How many of you collectors of Beatles print material feel compelled to also acquire the special Beatles or solo Beatles cover issues of magazines put together by such magazine organizations like MOJO, RECORD COLLECTOR AND UNCUT. These magazines periodically use the Beatles consistent and ongoing marketability appeal to create a seemingly endless stream of new cover stories either about the Beatles as a group or their respective solo careers. Some of these magazine organizations have been accused of ripping off fans with endless recycling of the same content with only slight and subtle differences used to entice the buyer. That criticism may be valid and warranted in some circumstances, however that does not occur all the time. Often, new or obscure photos appear in some of these issues and interesting, provocative and thoughtful new articles appear as well. Buying the magazines in a physical store or venue like Barnes and Noble affords the potential buyer the opportunity to directly peruse the magazine in question in order to make the determination of whether it is worth buying. Online buyers are usually not afforded that opportunity.
I personally enjoy these types of magazines. Today, we will focus on the magazine Record Collector and the 3 recent special solo Beatles issues they have released about George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and the issue about John and Yoko. We still await Record Collector’s special Ringo issue. Would be interested to know how many of you have decided to acquire the three issues presented here. What was the main attraction for you to purchase either a single issue or all three? What issue was your favorite and why?
I bought all 3 of these magazines on eBay!
Where did you get yours?
The greatest objection I have to the UK magazines are the significant postage costs to send the magazine across the pond! I am sure that sentiment is the same when European customers try to purchase items from the US! Some book outlets like Barnes and Noble get supplies of these magazines in stock on a monthly basis. That is the more affordable way to obtain many of them. This is why digital formats of magazines are the current rage especially with younger readers. I may be in the minority, but there is no credible replacement for a physical medium!
GEORGE-DECEMBER 2025
eBay Description:
Record Collector Presents George Harrison is the third in Record Collector’s series of acclaimed ‘Beatlezines’. It is time to make some noise for the “Quiet One”. Looking at his solo career in depth from 1968 to 2002, it features some of the best writers, peers, admirers, and authorities. Jo Kendall assesses Dark Horse Records, Radio Times film critic and RC treasure Terry Staunton looks at HandMade films; Morecambe and Wise biographer Louis Barfe explores George’s lifelong love of humour. There is a comprehensive 9-PAGE UK discography, as well as assessments of all George’s studio albums, features on his compilations, singles, key rarities, lots of lovely pictures and much, much more.
GEORGE
PAUL
Paul from 2024
As The Beatles have again made headlines this festive season by scoring their first No 1 UK single in 54 years, RC shines its (Carnival Of) light on the group’s former bass player, spending 116 pages examining Paul McCartney’s illustrious solo career from McCartney to today, with help from Micky Dolenz, Mike McCartney, Youth, Nigel Godrich and many more. Pete Paphides examines his mellow philosophy in 10 records, there’s a brand-new 10-PAGE UK discography, as well as some of the best writing on all his studio albums, features on his classical work, musicianship, rarities, collaborations and much more.
RECORD COLLECTOR MAGAZINE 2024 | JOHN LENNON & YOKO
JOHN & YOKO
eBay Description:
After the success of last year’s Record Collector Presents Paul McCartney our attention turns to his old sparring partner John Lennon and his muse, Yoko Ono. Record Collector Presents John & Yoko spends 116 pages examining their joint careers, together and apart from 1968 to the present day, featuring some of the best writers, peers, admirers, and authorities. Slits biographer Zoë Howe examines the shift in public perceptions of Yoko, Terry Staunton looks at the Lennons on film, there’s a brand-new 7-PAGE UK discography, as well as assessments of all their studio albums, features on their compilations, Plastic Ono Band singles, a look inside the GRAMMY-nominated Mind Games box set with co-curator Simon Hilton, key rarities and much, much more.
For those who enjoy purchasing these magazines for your collections, what is the primary appeal of them for you?
What is the element that you dislike the most of magazines of this sort?
Be Healthy and Be Happy!
Best Wishes,
Buzz
I enjoy and collect these publications. The George issue I have ordered direct from the publishers as they advertised it early with a discount. I usually just stumble upon these at my local supermarket. What annoys me is that they sometimes issue a magazine and then later issue an updated version with a few extra pages. Of course they change the cover so you believe it’s a new magazine. Usually, if you look carefully there may be a mention that it’s an updated version. The recent Ringo edition didn’t give that indication so I bought it again.
The RECORD COLLECTOR ‘Beatlezines’ (three issues published in 2019 for the band and for Paul, John & Yoko and George in 2024/5) are the most informative “bookazines” for collectors, because they include discographies with updated price guides. But (IMHO) their Fab’s loving staff also have the best writing on recordings and musicianship, rarities, collaborations and much more, by mixing photojournalism with relatively short and informative texts, spread over chapters focussing on a diversity of topics. Highly recommended for readers who prefer to avoid traditional larger (biography) books (especially the weightier tomes).
Also, you’ll probably will be aware that RECORD COLLECTOR is the offspring of The Beatles Book Appreciation Society, reprinting the official Beatles’ magazine ‘The Beatles Book’ AKA ‘Beatles Monthly’, by publisher Sean O’Mohany AKA Johnny Dean…
I can understand that. Until a few years ago, I bought all the magazines. I don’t do that anymore. I have enough of them already. What’s more, the magazines are very expensive here in Germany. But they are definitely attractive.
I gave up buying four issues to get all four covers many years ago – these days I doubt I would even buy one – I see so much of money grabbibg it wears me out – I am 71 – there is nothing new in this world – rarely – that I haven’t been presented before in some other medium over the past 60 years – I can no longer afford everything – I have Beatles music and a complete set of Beatles Monthly and a near fill set of Beatles Unlimited and a bunch of other magazines I bought when I thought I needed everything – I now know I don’t – I have the music in several forms and now I await the day when it will be all over and I won’t be able to take any of it with me !!! I have enough… ENOUGH
Terry-I can completely understand your feelings as I am also nearing the age of 71. However, the purpose of the blog is also to inform younger generation Beatles fans and (THERE ARE MANY) of what is available out there in the marketplace! Even at my advanced age, I still see things that give me the incentive to acquire it even though I know intuitively that EVERYTHING we acquire in this life is only temporary and essentially being borrowed for the time that we are here! I wish you good health and happiness always!