PROLOGUE – THE PAUL IS DEAD HOAX:
With the explosion of the internet and specifically of social media, conspiracy theories in the present day flourish and thrive. However, many of us of the older generation, remember in 1969 prior to the internet, when there was an unprecedented rumor that began to circulate that Paul McCartney had perished in a car accident in 1966. The people that promoted this rumor had spent significant time in uncovering both audio and visual clues that supported their contention. The Beatles and their entourage vigorously denied the validity of the clues yet news of the rumor ran rampant across the US on hundreds of radio stations. There even was a TV program featuring the renowned criminal attorney, F. Lee Bailey, presenting the so-called clues of Paul’s demise.
Though there are some Beatles collectors and fans that scoff at the rumor of the stories of Paul’s passing, I find the stories fascinating for both historical and academic purposes. The rumor did occur and it significantly increased Beatles record sales. For academics, it also helped to highlight how rumors are created, spread, and then eventually fade. For further information about rumor dissemination, seek out articles about selective attention, selective perception and selective recall, you will see how and why rumor and conspiracy theories can be started and spread and why they may be so popular in modern society.
I never personally believed the rumor but it was a lot of fun to find additional “clues” to support or substantiate it. It was a great conversation piece with peers and a goal for many was to be the person who could find the next clue.
It was a fascinating read for me to find the first printing of the book about the Paul is Dead Rumor by author Andru J. Reeve entitled, TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN: THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE PAUL McCARTNEY DEATH HOAX back in 1994. And Now…
A New Edition of the Book: TURN ME ON DEAD MAN
Andru’s work was excellent in documenting the history of the rumor and many of the highlights designated as the clues that the Beatles had supposedly put in place to describe the tragedy are discussed in detail in his book. You will be amazed at the volume of the “clues.” Some were certainly far more credible than others. The stories that branched out from the initial rumor were also consistent with theories of conspiracy theory creation and dissemination. (one rumor can spawn many more)
Andru demonstrates how symbolism can be a factor in substantiating rumor and his documentation of the various stories surrounding the rumor are often riveting. There was some wonderful news recently sent to me by the the publishers of Genius Books & Media who will be reissuing the book with the proposed publishing date of October 17, 2025.
The hardcover edition:
Turn Me On, Dead Man (Hardcover) – Genius Books
The Book Description:
In the fall of 1969, a strange rumor swept across college campuses, radio stations, and newspapers: Paul McCartney was dead. The story claimed he had died in a car crash three years earlier, and that the Beatles had quietly replaced him with a look-alike. To hide the truth—or to confess it—clues were said to be scattered across album covers and hidden in the grooves of their songs.
For six remarkable weeks, thousands of fans and students pored over Beatles records, playing tracks backwards and examining covers for secret messages. Radio DJs devoted hours of airtime to debating the evidence. Newspapers sent reporters overseas to track down the truth. Was McCartney alive? If so, why did the clues seem so deliberate?
Turn Me On, Dead Man explores this unique moment in pop culture history. Drawing from interviews, articles, radio transcripts, and first-hand accounts, Andru J. Reeve reconstructs how the “Paul-is-Dead” rumor spread so quickly and why it captured so many imaginations. More than a simple hoax or urban legend, it became a cultural event that blurred the line between entertainment, gossip, and conspiracy.
With careful research and a storyteller’s eye, this book revisits the late-1960s media landscape, when one mysterious phone call to a Detroit radio station could ignite a national obsession. The result is a fascinating study of rumor, belief, and the power of the Beatles at the height of their influence.
There will be a new Afterword according to the publisher.
This is the New Cover and the New Publisher:
Hardcover:
Turn Me On, Dead Man (Hardcover) – Genius Books
Genius Book Publishing
More detail on the back cover:
Would personally like to add a few observations that I would like to share with you about my own teaching experience dealing with the concept of “Rumor.”
Here are a few images that I presented in a collegiate Communication course that I taught that dealt with the concept of selective perception and rumor and how that could be demonstrated using the so called visual and audio “clues” from the Paul McCartney is Dead scuttlebut. How rumors are started, spread, and then defended by the people who believe them was discussed!
The mysterious Magical Mystery Tour banquet scene in the MMT booklet accompanying the Magical Mystery Tour album is shown below: The picture on the left which does not appear in the movie appears to be a banquet scene. Turn it sideways and people maintain they can see a skull! Do you see it? Do you see it because I told you what to expect? Do you see it at all? Am I planting the seed for what I wish you to see? All of these are valid questions when discussing selective perception and rumor and the many conspiracy theories we face in the media world we have in place in today’s world!
Sgt. Pepper´s Lonely Hearts Club Band Easter Egg – Is Paul Really Dead?
Someone looking for information to support the rumor inexplicably came up with the idea of holding a straight-edged mirror to the Sgt Pepper drum on the cover of the album. By doing so they were able to look in the mirror and see the message I ONE I (X) HE DIE with an arrow pointing up to the blue-clad, Paul. The I- ONE- I was said to represent the total of the remaining three Beatles-3. and the X was said to represent X-ing out the 4th individual out of the picture. You can see how many see this as being outlandish and far-fetched.
However if you have your mind set on believing the theory, you seek out things such as this to support the theory and you ignore things that may dispute the theory. People that supported this rumor would seek out photos of Paul where he did not conform in some way with the other Beatles like the out-of-step Paul on the Abbey Road cover photo. However, photos of the other three Beatles non-conforming would be ignored or not addressed as they would not be applicable to the rumor in question nor help to justify the rumor that the believers were trying to promulgate.
Saw this photograph on the internet of the individual holding the straight-edged mirror halfway up the center to reveal the so-called hidden message!
I especially encourage younger viewers to seek out Andru J. Reeve’s new edition of his book. You will learn a little history about the power and the influence of the band in the sixties and you will learn why conspiracy theories may be so popular in our present day world. You will see many common threads!
Here is the link if you are interested in purchasing the book!
Be prepared to learn significantly more about the concept of RUMOR in this book and to be thoroughly entertained in the process!
The Beatles – Revolution 9 (vinyl LP – first 40 seconds backwards)
The Beatles – Revolution 9 reversed
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
OUR BOOK OF THE WEEK AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
Just Like Starting Over: John Lennon and The Quarrymen
When John Lennon and his group The Quarrymen stepped onto the back of a wagon in Rosebery Street on 22nd June 1957, Charlie Roberts borrowed a camera and took a few photos of the event. It was just a group of friends having fun at a street party.
What Charlie didn’t know at the time was that he was capturing a piece of Beatles history. This was the first time that John Lennon had been photographed performing with his group. Skiffle was the new music and soon, John would meet Paul McCartney who would then introduce George Harrison to John.
What is amazing is that there are STILL people today that think Paul died in 1966 and was replaced! smh
I’m glad Andru is releasing an updated version of the 1994 book. This is volume 3 .Will it be in hard back also?
Thanks,
Mark Hoffman
Hello Mark-thank you for your comment! I have sent you the publishers response by email. Yes, there will be a hardback edition!