Bravo
Well-Known Member
- Aug 27, 2004
- 5,822
- 15
I heard a couple of months back that a new Beatles book was out. I have read a couple over the years and did not give a thought to buying it.
So I am at the bookstore about a week ago - killing some time. There it is on a display right in the middle of the store. I pick it up and start looking at the pictures.
Another customer comes by and says, "I have read 130 pages and cannot put it down". So I buy it.
This monster is 850 pages long and took nine years to research and write. The number of personal interviews and citations of other works is exhaustive. It is a superb work for anyone who has any interest in the Beatles.
Shitloads of depth concerning their family backgrounds, early experiences in forming bands, going to Hamburg (which is basically like Amsterdam where sex and drugs are legal by law or by ignorance of the government).
Their manager, Brian Esptein was a sado-masochistic homosexual. There is enough lurid stuff in there about him alone to make for interesting reading...
Early on in their careers, John Lennon (who had such a peaceful image) got in tons of 'punch-ups' with others. He would just as soon smash your face as do anything else...
The story of Ringo and the firing of Pete Best as drummer. The band being beat up in Manila after missing a State Dinner with Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos...literally fleeing for their lives to the airport - only to be beaten by the military for their faux pas. And their decision shortly thereafter to 'never tour again'.
Exhaustive descriptions of song writing and recording sessions with George Martin - the genius behind the Beatles. Bad business deals, horrible business deals - that cost them millions. If you can believe it - in 1964 (with horrible contracts in place) they grossed $54M USD. With contract terms that are commonly used today, they would have grossed about $250M - IN 1964 Dollars. Converted to today's values - this would likely be between $1-2B USD - in just that year alone.
Incredible reading...a great Christmas gift if you have any interest at all.
So I am at the bookstore about a week ago - killing some time. There it is on a display right in the middle of the store. I pick it up and start looking at the pictures.
Another customer comes by and says, "I have read 130 pages and cannot put it down". So I buy it.
This monster is 850 pages long and took nine years to research and write. The number of personal interviews and citations of other works is exhaustive. It is a superb work for anyone who has any interest in the Beatles.
Shitloads of depth concerning their family backgrounds, early experiences in forming bands, going to Hamburg (which is basically like Amsterdam where sex and drugs are legal by law or by ignorance of the government).
Their manager, Brian Esptein was a sado-masochistic homosexual. There is enough lurid stuff in there about him alone to make for interesting reading...
Early on in their careers, John Lennon (who had such a peaceful image) got in tons of 'punch-ups' with others. He would just as soon smash your face as do anything else...
The story of Ringo and the firing of Pete Best as drummer. The band being beat up in Manila after missing a State Dinner with Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos...literally fleeing for their lives to the airport - only to be beaten by the military for their faux pas. And their decision shortly thereafter to 'never tour again'.
Exhaustive descriptions of song writing and recording sessions with George Martin - the genius behind the Beatles. Bad business deals, horrible business deals - that cost them millions. If you can believe it - in 1964 (with horrible contracts in place) they grossed $54M USD. With contract terms that are commonly used today, they would have grossed about $250M - IN 1964 Dollars. Converted to today's values - this would likely be between $1-2B USD - in just that year alone.
Incredible reading...a great Christmas gift if you have any interest at all.
Canada
