When John Lennon was asked many years ago about what he considered to be the best Beatles book, he referred to the Michael Braun, Love Me Do title published in 1964 published by Penguin Books. The publication of this book followed Braun’s accompanying the Beatles on their 1963 UK tour. Lennon was impressed that Braun made less of an attempt to portray the Beatles as being squeaky clean and in avoiding describing them in consistently positive terms. He talked about their warts and negative attributes as well. Lennon was impressed with that lack of a polished public relations dimension because he felt it was more honest and realistic.

Why you should read the FIRST Beatles book | Love Me Do!

This book from my collection was featured in an earlier post on this blog but this post goes into greater detail as to why I consider it to be a special memento in the library! It must also be noted that I have not seen many signed copies of this book over the years. The book is not a lengthy one It is 141-page paperback though a revised edition years later published by Graymalkin Media appeared as a listing on Amazon as being 208 pages.

FASCINATED WITH SIGNED COPIES OF BEATLES BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR:

The Mysterious Michael Braun: Love Me Do!

Colin Fleming’s review of the book:

The best book about the Beatles you will ever read is “Love Me Do! The Beatles’ Progress” – Salon.com

The author’s own life can be considered somewhat zany and unpredictable as his obituary from 1997 would attest:

Michael Braun’s Obituary featured Online at the Independent:

Obituary: Michael Braun | The Independent | The Independent

Back cover of the Love Me Do book:

WE ALWAYS HEAR ABOUT DICK ROWE AND MIKE SMITH’S FOLLY REGARDING THE BEATLES BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GOOD JUDGEMENT DEMONSTRATED BY DECCA’S MANAGER, HUGH MENDL???

THE HISTORIC CONNECTION WITH THIS SIGNED COPY BY THE AUTHOR & THE PERSON THE BOOK WAS INSCRIBED TO ORIGINALLY ADVISED DECCA RECORDS TO SIGN THE BEATLES. WE ALL KNOW WHAT TRANSPIRED DESPITE THAT ADVICE…

Quoted from Wikipedia:

“Hugh Rees Christopher Mendl (6 August 1919, London – 7 July 2008) was a British record producer, A&R representative, and manager who worked for Decca Records for over 40 years.”

Hugh Mendl – Wikipedia

The lengthier 2019 edition of the book:

Hope you enjoyed this discussion of one of the first Beatles books. What held my fascination for me was that it is a rare, signed copy and additionally it was inscribed to a man that had recommended that Decca records should sign the band and the label foolishly did not heed the man’s advice!

The rest as the postscript reads —-is history!!!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

THE NEW ALBUM FROM

THE CLAYPOOL LENNON DELIRIUM

COMING MAY 1, 2026

Just received this information in an email sent to me from Chimera Music about their forthcoming Claypool Lennon double LP/cd and their tour!

The Claypool Lennon Delirium return with their third and most outlandish album yet: The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy, out May 1st on ATO Records. Les Claypool and Sean Ono Lennon once again combine their mutant minds to deliver an elaborate, 14-song concept record reflecting on morality, mortality, and the warnings of A.I., with a story-world that doubles as a cautionary tale about sustainability and the slippery slope of optimization without empathy. Available for pre-order on vinyl and CD, the 2-LP set comes in a tip-on gatefold jacket paired with a 24 page comic book, with each song mapped to its own illustrated chapter. NOTE: Green splatter vinyl variant only available via mail order PRE-ORDER VINYL / CD FROM CHIMERA MUSIC PRE-SAVE ALBUM

The first two streams from the upcoming double LP/CD

The Claypool Lennon Delirium – WAP (What a Predicament)

The Claypool Lennon Delirium – The Golden Egg of Empathy ft. WILLOW

The Claypool Lennon Delirium will return to the road in 2026 for a sprawling U.S. tour!Kicking off Wednesday, May 20th in Reno, NV and winding through major amphitheaters, outdoor stages, and destination venues across the country, the tour will include appearances by The Claypool Lennon Delirium, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, and Primus, with an additional fall leg to be announced.

2026 U.S. Tour

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE LINK HERE

ARTIST PRE-SALE BEGINS WEDNESDAY, 1/21 @ 10AM LOCAL TIME

PASSWORD: GOLD

GENERAL SALE BEGINS ON FRIDAY, 1/23 @ 10AM LOCAL TIME

Wednesday, May 20th – Reno Events Center – Reno, NV

Friday, May 22nd – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR

Saturday, May 23rd – Marymoor Live – Redmond, WA

Monday, May 25th – KettleHouse Amphitheater – Missoula, MT

Tuesday, May 26th – The Lot at the Complex – Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, May 28th – Starlight Amphitheatre – Kansas City, MO

Saturday, May 30th – The Factory – St. Louis, MO

Sunday, May 31st – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre – Rochester Hills, MI

Tuesday, June 2nd – Jacobs Pavilion – Cleveland, OH

Wednesday, June 3rd – Salt Shed – Chicago, IL

Friday, June 5th – The Caverns – Pelham, TN

Saturday, June 6th – KEMBA Live! Outdoor – Columbus, OH

Tuesday, June 9th – Thompson’s Point – Portland, ME

Wednesday, June 10th – Leader Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA

Friday, June 12th – Saratoga Performing Arts Center – Saratoga Springs, NY

Saturday, June 13th – Stone Pony Summerstage – Asbury Park, NJ – SOLD OUT

Sunday, June 14th – All Good Now Festival – Columbia, MD

Tuesday, June 16th – The AMP Ballantyne – Charlotte, NC

Wednesday, June 17th – Firefly Distillery – North Charleston, SC

Friday, June 19th – Saint Augustine Amphitheatre – St. Augustine, FL

Saturday, June 20th – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA

Monday, June 22nd – Walmart AMP – Rogers, AR

Tuesday, June 23rd – ACL Live at Moody Theatre – Austin, TX

Thursday, June 25th – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory – Irving, TX

Saturday, June 27th – Dillon Amphitheater – Dillon, CO

Sunday, June 28th – Dillon Amphitheater – Dillon, CO

Tuesday, June 30th – AZ Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ

Wednesday, July 1st – Gallagher Square – San Diego, CA

Friday, July 3rd – Long Beach Amphitheater – Long Beach, CA

Saturday, July 4th – Meritage Resort & Spa – Napa, CA

Published by Grove Press, 1976

This is the second time that this book has appeared on this blog. I wanted to present it one final time as it is one of my personal favorites in my book collection as it is a rare, signed copy! Until I obtained this copy, I had never seen another signed copy and that is during many years of collecting. (More than 50 years of collecting)

This signed book is one of my favorites in my collection. Written by John and Yoko’s personal assistant, Anthony Fawcett, who worked for them for about a 2-year time frame. Anthony Fawcett was the first individual to disclose the existence of a cassette tape that John Lennon recorded in the fall of 1969 for Ringo because he was ill. George, Paul and John were at a meeting where John suggested a follow-up recipe for a Beatles LP to possibly be a sequel to the release of Abbey Road. Even though the Let It Be album was to be the last officially released Beatles LP, it was recorded before Abbey Road. John presented a formula whereby the individual Beatles would not have to fight for space on any given LP. It was certainly intended as a nod and as a fairness gesture to George in recognition of his recent significant improvement in his songwriting skills, having written two beautiful numbers, possibly the 2 best songs on the Abbey Road album, Something and Here Comes the Sun. This formula that was presented would allow George an equal presentation of songs on a Beatles album. Four songs for John, four songs for Paul, four songs for George, and a couple for Ringo if he was so inclined. The spokes on the damaged wheels of the group by that time must have been beyond repair as John’s suggestions were abandoned as well as John’s request to Paul on the tape that the Lennon/McCartney co-songwriting credit should be abandoned unless they specifically did co-write a song together in the future for a Beatles project. This cassette tape being discussed was touted by many as being a great discovery by the legendary Mark Lewisohn in a lecture tour, but it was first publicly discussed in this One Day at a Time Anthony Fawcett book. Anthony was instrumental in preserving on tape the discussion among the three Beatles that were present at the meeting. (Please note that the comment about the cassette tape in no way is meant to diminish the significant contributions Mark Lewisohn has made to the presentation and preservation of Beatles history). It is only intended to demonstrate that knowledge of the tape was initially presented to the public by Anthony Fawcett when this book was published in 1976.

A Discussion of the famous cassette tape from the Beatles Bible site:

John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison meet to discuss their future | 1969 | The Beatles Bible

Background information about Anthony Fawcett:

Anthony Fawcett – Wikipedia

Anthony Fawcett – What is Art?

A 1980 interview with Anthony Fawcett, Hunter Davies and Richard Williams following John Lennon’s murder:

John Lennon Tribute December 9th 1980 Granada TV–features a young Anthony Fawcett in a UK tribute to John following his murder. Guests also included author Richard Williams and Hunter Davies!

Some of the comments by Hunter Davies in his comments are quite revealing as it is his opinion that Paul was the most talented Beatle. I always felt that this was Hunter’s personal belief. One could infer that predisposition from many comments he has made over the years. That comment backs my contention that most people have their own personal allegiance or loyalty or preference for a particular Beatle especially after the breakup of the band. This is like a typical New Englander who chooses a favorite season between spring, summer, fall or winter! This was especially true in the post breakup years. I believe, like Hunter Davies that Paul had the greatest pure musical talent, but the Beatles success was due to many more ingredients in the stew. Believe what you want to believe but I believe the chemistry of the group was the most important ingredient to their success and one man’s restlessness and unique sense of humor were significant ingredients to their monumental stature as well as his lyrical ability and his significant musical talent. He also had the ability at a very young age to understand the emotional complexities of life. That is my personal opinion, and you can take it or leave it! That is the beauty of music and popular culture as everyone is entitled to their opinion based on their selective criteria.

The cover of the book:

A discussion of the elusive tape that deals with the proposal of a new Beatles album post-Abbey Road:

Lost Sept 1969 Beatles Discussion: how revelatory & when can we hear it?

The signed copy of the book:

Anthony Fawcett’s signature on a copy of One Day at a Time obtained at what was then called Beatlefest until the name was changed to the Fest for Beatles Fans. Before I was able to acquire this signed book, I had never seen a signed copy before in more than 50 years of collecting signed Beatles-related books!

Hope you enjoyed this highly opinionated post about this book. The piece was not intended to an invitation to choose sides between the respective solo Beatles or their individual contributions to the group only to comment that all 4 had a magical role to play in this mystical story, no matter who your favorite Beatle might be.

They were and THEY STILL ARE “THE BEST.”

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

P.S,

Another worthwhile book to seek out is one by one of the people that was interviewed in one of the links above that also features Hunter Davies and Anthony Fawcett following Lennon’s murder. Richard Williams produced this very interesting book about producer Phil Spector. The book features wonderful detail of the John and Yoko Happy Xmas recording sessions produced by Spector! (1972 1st hardback edition published by Outerbridge & Lazard, Inc.) New York USA

What is the Mystery of The Beatles’ Creativity? Find out in this new book coming soon from musician and psychologist Steve Taylor.

AMAZON LINKS TO THE BOOK:

AMAZON UK LINK: Publisher Scribe UK
Publication date: 10 Sept. 2026

Across the Universe: The Magic and Mystery of the Beatles’ Creativity: Amazon.co.uk: Taylor, Steve: 9781917189521: Books

AMAZON US LINK: Publisher Scribe UK
Publisher : ‎ Scribe US
Publication date ‏: ‎ November 10, 2026

Across the Universe: The Magic and Mystery of the Beatles’ Creativity: Taylor, Steve: 9781964992501: Amazon.com: Books

AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:

AMAZON UK DESCRIPTION:

“A fresh analysis and appreciation of the Beatles’ genius and creativity, from an acclaimed scholar of transpersonal psychology.

It would be an understatement to say that there was something special about the Beatles. How did these four young musicians come together at the perfect time, and how did everything go so perfectly right for them that they became arguably the greatest band ― and one of the most significant cultural phenomena ― that the world has ever seen? Was it simply a series of lucky coincidences, or could there be a larger reason for their success?

Steve Taylor, a renowned scholar of psychology and spirituality, and former professional musician, retells the story of the Beatles through the lens of their own creativity: from the unparalleled synchronicities and synergy that generated their success, to the ideal flow state they cultivated as a group, the relentless self-actualisation of each of the members, and how they opened their minds to connect to the zeitgeist of the 1960s, to both access their own intrinsic creativity and become transmitters of a creative energy that transcended themselves.

This is the story of the Beatles from an entirely new angle, and is an appreciation of the psychological, spiritual, and cultural forces they harnessed to access their own genius. Wildly enjoyable and packed full of surprising insights into the Beatles’ journey, Across the Universe is an invitation to experience the Beatles’ brilliance anew.”

NEW BOOKS

Part of the purpose of this blog is to inform the viewers of forthcoming books about the Beatles. Creating the early awareness of a title that you may be interested in is part of the function of this blog. My personal viewpoint of what appears to be an interesting book will be forthcoming in the fall of 2026 when I read it and express my opinions and feelings!

I have a particular interest in this type of psychological assessment of what made the chemistry and symbiotic relationships of the Beatles so unique and magical! Stay tuned…

Be healthy and be happy!

Cheers and best wishes!

Buzz

A couple of recent magazines about the Beatles lead guitarist, George Harrison. George has a February birthday, and he falls under the astrological sign of Pisces. George, long after his passing in 2001, has finally achieved the recognition and praise that he was not given full appreciation for while the legendary band was together. George’s song ofHere Comes the Sun is the most frequently streamed song on the internet with over a billion streams. George was the Beatle who probably welcomed the dissolution of the Beatles more so than any other member of the band as he finally became the king of his own castle without the immense shadows of Lennon and McCartney hovering over him!

George received seemingly universal respect and admiration from the musicians who worked with him as a solo artist!

Seamus Hayes, a friend and fellow Beatlemaniac recently informed me of these 2 magazines with a Harrison focus. Some people love this type of magazine and others say that the material is often too repetitive and does not contain enough new material to make it worthwhile. I have mixed feelings as many of these magazines have great critical reviews of the artist’s work that are unavailable elsewhere. Some even feature rare and obscure interviews.

I have included the links for the following 2 magazines if you decided you would like to order them from the respective vendors. The UK is the best source for these types of magazines with such titles as Uncut, Mojo, and Record Collector which often feature Beatles cover stories, that often have the entire magazine content featuring the Beatles as a group or as individual solo artists!

Uncut Greats Issue 2 George Harrison | Kelsey Media

Record Collector Presents… George Harrison – Record Collector Magazine

Would love to hear your sentiments about George Harrison’s contributions to the Beatles legacy!

Is George your favorite Beatle? If so, why does he hold that place in the Beatles pantheon for you?

One of George’s final recordings:

Pisces Fish

Mike Love of the Beach Boys tribute to his fellow Pisces buddy, George Harrison:

Pisces Brothers

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz

Many Beatles fans have made the pilgrimage to discover Beatles-related sites in London. Recently I received several wonderful photos from a friend that I know in the UK that I have never personally met, Robin Hadden. Robin has been so kind to me since I first heard from him on my old Facebook page. He has helped me acquire several nice Beatle collectibles that I had been searching for quite some time!

Recently Robin made a trip to London, and he sent me a few photos of a trip he made to several Beatles-related sites. He graciously has allowed me to share those pictures with you!

RICHARD PORTER’S LEGENDARY BEATLES WALKING TOUR OF LONDON:

This is a highly recommended tour that noted Beatles expert Richard Porter has conducted for many years to the great satisfaction of so many fascinated Beatles fans. When you are planning a trip to London, please check out this site to arrange a tour with Richard. You will love it and will remember for the balance of your lives!

Beatles London Walks and Tours with Richard Porter

WHERE THE 4 KINGS OF EMI MADE THE MOST OF THEIR RECORDINGS

On a personal note, one of the highlights of my life was in 1988. We got to visit the Abbey Road studios where most of the Beatles superb catalog was recorded. Additionally, we got the opportunity to go inside the studios with a tour group from Liverpool Productions. Not only did we visit Studio 2, but we were also very fortunate in being able to make a recording as backing singers on a cover version of Ben E. King’s Stand by Me.

You could feel the ghosts in that room and that is not hyperbole. On the exterior wall years later, I was able to post a message on the wall that was published in a book before it was washed away in the weekly/bi-weekly cleaning of the wall done as a regular maintenance to make room for thousands more messages by Beatles fans honoring their favorite band!

Photos by Robin Hadden from his recent London excursion:

IF ONLY THE WALLS IN THIS BUILDING COULD TALK: ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS

A couple of photos by Robin Hadden of the world-famous crosswalk where the famous album cover was shot. You can see in the background the white exterior wall of Abbey Road studios where fans leave their messages honoring the Fab 4.

An anonymous bystander took this photo of Robin Hadden making the obligatory trek across the famous crosswalk!

The site of the last live Beatles performance on the roof of this building at 3 Savile Row!

Photos by Robin Hadden: You can see the blue plaque on the building!

The blue plaque in closeup!

1 Soho Square, London-MPL

The site of Paul McCartney’s business operations of MPL in the Soho district

To conclude this blog post I wanted to discuss one of Robin Hadden’s former collecting passions. Robin had specialized in the collection of vinyl records that were in stereo that had the gold Parlophone label. Some of those records were extremely difficult to find but Robin has a great talent of being patient and not being impulsive as a collector like I am. He eventually acquired a near complete gold Parlophone collection. He has since moved on from that passion and has sold off some of his rarities.

Robin’s stories highlight the fact that most collectors have different approaches and interest in their passions for collecting. Some collect vinyl 45s with picture sleeves, some collect vinyl LPs, some collect Eps, others collect 8-Tracks whereas there are also reel-to reel collectors. Some collect Bubblegum cards, some collect CDs or laser disks. My particular collecting passion is Beatles print material. Collecting has a variety of interests that may appeal to a large group of individuals or a very small segment of the population! It demonstrates the wisdom of the old cliche that VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!!!

THE SPECIALIZATION ASPECT OF COLLECTING: Robin Hadden Collected Gold Parlophone Vinyl Records!

The mentioning above of Robin Hadden having specialized in the collecting of gold Parlophone’s is demonstrated by one of the more difficult stereo gold Parlophone records he was looking for. (see below) He acquired the disk below and discovered it was not the stereo edition he was looking for but the record he acquired was in Mono instead.

Robin has now left his former passion for Gold Parlophone’s and has moved on.

At this juncture I would like to pose a question. How many collectors out there would find it to be extremely difficult to move on from their collection of items that they have loved so dearly? If you would have great trouble parting with your collections, what would soothe that transition for you?

Wings – London Town (Audio)

Hope you enjoyed this post that veered away from our regular discussion of print media! Thanks again Robin for the use of your photos!

Be healthy and be happy!

Buzz