A pair of Beatles Rarity related print oddities: Beatbook One and Beatbook Number Two issued in the 60s, followed by a fascinating story about A VERY RARE GEORGE HARRISON CASSETTE TAPE that well-known Beatles fan, Dave Morrell had listened to at an auction house.
The article was written by Beatles information specialist, Steve Marinucci. The tape featured George performing several John Lennon compositions before a group of people in India.
A Beatles Rarity Book
Enjoy the wonderful story…! The Beatbook books were found through Ebay and a Beatles fan on my old FB group!
Beatles Rarity Beatbook One and Two
A STORY ABOUT A VERY RARE GEORGE HARRISON CASSETTE TAPE
The article about the rare George Harrison cassette written by Beatles info specialist, Steve Marinucci:
Bob Wooler was the man who introduced many groups in the club that were to become a major part of the Mersey Sound that was to spread across the world.
Links to the Beatles have established an extended sense of immortality to people that were associated with them over the years, and one such man was Bob Wooler, the Cavern Club announcer who announced and introduced the group so many times in the early sixties.
Here are two books of interest about Mr. Wooler. The first book is a collection of some of his personal memorabilia. The book was put together after his passing to highlight some of the keepsakes he kept in his personal collection.
BOB WOOLER –LIVERPOOL MUSIC ROOTS – This Day in Music Books 2021
The Memorabilia of Bob Wooler
The Best of Fellas: The Story of Bob Wooler: Liverpool’s First DJ, the Man Who Introduced the Beatles Paperback – December 1, 2002
Spencer Leigh
Drivegreen Publications
This book is more of a biography and was written by author and radio announcer, Spencer Leigh!
Those that may be interested in these books, check Abe Books, eBay, and both Amazon US and Amazon UK! If that fails try to use a book search service site!
BUZZ
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE CAVERN IN THIS GREAT BOOK BY DEBBIE GREENBERG
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.
All events will take place at the Felixstowe Spa Pavilion, a historic venue with its own deep roots in coastal entertainment. Tickets can be booked directly via their official site:
Complete weekend pass: £179 – includes access to all sessions and events
Accommodation is plentiful in the local area — a bonus for anyone hoping to stay the weekend and let the music echo into the night.
Nigel Pearce
You remember certain mornings because they stand out in your memory. The sea exhibited a theatrical stillness while Cromer Pier radiated with warm, golden light. Something is fitting about talking all things Beatles under a sky that feels like a stage set. I had arrived early—early enough to catch the scent of sea air mixing with fresh coffee, waiting to meet a man who lives and breathes the music of the 60s: broadcaster, author, and Beatles historian Nigel Pearce, from Cromer.
I spotted him before he even got close — white jacket, bold red shirt, and the kind of boots that could walk straight out of Carnaby Street circa 1967. Nigel doesn’t just study the era. He wears it, walks in it, and perhaps most importantly, invites others to feel it too. And that’s precisely what he and Ray Anderson are about to do this summer on the Suffolk coast, at the Spa Pavilion, in fact! See the picture.
“There’s good news,” Nigel tells me, the words brimming with excitement. “We’re hosting East Anglia’s first-ever three-day Beatles Fest. It’s happening at the Felixstowe Spa Pavilion — and it’s been a long time in the planning.”
Vibrant Nigel Pearce Links Eras on Air
Nigel Pearce is more than a man with a mic. Based in Cromer, his voice is familiar across the UK’s radio landscape, from Future Radio 107.8FM in Norwich – Poppyland FM in North Norfolk – Swindon 105.5FM and even with Go Global Groove Radio FM, beaming out from Chicago, USA.
But it’s his deep connection with Beatles history that truly sets him apart. As the author of Inside No. 3, a richly illustrated book tracing the product of Apple Records, he has established himself not just as a broadcaster, but as a preservationist — someone helping ensure the aura of music’s golden age isn’t lost to time. He’s also a member of Liverpool’s Beatles Bookstore and has spent decades building a collection of memorabilia that could rival small museums.
“The idea isn’t just to remember the Beatles,” he says. “It’s to bring the history alive — to give people a sample of what it felt like all those years ago.”
And from 20 to 22 June 2025, that’s exactly what will happen in Felixstowe.
Fabulous Beatles Fest, Day One: Brilliant Korgis will be Curtain-Raisers
Friday night’s opener is a gem: The Korgis, the British pop band best known for the haunting 1980 hit “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime”, will take to the Spa Pavilion stage.
“They had several hits through the 70s and 80s,” Nigel explains. “And they’re recording these days at Shabby Road Studios — a cheeky nod to Abbey Road. Their tribute session will be something really special.”
The Korgis are no ordinary nostalgia act. Their current performances blend their classics with songs that shaped them — think Tears for Fears, Simon & Garfunkel — each one interpreted through their unique musical lens.
Day Two: Apple Story and The Quarrymen
Inside Number Three The Illustrated History of Apple Records
Saturday kicks off with a rare treat: Inside Number Three, Nigel’s own Apple Records presentation. This is no dry lecture. It’s a sensory, audio-visual journey through the Beatles’ business empire — singles, albums, posters, rare films, forgotten footage. For fans who’ve only seen the highlights, this is a deep dive.
“We’ll have wall-to-wall video hits, some that many fans will have never seen,” says Nigel. “It’s a real chance to step back into 1968 — to really feel it.”
Later in the afternoon, audiences can expect free screenings of Beatles material, along with special inclusions such as footage of the late Joey Molland (the last member of Badfinger, who passed away just weeks ago), and an interview with Gary Van Syoc, who once played and recorded with John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Elephants Memory Band. Their Apple output was the Elephant’s Memory album, the Power Boogie Shuffle single, and John Lennon’s album, ‘Sometime in New York City.
“Gary has agreed to record and share an exclusive interview just for this event,” Nigel tells me, clearly moved.
Andrew Phillips
Author, Andrew Phillips, who has written a fabulous book on the Decca group, The Applejacks called ‘Like Dreamers Do’, will be presenting the story of when the Beatles and The Applejacks met and worked several times during 1963 and 64. Andrew will also chair a Q&A session.
The Quarrymen: From Skiffle Roots to Timeless Legacy
But Saturday evening may be the emotional heart of the weekend. The Quarrymen — the legendary group from which The Beatles emerged — still count three original members among their ranks: Rod Davis, Colin Hanton, and Len Garry. While Len is no longer able to travel, the band’s enduring legacy will be brought to life at Felixstowe by Rod and Colin, joined by a few musician friends, for a personal and intimate performance.
They’ll revisit stories and songs from their days playing with John Lennon in Liverpool — the heady, far-off days that planted the earliest seeds of what became The Beatles.
Their presence in Felixstowe isn’t just a performance; it’s a living, breathing piece of musical history.
“You’ll be seeing and hearing something truly special,” says Nigel. “Those early hits from the late 50s — brought to you by the very men who played them first.”
From Liverpool rooftops to festival stages across the world, The Quarrymen’s story isn’t just one of music — it’s one of memory, friendship, and transformation. These rare photographs, kindly shared by Rod Davis and the group, offer a glimpse into the journey, from their earliest days on the back of a lorry to recent performances that keep the legacy alive.
Day Three Bowie and Beatle Beat Magic
Nicky Horne’s Beatles, Bowie & Me.
By Sunday, there’s an emotional charge in the air. These aren’t just concerts anymore — they’re moments to treasure. And Nicky Horne’s part, Beatles, Bowie and me, will be very emotional.
Nicky, at one time, thought he had lost the tapes, but he found them in a box in his attic! Even then, he did not know if they would play. When he placed the tapes into the machine to check, he was amazed to find the recordings were crystal clear.
Nicky, a veteran DJ from the glory days of Capital Radio and now with Boom Radio, isn’t just presenting anecdotes. He’s opening his archives. Stories, perspectives, moments in time that haven’t been aired in decades. This offers something so rare — not just what the separate Beatles said, but exactly how they said it.
The Upbeat Beatles picture courtesy of Upbeat Beatles
As the day charges up further, the final act will take the stage — and what a finale it is. The Upbeat Beatles are one of the best Beatles tribute bands. They’ve been on the circuit for over twenty years, known for their pitch-perfect harmonies, tight arrangements, and uncanny ability to channel the Fab Four’s spirit — without slipping into impersonation.
“They’re going to take you through the full journey,” Nigel says, “All eight-and-a-half, nine years of Beatles brilliance — from the Cavern Club to the rooftop.”
It’s the kind of set designed to leave people swaying, singing, and smiling all the way to their beds.
Why It Still Matters For All Generations
Middle photograph: The Beatles with Ed Sullivan photo is in the public domain. The images, on either side, are of dancers in 1960s attire.
The Beatles weren’t just a band, they weren’t just a moment — they were a complete movement — and for the entire world, they still are. That’s why people are travelling to Felixstowe not just from across East Anglia, but from the US, Canada, and Europe.
“We’ve already had enquiries from as far as Canada and America,” Nigel shares. “It’s really exciting.”
Rehashing the past is not the point here. It’s about connecting with it. Younger audiences are discovering the music for the first time. Older fans are coming back to songs that shaped their lives. For three days, Felixstowe becomes a place where hearts beat in 4/4, and memories — even borrowed ones — feel vivid and alive.
There’s something enormously powerful about it all. In a theatre by the sea. Sharing songs that haven’t aged a day in feeling.
Tickets, Access and Final Thoughts
Parking at the Spa Pavilion Map, Image with kind courtesy of the theatre.
All events will take place at the Felixstowe Spa Pavilion, a historic venue with its own deep roots in coastal entertainment. Tickets can be booked directly via their official site:
Complete weekend pass: £179 – includes access to all sessions and events
Accommodation is plentiful in the local area — a bonus for anyone hoping to stay the weekend and let the music echo into the night.
“We are getting older,” Nigel says, smiling. “But our hearts and our heads are not. And our love for the Beatles will remain intact around the world. That will never, ever change”
Nigel Pearce with his collection of guitars and an illustration from his book, Inside No.3. Images supplied by Nigel.
Further Information and Artist Links
To learn more about the performers and highlights of the Felixstowe Beatles Festival 2025, visit the official website of The Korgis, the acclaimed British pop group best known for “Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime”. You can also explore Inside Number Three, Nigel Pearce’s captivating Apple Records presentation, which offers fans a rare glimpse into the Beatles’ creative and commercial legacy.
The origins of the Beatles come to life through The Quarrymen’s official website, where you can read more about the skiffle band that first brought Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison together. For details on Nicky Horne’s rare archival interviews with John Lennon, George Harrison, and David Bowie, visit Jack Up Events, where his show Beatles, Bowie & Me is featured.
To experience the energy and harmony of one of the UK’s top tribute acts, head over to The Upbeat Beatles
Special thanks to Chris Noble of Chris Noble Photography for kindly allowing the use of his live performance images of The Upbeat Beatles, taken at Alexander’s Live. Your lens captured the energy beautifully.
DON’T MISS THIS AMAZING FESTIVAL! IT WILL BE A FANTASTIC WEEKEND
BEATLES BOOKS AND SPECIALIZATION OF TOPICS: BUBBLE GUM CARDS
Did you ever in your wildest dreams ever believe there would one day be a book issued of more than 400 pages that dealt with the subject of Beatles bubble gum cards??? If you were fortunate enough to be clairvoyant, you would be happy to see that in 2015 that wish would be fulfilled.
Part of the dilemma of any author seeking out subject matter for writing a unique and distinct Beatles book with a different angle is what do you write about that has not been covered before in the more than 3,000 English language Beatles books that are out there in the marketplace?
This question has been answered in the term “specialization.” Take a well-focused special micro-subject that has not been dealt with in book form before that may appeal to a special segment of Beatles collectors such as Beatle Bubble gum card collectors, which could also would have an overlap appeal to Beatles book collectors.
This book by Mark Swearingen with contributions by Rob Foust was a very pleasant and entertaining addition to my Beatles book collection. The following title deals with the issuing over the years of Beatles bubble gum cards.
The book was issued in two variations (black and white vs. color edition). The title can be ordered at Amazon and several other book search services including Ebay and Abe Books!
Author: Mark Swearingen Major Contributions by Rob Foust
As stated previously, there were two editions of this book. One featured the book photos in black and white. I did get this copy for my collection, but I preferred the 2nd deluxe color edition (the 2nd photo on the post). So, being the Beatles completist book collector that I am, I also purchased the color edition:
Author Mark Swearingen and major contributor Rob Foust are to be highly complimented with this great contribution of a book about collecting Beatle bubble gum cards. As time goes by it is my sincere hope that other authors will pick up the gauntlet and tackle other subjects such as this that will help to fill in the gaps in our Beatles knowledge-base.
When I had completed this post, a subscriber of the blog noticed the 2 versions of the above title and he informed me he had a different version of the book published in 2012 by 2 Moon Press. I did some research and this apparently was the first pressing of the book and it was clouded in some controvery concerning the publisher. The end result is the author was able to find another publisher and published the titles above as a result. Since this copy represented a more obscure version of the book for my collection, I was excited to work out a trade for it. It highlights the importance of networking in the world of collecting!
The earlier 2012 version of the book:
WHAT SPECIALIZED BEATLES SUBJECT?
Would like to end this post with a question….What specialized Beatles subject matter would you like to see be covered in a new book? Tell us why you would like to see a book about that subject! Looking forward to your comments!
THREE NEW BEATLES BOOKS AND A FEW OLDER TITLES FROM THE PAST AS WELL FROM ED DIECKMANN!!!
Ed Dieckmann in 2014 along with 2 other colleagues, founded a company called Apcor based in the Netherlands which has provided many entertaining Beatles product to many eager fans. To explore some of that history and some of the products that Apcor has issued, here is their website:
In late 2024 Ed Dieckmann, released three new Beatles related titles. These are featured at the beginning of the post followed by some of Ed’s ealier work, some of which was done with the collaboration of his noted colleagues.
The Beatles Discography Sweden
Privately published, 2024
This book gathers all of the vinyl records by the Beatles issued in Sweden. This 96 page book (softback) shows all of the singles, EPs and albums in full colour (with both sides of each cover and disc shown), with all known label variations, the maddening number of single sleeve colour variations, promos, test pressings and other interesting editions. With approximately 1,000 full colour images! Please note color and colour have different acceptable spellings of the word in Europe vs. the US)
The Beatles Discography Sweden
Ed Dieckmann’s signature and inscription on the book:
John, Paul, George, Ringo & Apple + Related Discography Sweden
Privately published, 2024
This book is the logical successor to The Beatles Discography Sweden. It gathers all of the ex-Beatles’ solo releases on vinyl (45s and LPs) manufactured in Sweden. Also, the (non-Beatles) Apple singles produced in this country are shown (no Apple LPs were made in Sweden). Moreover, all known cover versions of Beatles’ songs released between 1963 and 1970 are pictured (on 45s, EPs and LPs), both covers as well as labels. And as an extra there are all known novelty records on vinyl plus records which feature collaborations by any of The Beatles. Also, there’s a page with additional Beatles records which were discovered after Volume 1 was issued. Softback, 124 pages in full colour with more than 1,900 colour images! All records are shown with the front and rear sleeves and the labels of both sides.
John Paul George Ringo and Apple Discography Sweden
George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr On Vinyl Singles In The U.K.
Privately published, 2024
This book gathers all of the vinyl records by the solo Beatles issued in the U.K.. This 148 page book (softback) shows all of the singles (on 7” and 12”) in full colour, with all known label variations, promos, demos, Record Store Day editions and other interesting editions. Approximately 2,000 full colour scans!
For those that may be interested in these great titles by Ed Dieckmann, here is a link to his fabulous APCOR organization and you can find many of his excellent books here:
A few Ed Dieckmann books from the past: Self-published book from 2004-Occasionally can be found on Ebay and Abe books: These wonderful books and discographies go out of print very quickly….
1996 -Out of Print (have seen a few copies on Ebay) Made in Holland: The Beatles: The Dutch Beatles Discography Author; Ed Dieckmann Publisher-Leenheer Records, 1996
Compiled by: Ed Dieckmann. Published by Franck Leenheer Records, The Netherlands. 1997-79 pages
Out of Print!(have seen a few copies on Ebay)
The crown book jewels so far from Apcor books. These 4 books are superb and are 4 of my favorite titles in my entire Beatles book collection. They are expensive but worth every penny. An excellent documentation of the history of the Beatles Apple organization. Finding the out of print titles is extremely difficult because they were of a limited edition. I recommend you keep a lookout on Ebay or Abe books for the out-of-print titles. It is the celebrated “A is for Apple” book series- Volumes 1-4
Volume 1:Axel Korinth, Ed Dieckmann, and Antonio Caroselli
Volume 2:Axel Korinth, Ed Dieckmann, Antonio Caroselli, and Sara Schmidt
Volume 3:Axel Korinth, Ed Dieckmann, and Antonio Caroselli
Volume 4:Axel Korinth, Ed Dieckmann, Antonio Caroselli, with a special contribution by Jim Powell
Hope you have enjoyed this discussion of some of the great Beatles-related product that originates from Europe…
BUZZ
OUR FEATURED BOOK FROM THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
Any Rhyme At All
Any Rhyme At All is a book of poems written by a first generation Beatles Fan who grew up listening to their music and becoming a huge fan
This is one of the favorite set of Beatles books in my personal archive. “Some Fun Tonight!” is the ultimate set of books you want to own to understand the incredible detail of the band’s three North American tours (1964-1966). I am not being hyperbolic or exaggerating matters when I say that author Chuck Gunderson has produced the ultimate document of record with this 2 volume set. Beautiful photographs accompany the unique and wonderful but sometime very hectic and tumultuous stories of the Beatles invasion of North America during their Magical Mystery Tours between 1964-66.
The books deal with many of the stories of the negotiations to play certain cities, the hysteria of the fans exhibited at many of the airports and hotels, the details of the off-the-cuff quotes and remarks of the Beatles delivered at their often zany press conferences are highlights. Chuck also discusses and details the opening acts along with the unique elements of specific concerts. These books are so detailed they also deal with the stories behind the shows, whether it was individual Beatle perceptions of the events as they were occurring, but also how the promoters viewed the happenings and many of the emcees and fans as well. The depth that Chuck Gunderson covers these multitude of subjects is truly astounding. The books are not only very entertaining but they are so packed with interesting information they are also very educational.
Whether you are a first generation fan, yearning to wallow in the nostalgia of once again experiencing the excitement of living in the 60’s, or whether you are 2nd or third generation fans wondering what you may have missed out on, these are THE BOOKS FOR YOU!!!
Some Fun Tonight – Get Your Copy Now
A few sites where these great books are available:
If you would like to purchase a personally signed copy from the author, it’s only available at his website: www.somefuntonight.com
In closing this post, I would like to address these questions to those first generation Beatles fans that were fortunate enough to have seen them live in 1964, 1965, or 1966.
If you saw the Beatles live in North America between 64-66, what were your impressions then, and what are they now? How do you answer questions from others who may not be Beatles fans when they ask you about those times?
What is your favorite memory of seeing the Beatles performing live?Let me know in the comments.
Be healthy and be happy!!!
Buzz
OUR FEATURED BEATLES BOOK AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE
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.
