCED BY THE LATE FRIEND AND FORMER ROAD MANAGER OF THE BEATLES, MAL EVANS!

Water To A Stone

Rupert’s People – Reflections Of Charles Brown (1967) Recognize the similarity with a hit by Procol Harum?

Please try to read all of the provided links on this post as you will be amazed at some of the connections that the members of Rupert’s People had with the Beatles or their associates!

‘I worked with John Lennon and he showed his true colours with one gesture’ – Liverpool Echo

Rupert’s People | Psychedelicized

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROD LYNTON:

ROD LYNTON – RUPERT’S PEOPLE, BEATLES, KINKS, WISHBONE ASH, ETC – INTERVIEW WITH MARK CHATTERTON

Look whose collection that this item came from that was sold at Omega Auctions. It was from the collection of Kevin Harrington who was the red-haired assistant to Mal Evans at Apple and who held the lyric sheet for John Lennon on the roof of 3 Savile Road for the Beatles last live performance together in 1969.

Lot 165 – RUPERT’S PEOPLE – AN ORIGINAL PROMO BOOKLET.

AN IMAGINE REVIEW BY ROD LYNTON:

Imagine The Ultimate Collection reviewed by guitarist Rod Lynton – Imagine John Yoko

I recently acquired this great collection of material by Rupert’s People on cd

Record Label

Strawberry

Release Year

2025

AMAZON US:

Amazon.com: Dream In My Mind: Anthology 1967-1999: CDs & Vinyl

AMAZON UK:

DREAM IN MY MIND – ANTHOLOGY 1967-1999: Amazon.co.uk: CDs & Vinyl

Album Tracks

  1. Sweet Feeling All So Long Ago
  2. Sweet Feeling Charles Brown
  3. Ruperts People Reflections of Charles Brown
  4. Ruperts People Hold on
  5. Ruperts People Love/Opus 193
  6. Ruperts People a Prologue to a Magic World
  7. Ruperts People Dream in My Mind
  8. Ruperts People I Can Show You
  9. Ruperts People I’ve Got the Love
  10. Ruperts People Water to a Stone
  11. Ruperts People Flying High (Instrumental)
  12. Ruperts People I See You’ve
  13. Changed (Live, London 1969)
  14. Ruperts People Reflecting (Live, London 1969)
  15. Ruperts People You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Live, London 1969)
  16. Ruperts People My Mind’s Eye
  17. (Live, Hastings 1999)
  18. Ruperts People Rain (Live
  19. Hastings 1999)
  20. Ruperts People I See You’ve
  21. Changed (Live, Hastings 1999)
  22. Ruperts People Hold on (Live
  23. Hastings 1999) Plus
  24. Ruperts People Flying High in 67 (Previously Unreleased)

Includes the complete 1960s recordings by cult psychedelic group Ruperts People and their earlier incarnation Sweet Feeling. Features three songs recorded live in London in 1969 plus another four from their triumphant reunion gig at Hastings Mod Rally in 1999. ; All three rare and brilliant singles released under the Ruperts People name by Columbia Records are included. The first Rupert’s People 45 ‘Reflections Of Charles Brown’ backed with ‘Hold On’ was actually recorded by mod group Fleur de Lys under a pseudonym.

When a band was needed to promote the single, Sweet Feeling (who’d already recorded the original version of the A side) took over the Ruperts People name and with an expanded line up released two superb 45s that coupled the psychedelic pop A sides ‘A Prologue To A Magic World’ and ‘I Can See You’ with the powerful, driving ‘Dream In My Mind’ and The Beatles influenced ‘I’ve Got The Love’ respectively Found on an acetate, the late 60s recording ‘Water to A Stone’ was produced by Beatles’ roadie Mal Evans.

You will notice that Ruperts People also did a Stones and Beatles cover on this earlier compilation.

Rain (Live)

You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Live)

And of course, there is another Beatles connection with the name of the group:

Paul McCartney – We All Stand Together (Official Music Video)

Paul McCartney – Rupert Song (Version 2)

Ruperts People* – The Magic World Of Ruperts People
Rupert’s People – The Magic World Of Ruperts People album cover

Label:
Circle Records (6) – CPW C103
Format:
CD, Compilation, Numbered, Remastered
Country:
UK
Released:
2001
Genre:
Rock, Pop
Style:
Psychedelic Rock, Pop Rock

I’ve Got The Love

The CD track listing:

1 Sweet Feeling– All So Long Again
Written-By – Brosse* (Which is Rod Lynton’s actual surname)
3:15
2 Sweet Feeling– Charles Brown
Written-By – Brosse* (Which is Rod Lynton’s actual surname)
2:18
3 Ruperts People– Reflections Of Charles Brown Bass – Gordon Haskell Drums – Keith Guster Guitar [Lead] – Bryn Haworth Keyboards – Peter Solley Vocals – Chris Andrews (7) Written-By – Conder, Lynton*
4:18
4 Ruperts People– Hold On Bass – Gordon Haskell Drums – Keith Guster Guitar [Lead] – Bryn Haworth Vocals – Chris Andrews (7) Written-By – Haskell, Conder, Lynton

3:33
5 Ruperts People– Dream In My Mind Written-By – Lynton
3:22
6 Ruperts People– I Can Show You Written-By – Lynton
2:58
7 Ruperts People– A Prologue To A Magic World Written-By – Conder, Lynton*
4:20
8 Ruperts People– I’ve Got The Love Written-By – Beverly, Lynton*
4:09
9 Ruperts People– Water To A Stone Producer – Mal Evans Written-By – Beverly, Lynton*
3:56
10 Ruperts People– I See You’ve Changed Written-By – Lynton
4:34
11 Ruperts People– Reflecting Lead Vocals – Terry Poole Written-By – Lynton, Poole*
6:12
12 Ruperts People– You Can’t Always Get What You Want Written-By – Jagger, Richard
5:37
13 Ruperts People– My Mind’s Eye Written-By – Lane, Marriott*
3:24
14 Ruperts People– Rain Written-By – Lennon, McCartney
3:55

15 Ruperts People– I See You’ve Changed (Version 2) Written-By – Lynton
5:30
16 Ruperts People– Hold On (Version 2) Written-By – Haskell, Conder, Lynton
5:40
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Circle Records Ltd.
Copyright © – Circle Records Ltd.
Remastered At – Porky’s Mastering
Mastered At – CD & Cassette Duplication, Sheffield
Glass Mastered At – GZ Digital Media – MC1416
Bass Guitar, Design [Sleeve Design] – Ray Beverley* (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 9, 13 to 16)
Bass, Vocals – Terry Poole (tracks: 10 to 12)
Design [CD Package] – Bruce Brand
Drums – Steve Brendell (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 16)
Guitar – Dai Jenkins (tracks: 4 to 12)
Guitar, Vocals – Rod Lynton (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 16)
Liner Notes – Colin Bell (4), Nigel Lees
Organ – John Tout (tracks: 4 to 12)
Remastered By [Final Mastering] – Ian Stead
Hand numbered on the inlay.

Tracks 1 to 8: Columbia single
Track 9: Unreleased acetate.
Tracks 10 to 12: Live recording, London 1969.
Tracks 13 to 16: Live recording, Hastings, reunion 1999.
Tracks 3 & 4 recorded by The Fleur De Lys under the name of Rupert’s People.

Packaging: standard plastic jewel box case, clear tray, 16 page stapled cover booklet.

Total time: 68:38

THE ACETATE PRODUCED BY THE LATE FRIEND AND FORMER ROAD MANAGER OF THE BEATLES, MAL EVANS!

Water To A Stone

I wish I had seen this collection of Rupert’s People autographs when they were being auctioned. I would have loved to purchase this set of signatures for my collection:

rupert’s people set if autographs – Search Images FROMSMART

The credit list featuring three of the members of Rupert’s People that are listed on credit sheet of the Imagine album. They did not appear on all of the tracks, but their contributions are duly noted. featuring Rod Linton (actual name of Rod Lynton) though born as Rod Brosse, Steve Brendell, and John Tout!

The musician credits on Imagine from Discogs if you find the credit sheet above difficult to read

John Lennon – Imagine – Vinyl (LP, Album), 1971 [r5111267] | Discogs

A1 Imagine
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Alan White

Piano [S] – John Lennon
Written-By [Uncredited] – Yoko Ono
2:59
A2 Crippled Inside
Acoustic Guitar – John Tout (2), Rod Linton*, Ted Turner
Dobro – George Harrison
Double Bass [Upright] – Klaus Voormann, Steve Brendell
Electric Guitar – John Lennon
Piano – Nicky Hopkins
3:43
A3 Jealous Guy
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Jim Keltner
Guitar, Whistling – John Lennon
Harmonium – John Barham
Vibraphone [Good Vibes] – Alan White
4:10
A4 It’s So Hard
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Jim Gordon
Guitar – John Lennon
Saxophone – King Curtis
2:22

A5 I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier
Acoustic Guitar – Joey Badfinger, Tommy Badfinger
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Jim Keltner
Guitar – John Lennon
Maracas – Steve Brendell
Piano – Nicky Hopkins
Saxophone [S] – King Curtis
Slide Guitar – George Harrison
Tambourine – Mike Pinder

B1 Give Me Some Truth
Acoustic Guitar – Andy, Rod Linton
Bass [S] – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Alan White
Guitar [S] – John Lennon
Lead Guitar – George Harrison
Piano – Nicky Hopkins
3:11
B2 Oh My Love
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums, Cymbal [Tibetan] – Alan White
Electric Piano – Nicky Hopkins
Guitar – George Harrison
Piano – John Lennon
Written-By – Ono*
2:40
B3 How Do You Sleep?
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Alan White
Guitar – John Lennon
Piano – Nicky Hopkins
Slide Guitar – George Harrison
5:29
B4 How?
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Alan White
Piano – John Lennon, Nicky Hopkins
Vibraphone [Vibes] – John Barham
3:37

B5 Oh Yoko!
Acoustic Guitar – Andy, Rod Linton
Bass – Klaus Voormann
Drums – Alan White
Guitar, Harmonica – John Lennon
Piano – Nicky Hopkins

RARE BEAT – GARAGE ROCK AND PSYCHEDELIC
RUPERT’S PEOPLE BIO
RUPERT’S PEOPLEthis link features an excellent bio of Rupert’s People

Rupert’s People was formed in 1967. Rod Lynton (real name Brosse) and Steve Brendell had been members of a North London band called The Extraverts who were said to be similar to The Kinks. The band split and Rod and Steve continued in Hard Edge although this did not last long. Ray Beverley joined on bass and the new group called, Sweet Feeling started to rehearse, mostly with Rod Lynton’s songs. Les Fleurs de Lys were recruited to play on “The Reflections Of Charles Brown” as well as the excellent “Hold On”.

Peter Solley also joined for the sessions on organ. He was later in Procol Harum. Les Fleurs de Lys pulled out leaving the manager with a record deal, single but no band. However, the “virtual” band was christened Rupert’s People. This was not the end of The Procol Harum connection though as “Whiter Shade of Pale” was released around the same time and, like the Rupert’s People track, was based around a classical piece. “Reflections of Charles Brown” was a moderate success while “Whiter Shade of Pale” was a blockbuster. At this time it was decided to look to form a band called Rupert’s People to capitalise on the success of the single. The former Sweet Feeling was viewed as the basis of this as Rod was already involved and did not sound unlike the Fleurs vocalist Chris Andrews.

However, Sweet Feeling did not agree and so manager Howard Conder put together a band comprising Chris Andrews (who later used the name Tim Andrews to avoid confusion with Chris Andrews of “Yesterday Man” fame), Johnny Banks of The Merseybeats, Adrian Curtis who had been in The Knack and Tony Dangerfield who had been one of Lord Sutch’s Savages as well as recording a single for PYE in 1964. However, this line-up did not last for long and Andrews was replaced by Paul Curtis (brother of Adrian and also former Knack member). This was also short-lived. Feeling he was losing a grip on the group, Conter fired all its members.

The band severed relations with the manager and appointed Miles Copeland who was later to have immense success as manager of the Police. Rupert’s People were said to have recorded a track called “Water to a Stone” in 1968/1969 said to be like “Born to be Wild”. The track sounds unlike previous Rupert’s People tracks, possibly due to being the hands of an untried producer, the Beatles’ roadie Mal Evans! The band was coming to its natural conclusion. Copeland had brought in his younger brother Stewart Copeland on drums. He played on an unsuccessful French tour alongside John Tout and Terry Poole after Rod Lynton left the group. Tout later joined Renaissance including on their Northern Lights hit single. Steve Brendell worked for Apple Corps as well as John & Yoko’s Yoko Films and played on the Imagine album.


THE PLOT THICKENS:

Some of the members of Rupert’s People recorded with another band that had its origins back in 1965 in the era when music began to make the transition to psychedelia. The stories in this book about Jimmy Page playing with and Glyn Johns producing them as well are very interesting.

Listen to this track written by Pete Townsend and produced by Glyn Johns

The Fleur De Lys – Circles (instant party)

Read this fascinating bio about this band:

The Fleur de Lys – Wikipedia

The Fleur de Lys

I love British rock from this era and recently was able to acquire this hard-to-find book about the Fleur De Lys group:

Hope you enjoyed this blog piece about a special era of the UK music scene.

Mr. Lynton, thanks for your contributions to the UK music scene and the memorable John Lennon Imagine album!

Be healthy and Be Happy!

Buzz

OUR FEATURED BOOK TODAY – IN YOUR MIND – THE INFINITE UNIVERSE OF YOKO ONO

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THE COMPLEAT BEATLES – THE HIDDEN BEATLES DOCUMENTARY

Where is the Compleat Beatles?

With the recent updated Beatles Anthology series being aired on Disney+, memories are jarred about a documentary that was prepared and issued back in 1982 called The Compleat Beatles using the archaic spelling of the word “complete” as the title of the film! This documentary was pleasantly and positively received by Beatles fans of the time as it was well-written and sharply edited. Beatles fans had been waiting for a long time for a documentary about their idols especially when they had heard about the film that Beatles aide, Neil Aspinall had been working on for a considerable amount of time entitled, The Long and Winding Road.

Aspinall’s film had compiled excerpts of much of the existing video of the Beatles collected over the years. Neil was one of the major caretakers of the Beatles image and he and the surviving Beatles patiently waited until the Anthology project of the mid-1990s became the tool to realize the dream of a comprehensive Beatles videography or documentary!

We have heard that Paul McCartney bought the rights to the 1980s Compleat Beatles so that the earlier documentary would not compete with the Beatles own version of the story (The Beatles Anthology). That is why no one sees the early documentary anymore. It is out of circulation. That is a shame as it was a wonderful film, narrated by the excellent and talented UK born actor, Malcolm McDowell! Many of Malcolm’s film credits are truly memorable. If you can play such characters as H.G. Wells, Alex in Clockwork Orange, and the emperor Caligula convincingly, you have earned your stripes! One of his characters was also responsible for the demise of Captain Kirk which Trekkies will never forgive him for. Malcolm also played many Shakespearean roles during his early theater career.

The question that must be addressed in any Beatles documentary is that the story that is being told by the main protagonists is always assumed to be more accurate as it is told by the primary participants. That observation may carry some credibility, but it is not a true guarantee of authenticity or of the absolute truth as we all have filtering mechanisms that can alter the perception of events as they happened, often to present characters or participants in a more favorable light!

The ideal presentation may be a balance between the main participants perceptions of the story and the 3rd party observers that were present at the events being discussed, creating their own perceptions of what happened. Often the concept of truth can be described like having an opinion, everyone may have one, but some opinions are simply better or more accurate than others based on the evidence and support that substantiate the particular opinion in question! Remember in the Anthology when the interview of the Threetles was conducted and often there were obvious differences in the memories of the same event!

MALCOLM McDOWELL: Some background info

From Wkipedia:

Malcolm McDowell – Wikipedia

“Malcolm McDowell (born Malcolm John Taylor; 13 June 1943)[1][2] is an English actor. He first became known for portraying Mick Travis in Lindsay Anderson’s If…. (1968), a role he later reprised in O Lucky Man! (1973) and Britannia Hospital (1982). His performance in if…. prompted Stanley Kubrick to cast him as Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971), the role for which McDowell became best known.

Some of Malcolm McDowells other film credits include: The Raging Moon (1971), Voyage of the Damned (1976), Time After Time (1979), Caligula (1979), Cat People (1982), Blue Thunder (1983), The Caller (1987), Star Trek Generations (1994), Tank Girl (1995), Mr. Magoo (1997), I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2003), The Company (2003), Evilenko (2004), The Artist (2011) and Bombshell (2019). He also played Dr. Samuel Loomis in the 2007 remake of Halloween and its sequel, Halloween II (2009). Many Trekkies resent Malcolm as the character that caused Captain Kirk’s demise in Star Trek Generations in 1994.

Malcolm is fully aware that he is most defined by the public from his role of Alex in the Clockwork Orange and he has joked in several recent interviews that will probably be the highlight of his obituary when he passes.

What is not as commonly known is that Malcolm McDowell was a big Beatles fans as he lived in Liverpool and saw the Fab Four many times in the Cavern before they conquered the world. His vocal narration to The Compleat Beatles was perfectly suited for the documentary. You could sense that he loved the subjects of the film. His vocal tone and intonation were perfect for that look back in time. Some would argue that the Beatles presenting their own story as they did in their own Anthology is a very subjective approach to the story and the Beatles memories are not always accurate. It can be argued that third party observers often have more precise recollections of the events.”

Some great links about the documentary and the narrator:

A few fascinating links that discuss the lost Beatles documentary and information about the narrator:

The Great Beatles Documentary That’s Nearly Impossible to See (Legally) – The New York Times

The Strange Case of The Compleat Beatles The Best Beatles Documentary You’ve (probably) Never Seen

‘The Compleat Beatles’: 10 Takeaways From 1982 Fab Four Doc

Compleat Beatles, The (1982) – Nostalgia Central

Malcolm McDowell Was With the Beatles When They Were Still Silver | Den of Geek

The Beatles Wanted Mick Jagger as the Lead in This Stanley Kubrick Classic Film

A Clockwork Orange, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones?

The Beatles wanted Mick Jagger star in ‘A Clockwork Orange’

Why Stanley Kubrick Cast Malcolm McDowell in “A Clockwork Orange”

The Beatles Wanted This Rock Star as the Lead in ‘A Clockwork Orange’

Our friend and Beatles book author, Ivor Davis, interviews Malcolm McDowell:

Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Malcolm McDowell 2023

I have the laserdisk, the dvd and the original VHS versions of this documentary in my collection:

The laser disk version of the COMPLEAT BEATLES film:

The Compleat Beatles
The Compleat Beatles

The Compleat Beatles – Wikipedia

Description of the documentary is from Wikipedia (link provided above)

Narrator of the documentary
“Malcolm McDowell’s involvement in The Compleat Beatles is significant as he is the narrator of the documentary. His narration provides a unique perspective on the band’s journey, offering insights and commentary that are not typically found in other Beatles documentaries. McDowell’s experience with the band, having seen them perform live in Liverpool, adds a personal touch to the documentary, making it a more engaging and authentic portrayal of the Beatles’ story.

The Compleat Beatles, released in 1982,[1] is a two-hour documentary chronicling the career of the Beatles.[2]

Narrated by actor Malcolm McDowell,[1] it includes extensive interviews with a number of sources close to the Beatles. Some of the people interviewed are producer George Martin,[3] their first manager Allan Williams,[3] Cavern Club DJ Bob Wooler, music writer Bill Harry,[3] and musicians Gerry Marsden,[2] Billy J. Kramer, Marianne Faithfull, Billy Preston, Lenny Kaye, and Tony Sheridan. The film also includes archival footage of interviews with members of the Beatles and their manager Brian Epstein. Authors Nicholas Schaffner and Wilfrid Mellers are among the commentators who offer their views on the band’s career. The Compleat Beatles also features early concert footage, behind-the-scenes background on the making of their albums, and candid footage of their often obsessed, hysterical fans.

Directed by Patrick Montgomery, the film was produced by Delilah Films/Electronic Arts Pictures and released on home video by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1984. Based on the popularity of the video release, the film was later made available theatrically in 16mm by TeleCulture Films, an independent company who previously channeled other small films to MGM for home video.

Video releases


The Compleat Beatles was initially released as a PBS documentary in the United States, and then on VHS, Betamax, CED and Laserdisc that same year on the MGM/UA Home Video label. The 1982 Laserdisc was released in both analogue and stereo versions, as well as being released in Japan and England in 1983.[4]”

THE COMPLEAT BEATLES BOOK SET:

The Anthony Burgess book that inspired the role of Alex that will forever define Malcolm McDowell in film history!

And yes, there is a Beatles connection to all of this:

A MALCOLM McDOWELL SIGNED SCRIPT OF A CLOCKWORK ORANGE

Having always admired Mr. McDowell’s acting prowess and then discovering that he was a big Beatles fan, I stumbled across his website and saw that he was offering for sale such items as signed film scripts and books of many of his memorable roles. I purchased a signed film script of Clockwork Orange, perhaps the character he will be best remembered for, long after he is gone. Here the photo of the signed script and the links to the website if you are also interested in items of a similar nature!

I have distinct memories of reading the book Clockwork Orange as a requirement for my high school English class. Mr. McDowell “WAS” Alex!

Malcolm McDowell Online | The Official Website & Online Shop

Signed Scripts Archives – Malcolm McDowell Online

THE BEATLES CONNECTION TO CLOCKWORK ORANGE:

ALEX IN CLOCKWORK ORANGE-MALCOLM MCDOWELL VS. MICK JAGGER:

Malcolm McDowell – Wikipedia

The Beatles were interested in Mick Jagger playing the role of Alex in “A Clockwork Orange.” They signed a petition to protest the preference for David Hemmings in the role and expressed their desire for Jagger to star in the film. Although Jagger had bought the film rights, he eventually sold them, and the film was directed by the genius, Stanley Kubrick, who chose Malcolm McDowell for the lead role. With all due respect to Mick, Malcolm was perfect for the role!


The International Anthony Burgess Foundation

The photograph below is from the adjoining link:

This appeared in an excellent article written for FAR OUT MMAGAZINE in 2021 by author Joe Taysom: Photo Credit Paddle8

The Beatles wanted Mick Jagger star in ‘A Clockwork Orange’

The signed request was eventually auctioned off

Mick Jagger’s ‘Clockwork Orange’ Petition Heads to Auction

Bonhams : A unique petition signed by the Beatles and others regarding Mick Jagger starring in the film ‘A Clockwork Orange’, circa 1967/1968,

TIME AFTER TIME- THE LESSON LEARNED:

I was ecstatic when I got the recent opportunity to purchase the aforementioned signed Clockwork Orange script featuring the signature of its star, Malcolm McDowell, a fellow Beatles fan who got the role of Alex that Mick Jagger wanted so badly.

Mick, you should have known better than most that in life, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” LOL!

Be Healthy and Be Happy!

Buzz

TODAY’S FEATURED BOOK – CUNARD YANKS