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.
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Periodically, we highlight the written works of special Beatles book authors who have distinguished themselves with their work about the band – this time, Ken McNab. Today, I would like to highlight the work of three special Beatles books by noted author, Ken McNab. I have never been disappointed by a Ken McNab Beatles book. Hope you enjoy this blog post!
SPOTLIGHT ON A BEATLES BOOK AUTHOR– KEN MCNAB
#1
The Beatles in Scotland Hardcover – November 10, 2008
by Ken McNab (Author)
An excellent book concerning the Beatles appearances in Scotland over the years and the importance of the country specifically as it relates to a couple of the Fab4. A highly recommended book if you do not have this one in your collection.
The Beatles in Scotland
A very detailed book detailing the disintegration and eventual dissolution of the band. Wonderfully written and the detail is extraordinary and captivating!
And in the End: The Last Days of The Beatles Hardcover – August 18, 2020
by Ken McNab (Author)
And In The End – The Last Days of The Beatles
#3
This is Ken’s latest work. It details the important transitions that occurred in 1963 that catapulted the Beatles to the promised land. Ken details the Beatles rare 1963 one hour performance at the Stowe boys school in this book. I am hoping that the surviving reel to reel tape, using the Peter Jackson technology, will be able to be cleaned up sonically and eventually released to the public!
Shake it Up, Baby: The Rise of Beatlemania and the Mayhem of 1963 Hardcover – 7 Sept. 2023
by Ken McNab (Author)
It will be a pleasure for all of you to read Ken’s account of the importance of 1963 in their road to immortality!
Shake it Up Baby
All of Ken’s titles are available to purchase on either Amazon US or Amazon UK!
Buzz
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AUTHORS WE HAVE AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
Richard Hamilton, with his back to the camera, working on the poster to be included with the release of the 1968 double Beatles LP. Much of the material on the album was written in India. The Beatles were to record the demos for this LP at George Harrison’s home in the English county of Esher! The demos were recorded at the bungalow known as Kinfauns!
Richard Hamilton with Paul McCartney
A book I acquired that details some of Mr. Hamilton’s work. Issued in Germany by Kestner-Gesellschaft in Hanover. The book is entitled:
Exteriors Interiors Objects People – It appears to have been published in 1990 or 1991
Richard Hamilton’s Book
Richard Hamilton’s signature which came with my purchase of this book on Ebay. It is interesting to see the influence Mr. Hamilton may have had in the decisions to react to the previously ornate Sgt. Pepper cover with the stark “White Album” cover. I remember purchasing my first copy of the “The White Album” at Caldor’s Department Store. It was in a display case also selling “Beggar’s Banquet” by the Rolling Stones. Despite being more expensive as a double LP, I quickly shelled out the funds for the double album and retreated back to my home to soak in all the sonic delights! As subscribers of this blog are well aware, I also try to collect the signatures of the people that made significant contributions either to the Beatles music or the artwork associated with their LP’s. Having Mr. Hamilton’s signature is special to me!
Richard Hamilton’s Signature
Hamilton’s Back Cover to his German book:
Rear Cover of Hamilton’s Book
A couple of interesting internet sites with articles about the “White Album.”
A SAMPLE OF THE WHITE ALBUM FROM AMAZON-the only recognizable details being the embossed title of the LP and the numbering sequence which was quite the successful marketing technique as over the years, earlier sequenced stamped numbered LP’s are considered to be more valuable and command higher prices in collecting circles!
The White Album – The Beatles
A personalized copy of the White Album signed to me by engineer/producer, Chris Thomas. The signing was arranged and acquired for me through Beatles expert Philippe Colinge. Thomas ended up producing several tracks on the White album due to George Martin being away on a vacation. The vacation was probably due to the stress that was going on between the Beatles at the time. Chris Thomas also produced the Apple group, Badfinger.
Which is your favourite Album Cover by The Beatles?
Buzz
More Great Books on The Beatles at The Beatles Bookstore
A WONDERFUL SERIES OF BEATLES RECORDING REFERENCE BOOKS WRITTEN BY AUTHOR JERRY HAMMACK (edited by Gillian G. Gaar)
Nominated for the 2018 Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) Awards for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research. Both Volume 1 and Volume 3 have been recognized by the ARSC. The five volumes are part of the permanent collection of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Library and Archives. The reference manuals are updated on a regular basis when new information comes in that impacts the narrative.
This means that readers are getting the most up-to-date understanding of how these songs were created in the studio from first take to final remix. Volume 1 is in its 8th edition, volume 2 is in its 6th edition, Volume 3 is in its 3rd edition, Volume 4 is in its 5th edition, and Volume 5 is in its 3rd edition. This is quite the honor for both the author Jerry Hammack, and the editor, Gillian Gaar!
For further information and inquiries concerning the reference titles, the URL’s are provided here:
The titles are also available for purchase on Amazon. There are both hardcover and softcover editions of the books available.
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 1: My Bonnie through Beatles For Sale (1961-1964) (Beatles Recording Reference Manuals) Paperback – July 7, 2017
by Jerry Hamack (Author), Gillian G Gaar (Editor)
Softcover first published–CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (July 7, 2017)
Hardcover-Independently published (November 30, 2021)
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Volume 1
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 2: Help! through Revolver (1965-1966) (Beatles Recording Reference Manuals) Paperback – February 15, 2018
by Jerry Hammack (Author), Gillian G. Gaar (Editor)
Hardcover-Independently published (November 30, 2021)
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Volume 2
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 3: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band through Magical Mystery Tour (late 1966-1967) (Beatles Recording Reference Manuals) Paperback – October 11, 2018
by Jerry Hammack (Author), Gillian G. Gaar (Editor)
Hardcover-Independently published (November 30, 2021)
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Volume 3
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 4: The Beatles through Yellow Submarine (1968 – early 1969) (Beatles Recording Reference Manuals) Paperback – November 18, 2019
by Jerry Hamack (Author), Gillian G. Gaar (Editor)
Independently published (November 18, 2019)
Hardcover-Independently published (November 30, 2021)
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Volume 4
The Beatles Recording Reference Manual: Volume 5: Let It Be through Abbey Road (1969 – 1970) Paperback – November 17, 2020
by Jerry Hammack (Author), Gillian G. Gaar (Editor)
Independently published (November 17, 2020)
Hardcover-Independently published (November 30, 2021)
The mercurial Allan Williams, the Beatles first manager, passed away in 2016 at the age of 86. I met Allan back in the mid-70s at a Joe Pope Beatles convention held at the old Bradford Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts! One thing you learn about Allan very quickly is that he certainly was not a teetotaler. He knew how to bend the elbow to consume beverages with alcohol in them. He had a very feisty and humorous personality always trying to stretch the bounds as to what he could get away with!
What stories he could tell, though one was always perplexed as to how much he was saying was pure exaggeration or hyperbole in the describing of events in the Beatles early years. Say what you want about Allan and the speculation that he could never have taken them as far as the knowledgeable gentleman, Brian Epstein, but one thing Allan can be credited with was the decision to take the Beatles to Hamburg, Germany!
Allan Williams and The Beatles
There the Beatles played 7-8 hour sessions in front of the German crowds and their musicianship improved significantly as a result. They also began to have more of a fashion sense meeting people like Astrid Kirchherr, Klaus Voormann, and Jurgen Vollmer! This set the stage for the more polished refinements that Brian Epstein would implement when he became their manager once they returned to Liverpool. Allan had many fascinating stories to tell, like the recording of “Summertime” that a few members of the Beatles recorded with Lu Walters in Hamburg.
Speculation is that only 8 copies of the very early recording were made and that Allan had one of them. Well, Allan supposedly lost his copy of the record by leaving it in a taxi. Only Allan could have done such a thing. Even Mark Lewisohn has failed to track down a surviving copy in his exhaustive research. The story about the King Size Taylor tape of the Beatles made in Hamburg was fascinating as Allan tried to sell the tape to the Beatles to release the performances. George Harrison met with Allan and turned him down but he did give Allan a handful of rubies as a gift according to Allan’s first book! It was difficult reading Allan’s book knowing that both he and Pete Best would not reach the pinnacles of fame of the band they had managed or been a part of and that they would become footnotes in the Beatles story and history!
As it turns out, Pete Best, according to some reports has done OK financially with the release of the Anthology records that he played on and he has finally earned some overdue compensation for having been sacked by the band. History will also judge Allan in a much more favorable light when it sinks into the public at large how important the Beatles going to Hamburg was in helping find the final ingredients in the recipe for worldwide fame. Allan will not be forgotten. He has three books written about him and his Beatles exploits in the early years of the band! I spoke to Allan for about three hours back in the 70’s and those three hours were unforgettable, memorable, and very funny!!! Reading his books, you will see what I mean.
What a lively character he was!
Here are a few samples of some of the existing print material concerning Allan Williams:
The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away
By Allan Williams and William Marshall Published by Macmillan, 1975
The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away by Allan Williams
Allan Williams and William Marshall
Elm Tree Books-1975 (I personally prefer this cover to the above release)
The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away by Allan Williams
The Beatles 1st Manager Allan Williams is the Fool on the Hill: How the Beat Went on After His Big “Beatles” Blunder Hardcover – 21 Aug. 2003 Published by Guy Woodland
The Fool On the Hill written by Lew Baxter
The Fool On The Hill
The Fool On The Hill
The proof copy of the book signed by the author Lew Baxter and the subject of the book, Allan Williams! I bought this item on an eBay auction.
The Fool on the Hill Proof Copy
Both the author, Lew Baxter and the subject of the book, affixed their signatures to the proof copy!
The Fool on the Hill Proof Copy signed by the Authors
A proposed screenplay by Colin MacFarlane which I purchased on Amazon. Would have loved to see this as a movie though they would certainly have trouble keeping it as an R-rating….LOL!!!
The Fool Who Lost The Beatles
The Fool Who Lost The Beatles
The Fool Who Lost The Beatles
Liverfool, Allan Williams, French language book/ Graphic novel about Allan
by Damien Vanders (Drawings), Gihef (Contributor)
PAQUET-Publisher 2012
Liverfool, Allan Williams, French language book/ Graphic novel about Allan
‘De Echte Beatles Story’ Dutch Paperback Book
‘De Echte Beatles Story’ (The Real Beatles Story) Dutch paperback book by Allan Williams, published by Centripress BV Bussum.
This 136 page book has Allan Williams, the Beatles first manager, offer an insight into the early years of the band. Please note that the book is in the Dutch language.
‘De Echte Beatles Story’ Dutch Paperback Book
One of the paperback editions of Allan’s first book: published by Ballantine in 1977:
The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away – Allan Williams and Williams Marshall
THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM
What better way to end this story than by portraying the photograph by Barry Chang that was so prophetic in predicting the Beatles eventual fate once they were to arrive in Germany….
Though taken in the Netherlands at a war memorial they certainly could not have seen how the words, written on an inanimate object, could foretell what might happen to some of the people in this photo. One would be asked to leave the group and be replaced by a member of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, one would die from a hemorrhage of the brain after leaving the group for his ambition to be an artist and finding love with Astrid.
The manager would be replaced by a businessman, Brian Epstein who took the Beatles to the top of the mountain, yet he was to die from a drug overdose at the young age of 32. One of the members of the group not in the photograph was to be murdered in 1980. Another member of the group was to be attacked and almost killed at his home at Henley. He survived that attack, yet was to die soon thereafter from cancer as a result of a lifelong smoking habit. FAME is clearly not always as rosy a picture that is often framed or portrayed by the media! It seems to be a fairly accurate bit of philosophizing that claims that whatever is achieved or attained in one’s life, there is a trade-off, and something must be given up to attain that very high level of acclaim or stature!!!
The Beatles on the way to Hamburg – Copyright Barry Chang
Great Northern Books Ltd Presents: “With The Beatles” set for August 2024 release
With The Beatles by Patrick Humphries
Description of the Book:
Amazon UK will be carrying this wonderful book with US distributors currently being discussed, and I look forward to adding this title to my large Beatles library. “Something New” is not just the title of a US Beatles LP release, it also refers to any Beatles information that we may not have been exposed to previously. That is the litmus test for me as a Beatles book collector. Does it add additional information or perspectives about the group and make a unique contribution to the Beatles fan knowledge base? Knowing Patrick, I am sure that criteria will be thoroughly satisfied with this exciting new title!!!
Buzz
Discover More About The Beatles at the Beatles Bookstore
Interview with Paddy Delaney and George Harrison’s Parents
Although Allan Williams did occasionally visit the Cavern, he was a very independent and headstrong individual. He had opened his own club, the Jacaranda, and had his hands in the operation of numerous Liverpool venues. He signed this EP by The Big Three along with Cavern compere Bob Wooler on the back side of the EP. The Big Three were acknowledged as possibly being the best rock musicians in Liverpool even at the time of the Beatles. Their lack of songwriting ability was the apparent drawback to a bigger claim at fame. This perception was passed on to me by none other than Tony Bramwell, a friend of the Fabs!
The Big Three Record
The signatures of the Beatles first manager along with the Cavern compere:
Signatures of Allan Williams and Bob Wooler
Cavern Owner: Ray McFall
Pictured: Bob Wooler – Cavern compere with the owner of the Cavern – Ray McFall. Wooler appears in the background. Ray McFall was instrumental in achieving the transition from what was viewed as primarily a jazz club, to a rock ‘n’ roll club. Hesitant at first, the success of the Beatles forced his hand as his business instincts directed him to make the change in the focus of the club!
A Ray McFall signed Cavern contract in 1964 for a group to appear at the Cavern called the “Redcaps” which I purchased from the UK company entitled TRACKS.
Ray McFall Signed Contract
You saw the Bob Wooler signature on THE BIG THREE EP above and here is a photo of a book written about Bob Wooler by Spencer Leigh. We all know that Bob literally introduced the Beatles at the Cavern well over 100 times. Bob was beaten up at Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party by John Lennon when he attempted to make a joke about Lennon’s trip to Spain with Brian Epstein in 1963. A financial settlement was reportedly worked out between John and Bob Wooler.
Bob Wooler Biography
Thought a great way to end this post is this immortal Granada TV Cavern appearance (colorized) that appears on YouTube with Bob Wooler’s intro of the Beatles! Hope you enjoy!
This first-hand account of Debbie’s teen years frequenting and eventually helping to run the original Cavern Club is the authentic inside story of the Beatles launch pad, full of triumphs and failures – and surprise celebrity encounters.
£17.25Original price was: £17.25.£13.50Current price is: £13.50.
