liddypool, Author at The Beatles Bookstore

Posted on 20/02/202408/07/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

Beatlefan for a Beatles Fan

Six times per year I eagerly anticipate the new issue of Beatlefan magazine to appear in my mailbox. Even in the digital age in which we live, with information being conveyed instantly across the internet, it is Beatlefan magazine which I rely on for my major source of Beatles news. It is one of only a few print magazine sources about the Beatles that I own a copy of every issue since issue #1.

Bill King, the editor, and his excellent staff of writers, including Brad Hundt, Al Sussman, Kit O’Toole, and Bruce Spizer, among many others, make it an absolute pleasure when every issue arrives, as new and exciting Beatles-related information is always provided to the viewer. The editorials about new releases are wide-ranging in their perspectives and present new ways to perceive the merits (or lack thereof) of the respective releases!

New Beatles books are reviewed as well as dvd releases and underground recordings as well. Bill King, with his journalistic background, has found the perfect formula to satisfy the insatiable appetite of Beatles fans for new information about their idols. The news section not only reports the news but it often puts the information into the proper cultural context and meaning.

Shown below are a few sample issues of the magazine. Following the sample issues are the hard-to-find hardcover books of early Beatlefan issues published by Pierian Press many years ago. I sincerely hope that publisher and editor Bill King decides to publish the entire run of Beatlefan magazine in the hardcover format one day as they richly deserve to be permanently preserved for their quality and insight concerning the Beatles phenomenon. For informational or subscription inquiries, you can contact Beatlefan at beatlefanmagazine@gmail.com

Beatlefan with Paul McCartney on the Cover

Beatlefan about John Lennon's Last Sessions — Beatlefan about John Lennon’s Last Sessions

The two hardcover editions of Beatlefan magazine’s early issues, published by Pierian Press many years ago.

Posted on 18/02/202418/02/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

Happy Birthday, Yoko – But Who is the REAL Yoko Ono?

Is there a more divisive and controversial person in Beatles history than Yoko Ono? Why was she always at John’s side? What did the others think of her? Did Yoko split up The Beatles? The Get Back series proved that she and John were almost inseparable, but many more people were in the studio!

There is always a lot of negative press, but now there is a new book by Madeline Bocaro called In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono. For a change, this is an objective look at Yoko and who the REAL Yoko Ono Lennon is, which will surprise you.

Ono’s fascinating life goes way beyond what most people know. We visit Yoko’s inner and outer worlds. You will be touched by her wit and wisdom, her spiritual nature, and her intent.

Although always associated with John, her life story spans thirty-three years before meeting John Lennon, twelve years with him, and over forty years of creativity since his death. Yoko breaks down the boundaries between art and life. Her enchanting philosophy and uplifting positivity are irresistible. She shows us the truth – with sincerity and humor, enlightening us to our own superpowers.

Ono’s work is unfinished – to be completed in your mind.

Her art is on the ceiling, on the floor, and in the sky. It is invisible – a wind, a whisper, a scream. It is imagining one thousand suns rising, a billion universes, stealing moonlight on the water… Ono’s music and films are an extension of her art. This book covers every aspect of her life and work.

Will you be bold enough to read this book with an open mind and discover the REAL Yoko?

Get your copy of Madeline’s great book on Yoko Ono.

In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Signed Hardback)

Now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives
Acclaimed by MOJO & Goldmine
Recommended by Olivia Harrison
Spotlighted on The Beatles Channel, Sirius XM Radio

The true story of the woman John Lennon loved. Includes the work and music they made together, the love story of John & Yoko, and her relationship with the Beatles.

Ono’s incredible story goes way beyond what most people know.

There are astounding details about Yoko’s life (thirty-three years before meeting Lennon, twelve years with him, and over forty years of creativity since his death).

The author has followed Ono’s career since the mid-1960s, assembling a vast media archive on the artist. Yoko’s own voice, along with Lennon’s and others (in cited, published interviews) tell her undeniably true and complete story, disproving many myths. Bocaro has spent valuable time with Ono, gaining incredible insight.

Here is the ultimate exploration of Yoko’s childhood, her relationship with Lennon, her art, films, music and activism for peace and women’s rights.

£44.00

Shop now

Posted on 16/02/202428/06/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

THE BEATLES IN AUSTRALIA – TO THE TOPPERMOST OF THE POPPERMOST

The Beatles in Australia? Hamburg has often been credited as the birth of the Beatles as it was the place where they honed their musicianship there with long 7 or 8-hour sets. Fans in the UK and Liverpool specifically, would probably object to that description because the hysteria surrounding Beatlemania occurred when the Beatles returned to their native England after their Hamburg stint. It was after the Beatles had returned to the UK that their songwriting skills also began to flourish. Most Beatles scholars would state that once the Beatles came to America, they conquered the world.

However, the Australians will point out proudly that the largest Beatles crowd and reception to view them during 1964, was not in any of those countries. The biggest crowd to attempt to see the Beatles was in Australia and this book published in Australia is a historical photo essay of the Beatles’ 1964 trip to that country. It is estimated that more than 300,000 fans came to welcome the band In Adelaide, which was the largest crowd seeing them in their touring career.

The Beatles must have been in shock for such a large crowd to view them along a 10-mile route that day. Another reason the book holds a special place in my collection is that the drummer pictured on the cover is not Ringo Starr, it is Jimmie Nicol, who substituted for Ringo while he was ill for 13 days during the Beatles playing in the Netherlands and in Australia. Ringo was to rejoin the Beatles in Melbourne, Australia in June of 1964.

The book was put together by noted Beatles photo collector Mark Hayward and the photos in the book are fantastic. New Holland Publishers Pty, Limited-2005.

The book is occasionally featured on Ebay and on the book search service at Abe books.

A sad newspaper article which details what happened to Jimmie Nicol” a man that had seen the mountaintop but only for a very short time. “Fame” can certainly be fleeting. Author Jim Berkenstadt has written a superb book about the Jimmie Nicol story and that book is pictured below

Paul Harris wrote this story for the Daily Mail.

The superb book written by Jim Berkenstadt, deals with Jimmie Nicol’s story with the Beatles.

Hope you enjoy it.

Buzz

Discover Books on Ringo and The Beatles Drummers

Ringo Starr

Books about Ringo Starr

Shop now

Posted on 06/02/202406/02/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

The Fest for Beatles Fans

The Beatles Bookstore will be at The Fest for Beatles Fans in New York this coming weekend – 9th to 11th February 24. Come and find them in the Marketplace and talk to them and buy some books too! And if you can’t make it, you can order their books below.

Authors At The Fest:

Liddypool: Birthplace of The Beatles – New Fourth Edition (Softback)

New Fourth Edition of Liddypool: Birthplace of The Beatles, the first book by David Bedford, the definitive book on The Beatles and Liverpool: the stories, the history, the guide.

£30.00

Shop now

Bill Zygmant – Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)

Get your copy of Bill Zygmant’s portfolio book of unique photographs covering his career from the late 1960s to the 1980s.

This will be a signed, numbered edition – maximum of 250 numbered editions.

It comes with one of Bill’s signed photographs, which usually sells for £50!

£75.00

Shop now

NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966 (2ND EDITION)

The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!

Barnes and Noble site: httpss://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nems-and-the-business-of-selling-beatles-merchandise-in-the-us-1964-1966-terry-crain/1137422952?ean=9783347096165#

Shop now

She Loves You (Vol. 3) 1963 – 1st March 1964

She Loves You, lets you ride along with John Lennon and The Beatles on the whirlwind tour that was 1963-early 1964. Available on Kindle only here

£7.20

Shop now

In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Signed Hardback)

Now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives
Acclaimed by MOJO & Goldmine
Recommended by Olivia Harrison
Spotlighted on The Beatles Channel, Sirius XM Radio

The true story of the woman John Lennon loved. Includes the work and music they made together, the love story of John & Yoko, and her relationship with the Beatles.

Ono’s incredible story goes way beyond what most people know.

There are astounding details about Yoko’s life (thirty-three years before meeting Lennon, twelve years with him, and over forty years of creativity since his death).

Here is the ultimate exploration of Yoko’s childhood, her relationship with Lennon, her art, films, music and activism for peace and women’s rights.

£44.00

Shop now

Songs We Were Singing

Take A “Magical Mystery Tour” through the Beatles’ Deep Tracks. The Beatles’ music has become so ingrained in our culture that their songs have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Who doesn’t know the words to “Hey Jude” or “Let It Be”? Who hasn’t been moved by the poetry of “Eleanor Rigby” or energized by that opening chord of “A Hard Day’s Night”?

Songs We Were Singing uncovers the buried treasures that deserve a second listen.

£15.20

Shop now

Posted on 01/02/202408/07/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

Beatles and Epstein NEMS Contract

The NEMS Contract – Sign It On The Dotted Line!!!

When I ran the now defunct Beatles in Print page on Facebook, I posted the following item on that page and it seemed to generate a lot of keen interest.

Most Beatles collectors would probably agree that one of the most desirable pieces of Beatles memorabilia to have an authentic set of their four signatures. I was fortunate to have purchased a set from the Sotheby’s auction house before the price explosion of autographs occurred following the death of John Lennon. Collecting is often a feature of being at the right place at the right time and going with your instincts. I could kick myself as I once had the opportunity to purchase John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics to “Because” and I did not pull the trigger figuring it was way too expensive.

Well, you can “imagine” what I think of that decision now! However I was happy with this purchase, it features all four of the Beatles signatures on a NEMS stock transfer issued in 1967 several months following the death of their manager, Brian Epstein. What is unusual about this document is that it also features the signatures of Brian Epstein’s mother, Queenie Epstein, and his brother Clive Epstein. The signature of Ringo is very rare as well as he signs the document in his real name-R. Starkey (Richard Starkey). Documents with the signatures that appear with this configuration are extremely rare. Signatures from 1967 are also well-sought after as that was the year credited to be the apex of their career.

A photo of part of the back of the stock transfer that features the four signatures of the Beatles.

The NEMS Contract with The Beatles signatures

The front page of the NEMS stock transfer.

Posted on 29/01/202428/06/2024 by liddypool — 2 Comments

David Stark-“Beatle Fan Extraordinaire” – It’s All Too Much

Despite owning a massive Beatles book collection, there are only a few Beatles titles that I can honestly say that once I began reading it, I finished reading it in one sitting. “It’s All Too Much” is one of those titles, David Stark has led the life that most Beatles fans can only dream of. The beneficiary of good timing, good luck, and his own uncanny ability to think quickly on his feet, has led David to lead a charmed Beatles fan’s life.

We are so fortunate to have this book, a collection of stories about David’s extraordinary encounters with the Beatles over the years. His Yellow Submarine premiere story is worth the price of the book alone. David has so many Beatles-related adventures to discuss in the book, it is virtually mind-blowing! He worked for Beatles publisher Dick James for a short while and he has many

links and connections to the music industry. He is also a musician and a drummer in the band “The Trembling Wilburys.” David is also involved with Paul McCartney’s LIPA and has the honor of giving out one of the school’s most prestigious honors.

This is the cover of his wonderful book that you will not be able to put down once you begin reading it.

The book is available at the Beatles Bookstore, at David Stark’s website, and at most booksellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Teaser

As a special surprise and gift to all of us at the blog. David has given me permission to post one of his precious Beatles-related artifacts (though not in the book).

Here is David’s note to me recently:

“Here’s something you will love, a note I own from George to an engineer named Cormack about (I presume) the soundtrack to the Raga film about Ravi Shankar, probably around 1971.”

This is the tremendous band that David is the drummer for and he performed a tribute to George in March of 2023.

The Trembling Wilburys is the UK’s finest tribute to rock supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, featuring a line-up of top musicians and vocalists who perfectly recreate the unique sounds & style of the amazing band created in 1988 by George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne.

Band members include Andy McNish as Bob Dylan and Tom Petty; Dave Collison as Roy Orbison; Michael Goulding as George Harrison; and Marko Laver as Jeff Lynne; lead guitarist Dzal Martin (Terry Reid/Equals); keyboard player Steve Salvari (Central Line/Chaka Khan); and drummer Dave Stark (John Lennon Experience/Dave Stark Five).

Their superb show features a great mix of Traveling Wilburys’ classics such as ‘End of The Line’, ‘Handle With Care’ and ‘She’s My Baby’, as well as solo hits by all five original Wilburys plus Beatles and ELO classics, including ‘Here Comes the Sun’, ‘Taxman’, ‘Hold On Tight’ and ‘Roll Over Beethoven’. An incredible band who deliver a high-octane show of the highest standard, don’t miss them!

David Stark has provided the ticket link to the Feb 2024 event.

The Camden Club | LIVE AT THE CAMDEN CLUB: THE TREMBLING WILBURYS

Buzz

It’s All Too Much

It’s All Too Much is the unique memoir by music industry veteran David Stark, who grew up in north London during the 1960s as a dedicated Beatles fan and was lucky enough to meet his musical heroes on various memorable occasions. From gate-crashing the Yellow Submarine film premiere in 1968 (aged just fifteen) and ending up sitting directly behind the group, to meeting all of them individually in some extraordinary circumstances, David has some highly entertaining stories about his many Beatles encounters which have never been told before.

£14.99

Shop now