Collecting Beatles
Sheet Music &
Song Books

BY ANDREW CROFT​

AVAILABLE IN A 3-BOOK SET:
U.K. Edition  |  U.S. Edition  |  International Edition

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!

Collecting Beatles Sheet Music & Song Books

Updated from the 72-page book published in 2003, this is the only complete guide to collecting Beatles and related sheet music and song books from around the world, now expanded to over 500 pages across three books.

Includes over 3,000 illustrations of all known Beatles, Lennon-McCartney and Harrison By Other Artists, Solo Beatles, Apple Records Artists, Apple Publishing and Beatles Novelty Record sheet music and song books from the U.K., the U.S. and over a dozen other countries around the world.

Starting with the history of publishing Beatles music in the U.K. and the history of Charles Hansen Publishing in the U.S. followed by a chronological format of all known individual song sheets, arrangement sheet music, reissues and song books, each guide includes a detailed look at how the sheets were published. Details include the background on the various publishing companies, as well as those who covered The Beatles’ and solo Beatles catalogue of music.​

The U.K. and U.S. editions delve into the myriad of reissues throughout the Seventies and Eighties to reveal what was published, by whom and when. A number of different series of sheets have been assembled all together in these guides for the very first time. The U.K. guide also includes a section on George Martin sheet music which includes a number of titles unknown to collectors until now.

The International guide is vastly expanded from the original book published in 2003 – increasing from just 12 pages to over 120! This book has hundreds of illustrations of sheets and song books from countries around the world including: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Scandinavia, Spain and Turkey.​ including some of the rarest titles ever assembled in one compilation until now.

LIMITED EDITION 3-BOOK SETS

Books are available for purchase as a 3-volume set numbered to 100 – and signed by the author.

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ORDERING INFORMATION

Orders ship within 2 weeks. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Payments by PayPal will be dispatched by tracked package mail.

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Canadian Orders – includes HST and shipping by Canada Post.

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U.S. Orders – includes shipping shipped via USPS direct. No duties apply.

Europe & Asia –  shipped by ChitChats International Tracked Package Service. No duties apply.

Collecting Beatles Sheet Music & Song Books

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

BOOKS BY AL ARONOWITZ AND JIM WINDOLF, ABOUT BOB DYLAN AND THE BEATLES, TWO OF THE BIGGEST GIANTS OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY DURING THE ’60s!

Al Aronowitz was a journalist that had the distinction of knowing two of the giants of the ’60s, Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Acquired this signed book by Al Aronowitz which was published in 2003. Al passed away from cancer in 2005. The book presents a wealth of anecdotes about Aronowitz’s association with the crown jewels of 60s culture. Not all of the journey was pleasant, but those details are in the book. Want to read how Dylan supposedly introduced the Beatles to marijuana? Why did Aronowitz have a falling out with Bob Dylan and see what George Harrison said about it. If you are fascinated with details such as these, you will enjoy this book very much. We often lionize our heroes and think they are incapable of any wrongdoing. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings but to say otherwise would simply not be the truth!

Celebrating BOB DYLAN | The Aronowitz Archive, & More | The Al Aronowitz Story

Dave’s Gone By Interview (1/20/05) — AL ARONOWITZ

John and Paul mention Al Aronowitz in this jam from the Get Back sessions which someone has completed on YouTube:

The Beatles – All I Want Is You (Finished)

Recently, a new book has been issued by New York Times journalist, Jim Windolf, about the subject of the impact the two musical giants had on one another as well as the culture at large, and it is a fascinating tale and analysis. Al Aronowitz had the benefit of meeting the acts and talking with then directly which has its benefits. Windolf takes a more evidentiary approach in assessing the impact of the 2 acts. When you know them personally, emotional context can often shade perceptions and make true objectivity less likely.

I like both perspectives of the 2 books, and I return to them both,frequently

TeaFlix Interview with Jim Windolf (Bob Dylan & Beatles Author)

Jim Windolf | Author – WHERE THE MUSIC HAD TO GO

To close out the post:

A mash-up and sendup I found on YouTube of someone named MaccaDoo who presented this mashup of a Bob Dylan and John Lennon song:

Serve Yourself Serve Somebody John Lennon and Bob Dylan Not AI

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

OUR BOOK OF THE WEEK

Immortalized by George Harrison on his All Things Must Pass album, the group of Apple Scruffs, dedicated primarily female Beatles fans were not only the focus of the Harrison song, but years after the Beatles breakup, they also became the subject of a book.

The author of the book was Carol Bedford. She is now deceased, but she was able to issue her memories in this book. In subsequent years some of the stories in the book have been challenged for their veracity, but even if that criticism is true, that does not detract from the book being able to capture the spirit and dedicated passion of those determined fans who waited outside the 3 Savile Row Apple building and the EMI Abbey Road studios yearning to see and talk to their four heroes. To be a part of the Apple Scruffs was something exclusive and special. Now that 3 Savile Row will be a Beatles Museum, one of the lairs of the Scruffs is certainly assured as being an important part of the legendary story…

Apple Scruffs (2020 Mix)

Back cover of the hardback. When you look at the back of the softcover you will see a big difference:

Notice: there is (NO TEXT) on the back cover:

Here is the softcover edition of the Bedford book:

The UK’s hardcover’s back cover features a cut Apple with no corresponding text. Interestingly, this description of the contents does appear on the back cover of the softcover edition shown below.

Hardcover published in 1984 by Blandford Press.

The softcover of the book:

The softcover edition of the book with the content description on the back cover:

A sampling of YouTube videos about the Scruffs. In addition, a detailed Wikipedia entry describes some of the Scruff’s history!

Beatles Stories | Movie Clip | Ringo Starr and the Apple Scruffs

Apple Scruffs Came In Through The Bathroom Window

George’s tribute to the Apple Scruffs:

Apple Scruffs [Naked] – George Harrison

Apple Scruffs (Day 1 Demo) (Take 1)

Apple Scruffs-Wikipedia

Apple scruffs – Wikipedia

Apple Scruffs cover versions:

♪ Apple Scruffs (Rare Covers)

Paul sings about the Apple Scruffs breaking into his Cavendish Avenue home:

She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (Apple Studio)

Apple Scruffs website:

Our Story

The Apple Scruffs story is a memorable collection of tales about dedicated fandom.

If you get a chance to read this book, let me know your opinions and comments!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

OUR BOOK OF THE WEEK

Sad to share that my friend Michael Hill has passed away. I didn’t want to say anything until I knew that everyone he knew had been told. His daughter let me know last week that he had died.

I had the honour and pleasure to edit and publish his great book, “John Lennon: The Boy Who Became A Legend”, about his friendship with John through both Dovedale School and Quarry Bank. It was Michael who introduced John to the music of Little Richard, through “Long Tall Sally”, the record Michael had bought in Holland. When John heard it in Michael’s house, he said it was so great that he couldn’t speak. It changed John’s life.

Michael had lived in Australia for many years, so it was great to catch up with him when he visited Liverpool. 

We filmed him for our “Looking for Lennon” documentary film, and excerpt of which is shown in the Strawberry Field Liverpool experience. Michael’s book has been sold there with the profits going to Strawberry Field. 

His best friend at school, Don Beattie, is the last remaining of the four friends who listened to records at Michael’s house, along with John and Pete Shotton.

His book is still for sale at The Beatles Bookstore if you haven’t got a copy. The last few signed copies are left.

David Bedford

‘THE UKE, THE BEATLE, AND ME’ BY JOHN CROFT

The author’s perspective of his motivations for writing this book:

“After nearly 35 years thinking about whether to do so or not, I have finally put pen to paper to tell the story about the events that, after eleven years of friendship, made me come to realise what a lovely man George Harrison was. I hope that this book will be of great interest to people interested in George Harrison, George Formby, Banjo Ukes, and Ukuleles. I not only had the good fortune to know George, but I was lucky in getting to know him the unusual perspective of being just an ordinary man with no connections whatsoever to the kind of world that he inhabited. Enjoy the photos below.”

The author, John Croft’s comment about the front cover photograph of his book:

“The front cover photo (below) shows George Harrison collecting his newly restored Ludwig Banjo Uke from me in April 1991.”

Back cover of the book:

The author was so kind in signing my copy of the book:

THE AUTHOR’S DESCRIPTION OF HIS BOOK and READER’S COMMENTS:

“I’ve always loved the sound of the banjo uke and the ukulele, and the brilliant playing (and songs) of George Formby. Completely unknown to me, so did one of the most famous musicians in the world – George Harrison.”

This book tells the story of how, over the decades, a series of events led to a phone-call in November 1990 that was to change my life. It also tells how George’s initial contact with me developed into an eleven-year friendship that lasted until his death in 2001. Much more importantly and putting his fame and fortune completely to one side, this friendship enabled me, from a very unusual perspective and from a whole series of events and experiences, to discover what kind of man George Harrison really was. This book tells that story.”

Readers comments about the book:

“This small book written by John Croft is a gem. It describes how a serendipitous telephone conversation acted as a catalyst for an unlikely but enduring friendship between a secondary school geography teacher and a world-renowned musician who just happened to have been a member of a 1960’s pop group: The Beatles. A unique story that is beautifully told with honesty and an endearing humility. Miss reading it at your peril.” (CK)

“Thanks for the book. Absolutely great and a wonderful tribute to George.” (SM)

“I loved the book. Heartwarming and full of insight.” (MJ)

“Well John, I’m a dreadfully slow reader. However I couldn’t put the book down. It was beautifully and sensitively written. I loved it. I think George was very lucky indeed to have you and Mary as friends. Hope to meet you soon. Best wishes and thanks for writing the book.” (IP)

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your book. I read it over two days straight after you gave it to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is such a lovely warm and genuine story of your friendship with George Harrison. I lent it to my sister and she also thoroughly enjoyed it.” (ES)

Ordering information:

www.theukuleleman.com

* Foreword by written by Actor, Musician, and Author, Jimmy Nail.

* Contains photographs never seen before

Love to add books like this to the collection. Independently published. It helps to show another facet and interest of a very talented and spiritual man…THE UKULELE AND GEORGE HARRISON

A FEW SAMPLE PHOTOS AND PAGES FROM THE JOHN CROFT BOOK:

Another wonderful sample page from the book:

Friar Park and John’s first visit:

The foreword to the book by Jimmy Nail:

I love the way George crosses out the name Formby and replaces it with Harrison. in this note to John Croft sent from Hawaii!

Another personal note from George Harrison to John Croft expressing the desire to go binge shopping for more books about ukuleles!

A signed photo for John Croft highlighting George’s friendship and appreciation of his friend and their common interest!

Another Harrison treasure from George to John:

Thank you, John Croft for adding to and expanding to our knowledgebase about George Harrison and the world of ukuleles!

I just ordered my copy. What about you?

Book Availability information:

www.theukuleleman.com

The other George:

George Formby – In My Little Snapshot Album

George Harrison was to do his own version of this song by George Formby at a Blackpool George Formby convention back in 1991. John Croft played a prominent role in organizing that surprise appearance!

Hope you have enjoyed notification of this new book. Thank you, Geoff Clode, for providing the information about this new title!

Be happy and be healthy!

Buzz

OUR BOOK OF THE WEEK – DEAR BEATLE PEOPLE

Recently acquired this collectible magazine from eBay. Was intrigued by the cover presentation of the magazine. It is hard to fathom that this magazine is already 16 years old! Time certainly does fly!

This is the eBay description of the item!

“This is a rare issue of The Antique Trader Weekly from October 2010, featuring an article on John Lennon and the Beatlemania era.

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

FEATURED BOOK