THE BEATLES WHAT IF BOOK PREMIERE

David Bedford and Andrew Phillips have undertaken a unique perspective in their excellent new book “The Beatles: What If?” To present a basic background for their initial premise in writing the book, I need to ask all of you a few simple questions. How many of you have posed the question to yourselves sometime in your life of how different your life may have played out, if you made a different decision about a particular life event occurring at a crucial point?

Have you ever had a desire to become a teacher and then somehow life events changed your ability to realize that dream and you look back with possible regrets about that outcome? Followed by the ultimate question of how different your life may have been if you pursued the teaching profession. You can see where this is leading as you also would have met different people along the alternate path.

I was honored to have been asked by the authors to read an advance copy of this wonderful book but I have to be honest as well. Prior to reading it, I had always been skeptical of Beatles books that were not based solely in fact rather than fantasy or speculation. However that is why this book is so unique and special to me as it turns the tables to contemplate how different the timeline of events would/might have played out if different decisions had been made along the way in the Beatles history and careers.

The purpose and intention of the book is to stimulate and provoke discussion of many of the “what if” situations that we may have thought about when we look back on the fabulous Beatles story. David and Andrew developed a thoughtful formula for deciding upon the more than 70 Beatles-related decisions or choices that could have predicated a much different outcome than what actually happened. Their analysis of what may have happened if an alternate decision was made by one of the four or other prominent members of the people they interacted with during their lives is quite frankly, a fascinating study.

When people read this book and discuss the authors potential scenarios, you will agree with some and disagree with others. If that occurs, the book is a tremendous success. Pay close attention to the formula the authors chose in presenting their list of “What Ifs.” I will close with one example. What would have happened if Decca Records had signed the Beatles after their January 1, 1962 audition? How different might their careers have been since it would have been unlikely they would have worked with producer George Martin in that event.

Check this book out and you will not be disappointed. I can envision groups of Beatles fans doing their own roundtable speculation and discussions with this book being the motivation and jumping off point leading to spirited exchanges in the small groups.

The front cover of the book:

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW OF THE BEATLES WHAT IF?

Here is the site of the publisher and the link where the book can be ordered. This site is operated under the auspices of a kind and knowledgeable gentleman named Steven Wilson who recognizes the importance of nostalgia in all of our lives as is demonstrated at his website where you can order the book:

The Beatles: What If? – Golden Age Music Collectables

500 copies of the hardback have been issued. Once those are sold out, a softcover edition will appear!

The Beatles What If? Limited Edition Hardback – The Beatles Bookstore

The back cover of the book:

David Bedford, one of the “What If” book authors, proudly holding his new book at the site of the book’s premiere at the Fest for Beatles Fans in New Jersey. (March 2025) Thanks for the photos, Steven and David!!!

Authors Andrew Phillips and David Bedford sign my copy of the book at the Fest-Thanks Guys!!!

And here we go-the signatures of the 2 authors of the book:

The “What If” publisher, Steven Wilson, along with the Fest for Beatles founder, Mark Lapidos. Steven Wilson also published the limited edition book by Ruth and Angie McCartney entitled, “There are Faces I Remember.”

The final justification for me of the high merits of this book in addition to the track record of the former books written by the authors, is the foreword of the book is written by prominent Beatles book author, Bruce Spizer. You can not receive a better endorsement than that! The book received the world premiere at the Fest For Beatles Fans beginning on March 28, 2025 and ending on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency, Jersey City on the Hudson.

Ironically, George Harrison gave his own philosophical perspective to the “What If” issue in his posthumous LP/CD called Brainwashed in his song “Any Road,” where he says “If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, Any Road will take you there.”

GET THE BEATLES WHAT IF HERE AT THE BEATLES BOOKSTORE

BUZZ