Author: Buzz

Shannon (MacDonald)–HER EXCELLENT BOOK ABOUT THE HARD DAY’S NIGHT HOTEL IN LIVERPOOL HAS BEEN ISSUED

I recently received my copy of the Shannon (MacDonald) book of her collection of beautiful paintings she had done for the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool. I am overwhelmed with the excellent quality of her work. Her book, co-written with Liverpool legend, Bill Heckle, is a wonderful addition to anyone’s Beatles book collection. You know a painter and artist is extremely talented when you have difficulty in being able to distinguish Shannon’s paintings and prints, from photographs. Her detail and use of proper lighting is exquisite and elegant!

The late Beatles associate and close friend, Neil Aspinall gave Shannon his highest praise, a strong endorsement, and compliments about her work! It cannot get much better than that!

Each room in the hotel that features a Shannon painting has a special theme coinciding with a specific important event or landmark in the Beatles careers! One can only marvel at the timeline that was necessary for artist Shannon to initiate and complete such a monumental task! The large format book works well in properly displaying the artist’s fine work!

I have included several links in this blog post that I have repeated throughout this post to ensure that you do not miss anything about this extraordinary artist. Not only are the links provided to Shannon’s website, but also a link about the forthcoming documentary made about her life produced by noted filmmaker Simon Weitzman that was discussed on the excellent podcast of James D. Jones entitled Beatles-A-Rama TV

Enjoy!

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Links from Shannon’s website:

SHANNON

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

Shannon discusses the documentary of her life in this Beatles-A-Rama TV program:

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

The front cover of my copy of the new book:

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

SHANNON

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

The back cover of the book which provides some background regarding the books contents:

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

SHANNON

All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

The signatures of Shannon MacDonald and Bill Heckle in my copy of the book:

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

SHANNON

All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

Contact information:

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

SHANNON

All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

My personal favorite painting (print) in the book:

Shannon did more than 100 paintings for the hotel and I would like to illustrate my favorite painting from her collection that was located in Room 323 of the Hotel. Each photo of a painting in the book has an accompanying explanation of the inspiration for the painting in that particular room. My particular favorite is her painting of John and Paul when they came to introduce Apple in New York in 1968. Here is the description of the background and inspiration for the paining in room 323:

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

SHANNON

All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

Here is the print in the book of my favorite painting that is located in room 323 of the Hard Day’s Night Hotel:

The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.

Shannon (MacDonald)

Hard Day’s Night Hotel Book — The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

The Hard Day’s Night Hotel Art Gallery

www.ArtistShannon.com
www.harddaysnighthotelshannongallery.com

SHANNON

If Shannon Art is enclosed:  The material is © copyright Shannon MacDonald.
All of Shannon, SHANNiMATiONS STUDiOS, The Shannon Gallery, Hard Day’s Night Hotel, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos, and Cavern Club Liverpool materials, contained on the above website(s) and in this email (blog post), are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission by Shannon MacDonald. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright, or other notice from copies of content.

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

Please take the time to investigate and explore all of the links provided in this blog post. There are links provided for those that are interested in adding this wonderful book to their Beatles libraries directly from the Shannon website! I am so happy that I acquired this wonderful book for my Beatles collection!

Make sure you check out the forthcoming documentary about Shannon’s life produced by Simon Weitzman when it appears!

Don’t miss this wonderful YouTube interview with Shannon by James D. Jones where the documentary is discussed

Shannon MacDonald: Artist, Musician & Author on Her Beatles-Inspired Documentary | Beatles-A-Rama TV

You will be impressed with the career of this multi-talented individual who is also a skilled and polished musician!

Be healthy and be happy!

Best Wishes!

Buzz

OUR FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK – JUST LIKE STARTING OVER BY CHARLES ROBERTS

The Beatles Live at Candlestick Park by Amelia Davis (Author), Jim Marshall (Photographer), Joel Selvin (Contributor)

Looking forward to this special book of the pictorial record of noted photographer, Jim Marhall’s photographs of the last concert that the Beatles officially played until their rooftop swansong atop their 3 Savile Row Apple headquarters in 1969. The August 1966 Candlestick park concert was to inaugurate the Beatles exclusively (in the studio years) where they would push the boundaries of music beyond belief.

This new book by author and curator of the Marshall photographic estate, Amelia Davis, will be a great treasure for all Beatles fans and collectors to acquire for their collections. I have already pre-ordered my copy as this concert had so many historical implications! The book also features an extra bonus, an essay by Joel Selvin, a well-known American San Francisco -based music critic and author.

Excellent interview with Amelia Davis and Joel Slevin by Steve Marinucci:

(Video) #122 – Unseen Beatles Candlestick Park Photos Revealed In New Jim Marshall book – YouTube

Rare photos of the Beatles’ final ticketed concert

New rare photo collection of Beatles’ final concert at Candlestick to be released

AMAZON US LINK TO THE BOOK:

The Beatles by Jim Marshall: Live at Candlestick Park 1966: Davis, Amelia, Marshall, Jim, Selvin, Joel: 9781797243962: Amazon.com: Books

AMAZON UK LINK TO THE BOOK:

Please note-there is a Kindle listing for the book and hardcover copies can be ordered through the UK site:

The Beatles by Jim Marshall: Live at Candlestick Park 1966 : Davis, Amelia, Selvin, Joel, Marshall, Jim: Amazon.co.uk: Books

AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:

“Relive The Beatles’ last live public concert through the eyes of the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll photographer Jim Marshall. This deluxe volume collects over 150 photos and proof sheets, half of them never before seen.

Jim Marshall’s photographs of The Beatles’ 1966 concert in San Francisco capture a historic convergence: one of the biggest names in music photography and one of the most beloved bands in history. Specially requested as photographer by The Beatles, Marshall immortalized not only the concert itself, but also intimate moments backstage, such as the musicians meeting the Baez sisters and hanging out in the locker room before the show.

This definitive collection presents the photographs at large scale and in the rich high-contrast tones Marshall favored. An in-depth essay by music historian Joel Selvin brings the moment to life. Whether you were there at Candlestick Park or wish you had been, this is your chance to see The Beatles as you’ve never seen them before.

EXCLUSIVE WINDOW INTO THE CONCERT: Jim Marshall was the only photographer allowed backstage to photograph The Beatles during the Candlestick Park concert. This book brings you into the historic moment and makes you feel like part of the band.

NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN CONTENT: Marshall’s photographs from this event have never been published all together in a single book, and half the images were never published at all. Plus, it includes Marshall’s proof sheets, from which he selected his iconic shots.

PHOTOGRAPHY ICON: Jim Marshall is the great rock ‘n’ roll photographer, as his images of The Beatles prove. In addition to being a legendary artist, he was a peer, colleague, and friend to musicians, and he documented countless seminal musical moments throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

ANNIVERSARY YEAR: August 2026 marks the 60th anniversary of The Beatles’ last live public concert. Celebrate by going back in time through these incredible photographs.”

“Perfect for:

Beatles fans; Jim Marshall fans; Music history buffs; Photographers and photography book collectors; Birthday or any special occasion gift-giving to any devoted Beatlemaniac; Anyone looking for a great present for music lovers

I know that all Beatles fans, Beatle historians and music fans in general, will want to add this book to their collections as this concert was to reflect the line in the song Tomorrow Never Knows that would claim that this was the end of the beginning….”

Be healthy and be happy!

Best Wishes!

Buzz

AUGUST 27, 2026 BY THELMA McGOUGH (AUTHOR)

The front cover of the August 2026 book release by Thelma (Pickles) McGough:

This is a book that I have anxiously anticipated for a considerable amount of time. It promises to most certainly deliver many fascinating stories about postwar Liverpool, the early Beatles, and a lady trying to find her identity along the way during those very hectic times!

AMAZON UK: (pre-order link):

From Me to You: Life and love with the Beatles and beyond: Amazon.co.uk: McGough, Thelma: 9780008809027: Books

This post will be amended once notification of a US release is posted!

320 pages
Publisher
HarperNorth

AMAZON UK DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:

“The unmissable memoir of a life at the heart of 60s culture – from Lennon and McCartney, to the Mersey Beat Poets and more.

Who was John Lennon’s first girlfriend? Who is the only woman to have dated Lennon and McCartney? And Tom Wolfe. And Anthony ‘Madchester’ Wilson. And married Roger McGough?

Thelma McGough is all these things – but as her captivating memoir shows, she is far more than that. While those relationships gave her a unique vantage point on the cultural revolution of the swinging sixties, her real journey has always been towards knowing who she really is – as a daughter, a partner, a mother – and crucially, in her own right.

Thelma’s astonishing life is shot through with fierce ambition to become an artist, while navigating incredible love affairs, bearing witness to pop history, raising her sons and tracing the secret at the heart of her family.

Now, she shares her story, along with diary entries, photos and letters, a journey not just from deprived wartime Liverpool through to era-defining moments in pop history, but a story of breaking the confines of class, identity and what it means to find your voice.“

This appears like it will be an incredible memoir by Thelma McGough, and I am sure that many others share my interest in reading this book!

An interview conducted by Beatles historian, Mark Lewisohn with Thelma McGough:

Thelma Pickles Interviewed by Mark Lewisohn | International Beatleweek 2025

The truth about John Lennon’s very first girlfriend, Thelma Pickles

The Case of Thelma Pickles – @get-back-homeward on Tumblr

A photo of the book from Amazon UK:

These personal memoirs of people that had a role to play in the magical story of the Beatles hold a great fascination for me. Their perceptions of these four personalities who in retrospect seemed destined for a magical journey are valuable tools in understanding the story that over 3000 Beatles books cannot capture in totality the complexity (yet ironically also the simplicity) of what happened!

Thank you, Thelma, for your recollections and your memories!

Be healthy and he happy!

Buzz

To be issued on September 20, 2026

AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:

“By 1964, the Beatles had conquered the media of music, radio, television, film, and literature. Little did they expect they were about to dominate animation.

Al Brodax produced The Beatles Cartoon (1965), which was the first time that likenesses of contemporary personalities were cast as stars in an animated television series. (They beat the Three Stooges by a few weeks.) The premiere scored a 51.9 share, which was hitherto unheard of in daytime TV. Brodax followed up in 1968 with Yellow Submarine, another first: “. . . extremely real and enormously famous people were going to be animated into a feature film.” It received rapturous critical notices and audiences flocked to the theaters. Today it is recognized as a classic and an alternative to the Disneyfication that had taken over and stagnated animation.

The Beatles are the most caricatured celebrities of all time, with new fan films coming out daily on YouTube and TikTok. Matthew Hahn, author of The Animated Marx Brothers, The Animated Peter Lorre, and The Animated Universal Classic Monsters, has found hundreds of toons with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, and also “Fifth Beatles” Brian Epstein, George Martin, Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best, and Billy Preston. They have appeared in computer games, music videos, rides, museum exhibits, virtual reality, and AI.

All three surviving Beatles did guest shots on The Simpsons (1989), and John made many posthumous cameos. Other projects include Family Guy (1999), The Powerpuff Girls (1998), Robot Chicken (2005), Celebrity Deathmatch (1998), BoJack Horseman (2014), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007), Minions (2015), Paul McCartney’s Give My Regards to Broad Street (1985), The Beatles Rock Band (2009), unfinished works like the long-gestating remake of Yellow Submarine, and apocryphal ones like the “Lost Beatles Cartoon Episode.” Creators and voice actors affiliated with Beatle-toons include Paul Frees, Bob Godfrey, Matt Groening, Dan Castellaneta, Hank Azaria, Seth MacFarlane, Simon Pegg, Seth Green, Jake Kasdan, Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Jason Schwartzman, Robert Zemeckis, and Cary Elwes.

Illustrated. Includes index, notes, and bibliography. This book should be on the shelf of all animation aficionados, music lovers, classic movie fans, gamers, pop culture enthusiasts, history buffs, and connoisseurs of fun facts.”

BearManor Media Publication date –September 20, 2026

Background information about the author from AMAZON:

Matthew Hahn, author of THE ANIMATED MARX BROTHERS and THE ANIMATED PETER LORRE, is an award-winning animated filmmaker, a published cartoonist, a lifelong rescuer of animals, and a pioneering Maryland craft brewer. He endowed Freedonia/Marxonia, an annual Marx Brothers festival held at State University of New York-Fredonia, with his wife, Cheri. They live outside Washington, DC, with Tonkinese cat Thelma Todd.

A few words from the author about his animated Beatles book:

“This is the first and only book to cover every category of animated Beatles caricature appearances: TV, movies, music video. games, rides, museum exhibits, VG, AI, memes, and fan films. Of course, all three living Beatles appeared on THE SIMPSONS, and voice actors played them on that and other shows. l address unfinished films, such as Zemeckis’ YELLOW SUBMARINE, abandoned projects, and apocryphal ones. Except for the fan films, l believe it is complete. At least no new ones have cropped up since l turned in the book last March.”

Book author-Matt Hahn:

Author of “The Animated Peter Lorre” from BearManorMedia.

http://www.bearmanormedia.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=the%20animated%20peter%20lorre

One of the animators discussed in the Matt Hahn book:

A talented animator and musician that comes highly recommended by Matt Hahn. Alvaro Ortega is one of the animators discussed by Matt Hahn in his book

Alvarortega

Please note:

An exclusive photograph from the book provided to me by the author shown below, but please be aware that all photos that appear within the book are in black and white, the color photo shown below is from the Alvaro Ortega video!

This is from a video of “Merry Xmas Martha” by a talented Spanish animator and illustrator named Alvaro Ortega. This color copy appears in the video.

“In addition to John, Paul, George, and Ringo, there are Stuart Sutcliffe and Pete Best, Fifth Beatles George Martin, Brian Epstein, and Eric Clapton, Mal Evans, Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Peter and Gordon, the Beach Boys, the Kinks, The Who, and the Rolling Stones.”

IIRC Note- Sutcliffe appears in the vid but not in this picture

Publisher’s website- BearManor Media:

The Animated Beatles a book by Matthew Hahn – Bookshop.org US

AMAZON US:

Amazon.com: The Animated Beatles: 9798887719481: Hahn, Matthew: Books

Kindle orders in the UK:

The Animated Beatles eBook : Hahn, Matthew : Amazon.co.uk: Books

This appears as it is going to be a fascinating book. I hope this blog discussion has assisted in propelling and animating (pun intended) your interest in adding the title to your Beatles book collections!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

OUR FEATURED BOOK OF THE WEEK AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE

THE BEATLES IN DENMARK PRE-ORDER LINK PROVIDED BELOW IS FOR THE ENGLISH EDITION OF THE BOOK!

This is the cover mockup photo for the Danish edition of the book:

The first Beatles world tour began on June 4, 1964, in Copenhagen, Denmark…

I have always been fascinated with books that feature the first leg of the 1964 Beatles World Tour. Not only because of the 13 days that Jimmie Nicol filled in for an ill Ringo Starr, but also due to the huge impact the Beatles were about to have on a world audience and culture!

When you purchase the photo book “The Beatles in Denmark” (1964) as a preorder / advance order, you receive a discount on the book.

The Beatles in Denmark – C. Larsen & Sons Book Publishing

PUBLISHING DATE 10 NOVEMBER 2026

THIS BOOK EDITION IS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

396 pages, 110.000+ words, 25 × 33 cm, (10×13 inches) printed on 140 g Munken paper, Geltex cover with recessed image, more than 160 photographs, including many previously unseen images by, among others, Leslie Bryce, David Magnus, Knud Ørsted, and Johan Brun. Also, + more than 100 illustrations- ephemera and memorabilia.  

• The retail price will be 69 Euros and you will be paying 59 Euros when preordering the book.

The publisher has informed me that the author of the book, EDDIE MICHEL AZOULAY, may be available to sign and dedicate copies of his books published through his publishing company.

For more details-use the email: info@clarsenbookpublishing.com

There is also a selection of art prints available from the BBM archive by legendary Beatles photographer Leslie Bryce.

The Beatles in Denmark ART PRINTS – The Beatles in Denmark – C. Larsen & Sons Book Publishing

The book will have photographic contributions from some Danish photographers, and from Leslie Bryce from Beatles Book Monthly, and David Magnus. More than 100 never seen before images of The Beatles will be showcased in the book.

The Beatles in Denmark – C. Larsen & Sons Book Publishing

For questions that you may have about the book:

info@clarsenbookpublishing.com

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BOOK:

The highlights apart from the complete story of the Copenhagen shows, Ringo being taken ill, finding a new temporary drummer the same day also, are the unscanned images that the publishers have found in London.

More than 700 shots from Denmark and Holland

The Publisher’s comments:

• The book will be printed in English in ca. 500 copies in September.  We will ship the English version in November
• “There is a preorder available where you save 10 euros / 12 USD and the publisher will send an extra item along with the book.“

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

A book by writer, who is also a photographer, Eddie Michel Azoulay. The Beatles in Denmark follows the band at the first stop of their first world tour in the summer of 1964.         

From their arrival in Denmark on 4 June 1964—at the hotel, at the KB Hallen, during the concert, at their departure, and much more. As Ringo was taken ill the day before their departure to Copenhagen, Jimmie Nicol was hired to be behind the drums until Ringo was well enough to continue the 1964 tour.

In addition, the book explores the tough negotiations between Niels Wenkens and Brian Epstein to bring The Beatles to Denmark, youth culture in Denmark in the mid-1960s, Beatlemania, the music, and much more. Through several years of research and interviews with people who were at and around the concert, Eddie Michel portrays the groundbreaking days of June 1964; this thus becomes the complete story of The Beatles’ only visit to Denmark. Moreover, Eddie has gathered memorabilia, newspaper and magazine clippings, ads based on The Beatles as well as ephemera pertaining to the concert; we will showcase these throughout the book. 

SAMPLE PHOTOS:

Following photos are from the Danish edition of the book:

I have already pre-ordered my copy of the English edition of the book which I am sure will be a wonderful addition to my Beatles book collection. Let me know what you think about the book when you receive your copy in November!

Special thanks are extended to blog subscriber and a great UK friend, Seamus Hayes, for sending me the original notification of this book

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

Our Featured Book of The Week – Charlie Roberts Who Took The Very First Photograph of John Lennon and The Quarrymen