Fabs' real story untold -Lewisohn
Nancy
be a three-volume biography of the Fab Four, the first time any pop or rock
group has been subjected to such in-depth scholarly treatment.
As well as trawling the archives for original documents, he has interviewed
literally hundreds of people who lived through that momentous period, many
of whom have never spoken before.
The first volume is due to appear in 2010, with the next two appearing at
four-yearly intervals after that.
"It's mad, but I'm loving every minute of it," he told the audience at The
Beatles Story exhibition centre at the Albert Dock last night.
"The story has been told so often it's become a bit of a cliche. I want to
make it rise off the page.
"It's got every ingredient you could want - the highest highs and the lowest
lows."
And while Mr Lewisohn said he welcomed the regeneration of Liverpool, on
another level he regretted it because important historical sites associated
with the individual Beatles were being swept away.
In conversation last night with Beatles Story press officer Jamie Bowman, Mr
Lewisohn said he undertook the daunting project because no-one had attempted
such a comprehensive history before, and he was also dissatisfied with the
quality and accuracy of many of the works already on the market.
He also believes the Beatles fully justify such a monumental work.
"To say the Beatles were just a pop group is like saying Mozart was only
another composer, and Churchill just another politician," he said.
"Their impact was huge, and is still being felt today. We're talking about
the most important group of all time. They didn't just change music, they
changed society.
"It's a story so extraordinary, it would seem like fiction if it were not
true. It doesn't need to be embroidered, and I believe it's far more
interesting than has ever been put down on paper."
Mr Lewisohn said the three-volume history would tell the story in
chronological order, going right back to the family backgrounds of each of
the individual Beatles.
"It's got to be done now before it's too late, as the numbers of people who
were around at that time, and witnessed history at first hand, are steadily
declining," he said.
"The first volume - which goes as far as the end of 1963 - will be very much
about 20th century Liverpool.
"As a non-Liverpudlian, especially one who wasn't there in the 1950s, I'm
keenly aware of the difficulty of writing about the city at that time, so I'
ve absolutely steeped myself in it over the past few years. The second and
third volumes will be more global in their reach, as they will deal with the
period when the Beatles achieved worldwide fame."
Mr Lewisohn - who has spent much of the past 30 years researching and
writing reference works on the Fab Four - already has a formidable
reputation as a Beatles scholar.
This includes being the first to identify the correct date of the fateful
meeting between John Lennon and Paul McCartney at Woolton village fete: July
6, 1957. And he says his detailed work has in no way impaired his ability to
enjoy the Beatles' music.
"I was five when I first heard them and they went straight into my
bloodstream and my heart, and that's where they've remained ever since.
"But though I have this lifelong passion for their work and the story, these
books are being written without favour or agenda, as an independent
historian.
"To me, it's crucial this is understood. These won't be books saying 'Hey
weren't the Beatles great!' They'll be thorough, balanced, comprehensive
histories."
t...@aerovons.com
A whole volume on "Liverpool"?
This bodes well for a PBS Special on Hawthorne, California pre and
post "Surfin' Safari"...
Mark, Mark--- you have way too much time on your hands;)
TH
Lookingglass
"Nancy" <k...@msn.com> wrote
>
> Mr Lewisohn is currently hard at work on the first of what will eventually
> be a three-volume biography of the Fab Four, the first time any pop or
> rock
> group has been subjected to such in-depth scholarly treatment.
>
> weren't the Beatles great!' They'll be thorough, balanced, comprehensive
> histories."
Being Lewisohn, I'll buy it!!!
rfor...@msn.com
He should publish an alternate version where they trim out all the
stuff, stories, quotes, and facts that everybody already knows, and
just leave brand new stuff in.
richforman
Nancy
<rfor...@msn.com> wrote in message
news:970f4ce5-0c35-4140...@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
richforman
Be good but by the time they come out they'll be many more new fans that
don't know the story. We'll have to skip the story that's been told 10,000
times. Being Lewisohn though, it's sure to be the definitive Bio.
I have the Beatles' Athology which lacks sorely in personal dept. It's not
really a good read and follows the movie nearly word for word. Offers little
unknown and dishes no dirt.
The Walrus was Danny
> "To me, it's crucial this is understood. These won't be books saying 'Hey
> weren't the Beatles great!' They'll be thorough, balanced, comprehensive
> histories."
So I wonder if the real truth about the so called "sacking" of Pete
Best will be revealed, or will it just be another nail in the door
that bolts the monster in. Will the rumour even be discussed. Should
be interesting, or not as the case may be.
The book will be good, I've no doubt...but I do wonder.....
Danny
D'you eat yet?
wrote:
> So I wonder if the real truth about the so called "sacking" of Pete
> Best will be revealed
Who the fuck cares besides you?
Get a life. Go down to the Pier and blow someone, or something.
The Walrus was Danny
> Who the fuck cares besides you?
>
> Get a life. Go down to the Pier and blow someone, or something.
This is why I dislike reading rmb on google coz I have to put up
pricks like this one.
Danny
BLACKPOOLJIMMY
wrote:
Don't worry Danny..your facts on the Best story are correct.
Stephen X. Carter
>Mr Lewisohn is currently hard at work on the first of what will eventually
>be a three-volume biography of the Fab Four, the first time any pop or rock
>group has been subjected to such in-depth scholarly treatment.
>
>As well as trawling the archives for original documents, he has interviewed
>literally hundreds of people who lived through that momentous period, many
>of whom have never spoken before.
>
>The first volume is due to appear in 2010, with the next two appearing at
>four-yearly intervals after that.
I wish Mark well - his scholarly dilligence is well known.
By chance I'm reading a scholarly book about the Beatles (details in a moment or two) that I was
going to post about when I'd finished it. But it's a very dense book and takes a lot of reading
(that's not a criticism by the way, but praise!), and it's also big and heavy and I need to
visit the gym to get fitter before I strain any more muscles holding the book. So, it is
perhaps relevant to mention it now.
I've posted here a few times how infuriating I found the 'cultural' errors in Bob Spitz's book.
Others spotted caption errors, and I gave up reading it after a series of major cultural gaffes
in his account of working class life in the UK. Brutally an incompetent yank writing about some
Brits! For equity there's an equivalent risk when an incompetent Brit tries to write about
american culture. Absolutely.
So with that in mind I approached "Can't Buy Me Love : The Beatles, Britain and America" by
Jonathan Gould with MUCH trepidation. If he's a Brit, will he stuff up the USA parts, or if
he's American, will he stuff up the UK parts.
So far I'm very impressed.
The book covers many aspects of the Fabs' social and cultural impact (something that I know
interests many here) and does it in an obviously scholarly and non-sensational way. So far I've
only found one cultural cringe (he calls the "new" motorway from London to Birmingham the A1 -
whoops!)
So, if anyone's interested in reading an in-depth account of The Beatles - more than just a
straight pop biography, and can't wait until Mark's volumes are available.... try Jonathan
Gould's book.
--
steve.hat.stephencarter.not.com.but.net
Nothing is Beatle Proof!!
Lookingglass
"Stephen X. Carter" <steve@[127.0.0.1]> wrote
> So with that in mind I approached "Can't Buy Me Love : The Beatles,
> Britain and America" by
> Jonathan Gould with MUCH trepidation. If he's a Brit, will he stuff up
> the USA parts, or if
> he's American, will he stuff up the UK parts.
>
> So far I'm very impressed.
>
> The book covers many aspects of the Fabs' social and cultural impact
> (something that I know
> interests many here) and does it in an obviously scholarly and
> non-sensational way. So far I've
> only found one cultural cringe (he calls the "new" motorway from London to
> Birmingham the A1 -
> whoops!)
>
> So, if anyone's interested in reading an in-depth account of The Beatles -
> more than just a
> straight pop biography, and can't wait until Mark's volumes are
> available.... try Jonathan
> Gould's book.
I absolutely agree. I finished the book a couple of months ago and brought
it to the attention of RMB readers. It is indeed dense, but a *great read*.
Not gossipy, but stuck with the important stuff.
SO good, I will read it again!
fatt...@yahoo.com
wrote:
I'm looking forward to the book too. It is unfortunate we have to
wait so long.
fatt...@yahoo.com
> On Thu, 15 May 2008 01:53:08 -0500, "Nancy" <k...@msn.com> wrote:
> >Mr Lewisohn is currently hard at work on the first of what will eventually
> >be a three-volume biography of the Fab Four, the first time any pop or rock
> >group has been subjected to such in-depth scholarly treatment.
>
> >As well as trawling the archives for original documents, he has interviewed
> >literally hundreds of people who lived through that momentous period, many
> >of whom have never spoken before.
>
> >The first volume is due to appear in 2010, with the next two appearing at
> >four-yearly intervals after that.
>
> I wish Mark well - his scholarly dilligence is well known.
>
> By chance I'm reading a scholarly book about the Beatles (details in a moment or two) that I was
> going to post about when I'd finished it. But it's a very dense book and takes a lot of reading
> (that's not a criticism by the way, but praise!), and it's also big and heavy and I need to
> visit the gym to get fitter before I strain any more muscles holding the book. So, it is
> perhaps relevant to mention it now.
>
> I've posted here a few times how infuriating I found the 'cultural' errors in Bob Spitz's book.
I read the Spitz book, and yes there were a few errors here and
there. However, I don't recall ever reading any book which went into
such wonderful detail about the Beatles' childhoods and the early
years i.e. the Quarrymen, the Silver Beatles, etc.
Overall I thought it was a very good book. What bio is perfect?
Although the Davies book is well respected, I believe DAvies and the
Beatles acknowledged that it was largely a PR white wash.
Jeff
How many books do you have to read about the Beatles..before you get
burnt out? I got burnt out 20 years ago...different authors..same
material. Some magazines are still printing the same material..month
after month..year after year..as if the Beatles were still together.
Big rip off.
O'Leary III
> I absolutely agree. I finished the book a couple of months ago and brought
> it to the attention of RMB readers. It is indeed dense, but a *great read*.
> Not gossipy, but stuck with the important stuff.
>
> SO good, I will read it again!
Wait. Not gossipy? And it's good?
Stephen X. Carter
>How many books do you have to read about the Beatles..before you get
>burnt out? I got burnt out 20 years ago...different authors..same
>material. Some magazines are still printing the same material..month
>after month..year after year..as if the Beatles were still together.
>Big rip off.
Very good point.
I'm a book addict, but even I simply don't buy a Beatles (or a Stones) book unless it can show
one or more of the following...
* It's first hand and written by one of the people who was there.
* It's well researched - ie not a simply newspaper cuttings job. (This is where Mark always
wins as he goes back to the primary sources).
fatt...@yahoo.com
> On May 16, 2:13�pm, fattuc...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 15, 3:17�pm, The Walrus was Danny <dannyisthewal...@tesco.net>
> > wrote:
>
> > > > "To me, it's crucial this is understood. These won't be books saying 'Hey
> > > > weren't the Beatles great!' They'll be thorough, balanced, comprehensive
> > > > histories."
>
> > > So I wonder if the real truth about the so called "sacking" of Pete
> > > Best will be revealed, or will it just be another nail in the door
> > > that bolts the monster in. Will the rumour even be discussed. Should
> > > be interesting, or not as the case may be.
>
> > > The book will be good, I've no doubt...but I do wonder.....
>
> > > Danny
>
> > I'm looking forward to the book too. �It is unfortunate we have to
> > wait so long.
>
> How many books do you have to read about the Beatles..before you get
> burnt out?
1 million. <g>
Sean Carroll
>> "To me, it's crucial this is understood. These won't be books saying 'Hey
>> weren't the Beatles great!' They'll be thorough, balanced, comprehensive
>> histories."
> So I wonder if the real truth about the so called "sacking" of Pete
> Best will be revealed, or will it just be another nail in the door
> that bolts the monster in. Will the rumour even be discussed.
Well, that probably depends on whether this 'rumour' actually exists. Is
there anyone in the world besides you who has ever talked about it?
--
--Sean
http://spclsd223.livejournal.com
House: Find my cane and motorcycle. Figure out where I went last night.
Kutner: [taking out a notepad] Where's your cane and motorcycle?
House: You're gonna trust me? I lie about everything.
Manfred Noland
Pete Best was a shitty drummer with poor timing and one lame fill.
Sean Carroll
> steve@[127.0.0.1] (Stephen X. Carter) wrote:
>> I've posted here a few times how infuriating I found the 'cultural'
>> errors in Bob Spitz's book.
> I read the Spitz book, and yes there were a few errors here and
> there. However, I don't recall ever reading any book which went into
> such wonderful detail about the Beatles' childhoods and the early
> years i.e. the Quarrymen, the Silver Beatles, etc.
Can't comment on any errors, but I read that book, and the same thing struck
me. All the detail on the early stuff was fascinating. I remember being
disappointed once it got into the post-fame stuff, like from the height of
Beatlemania to the breakup, though. I suppose it's unavoidable that it would
be much harder to cover that well-worn stuff well and stand out from the
trillions of other accounts. And putting so much effort into researching the
early years probably didn't leave much time or energy for the rest.
fatt...@yahoo.com
> <fattuc...@yahoo.com> wrote ..
>
> > steve@[127.0.0.1] (Stephen X. Carter) wrote:
> >> I've posted here a few times how infuriating I found the 'cultural'
> >> errors in Bob Spitz's book.
> > I read the Spitz book, and yes there were a few errors here and
> > there. However, I don't recall ever reading any book which went into
> > such wonderful detail about the Beatles' childhoods and the early
> > years i.e. the Quarrymen, the Silver Beatles, etc.
>
> Can't comment on any errors, but I read that book, and the same thing struck
> me. All the detail on the early stuff was fascinating. I remember being
> disappointed once it got into the post-fame stuff, like from the height of
> Beatlemania to the breakup, though. I suppose it's unavoidable that it would
> be much harder to cover that well-worn stuff well and stand out from the
> trillions of other accounts. And putting so much effort into researching the
> early years probably didn't leave much time or energy for the rest.
>
> --
> --Sean
I was wondering about your last point myself i.e. the author put in so
much time and energy into the early years. I thought the book ended
rather abruptly.
I was also wondering if the editors had anything to do with it . . .
ie. maybe the manuscript was 1500 pages long and the people who edited
it trimmed it down to its present form.
Bernie Woodham
<fatt...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:117c4670-11cb-4006...@r66g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
On May 16, 5:03?pm, Jeff <yourimageunre...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> On May 16, 2:13?pm, fattuc...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On May 15, 3:17?pm, The Walrus was Danny <dannyisthewal...@tesco.net>
> > wrote:
>
> > > > "To me, it's crucial this is understood. These won't be books saying
> > > > 'Hey
> > > > weren't the Beatles great!' They'll be thorough, balanced,
> > > > comprehensive
> > > > histories."
>
> > > So I wonder if the real truth about the so called "sacking" of Pete
> > > Best will be revealed, or will it just be another nail in the door
> > > that bolts the monster in. Will the rumour even be discussed. Should
> > > be interesting, or not as the case may be.
>
> > > The book will be good, I've no doubt...but I do wonder.....
>
> > > Danny
>
> > wait so long.
>
> How many books do you have to read about the Beatles..before you get
> burnt out?
> 1 million. <g>
So, you maybe have the Salvadore Austacia book?
fatt...@yahoo.com
wrote:
> <fattuc...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
LOL!
D'you eat yet?
wrote:
> So, you maybe have the Salvadore Austacia book?
Misspelling appreciated. There's enough YT bullshit in here without
his added noise.
Jeff
wrote:
> <fattuc...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
He probably wrote hundreds.
AC
O'Leary III
>> So I wonder if the real truth about the so called "sacking" of Pete
>> Best will be revealed, or will it just be another nail in the door
>> that bolts the monster in. Will the rumour even be discussed.
>
> Well, that probably depends on whether this 'rumour' actually exists. Is
> there anyone in the world besides you who has ever talked about it?
It's a Fig Newton of his imagination.
O'Leary III
> I was wondering about your last point myself i.e. the author put in so
> much time and energy into the early years. I thought the book ended
> rather abruptly.
>
> I was also wondering if the editors had anything to do with it . . .
> ie. maybe the manuscript was 1500 pages long and the people who edited
> it trimmed it down to its present form.
Was it really?
abe slaney
Not that good.