Signed edition of the late Norman Pilcher’s book “Bent Coppers.” Published by Clink Street Publishers in 2020.
The signed copy
Bent Coppers
“Semolina Pilchard“. There is conjecture in Beatles circles that John Lennon used this term in his song “I Am The Walrus” to refer to police officer Norman Pilcher. There was a mass trade edition of this book written by the notorious policeman who was responsible for arresting several of the most important rock figures of the 1960s on drug-related charges.
Norman Pilcher Signing the Books
Norman Pilcher Signing the Books
This book is Norman Pilcher’s version of the stories that captured the imagination of many who were part of the counterculture movement of that era. The version of the book shown below represents the signed edition of which only 250 copies were issued before Norman Pilcher passed away from cancer in March of 2021.
An interesting revelation according to Norman’s good friend, Reg, was that Mr. Pilcher after John had been charged at the police station, Norman sat down with John, and it was then that John and Norman had a long chat. It was there that Norman was swayed by John and what he believed in. John actually did send Norman postcards following his arrest from various locations, 6 in all from Japan France etc.
Back Cover of Bent Coppers
I am sure when the two of them were in the police station neither of them could have envisioned at that time what the long-term consequences of that arrest would be!!!
So what were those consequences? Let me know in the comments below!
If you wish to purchase a limited editioned signed copy of Norman’s book, they are only available through the author’s friend Reg, at contact.bentcoppers@gmail.com and not the publishers.
Full disclosure, David Bedford & friends: while I know that it may be politic to say that I love all of the chapters in the book equally (like our kids, right?), I have to say that the combination of the outstanding song and the wonderful back story of the song to follow are absolutely my favorites. I hope you enjoy it. Tim Hatfield
[Search amazon.com for “Tim Hatfield Beatles,” then download the free App to read on your device]
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from The White Album
George Harrison had written songs previously for the Beatles, but the Lennon/McCartney duo continued to dominate. After the residence in the Maharishi’s Rishikesh ashram in 1968, however, George wrote a song and fought to have it included in The White Album. It was worth fighting for.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
George was more and more interested in Eastern music and philosophy, and when the group returned to England he decided to do a song based on the Chinese Book of Changes, the I Ching. Harrison described it in some detail in the Beatles’ Anthology:
The Eastern concept is that whatever happens is all meant to be, and that there’s no such thing as coincidence – every little item that’s going down has a purpose.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was a simple study based on that theory. I decided to write a song based on the first thing I saw upon opening any book – as it would be a relative to that moment, at that time. I picked up a book at random, opened it, saw “gently weeps,” then laid the book down again and started the song.
A simple acoustic version was recorded by George at his country home – one of the several so-called “Esher demos”—when he invited all the Beatles to do some pre-rehearsals of songs before they went to the studio in the summer of 1968 to record The White Album. But when the song, which George knew was a good one, kept getting ignored, he took matters into his own hands. Again, in Harrison’s own words from Anthology:
We tried to record it, but John and Paul were so used to just cranking out their tunes that it was very difficult at times to get serious and record one of mine. It wasn’t happening. They weren’t taking it seriously and I don’t think they were even all playing on it, and so I went home that night thinking, “Well, that’s a shame,” because I knew the song was pretty good.
Eric Clapton
The next day I was driving into London with Eric Clapton, and I said, “What are you doing today? Why don’t you come to the studio and play on this song for me?” He said, “Oh, no I can’t do that. Nobody’s ever played on a Beatles record and the others wouldn’t like it.” I said, “Look, it’s my song and I’d like you to play on it.”
So he came in. I said, “Eric’s going to play on this one, and it was good because that then made everyone act better. Paul got on the piano and played a nice intro and they all took it more seriously.“
They did. Multiple takes later, the song was completed, and it has had a life of its own long past the demise of the Beatles as a group. The Cirque du Soleil Love show has featured it as a dreamy, slow tempo pas de deux:
And the remembrance for George Harrison at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony by an all-star band including Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, and George’s son Dhani (who won’t be difficult to identify) is astounding. Most notably, at the end of the song my fellow Minnesotan Prince plays an unbelievable solo – he absolutely goes off, and symbolically throws his guitar up to George in heaven at the end of his performance:
Regardless of what kind of difficulty or time of trouble you are experiencing at this moment, I hope that there is no weeping for you today.
As a Beatles book collector, I do not limit what I collect to just books about the Beatles. I also love parodies and books that indicate the significant impact the band had on world culture. One of the reasons given by music analysts for the Beatles’ immense success, beyond their musical talent, was also their sense of humor. This 1964 Australian book, yeah Yeah Yeah, by Roy Bisson and Fred Fowler highlights the band being on the receiving end of that humor.
Buzz
Some of the amazing ArtworkGreat humour in the cartoonsThe Authors/ Artists
Yes that is Mary Hopkin’s sister, Carole, who wrote this rare and obscure book released in 2013 and is now out of print. The book was published by Merton Press. (Beatles Before and Beyond)
Carole had met George’s brother, Harry at a Henley pub and he had expressed the thought that George would love for her to be able to do some sketches of George’s home at Friar Park. Being an illustrator, Carole was thrilled to be given that opportunity and a few of those sketches are included in the book.
Mary Hopkin’s Autograph
Following the picture of the cover of this rare book is Carole’s sister, Mary Hopkin’s autograph and a very rare Apple 45, released only on Apple in the Philippines. It was a Christmas tune that was issued on Apple after her contract with the company had expired and it is the only country where the 45 appeared on Apple.
Mary Had A Boy
Cherry Tree Carol
All of these items are from my personal collection.
In the 1980’s Yoko got together to work with a famous Japanese director to make a 1/2 hour VHS video that was released only in Japan whereby she portrayed a homeless person In NY. The video was available for only a short time as Yoko had it withdrawn as she did not approve of how the video was being marketed. I was able to find and purchase a copy of the rare VHS tape on Ebay.
Yoko Ono in the Homeless Film
A museum-produced book in Japan by the Museum of Modern Art. Earlier editions of the book contained the only official cd release of a Yoko Ono composition to honor the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. (Hiroshima Sky is Always Blue) The full nearly 8-minute version of the composition appeared only on the cd accompanying the book. What is very notable is Paul McCartney and family appear with Sean Lennon backing Yoko on the track. What I found interesting is both Linda and Paul take their turns at making Yoko vocalizations on the track. There are two different cover variations of this book.
The book issued contained the rare Yoko/McCartney recording.
The Road of Hope
The cd contained in the Museum of Modern Art book:
Though this is not a book, it certainly represents Beatles-related print material. In the year 2000, Cynthia Lennon created this special box set portfolio of 4 signed prints she did of John as a gift to her son. I was able to obtain one from Ebay several years ago. The photos below are my set that I acquired. I was very happy to acquire this beautiful set for the collection.
Hope you will enjoy this post!!!
The website link provided here has the full description of this wonderful set
In 2000, Cynthia Lennon, the 1st wife of John and mother of Julian, painted four portraits of John and gave them to Julian as a birthday gift on the 20th anniversary of John’s death in 1980. A production company in London contracted to produce a “limited edition” of these portraits in colour lithograph prints. The promotion never went through but there were 300 sets of these prints produced. This example is in near-mint condition.
Inside the John Lennon Book
The four-piece artwork set was printed by Napier Jones to Fine Art Trade Guild Standards
Print #1 (top) is a depiction of how John Lennon looked in the year 1963 in his collarless jacket.
Print #2 is a depiction of how John Lennon looked in the year 1965, the year the Beatles received an accolade from the Queen of England.
John Lennon in 1965 by Cynthia Lennon
Print #3 is a depiction of how John Lennon looked in the year 1967, during the period of time that Sgt Pepper was released and John and the other Beatles had finally stopped touring
John Lennon in 1967 by Cynthia Lennon
Print #4 is a depiction of how John Lennon looked in the year 1980, when John`s life was so quickly and cruelly taken.
John Lennon in 1980 by Cynthia Lennon
Buzz
Other Books About John Lennon at the Beatles Bookstore
