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
When The Beatles were carrying the whole world in their wake, it seemed to be the case that every manufacturer that could, would make something, or anything that could be attached to them in order that they would increase their turnover and their income.
However one thing or item that largely went unnoticed was the special or first day issue cover or envelope. These nowadays are an accepted form of high quality marketing. It was this condition of High Quality that stopped many companies receiving permission or an endorsement from The Beatles Management Structure, or more importantly Brian Epstein himself.
The Beatles First Day Covers
This did ensure that many large sums of money from products did not benefit the group in any way, but the First Day or Special Event Cover seemed to pass by largely unnoticed. Over the years I have been able to obtain quite a few of these and I thought that again this part of my collection from my personal archive would be engaging for many fans.
Now these items are one off examples that I was fortunate enough to obtain. Some of them were promotional ideas and thoughts largely from EMI and other loosely linked organisations. They now make a very interesting and rare part of Beatles History.
The listing is as follows, with a brief pen picture description.
1). A standard Parlophone Stationery Envelope used at times for promotional purposes.
2). A Gibraltar Special Issue First Day Cover showing a 1967 John Lennon Photograph to commentate the Marriage of John and Yoko.
3). A Hard Days Night Special Envelope from 1964 to commemorate the release of The Beatles First Film complete with stamp and date stamp.
4). Apple 1968 Our First Four and a mint set of the individual Stamps. This is part of my Our First Four set. This set has been shown here before.
5). Isle of Man First Day Cover signed personally by Ringo Starr.
6). A one off envelope idea not preceded with.
7). A War Is Over Envelope from that period. This was obtained from EMI Records . Apparently only a very few were issued.
8). A Dark Horse Records Special Stationery Envelope used for Press Releases. This one was for the duo Splinter on the occasion of their first album. The Place I love.
9). The Special Envelope used by Capitol Records to enclose the re-call letters for the Butcher Covers for the Yesterday and Today Covers.
10). A general shot of the letter; one finished in Red and one in Blue Emblazoned Inks. Both of these and the envelope came via EMI in London England. These had been sent to EMI as courtesy copies from Capitol Records in the USA.
11). A single close up shot of the Red Sample letter. Note the emblazoned word SAMPLE placed on the letter.
This completes the description of the illustrated items, and I add that there are more to be shown at a later date. These are priceless artefacts from my archives, and are kept in the dark and out of contact with direct sunlight. This is the first viewing undertaken for over two years.
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
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’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:
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!!!
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
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
Art & Craft
Original art and craft related to Liverpool and the Beatles
Johnny Dean (his real name was Sean O’Mahony) of The Beatles Book Monthly!!! Have seen several references that have different spellings of his surname, so please bear with me with the various sources provided with this post….
Shown below is a 5 x 3.5 photo of Johnny Dean (his real name was Sean O’Mahony) of The Beatles Book Monthly which probably shows Johnny/Sean dressed up as a Beatle and on the reverse he has personally hand signed the souvenir “All My Love Johnny Dean” with lots of kisses. Johnny created a wonderful magazine with exclusive Beatle news and photos for Beatles fans all over the world!
As stated in a previous post, I also attempted to collect many of the signatures of the people who played a role in the Beatles story. Sean/ Johnny certainly did that. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 88, and his contribution to Beatle lore was immense in both a photographic and informational spectrum…
Here is Johnny’s/ Sean’s signature which I recently added to the archive!
Sean O’Mahony’s Autograph
Sean O’Mahony aka Johnny Dean
A bio about Sean/ Johnny that appeared in the Daily Beatle
The first issue of what was to be 77 original issues before shutting down after the Beatles broke up and then eventually resuming until a total of 321 issues were completed until the final curtain went down on the magazine!
The Beatles Book Monthly
A special edition of one of Johnny’s books which featured primarily concert photographs:
Looking Through You from The Beatles Book Archives
A hardcover book of some of the best photos that appeared in the magazine over the years:
Best of The Beatles Book
The two special holiday Christmas issues of the Beatles Monthly from 1965 and 1966:
The 1965 special Christmas issue of the Beatles Monthly. The special Christmas issues were in a larger -sized format:
The 1966 special Christmas issue:
The special reprint issue that came out after the first 6 issues of the magazine:
Special Reprint of the Magazine
The very rare English language edition of a special holiday issue that appeared in Japan December of 1965:This was a larger format issue similar to the UK Christmas issues. They were larger in size than the regular Beatles Monthlies.
Rare Japanese Edition of The Beatles Book
I would also like to acknowledge photographer Leslie Bryce, who took the majority of the Beatles Monthly photos over the years.
Did you subscribe to The Beatles Book Monthly? Have you got any copies? Let me know in the comments below.
Buzz
Find out more about Beatles Memorabilia in Terry Crain’s Excellent book on NEMS
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!
APPLE at the BEEB is the product of the BBC Transcription Service who covered the Apple Records artistic output with zeal until 1973 when things at Apple began sadly to really fall apart .
This the result of combining many performances from Top of the Pops, Radio 1 and 2, which has resulted in a truly wonderful presentation that really signifies the quality of the Apple Records releases and the direction in which it was progressing.
Apple at the Beeb 1968 to 1972
This whole package is a one off presentation, and is wonderfully presented, but it was never intended for public resale, and this makes the setup, very desirable, extremely rare, and very historical in music history.
Apple at the Beeb 1968 to 1972
I must also thank my colleague here John “Buzz” Bezzini who gave me a group of tracks, which gave me the direction in which I had to go. So with diligence and fortitude I began my quest, and the result is this marvellous set. When a contact was informed that it was myself that wanted the tracks i was informed that would not be a problem, and he was good to his word !! So thank you John for your generosity!!
Apple at the Beeb 1968 to 1972
It is so well put together, and really opens up a different world of Apple from Number 3 Savile Row, London W.1. You will find various photographs of the entire presentation, and it is a marvel to behold.
Apple at the Beeb 1968 to 1972
The other thing is that this whole package was at some time in the past deemed surplus to requirements and was expunged from the archives. A wasteful move in every sense. So please enjoy a true unique and wonderful collection of Apple Records at the Beeb !! it is not available to buy, as it has never been issued except internally throughout the BBC, but is now considered not to hold any value within their organisation. Hence my successful result in my quest. A very shortsighted decision in the light of things!!
PS There is a second email to follow with some more excellent photos
GET NIGEL’S EXCELLENT BOOK ON APPLE RECORDS HERE
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
