There was a time when both Look and Life magazine were the large format magazines that allowed photography and photo-journalism to take hold in the magazine marketplace. However, the digital age has greatly reduced this type of magazine.

The Beatles (or a Beatle) or a mention of the group on the cover of Look or Life Magazine – not in chronological order.

There are many issues of Life and Look that have articles on the Beatles in addition to those mentioned here. This post only deals with those issues where a photo appears or a mention of a group member appears on the cover. If you are aware of a Life/Look magazine that may have been missed in this series whereby the Beatles or a Beatle appears on the cover or where a Beatles name appears on the cover, please bring the issue to the attention of administrator David Bedford and he will add it to the post! Thank you!

LOOK MAGAZINE MARCH 18, 1969-written by Yoko’s former classmate at Sarah Lawrence, Betty Rollin. John gave some sarcastic remarks about the author of this piece intended to introduce the new couple to the world. The sarcastic remarks appeared on John and Yoko’s first appearance on the Dick Cavett show. John was disappointed in Betty because he expected a more positive portrayal of Yoko by her former college associate.

Look Magazine December 29, 1964-an early piece about the Beatles impact on hair styles:

A piece about the Yellow Submarine movie was featured in this issue

Look Magazine July 23 1968

A feature on Ringo- Look Magazine–Feb 10, 1970 

LOOK Magazine-Jan. 9, 1968- the Richard Avedon photos:

Look Magazine-Dec. 1966-John’s acting break from the Beatles in “How I Won the War.”:

SPECIAL EDITION DECEMBER 1969

A special issue of the magazine intending to summarize the tumultuous decade of the sixties:

Part 2:

There are many issues of Life and Look that have articles on the Beatles in addition to the magazines mentioned here. This post only deals with those issues where a photo appears or a mention of a group member appears on the cover.

If you are aware of a Life and/ or Look magazine that may have been missed in this series whereby the Beatles or a Beatle appears on the cover or where a Beatles name appears on the cover, please bring the issue to the attention of administrator David Bedford, and he will add it to the post!

Thank you! Please also be aware that these magazines are not appearing chronologically:

LIFE MAGAZINE July 24, 1967

Only appeared as the cover in Australia, New Zealand and as this magazine indicates, Asia. One has to wonder why this cover did not appear in the USA or the UK. This cover is very costly to obtain/find now in collector’s circles. The late Henry Grossman took the wonderful Sgt. Pepper era cover photo.

Life- September 13, 1968-cover photo from the Mad Day Out:

LIFE Magazine 2011 – Remembering George Harrison 10 Years Later. An issue celebrating the life of George Harrison:

Life Magazine – April 16, 1971-Paul tells his story about the Beatles breakup:

2012

LIFE Magazine THE BEATLES From Yesterday to Today- 2001 Collector’s Edition:

Life Magazine – November 7, 1969-Ironically, about the Paul is Dead rumor and the Beatles as a group were soon to be no more:

LIFE Magazine Paul McCartney At 75 – 2017

Published 2022 Paul at 80

Life Magazine The Beatles- Then Now Forever- Oct 2021:

Life Reunion Special: The Beatles from Yesterday to Today- 12/11/95:

Life Magazine, Aug. 28, 1964:

LIFE Magazine- Remembering John Lennon 25 Years Later 2005:

LIFE- Feb 1984:

Life Magazine February 1981-Photos of John at home at the Dakota. This issue appeared in the year following his tragic death.

2 Special issues of Life dealing with the 60s:

A special double issue of Life dealing with the 60s:

Life Magazine-October 28, 1968:

Notice the reference to Yoko on the cover. I am sure this did not go over well with the parties concerned:

Life Atlantic Magazine 16 Sept 1968

June 1981 Issue of Life Magazine: Ringo Gets Married

QUESTION:

Do you have any of the Look or Life magazines featuring the Beatles or a solo Beatle on the cover? If so, which ones are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below.

BUZZ

As we celebrate the Ed Sullivan show appearance by The Beatles, I dig into my collection for some great pieces from my collection.

I obtained this signed McCartney band member photo on eBay a few years ago for 2 major reasons. This is my favorite configuration of a group of musicians that has backed Paul since the Beatles disbanded. Secondly, it was for the historical significance of this band playing a concert above The Ed Sullivan Theater marquee in New York, the site which propelled the Beatles to a worldwide audience, firmly establishing and entrenching their journey into the history books….

ED SULLIVAN

Band member signatures appearing on this photo taken in 2009:

Paul (Wix) Wickens on keyboard, backing vocals

Rusty Anderson-on lead guitar and backing vocals

Brian Ray – also on lead guitar, sometimes rhythm or bass guitar when Paul is playing lead, and backing vocals

Abe Laboriel – on drums, also on backing vocals

A wonderful signed paperback book about Ed Sullivan’s Sunday Variety show which so many baby boomers grew up watching:

Ed Sullivan’s signature in the book:

Four Complete Ed Sullivan Shows on DVD including the commercials which helped to capture the spirit of the times (When this was officially released, I could not wait to receive my copy)

JOHN LENNON – GERMAN MAGAZINE

Love collecting foreign magazines whereby the foreign country, in this case Germany which I have a rudimentary knowledge of the language, put a solo Beatle on the cover that did not appear in the States. The article about John appearing in this German Rolling Stone translates into: John Lennon: Between Man and Myth!

This book may be controversial to some but it was a fascinating read. This is the author, Robert Rosen, who was going to collaborate with John Lennon’s PA, Fred Seaman, on a book dealing with John Lennon’s diaries, which were taken by the PA from the Lennon’s apartment without the Estate’s permission. Numerous lawsuits were brought by the Estate against the PA for the accused larceny. This book by the author who was going to collaborate with the PA was allowed to be published and it presents Mr. Rosen’s story as to how he saw the actual events unfold. In numerous Facebook communication exchanges with Mr. Rosen, I expressed a hope to be able to read the diaries one day but ONLY with the condition that it had the permission and the approval of the Lennon Estate, as these were private sentiments expresed by John when he was alive. He understood my sentiments and that explains his comments when he signed a copy of the book for me. Book published in 2000 by Soft Skull Press, Inc.

The back cover of the book:

DECONSTRUCTING THE BEATLES

When Scott Freiman, the noted lecturer, academician, and creator of the stellar Deconstructing the Beatles series of DVDs released the Abbey Road DVD issue, it held a special significance for me. It was an excellent 2 dvd presentation of the history of the creation of The Beatles Abbey Road LP with all of the hidden treats contained between the record grooves. Scott dealt with such issues as the extent of the Beethoven influence on the creation of the Beatles song entitled “Because” on the LP’s B-side.

He deals with the exploding growth of the musical maturity and creativity of George Harrison and deals extensively with Paul’s great contributions to the fantastic Side 2 medley which was being strongly encouraged by Beatles producer, George Martin. Scott Freiman’s marketing people promoted a special release for the unique superfan 2 disk edition of Abbey Road Deconstructed. I have since forgotten the number of copies that were actually issued, but it was a much higher cost than the standard edition to the purchaser. One could get their name included on the cover of the dvd and it would also appear on a poster celebrating the special edition. In addition, they were also to issue a very large beautiful photo reproduction of the Abbey Road cover which would certainly be an ideal feature in anyone’s music room! In the future I hope to do a blog post on all of Scott Freiman’s Beatles-related DVDs.

This is the deluxe edition poster signed by Scott Freiman:

This is a photo of the dvd:

Scott’s dedication to the fans who supported his great lectures which was included in the Superfan collection:

A special book and the kind that I personally treasure that deal with specific UK Beatles gigs that are not so well-known outside the UK. This book written by Pete Chambers is one of those titles. It is a small book published in 2006 by Tencton Planet. This book deals with the Beales encounters with and at Coventry during their careers!

You can find this title occasionally featured on eBay and at many book search services such as Abe Books.

THE BEATLES – SENT TO COVENTRY

Mr. Chambers kindly signed my copy of his book:

The back cover of the book:

DAVID SPINDEL

Though this is by no means a Beatles book, I am spotlighting it here because it is by a dear friend and one of the last photographers ever to take pictures of John Lennon, David Spindel. David has photographed many celebrities in his lifetime and many of the stories that accompany these interactions are included in this special book. There are a few Lennon photos in this book as well. Here is a link where you can explore David’s work. David M Spindel

David’s note to me in his “A Kid in the Candy Store” book:

David Spindel’s limited edition Lennon book of photos that he took in Nov. of 1980. This is the book that I purchased from David that began our great friendship. If you are interested in acquiring or learning more about this fantastic book for your collections, you can contact him at Contact us – David M Spindel

One of David’s signed Lennon photos that he sent me:

A wonderful signed shot of Yoko and John from David:

The Back Cover of “The Kid in the Candy Store” book:

JUNE HARRIS INTERVIEWS THE BEATLES

An excellent early interview with the Beatles from September 12, 1964, Music Business Magazine conducted by June Harris:

This magazine from January of 2000, was for some unknown reason, very expensive and difficult to obtain. I don’t even recall a Lennon feature within the magazine if memory serves me correctly. I just liked the photo and it represented an early photo of the growing relationship of John and Yoko.

JULIAN LENNON – PHOTOGRAPH

I may have posted this before but I love this signed Julian Lennon Photograph Smile poster not only for the great shot of Julian as a youth but I loved the music on this album. To me it is a disgusting shame that the music industry has treated this guy in such a terrible way. He has produced some masterful LP’s with disappointing sales figures. For example Julian has mentioned in a couple of podcasts about his new Life’s Fragile Moments photogrpahy book that when he released his latest “Jude” LP he rehearsed a band in or around LA to perhaps do some television appearances to promote the LP, and none of those prospective programs offered him the chance to appear on the shows. That is thoroughly disgusting and undeserved in my opinion. He deserves a lot better as I believe his talents in both music and photography are exemplary…

TIME GOES BY SO QUICKLY:

PIcked up this Julian cover story in the summer of 2024. It is hard to believe that a Beatle offspring will be celebrating his 62nd birthday in April of 2025.

THE BEATLES AND CHRISTMAS

One of my favorite all-time Beatles Christmas items. This book created by well-known Beatles author, Scott Belmer and his co-writing cohort, Garry Marsh, was introduced/released in 2022 and was published by Belmo Publishing and Number 9 Books in the UK. Illustrator- Bill Stout. It is a thorough treatise of the Beatles strong associations with the Christmas season and the special releases they were involved with over the years to celebrate the holiday!

The back cover of the hardcover edition of the book which was limited or restricted as to the number of signed and numbered copies:

I was able to acquire copy #25 of the limited signed and numbered edition and I was quite pleased with Scott’s message to me!

Scott accepted a submission I had sent in for the book about a fan Beatles/Christmas recollections (me) and I was quite frustrated with the piece after it went to publication as I discovered a glaring error that I made as it relates to when Ringo’s Christmas album was released. I said 2017, which was the cd, but the vinyl release was actually in 1999.. Oh the shame…. Anyhow here was my submission!

RINGO STARR – I WANNA BE SANTA CLAUS

In the holiday frame of mind thought I would share with you this framed poster of the Ringo Christmas album, “I Wanna Be Santa Claus.” I loved this album and was greatly disappointed hearing that it did not sell as well as expected when it was released. Having this promo poster is special to me because the album deserved a far better sales figure than it secured.

JOHN LENNON AND THE SUPERNATURAL?

A magazine combining science fiction and the supernatural. Bought it primarily because it was so unusual and also because I personally believe that John Lennon did indeed feel internally that his life was going to end prematurely and soon according to people like Jack Douglas who sensed a spirit of uneasiness with John at the end.

This from the April 1981 issue of Beyond Reality Magazine appearing about 5 months following his murder.

INTERVIEW WITH PAUL MCCARTNEY

An issue of the UK Observer that I always see commanding high prices on eBay. I purchased a copy of this November 26, 1967 issue of the magazine and I discovered why it was in such a high demand. The interview with Paul contained in the magazine was conducted by Alan Aldridge, the author and artist who did the series of books entitled “The Beatles Illustrated Lyrics.” He designed the cover of the magazine and a few other illustrations within. Glad I got one!

ASTRID KIRCHHERR

You Magazine a UK newspaper supplement from March 1994 which features Hunter Davies discussing the importance of Astrid Kirchherr’s early Beatles photographs in the formulation of the Beatles image.

PAUL MCCARTNEY AND ALLEN KLEIN

Issue #240 of Private Eye from Friday Feb, 26, 1971. Features an article about Paul’s disdain of Allen Klein and the business troubles the band was going through at this time…

JOHN AND PAUL AND APPLE

An issue of the August 1968 Teen Screen Magazine which features several Beatles-related articles including one about the journey that John and Paul made to NY in 68 to promote Apple. I keep lobbying and challenging some ambitious author as it being an interesting book idea to explore the activities of John and Paul during their sojourn to NY to discuss their new company. There are tons of available photographs from that trip and numerous activities to report on. I sincerely hope someone picks up that challenge one day. I would attempt it except I am quite frankly too old to adequately pursue the idea…

JOHN LENNON AND ME

The program and dialog to a 1996 play by author Cherie Bennett that deals with a Beatles fan afflicted with a life threatening disease (cystic fibrosis) and her ability to cope with the curveballs that life sometines throws at us. I know I am in the minority but I love books like this that explore the effects the Beatles had or have on our respective lives. To me this type of book solidifies their cultural impact on the world.

Back Cover of the book:

JULIAN LENNON AND PAUL MCCARTNEY

A French magazine featuring John’s son Julian on the cover and Paul McCartney around the time of Broad Street hence the terms/references below their surnames on the bottom of the cover- (les fils-the son) and (le film, the film).

RICHARD LESTER

A hard to find Richard Lester interview from the UK magazine Movie, Winter 68-69 issue #16:

Here is a nice item recently acquired a sketch that Klaus Voormann sent to a fan:

Another recent acquisition is a charity album from 1987 to benefit the Boy Scouts of America whereby George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voormann and Lon and Derrek Van Eaton make appearances. (see the back cover for the details)

The back cover of the charity LP:

BERNIE TAUPIN

Some of you may be asking why a Bernie Taupin book about his lyrics appears in a Beatles-related print blog. Well, it has to do with John Lennon’s friendship with both Elton John and Bernie Taupin. We all know about the famous 1974 Thanksgiving concert of Elton’s where John performed three songs and played tambourine in the encore, but not as much is known about John’s contribution to Bernie’s book of his illustrated lyrics. many artists like Alan Aldridge were asked to contribute something to illustrate the fine lyrics of Taupin. John Lennon volunteered to contribute one of his many collages that he had done over the years to illustrate the song “Bennie and the Jets.” The collage appears in this book but I won’t surprise you by including it here, you will need to discover the collage on your own. The book is available on Amazon, Ebay and many other book sources. This book was published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1976

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!

Looking for more feedback folks. I hear from a lot of people via email saying that they enjoy the blog a lot but I see very few comments or perceptions directly on the site.

Please demonstrate your viewpoints and opinions via the Comments section. Constructive feedback is always welcome. Trolls please stay away. With gratitude!

JOHN “BUZZ” BEZZINI

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