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.
If you would like to receive notifications of all new posts to this blog, you will need to register or subscribe. Then you will be kept up-to-date by email that new posts have appeared! If you enjoy the page, please pass the word on to your fellow Beatle fan friends! Thank you!
Don’t forget that there are hundreds of Blog Posts here, so check them out on the Index at the bottom of the page!
Hardcover (with dust jacket), limited edition, numbered and signed, comes with one big colored poster, two small black and white posters, one quote card, one bookmark and four wallet-size photos of the individual Beatles.
The Beatles in the Philippines-Learn about the controversy surrounding the Beatles and the Marcos family. Many people have speculated that what happened to the Beatles in Manila hastened their decision to permanently stop touring!
This book is only available through Facebook. A signed limited edition of 1,000 copies which chronicles the Beatles controversial escapades in the Philippines.
Contact information in the Philippines for those who may be interested in the book:
Available at Popular Bookstore, 305 FLP Building, Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City. For orders and inquiries, please message/ e-mail us at pobost@yahoo.com.ph, you may also contact 8332-1567 ; 949 1234 464 BUSINESS HOURS: 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM ; Monday to Friday except Holidays
The Beatles in Manila Book Package
This book was brought to my attention by Seamus Hayes, an excellent Beatles book and print collector from the UK. I thank him for his diligence as you have to be a Facebook member to be able to buy this book. My Facebook days are over, but new and better things are on the horizon though…!!! Stay tuned!
Thanks to Seamus, I was able to acquire a copy of this book for the collection, the last signed and numbered copy! Grateful to my good friends across the pond!
The Beatles in Manila Book
My Signed Copy – Number 1000
The Stack of Signed Books – Going Fast
Hope you enjoy this amazing book about one of the most famous incidents in the Beatles touring years.
A few interesting John Lennon print items I was able to acquire on eBay in the last 5 years:
The first item is an educational guide printed by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame intended to help educators in the task of being able to teach youngsters about the life and contributions of John Lennon to both music and culture.
John Lennon His Life And Work A Guide For Educators Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Guide to Lennon His Life and Work
Contents
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame
This is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Lennon catalog summarizing John’s life and contributions to worldwide culture. This wonderful book is available both at the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, at their website, and through such organizations as eBay.
Lennon His Life and Work
John Lennon Tribute Tribute Concert 1990
A wonderful Lennon tribute concert program from Liverpool in 1990. This is the program that was available at the event. I love items like this as it serves as a memento of the concert even if you were not fortunate enough to be able to attend. There was a DVD, laser disk, and VHS release of this concert, with actor Michael Douglas serving as the narrator/host.
Before I departed Facebook, the announcement came across the medium that Lizzie Bravo had passed away from heart problems at age 70. I was fortunate to have had the good fortune to have many communications with the very prominent and celebrated Lizzie on Instant Messenger on Facebook. She was a wonderful lady with a warm heart and so many great memories of her travelling from her native Brazil in the sixties to London, to be present during the Beatles golden age of musical creations.
Across The Universe
She was also one of two fans, Gayleen Pease was the other, who was invited to sing backing vocals on John Lennon’s song “Across the Universe” in 1968. I firmly believe “Across the Universe” is one of the Beatles’ most underrated numbers. Several years ago, Lizzie published her Beatles memoirs in a book that was published in her native Brazil. I was able to purchase a signed copy from her.
Lizzie’s Inscription for John
I loved the photos, but I am not knowledgeable of the Portuguese language, so I missed out on most of the stories behind the photos. At the end of her life, Lizzie had completed her English translation of her book and was seeking out the best publication arrangement that she could find for its release.
Lizzie Bravo’s Book
Several months after her passing, I contacted Lizzie’s daughter to ask her if she had plans to complete her mom’s wish to one day issue the book in English. She promised me that she would eventually issue her mom’s book in English as that would ensure a much wider audience for the book by the prominent Beatles fan. I have included several photos here of the Brazilian edition of the book and I am sure we will all look forward to the day when her family is able to produce the English language edition for Beatles fans everywhere.
Our genuine raffle is for 4 people to join as our VIP ‘Tommy Hanley’ guests at our table of 10, alongside Tony, Tommy’s son, meeting at 11.30am for pre-lunch drinks, and a 3-course lunch (with even more drinks) and legendary broadcaster “Whispering” Bob Harris, the unmistakable voice of the Old Grey Whistle test & BBC Music radio. Bob shares five decades of remarkable stories from the Beatles to Dolly Parton hosted by his great friend Charles Dagnall.
The Event
The event is at Balls Brothers wine bar, Minster Exchange on Thurs 26 Oct, 2023. The event closes at 4PM, after which the lucky winners, with not one but two unique limited edition copies of ‘With a Little Help From My Lens’ by Tommy Hanley, may wander back to the citizenM hotel, (rated 8.7 Fabulous, on Booking.com), 40 Trinity Square, City of London, EC3N 4DJ, and freshen up in two King size rooms, ready for an evening at leisure, exploring the sites of London, as you please. Breakfast is included in the package prior to check out Friday 27th Oct.
Who was Tommy Hanley? Tommy was a London born, professional photographer, that during his 50-year career, photographed numerous musical rock, pop and jazz artists, of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. It all started in 1963 when he took the iconic shot of four lads from Liverpool before they went on stage to perform to screaming hoards, at the Odeon cinema, Luton, UK on September 6th. Tommy’s own story starts right there, and he transformed his journey into a special collector’s book, ‘With A Little Help From My Lens’.
With A Little Help From My Lens
Curated by his son Tony, and brought to fruition, as a labour of love, this unique publication, features over 300 glorious images (many of which are unseen), and from behind the camera, is Tommy’s original story, covering three decades, up to his final departure from Apple Corp, where in ’95, he was the ‘go to’ archivist for the upcoming Anthology project.
This unique collector’s book is genuinely limited to 1000 COPIES ONLY WORLDWIDE. It is retailed at £495ea and selling fast. It is not available in any store, or on any website, other than www.tommyhanley.com. When the last copy has gone, then its most definitely GONE FOR EVER!
Don’t forget to recommend The Beatles Bookstore Blog to your friends!
“With a Little Help From My Lens” – a selection of book testimonials are: –
‘Tom’s beautiful book is most impressive. His son, Tony has taken the care and attention to present Toms images and well written text to make it a quality product and a book that will be loved by any Beatles fan.
Jill Furmanovsky – Photographer Oasis, Blondie, and numerous other artists. Rockarchive.com
‘Thank you so much for finishing your father’s wonderful book. Just finished its read last night and am very enlightened. Loved everything about it. It was not like a “history documentary”, but more like sitting with an old friend as he tells his stories. And such great photos. Originally thought I was crazy, as it is the most I have ever paid for a book, but in the end, well worth it. Glad it is a contribution to me & my son’s (overgrown) collection.
Shelley, USA (Genuine book purchase)
‘My latest TV documentary ‘A Love Letter To The Beatles.’ charts the massive impact that The Beatles meant to a generation. To stare into very soul of The Beatles, Tommy Hanley’s book ‘With a Little Help From My Lens; is a massive hit! Tommy’s images evidence that he was there in the epicentre, and visually tells the stories of the most extraordinary career in music history. His talent behind the lens makes us feel like we are in front of it, in the room with John, Paul, George, Ringo, their families, colleagues and entourages. It’s a remarkable achievement to have been able to document such a journey in so much detail and bought to life in this not to be missed, first-class publication.
Simon Weitzman. Author & Film Director.
Tom Hanley, noted and distinguished photographer, was there to photograph the Beatles during their heyday and rise to the pinnacle of fame and notoriety also had the distinction of being there to help chronicle the demise of the world’s greatest entertainment phenomenon. When Tom Hanley passed away in November of 2021, his son fulfilled a promise to his dad with this great book, a wonderful collection of many of his Beatle photos taken over the years. When I learned that Tony was issuing only 1,000 copies of this book and it was not to be produced in any other form whatsoever, I knew I had to have one and I was fortunate to have been able to purchase copy #900 of 1,000 issued. I was not disappointed. It is a fabulous book. If you are a Beatles book collector, this is one you will NEED for your collection. “With a Little Help From My Lens” is one of the best photography books about the world’s best pop band, without question, and one of my favourite books in my massive Beatles library!
Mr John Bezzini, USA. Probably THE person with THE largest Beatle book collection IN THE WORLD!
A new massive privately published photo book by noted Italian Beatles collectors Fulvio Fiore and Alex Franchi about The Beatles in Italy. Over 500 pages of photos. I bought a copy today for my collection. Interested parties can contact Alex Franchi at the email soundlover30@hotmail.com
A Look Inside The Beatles in Italy Book
Inside the Beatles in Italy bookInside the Beatles in Italy bookInside the Beatles in Italy bookInside the Beatles in Italy bookInside the Beatles in Italy bookThe Beatles in Italy book
This is a beautiful book. Well done to the authors
Though there was an excellent Derek Taylor biography with the limited edition Genesis book, “Fifty Years Adrift,” and a book that Derek authored about the 20th anniversary of Sgt Pepper, and a title of more general musical memories entitled “As Time Goes By,” this Derek Taylor biography by author Andrew Darlington is an underrated book detailing the importance and relevance of this character in the Beatles story!
Done with the cooperation of the Taylor family, I certainly enjoyed this book dealing with the wit, wisdom, and intelligence of this Beatles confidante. Only Neil and Mal could rival or exceed the importance of Derek in the inner circle of the Beatles!
Derek Taylor For Your Radioactive Children
Derek Taylor For Your Radioactive Children
Derek Taylor For Your Radioactive Children
Derek Taylor For Your Radioactive Children
It Was Twenty Years Ago
1987 Touchstone Edition-Derek’s analysis of the 20th anniversary of the epic Beatles LP and all the cultural changes surrounding those years. An excellent book.
It Was Twenty Years Ago Today
As Time Goes By
As Time Goes By
1983 Edition published by Popular Culture Ink which at one time was known as Pierian Press
As Time Goes By
Straight Arrow Books, Incorporated-1973 edition
As Time Goes By
Davis-Poynter 1973 hardcover edition
As Time Goes By
Derek Taylor – Genesis
Derek’s Genesis Publications limited edition “Fifty Years Adrift” book-though a fabulous book, most of the Beatles book collecting audience is not privy to it’s contents due to the limited nature of it’s release. There were only two thousand copies issued and to the best of my knowledge the book has never appeared in any other edition. That truly is a shame! All copies of this edition were signed by Derek!
Fifty Years Adrift
The rarest Derek Taylor book of them all. Only 100 copies of this edition of the “As Time Goes By” book were issued by Genesis Publications. All copies were signed by Derek.
Fifty Years Adrift
Derek Taylor Beatles trivia question
What prominent Beatles song from the White Album did Derek Taylor contribute lyrics to? There may be more than one answer to this question! Let me know in the comments below.
From Tony Hanley
I loved the Derek Taylor post as I met him (as a kid) on quite a few occasions, and it brought back some great memories, so I thought I would share the attached and following, if you want to share with your followers.
During school holidays, I would catch the train up to London to spend the day with Tom at his Museum Street studio On one occasion when my Dad visited the Apple (or WEA) offices, During the day, if he needed to go somewhere it was often within walking distance, and it was always great news if he said we were off to visit Derek Taylor. I always remember Derek as a generous, lively, happy individual.
So off we would trundle to see Derek, who looking back, you might say that was ‘bordering on the eccentric’ or ‘had a massively creative brain’, or both, either way, he was always immensely welcoming and I knew that to keep me amused while Tom and Derek talked ‘shop’, Derek would first walk me to a secretary and say ‘get Tony a coke’, and sit him down over there. ‘Over there’ was where the finished albums were on many shelves and I was always told ‘there you go, help yourself’. At the embarrassment of my dad, Tom, I would always try and carry as much as my own body weight, in a box, to which Tom would say ‘you’re not taking all that lot, now go and put some back!’, to which I would reluctantly comply.
I often wondered why some of the albums that I managed to take away had a full album cover, but the vinyl had no record label, just a white disc marked ‘promo copy only – not for resale’ needles to say 50 something years later, of course I know what they were, and I’m sure that some of them must be of immense value today, had I have kept them.
Besides giving some to my mates, or repeatedly playing some to the point of nearly wearing them down, some 6 or 7 house moves later, they are sadly no more. The upside is that one of the albums from Apple was ‘That’s the way God planned it’ by Billy Preston, not that it converted me to religion, as that was the album that introduced me to his honey like voice, fantastic (Hammond) organ sound, and an introduction to blues music, which was a wonder to behold. I am forever in awe of Billy Preston’s incredible talent.
There you go – just a fond memory of Derek Taylor.
