Category Archives: Beatles Art

Book Review: “A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Nancy Lee Andrews

A Dose of Rock n Roll Nancy Lee AndrewsFor Christmas last year, my daughter gave me a gift certificate for The Fest for Beatles Fans. My intent was to use the certificate to actually go to the fest, but sometimes life has other plans for us, so instead, I headed over to the fest online store and bought myself a copy of a book I’ve been wanting for a long time…A Dose of Rock ‘n’ Roll by former model and photographer Nancy Lee Andrews that was published in 2008 and is 292 pages.

My copy isn’t just any copy…it’s the deluxe signed and number edition and it’s absolutely gorgeous! A hardcover book complete with dust jacket and a hardcover sleeve to keep it safe. A Dose of Rock n Roll Deluxe Edition Nancy Lee Andrews

I picked this up the other day to finally glance through it for review and an hour later I found myself over one third of the way through it. Definitely way more interesting than I had originally thought it would be. Ms. Andrews starts each chapter telling us about her photographic subjects/friends, how she met each one and their history together. And while not all the photos are her photos, but most of them were taken while she was in attendance at an event or party.

A Dose of Rock n Roll Deluxe Edition Nancy Lee Andrews

For those of you ‘not in the know’, Nancy is the former fiancè of Ringo Starr, having spent 5 years with the former Beatle in the late seventies. And even though Nancy already ran with the hip and trendy folks of the seventies because of her career as a Ford model, Ringo opened up a lot of doors that allowed her to photograph Sir Richard Starkey in many a situation and so many other stars in and out of the studio. This collection is awe inspiring and the picture of Ringo and his children and precious.

Now here’s the clincher about why there’s not excuse for every Beatles fan and book collector not to have this book – the original cover price on this deluxe edition is $69.00, but…the Fest for Beatles Fans’ online store is currently selling it for just $29 + S&H. And before you ask, no, I have no affiliation with the fest and I’m not receiving any kickbacks or bonuses for telling you to buy a copy at their site. Hell…I don’t even know if Nancy is still getting paid for the copies the fest owns. But I did email them to make sure they had plenty of copies (which they do) for when I post this blog. And for all the reasons above…

I rate this book, 4 out of 4 Beetles!

 

 

 

 

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Review: “International Pop” exhibit at Philadelphia Museum of Art

War is Over pop artThe International Pop art exhibit is currently at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through May 15, 2016.  Unlike a lot of other traveling art exhibits, this one is free with paid admission to the museum.  They also offer free guided tours of the show sporadically throughout the day of the show, but my husband and I found it a little too artsy for us, so we decided to walk it alone and discuss the works among ourselves.

Here’s a description of the exhibit from the museum’s website:

Focusing on work made from 1956 to 1972, the exhibition presents Pop art as a movement that is at turns celebratory, critical, and probing in its message.
Beatles albums pop art
This exhibit includes paintings, drawings, ads, posters, and videos from around the world that are consider part of the pop art movement.  And how could these years (1956-1972) be complete without references to the Fab Four.  On display is John & Yoko’s War is Over poster (signed) and copies of albums Sgt. Pepper’s and the White Album.

If you dig the works of Andy Warhol, there are several of his pieces on display.

If you’re not sure if this show is for you, check out the International Pop trailer:

Additionally, musician Ben Vaughn created a musical playlist as a companion to this exhibit.  It includes two songs by the BeatlesDrive My Car and Tomorrow Never knows.  This soundtrack is only available on Spotify:
  

This exhibit only contains about 150 pieces of work from around the world, so if you decide to go you will have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the museum or spend a day walking around Philadelphia.  And for that reason…

I rate this exhibit, 4 out of 4 Beetles!

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