This post deals with 2 titles that extensively cover the importance of one of the most talked about concert performances in the history of popular culture: The Beatles At Shea Stadium. These are the two books in my collection that I continually turn to answering any questions that I may have concerning that historical event. There is also a little bit of non-Beatles nostalgia included in this post which I hope you will enjoy!!!
Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965 Hardcover – August 1, 2022
by Laurie Jacobson (Author) Rowman & Littlefield Publishers/Backbeat
Laurie Jacobson has written numerous fascinating and interesting popular-culture based titles over the years and this is one of my favorites.
She cites many fascinating anecdotes about the following well-known individuals who were present at this historic concert like the young Caryn Johnson (Whoopi Goldberg), Mary Louise Streep (Meryl Streep), and Steven Lento (Steven Van Zandt); future Beatle wives Linda Eastman and Barbara Bach; stars like Bobby Vinton and Ed Sullivan; and Beatles contemporaries such as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Felix Cavaliere and The Rascals, Marvin Gaye, and more. Collectively they paint a picture which makes you feel that you are right there with them! An astonishing book which underscores the importance that this one concert had to the evolution of popular music concerts that were to follow!
Here is a podcast interview with Laurie about her book with host Brad Page on the “I’m In Love With That Song” podcast:
The front cover of the book:
The back cover of the book:
And a little bit of extra nostalgia is provided for your enjoyment though not associated with the Beatles. Laurie has the distinct privilege and honor to have been able to chronicle the birth and growth of the importance of TV in American culture in many excellent books. In that vein, this is a photograph signed by Jon Provost playing Timmy Martin in the old Lassie series. The connection with Laurie’s book that is shown above is that Jon Provost years later became Laurie Jacobson’s husband. The photograph is also signed by June Lockhart who played Timmy’s mother, Ruth Martin in the series. She was also to star in several hit TV shows including “Lost in Space.” She made numerous film appearances in Hollywood including “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Her father, Gene Lockhart, was an Academy Award Nominee and appeared in many excellent films.
A little bit of nostalgia to jar your memories – thanks to Laurie and Jon!!!
A few of Laurie Jacobson’s other popular culture book titles:
Hollywood Haunted — Authors’ Cut
Top of the Mountain: The Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965
TV Dinners
Dishing Hollywood
Timmy’s in the Well
Hollywood Heartbreak
We now return to the subject of the Beatles at Shea!!!
To get the complete picture of the Shea Stadium event you can not go wrong by acquiring both Laurie’s book and the book below by Dave Schwensen.
The Beatles At Shea Stadium: The Story Behind Their Greatest Concert (Paperback) – November 28, 2013
by Dave Schwensen (Author) Publisher- North Shore Publishing
The details provided in this excellent book will astonish you. Dave is highly regarded as one of the leading authorities concerning the Shea Stadium concert and after reading this book, you will find it difficult to disagree with that assessment.
A wonderful Beatles podcast featuring the author of this excellent Beatles book- Dave Schwensen. You will enjoy this program very much featuring the extraordinary hosts: Allan Kozinn, Ken Michaels, Al Sussman and Steve Marinucci!
The front cover of the Schwensen book:
The back cover of the book:
Dave has also written another Beatles-related title and here are a few of the book details. Dave is one of the fortunate people who can say that they actually saw the Beatles perform live:
The Beatles In Cleveland: Memories, Facts & Photos About The Notorious 1964 & 1966 Concerts Paperback – April 1, 2007
by Dave Schwensen(Author) Publisher North Shore Publishing
Front Cover of the Book:
Back Cover:
You can not go wrong by adding any of these Beatles titles to your book collections. The titles can be found at the expected sources, Amazon and Ebay, as well as the book search services such as Abe Books. Happy hunting!!!
Happy memories
Buzz
