In this new interview, David Bedford talks to Piers Hemmingsen about Volume 2 of his great work on The Beatles in Canada.
Get Piers’ book here The Beatles in Canada : The Evolution 1964-1970 (Blue Book) The Beatles in Canada 2: Piers Hemmingsen: 9780987829344: TGJones
Watch out for more information in a blog from BUZZ!
A SOLD-OUT BUT RELATIVELY RECENTLY RELEASED BOOK TITLE ABOUT THE BEATLES IN BELGIUM!
RARE The Beatles in Belgium! 1964-1984 BOOK
By Renaat Develtere & Voorwoord Door Jean Blaute
Written in Dutch
According to author Renaat Develtere in his book The Beatles in Belgium! 1964-1984, The Beatles never performed live in Belgium but that did not stop an impressive release and accumulation of many Belgian Beatles records, collectables, rarities, and memorabilia over the years!
A quote from the Beatles in Belgium website:
“Between 1957 and 1966, The Beatles performed about 1400 times in about 19 different countries but live in Belgium never happened.
The Belgian branch of EMI had booked The Beatles to perform live on Belgian television between 1 and 5 May 1964. The Beatles’ manager, BrIan Epstein, even confirmed to EMI that they were available. The only thing that had to happen was that the organizer paid the expenses.
This did not happen, because both the B.R.T. and the R.T.B. had little interest in organizing or broadcasting the performance. When they did start to get interested, there was already a waiting list of two years.”
(More info in: The Beatles in Belgium! by Renaat Develtere & Voorwoord Door Jean Blaute)
The Beatles in Belgium! 1964-1984, Renaat Develtere-2008
This description of this Belgium Beatles discography appeared on eBay before I purchased the book:
“The Beatles’ presence in Belgium during the 1960s and 1970s is well-documented, with Renaat Develtere playing a significant role in collecting and preserving this historical aspect of the band’s legacy. The book “The Beatles in Belgium! 1964-1984″ compiled by Renaat Develtere offers a comprehensive look at the Beatles’ activities in Belgium during these years, including rare records and memorabilia.”
My favorite Beatles books to acquire for the collection are the more obscure harder to find specialized type of Beatles books. I stumbled across the following title recently on eBay and quickly purchased a copy. Even though I do not understand the language (which is Dutch in this book), it is the photographs which captivate my attention as I love to look at the different picture sleeves of the Beatles 45s that were issued in different countries of the world. After I purchased this book, I learned that that the title, published in 2010, was SOLD-OUT and that helped to fulfill the more obscure typology of the book for my collecting interests!
Normally, Beatles discographies are not my favorite type of Beatles book because once new record titles appear, the book becomes instantly out-of-date and in need of revisions. Foreign language discographies entice my interest because of the many variants in picture sleeves and album covers! I love to review those differences!
At this point I would like to acknowledge one of the most informed and knowledgeable Beatles fans that I have ever encountered over the internet. I am speaking of my friend in Belgium named Philippe Colinge. Philippe has found many European rarities for me to add to my Beatles collection, and I will always be grateful for his great attention to accuracy and detail.
The Beatles in Belgium! 1964-1984 BOOK
By Renaat Develtere & Voorwoord Door Jean Blaute
This website is based on the book ‘Beatles in Belgium’ (sold out). With the help of many like-minded collectors, this project has been shaped, which started in 2008. Click on the themes on the sidebar and discover the beautiful Belgian Beatles vinyl collection.
THANK YOU – Beatles in Belgium
Acquired this small Beatles discography recently from Abe Books: It was a 1996 release!
THE BEATLES MADE IN BELGIUM” PUBLISHED IN BELGIUM IN 1996, 32 PAGE BOOK PRINTED, WRITTEN IN ENGLISH & FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOS OF THE BEATLES BELGIUM 45 RPM RELEASES
Published by Drukkerij Stockmans & Pre-press Group De Schutter, Belgium, 1996
A couple of sample pages:
Hope you enjoyed today’s small sampling of Beatles Records & Brussels sprouts! (I apologize for the bad pun!)
Be Healthy and Be Happy!
Buzz
About to turn 71 years old and I must admit that I get the same thrill of getting a new Beatles-related book around the holidays that I did when I was significantly younger. My goal as a Beatles fan and as a collector of a significant number of Beatles-themed books is primarily information-based. The litmus test is: does the new title give me some new and credible information that I did not know about or have been exposed to before? Aaron Badgley’s two Beatles themed books that have been released thus far have significantly passed that litmus test in my humble opinion!
Aaron is one of my favorite people that I have encountered on this Beatles blog. He has written an excellent book about George Harrison’s Dark Horse record label and now he has created another interesting book dealing with Ringo Starr’s solo career. The book just arrived, and I will be engaged in exploring the content very soon. Based on my initial perusal, and what I have seen so far, I am already anticipating Aaron’s sequel to this book. Ringo is finally getting the attention he deserves of having been such an integral ingredient & piece of the puzzle in the phenomenal success of the Beatles!
Here, in this book, Aaron explores Ringo’s prolific solo career!
Ruth McCartney wrote the wonderful foreword to the book, and she highlights the importance of Ringo as a drummer but also deals with the elements and personal chemistry that Ringo offers to a band in creating excellent music!
Someone that is stable and someone that you can count on!
The back cover of the book:
So privileged to have received a signed and inscribed copy from the author. Aaron displays that he is a great judge of character and of Beatle blogs in general (wink wink, the blogger says self-servingly)! All kidding aside, I thank you Aaron for your kind words. More importantly, thanks for another quality book about one of our common heroes, the extremely talented Mr. Richard Starkey!
Setting the tone and the stage: The preface of the book
Page 2 of the preface:
AMAZON US:
Ringo Starr Solo Career: Badgley, Aaron: 9781915975263: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
Ringo Starr Solo Career: Got to Pay Your Dues: Amazon.co.uk: Badgley, Aaron: 9781915975263: Books
AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:
“On April 10, 1970, when The Beatles officially called it a day, it was not the end, for Ringo Starr it was just the beginning. He was no longer Beatle Ringo, but now a solo artist who would have to establish himself with his own solo music. During the 1970s, Ringo Starr did just that. He became a commercial success and firmly established himself as a force in music.
Ringo Starr Solo Career: Got to Pay Your Dues explores the work Ringo Starr did to carve out his own name and his own persona. Through films, music, writing, acting, producing, directing, and even designing furniture, Starr kept extremely busy during the 1970s. Included in the book is a detailed account of his label, Ring O’Records.
With Ringo Starr Solo Career: Got to Pay Your Dues, Aaron Badgley takes a deep look into Starr’s artistic endeavours from 1970 to 1980. Through exclusive interviews Badgley tells Ringo Starr’s professional story. His albums, singles and work with other artists are all detailed. The films he produced, directed and appeared in are documented. A discography of Ringo Starr’s solo albums and singles and his Ring O’Records label are included plus exclusive, never before seen photos, illustrate this incredible career during the 1970s.”
TeaFlix Interview with Aaron Badgley
And…. an earlier interview about his Dark Horse book!
TeaFlix interview with Aaron Badgley – YouTube
Love what I have read so far, Aaron!!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz!
The Fab one hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles tells how the four Quarrymen became the Fab Four of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
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.
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
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
Amelia Davis is the curator of the Jim Marshall archive of impressive photos. Jim was there in San Francisco in August of 1966 to preserve for history in photographs, the last scheduled live concert of the Beatles as they were about to become a solely studio band with only one exception, their performance on the 3 Savile Row building’s roof in January of 1969! There is a new book title about the official last official concert of the Beatles in 1966. The book features the wonderful photographs of the late Jim Marshall who passed away in 2010. Amelia Davis has put together a new volume of Jim Marhsall’s Beatles work in a book to be published by Chronicle Books in June of 2026.
This is the line from the Amazon book description of the new book that caught my attention:
“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.“
That descriptive line sold me as I certainly plan to purchase a copy for my Beatles book collection!
AMAZON’S 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:
Tomorrow Never Knows: The Beatles Last Concert 1991 edition by Terra Firma, the publishers of the book. I have seen copies of this edition available on eBay!
This is the first edition of Marshall’s Beatles Candlestick photography from 1987:
Publication Year
1987 Paperback
Tomorrow Never Knows : the Beatles’ Last Concert
Author
Eric Lefcowitz
Photographed by Jim Marshall
Publisher
Retrofuture Products
Looking forward to the new book configuration of the Jim Marshall Beatles photo archive curated by Amelia Davis that is coming in June of 2026.
Be Healthy and Be Happy!
Best Wishes!
Buzz
An Australian journalist named Ritchie Yorke, who made the decision to establish roots in Canada, and a photographer named Gerry Deiter were to play important roles in the lives of John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the end of the 60s. Ritchie Yorke became heavily involved in the Lennon’s War is Over campaign. He was also involved in creating the circumstances for John and Yoko to perform live in Canada in 1969 at Varsity Stadium and many other John and Yoko Canadian activities. Gerry Deiter was a photographer who was present at all 8 eight days of the Lennon’s famous Bed-In in Canada and took a multitude of photographs that remained unpublished for many years. Gerry’s book is presented later in the post. Both of these gentlemen are no longer with us, and the purpose of this blog post is to help keep their memory alive:
Ritchie York – Christ You Know It Ain’t Easy
PILLOW TALK: John and Yoko’s BED-IN-FOR-PEACE, with Joan Athey and Minnie York
Gerry Deiter – Biography | Stephen Bulger Gallery
Gerry Deiter, 71 – The Globe and Mail
Christ You Know it Ain’t Easy: John and Yoko’s Battle for Peace Paperback – 6 Oct. 2015
by Ritchie Yorke (Author)
AMAZON US:
AMAZON UK:
AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:
Australian author and journalist Ritchie Yorke is back in Toronto after many years absence to launch his first-person account of John and Yoko’s Canadian Peace Campaign of 1969 and 1970. The Montreal Bed In. The Toronto Varsity Rock Concert. John and Pierre. Traveling the World for Peace. This is the real story, the real truth. Yorke, Canada’s first counterculture journalist, is in Toronto to overseeing the publication of CHRIST YOU KNOW IT AIN’T EASY: JOHN AND YOKO’S BATTLE FOR PEACE. The eBook will be published on October 9, which would have been John Lennon’s 75th birthday.
Yorke produced his book with the assistance and co-operation of Yoko Ono who has written the foreword. “I assisted in bringing the Lennons back to Canada in December 1969 to unveil their historic War Is Over If You Want It peace campaign, and to meet with communications prophet Marshall McLuhan and Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.” writes the Australian journalist. “During John and Yoko’s Canadian stay, I was given an ultimatum by my employer. I was instructed to either quit my Globe and Mail columnist job to join the War Is Over If You Want It peace campaign or get back to toiling at the Globe. Some choice!”
The editor told him that he couldn’t work for John Lennon and the Globe at the same time and that he had to make a choice between them. It took him about a sixth of a second to decide! In the early 1970s Yorke found himself stuck in the middle of a world in change. He was passionately caught up in the Peace cause. He travelled around the planet selling the gospel of peace on the Lennons’ behalf (he and travel buddy, rockabilly legend Rompin’ Ronnie Hawkins thundered through 15 countries and 52,000 miles in five weeks). They were all over the front pages of Hong Kong tabloids – seizing headlines when he and the Hawk risked their lives illegally crossing into Red China to present the War Is Over message to the Communist Chinese at Lok-ma-Chau.
Back Cover of the book:
Ritchie Yorke’s fascinating take on the reasons the Beatles broke up. A wonderful piece that stimulates a lot of thought about the subject. See if you agree with Ritchie’s often controversial assessments! This issue of the magazine is also well-sought after and is very difficult to find. Can often be found on eBay!
I have seen this issue go as high as $200 on eBay. I was very fortunate as I was able to find a copy for $20. Additionally, it was in excellent shape!
Ritchie Yorke wrote frequently about the Beatles. here is one of his first professional pieces. This magazine is often difficult to find at a reasonable price. This magazine can occasionally be found on eBay!
History of Rock and Roll Paperback – December 1, 1977
by Ritchie Yorke (Author)
AMAZON US:
History of Rock and Roll: Yorke, Ritchie: 9780458918508: Amazon.com: Books
AMAZON UK:
The History of Rock ‘N’ Roll: Amazon.co.uk: Yorke, Ritchie: 9780846701866: Books
The back cover of the book:
My autographed copy of Ritchie Yorke’s History of Rock: I obtained this signed copy on Abe Books!
A relatively recent dvd release of the story of the Toronto Rock n Roll Revival concert where John and Yoko made an appearance and recorded the Apple album of Live Peace in Toronto!
Amazon.com: Revival 69: The Concert That Rocked the World [DVD] : John Lennon: Movies & TV
The photos remained unpublished until more than 30 years had passed since the actual event:
Give Peace a Chance: John and Yoko’s Bed-in for Peace Hardcover – 1 April 2009
by Paul McGrath (Editor), Gerry Deiter (Cinematographer), Joan Athey (Compiler)
AMAZON UK:
Photographs by Gerry Deiter
Compiled by Joan Athey
edited by Paul McGrath
Hope you enjoyed this brief expose’ concerning two talented people that were part of the history and cultural legacy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono!
Be Healthy and Be Happy!
Buzz
The Beatles What If? Limited Edition Hardback (US & CANADA)
£28.50
The Quarrymen in Rosebery Street Compilation Poster
£40.00
The Quarrymen in Rosebery Street Poster
£40.00
The Quarrymen in Rosebery Street (Compilation) - Signed Photograph
£150.00
The Quarrymen in Rosebery Street (Red) - Signed Photograph
£125.00