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.

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Posted on 24/05/202424/05/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

Shirley Another Evans touches the Lives of the Beatles!

Though not related to Mal, there was another person with the surname of Evans that was to touch the lives of the Beatles – her name was Shirley Evans!

Shirley (Surely) you jest – or just play the Accordion!!!

As you are aware, as a collector of Beatles print-related material, I also collect the signatures of people that may have played a role, however small, in their story. When the Beatles did their Magical Mystery Tour movie, they also wrote some incidental music for the film that did not appear on the official recording. From her obituary in the Guardian written by Phil Davison written and posted on Sun Sep 2010 12.42 EDT:

“John Lennon wrote an instrumental in her honour, “Shirley’s Wild Accordion”, with Evans playing the accordion, Paul McCartney on maracas and yelling “Go on, Shirl!”, Ringo Starr on drums and Evans’s then husband, Reg Wale, on percussion. Intended for the Magical Mystery Tour film and album, it was recorded at the De Lane Lea studios, with Lennon credited as producer of a Beatles’ track for the first time. Although Lennon told Evans he hoped the track would make her a fortune, it was cut from the film. An unknown number of copies of “Shirley’s Wild Accordion” were pressed, but the track was never released and is believed to be still languishing in archives. It remains much sought after by Beatles completists.”

Someone since that obituary has posted her recording of the song on YouTube. Prior to her passing in 2010, Shirley had issued a CD a few years back that appeared on eBay and signed so I purchased it for the collection. It is packed away currently so unfortunately the signature can’t be shown on this particular post. Shirley appears on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus in the movie!

John watching Shirley as she records her bit for the movie (Not sure who took this photo-so if you can help with attribution, we can update with proper acknowledgement).

The Beatles – Shirley’s Wild Accordion (Stereo) Previously UNRELEASED! – YouTube

Bought this on eBay several years ago a cd that was signed by Shirley!

This bio summary was included in the cd package:

Here are some details about Shirley’s life: Accordion Memorials – Shirley Evans (accordions.com) According to some reports Shirley had written a book: According to the link above: “She had for many years lived in Florida, working as a show business agent. Prior to her passing, Shirley had written ‘The Beatles and Me – and Shirley’s Wild Accordion’, a book which is as yet, unpublished.”

What an amazing story! Had you heard of Shirley and her Accordion before?

Buzz

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Posted on 22/05/202422/05/2024 by Buzz — 1 Comment

A DON SHORT STORY

I remember writing to the publisher (WYMER) of sensationalist journalist DON SHORT several years ago inquiring about purchasing a signed copy of his book and I was successful in that venture as you can see in the pictures shown below. I am including photos of both the book and the signature on this post. Short was often given access to the Beatles through Brian Epstein and John Lennon often referred to him in many interviews that he gave over the years. Short wrote numerous articles about the Beatles including one very revealing story about John Lennon and his dad Freddie, when Short attempted to reconcile the two men. Mr. Short passed away in May of 2023.

A short biography (no pun intended) appearing in Wikipedia

Don Short (journalist) – Wikipedia

Don Short’s bio published in 2020:

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wymer UK (March 20, 2020)

Cover of the book:

The signature of the late Don Short: According to Mr. Short’s note to me from 2020, I was apparently the first purchaser of the book in the United States.

Don Short's Autograph — Don Short’s Autograph in his book

The back cover of his book:

Back of Don Short's Book — Back of Don Short’s Book

Buzz – don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already!

Posted on 13/05/202420/05/2024 by Buzz — Leave a comment

DON’T WORRY KYOKO – Daddy’s Only Looking for a Coat in the Snow

Don’t Worry Kyoko – the coat! The UK company called TRACKS is a wonderful place to track down Beatles-related memorabilia. My collecting interests are usually restricted to print items that have some type of Beatles connection, but in this case I got a bit of both. I got one of Kyoko Chan Cox’s (Yoko’s daughter with Tony Cox) Apple ‘Fool ‘designed children’s coats along with a signed letter of verification from her dad, Anthony (Tony Cox) verifying that it indeed was an Apple-designed coat that Kyoko owned as a child.

Kyoko was present at many notable Lennon/ Ono news events like the Bed-In for Peace, and Kyoko was also in the auto accident when John was driving to Scotland when he, Julian, Kyoko, and Yoko were involved in an auto mishap due to John’s terrible driving skills.

Would love to trace down a signature of Kyoko’s for my Beatles-related signature collection but I am aware that she leads a very private life and must respect that decision. Kyoko married and became the mother of two children, Emi and Jack. Jack has backed his uncle Sean on bass on a couple of his recordings including the recording of “Isolation” that was posted on YouTube and appears as a link below. Kyoko now sees her mom on a much more frequent basis than she was able to as a child.

TRACKS memorabilia may be on the more expensive side of the ledger but at least the buyer can be assured of a quality item and one whose authenticity the company has pledged to stand behind….. Hope you enjoy the items I am sharing with you now!

The Fool-designed coat from the Apple clothing store on Baker Street. You can see the Apple patch in the neck area of the coat:

The Coat Designed by The Fool Which Kyoko Wore

Here is the signed letter from Tony Cox, Kyoko’s dad and Yoko’s second husband:

Sean Lennon with his nephew Jack, Kyoko’s son, on bass:

Sean Ono Lennon: ‘Isolation’ (4K) #LENNON80 (youtube.com)

Someone also posted this rare excerpt footage on YouTube of the Plastic Ono Band at the Lyceum ballroom where the band played versions of “Cold Turkey” and “Don’t Worry Kyoko”. I wonder if footage of the full performances exist?

Cold Turkey/Don’t worry Kyoko-Plastic Ono Band live at Lyceum Ballroom, London War Is Over 1969 – YouTube

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 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.