What to think about the release of the final Beatles song Now and Then? Should we be excited or rather skeptical? I will welcome it with an open mind. Give it the benefit of the doubt. Personally, I find it interesting that the (remaining) Beatles have used Artificial Intelligence to create Now and Then.
Digital creativity to replace the analogue musical innovations, like tape loops, they introduced in the sixties. I will be looking for Beatlesque musical elements in Now and Then as described in The Secret of Their Music (The Beatles Era). Real musical innovations, I am afraid, are not to be expected.
Now what about the presentations of the song? The very last song of the Beatles Now and Then, combined with their first Love Me Do on one single underlines or maybe overestimates the importance of the moment. In addition to the single, Now and Then will be added to new expanded version of the Blue Double Album in different presentations. Is this marketing? Sure. Is this milking business? Possibly.
But here also I like to look at it in a more positive way. Projects like this are undoubtfully pursued for commercial reasons but have the additional benefit that the legacy of the Beatles is very well preserved. So let’s enjoy the moment on November second and let’s try to see it all in perspective.
The Beatles first engineer, Norman “Hurricane” Smith, who engineered their recordings up to and including Rubber Soul. Geoff Emerick was to take over the mantle from Norman. Not only was Norman an engineer, he was also a writer and performer who had a hit 45 with the single “Oh Babe, What Would You Say.” He also had a stint at producing.
The book pictured below with the signature, I purchased from Norman at the Fest For Beatles Fans in 2007. It truly was a pleasure meeting him. Norman passed away in 2008.
Norman Smith’s “Oh Babe What Would You Say”
Published specifically for the 2007 Fest for Beatles Fans Published by Opix Media London and Ireland:
John Lennon Called Normal
Norman Smith’s signature
Smith’s Autograph
Published by Lulu 2008 after Norman had passed, this is the more recent edition of Norman’s book.
THE HOLIDAYS CAME EARLY THIS YEAR THANKS TO TWO SPECIAL PEOPLE
The holidays came early to me this year as I was able to acquire two very hard to find signatures that have a connection to the Beatles story. One is the signature of Freddie Lennon, John’s dad, which I have been seeking for more than 30 years. Through the information provided to me by renowned “John Lennon expert, Chip Madinger, who was aware that I have been searching for Freddie’s signature for a very long time. Chip informed me that the signature on this page was being auctioned off at Omega auctions.
Alf Lennon Signature
The person who was selling it said that the signature was in an old autograph book which he purchased in an antiques store in Liverpool. I had photos of two other examples of Freddie’s signature for comparative authenticity purposes.
In addition the person that helped me the most in this enterprise was my excellent internet friend, Seamus Hayes, who bid on the item for me with his Omega account. Seamus and I have been helping each other out in acquiring items for our respective collections and our trust in one another is without question. When Seamus acquires an item for me, I inform him of my price range and if he is able to secure it, I then issue the compensation for his efforts. This arrangement works in reverse if Seamus, who lives in the UK needs something from the States. This shows the importance of networking when seeking out rarities across the world.
Both Chip and Seamus have been part of the sterling network helping me to expand my Beatles collection the last several years. Acquiring Freddie’s signature has now narrowed my Beatles-related autograph want list.
Still Looking!
I am still looking for the late James McCartney (Paul’s dad), Magic Alex (the so-called Beatles electronic expert), Dick Rowe (The Decca executive who turned down the Beatles), Robin and David Lennon- (John’s two half-brothers) Ingrid Pederson, (aka Victoria Lennon, John’s half-sister that Julia put up for adoption), the Maharishi, Tommy Moore (Beatles drummer), Kyoko, Yoko’s daughter, Beatrice, Paul’s daughter, Jason and Lee Starkey, two of Ringo’s children. (I have Zak’s).
Here is the Freddie Lennon signature acquired and a few photos I am probably going to frame the piece with:
The Freddie Lennon signature acquired the day after what would have been John Lennon’s 83rd birthday!
Alf “Freddie” Lennon’s Signature
This photo and the following few photos I was able to find on the internet, but there was no attribution accompanying the photos. If anyone knows who these should be attributed to, please let me know and adjustments will be properly made to the post.
A young Freddie Lennon at the center of the photo. Appears to have been taken on a boat with his fellow merchant seamen.
Alf “Freddie” Lennon (centre)
Another photo of a young Fred
Freddie Lennon
Freddie holding the 45 he made in 1965/66 to probably capitalize on his son’s fame. Freddie actually did a lip-synced TV performance of the song on Dutch TV but no video apparently survives!
Alf “Freddie” Lennon with his Record
The rare Dutch picture sleeve of Freddie’s 45. He sang this very rare version in the Dutch language and was backed by a few (to become famous) musicians on the recordings, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, who were to become part of Jimi Hendrix’s Experience!
Freddie Lennon’s Record
Freddie about to go to work:
Alf in the kitchen
Another Great Set of Autographs! – Ken Scott, Beatles Engineer
Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust with Ken Scott
Magical Mystery Autograph! Whose Is It?
Below is the signed Magical Mystery Tour LP and the description of the item. What was significant to me as a collector is even though John Van Hamersveld is well-known in the art world, very rarely do you hear about his involvement in designing the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour cover. Peter Blake is acknowledged for his ornate Sgt. Pepper cover design, but the design for the Magical Mystery Tour album has been greatly understated in my humble opinion!!! I am happy to have acquired 2 of the signatures of men that had something to do with the final product!
The following description of the item is from the Ebay
seller
The designer of the Magical Mystery Tour cover, John Van Hamersveld and an engineer on the record, Ken Scott. Scott was promoted to engineer, where his first session was with the Beatles on their song “Your Mother Should Know”. His first orchestral recording session came a few days later when he recorded the strings, brass and choir for the band’s song “I Am the Walrus”. During his time with the Beatles, Scott also worked on the songs “Lady Madonna”, “Hello, Goodbye” and “Hey Jude”, as well as The Beatles and Magical Mystery Tour albums.[4]
Among the notable songs from those albums that he worked on are “The Fool on the Hill”, “Glass Onion”, “Helter Skelter”, “Birthday”, “Back in the U.S.S.R.”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Not Guilty”, the last of which was recorded for the White Album, but not included on it.
Van Hamersveld created over 300 album covers and the iconic poster and artwork for the ultimate surfers movie, Endless summer.
And here is the signed album cover: I have never seen a signed album cover by the album cover designer before…
John Van Hamersveld’s Autograph
I hope you enjoyed this?
Have you got any Beatles autographs? What is your most treasured piece of Beatles memorabilia? Let me know in the comments.
Due to the success of the 1st volume we decided to make a follow-up, another one is in the making and will end the trilogy.
A NEW BOOK OUT SOON! THE BEATLES IN ITALY (August 1965/July 1967) is a follow-up to the acclaimed 1st chapter of the Fab Four in Italy book, (1963/65) and scheduled for release on October 15th, 2023. A 3rd volume will cover the rest, meaning 1967/70.
Another Fab collection of artifacts from the era, a 508-page mammoth photographic book. As the previous volume, the book is authored by collectors Fulvio Fiore and Alex Franchi, and is privately pressed in a limited, hand-numbered edition. If you enjoyed the 1st edition, you’ll be thrilled by this one! The most comprehensive collection ever of articles, tour pictures, promo posters, song sheets, unseen documents and more about the Beatles in Italy through 1965/1967 years.
A splendid time is guaranteed for all! Enjoy the sample pics and PM Alex to reserve your copy, or send me an e-mail : soundlover30@hotmail.com
Hope you like this book – it is a fantastic achievement by the authors. Have you got the 1st volume?
A massive privately published photo book by noted Italian Beatles collectors Fulvio Fiore and Alex Franchi. Over 500 pages. I bought my copy today. Interested parties can contact Alex Franchi at the email provided at the bottom of the page.
Pages from the book
“I Beatles In Italia” is a 500-page mammoth photographic book on the Fab Four during the years 1963/1965 in Italy.
The book is authored by collectors Fulvio Fiore and Alex Franchi and is privately pressed in a limited, hand-numbered edition, due out September 1, 2023. They describe the book as “Surely the most comprehensive collection ever of articles, tour pictures, promo posters, songsheets, unseen documents and more about the Beatles in Italy through 1963/1965 years”.
Here are some sample pages from the book:
1963 – Please Please MeThe Beatles in Italy 1963I Beatles in Italia – 1964
Inquiries about the book should be addressed to Alex Franchi at the following email address
I have been asked on numerous occasions, what are my favorite photography books about the Beatles.
I have two favorites and they both are by the same photographer, the late Henry Grossman, and both books are published by the same publisher known as Curvebender.
The first book is called Kaleidoscope Eyes and was issued in a limited edition of 1967 copies, to mark the year of the Summer of Love and also the year the majestic Sgt. Pepper album was released. Upon learning of the impending release of this book, I contacted the publishers and requested copy #1967, the last signed and numbered copy and I was successful in my request to obtain that copy. This book captures the recording session for the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and the photos are presented in chronological order and are breathtaking in fabulous black and white.
Limited Edition
Henry’s Photograph of John Lennon
A Day in the Life of Sgt. Pepper
Places I Remember
Places I Remember
Do you agree? Or do you know of a better book? Let me know in the comments?
Buzz
Another Great Beatles Photography Book
Bill Zygmant – Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)
Get your copy of Bill Zygmant’s portfolio book of unique photographs covering his career from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
This will be a signed, numbered edition – maximum of 250 numbered editions.
It comes with one of Bill’s signed photographs, which usually sells for £50!
