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!
He Made him an offer he couldn’t refuse….but he did! Not much detail is known about the business offers John Lennon received during his five-year hiatus from issuing new recordings. However, the internet at several sources (with the links provided below) have disclosed at least one. The Godfather’s director, Francis Ford Coppola wrote to John to discuss the possibility of John writing some music for one of his films while he was making the film Apocalypse Now.
One can only imagine what it would have been like to have a project that included the involvement of both Marlon Brando and John Lennon. Alas, it was never to be. Hope you enjoy the correspondence that has appeared below at several internet sources which are noted at the bottom of the page. The links have been provided below for further information on the subject
Letter from Francis Coppola to John Lennon
Typed reply from JL followed by the handwritten note:
“Dear Frank,
Having given a lot more thought to this idea, I realise that due to my work schedule I really don’t have the time for such a big new project.
I love the book but it would take too much energy etc.
Best wishes to you, it was nice meeting you
Love, John Lennon”
Letter from John Lennon to Francis Coppola
Here are the Internet sources this post was created from:
Some excellent sources on the Internet with information about this story
Nineteen Sixty Eight was a year in which the Beatles and singer-songwriter Donovan found quite a lot in common. Last year I acquired this signed Donovan photo of the Beatles in India with the Maharishi. Donovan made a few contributions to a couple of Beatles songs that they wrote in India and he taught John Lennon a unique way to approach his guitar playing. Donovan labels this the clawhammer style of playing that he taught to John.
This style, evident in both the songs “Julia” and “Dear Prudence” on the Beatles “White Album proved to be another way the Beatles were extraordinary in being able to assimilate what they were being taught by other musicians and to incorporate those abilities into their own musical canon. Donovan also contributed lyrics to the 1968 Beatles composition “Yellow Submarine.” George Harrison wrote an extra verse for Donovan’s song “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” Donovan decided not to use it, but many years later he issued a recording of the song with the extra Harrison verse.
It has been mentioned that Paul McCartney makes a contribution to the smash hit “Atlantis” by Donovan. There is also an underground recording of Paul jamming with Donovan at Abbey Road doing a number called “Heather.”
Donovan also wrote 3 songs on Postcard, the Mary Hopkin LP, which Paul McCartney produced.
Donovan had strong links to the folk tradition and there is an existing video of Donovan in a hotel room with Bob Dylan. It was obvious that folk music was soon to take root in the Beatles musical lexicon.
In closing, here is a version of Donovan performing the hit song “Atlantis.” Thank you Donovan for your many contributions to music and the Beatles catalog…
The Beatles Italian Tour book is unusual for me. I do not collect many foreign language books about the Beatles but I make an exception with photography books. I was scouring my bookshelves for books about the Beatles that may not be well known in the United States or even outside of Italy and I found this one. It is a softcover 125-page book that deals with the Beatles’ concert tour of Italian cities in 1965.
The book features photos taken of the Beatles in Milan, Genoa, and Rome! Photo books from around the world to me serve as a constant reaffirmation of their universal worldwide appeal. My knowledge of Italian is somewhat limited despite my lineage, but the language of photographs is universal and if you get a chance to acquire this book for your collections, in my opinion, you will enjoy it very much! I was able to acquire my copy on eBay. You may want to try a book search service to purchase a copy of the book if the interest is there! Arrivederci!
Book Published in 2005 by DeFerrari
Editor-Fabrizio DeFerrari-Sabrina Burlando Graphics: Barbara Collasanto
The Beatles Italian Tour
Back Cover of the book:
A couple photos of a group of Italian Beatles fans:
As stated on numerous occasions I love limited edition versions of Beatles-related books. This particular limited edition was issued in a 100 copy edition which I requested the last numbered copy of and was fortunate to receive copy #100. If you want to understand the psychology behind that, send me a message and I will explain….LOL! In any case if you find the limited edition to be too expensive, you can purchase the trade edition or the softcover. I will provide the link.
Nigel has one of the most extensive Apple Records collections in the world and he has many one-off pieces of memorabilia that are the envy of many Beatlemaniacs. Nigel has plans to issue five more books to display items in his extensive Apple collection. Would love to see larger photos displayed of the pictures of the memorabilia in the books and a larger-sized format book so that one can better and more fully appreciate the rarity of this magnificent stuff. Nigel is a UK radio DJ and has been extensively involved in preserving the legacy of the dynamic duo that George Harrison signed many years ago to Dark Horse Records–“Splinter.”
Some of the rare Apple material that is shown by Nigel thus far has only appeared in the bootleg or underground format.
Here is a brief synopsis of Nigel’s proposed 6 book series: Please note that this series and the book titles that have not yet been issued are subject to change:
This was the preliminary book list sent to me by Nigel and it is subject to change
Book 1 inside no 3 apple 1968 – 1974.
Book 2 Genesis to no3 1957 – 1963
Book 3 onwards to no 3 1964 – 1967
Book 4 outside no 3 1970- 1976
Book 4 further from no 3 1976 – 2020/2
Book 5 Away from no 3 1970-1980
Book 6 further away from no3 1970 – 2020
All of the items displayed are from my own collection established through the years. Many of these have never been seen or have just simply been forgotten through the passage of time. Letters, promo stickers, photographs, marketing records, CDs and much, much more. “NIGEL PEARCE”
The box designed to contain the limited edition of the book:
The interior of the box:
The signed verification of the numbered copy:
The back cover of the book:
The Table of Contents:
Of all of the rare or obscure Apple recordings you may have heard or read about, which is the one you would like to have in your personal collection?
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.
One of the more frustrating things about collecting rare limited edition Beatles-related books are the books that slip by for one reason or another. Sometimes it is the expense, sometimes the book sells out so quickly and you simply do not have the opportunity to buy it. Other times you are not aware of the book’s existence until it has already been sold out. This book published in 1979 escaped my notice when it was issued and it has now become very expensive to acquire.
It is called StarArt and it is a limited edition book of 300 copies signed by Joni Mitchell, Klaus Voormann, Commander Cody, and Rolling Stone, Ron Wood. Much of their individual artwork is featured in the book. When Cat Stevens changed his name to Yusuf Islam, he could not sign the limited edition. This book was advertised on Ebay and the price being asked was too steep for me. However the seller did take bids and I was able to purchase the book for a significantly reduced price. This was the icing on the cake for me as I was also fortunate to be able to buy a copy of the trade edition and at a Fest for Beatles Fans convention in NJ many years ago, Klaus Voormann signed the copy of the trade edition for me. A cover photo of the trade edition features a drawing done in the classic Voormann style. (shown at the end of this post)
The ultimate realization when you collect limited edition books is that you need to know there are some things or titles that may be beyond your financial grasp or knowledge base that the book has been issued, unless you are independently wealthy. The best way to deal with that disappointment is one needs to feel psychologically grateful for what one has!!! A question is posed at the end of this post that has to deal with this issue in more detail and I would love to read your responses.
Starart
From the original Ebay description of the item– Signatures include: JONI MITCHELL, RONNIE WOOD (of THE ROLLING STONES); JOHN MAYALL; KLAUS VOORMANN; COMMANDER CODY and CAT STEVENS (who converted to the Muslim faith while the book was being published, and is the only one who did not sign–though there is an original card insert that states this) are also featured with their artwork. (edited and also signed by Debby Chesher)
The Star Autographs
The StarArt book and slipcase
The trade edition of the StarArt book with the Voormann style cover!It is a sad thing that all special edition books do not have a mass market edition that can be purchased by anyone that is interested. That is the fair way of doing things: I was able to get a signed copy of this book from Klaus Voormann at a Fest for Beatles Fans.
DO LIMITED EDITION BOOKS BOTHER YOU???
And now the question that I am very curious about as a collector and the example I cite below is not intended to single out Paul McCartney in this question. It could easily also apply to the $1350 John Lennon Mind Games set as well out together by his son Sean
Or is this simply a non-issue where if people want to spend large amounts for limited edition items, this is free enterprise and no one is forcing you to buy things at exorbitant prices that you can not afford? Should the artist be a bit more sensitive to making his/her fans feel they are missing out on something because it may have a price tag in the stratosphere? There is of course no right or wrong answer to these questions, but they still are interesting to ponder!
Does it bother you when Paul McCartney offers a 175-copy limited signed edition of his book featuring photos he took in late 63 and in 1964 as Beatlemania broke and the starting price begins at $3,000? As a point of discussion, would it not be better if he was going to issue a limited edition of let’s say 1,000 books and charged $500 for a copy, instead? He could raise a half million dollars for charity that way and make 1,000 people happy rather than the 175 people of his new signed edition released in June of 2023. I know that would not satisfy everyone but at least it would make it much more affordable for the die-hard McCartney/Beatles fan that would like to acquire a special signed edition book by their hero!
What are your thoughts on this matter? Looking forward to your replies….
I have a couple of obscure UK John Lennon magazines that I purchased in my never-ending desire to secure Beatles-related cover stories; in this case. Purchasing the magazine is not necessarily an endorsement of the content contained within the magazine. I am fascinated by how certain authors treat the members of the band that we love so much and what their insights may be!
Sunday Telegraph September 27, 1998
Among the John Lennon magazines is this one that deals with Julian Lennon’s feelings of abandonment by his dad. Ironically, John ended up treating his son like his own father had treated him. Julian in recent years has seemed to come to grips with his own father’s insecurities and deep-rooted childhood pain.
Julian Lennon talking about his father John
December 1, 2000 Issue of ES magazine-deals with a lot of the haunts that John visited and frequented in London.
John Lennon’s London
A fascinating part of my collection are these John Lennon magazines. Do you collect magazines too?
