Category: Buzz’s Beatles Book/ Print Blog

John Buzz Bezzini

The blog is designed to feature both old and new Beatles-related print material including books, magazines, posters, or correspondence with people that have a Beatles connection or association. The blog will also feature books from people that have worked with the individual members of the group during their solo careers! Looking forward to seeing you here! Looking forward to your participation and feedback on the blog!

John “Buzz” Bezzini has one of the world’s largest collections of Beatles books and he will share his thoughts and opinions on some of the more rare and unusual Beatles titles.

John taught a course in 1984 called “The Beatles in Retrospect” marking the 20th anniversary of the Beatles’ arrival in America.

John also holds a Master’s Degree in Communication.

Enjoy Buzz’s Beatles Book Blog.

The images shared here are part of John’s private collection and are shared under Fair Use/ Fair Dealings. If you have any questions, contact the administrator.

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Don’t forget that there are hundreds of Blog Posts here, so check them out on the Index at the bottom of the page!

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Posted on 21/03/202408/07/2024 by Buzz — 3 Comments

A FEW APPLE RECORDS RARITIES

FROM SOUTH AFRICA, THE PHILIPPINES, AND ISRAEL, AND ONE BONUS RARITY FROM THE NETHERLANDS

Shown below is the cover of the fabulous book that got me interested in the subject noted above. As a collector, I have become fascinated with the matter of rare Apple Records. The person that I know that fits the bill of being one of largest collector of Apple Records in the world is Nigel Pearce whose collection is both extensive and fabulous.

Nigel’s Book – Inside Number Three

Inside Number Three – The Illustrated History of Apple Records

Inside No3 takes you through that famous door, deep into the minds of all who worked there at Apple Records. This is done also in a very different way. This is not a kiss-and-tell diary, it is through fan adulation and understanding via a personal collection of artifacts and memorabilia that author Nigel Pearce has built up over the last 50 years.

For prices and dates please contact Nigel again via the website

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There are also many knowledgeable people about the subject in Europe in countries such as Belgium where a good friend, Philippe Colinge, assisted me in finding some of the records you are about to see for me to purchase, or at least finding photographs of many of them to present to you so you are aware of their existence.

Magical Mystery Tours

There is a chapter in Tony Bramwell’s book that deals with the various licensing deals that Apple did to issue many of its records in multiple countries across the world. Three of the countries hold a particular fascination for me: The Philippines, South Africa and Israel.

For quite some time it has been reported that Tony has been working on an updated version of this book!

Mary Hopkin-Mary Had A Baby

According to some reports, the Philippines was the only country in the world that issued this Christmas holiday record on Apple Records, as Mary’s contract with Apple had just expired with Apple when it was issued there. The song appeared on different labels in all of the other worldwide locales. Mary’s husband at the time, noted record producer, Tony Visconti was involved in the production of this record. After the dissolution of their marriage, Tony was to marry May Pang who in 1973-75 had more than an 18 month relationship with John Lennon of the ex-Beatles!

First of all, I would like to take the time to acknowledge a phenomenal site based in the Netherlands that is a primary source of many of the photographs you are seeing on this blog post: This is the site and it is highly recommended. Philippe Colinge from Belgium shared this with me and I am very grateful to him. The Netherlands are the source of some of the most knowledgeable Beatles fans in the world!!!

www.applerecords.nl

Holiday song of: “Mary had a Baby”

The flip side: “Cherry Tree Carol”

John Lennon and “We All Shine On”

In the Philippines, the title of Instant Karma was transposed and the A-side reads as We All Shine On with Instant Karma within parentheses!

John Lennon Mother/ Isolation and The Beatles?

For some strange reason, many of the solo Beatles recordings in the Philippines began to appear with the solo artist’s name being followed by “The Beatles” on the label. This happened to John, George, and Ringo, but not Paul so I can only assume this was due to some management issue or lack thereof. What was odd about this Mother 45, it not only had the incorrect Beatles labeling but the A side of Mother was also issued as the B-side in other issues of the 45.

APPLE – “LOVE”

APPLE – “POWER TO THE PEOPLE” and the Beatles listed as the performers of Yoko Ono’s “Open Your Box”

“IMAGINE”/ “OH MY LOVE”

Soon thereafter, the Beatles label was dropped from John’s 45’s.

George: “My Sweet Lord”/ “Isn’t It a Pity”

George – “What Is Life”/ “Apple Scruffs”

George – “Bangla Desh”/ “Deep Blue”

After Bangla-Desh, the Beatles attribution was dropped from the Philippine George 45’s

Ringo – “Beaucoups of Blues”/ “Coochy Coochy”

Ringo – “It Don’t Come Easy”/ “Early 1970”

A couple of Paul rarities from the Philippines. The Apple issue of Give Ireland Back to the Irish is credited as Wings featuring Paul and Linda McCartney and The “I Lie Around” Apple 45 featured I Lie Around as the A-side to Live and Let Die as the B-side!

A rare Beatles 45 from the Philippines is one that I am still seeking for in my collection: It is Two of Us with the flip side of Across the Universe from the Let It Be album! This would have made a wonderful single from the LP in my opinion. Here is a photo of the 45:

From Israel:

On Discogs, I was able to locate the rare Billy Preston EP on Apple which featured the only Apple appearance of the song “In the Midnight Hour,” by Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper. Cropper was also to play guitar on the Phil Spector Lennon oldies sessions in California in 1973.

I want to make one exception to my three-country Apple rarity discussion. This rarity is from the Netherlands and it is the only version of James Taylor’s first Apple album to feature it on the label listed as “The First Album.”

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, APPLE RARITIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA

UYANDIZE UMABENGWANE / SIYAV UNGAZELA (Abafana Be Myunge)

DIE JARE GAAN VERBY / ROSE IS ROOI (Gene Rockwell) The AFRIKAAN VERSION OF THOSE WERE THE DAYS

Afrikaans is a West Germanic language that is spoken in South Africa according to Wikipedia!

“TSI TSI NO.1″ / “MAHLOMELA (Big Voice Jack)”

The 4th known Apple South African release-no photograph is available:

DARK CITY JIVE / WHITE CITY JIVE (Izinyozi Boys)

Hope you have enjoyed this post! Special thanks go to Philippe Colinge for providing many of the photographs presented here as well as the wonderful site based in the Netherlands of: www.applerecords.nl

TRIVIA QUESTION: “Which was the first Beatles song released on Apple Records in the UK”? Answers in the comments below.

Buzz

Posted on 18/03/202427/05/2024 by Buzz — 4 Comments

THE YOUNG JULIAN LENNON AND UNCLE RITCHIE STARKEY

SIGNED BOOK FROM 1968 – obtained on eBay a few years ago – with Julian Lennon and Ringo “Uncle Ritchie” Signatures

**The UK Beatles Hunter Davies biography first edition**

A close-up of the Beatles biography in the UK signed by none other than Ringo Starr and a 5-year-old Julian Lennon. The book was inscribed to a Mrs. Read who was either a Beatles collector or possibly an educator or teacher who may have also been a Beatles fan. You will see why I speculate this in a further signed document shown below written by George Harrison’s sister-in-law! It appears that this book must have been signed by both Ringo and Julian while Ringo was visiting John at the Kenwood Weybridge estate.

Signed in 1968?

It is fitting that this book from 1968 is signed by both Ringo and Julian. During this year, the Beatles recorded the Lennon lullaby that John wrote for Julian, entitled “Good Night.” It was Ringo who sang the lead vocal on the track!

Check it out

The note from the 5-year-old Julian Lennon and his uncle Ringo Starr to Mrs. Read!

The Signatures of Ringo Starr and Julian Lennon

It seems that Mrs. Read must have been either a Beatles collector or possibly a teacher as not only did Ringo and Julian sign and inscribe the Beatles book for her, but Pauline Harrison who was the wife of George’s brother, wrote the following note to Mrs. Read in 1968.

This note was also obtained on eBay!

Was able to obtain an invitation that Julian sent out for his 4th birthday party: Julian was obviously just learning to write as he dropped the letter “A” in his first name! Obtained this invitation on eBay!

A signed photo of a young Julian Lennon with his dad at their home in Weybridge. Julian Lennon signed this photo when he was an adult!

Julian Signed this photo of him with his dad, John

The special single that Julian and James Scott Cook cut as a tribute to Julian’s childhood friend, Lucy Vodden who passed away from Lupus at age 46. Ironically, James Scott Cook’s grandmother was also named Lucy, and she too had Lupus. The single was called “Lucy” and contained a reproduction of the original sketch that Julian Lennon did as a 4-year-old that inspired his dad to write “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.” Julian randomly signed about 200 of the reproductions to accompany the single and a few years ago I was able to obtain one. The original drawing that Julian Lennon did is supposedly now owned by former Pink Floyd member, David Gilmour!

Julian's Original Drawing of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds from his tribute single — Julian’s Original Drawing of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds from his tribute single

A more recent picture of Ringo and Julian that Julian posted on his website after seeing Ringo at one of his live performances!

Hope you liked this post? Let me know in the comments.

Buzz

Posted on 16/03/202411/06/2024 by Buzz — 2 Comments

THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CIRCUS – THE DRUMMER FOR THE DIRTY MAC

In December of 1968, a supergroup was put together for the Rolling Stones’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus film with John Lennon of the Beatles as the rhythm guitarist and vocalist, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones on bass guitar, Eric Clapton from the former Cream on lead guitar and Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience on drums! Yoko was also featured on one of the numbers that the band played with classical violinist, Ivry Gitlis. The group received the name “The Dirty Mac.”

The picture above is a signed drumhead from the late Mitch Mitchell, who passed away in 2008 from several medical issues he had been suffering from. I purchased the drumhead several years ago on eBay for two reasons: The “To John” personalization (not to me) and his membership in that fabled one-off supergroup. Unfortunately, the video and program of the performance at the Circus were kept unreleased for several decades until it was finally issued on VHS and DVD formats by ABKCO, the owners of the footage. This was the company that was owned by Allen Klein. After its initial release, there was a special edition released which featured outtakes performed by the many acts that did not make the original final cut. One of the highlights for me of the outtakes was hearing the Dirty Mac rehearse a version of “Revolution.”

Little did I know at the time of the purchase of the drumhead there was another M. Mitchell/ Lennon connection. In 1965/66 when John’s dad, Freddie had recorded his own 45 record of “That’s My Life, That’s My Love and My Home” b/w “The Next Time You Feel Important” to associate himself with his son’s incredible fame, many people did not know that two of the backing musicians on the Freddie Lennon 45 were none other than Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. These two guys were to eventually join Jimi Hendrix in making musical history.

Including a few YouTube links for you to join in on their merriment!

The Dirty Mac – “Yer Blues”

“Whole Lotta Yoko”

“Revolution” (Rehearsal)

The rare Dutch Version of the Freddie Lennon song featuring Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding as backing musicians:

“That’s My Life” by Freddie Lennon

The DVD and CD releases of the Rock and Roll Circus material appear to be on sale in both eBay and Amazon locations.

Get The DVD and/ or CD From Amazon:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus Book

Here is some of the genius of Mitch Mitchell.

Have you seen the Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus? What did you think of the band? Some supergroup, eh?

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Buzz

Posted on 14/03/202409/07/2024 by Buzz — 2 Comments

RAY CONNOLLY – A RAY OF SUNSHINE

SOME OF THE BEATLES-RELATED PRINT WORKS OF THEIR FRIEND, RAY CONNOLLY!!!

Ray Connolly was not only a friend of the band. He could be considered as a confidante. For example, he was the first journalist that knew that the Beatles had split as John Lennon had told him that the band was finished, but John asked Ray not to say anything. Then Paul announced it to the world and John expressed his regret that he had not given the OK for Ray to break the story. Ray holds the same level of regret that John had not given him the OK to let the world know about the historic scoop and event.

The book below represents Ray’s speculating about the impact of the origins of John’s restless nature, and why he never felt satisfied with the way things were or played out. Ray discusses how John’s early life helped to ingrain that restless spirit in his nature until the end of his life, is the main theme of the book.

Being John Lennon Hardcover – November 27, 2018

Pegasus Books

Ray was so kind to send me a signed copy of his book:

A selection of many of the interviews and stories that Ray was involved with in his many interactions with the Beatles over the years-an excellent book:

The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive Paperback – July 17, 2016

by Ray Connolly (Author) Plumray Books

Ray’s biography of John Lennon published in 1981 by Fontana publishers:

‘Sorry, Boys, You Failed The Audition’ Paperback – June 20, 2019

by Ray Connolly

Independently published-June 20, 2019
(Author)

A fantasy work of fiction by the celebrated author which speculates what might have happened if the Beatles had failed their audition with EMI/Parlophone:

Ray’s 2023 Memoir: I recently ordered a copy of this book

Born At The Right Time Hardcover – August 13, 2023

Independently Published-Available on Amazon

The back cover:

Ray as a friend of The Beatles has written some of the great interviews with The Beatles and has produced some superb books.

Buzz

Posted on 11/03/202411/03/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

June Furlong and Helen Anderson – Memories From The ’50s

A Spotlight on June Furlong and Helen Anderson

When John’s mom, Julia, was killed in 1958, he was justifiably very depressed. Following this event at the Art School, the Liverpool model, June Furlong, who often posed for art students such as Helen Anderson, Cynthia Lennon, and John, recalls a story of John following the death of his mom. He was walking near an open elevator shaft at the school and June noticed the severely depressed mood John was in and tried to talk him out of his despair, and got him away from the elevator shaft and if memory serves me correctly, she encouraged John to have a drink to get his mind away from the sadness he was experiencing.

June speaks highly of John in her book which is pictured and mentioned below!

Helen Anderson, John’s art school classmate and who is also a member of this blog, is interviewed along with June Furlong, in this YouTube piece.

Helen Anderson is a wonderful, very talented person, who I often communicate with via email. She does wonderful sketches among many other artistic pursuits. I have acquired one of her sketches of John for my collection. Some great information about Helen is provided at this site: Helen Anderson – Helen Anderson Designs

Helen Anderson’s Sketch of John Lennon

Here is an edited abbreviated version of the sketch Helen did of John with the glasses that helped him with his terrible vision and his prominent Roman nose! I was able to obtain from her the full sketch signed by her which made me very happy. I still want to obtain a copy of the hat that she designed for John which he wore prominently in the “Help” film. She offers the hat for sale on her website at the link just above

I am trying to encourage Helen to write her memoirs and to record her memories for posterity, and I am pleased to say that she seems genuinely motivated and anxious to do so.

Helen Anderson's Drawing of John Lennon — Helen Anderson’s Drawing of John Lennon

This is June Furlong’s book published in 2000 by AMPL. detailing her life in Liverpool and her long modeling career. She passed away in November of 2020 at the age of 90.

The back cover of the June Furlong book co-written with Jill Block:

Buzz

Want to find out more about John Lennon?

John Lennon

Books about John Lennon

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Posted on 09/03/202408/07/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

The Sad Legacy of “Fame” and “Living on Borrowed Time”

Two of the signatures of musicians that were on the original recording of “Borrowed Time” appear here on sheet music of one of the final songs that John Lennon would ever write. The song would appear posthumously on the LP Milk and Honey. The photo below is the sheet music with the sad revelation that we all indeed are “Living on Borrowed Time.” The printed signature of Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey drummer, Andy Newmark, appears on the sheet music, and one of the lead guitarists that was on the original track, Earl Slick, also signed the piece.

The poignant aspects of this song are revealed by Double Fantasy producer, Jack Douglas, who in several interviews after John’s death stated that John believed he would pass away at a young age. There are also stories that Jack deleted a specific studio tape that upset him so much that he felt compelled to erase it because of what John states on the tape. (Only Jack knows what was said on that erased tape).

The other lead guitarist on “Borrowed Time” was Hugh McCracken who is now deceased. Earl Slick was also to play on the recording of David Bowie’s song “Fame” in 1975, where John Lennon was given a songwriting credit for Bowie’s first 45 to reach #1.

The signed sheet music was obtained by me on eBay.