Posted on 5 Comments

Buzz’s JPGR Hodgepodge 2 – A Few Odds and Ends

As I rummage through my Beatles-related collection and cataloging the pieces for future reference, I often come across items that I think that may be of interest to other Beatles fans or solo Beatles fans. Many of these books or magazines and assorted print media are from different countries or may simply have not reached a large mass audience when they were issued or released. This is the 2nd Buzz’s JPGR Hodgepodge post featuring some of these items. The Hodgepodge posts will become an occasional feature on this blog. The regular posts will continue to cover books or magazines that have some feature or some specific subject matter in common with each other or have a common theme tying them together!

Hope you will enjoy today’s Hodgepodge: The items pictured here are from my personal collection and were acquired from such various venues as Ebay and Abe Books and other private collectors.

Tribute to George Martin: A special Billboard publication from April 11, 1998

In My Life-The Billboard Tribute to George Martin

Love these types of publications that are not widely circulated but are precious as collector’s keepsakes!

George Martin
George Martin

The inside photo of George featured on the reverse side of the cover:

George Martin
George Martin

The name of the individual who wrote the feature article about George Martin: Paul Sexton

George Martin
George Martin

I love to collect Beatles-related auction programs for a various number of reasons. This one is from the great organizations in the UK called TRACKS, which I have purchased many Beatles items from. This one was from a 2014 auction. The reason I like these catalogs so much is that many items that I have never seen before and cannot afford to buy, I can at least have a nice photograph of the item and the history behind it in the archive. In another catalog I purchased a long time ago, (I don’t believe it was a TRACKS catalog) I had a picture of the reel-to-reel tape recorder that Bob Molyneux used to record the Quarrymen at the Woolton Village Fete. To top things off, Molyneux signed that same auction catalog.

Tracks
Tracks

The back cover of the 2014 Tracks auction catalog:

Tracks
Tracks

Interviews with John and Yoko from this era fascinate me in trying to understand their political views at that moment of their history:

John and Yoko
John and Yoko

Love the cover stories on music magazines, this one was about the One-to-One Concert. My only disappointment with these sorts of magazines as a collector is their fragile nature and the eventual yellowing of the magazine over time. We will see more about the One-to-One event somewhere down the road, of that, I am sure. Possibly a photo book and a remixed and remastered audio of the complete concert as well.

John Lennon
John Lennon

Never had seen this magazine entitled New Departures before I saw it on Ebay. Published in 1981. It features a tribute to John Lennon. I also included the magazine credit page to identify the people that put the issue together: The cover features a photo collage put together by Peter Blake who helped design and put together the Sgt. Pepper cover

John Lennon
John Lennon
New Departures
New Departures

I love cover stories about the Beatles from Billboard magazine, this one featuring the famous Richard Avedon photos.

This is the November 18, 2000, issue:

Billboard
Billboard

Could not resist this UK issue of the Independent on Sunday Magazine from March 9th, 2008. It was the photo of two musical titans speaking about their views of what was going on the world in 1968…

John and Mick
John and Mick

I normally do not purchase too many Beatles-related books and magazines that are not written in English. However, I purchased this wonderful magazine from Spain featuring many unique photos from the J and Y Bed-In. This issue is from March 22, 2009.

Spanish Magazine
Spanish Magazine

Sundance Magazine Vol 1 No 1 April 1972 features John and Yoko discussing Women’s Liberation issues. In 1972 John and Yoko agreed to do a series of articles for Sundance which dealt with many social issues. Somewhere in the collection I have the magazine with the poem that John wrote about another issue…

Sundance
Sundance

Saw this magazine on Ebay in order to read the feature on Sean Lennon published in this UK magazine. Article written by Conrad Bischoff and photographed by Zackery Michael. Interesting interview and many nice photos of Sean are featured in this article from Foxes magazine in 2017. Apparently, this magazines strongpoint are the great photo essays being presented. Bought this on Ebay!

Sean Ono Lennon
Sean Ono Lennon

Journalism has changed over the years and certainly so has the treatment of women in popular magazines. I bought this magazine of course because of the John and Yoko article but I was amazed of how the material was presented judging by today’s cultural norms of what is considered appropriate. I personally believe that Yoko would have been offended by the way some of the material was being presented in the article but maybe I am not being fair in that assessment. I will leave that judgement to you, if you ever get the chance to read it or indeed if you have already seen it.

LIFE - In Asia
LIFE – In Asia

This is one concert I wish I had attended. It was a loving tribute to George Harrison in 2002, a year following his passing. Many of George’s friends and fellow musical luminaries contributed to this wonderful show which was released as a cd, dvd, and a beautiful Genesis book title to commemorate the event. Having been unable to attend this event in the UK, I attempted to do the next best thing. I saw on Ebay the concert program being offered for sale as well as an unused ticket from the event. I purchased the program, and I am very happy that I did. The concert was such a special one that I was thrilled to have acquired this keepsake though I certainly would have preferred that I had been able to attend this special event!

Concert for George
Concert for George

The ticket of the event:

Concert for George
Concert for George

This Progressive Media magazine from 1980 known as CMJ Magazine was published bi-weekly. This issue came out in that horrible month of December 1980. Published by College Media this Vol 4 No. 6. Jeff Tamarkin was the Managing Editor of this magazine. Jeff was a former editor of Goldmine magazine and is a music scholar.

This issue contained a tribute to John Lennon following his murder/passing. This is the back cover of that December 1980 issue of the magazine:

Progressive Magazine
Progressive Magazine

Prior to the onslaught of digital media, it was very difficult to acquire magazines and books that were available only across the pond. The rapid expansion of computers and the quickly evolving internet and such internet sources as Ebay allowed us all to acquire print items that we were not privy to before.

Love this 1996 issue of Weekend magazine, a supplement to the UK based Daily Mail. Features an interview with John’s sister Julia.

John's Sister Julia Speaks
John’s Sister Julia Speaks

Main photograph below is by Steve Poole. The story in this wonderful magazine article is by Lynda Lee-Potter:

John's Sister Julia Speaks
John’s Sister Julia Speaks

I have a particular fascination in collecting Beatles-related magazines from the Sgt. Pepper era like this cover shot of John Lennon from the June 3, 1967 issue of a radio-based magazine.

Then and Now
Then and Now

My copy of this January 1969 issue of Disc magazine. A great issue featuring a cover photo of John Lennon from the 1968 Rolling Stones R&R Circus. I love scouring through the old rock magazines especially those from the UK as you often find information of events or projects that may have been planned by the group but never materialized. Unfortunately, older magazines in the newspaper like format such as the older Rolling Stone Magazine yellow over time and become very fragile, and they need to be placed in plastic encasings to postpone their deterioration.

Disc
Disc

This is the hardcover edition of the Paul McCartney 2011 Tour program which comes encased in a slipcase. I do not normally collect tour books, but this one was special to me because not only was it a hardcover edition of the tour book, but it was also presented in a protective slipcase. Shown here are front and back covers of the book followed by a side view of the blue slipcase with the book inside. Many wonderful photos of Paul and the tour entourage are included in this tour book.

Paul on the run
Paul on the run

Back cover of the hardback tour book:

Paul on the run
Paul on the run

The side view of the book in the provided blue slipcase:

Paul on the run
Paul on the run

This book has a multicultural origin. The book was printed in Hungary, but the publisher BAKHALL is located in Sweden and the text of the book appears in English. Published in 2007 under the supervision of Yoko Ono. The book presents a snapshot of the 1969 Bed-In event with many quotes from John and Yoko. The book is a small in size hardback which come with a dvd that features Bed-In documentary footage and Yoko’s Onochord video from 2004. The dvd is in the PAL format which is the European configuration for dvd’s and may not be watchable in some US dvd machines.

Front cover of the book:

Give Peace a Chance
Give Peace a Chance

Back cover of the hardback book:

Give Peace a Chance
Give Peace a Chance

A photo of the PAL format dvd that came with the book:

Give Peace a Chance
Give Peace a Chance

Hope you enjoyed the HODGEPODGE post of today! In the comments section I would like to hear from you about Beatle print-related items that were very difficult for you to find or locate or were so obscure that you felt compelled to buy them when you first encountered them. I am interested in hearing about Items that you had never seen before or that that your first reaction in seeing them was WOW, I have to purchase this for my collection!!!

Buzz

Discover More at the Beatles Bookstore

Posted on Leave a comment

THE BEATLES AND THE JUNGLE BOOK! TURNING INTO VULTURES

The Beatles and The Jungle Book when The Beatles could have been turned into Vultures! – ANOTHER “WHAT IF” OF BEATLES HISTORY

This is a pin featuring the Vultures – Dizzie, Buzzie, Ziggy, and Flaps – issued in 2009 by Disney to commemorate the appearance of the characters in the 1967 Disney “Jungle Book”  film. The pin sold out, no doubt due in some part to the supposed connection to the Beatles.  Apparently, the Beatles were approached to do the voices of the vultures in the Disney film “The Jungle Book.” According to the article presented in the link below, John Lennon vetoed the notion of the Beatles doing the voices for the characters. Hope you enjoy the story. Written by Jordan Potter and appearing in FAR OUT!!!

Why The Beatles didn’t cameo in Disney film ‘The Jungle Book’ (faroutmagazine.co.uk)

THE BEATLES VULTURE PIN:

What impact would it have had on the fans if the Beatles had made the decision to do a cameo vocal appearance in the film? Would it have been a positive career move or a negative one in your opinion?

Buzz

Posted on 3 Comments

THE LENNON PLAY: IN HIS OWN WRITE!!!

The Lennon Play: In His Own Write by John Lennon, Adrienne Kennedy, and Victor Spinetti

Published in 1968 by Simon and Schuster – Victor Spinetti collaborated with Lord Laurence Olivier in a 1968 stage adaptation of a John Lennon work, The Lennon Play: In His Own Write, for the National Theatre!!!

Here is an excerpt from a Daily Mail article written by Ephraim Hardcastle on June 19, 2012

Laurence Olivier and the John and Yoko mix up

Spinetti recalled recently: ‘When I told Olivier that we now had John Lennon’s permission to go ahead, he said, “I’d very much like to meet with Johnny Lennon.” John and Yoko arrived at the National dressed exactly alike, in white, with their long hair. Olivier said, “Which is which, my dear baby? I can’t tell them apart!

This is the book of the play co-authored by Lennon, Kennedy, and Spinetti

This is my copy signed by the late Victor Spinetti and a Fest for Beatles Fans that was held in New Jersey several years ago.

Front cover of the book:

The Lennon Play: In His Own Write
The Lennon Play: In His Own Write

The signature page of Spinetti’s inscribed message, signed at a Fest for Beatles Fans:

Signed by Victor Spinetti
Signed by Victor Spinetti

The back cover of the book:

The Lennon Play: In His Own Write
The Lennon Play: In His Own Write back cover

Adrienne Kennedy also shares her memories of working with and meeting a Beatle in the following title co-authored by her son Adam! This book is more difficult to find than the Spinetti title. I have seen this being offered on Ebay and book search services such as Abe Books!

Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles by Adrienne Kennedy and Adam P. Kennedy

Publisher

Samuel French, Inc.

Publish Date

November 08, 2010

Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles?
Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles?

Buzz

More on John Lennon

Posted on 5 Comments

Ringo Starr Look Up – NEW Country Album

Ringo Starr Look Up

It should come as no surprise that Ringo is recording another Country album in Nashville; Ringo Starr “Look Up”. He is the Beatle most known for his love of country music, though all four Beatles were big country music fans.

You can find out more about this new album here:

Ringo Starr has announced his next album: a country record, produced and co-written by T-Bone Burnett. Look Up is due out in January 2025. It’s his first new LP since 2019, and his first country record in more than 50 years.

In addition to Burnett, who co-wrote nine out of 11 songs on the record, Look Up features a host of country, bluegrass, and Americana talent including Alison Krauss, Billy Strings, Larkin Poe, Lucius, and Molly Tuttle. The first single from the album, “Time On My Hands,” is out today.

Not many fans realise that the roots of The Beatles music are in country, which has been explored in David Bedford’s book The Country of Liverpool: Nashville of The North

Website: The Country of Liverpool

Why was country music so popular in Liverpool?

Who were the country music influences on The Beatles?

Which Beatles songs have their roots in country music?

Which Beatles album did John say was their Country and Western album?

Get Your Copy Now:

Posted on 4 Comments

A Couple of Rare Beatles Books from the UK

One of my favorite types of rare Beatles books is the titles about gigs they performed at locations in Europe that may not be well-known to many who live in the US or other countries outside of Europe.

Author Simon Hurford has written a couple of UK Beatles titles that were of great interest to me. The more recent title “There’s a Place” is featured on top followed by a photo of his earlier work, “Twist and Shout, The Beatles in Bath 1963.”

These rare Beatles books and the stories surrounding them are so interesting because they virtually always feature stories and information that are not commonplace or well-known by the typical Beatles fan. That coupled with the titles being usually limited to a UK release makes them more appealing than the more widely circulated Beatles books that appear all over the world.

Front cover of the 2nd Simon Hurford Beatles book: There’s a Place

There's A Place
There’s A Place

Back cover of the “There’s a Place Hurford title:

There's A Place Back Cover
There’s A Place Back Cover

The signature page of the 2nd Simon Hurford Beatles book:

Simon’s first Beatles Book:

This book was incredibly difficult to find. Would like to thank Geoff Clode for his assistance in acquiring a copy of this title.

Twist and Shout
Twist and Shout

Inquiries about these 2 books can be sent to: sphurford@yahoo.co.uk

A message from the author:

“My approach to writing about pop music is to contact local newspapers and ask fans who have attended concerts to get in touch with me with their memories and stories. It is amazing what information comes out of that.

Many fans have visited the concert halls the Beatles performed at, and stayed in the same hotels as well. I also visit these places myself, speak to people, and spend hours in the local library and the homes of any archives that still exist.

Of course with venues closing and fans getting older it is becoming a disappearing world. Seeing or meeting The Beatles is the highlight of many fan’s lives and they love to talk about those times.

I write as a hobby. I saw there was a need for a book on The Beatles concert in Bath in June 1963, people still talk about it 60 years on. That was my first book and the start of this ridiculous obsession I have with pop.

If anyone wants copies of my books they can be obtained from Mr B’s Emporium 14-15 John Street in Bath, which is a wonderful independent shop that is perfect to browse in.

I have written 2 books on the Colston Hall in Bristol (now called Bristol Beacon) and both were commissioned by the Hall. One contains a chapter on The Beatles concerts. Copy attached of the covers.

Stay groovy

Simon”

Do you collect or buy books like these? Do you have a favourite? Let me know.

Buzz

Posted on 9 Comments

The Beatles From Us To You

This beautiful set, The Beatles From Us To You, redefines a most important period in the development and growth of The Beatles. This is a compendium of the group’s early broadcasts done for the BBC in 1963/64 and is priceless in the sense that this period of time has now been re-imagined. This means we can now hear them exactly as the studios at the BBC record them, and it is staggering to listen and understand, that their records were exactly as the quartet played. They were totally unique and Brilliant!!

The passage of time has only enhanced what we already knew, but now it can be confirmed to millions of new fans who continue to fall under their magical spell.

This is the front cover presentation of the 4-set pack

The Beatles From Us To You
The Beatles From Us To You

This is the front view again but with the CD set open to view

The Beatles From Us To You - CDs
The Beatles From Us To You – CDs

This is the rear of the pack, again with the CDs relevant to each pack

The Beatles From Us To You - Rear of the Cases
The Beatles From Us To You – Rear of the Cases

The important thing to note is the use of the early 1960s LP Presentation, which solidifies the complete set-up, including the black-and-white photographs. 

As a final note, while it is 2024, it cannot be underestimated just how much influence and standing The Beatles continue to have in the whole music business and social attitudes the world over. Their output, standing, and influence are not just notes for reference, it’s not just history in words and sounds, it is a whole new generation of influence and standing that just grows and enhances with the passage of time. The influence really continues to grow like no other. Yes, other bands and artists have a re-birth at times, but when one looks at this business, The Beatles do not have a re-birth, it is a total vindication and re-enhancement of what is always going to be… the Greatest music phenomenon ever!

Nigel Pearce

Author Inside No3

GET NIGEL’S GREAT BOOK ON APPLE – INSIDE NUMBER THREE