Bought this wonderful limited edition and signed book of The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics back in 2017 from Waterstones Bookstore in the UK. Unfortunately that was also the year that graphic artist/illustrator Alan Aldridge passed away.
Alan not only had a unique artistic vision as it applied to the Beatles. His illustrations of Beatles songs sparked many spirited conversations concerning his interpretations of the songs. Aldridge also had a very distinctive signature when he signed his books as you will see below. He had an association with John Lennon, giving John a print of his illustrated lyric of John’s song “Dr. Robert”, and also designing a John Lennon ‘Superman’ book cover!
The signed edition portrayed below was limited to 1,500 copies!
The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics
The back cover of the book
The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics
The signature page
Signed Page
A note from Alan:
John Lennon as Superman
Aldridge also did a reprinted cover image for one of John Lennon’s books. He portrayed Lennon as Superman, but was forced to change the ‘S’ to avoid copyright problems. I believe Alan also took the photo of the front cover of the book.
The Penguin John Lennon
Volumes 1 and 2 of Aldridge’s successful hardcovers from 1969 and 1971. Published by Delacorte
Volumes One and Two of The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics
Another distinctive example of Aldridge’s unique signature:
Do you have these books? What do you think of his illustrations? Has he captured the lyrics? Let me know in the comments.
Mono Mixes of Let It Be and Abbey RoadMono Mixes of Let It Be and Abbey Road
Rare Beatles Recordings in Mono
This gives us all concrete proof that rare Beatles recordings in Mono mixes were done, mixed and produced for Abbey Road and the Let It Be albums. Although these mixes have never been officially released, here are my personal CD copies of both of those mixes and the EMI Tape boxes used to house them in. The labels are shown here for those stored recordings, and as per their contract situation prevailing at the time they were seeded to Parlophone Records. The recordings actually are excellent as well!! Should be available to purchase, I 100% believe.
Badfinger
Badfinger in ConcertBadfinger in Concert
This CD came direct to me from a contact at the BBC. This is straight from their archives and is a copy of a live concert programme for Badfinger. Recorded and Broadcast from Wales in 1972. It is an extremely good concert with only possibly two songs that might need some editing or enhanced production. Badfinger was indeed a well-knitted and tight band, and this is one of the few excellent recordings of them in concert. It would have made an excellent live album !! It might have given the band a big push!!
Balls
Fight For My Country by Balls
This is another rare to find, and well-lost Apple Studios demo recording. The artist is Balls, and the song is titled Fight For My Country. Its a good progressive slab of rock, quite well played, and it is well produced in Mono. Again there is no details of personnel of the Band, and finding them is very difficult, or perhaps nigh on impossible. Another one from that under the Floor No 3 Savile Row Vault.
Paul McCartney The White Album Interview
Paul and John Interviews
John Lennon Abbey Road Interview
Paul and John Interviews
These are really the Pieces de Resistance of this little bunch. The ideals of Apple were to promote the product as works and pieces of art, for that is what they most certainly were. It was EMI etc that counted the money that was to be coming in from each well-made product!
The Beatles at this time undertook a lot of promotion in order to fulfill that Operational Mendi of giving the artist a better deal. They were also doing this to their own products, and we have two fine examples here. The first one is an interview by Paul to promote the White Album released in November 1968. He gave an exclusive interview to Radio Luxemburg Host/ DJ Tony Macarthur, with sponsorship from the Daily Express. The discussion is very open and he concentrated on his tracks but gave a lot of mention to John’s Goodnight.
The second one is John accompanied by Yoko giving a discussion on Abbey Road just after the album was released, and again the discussion was very warm and open, with no hints of the problems at Apple which were bubbling away. Both interviews are given in full, but the tracks have been cleaned to provide pure listening pleasure, and they most certainly do just that. John also mentions the version of Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight from the album covered by Trash, Apple 17, and that single is also contained here, which is a very rare occurrence. The cases and labels are complete and unaltered, as per the originals, and they make a wonderful extra to these albums.
One wonders why they could not have been included in the re-boxed sets. They would have made an excellent addition or side dish as Paul likes to call odd examples. If anyone is listening, I have my copies stored safely away
This is a great little set of demos and extras from Apple Records at No 3 Savile Row, and there is still more to have, all in good time too!!
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
And it will be Felixstowe’s first-ever Beatles weekend. In fact it is not just a weekend, it will be a festival!! and one to remember forever.
The Quarrymen and Friends
The Original Quarrymen
Already so far, The Quarrymen and Friends have been booked and are confirmed to play. There will also be a Question-and-Answer session, along with a discussion and presentation by David Bedford along with Nigel Pearce, the author of Inside Number Three.
Inside Number Three
Also already appearing is Nigel Pearce who will be offering the Video Inside Number Three Presentation. This will consist of a talking introduction, along with photographs, videos, and part of his invaluable Apple Records memorabilia collection. This will be a unique opportunity to see many of the fabulous items from this colourful late period of The Beatles group career. He will again answer questions and explain fully the significance of this cultural collection and movement. Quite simply a chance not to be missed!!
Nicky Horne
Even at this early stage, there is more!! The promoter has been able to obtain the appearance of EX Capital Radio DJ and Host Nicky Horne. Nicky flew to New York in 1971 and interviewed John and Yoko, then later George Harrison and these interviews will be discussed and presented for the very first time!
So, you can already see that this unique event will be the very first we believe to cover the entire career of our favourite group from 1957 up to the mid-1970s, and all in one event!! Truly groundbreaking indeed, and as said more is to be added, so keep tuned in and stay close!! There will be weekend packages, part or day tickets, along with stalls, records, and memorabilia, and we may be able to have some Beatle authors there as well It will only get bigger !!
There will also be a special website where all this information and ticket booking guides will be collated in one place, along with accommodation information, so again stay tuned, and tell your friends the date – you won’t want to miss this!!
Finally – Phew!! The Beatles Bookstore will be an integral link in this whole process, so, as usual, this is the place to be, and there are plenty of places to stay within the Felixstowe area, again information will be made available on the event website!!
Nigel Pearce
Inside No 3
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
The colourful nostalgia of a 1960s festival, complete with music yesteryear, performances and vibrant spirit at Cromer Pier stayed resolutely upbeat despite a sudden downpour. A comprehensive account of a memorable weekend.
This weekend, Cromer Pier on the Norfolk coast was a musical epicentre of cultural revolution. This fabulous 1960s festival is a smash hit! As the sun dipped beneath the North Sea, a golden glow rippled across the water, and the sounds of the 1960s filled the air in a flashback of an era known for its exquisite melodies.
Crowds pack Cromer Pier for the 1960s festival. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
1960s Trip Down Memory Lane Success
The 1960s Festival at Cromer Pier was a marvellous day. Not even a sudden downpour could put a dampener on the event; the rain only provided a backdrop of drama. Union flags waved in the strong North Sea wind. The entire event was a plethora of memorabilia. Beatlemania was pulled out of the 1960s exhibition box, and its artefacts gave way to a whole ’60s mish-mash; a plethora of fab, ’60s stuff we all knew and loved. Trendy Mod scooters and motorbikes, hand-in-hand with 60s stalls selling vivid and colourful memories.
An array of Mopeds on Cromer Promenade. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
The festival-goers, many of whom had come from far and wide and effort, wore costumes and hairstyles from the ’60s, making the promenade and pier look like a scene from the 1960s. Visitors and locals let themselves live in the past. A real party atmosphere! It had a hit parade of the sixties. A decade full of cultural and musical innovation.
Musical Beats Of The 60s Sparkle
The Pier’s musical line-up proved the big draw to the festival, the selection lovingly organised by the Pier festival team. And so it began with The Revolvers: The Sounds of the Sixties taking to the stage from 8 pm on Friday; the weekend was underway.
Saturday saw The Counterfeit Stones on the stage, bringing the audience back in time with the timeless rock ‘n’ roll of the 60s and 70s and, on Sunday, the excitement ended with The Dusty Show. This show is full of songs performed in the beautiful tones of the legend Dusty Springfield.
Group photograph of The Twinning Association on Cromer Pier with visitors from Crest and Nidda. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
There was also a cosmopolitan feel to the event, with people from the twinned towns of Cromer – Nidda in Germany, and Crest in France – guests at the festival, escorted by the Mayor of Cromer, Pat West. They attended The Revolvers: The Sounds of the Sixties show as part of a fun-filled three days organised by The Cromer Twinning Association. “These visits between our twinning towns are so important” added Mr West, “It ensures continued cultural exchange and friendships across the water. The show was fantastic and it was a foot-stomping experience for our visitors and locals alike”
Mayor, Pat West, Ruth Azais, Nhan Nguyen and Claude Lamarre visiting Cromer and the 1960s event from Crest France. Photos by Andreas Yiasimi.
Top Performers Shine Brightly On The Pier
One of the brilliant performances on the day was by the quintessential vintage rock ‘n’ roll event band, Peachy Beat! Known for their 1950s and ‘60s authentic repertoire, Peachy Beat exude the original sounds of rock ’n’ roll, performing classic hits from Elvis, Little Richard, The Everly Brothers and the Motown greats! The band’s live performance was high energy with a large outdoor crowd swaying and singing along and it created a magically ambient performance.
The band Peachy Beat took the festival by storm with an outstanding outdoor performance. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
One of the band members (On Saxophone and vocals) is the super-talented, Chloe Edwards-Wood, who most recently was seen on stage in the 2023 Cromer Pier Christmas Show! The entire band were a phenomenal set. The four musicians were dynamic and worked brilliantly together!
Peachy Beat highlights during their fabulous set. Photos by Andreas Yiasimi.
It’s always good to see, Sean Garrett – General Manager of the Pier Theatre, and he was an unexpected bonus on the day. He came along in his bright yellow 1960s patterned shirt, and I managed to flush him out for a picture! To make the pictorial complete!
Sean Garrett General Manager of the Pier Theatre sporting a 60s style patterned orange shirt. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
Phil Broughton, Technical Production Manager, complimented the team on their efforts – ‘Teamwork to make the dream work, the team worked hard to deliver a product with an attention to detail. A huge credit must go to Bethany Graham and Naomi Bushell from the sales marketing team for looking fabulous and creating a smooth-running operation together with the rest of the girls who provided their expertise and hospitality. The entire staff structure is a formidable force!
Phil Broughton Technical Production Manager on Cromer Pier amid union flags. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
Bethany Graham, from the sales marketing team, shared her excitement: “We were thrilled with the outpour of support that our Vintage 60s Festival received this year. Once the rain cleared, we were delighted by the floods of visitors coming to support performers Peachy Beat, DJ Roy Kelly and Marlene’s School of Dance. We are already looking ahead to 2025 and our brand-new Paws on the Pier Dog festival that will take place in March. More information coming soon.”
Naomi Bushell added, “The festival was well attended and we are delighted with the turnout. The weather was not on our side from the start, but this didn’t seem to put too much of a dampener on the free and easy 60s vibe. The arrival of over 100 scooters from the North Norfolk Scooter Club was a sight to be seen, and the classic cars and vintage stalls that lined the prom kept visitors interested all day. The pavilion bar rolled some prices back and the £1 a pint proved to be very popular! This event seems to grow each year, and we are already planning a bigger and better vintage festival for 2025.”
Bethany Graham and Naomi Bushell with the Cromer Pier dream team! Photo By Andreas Yiasimi.
Marlene’s School of Dance did brilliantly at the Vintage 60’s Festival in such tough weather conditions, this was quite an achievement. Natalie Day from Marlene’s School of Dance said: ‘It rained and poured all morning today at the Vintage 60’s Festival at Cromer Pier. After a delay, we nearly had to cancel and then the sun came out, it stopped raining, the band set up, Channel 5 managed to get some filming in and the girls were able to dance to Dancing in the Street with the beat of Peachy Beat. It was a brilliant festival highlight!’
Marlene’s School of Dance in good spirits even in the rain. Ready for another spectacular performance! Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
Behind the Scenes Of A Fantastic Weekend
Susan Calman on Cromer Pier at the 1960s event. Photo by Alan Raymond Palmer. Selfie by Lynn Padmore.
The smooth running of the festival reflected the coordination and hard work of the Pier Management and North Norfolk District Council, added to by the energy of those involved. Also making a difference was the presence of IWC Media, whose involvement demonstrated the professionalism of the festival filming for Channel 5, ‘Susan Calman’s Summer By The Sea’ What a great bunch of people! It was a joy to capture them in action for our article!
IWC Media work their magic filming, Susan Calman’s Summer By The Sea for channel 5. Photos by Andreas Yiasimi
The chair of the National Charity, which represents seaside piers and coastal communities around the entire United Kingdom, attended the festival and celebrated the event while also highlighting the importance of the pier to the town. ‘Piers are an important part of our national heritage through out the country and I am very pleased to see this 60s event so well attended,’ he said.
Tim Wardley chairman of The National Piers Society enjoying a day on Cromer Pier. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
Brilliant Talk About The Beatles
An extraordinary experience took place in the community hall in Cromer. A fascinating presentation by the renowned radio broadcasterNigel Pearce, known for programmes on Swindon 105.5 FM, Future Radio 107.8 FM in Norwich, and Norfolk’s Poppyland Community Radio FM. The subject was ‘The Beatles’ Label Apple Records’.
T-shirt worn by Nigel Pearce at the 1960s festival in Cromer. Photo by Andreas Yiasimi.
‘It’s great to see you here,’ Nigel greeted those in attendance, ‘we are looking at what went on inside number three, Savile Row London W.1, behind that famous white door. Inside the pages of my published bookInside No. 3.
The 60s scene was set by a screening of the classic Cliff Richard movie Summer Holiday, first released in 1962. The film brought back many memories for the assembled enthusiasts, who were taken on a nostalgic journey.
A very young Cliff Richard and the Parthenon in Greece photos are in the public domain.
The showcase exhibits in the hall were part of Nigel’s collection of Beatles memorabilia. There was a replica of John Lennon’s Epiphone guitar, among dozens of other pieces. ‘The ivory one is a licenced replica of Lennon’s Epiphone, which he used on later Beatle albums at Apple and EMI,’ Nigel explained, motioning toward the showpiece.
Picture highlights from Nigel Pearce fabulous collection and talk at Cromer Community Centre
Nigel also informed me about the latest developments. ‘There will be a second volume called Deeper Inside No3 which will be a further revealing of records, documents and items from those famous now lost studios at No.3. I’m delighted the Cromer 1960s spectacle has continued to grow and gain a National interest starting from the original event I founded in 2016. For more information about the Nigel’s publication, please read the book review here: Inside No. Three – Apple Records Collection by Nigel Pearce
Great Future Ahead For 1960s Festival
The festival was a re-enactment of the decade that brought people together in a celebration of a culturally booming time, which still resonates today. As the Mayor of Cromer Pat West said: “It was a great day for a truly fantastic event to celebrate our Decade the 1960’s for our lovely town. This does not happen without a coordinated effort by some wonderful people. The rain did not dampen people’s enthusiasm for visiting and I am so pleased the sun came out in the end!”
Norfolk Fudge, Picnic Patch, North Norfolk District Council Marshals and Mopeds. Pictures by Andreas Yiasimi
The festival is an important reminder of the lasting appeal of 1960s culture, and the significance of local community events in recording contemporary history. Moreover, the legacy of the 1960s on Cromer Pier is very much alive – and the festival’s overwhelming local popularity hints that there will be many more such events and celebrations in years to come as the spirit of the swinging ’60s continues to endure.
Final Thoughts On A Fun Weekend
In this sense, the 1960s festival at Cromer Pier was indeed about nostalgia; but in another sense, it was about the power of music to unify people, and is still so very important and relevant today. It gave Cromer another event to pull the local community together. As the sixties music played into the dusk on the pier, it created memories that fellow festival-goers will keep with them forever.
The festival in 2025 will be even bigger with some fantastic star names to be announced!
Get Nigel’s Excellent Book – Inside Number Three
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
As with all record companies, demos and lost recordings always feature, and it was the same with Apple Records too. However, those demos and lost recordings always resonate more with fans and some of these will feature in the next book, Deeper Inside No 3. Lost recordings and records always have a mystique, and these most certainly do. The photographs are as follows:
No. 1. Hey Jude / Revolution
Hey Jude / Revolution
This is a test pressing of that recording before the Parlophone Catalogue Number was applied R 5722. Shown here is the B side, which contains the handwriting for Promo Identification.
No. 2. Apple 8 King of Fuh – Brute Force.
Apple 8 King of Fuh – Brute Force
So much again has been said about this issue, but a quick re-brief follows. Recorded and Written by Steve Friedland and first rejected by Capitol in the USA, John Lennon and George Harrison liked the content humour and agreed to release the song. Large numbers were pressed and issued to Media people, and when the song was finally listened to, it was agreed that it simply could not go out, so was recalled and dropped. Copies are changing hands at over 3,000 pounds.
No. 3. Que Sera Sera Apple 16 – Mary Hopkin.
Que Sera Sera Apple 16 – Mary Hopkin
This single flopped when issued failing to chart anywhere in the world. Mary never liked the song and was against its release, so really her heart was not in it. Unsurprisingly it flopped and despite a re-release on Apple 27 it failed again, and both copies were quickly withdrawn.
No. 4. Happiness is a Warm Gun in Your Hand – The Beatles Demo Pressing.
Happiness is a Warm Gun in Your Hand – The Beatles Demo Pressing
This was a first-finished pressing for demo and listening only. Ostensibly a John Lennon song, as with the contract situation, the demo pressing was labelled as an EMI Recording, not Apple. This is one of the very few one-sided records in existence. Having been given this copy, in 1968, it has remained in my collection since then stored away from sunlight. This was to be the title until changed to the one we know today. The song was also reworked, mainly with the Tuba and brass moved backwards into the final mix.
No.5. Badfinger Apple 35 – Suitcase / The Name of the Game
No.5. Badfinger Apple 35 – Suitcase / The Name of the Game
Recorded by the band and planned as a single release during 1971/72. The songs were duly finished and were selected as the single APPLE 35. The finished recordings were listened to again, and George Harrison, who largely took Badfinger under his wing was rather scornful of the songs, saying that they were not strong enough. Maybe he was right at the time, but it’s worth remembering that when various compilations of Badfinger were assembled, both tracks were often included in the presentations.
This is just a sample of some of the lost and missed recordings. More will be found Deeper Inside No 3. Can you wait for it?
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
The First is a real exclusive !! Nigel Pearce is with the help of John “Buzz” Bezzini, and David Bedford, is going to release a book on the history of the actual Building No. 3 Savile Row. It is going to be a one-off special pressing release detailing the history of the building from its construction to the present day.
This will include its base for the British Admiralty, events coming from that, being the home of several British notables, and its link to The British Bowler Hat. We also will be printing a full Brochure detailing the building when put up for sale in the early 1900s. This will include complete details of the structure and rooms at the time.
When Number 3 Closed
We will be mentioning the purchase for The Beatles to be the base for Apple Records etc. as well as a little section on the Get Back sessions. We will also re-printthe affidavit submitted to the High Court by Alen Klein, for the famous case of Paul McCartney versus the other three Beatles and Apple Corps.
We will also reprint the full page published detailing the judgement given by QC Mr. Justice Stamp, who was presiding over the proceedings.
This publication again will be issued from documents held in my personal collection, and again many of which have been forgotten, or never seen. Discussions are being held now with publishers, and they are apparently very keen. More will be revealed.
A Rare Apple Record from Nigel’s Collection
There is going to be another “Inside Number Three” Book titled ‘Deeper Inside Number Three‘ where we will take you further inside this colourful and magical world, which still fascinates, and mystifies so many Beatles and Music fans today nearly 60 years after the project started. Apple Records is a music phenomenon and is still an organisation of mystery and intrigue, but more will be revealed, as the famous song said in 1963 “It Won’t Be Long”.
Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.
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