Category: Buzz’s Beatles Book/ Print Blog

John Buzz Bezzini

The blog is designed to feature old and new Beatles-related print material including books, magazines, posters & autographs of people that have a Beatles connection or association. The blog also features books from people that have worked with the solo members of the group after the breakup. Looking forward to seeing you as a subscribing member of the blog and I eagerly anticipate your participation and feedback on the blog!

John “Buzz” Bezzini has one of the world’s largest collections of Beatles books and Beatles-related print material and he will share his thoughts and opinions on some of the more obscure & rare and unusual Beatles titles in addition to the new and forthcoming titles as well!

John taught a course in 1984 called “The Beatles in Retrospect” marking the 20th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in America.

John also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication.

Enjoy Buzz’s Beatles Book Blog.

The images shared here are part of John’s private collection and are shared under Fair Use/ Fair Dealings. If you have any questions, contact the administrator.

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Posted on 06/02/202327/05/2024 by liddypool — 4 Comments

Rod Davis: A Quarryman – On Record Before The Beatles

Rod Davis

Little is known that one of the original Quarrymen, Rod Davis, actually was on an official 45 “release” earlier than the Beatles were. After Rod had left the Quarrymen he played banjo on this 1961 recording. Rod was on this record by The Trad Grads.

He signed the slipcase sleeve for this 45 as shown below for this Decca 45 release.

Buzz

Learn More About The Quarrymen

Just Like Starting Over: John Lennon and The Quarrymen

When John Lennon and his group The Quarrymen stepped onto the back of a wagon in Rosebery Street on 22^nd June 1957, Charlie Roberts borrowed a camera and took a few photos of the event. It was just a group of friends having fun at a street party.

What Charlie didn’t know at the time was that he was capturing a piece of Beatles history. This was the first time that John Lennon had been photographed performing with his group. Skiffle was the new music and soon, John would meet Paul McCartney who would then introduce George Harrison to John.

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Posted on 02/02/202331/05/2024 by liddypool — 5 Comments

Bent Coppers – The Story of Norman Pilcher

Signed edition of the late Norman Pilcher’s book “Bent Coppers.” Published by Clink Street Publishers in 2020.

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.

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.

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.

Buzz

Posted on 26/01/202327/05/2024 by liddypool — Leave a comment

The Beatles – Yeah Yeah Yeah

Yeah Yeah Yeah by Roy Bisson and Fred Fowler

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 artwork — Some of the amazing Artwork

Posted on 23/01/202331/05/2024 by liddypool — 2 Comments

Oh Sisters, Oh Sisters – Mary Hopkin

Mary & Carole Hopkin

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.

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.

All of these items are from my personal collection.

Buzz

Featured Category – John Lennon

In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Signed Hardback)

£44.00

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In Your Mind – The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono (Softback)

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Shoulda Been There (Vol. 1) 1940 – Dec 1961

£7.20

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Shivering Inside (Vol 2) Dec 1961 – Jan 1963

£7.20

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She Loves You (Vol. 3) 1963 – 1st March 1964

£7.20

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Should Have Known Better (Vol. 4) – 1964

£24.50

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Product on sale

The Fab One Hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles

Original price was: £49.00.Current price is: £20.00.

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Posted on 20/01/202331/05/2024 by liddypool — 2 Comments

Yoko Ono – Homeless

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.

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 cd contained in the Museum of Modern Art book:

Buzz Bezzini

Featured Book at the Beatles Bookstore

Posted on 14/01/202331/05/2024 by liddypool

A Cyn Full Portfolio – Cynthia Lennon

Cynthia Lennon on John Lennon

Sorry for the pun in the main title!

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

John Lennon: Limited edition box set. In 2000, Cynthia Lennon, the 1st wife of John and mother of (the-saleroom.com)

John Lennon: Limited edition box 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.

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.

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