JOHN & PAUL – THE RELATIONSHIP THAT HELPED TO DEFINE POPULAR MUSIC POST 1963 – LENNON AND McCARTNEY
Spotlighting a new book by author Ian Leslie about the chemistry that these two legendary songwriters had in their creation of so many memorable songs that will live forever. Not only their writing and musical talents are explored but that dynamic interchange of personalities. The book is a great psychological analysis of the interplay of both men having lost their moms at an early age and their common love for the early rock ‘n’ roll writers and singers of the 50’s and the rhythm and blue artists that came earlier.
Their music became their emotional salve to deal with events in their lives. With these two personalities, when one had a weakness, the other individual provided the strength and vice-versa. Competitive, yes, but that led to the consequence and the end result of being able to create better songs and their dual sound experimentation was unparalleled in the history of popular music. The same emotions that all friendships encounter with varying degrees are explored in this book. Jealousy, insecurities and pride, and all expressed in different ways by these unique individuals. One was more blunt and direct “publicly” and the other internalized his emotional feelings.
Fans should be careful of being too quick and impulsive about their judgements about the respective personalities of John and Paul. For example, for several of the early years, the Beatle who publicly exuded the most self-confidence and bravado, was possibly the most insecure in reality. The other side of the coin presented a man who had no trouble putting his best foot forward in front of the public, yet had great difficulty in expressing his emotional feelings in front of the public or in a public setting.
Before we continue to discuss the new John and Paul book by Ian Leslie here is an interesting story about the two developing songwriters performing a few gigs with the one-off name known as the “The Nerk Twins.”
In 1960, John and Paul performed at a pub run by Paul’s cousin and for a couple of performances at the club, they performed as a duo known as the Nerk Twins.
The Beatles Bible reported some of the details of their performance at the following site:
23 April 1960: Live: Fox and Hounds, Caversham | The Beatles Bible
A recent article in the Sunday Times magazine in the UK–THE SUNDAY TIMES MAGAZINE March 16th, 2025 which details the new book by Ian Leslie: John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs (The photo is John and Paul rehearsing at 20 Forthlin Road, Paul’s home)
HERE IS THE BOOK THAT DEALS WITH THE THESIS PRESENTED ABOVE. I HAVE ALWAYS HOPED FOR SOMEONE TO WRITE A BOOK GIVING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE AND ANALYSIS OF PAUL McCARTNEY AND JOHN LENNON
AND WHY BOTH THEIR SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES HELPED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MAGICAL MUSICAL RECIPE.
John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs
-This is the US version of the book.
Published by Celadon Books on April 8, 2025. Authored by Ian Leslie
John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs
A few samplings of the internet covering and reporting of Ian Leslie’s John and Paul book
Recommend you listen to these thought provoking programs:
The Beatles’ brilliant friendship – New Statesman
Lennon & McCartney seen in a fresh, stirring and original new light by Ian Leslie – YouTube
Ian Leslie – John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs – YouTube
Lennon & McCartney seen in a fresh, stirring and original new light by Ian Leslie – YouTube
John and Paul a Beatles’ love story in songs (part 1) – YouTube
John and Paul a Beatles’ love story in songs (part 2)
John and Paul: A Love Story in Songs Published by Faber & Faber April 8, 2025 written by Ian Leslie. This is the UK version of the book: I bought the UK version of the book because I preferred the UK cover!
Back cover of the UK book: (Seamus Hayes)
The author’s signature on my copy of the UK version of the book: A special thanks to my UK friend Seamus Hayes who was able to obtain the signed copy of the book for me!
The Nerk Twins (artist) • The Paul McCartney Project
The Nerk Twins – Blue Plaque – BBC Music Day – YouTube
The sad thing in many Beatles-related books I have read over the years is the tendency of the author to pit John against Paul, and Paul against John as if they were polar opposites and enemies. They were not. They were human beings that had a different set of coping mechanisms to deal with their emotions and problems. “CHEMISTRY” is the key word here. For an extended period of time they were able to spark each others creativity and for a multitude of reasons, that spark was to eventually fizzle out. This book gives a more balanced and analytic view of the interplay between these 2 great songwriters.
Whether you had a preference for Paul or a preference for John in the context of the Beatles or their solo careers is basically irrelevant as it was the creative musical interaction between the 2 of them which will always hold a special place for many of us. It was truly a magical time…for both John and Paul and luckily, for the rest of the world as well.
Would love to hear your opinions of this new book! I look forward to your comments and perceptions…
BUZZ
Is there anywhere that I can get a copy of this book in large print?
Hello Mary-the only thing I can suggest to you is to write directly to the publisher. FInd the Amazon listing of the book in the country that you live in, look at the publisher then Google the publisher to get a contact email for the publisher and then you can ask them if they offer a large print edition. I hope this suggestion helps you!!! Best Wishes to you and let us know if you are successful in locating a large print edition and we will pass that information on to others!
Jo:
Thanks for your comment! Hope you will enjoy the book!!! I look forward to your comments after you read it!
Thanks for this post. I have ordered it and can’t wait to read it.