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TWO STELLAR WORKS OF LITERARY BEATLES-RELATED RESEARCH

Lennonology - Chip Madinger and Scott Raile
Lennonology – Chip Madinger and Scott Raile

Chip Madinger and Scott Raile are the co-authors of the first one, “LENNNONOLOGY  |   Volume One – Strange Days Indeed.”

This exhaustive book details the work and activities of John Lennon and Yoko Ono from 1968-1980. Being meticulous and being accurate are the modus operandi and signatures of the two authors, who will certainly impress you with their revelations of previously unknown Lennon and Ono work and projects. I have learned over the years, if these two authors have verified some bit of Lennon information, you can rest assured that it is true. When Lennonology was released, I quickly bought one of the signed hardcover limited editions that was issued in a run of 250 copies. I was not disappointed and this book eagerly makes me anticipate a Volume 2 when it is ready to be issued. Chip is one of a few select authors that I hold in a special literary Beatles pantheon.

There are a few people that I hold in that high regard. Mark Lewisohn, Bruce Spizer and Ken Womack are others. I do not wish to insult others with my omission of their names as there are so many splendid Beatles book authors. I consider Lennonology to be in my top 10 Beatles-related books in my collection and with the amount of titles that I have, that is no small compliment or praise. Hardback copies of the book command premium prices as they are sold out and are in high demand among Lennon/Beatles collectors. There is some good news, however, as paperback copies of the book are still available.

BUY YOUR COPY NOW

LENNNONOLOGY  |   Volume One – Strange Days Indeed-First Edition – October 9, 2015 – 250 Copies Signed and Numbered Strange Days Indeed A Scrapbook of Madness Hardcover Book by Chip Madinger and Scott Raile.  Published by Open Your Books  

Front cover of the informative and voluminous book
Lennonology
Lennonology

Lennonology – Back Cover

Lennonology - Back Cover
Lennonology – Back Cover

Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium

Another work of impeccable research is this book that came out in the year 2000 in paperback format. Lavish detail and thoroughly lengthy and comprehensive at over 700 pages. This book was also co-authored once again by researcher par excellence, Chip Madinger, and his superb collaborator, Mark Easter. Their level of detail about the sessions and activities of the solo Beatles is the ultimate source to turn to when you want to learn more about that subject.  They have also worked on a digital updated and revised version of the title which is available to purchase at the Lennonology website. The link is provided below.

They have also published a remastered edition, which is available to purchase as a .pdf at the LENNONOLOGY website. (click this link)

Eight Arms to Hold You
Eight Arms to Hold You

The softback copy of the book, published in 2000

Publisher: 44.1 Productions, LP

Publication Date: 2000

Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium Paperback – October 1, 2000

by Chip Madinger (Author), Mark Easter (Author)

Eight Arms to Hold You Cover
Eight Arms to Hold You Cover

There is an ultra rare hardcover edition of “Eight Arms to Hold You.” Long since sold out, there were only 9 copies made of the hardcover. Quite a treasure if you have one of the nine!!!

Eight Arms to Hold You Cover
Eight Arms to Hold You Cover

Summary and conclusion:

In this information age in which we live, these two books help set the standard to the way  research books should be written. Taking great care to verify the accuracy of the information provided, and verifying detail with extraordinary precision. The only criticism I have is not of the work in the books, but in the nature of information itself. 

As the years pass, new material, sometimes not previously known, has a way of turning up from out of the blue. For example, who until recently knew that an hour long 1963 tape of the Beatles performing at a boys school at Stowe in the UK, existed? Research books have that one drawback, like discographies, in that new discoveries and recordings keep turning up every “Now and Then”, pun intended, keeping the need for many book revisions and updates.

Highly recommend the two titles shown above and if you are fortunate enough to purchase the hardback editions, you will not regret it. Happy Hunting!!!

Buzz

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Fancy a Club Sandwich? McCartney Style

Club Sandwich
Club Sandwich

Club Sandwich – The Complete Set

A complete set of the 86 issues of the McCartney magazine known as Club Sandwich which is no longer being published, as a result of Linda McCartney passing away in 1998. The club offered many bonus items like special tickets to special McCartney live performances and options like being able to purchase McCartney’s Russian LP. It was sad to see this magazine end as it contained so many fabulous photos and stories. To compile a complete set of these magazines now is not only difficult but also very expensive.

Glad I have all of the issues, but they are difficult to store because of their large size. The older newspaper-like issues are also prone to yellowing.

Complete Set of Club Sandwich
Complete Set of Club Sandwich

Buzz’s Question for Paul McCartney

When Beatles book author Mark Lewisohn worked for the Club Sandwich magazine, he ran a contest inviting subscribers to submit questions to Paul. I submitted a question that I had been alerted to by reading Mark’s “The Beatles Recording Sessions” book. The book quickly mentioned an unreleased McCartney track that he had recorded in the studio back in 1968 and then took the recording home, provided to him by the engineer. The track was called “Etcetera.” Supposedly the track was written for Marianne Faithfull.

I submitted the question to the magazine about the track and I was surprised to see the question was chosen for publication in one of the Club Sandwich issues.

Here is a photo of the question I asked and Paul’s response.

Buzz’s Question for Paul with Reply

Did You Collect Club Sandwich?

Let me know if you collected them? Favourite issue?

Buzz

Find Out More About Paul McCartney

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Peter Brown: The Love You Make – Remade

All You Need Is Love
All You Need Is Love

Peter Brown and Steven Gaines- Round Two

Below is a photo of the Beatles along with Yoko Ono that was used on the picture sleeve of “The Ballad of John and Yoko”. The song only featured two Beatles playing on the track-John and Paul and it mentions Peter Brown.

The Ballad of John and Yoko
The Ballad of John and Yoko

Below is an autograph and a message from Peter Brown, the Apple executive who phoned John to tell him that he and Yoko could get married in Gibraltar. The signature below features the line of Brown’s that John used in the “Ballad of John and Yoko”. (You can make it OK)

Peter Brown and author Steven Gaines have a new print surprise in store for us in the near future (2024) This new book  is mentioned at the end of this post.

Peter Brown Autographed Note
Peter Brown Autographed Note

The Love You Make

The first book written by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines detailing the story of the Beatles. The book was a worldwide commercial success.

The Love You Make
The Love You Make

As a follow-up to their first book, Gaines and Brown are coming out with a new book dealing with many of the interviews they conducted to compile “The Love You Make.”

Looking forward to reading the full interviews of many of the characters that will tell their story in the following title. The new title promises much new information that has not previously been published.

The book will be published by St. Martin’s Press on April 9, 2024

New Beatles Oral History Will Reveal Never-Before-Shared Secrets (people.com)

All You Need Is Love - The New Book
All You Need Is Love – The New Book

Do you have the original book? What did you think of it? Will you get the new book? Let me know in the comments below.

I can’t wait!

Buzz

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The Fab 4 Independently Published Books by Philip Kirkland

All Roads Lead to Lennon
All Roads Lead to Lennon

Philip Kirkland

What I love about independently published books is the author is free to choose what they deem to be important to the Beatles story. Often, much previously unknown information turns up as a result. I met the acquaintance of author Philip Kirkland on my former Beatles in Print FB page. I quickly became entranced by the work this author was publishing.

His research skills are exemplary and his books help to set the tone of the worldwide revolution that was going to follow. He helps to make us understand how important cultural factors such as our heritage help to influence the decisions we make that help shape our lives. I am proud to say I own copies of all of Mr. Kirkland’s books and hope he continues uncovering this great information for Beatles book collectors everywhere!

The Rise and Fall of Father Lennon: A Biography of John Lennon’s Great-Uncle Paperback – April 13, 2022

by Philip Kirkland (Author)

·       Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 13, 2022)

The Rise and Fall of Father Lennon
The Rise and Fall of Father Lennon
The Rise and Fall of Father Lennon
The Rise and Fall of Father Lennon

All Roads Lead to Lennon Paperback – May 9, 2019

by Philip Kirkland (Author)

·       Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (May 9, 2019)

All Roads Lead to Lennon
All Roads Lead to Lennon
All Roads Lead to Lennon
All Roads Lead to Lennon

From Silk to a Song: A Complete History of Strawberry Field Paperback – April 6, 2020

by Philip Kirkland (Author)

·       Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (April 6, 2020)

From Silk to Song
From Silk to Song
From Silk to Song
From Silk to Song

The Jewel on the Hill: A History of St. Peter’s Church, Woolton Paperback – January 11, 2021

by Philip Kirkland (Author)

The Jewel on The Hill
The Jewel on The Hill
The Jewel on The Hill
The Jewel on The Hill

Have you got any of these books? What are your favourite Lennon books? Let me know in the comments below.

Buzz

More Books About John Lennon