I justgot this note from Alex Franchi about a new Sgt Pepper book. I love these independently produced booksthat highlight items acquired by collectors for their personal collections over the years. Part of the attraction of these books is the very few copies that are actually made and years later they become increasingly more difficult to find and somewhat akin to the feeling of being in a treasure hunt!
Here is Alex’s note:
THE BEATLES – THE SGT. PEPPER’S ERA by Fulvio Fiore and Alex Franchi (295 pages, Isla Publishing)
This is the fourth chapter in a successful new series of photographic publications retracing the myth of the Liverpool quartet in the international printed paper weekly. 1967 was a fantastic and a very innovative year for the Fab Four!!! Rare newspapers, promotional posters, charts, rare covers relating to record publications, charts, and other international press finds. Much of the material from the authors’ personal collection is unpublished or rarely seen before testifying a collecting interest which, after more than 50 years, has not shown signs of decreasing, indeed… Available in a limited edition of 50 hand-numbered copies:
A MAGIC CHRISTIAN MYSTERY and BEATLE CONNECTIONS GALORE
According to reports, this version of the Paul McCartney song was released around the same time as the Apple Badfinger version. The Magic Christian version was not a hit. Produced by the late keyboardist, Gary Wright, who was to back both George Harrison and Ringo Starr in their solo careers.
Ex-Move guitarist Trevor Burton was supposedly involved with this recording and speculation abounds that Denny Laine and Steve Gibbons also played a role in the record. I believe Beatles associate Tony Bramwell has mentioned at one time that Denny Laine had a role in this recording. I was able to find a copy of this recording at the DISCOGS site. Some of the 45’s issued had the song title listed as “If You Want It” rather than “Come and Get It.” The first pressings had the publisher listed as Apple. Later copies had the publisher listed as Northern Songs!
Come and Get It
A different title is used on this McCartney tune as well as having a different publisher listed.
If You Want It
If You Want It by The Magic Christians
THE MAGIC CHRISTIANS
There is another connection. The Magic Christians were supposedly made up of some of the members of the group Balls which included Denny Laine who was with the Moody Blues and later with Wings and the flip side of one of the 45’s by Balls was written by both Denny Laine and Alan White who was to join the Plastic Ono Band and later the group Yes. Alan and Denny both passed away a while back. Because of the scarcity of a Denny Laine/ Alan White co-authored track and the multiple solo Beatles and McCartney connections, I bought a copy of the 45 at the Discogs site.
Janie Slow Down by Balls
BALLS
This is the rare Denmark picture sleeve to the Balls 45 which contains the obscure Denny Laine/ Alan White co-authored track called “Janie Slow Down.” Odd that Denny Laine would play with Wings and Alan White would end up being in a band with John Lennon and also backing George Harrison!
Here is a brief history of the group Balls provided by this internet link:
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:
David Bedford
Jude Kessler
Terry Crain
Madeline Bocaro
Kit O’Toole
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.
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!
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.
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.
I recently obtained the late actor Dennis Hopper’s copy of this magazine featuring Mr. Lennon and Miss Ono on the cover. The issue of the magazine is from 1969. Got it for a very reasonable price, on eBay!
Lennon Magazine
EBay description of the item fiba: Actualite, Issue #1, 1969. Side-stapled, 56 pgs. Includes articles on Turkish & Greek cinema, the fiba award for best films (8-page section on winning films No5 & Two Virgins by Yoko Ono, with brief article by Ono), poem by Lionel Ziprin, Zeffirelli’s Romeo & Juliet, and more. From a collection of publications obtained from the estate of Dennis Hopper.
There are a couple of Beatle/Lennon connections with the late Dennis Hopper. He co-starred with Peter Fonda in Easy Rider and Fonda turned out to be the inspiration for the Beatles tune, “She Said, She Said.” The late Terry Southern, who helped to co-write the screenplay for “Easy RIder” also wrote “The Magic Christian” and “Candy,” which were film vehicles for Ringo Starr. Terry Southern also taped an hour-long cassette of John Lennon jamming with Mick Jagger during the “Lost Weekend.”
Dennis Hopper
Background of Dennis Hopper from Wikipedia–Dennis Lee Hopper (May 17, 1936 – May 29, 2010) was an American actor and film director. He is known for his roles as mentally disturbed outsiders and rebels. Hopper made his directorial film debut with Easy Rider (1969), which he and co-star Peter Fonda wrote with Terry Southern. The film earned Hopper a Cannes Film Festival Award and a nomination for the AcademyAward for Best Original Screenplay. Hopper was also in a few films associated with another prominent rebel, James Dean, “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant”!
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.
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.
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.”
George Harrison note owned by David
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
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!
The Trembling Wilburys
David Stark has provided the ticket link to the Feb 2024 event.
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.
