LOVE THIS TYPE OF BOOK!

Here we have the autobiography of a Liverpool taxi driver who came to be known as the Beatles cabbie. Brian Epstein used to call Eddie for his advice about the matters of the pressures of managing a very successful band. Sometimes it is not the earth-shattering news stories that are important in capturing the spirit of the times. Many of these books do not circulate on a mass scale and that is another element of attraction for me.

They have important stories to reveal, yet are not always widely available. Many are independently published and reach a small audience, and those good stories are lost to the public at large. That is what holds the fascination of these titles for me. As stated on numerous times on this blog, the Beatles story is analogous to a giant puzzle. No one has the complete full story or all of the pieces; it is comprised of little pieces that help to paint a small part of the whole magical marshmallow pie. Here is another little piece of the pie for you to consume…

A brief book description:

There You Are, Eddie – Autobiography of a Liverpool Cabbie Is the true and remarkable life story of Eddie Willis. A cabbie’s cabbie, Eddie has met many folks over the course of his 50-year career. Many of them told him he should write a book. This is it. With the ease of a natural storyteller, Eddie’s voice rings loud and clear from every page. It’s a rare, poignant and moving account of how one working-class man didn’t let working with the world’s most famous people go to his head. And what he built instead “You’re not just a taxi driver. You’re a therapist, psychiatrist and a philosopher.” John Lennon

Ordering Information:

There You Are, Eddie – Autobiography of a Liverpool Cabbie

The McCartney song that inspired the book title:

The piece from the Get back sessions where Paul is playing with the melody with his song about dogs:

The Beatles – There You Are Eddie

Also saw a version on YouTube what the song might sound like with more instrumentation:

There You Go, Eddie – The Beatles – Reimagining Beatles Demos

A Special Thanks to Dale Roberts:

Love discovering books that have some Beatles-related stories between the covers. I was surfing sites on YouTube, and I came across the following link dealing with the activities of Beatle Week in Liverpool. In one of the interviews conducted by Dale Roberts he interviewed the man who helped the author put the book shown above together. It immediately stopped me in my tracks as I knew I would have to purchase a copy for the collection!

I was pleased to learn about the above book by watching this video made by Dale Roberts in the UK. He interviews the guy who helped Eddie and encouraged him to write a book of his many memories and to release his autobiography!

The interview with the bloke who helped the author put the book together is located around 15:30 into the video!

Day Five of Beatleweek – Convention Day in the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool! Behind the scenes

The administrator of this blog, David Bedford, also appears in this video around 6:02 into the video. Check it out!

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

GET MORE GREAT BOOKS ABOUT THE BEATLES AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE

OUR FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK – THE STORY OF THE BEATLES NORTH AMERICAN FAN CLUB

A MUST-HAVE BOOK!!!

THE PHOTOGRAPHS & THE STORY OF THE BUTTERFLY EMERGING FROM THE 5-YEAR COCOON: (CHRYSALIS)

Here is the cover of the new title:

Hear the authors discuss the new book on this fine Tell Me Why podcast

Tell Me Why #32 with Roger Farrington and Ken Womack

Publishing Detail:

Publisher: Rutgers University Press
Imprint: Rutgers University Press
Pages: 164
Illustrations: 11 color and 46 B-W images

Ordering Information:

https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/bucknell/starting-over-with-john-and-yoko/9781978844797

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PRESS/BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY PRESS

Publisher’s description of the book:

“This is one to linger over.” —Publishers Weekly

On August 7, 1980, John Lennon and Yoko Ono made their triumphant return to the recording studio after a self-imposed five-year absence. Roger Farrington, an up-and-coming photographer from Boston, was hired to get “the shot” that would announce their comeback. It would be Lennon’s most intense press scrutiny since the heady days of the Beatles’ maiden voyage to America in 1964, and for Farrington, it would be the assignment of a lifetime. Just four months later, Lennon’s assassination would plunge the world into mourning.

Reproducing, for the first time, the entire run of Farrington’s iconic photographs from that day, Starting Over transports readers back to 1980 and into Manhattan’s Hit Factory, where Lennon and Ono recorded their acclaimed LP Double Fantasy. With supporting photos and other ephemera, Farrington and renowned Beatles historian Kenneth Womack capture a poignant moment in music history and provide an insider’s look at celebrity photography in the pre-digital age.

Some personal commentary:

Not only is this book going to be a welcome addition to any Lennon or Beatles fan’s library, but I have also purchased a Harrington print, and I will treasure that print always. It is a beautiful photograph of John standing in the studio rehearsing with his unique Sardonyx guitar. Roger is a serious and meticulous photographer who takes his work very seriously, including these photographs that preserve an important event in musical history, the butterfly emerging from the cocoon!!!

The icing on the cake is we have the most prolific Beatles book author, Kenneth Womack creating the text of Roger’s stories. A great combination and one you should NOT miss out on.

Once again here is the link to order this must-have book!!!

https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/bucknell/starting-over-with-john-and-yoko/9781978844797

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

Members of the blog, I am sure you will join me in wishing a long healthy and very happy life to the little guy and his parents!

God Bless!

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL BOY…

The name Aurelius is of Latin origin and is derived from the words aureus (golden) and aurum (gold) and means “golden” or “gilded”. It is a relatively rare name and sits at #991 most popular in the US, according to The Bump.

John Lennon’s son, 50, announces birth of first child and reveals son’s unique name – The Mirror

THE CIRCLE IS COMPLETE!

Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) (Stripped Down Mix, 2010)

The Beatles – Good Night (Take 10) | All Four Beatles Sing – 2026 Remix

5 children and it Ending

Sleep Now (feat. Kristina Train & Julian Lennon)

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published

Publication date ‏ : ‎ 24 Jan. 2026

I love the type of book that deals with the cultural and musical impact that the Beatles had across international boundaries and the influence that the band from Liverpool had on troubled areas of the world in particular. These types of memoirs lend more credibility to the Beatles story than official biographies do as they more accurately explore and portray what was going on in the minds of the people that were being affected by the music, charm, and sense of humor (humour) of the four men from Liverpool. I recently learned of this title in a review from Beatlefan magazine and decided to add it to my Beatles library. What I find particularly fascinating are the tales of people that live in countries facing so much economic and political turmoil and seemingly endless strife. These stories help warm the heart as they demonstrate that music can have a healing function when times seem very rough and perceived to be hopeless!

This is one man’s story from El Salvador…

Please note that while the Amazon links are provided here for the book as a convenience to you, the listing of Amazon does not reflect a recommendation that you should buy the book at this source. It is up to you to select the site you find most comfortable in making your book choices & purchases. You can also find most books at Barnes and Noble, for example or at Abe Books and many other book search sources. The motivation for providing the Amazon listing is simply to provide a commonly known convenient place to order book titles. Buy or acquire the books wherever you feel most comfortable in doing so!

AMAZON US:

Amazon.com: Finding Shelter in Sound: A Beatles Memoir: 9798244794632: Chavez, Horacio: Books

AMAZON UK:

Finding Shelter in Sound: A Beatles Memoir: Amazon.co.uk: Chavez, Horacio: 9798244794632: Books

The Amazon description of the book:

• Finding Shelter in Sound A Beatles Memoir is a deeply personal memoir about growing up in El Salvador during the civil war and finding refuge, hope, and meaning through the music of The Beatles.
  As a child, Horacio Chavez lived surrounded by fear, instability, and loss. Amid the chaos of war, four voices from Liverpool became an unexpected shelter — offering comfort when the world felt unsafe, and guidance when words failed. From hiding under a mattress during gunfire, to immigrating to the United States without knowing the language, to building a family of his own, music remained the constant thread through every chapter of his life.
  This memoir is not just about fandom — it is about survival, identity, fatherhood, and the quiet power of art to shape who we become. Honest, nostalgic, and heartfelt, Finding Shelter in Sound will resonate with anyone who has ever leaned on music to endure difficult times.

Looking forward to hearing comments from many of our international subscribers in the comments section indicating what the impact of the Beatles was on their lives!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

P.S.

Another recommended book written in the same vein dealing with populations dealing with oppressive regimes by using and depending upon the power of music to help make sense of it all!

Daniel Hoffmann has taken on the most difficult task in writing a Beatles-related book. The reason that task is so difficult is that it represents a work of fiction. Hardcore Beatles enthusiasts are resistant to accepting any type of Beatles fiction. Why is that so? Fans of the Beatles that have followed them for several if not many years each have their own little novel of events, they perceive to be the truth about the band and they reject any written material about the group that is not written by Beatles well-known and accepted experts. However, when one deals with a work of fiction, is that a fair and equitable analysis of the quality of the written piece? When one goes to the movies to see a work of fantasy, you suspend your disbelief of some of the things that you are viewing because they are important elements to the act of filmic storytelling. I may be in the minority, but I enjoy reading works of Beatles fiction and enjoy the many different turns the author takes in a fictional story about the band. What happened to using the imagination? Knowing the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland is not real certainly does not detract from the story. It is a BIG PART of the story! Works of Beatles fiction are dependent in how skillfully the author can relay his/her tale and details within the book.

Daniel Hoffmann has done a very good job with this difficult task in attempting to explain what many of us Beatles fans have questioned for so long….what were the magic ingredients that explained their immense continued and endless popularity and cultural significance. It was certainly more than just the music. Most of us believe that intuitively or instinctively. Read Daniel’s book to see his imaginative explanation of those events. Do yourself a big favor- sit back and enjoy the STORY!

Remember-A story does not have to be true to be interesting. Look at the information bombardment we face today. Maybe we could use a bit more fantasy in the world! As an editorial aside, many segments of our society are currently living in a fantasy-based world…

THE BOOKS PREMISE:  

THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Hoffmann Profile

Daniel Hoffmann is an American novelist and former marketing executive at a Fortune 500 company known for award-winning advertising campaigns that remain part of the cultural narrative. His unique brand of storytelling is direct and accessible—praised as “cinematic”.

Back cover of the book:

The author has a special note about the suspension of disbelief as you proceed to read his novel: The suspension of disbelief is not only challenging but it involves the use of imagination which unfortunately seems to be a dying art in today’s culture where formulaic content and the quality of “sameness” and standardization of storylines are promoted and encouraged by the large publishing houses.

Couldn’t give too much away with the author’s note so the liberty has been taken to blacken out a few words:

Golden Slumbers
by Daniel Hoffmann (Author)

Publishing Concepts LLC
Publication date
February 13, 2025

Please note:

Please note that while the Amazon links are provided here for the book as a convenience to you, the listing of Amazon does not reflect a recommendation that you should buy the book at this source. It is up to you to select the site you find most comfortable in making your book choices & purchases. You can also find most books at Barnes and Noble, for example or at Abe Books and many other book search sources. The motivation for providing the Amazon listing is simply to provide a commonly known convenient place to order book titles. Buy or acquire the books wherever you feel most comfortable in doing so!

Ordering Information:

AMAZON US:

Golden Slumbers: Daniel Hoffmann: 9781957307879: Amazon.com: Books

AMAZON UK:

Golden Slumbers eBook : Hoffmann, Daniel: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Check out the appropriate links to acquire Daniel’s book. Would love to read your comments!

What are your feelings about works of Beatles fiction:

What are your feelings about works of Beatles fiction? What criteria if you enjoy works of fiction about the band do you use to judge the work? Is the storyline the primary variable of judgement or how well the author captures your own perceived view of the particular Beatle that may interest you in the story?

Why do you feel that many die-hard hardcore Beatles fans are more resistant to Beatles fiction than the interest of the more casual fan?

Would love to hear your comments and I am sure that the author of the book presented today would love to see your comments as well!

Thank you!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

A PRESS RELEASE FROM AUTHOR MARTIN ORKIN:

Hi everyone,

It’s here! I am delighted to announce that my latest book, The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Part 2 is finally finished and available to buy!! It’s a veritable feast of fun and fascination!!

As a big thank you to everyone who has shown interest or bought from me before, I am doing a Special Introductory Price offer to mailing list subscribers of just £9.99 plus P&P up to 30th September 2026. To buy a copy of The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Part 2 with this special price offer, simply click on this link which will take you to my website: Buy Now! 

Here are images of  the front and rear covers of both Part 1 & Part 2 for a flavour of my latest books. 

PART 2: THE NEW BOOK

PART 1:THE FIRST VOLUME

This is Part 1 of Martin’s wonderful book series:

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

My latest book, The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Part 2 is subtitled ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and covers their studio-based years from 1966 to 1970. Just like Part 1, it is a glossy hardback book, with 400 sewn-in pages (not glued) so that no pages should ever fall out. Again like Part 1, this book does indeed look and feel lovely!

The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Part 2 discusses in detail every single that The Beatles released from ‘Nowhere Man’ (in the US), and then ‘Paperback Writer’, via landmark singles like ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’/’Penny Lane’, ‘Hello, Goodbye’ and ‘Hey Jude’, all the way to ‘Let It Be’ and ‘The Long And Winding Road’. As I said about Part 1, I believe this book will be INDISPENSABLE to all Beatle fans. Even MORE indispensable than the other Beatles-related books you may already own! 

Who actually wrote each song. Who sang and who played what instrument(s) on each record. The background stories. Colour images. Chart positions, sales figures, reviews from the time: it’s all here in this great book!

Price of ‘The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Part 2′ and how to order.

I am doing a Special Introductory Price of just £9.99 (plus P&P: £4.95 in the UK, £24.00 to the US – check my website for P&P to other countries) only up to 30th September 2026. My dedicated website: rivalsofthebeatles.com is ready to accept your order and payment! To buy a copy, simply go to my website, click Buy Now! via this link, and select the appropriate image.

Price of ‘The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Parts 1+2′ bundle, and how to order.

I am also doing a Special Introductory Price for a copy of BOTH of The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Parts 1+2 of just £20.00 plus P&P only up to 30th September 2026. My dedicated website: rivalsofthebeatles.com is ready to accept orders and payment! To buy a copy of both my Beatles’ Hit Singles books, simply click Buy Now! and select the appropriate image of my 2 Hit Singles books side by side. (The bundle option shows separately on the Buy Now page from my individual books.)

SHIPPING CHARGES. An important word on the cost of postage & packing. At present, for Great Britain and America, and several other countries (see FAQ on my website), the shipping cost of sending TWO copies of The Beatles’ Hit Singles, Part 2 (or of Part 1 – or one copy of each of Part 1 and Part 2) together to the same person and address is THE SAME as for shipping ONE copy! So, if you buy TWO Hit Singles books together in the same order, the second one is basically POST FREE!  This would mean a big saving for US buyers in particular!!

PERSONALISED INSCRIPTIONS. If you would like a personalised inscription in your book, instead of buying via my website, please email me on enquiries@rivalsofthebeatles.com for details of how to pay me direct, so I can inscribe your book before I send it out to you!

If you have any queries, or problems with ordering a copy, please email me at enquiries@rivalsofthebeatles.com and I will try to help you as soon as possible.

Thank you for all your interest and support with my books, everyone. It makes all the effort worthwhile, and I really appreciate it!

Yours Beatley,

Martin

Martin Orkin

A CLOSING NOTE FROM BUZZ ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND HIS BOOKS!

Today, a special surprise came in the mail, the NEW BOOK!!!

I have helped promote the work of author Martin Orkin since I first purchased his first book entitled, Rivals of the Beatles. I have never had any problems in promoting people that I believe in because of the inherent quality evident in their work. When I was first starting out on this blog, Martin was one of the first authors that worked with me to help make the blog very successful. That is the type of man he is. I have enjoyed every one of his titles and I KNOW this book will not be an exception to that standard…

Back cover of the book:

Not only is Martin Orkin a wonderful author about music, but he is also a good and kind man as well. So proud, appreciative, and grateful for his kindness since I first began corresponding with him a few years ago when I purchased his first book, Rivals of the Beatles. I sincerely wish him the best. His books are never over-priced, and he is always sensitive to absorb and consider his customers suggestions! Despite never having met him, I consider him a good friend! Finally, his books are well-written and well-researched and are entertaining and informative to Beatles fans of all levels of knowledge

Hope you have enjoyed the notification of the new Martin Orkin book!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz