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.
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Though not a Beatles book per se, London Rock – The Unseen Archive, is a wonderful book of fabulous photos by noted photographer, Alec Byrne. I was overjoyed to find and purchase this beautiful signed edition of the book several years ago. It is entitled “London Rock” published by Insight Editions in 2017.
London Rock – Back Cover
Many superstars of the London rock scene are featured in this great title, including many photos of the individual Beatles. This is the type of book that holds a special fascination for me as these wonderful photos help to capture a special time in the history of both rock and popular music. Hope you will enjoy being exposed to this great title!!!
A very Rare 6 cd set that was released to highlight the promotional activities of noted record producer, Mo Ostin. Here are the details of the set which I was able to purchase a signed copy of that was signed by none other than Mo Ostin himself on ebay. Of the highlights of the 6 cd set was the song that George Harrison wrote specifically for the 6 cd set and the track was called “Mo”.
Mo’s Songs CD Set
This song has been posted by several sources on YouTube and features the classic Harrison slide guitar work that had become his signature over the years…..
This is one of my favorite obscure Lennon-based books. Written by Paul Young and published in 1972 by Stein and Day. Paul Young’s superb analysis of the importance of John Lennon, in particular, to the cultural revolution that occurred in the ’60s, is a fascinating and innovative approach to the subject.
Using the writing style of many luminaries such as E. E. Cummings, Young details his suppositions of how important John’s persona was to the cultural fabric of the ’60s. In my personal opinion, this book is stylistically both a novel and an interesting way to tell the story of the impact of John Lennon on the tumultuous Sixties!
What I find of particular interest in Young’s writing style in this book is that there is always a Message within the Message. Once you read this book, you will understand what I mean by that. Young challenges you with this particular writing style and some people find this means to convey the subject matter as being very frustrating. I found it to be both thrilling and exciting. Ultimately, I found myself agreeing with many of Young’s suppositions.
Publisher- Stein and Day
Publication date-January 1, 1972
What is your favourite John Lennon book? Let me know in the comments below.
Beatles in New York: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, with Mal Evans, Arrive in New York. Photo by Fred W McDarragh
Above photo: Beatles in New York: John Lennon and Paul McCartney, with Mal Evans, Arrive in New York. Photo by Fred W McDarragh
Start Spreading the News……..New York, New York
A book that needs to be published and many would be interested in seeing it. I sincerely hope that someone out there can acquire the appropriate rights to do a project such as this:
John and Paul of The Beatles in New York to announce Apple in 68!!!
When this blog began it was noted that as well as showing rare Beatles-related books and magazines, a few posts would appear speculating as to what books were needed or would present a good story both visually and verbally.
One book I have always longed for, and that I hope someone can undertake, is a detailed study of John and Paul’s trip in 1968 to announce Apple. There are many fans that took their own photos and would need to give permission for their use in the book.
John and Paul gave a press conference at the Apple announcement and people that were there can give their accounts of the event.
Beatles Fan Photos
John and Paul, along with Neil Aspinall, and a few others took a walk in Central Park and there are fan photos that exist. I am sure there are some amusing stories from that walk that must survive as well.
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show with John and Paul was erased by NBC but some 8-millimeter footage still exists. The entire audio of the show survives. There must be some great recollections of that show that survive from members of the stage crew or even from members of the audience.
John and Paul also visited the apartment of Brian Epstein’s attorney, Nat Weiss, and stayed with him at his apartment. Photos survive of the door that John and Paul signed at the apartment with possibly the largest autographs they ever made in their lifetime.
Lennon and McCartney
Many photos exist of Lennon and McCartney, along with Mal Evans, and many others of the Beatles contingent, like Ron Kass, on a Chinese junk that circled Manhattan. The business of Apple was discussed there and if there are any survivors from that junket to tell their stories accompanied by the photos, it would be a great way to bring the book to a close. Sure hope someone takes on the task one day!
Any other books that you would like to be published that haven’t already been covered? Let me know in the comments below.
A fascinating aspect of collecting Beatles print-related material is the many privately published books that are lurking out there for the discerning collector. There are many treasures that are not well-known by the public as they are not affiliated with a major publisher and are published privately by the author. As a collector, these books have many special collector attributes. Because they are privately published, often the number of these books issued is severely restricted or limited because of the high cost of printing a large volume of the title. Would like to highlight one of these privately published books that I was able to acquire recently on eBay, thanks to being alerted by a fellow collector, Seamus Hayes.
Beatles Songs of Lennon/McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr
This book deals with people who have covered the songs of Lennon and McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. At 522 pages, it looks at CDs, albums, and singles from virtually every corner of the world. What makes this book especially attractive for collectors is that at the present time, there are only 30 known current copies of the book in existence.
Second-Hand Beatles back cover
Would love to see this book be available to a much wider audience with a major publisher. However, I must also be honest, as a collector, the smaller number of privately published copies enhances the special quality of possessing a very rare item. Personally extending my best wishes for the author to find the mass circulation publisher that he is looking for.
I am not currently selling any more via eBay but if you know of anyone who wants to purchase a copy please give them this e mail address below to make contact. Many thanks Alan Lord
alanlorduk@yahoo.co.uk
Special books like this deserve to be made available to the large Beatles book collector audience.
What is your favourite cover of a Beatles song? Let me know in the comments below.
There are a couple of Beatles-related books, one written in German and the other one in French that deserve to have English language translations!
Warum spielst du Imagine nicht auf dem weißen Klavier, John? Hardcover
The first book which the title translates to “Why Don’t You Play ‘Imagine’ on the White Piano, John”, was written by longtime Beatle associate, Klaus Voormann. It has been reported that Klaus does have a desire to have the book translated but he has not yet found a translator that he has complete faith in. It truly is a shame that English-language audiences have been denied the opportunity to read Klaus’s great stories.
German Edition Published by Heyne Verlag, Munich October 31, 2003
My brother’s name was John Lennon
John Lennon’s mom Julia had a child after John, Julia, and Jacqui. Her name was Victoria, changed to Ingrid by her adoptive parents. Julia gave the child up for adoption and John never met her. This book written only in French is Victoria/Ingrid’s story. Though certainly not containing much, if any, Beatle information, it certainly would be nice to be able to read her story. Would also love to see a book written about John Lennon’s two half-brothers, David and Robin Lennon. These were the two children fathered by John Lennon’s dad, Freddie, with his second wife, Pauline Lennon. It would be interesting to know why the two brothers have shunned absolutely any association whatsoever with their famous brother!
French edition by Ingrid Pedersen Publisher : Michel Lafon (June 9 2005)
My Brother’s Name Was John Lennon
Have you got either of these two books? Have you translated them? Would be interested to hear from you.
