HENRY GROSSMAN HAS TWO OF MY ALL-TIME BEATLES PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS:

Every so often I feel compelled to create what some may call a repeat post of a couple of books from the collection that I have spoken about before. I do this because I consider those books worthwhile for a 2nd look because they bring me so much satisfaction and pleasure to have on the bookshelf. Some would call that vanity, but I consider it to be having made good choices and was fortunate enough to have been able to acquire them for the collection!

Henry Grossman’s collection of photographs that he took of the Beatles was certainly voluminous. Here are a few books I have acquired from Curvebender Publications over the years dealing with that subject matter.

Curvebender Publications has a reputation for producing stellar quality books and the books they have published about the late photographer Henry Grossman’s work with the Beatles do not veer away from that observation. Two of my favorite Beatles photography books are by the same man and are published by the same company.

Henry Grossman – Wikipedia

This book, Kaleidoscope Eyes, is one of the favorite Beatles books in my collection. It was issued in a limited-edition of 1967 copies to reflect on the year the fabled Sgt. Pepper album was released. The copies were signed by the photographer. The book received its title from the fact that the photographs in the book were a chronological photo essay of the recording of one of the most famous songs from the album entitled Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Even the number of the books issued was magical to me as 1967represented a special time for the evolution of pop music as popular music finally began to receive the praise and accolades that it so richly deserved.

The intelligentsia and the masses were beginning to be on a more equal footing in their appreciation of these new sounds. Needless to say, I was overjoyed to be able to secure copy # 1967 for my collection, it being the last signed and numbered copy of this beautiful book!

The slipcase for the book:

The front cover of the book:

The gloves provided to handle turning the pages of the book:

The signed Henry Grossman print what was included in the book:

Title page of the book which was edited by Kevin Ryan and Brian Kehew:

The signed and numbered copy of the book:

PLACES I REMEMBER – MY TIME WITH THE BEATLES:

This book is so heavy that you would be better using a forklift to take it out of your bookshelf. This book documents Grossman’s multiple years of photographing the Beatles and it serves as a wonderful time capsule of his time with them! This is a numbered edition, but I did not purchase the signed edition of this volume!

A side view of the book to demonstrate to you how immense or thick that it is:

The title page which once again has been brilliantly put together and edited by the team of Kevin Ryan and Brian Kehew:

There were only 1,200 copies of this edition and this is copy # 494:

The Table of Contents for the book:

Made the decision to conclude this post with my favorite magazine cover featuring the Beatles. Ironically, it is also a Henry Grossman photo which only appeared on the Asian edition cover of Life in late July 1967! I searched for years to find a near mint copy of this edition of the magazine at a reasonable price, and I was fortunate to be able to eventually find and secure one!

Henry Grossman passed away in 2022.

Hope you enjoyed this post about Henry Grossman’s photography work with the Beatles!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

OUR FEATURED BEATLES BOOK

AT THE LET IT BE CAFE-716 CLINTON STREET, WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN:

  

FOR TICKET INFORMATION: Badfinger – Let It Be

Badfinger – Let It Be

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Here is the Cafe link:

Badfinger – Let It Be

LET IT BE PRESENTS

Badfinger Celebration

We’re excited to welcome you to this special event!

Performances, record release, dignitaries, and film screening — all a part of this one night only event.

Badfinger, one of the most beloved  bands from the classic rock era, is getting royal treatment in Waukesha, home of Les Paul. This is a remarkable event that any fan of rock music would enjoy, especially fans of the Beatles and the golden era of the mighty British Invasion.

Program Overview

Performances
This concert will feature an all-star band playing Badfinger’s greatest hits including “Baby Blue,” “Without You,” “No Matter What,” and “Day after Day,” as well as songs from the new tribute release “Just Look Inside the Cover.“  The band will be led by Jeff Alan Ross, who played in founding member Joey Molland’s band until Joey passed away in March of 2025. 

Film Screening 
Between sets, portions of an upcoming documentary film about Joey Molland will be shown. The Director, John Anderson, will share insights into the making of this film.

New CD Release 
“Just Look Inside the Cover” is the latest tribute recording based on songs written by Pete Ham. It will officially be released on this date. Some of the guest singers from the recording will perform songs.

Badfinger Family 
 Some family members of the founding bandmates will share stories in person, and video messages will also be shown.

Raise money for non-profit programs
 A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chad Smith Foundation after-school youth music programs. 
Badfinger Celebration 2026 is produced by a collective of managers led by Mark Strothmann Jr. Mark has overseen Badfinger’s re-emergence with multiple anthologies, including the 2024 release of “Head First,” recorded in 1975 with the original lineup but never released.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving early for the best experience. If you’re joining us with friends or family, please reach out to our venue after purchasing your tickets so we can do our best to seat your group together.

Contact information: Reservation Page – Let It Be
Please note that some tables may be shared with other guests. Also, note that documentary filming may take place during the event. By attending, you confirm you are comfortable appearing in filmed footage or event highlights.

Doors open at 5:30 PM for General Admission | Show Begins at 7:00 PM

Sounds like a great and exciting event to me. If you decide to go, have a wonderful time!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

HAPPY 63RD BIRTHDAY TO JULIAN LENNON ON APRIL 8, 2026

It is hard to believe that a Beatle’s son is now turning 63 years old. It is a reminder of how fleeting time can truly be.

Would like to use this post to celebrate two earlier projects that Julian Lennon worked on as a younger man. One of those projects was helping out on the soundtrack to Mike Batt’s music that Batt composed for the album and a live performance of the famous author’s Lewis Carroll’s work of The Hunting of the Snark at the Royal Albert Hall!

Mike Batt – Wikipedia

LCSNA FALL21 06 Mike Batt – “Composing the Snark” + Interview

The album:

The back cover with track listing and the cast listing for the Royal Albert Hall performance which included singers Roger Daltrey, Art Garfunkel, Cliff Richard and Julian Lennon. All speakers’ verses were written by writer Lewis Carroll and the lyrics and music for the songs were written by Mike Batt.

Mike Batt – The Hunting of The Snark Vinyl LP Complete Promo Press Pack 1986. I was able to acquire this promo pack on eBay!

Explaining to the press, the concept behind the performance and album from the promo pack:

Background information about the Lewis Carroll poem that inspired the musical work provided in the promo packet:

The press release for the Hunting of the Snark:

Formats that were being used to promote the work:

Some of Mike Batt’s history and background:

The public performance and itinerary of the live work:

A closer view of some of the items in the promo pack:

A couple of Julian Lennon’s performances from the Royal Albert show which have been posted on YouTube:

Midnight Smoke. Julian Lennon

The Vanishing ( julian lennon With Mike Batt & Maggie Reilly )

The back cover of the special Julian Lennon single from the soundtrack. Julian is in his special company on these tracks with narration by actors John Hurt & John Gielgud and with co-performers Mike Batt & Maggie Reilly!

The Hunting Of The Snark – Royal Albert Hall 1987– This post appeared on YouTube and the CD/DVD package below included the live performance of the album from the Royal Albert Hall.

The song on which ex-Beatle George Harrison makes a guitar contribution:

Children Of The Sky

The back cover of the single which features George Harrison being listed on the track Children of the Sky:

The signed 45 that I recently acquired of Mike Batt’s signature, the composer of the music for this great piece inspired by the work of Lewis Carroll:

From Wikipedia:

Mike Batt – Wikipedia

Michael Philip Batt (born 6 February 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, record producer, director, and conductor. He served as the Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry.

Batt created the novelty pop band The Wombles, after recording the theme song for the animated BBC series of the same name.

Batt has conducted the London Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony and Stuttgart Philharmonic.

The signed Mike Batt 45 from the track that George Harrison played guitar on from The Hunting of the Snark soundtrack:

ONE OF JULIAN LENNON’S EARLIEST RECORDED WORKS: SINGING ELTON JOHN’S SONG FOR GUY PERFORMED BY THE LATE SAX PLAYER RAPHAEL RAVENSCROFT:

This could be the earliest professional recording made by Julian Lennon possibly earlier than his recording of his first album Valotte. He was asked to sing the ending verse of the Elton John song entitled Song for Guy which was being performed by the late sax player Raphael Ravenscroft on his album called Lifeline. I acquired this rare and obscure vinyl album from well-known Beatles collector and author, Bill Last, who I have purchased several items from over the years! Bill also sold me a copy of the rare Ringo Starr, Scouse the Mouse LP!

The sax player Ravenscroft is well-known for his sax solo on Gerry Rafferty’s song Baker Street:

Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street (Official Video)

Julian Lennon sings at the end of this Elton John song on the Ravenscroft LP:

Song For Guy

You will notice the album cover acknowledges both Julian Lennon and Kiki Dee at the bottom of the front cover

The Ravenscroft album was not the first interaction that Julian had with the sax player, Ravenscroft. In 1981 about a year after his dad’s murder Julian went into the studio and recorded a version of his dad’s then unreleased song called I Don’t Wanna Face It which featured Ravenscroft on sax. Yoko put a stop to the release of the recording as she had plans to release John’s version of the song and she eventually did in 1984 with the Milk and Honey album. Julian’s version remains unreleased though the bass player on the song actually posted it on YouTube several years ago and when Julian learned of that he had YouTube remove the song!

Maxine

Back cover of the Lifeline LP with track listing and credits:

Hope you enjoyed these 2 earlier Julian Lennon projects that he was involved with as a young man. He is no longer a young man, but he continues to produce excellent photographic works and occasionally he will continue to issue wonderful new musical contributions to his wonderful legacy!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

The product is a special edition Time magazine issue from 6th April 2026 featuring Stella McCartney as the recipient of the Earth Awards – does success run in the GENES (JEANS)?

Stella McCartney Made the Planet Fashionable—And She’s Not Done Yet

From the Time Magazine Description:

“Stella McCartney has been recognized with the 2026 TIME Earth Awards for her significant contributions to sustainable fashion and climate solutions. The awards celebrate individuals whose actions have had an indelible impact on global efforts to address climate change. McCartney’s work has been pivotal in proving that luxury fashion and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Her brand has consistently refused to use animal-based materials, focusing instead on innovative, eco-friendly alternatives. McCartney’s commitment to ethical innovation and her leadership in sustainable design have made her a trailblazer in the fashion industry.”

A few superstars sing about Stella’s talented vocation: FASHION!

David Bowie – Fashion (Official Video) [HD]

The Kinks – Dedicated Follower Of Fashion (Official Audio)

The blog extends our congratulations to Stella for receiving this great award!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

OUR FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK

Beatles Laser Disks? I am sure you have heard of the term “planned obsolescence.” If you haven’t, it is the conscious decision by businesspeople to have an endless revenue stream by having products become out–of-date or unusable after a specific amount of time forcing consumers to buy replacement products to take the place of the now defunct item or product.

Laser disks were the precursor to DVDS. They had better picture and sound quality than VHS or Betamax videotapes. However, both videotape and laser disks have sadly gone into the waste basket of history after billions of dollars were spent by the public on the respective mediums. It is feared that DVDs will soon follow that route as streaming media becomes more prevalent in modern society. I fear some of that was due to pressure by the creators of the product fearing that people recording the product would inhibit the producers of the respective programs from maximizing their profits as the people that could record the programs on their own could share those programs with others with no financial return to the originators or creators of the product. This would be considered a no-no in the eyes of the product producer.

There are many factors why laser disks never realized their full potential. They were more costly to produce than videotape, making them more expensive. They took up more space as they were album sized and storage space was a requirement. Some of the earlier hardware for the laser disks would force you to turn the disk over to complete the program. Later hardware would play the first side then another laser would begin play on the 2nd side at its completion. Another factor that was important in the death knell for laser disks was that they were often difficult to find as retailers were hesitant to stock them. They were appealing to a smaller audience than mass market mediums like videotapes or the later DVDs. Furthermore, those media were cheaper to produce because of their smaller size. It is a shame because their audio and visual qualities were excellent!

The publicity apparatus for laser disks was also not as good or efficient as the marketing departments for the cheaper video tapes followed by the DVDs. The Japanese market was more likely to produce more titles for the medium.

The term used for the functions of one medium being taken over by another one is called “functional displacement.”

A classic example of this was when radio was replaced by television as the primary medium being used by the world to secure their news and information. Television provided the additional stimulus of having video to accompany the sound. Television also served to displace movie going as people could now watch films in the confines of their homes. Big screens have turned many homes into being makeshift theaters.

Like 4-channel sound (quadraphonic or quad), it appears that laser disks are destined to be obsolete considered to be dinosaurs by media scholars of the future.

Wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some of the laser disks that I have in my collection and a few that I wanted but have yet to obtain. This list does not attempt to cover all of the Beatles laser disks in existence.

WATER-PRODUCED BY GEORGE HARRISON”S HANDMADE FILMS

The film featured a guest musical appearance by George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and Eric Clapton!

George Harrison, Ringo Starr – Freedom (From the Film “Water”, Restored, 1985)

The other side of the laser disk:

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL-STARR BAND-LIVE FROM MONTRUX

The track listing on the back of the laser disk:

THE BEATLES-A HARD DAY’S NIGHT-THE 2 DISK SET

The classic Beatles first film:

Contents of the 4 sides!

PAUL McCARTNEY’S GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROAD STREET

One of Paul McCartney’s rare ventures of not getting the best reviews! The script was penned by Paul!

I was in the minority on this one as I loved the music especially this one:

No More Lonely Nights (Ballad) (Remastered 1993)

Movie details and credits on the back side of the laser disk:

JULIAN LENNON LIVE AT YOMIYURI-LAND EAST, JAPAN ’86

Found this link on YouTube

Julian Lennon It Won’t be Long Japan 86–this was apparently taken from a mono source and appears to be sourced from a video tape not a laser disk.

The track is one of the few times that he has performed this number of his dad’s

I have the laser disk and the track is in stereo

The back cover of the Japanese laser disk with the track listing:

PAUL McCARTNEY NEW WORLD CONCERT LASER FROM 1993

From the 1993 Tour:

Paul McCartney – The New World Tour 1993 (The Definitive Edition) (2K)

Loved Macca’s shows from the New World tour!

The track listing for the laser disk:

JOHN LENNON AND MICHAEL CRAWFORD – HOW I WON THE WAR, DIRECTED BY RICHARD LESTER

Description on the back side of the laser disk:

PAUL McCARTNEY – PUT IT THERE

This one is still on my want list!

The track listing of the Put It There laser disk:

PAUL McCARTNEY – GOING HOME

A great video:

Contents of the laser:

PAUL McCARTNEY – MOVIN ON

Preparing for his 1993 World Tour:

The Off the Ground LP was cooking and Paul was preparing the band for the New World Tour:

JULIAN LENNON-STAND BY ME

Julian touring to promote his Valotte LP in the mid 1980s:

Track listing and credits:

LENNON-A TRIBUTE

Track Listing & credits:

JOHN & YOKO-THE BED-IN

Documentary about the famous Bed-In for Peace:

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL-STAR BAND

Another fabulous collection of Ringo and his All Starr’s in concert:

The track listing:

IMAGINE JOHN LENNON-THE DEFINITIVE FIM PORTRAIT:

My favorite version of Real Love is from this film:

John Lennon – Real Love (1979)

The contents of the disk:

THE PRINCE’S TRUST ALL-STAR ROCK CONCERT FEATURING PAUL McCARTNEY

A great show-saw this piece on YouTube: This track was not on the laser disk!

paul mccartney,eric clapton,mark knopfler,sting kansas city

THAT’LL BE THE DAY WITH RINGO STARR DAVID ESSEX BILLY FURY AND KEITH MOON

Written by our good friend, Ray Connolly!

INTRODUCTION OF GET BACK:

The contents of this Japanese laser disk:

BLUE SUEDE SHOES-A ROCKABILLY SESSION:

One of my all-time favorite shows! Carl Perkins being backed by numerous stars!

Contents of the laser disk:

THE BEATLES YELLOW SUBMARINE:

The classic animated Beatles film:

The contents of this Japanese laser disk:

YOKO ONO-THEN & NOW

Contents of the disk:

THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY ON LASER DISK:

The cover of the clipcase:

Back Cover:

The container of the 8 individual disks:

Contents 1:

Contents 2:

DISK 1:

Back Cover of Disk 1:

DISK 2:

Back Cover of Disk 2

DISK 3:

Back cover of disk 3:

DISK 4:

Back cover of disk 4:

DISK 5:

Back cover of disk 5:

DISK 6:

Back cover of disk 6:

DISK 7:

Back cover of disk 7:

DISK 8:

Back cover of disk 8:

THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH:

Back cover of the disk:

THE BEATLES-HELP

This one’s going to be in color:

Contents of the 2 disks and 4 sides:

THE BEATLES FIRST US VISIT:

The description & the contents:

THE COMPLEAT BEATLES:

Reportedly, Paul McCartney bough up the rights to this Malcolm McDowell narrated documentary so that it would not impact or contradict the contents of the Beatles Anthology. There are also many reported errors in this documentary although I found it to be extremely entertaining largely due to Malcolm’s narration!

The back cover of the laser disk:

THE MAKING OF A HARD DAY”S NIGHT HOSTED BY PHIL COLLINS:

Back cover of the disk:

READY STEADY GO SPECIAL EDITION-THE BEATLES LIVE:

Back cover-Disk features the live performance of Shout by the Beatles!

THE POINT-NARRATED BY RINGO STARR:

Features the narrating talents of Ringo Starr helping out his good friend, Harry Nilsson!

The back cover of the disk. This isne disk I still need to obtain on laser though I do have it on dvd!

THE JOHN LENNON VIDEO COLLECTION:

A collection of John Lennon promo videos put together by Yoko

The contents of the disk:

THE BEATLES CONCERT AT BUDOKAN 1966:

I always questioned whether this was a legitimate release, but I have not heard otherwise by Apple up to this point. This disk was of course a Japanese release!

I have seen DVDs present both the afternoon and evening shows in different suits!

BACKBEAT:

This film largely deals with the relationship between Astrid and Stu Sutcliffe:

Back cover of the disk:

SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND:

I can say no more:

The back cover of the disk:

THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN:

Love this film for a multitude of reasons! One of them being it helped to serve as a launching pad for Badfinger on Apple Records!

Back cover of the disk:

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND:

Just picked up this disk about four overly zealous fans trying to sneak in to see their idols around the time of the Ed Sullivan show!

PAUL McCARTNEY-RUPERT AND THE FROG SONG:

A smaller format laser disk which I thoroughly love. Features the rare video and audio of THE ORIENTAL NIGHTFISH!

The back cover with contents!

JOHN LENNON-LIVE AT TORONTO-ROCK & ROLL REVIVAL

This show helped give John the confidence and courage to finally say goodbye to his former band!

The back cover with the disk contents!

JOHN LENNON-LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY:

Before the Lennon Estate became politically correct!

Back cover of the disk:

IMAGINE JOHN LENNON

Back cover and contents!

PRINCE’S TRUST 1987-FEATURING GEORGE HARRISON AND RINGO STARR:

Various – The Prince’s Trust Rock Gala

At this show at Wembley, George Harrison did 2 numbers, Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Ringo Starr performed With a Little help From My Friends!

Back cover and the contents of the disk:

Hope you enjoyed this presentation of Beatles-related laser disks. Remember this is not an exhaustive or fully comprehensive list. It is only to present a discussion of a medium that deserved a much better fate than it had!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

DISCOVER MORE AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE – FEATURED BOOK

The term “fifth Beatle” has been used for so many different people over the years, with many fans having it as a close tie between George Martin and Brian Epstein. Others like Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best or Neil Aspinall also get mentioned.

The first one to be given the title by the press was Jimmie Nicol after he stepped in for Ringo in June 1964 for their world tour, when Ringo Starr was rushed to hospital on the verge of the tour starting.

However, as featured on the cover of The Beatles: What If? is one man who could have become the fifth Beatle back in 1962, but who was he?

he is the guy at the top of the picture of The Beatles, expertly drawn by artist David Rainey on the cover below.

Got it yet?

His name was Roy Young, and he was the booking manager at the Star Club in Hamburg, the club that The Beatles opened in April 1962. He was also Britain’s answer to Little Richard, with an incredible singing voice and a boogie-woogie piano style to rival The Beatles’ hero, Little Richard.

On stage, Roy had his piano, and he was often pictured on stage playing with The Beatles.

Can you imagine what adding a piano permanently to The Beatles would have changed?

This is one of those key “What If” moments in Beatles history examined in The Beatles: What If? by David Bedford and Andrew Phillips.

David interviewed Roy Young and got his incredible story, which you can read in the book. See how close he came to being the first Fifth Beatle!

You can order it for US/ Canada or UK/Europe below.