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REMINISCING ABOUT BEATLOLOGY

Beatlology

Even though I loved Beatles fan magazines as a first-generation fan, I did not collect them all. However, there were a few magazines about the band that I felt compelled to collect primarily because they were so good. If the magazine was something extraordinary or special, then I needed to acquire all of the issues. One of those magazines was called Beatlology and it had a 61-issue run from September/October 1998 to September/October 2008.

It was one of the handful of magazines that I eagerly anticipated and awaited for each issue to arrive in the mailbox. The subject matter and topics discussed were always interesting and the articles were first-rate! I have all 61 issues in my collection and I treasure them all. Presenting the covers of the 61 issues here for your viewing enjoyment.

About Beatlology

The magazine was put together by Andrew Croft of Toronto, ON Canada, with content from contributors around the world. The magazine featured articles on rare collectibles and the history of Beatles music on vinyl with columns by well-known authors such as Bruce Spizer and Piers Hemmingsen as well as regular columns by Russ Lease, Jeff Levy, John Winn and Alan Ould with reports on recent auctions, historical events and new releases. There are a limited number of issues that are still available but a substantial amount of them have been already sold. Roughly 1/4 of the issues are completely sold out.

Here is the link for back issues:

Beatlology Magazine Back Issues

Andrew had also written a book in 2003 titled “Collecting Beatles Sheet Music & Songbooks” based on a series of articles that appeared in the magazine. He is currently working on an updated edition of that book for publication sometime later this year. I missed that title when it was first published but I plan to purchase the revised edition. Here is a picture of the earlier Collecting Beatles Sheet Music Book that he put together:

Here are the 61 issues of his fabulous publication:

Vol. 1, No. 1 – THE FIRST ISSUE OF THIS EXCELLENT MAGAZINE
September/October 1998

Issue 1

Issue 2

Vol. 1, No. 2
November/December 1998

Issue 3

Vol. 1, No. 3
January/February 1999

Issue 4

Vol. 1, No. 4
March/April 1999

Issue 5

Vol. 1, No. 5
May/June 1999

Issue 6

Vol. 1, No. 6
July/August 1999

Issue 7

Vol. 2, No. 1
September/October 1999

Issue 8

Vol. 2, No. 2
November/December 1999

Issue 9

Vol. 2, No. 3
January/February 2000

Issue 10

Vol. 2, No. 4
March/April 2000

Issue 11

Vol. 2, No. 5
May/June 2000

Issue 12

Vol. 2, No. 6
July/August 2000

Issue 13

Vol. 3, No. 1
September/October 2000

Issue 14

Vol. 3, No. 2
November/December 2000

Issue 15

Vol. 3, No. 3
January/February 2001

Issue 16

Vol. 3, No. 4
March/April 2001

Issue 17

Vol. 3, No. 5
May/June 2001

Issue 18

Vol. 3, No. 6
July/August 2001

Issue 19

Vol. 4, No. 1
September/October 2001

Issue 20

Vol. 4, No. 2
November/December 2001

Issue 21

Vol. 4, No. 3
January/February 2002

Issue 22

Vol. 4, No. 4
March/April 2002

Issue 23

Vol. 4, No. 5
May/June 2002

Issue 24

Vol. 4, No. 6
July/August 2002

Issue 25

Vol. 5, No. 1
September/October 2002

Issue 26

Vol. 5, No. 2
November/December 2002

Issue 27

Vol. 5, No. 3
January/February 2003

Issue 28

Vol. 5, No. 4
March/April 2003

Issue 29

Vol. 5, No. 5
May/June 2003

Issue 30

Vol. 5, No. 6
July/August 2003

Issue 31

Vol. 6, No. 1
September/October 2003

Issue 32

Vol. 6, No. 2
November/December 2003

Issue 33

Vol. 6, No. 3
January/February 2004

Issue 34

Vol. 6, No. 4
March/April 2004

Issue 35

Vol. 6, No. 5
May/June 2004

Issue 36

Vol. 6, No. 6
Jul/Aug 2004

Issue 37

Vol. 7, No. 1
Sep/Oct 2004

Issue 38

Vol. 7, No. 2
Nov/Dec 2004

Issue 39

Vol. 7, No. 3
Jan/Feb 2005

Issue 40

Vol. 7, No. 4
Mar/Apr 2005

Issue 41

Vol. 7, No. 5
May/June 2005

Issue 42

Vol. 7, No. 6
Jul./Aug. 2005

Issue 43

Vol. 8, No. 1
Sep./Oct 2005

Issue 44

Vol. 8, No. 2
Nov./Dec. 2005

Issue 45

Vol. 8, No. 3
Jan./Feb. 2006

Issue 46

Vol. 8, No. 4
Mar./Apr. 2006

Issue 47

Vol. 8, No. 5
May/Jun. 2006

Issue 48

Vol. 8, No. 6
Jul./Aug. 2006

Issue 49

Vol. 9, No. 1
Sep./Oct. 2006

Issue 50

Vol. 9, No. 2
Nov./Dec. 2006

Issue 51

Vol. 9, No. 3
Jan./Feb. 2007

Issue 52

Vol. 9, No. 4
Mar./Apr. 2007

Issue 53

Vol. 9, No. 5
May/Jun. 2007

Issue 54

Vol. 9, No. 6
Jul./Aug. 2007

Issue 55

Vol. 10, No. 1
Sep./Oct. 2007

Issue 56

Vol. 10, No. 2
Nov/Dec. 2007

Issue 57

Vol. 10, No. 3
Jan./Feb. 2008

Issue 58

Vol. 10, No. 4
Mar./Apr. 2008

Issue 59

Vol. 10, No. 5
May/Jun. 2008

Issue 60

Vol. 10, No. 6
Jul./Aug. 2008

Issue 61

Vol. 11, No. 1
Sep./Oct. 2008-THE LAST ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE

Beatlology Last Issue
Beatlology Last Issue

Hope you enjoyed seeing all 61 issues of this fabulous Beatlology magazine.

Would love to hear your thoughts about what your favorite Beatle magazine was. What was special about the magazine that made it your favorite? Look forward to your remarks!

BUZZ

MORE GREAT BOOKS AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE

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LUCA PERASI – MACCA AND THE BEATLES

Paul McCartney

Luca Perasi is an excellent author from Italy who has a great interest in writing about Paul McCartney and the Beatles. He has produced 4 wonderful English language books about Paul McCartney and has also recently created 2 solo-Beatles titles for a grand total of 6 great books. His research is excellent and I have not been disappointed by any of the 6 titles that I have purchased of his work.

All of his titles are available through Amazon. You can also find his books at eBay and such book services like Abe books. Here is a brief summary of the books that he has authored that I have purchased for my collection. Paul McCartney being the workaholic that he is has certainly provided a lot of material over the years for Luca to mine and to write about.

Luca has handled that task with a great love of McCartney’s recorded output and you can see by these books his dedication and love for the artist that keeps on giving wonderful musical nuggets to an admiring public!

I have also included all the back covers of Luca’s books on this post to give you the details of the books contents and the extent and faith in Luca that MPL and the McCartney organization have in him. We must make note of the significant achievements and accomplishment of Luca being asked by MPL to be an official translator of The Lyrics books into Italian and his collaboration with MPL for The 7″ Singles Box.

It is quite the honor to have both of those distinctions in recognition of both his hard work and his excellent McCartney knowledge-base coming directly from McCartney’s own organization!

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 1) 1970-1989 – Published April 27, 2023 by L.I.L.Y.

Paul McCartney Music is Ideas
Paul McCartney Music is Ideas

The back cover of the book:

Paul McCartney Music is Ideas
Paul McCartney Music is Ideas

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012 Published – November 18, 2024 by L.I.LY.

Paul McCartney Music is Ideas Volume 2
Paul McCartney Music is Ideas Volume 2

Back cover of the book:

Paul McCartney Music is Ideas Volume 2
Paul McCartney Music is Ideas Volume 2

Paul McCartney & Wings: Band on the Run. The Story of a Classic Album (Milestones) Paperback Published on April 19, 2024 Published by L.I.L.Y

Band on the Run
Band on the Run

Back cover of the book about Paul McCartney & Wings Classic LP:

Band on the Run
Band on the Run

Paul McCartney: Recording Sessions (1969-2013). A Journey Through Paul McCartney’s Songs After The Beatles. Paperback – published in October 22, 2013, Published by L.I.L.Y.

Recording Sessions
Recording Sessions

Back cover of Luca’s first McCartney book:

Recording Sessions
Recording Sessions

The Beatles after The Beatles. The Solo Careers of John, Paul, George and Ringo (1967-1980) – Part One: The Narrative (The Solo Beatles) Published-September 30, 2024 by L.I.LY.

The Beatles After The Beatles
The Beatles After The Beatles

The back cover of the book with appropiate content details:

The Beatles After The Beatles
The Beatles After The Beatles

The Beatles after The Beatles. The Solo Careers of John, Paul, George and Ringo (1967-1980) – Part Two: The Discography (The Solo Beatles) Published September 30, 2024 by L.I.L.Y.

The Beatles After The Beatles Part 2
The Beatles After The Beatles Part 2

The back cover of the book and the description of how it differs from Vol. 1:

The Beatles After The Beatles Part 2
The Beatles After The Beatles Part 2

UPDATE FOR JUNE 2025-NEW BOOK RELEASE

Paul McCartney: Press to Play. That Unmistakable 80s Sound (Milestones) Hardcover – June 4, 2025

by Luca Perasi (Author) L.I.L.Y Publisher

Amazon link: Paul McCartney: Press to Play. That Unmistakable 80s Sound (Milestones): Perasi, Luca: 9791281758070: Amazon.com: Books

AMAZON Description of the new release:

As divisive an album it might be within McCartney’s artistic journey, Press to Play touches the hearts of many fans — including a new, younger generation that was then shaping — and offers many points of interest for music historians and musicians. Released in the summer of 1986, the album was an interesting – although commercially unsuccessful – attempt to update McCartney’s vocabulary, with which he firmly planted both feet in the realm of the Eighties.
With its wide range of sonic influences, from synth-pop and video game music to simple rock ‘n’ roll; its imagery and surrealism; its themes of romance and sexual fervour; and its mix of mellow and harder tracks, Press to Play is an album split in two. There is a certain penchant for glossy perfection, but also a sound research and experimentation that never becomes obvious.
Enriched by coloured images, the volume Press to Play. That Unmistakable 80s Sound tells the story of one of McCartney’s most obscure records and misunderstood periods (1985–86). In its detailed analysis of the album’s sonic wonders, based on contemporary sources and in-depth interviews by the author with key figures such as Hugh Padgham, Jerry Marotta and Carlos Alomar, the book guides readers through the many fascinating aspects of the record (the new Hog Hill Mill Studio, the recording equipment and tricks, the instrumentation, the effects used, the coexistence between analogue and digital). The abundance of instrumentation – which combines modern sounds from the era (DX7 synthesisers, sequencers, emulator, LinnDrum) and vintage pieces such as Hammond organ, Moog, Fender Rhodes – makes it one of the most multilayered albums of Paul McCartney’s career.
The volume covers the supposed “production misunderstanding” with Eric Stewart, the songwriting partnership with the ex-10CC leader, the timeline of the sessions, the stories behind the songs (including B-sides, unreleased material and the single “Spies Like Us”), their harmonic and rhythmic inventions, and lyrical analysis. The many factors that undermined McCartney’s confidence at the time are also explored, including the unfortunate Live Aid performance and Michael Jackson’s acquisition of The Beatles’ song catalogue, leading to discovering what went wrong and why and there’s also a chapter devoted to the insecurity showed during the promotion of the album, offering a new psychological and human insight into Paul. Has Press to Play stood the test of time? An unprecedented and incredibly rich historical look at one of Paul McCartney’s most forgotten albums

For your listening enjoyment at the conclusion of this post, I asked Ken Michaels, Tom Hunyady, and Andy Nicholes if they would mind if I posted a few of their excellent podcasts where they discuss Luca Perasi’s work with him. They gave me their OK and I know you will be impressed not only with Luca Perasi, the guest of honor at these programs, but also with the very knowledgeable hosts of the programs.

They continue to provide excellent YouTube programming about all of the Beatles. Here is a sampling of 7 of their excellent programs. Subscribe to their channels, you will not be disappointed and you will be kept WELL-INFORMED!!!

VIDEOCAST #113 – NEW McCARTNEY BOOK SNEAK PREVIEW with author LUCA PERASI – YouTube

Things We Said Today #96 – Author Luca Perasi on McCartney’s recording career – YouTube

Episode 205: “Music Is Ideas: The Stories Behind The Songs, 1970-1989” (With Author Luca Perasi) – YouTube

VIDEOCAST #119 – PAUL McCARTNEY IN THE 70’S – author LUCA PERASI (“PAUL McCARTNEY: MUSIC IS IDEAS”) – YouTube

Videocast #129 – LUCA PERASI (End Of Wings, McCartney- Martin Trilogy) – YouTube

Episode 248: Luca Perasi (“Band On The Run”) – YouTube

Episode 266: “Music Is Ideas (Volume 2) Live Press Launch with Luca Perasi! – YouTube

BUZZ

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT PAUL MCCARTNEY HERE AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE

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Brotherly Love – Thank U Very Much, MIKE McGEAR!!!

There is another very talented McCartney!!!. Talent certainly runs in the McCartney family! Today we will limit our discussion to the younger McCartney brother, Mike McCartney (aka known as Mike McGear)

It had to be very difficult for Mike to deal with the monumental success of his brother being a Beatle, but he has fared quite well on his own being one of the founding members of the Scaffold group which had several UK hits. Mike is also an excellent photographer and has written quite a few books over the years which have been very successful. He has also collaborated with his brother on the excellent McGear LP which featured an early incarnation of Wings as backing musicians.

One facet of Mike talent’s is his great sense of humor which is evident in his songs and when he is being interviewed. Maybe I am being overly-analytical but I see a similarity to John Lennon’s sense of humor with Mike’s as I sense John’s use of sarcasm in many of his interviews.(Or is this simply an extension of the Liverpool sense of humor?) One aspect of Mike’s book writing that is not so well-known is that he has also written a couple of children’s books which are shown below:

First Children’s book:

Mike McGear’s Book
Mike McGear’s Book

Mike signed this book with both of his names!

Mike’s tribute to Lady Diana

Mike McGear’s Tribute to Lady Di with Mike’s Lennon flair for sarcasm as he has listed the record as a limited edition of 5 million copies printed on the 45’s picture sleeve. Instead of Mike McGear and Scaffold it is Mike McGear and the Monarchists for this release. I am sure Prince Harry would probably smile if he saw and heard this one…Maybe not!!! You decide!

Mike McGear & The Monarchists – No Lar Di Dar (Tribute to Diana, Princess Of Wales) – YouTube

See his sense of humor not only with the picture sleeve but the comment at the bottom of the sleeve.

I recently added this recording to my collection of Mike’s work:

A second children’s book, but maybe not for the younger ones. This book has some fantasy overtones and once again shows Mike’s vivid and clever imagination!

I was very pleasantly surprised when I found the 2 children’s books of Mike at the book search service of Abe Books. Seeing them after not having known of their existence prompted a quick purchase. Hope you enjoyed this post!

Mike re-recorded A special version of the Scaffold’s hit “Thank U Very Much” to support the National Health Service during the COVID pandemic:

Thank U Very Much For The NHS – YouTube

The Scaffold – Wikipedia

One of Mike’s fellow members in the group Scaffold was poet Roger McGough, who was at one time married to former John Lennon, girlfriend, Thelma Pickles. This is the autographed book of poetry signed by Roger that I have in my collection!

Publishing details about one of Roger McGough’s poetry books:

The front cover of the Roger McGough poetry book in my collection:

Roger’s signature in the book:

Hope you enjoyed this post. Let us know at the blog what people that have an associaion with the Beatles that you would enjoy seeing more about?

Thanks for the comments! He healthy and be happy!

A question to ponder:

Would you like to see Mike collaborate more with his brother on another musical project?

Let us know in the comments:

BUZZ

GREAT BOOKS ABOUT MIKE’S BROTHER PAUL MCCARTNEY

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THE BEATLES SENSE OF HUMOR (HUMOUR) WILL LIVE ON… ALONG WITH THEIR MUSIC!!!

Beatles books are so specialized now, they even have a couple of titles designed to explore the terrific BEATLES sense of humor (humour). Here are a few titles that examine the group’s Liverpool sense of fun, sarcasm, and wit.

Jem Roberts was the first author that attempted the thesis of exploring how the Beatles sense of humor will be forever linked to both their immense musical talent and contributing immensely to their popularity as well!

Fab Fools Last Ever Untold Beatles Story Paperback

by JEM ROBERTS(Author) Candy Jar Books-2021

This title is more of an academic analysis of the Beatles links of their humor to their overall popularity. Being an academic book, the cost may be out of reach for some. I love this type of academic analysis, I just wish the universities could find a less expensive way to distribute the book. Even if there is a cheaper softcover edition, I prefer the hardcover editions of most books!

The Beatles and Humour: Mockers, Funny Papers, and Other Play Hardcover – 7 Sept. 2023

by Katie Kapurch (Editor)
Bloomsbury Academic-2023

Back Cover of the book featuring reader comments about the book:

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

How much of a factor was the Beatles sense of humor in your decision to follow them or to be a fan? Who was the funniest Beatle in your personal opinion? Were you ever offended when the group used a darker side of humor in their comments? If so, give a few examples!

BUZZ

Autobiography

Autobiographies by those people associated with The Beatles story

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BEATLES INFORMATION KING – KEN MICHAELS

The person I turn to when I want to learn about Beatles news, information about upcoming releases and recordings, and Beatles-related events in general, it is unquestionably fellow Nutmegger, Ken Michaels. I marvel at this man’s busy, seemingly non-stop schedule, of radio programs and podcasts that are extremely informative and important in being able to keep up with the current activities of The Beatles and Apple, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as the activities and projects of the Lennon and Harrison Estates. Ken is the #1 source of that information for me and so many other Beatles fans.

Not only is Ken great at accumulating interesting Beatles news, he is an excellent interviewer of many prominent Beatles-related guests on both his radio shows and his regularly scheduled podcasts and there are many of them. Ken has the ability to ask the questions that even well-informed Beatles fans want to see posed to the guests. Ken often puts the guests in a relaxed mood where they often share information not given to other interviewers. Some of these podcasts are solo activities by Ken but on several of these podcasts there are also other well-informed and entertaining hosts that work as an excellent team that provide an ideal recipe for intelligent and informative discussion.

Ken Michaels
Ken Michaels

KEN’S STELLAR LINEUP OF SHOWS AND SOME OF HIS PERSONAL PROGRAM FAVORITES: To demonstrate the variety and versatility of the numerous programs that Ken is involved with and is an integral part of, we are including the links to those programs for your convenience:

EVERY LITTLE THING – KEN’S SYNDICATED BEATLES RADIO SHOW

Every Little Thing (Radio Show)-Listing of all the radio stations that carry it and when they air:

https://www.kenmichaelsradio.com/every-little-thing.html

Every Little Thing – On Demand–Archival Shows on WFDU’s Website:

https://www.wfdu.fm/hd1/archives

PODCASTS – THINGS WE SAID TODAY

With CO-HOSTS DARREN DEVIVO AND ALLAN KOZINN, A BI-WEEKLY BEATLES PODCAST

Things We Said Today Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thingswesaidtoday-abeatles9321

           

First Interview with Peter Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSLb7cpHy00

           

60th Anniversary of arrival in America with Bruce Spizer and Al Sussman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwEQdyHv5rM&t=5073s

TALK MORE TALK-A SOLO BEATLES BI-WEEKLY PODCAST

WITH CO-HOSTS KIT O’TOOLE, JOE MAYO, AND DARREN DEVIVO (EARLIER SHOWS FEATURED TOM HUNYADY AS A CO-HOST)

Talk More Talk: A Solo-Beatles Videocast: https://www.youtube.com/@talkmoretalksolobeatles

           Mind Games and More with David Spinozza and Ken Ascher:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUl3cyu4Nws

           Should Wings Be In The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqUa_sFt1MI

Ken Michaels Radio YouTube Channel: 

            Wings Reunion and Denny Laine Tribute with Denny Seiwell, Laurence Juber and Steve Holley:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uIqfs7cw5E

            Interview with Alan White:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI5FyfB8LaQ&t=1s

            Ultimate Beatles Trivia Show #9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8b6HSC4US4&t=2s

            Beatles Panel-What We Want Released: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES4InDf9EgQ&t=2701s

Ken’s Website Home Page: 

 https://www.kenmichaelsradio.com/index.html

Ken’s Website Beatles Trivia Page: https://www.kenmichaelsradio.com/beatles-trivia–games.html

CLOSING SUMMARY:

As you can see from the multitude of programs that Ken is involved with on a regular basis, you will not be disappointed by checking out any or ALL of these programs on a regular basis. To be well-informed about Beatles information, Ken Michaels continues to be my favorite source!!!

BUZZ

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HUNTER DAVIES – A HUNTER OF COLLECTABLES

Written by the author of the official Beatles biography, Hunter Davies. Published in 2009 by Quercus. Not a very well-known book in the USA!

This book by Hunter Davies demonstrates his own collecting proclivities and tendencies including, stamps, football memorabilia, comics, postcards, books, autographs and of course, the Beatles!

Hunter deals with the obsession and the joys and the pitfalls of being a collector! A very enjoyable book, indeed!

The cover of the book that Hunter wrote about his own collecting interests:

Confessions of a Collector by Hunter Davies
Confessions of a Collector by Hunter Davies

Back Cover of the book:

A brief excerpt of this wonderful book:

A funny story at the British Museum

The story at the end of this page certainly rings true. When I first visited the British Museum in the 1980s, I remember entering the document room seeing a copy of the Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible and many other very historical documents. There was only a smattering of people around these documents, much to my amazement!

I saw a large collection of people at a table at the back of the room and my curiosity forced me to take a look. I embarrassed myself by letting out a loud chuckle as the large crowd gathered there was looking at hand-written Beatles lyrics donated to the museum by Hunter Davies! That funny occurrence made my day and confirmed my belief in the timeless status  that the Beatles had attained in world culture!

BUZZ

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Original art and craft related to Liverpool and the Beatles

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