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!!Â
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!Â
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.Â
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.
GEORGE PECKHAM ALSO CUT THE MASTERS FOR A COUPLE OF THE SOLO BEATLES TOO
Highlighting another limited edition book put together by the excellent publisher of special Beatles-related titles, APCOR BOOKS. This publishing outfit centered in the Netherlands has also produced the fabulous 4 book series- A Is For Apple. I try not to miss out on any of their fabulous titles. For a summary of the contents of this fine book, please read the details provided on the back cover in the photo provided below!
The Book About George Peckham and his Career
George Peckham The man Who Cut The Masters for The Beatles
The back cover of the book with a summary of the contents:
The Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
The Last Copy
AS IT TURNS OUT IT IS INDEED THE LAST COPY: “TO BE A SPECIALIZED COLLECTOR IS OFTEN NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS.” Here are a few details to explain what I mean… I normally like to collect the last signed and numbered copy of limited edition books that I purchase. When I received my copy of this particular title it was numbered #300 instead of #500 that I had requested and I was wondering why this had occurred? Here is the explanation provided to me by the publisher that it is indeed the last copy of the limited edition! I imagine I have my work cut out for me if I ever decide to sell or part with my copy of the book as a result! Lol! The parting with the book is not likely to occur soon, I must say!!! I like it too much!!!
Buzz
Cavern Club – The Inside Story
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.
Barry Miles has a long history of dealing with prominent figures of the ’60s. From his interactions with Jon (John) Dunbar, and Robert Fraser at the famous Indica Gallery where John met Yoko, to the involvement of Miles with the International Times, to his interactions with Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Miles represents much of the ’60s countercultural movement to a public that may have followed his work over the years. His backlog of books of figures from that age includes titles about Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, and Charles Bukowski.
Here is a limited signed edition of one of Barry Miles’s books. This title features his recollections of what he deems to be the most significant moments and issues of the ’60s. The slipcase that this book came in is not pictured in the photos provided below.
In The Sixties Barry Miles
The back cover of the book:
The signature of Barry Miles on the copy that I was able to acquire:
Signature of Barry Miles
Many Years From Now
The universally liked book that Barry Miles authored was about his good friend, Paul McCartney, called Many Years From Now. The book was well received by the public and sold many copies. It demonstrated that Paul was indeed at the forefront of examining subjects and artists that were considered avant-garde or experimental.
In a matter of historical irony, Paul was instrumental in Yoko Ono meeting John Lennon, when she was seeking famous people to contribute one of their musical transcripts or compositions as a celebratory gift to her artist friend, John Cage. She approached Paul first, and he was initially resistant to the request, and he suggested she go ask John Lennon first. This of course helped to set the wheels in motion and time and other events (like business) resulted in the songwriting partners drifting apart and helped to contribute to the eventual dissolution of the group.
This is further evidence that it is never a single factor that results in a major cultural decision or event, but it serves as a reminder that it is indeed a tangled web we weave by the things that are said and done!!! Fans speculate about such matters all of the time. It does not change what occured but people seem to have the NEED to know! The sad thing is that fans have a tendency to want to take sides and want to blame one party over the other. What we should be sad about is how lifelong friendships can deteriorate and fragment…. for whatever the reasons turn out to be!
Many Years From Now
The very rare book that was organized in part by Barry Miles (see the reference to him on the cover) was a collection of fan photos of the Beatles taken over the years. It was only on sale for about a week when either because of administrative hassles or copyright issues, the book was quickly withdrawn. Fortunately, I was able to acquire a copy from another collector, but I truly empathize with others who are frantically searching for a copy of the book and are unable to find it. I have had numerous requests from people asking me where they can acquire a copy of this book and I feel bad that I can only give them the information to keep their eyes open on eBay for someone who may be getting rid of their own personal copy.
The People’s Beatles
The People’s Beatles
The Beatles – A Diary
While I was preparing this post, noted book publisher Steven Wilson reminded me of this book, which he was involved with publishing. Sometimes, keeping track of all of the Beatles-related books by a particular author and keeping them properly sorted is a difficult task. Here is a day-by-day Beatles diary authored by Miles…Thanks for the update and reminder Steven!
The Beatles A Diary
Finding my copy of the Beatles Diary in the collection thanks to Mr. Steven Wilson, reminded me of another Barry Miles limited edition book that I have that came in a slipcase – A special Limited Edition issued in 2012 – The Beatles Phenomenon. Published in 2012 by Omnibus and authored by Barry Miles, is described by Amazon in their promotion of the book as being; “The Beatles Phenomenon is a unique new Beatles chronicle that brings their astonishing legend to vivid life using sheet music, rare photographs and a detailed chronology of their gigs, venues, public quotes and most memorable moments.”
The Beatles Phenomenon
The Beatles Phenomenon
Of course we need to mention “The Zapple Diaries” by Barry Miles which was the first book to document the special label set up by the Beatles to deal with more non-conventional matters whether in musical expression or matters of literary concern. Zapple was a short-lived Beatles project. Â
Leading literary and cultural figures of the time, including Allen Ginsberg, Charles Bukowski, Richard Brautigan, William Burroughs, and Frank Zappa are discussed in the book and projects that Zapple was considering regarding these individuals are mentioned. The Zapple Diaries details and summarizes the ill-fated venture and presents a revealing account of a little-known segment of Beatles’ history.
Publisher: Abrams Image
Publication Date: 2016
The Zapple Diaries
The Zapple Diaries
Earlier UK cover of the book
Title:The Zapple Diaries : The Rise and Fall of the last Beatles label
Publisher: Peter Owen Limited
Publication Date:2015
The Zapple Diaries
Barry Miles was such an influential part of the ’60s scene and his eyewitness accounts are essential reading.
Buzz
Discover More About The Beatles at The Beatles Bookstore
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.
Just acquired this special and wonderful 4 CD set on eBay compiling some of the best production work done by Tony Visconti. There is also a 6 LP limited edition version available of this set. The LP and CDs were released in 2023!
Tony has produced many well-known musical luminaries over the years, including David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Joe Cocker. As a special bonus to this retrospective, they also provided a signed print of Tony with the package.
Beatles Connections
For the purposes of this Beatles connections relevant to this blog, Tony has numerous Beatles connections and associations over the years as he has produced the Iveys, the precursor to the band, Badfinger. He was also to produce and later to marry Apple singer Mary Hopkin. They had two children. Following their divorce he was later to marry, May Pang, John Lennon’s former girlfriend when John was having problems with his relationship with Yoko in the 70s! Tony and May also had 2 children together before their eventual divorce.
Another prominent Beatles-related connection: Tony Visconti scored the arrangements for orchestra for the Wings Album “Band on the Run.” He is a man with certainly a stellar resume of achievements over the years! It must be stressed that his production credits reach far beyond his association with Apple and the Beatles!
The cover of the special limited edition Tony Visconti Boxset:
Produced by Tony Visconti
The track listing for the Tony Visconti 4 cd set:
Track Listing
Tony Visconti’s signature on the print provided with my special limited edition:
As a personal observation it is always appreciated by a collector when the person who signs an item, signs it with a clearly readable signature. Thanks to you Tony!
Visconti Signature
This is the part of the package that houses the special booklet contained within the set:
The Booklet
The excellent booklet provided in the set which gives great detail to all of the tracks presented:
