With the Beatles: Mal Evans’ Illustrated Journey – The First Publication of Mal Evans’ Personal Beatles Archive of Diaries Photos and Unpublished Memoir
by Kenneth Womack (Author)
Publisher : HarperPop
We are getting close to the release of Part 2 of the epic Mal Evans series of books created by prolific author, Kenneth Womack. Ken has hinted that to complete the Mal Evans story may actually require several additional volumes beyond the 2nd volume. I hope that is the case as we all will be willing participants to soak up the treasured information that is being offered to us! Can’t wait to read volume 2 which will be released in perfect timing for the holiday season of 2026!
A LITTLE MAL WORD PLAY
The word malfeasance certainly does not apply to Mal Evans, but the word feasance certainly does:
(MAL)-FEASANCE – THE MORE ACCURATE DEFINITION of the word AS APPLIED TO BEATLES ROAD MANAGER MAL EVANS IS: the doing or performing of an act, as of a condition or duty.
AN OBLIGATION TO DUTY CERTAINLY SUMS UP MAL EVANS ALLEGIANCE AND DEVOTION TO THE BEATLES
THE LANDMARK STORY OF THIS IMPORTANT FIGURE IN THE BEATLES LIVES CONTINUES WITH VOLUME 2 OF THE KENNETH WOMACK ACCOUNT OF THEIR FRIEND AND ASSOCIATE-MALCOLM EVANS
A FEW ORDERING LINKS AS A COURTESY:
FEST FOR BEATLES FANS: Mark Lapiidos the owner and operator of the Fest for Beatles Fans specializes in selling signed editions of many of these wonderful Beatles titles. Here is Mark’s link to his website where you can learn if he will be selling signed copies of the second volume of Kenneth Womack’s landmark Mal Evans history…
He undoubtedly will be carrying signed copies of the Womack book when it is officially issued:
Beatles Gifts and Products, The Fest for Beatles Fans
AMAZON US:
AMAZON UK:
AMAZON DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK:
A four-color extravaganza from the Mal Evans archives, including sections from his never published memoirs, his detailed (and humorously illustrated) diaries and hundreds of unseen photographs he took during his time with the Beatles. Truly a goldmine of new insight into the most famous band in the world, from a man who knew them better than most.
Malcolm “Mal” Evans was an integral figure in the lives of The Beatles, acting as everything from roadie and assistant to confidante and, above all else, friend. Even after the band’s split, Evans remained close to each member as they ventured out into solo careers, though he was closest to Paul McCartney. And through it all, he kept a detailed diary.
In the 1970s, Mal made a deal with a publisher for a memoir, and the typed manuscript he submitted remained in that publisher’s basement until it was discovered by a temp, tasked with cleaning out a storage unit. Along with the manuscript, the temp discovered an amazing collection of photographs and diaries. Instead of throwing them away as instructed, the temp sent a letter to Yoko Ono, who quickly responded. Yoko retrieved the materials, and returned them to Mal’s family in England. Unfortunately, Mal had taken his life years prior in a drug fueled showdown with the police.
Now, from the author who wrote our own acclaimed Living the Beatles Legend, comes a visual celebration of the Mal Evans archives. Once thought lost forever, this holy grail for Beatles die-hards is being shared for the first time. With annotated (by Ken) excerpts of Mal’s memoir, the first-hand account of life with the world’s most important band through the eyes of the man that was there for it all, and bits from his diaries showing the comings, goings, recording schedules, and personal appointments of John, Paul, Ringo, and George, their life as a group, time on the road, and lives after their dissolution.
A companion to Womack’s thoroughly researched and family blessed biography of Mal, Living the Beatles Legend, now with the words of the man himself, and featuring hundreds of never before seen photos as well, this will be a beautifully designed must-own for Beatles lovers everywhere.
Amazon Note:
Please note that while the Amazon links are provided here for the book as a convenience to you, the listing of Amazon does not reflect a recommendation that you should buy the book from this source. It is up to you to select the site you find most comfortable in making your book choices & purchases. You can also find most books at Barnes and Noble, for example or at Abe Books and many other books search sources. The motivation for providing the Amazon listing is simply to provide a commonly known convenient place to order book titles. Buy or acquire the books wherever you feel most comfortable in doing so!
I don’t know in advance what the details or complete content are going to be regarding the fabulous sequel to Ken Womack’s Mal Evans biography, but I want to take advantage of this opportunity to share a few of my own Mal Evans artifacts from my personal collection. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I have over the past few years!
A FEW PERSONAL COLLECTIBLES REGARDING MAL EVANS:
A NOTE FROM BEATLES US-APPLE MGR-THE LATE KEN MANSFIELD
I obtained this signed letter from Ken Mansfield on eBay when I purchased regarding the Mal Evans Christmas card that Mal sent to Ken as the 60s drew to a close:
THE MAL EVANS APPLE CHRISTMAS CARD SENT TO KEN MANSFIELD TO CLOSE OUT THE 60s:
A CLOSEUP OF MAL’S INSCRIPTION TO KEN ON THE CARD:
MAL EVANS “TEARS” A Collecting highlight
This unreleased song entitled Tears, was written in Mal Evans handwriting which I obtained for my personal collection from the UK organization named TRACKS! The song was co-written with Norman Kurban, a songwriter, musician, and arranger. Kurban has worked with Carole King and Buddy Miles among many other prominent names over the years!
Mal must have written multiple drafts of the song as recently I saw another handwritten copy of the song on eBay!
That copy however does not give the songwriting credits shown here on the upper right-hand corner of the document!
Mal always felt disappointed that his musical talent was not being full recognized or appreciated. For example, Mal co-wrote the last song on the Ringo album entitled You and Me (Babe). George Harrison was impressed with Mal’s song and helped him to finish it off. Mal also produced records such as Badfinger’s No Matter What hit.
MAL EVANS’ HANDWRITTEN LYRICS TO “TEARS”, CO-WRITTEN WITH NORMAN KURBAN
I obtained these lyrics through the UK Beatles specialty shop called TRACKS:
MAL EVANS TOOK THE COVER PHOTO OF THE NILSSON SANDMAN ALBUM
HARRY NILSSON”S HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE TO MAL EVANS WRITTEN ON AN ACETATE PROMO COPY OF THE RECORD”
It reads “TO MAL THE PAL. I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART YOU BET”
HARRY NILSSON
A SIGNED MAL EVANS APPLE ACETATE FOR THE GROUP HALF BREED. HALF BREED HAD ONE OF IT’S MEMBERS OF THE DARK HORSE DUO OF SPLINTER IN IT. MAL EVANS HELPED INTRODUCE SPLINTER TO APPLE AND THEY ENDED UP ON GEORGE’S DARK HORSE LABEL. MAL WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN FINDING THE IVEYS/BADFINGER FOR APPLE RECORDS
THE BEATLES 1964 UK TOUR PROGRAM SIGNED BY MAL EVANS
MAL’S FULL NAME SIGNATURE OF “MALCOLM EVANS” ALONG WITH HIS TITLE OR ROLE WITH THE GROUP AS “BEATLES ROAD MANAGER”:
Ken Womack’s Beatles book catalog speaks for itself. I know you will be joining me in adding Vol 2 of the Mal Evans story to your book collections and libraries!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
