Good morning all you Beatles Freaks!
I hope you’re all well and having a great time getting ready for the holidays.
According to Random.org, the winner of last week’s contest is Joe Birish! Please email me your address Joe so I can get your Imagine Peace button and Amazon gift card out to you ASAP.
Seeing as how Christmas, Hanukkah and News Years Day are all falling on a Sunday this year, Beatles Freak Reviews is going to take a break and come back in full force on January 8, 2017.
Filed under Beatles-freak
Jennifer Vanderslice, owner and editor of Beatles Freak Review blog, will be packing her bags again this month for a weekend in Louisville, KY, to find all things Beatle-y.
Beatles Freak Review goes to Louisville, KY in search of John, Paul, George and Ringo! | PRLog.
Filed under Beatles-freak
Filed under Beatles-freak
Did I enjoy the book? YES! Louise let’s you into her life to tell you HER story. Along the way, it obviously criss crosses and runs parallel to her brother George Harrison’s life as they grew up together and later when he became a member of the greatest band the world has ever known. The part that most people will not like about this book is that one of Louise’s strongest personality quirks is that her mouth (and fingertips) have no filter on them.
Let me take a moment here and provide my readers with a little background information on the making of this book. A couple years ago, I was introduced to Louise via phone and email (I still have not had the good fortune to meet her face to face, yet). She told me she was writing a book, but that it was more her memoirs than it was a tell all about George. As the year went by, I found out that she had changed her mind and had decided to not publish her memoirs, but to instead, just print a couple copies for her children and grandchildren. I could respect that. Another year passed, and lo and behold, I read that she had decided to publish after all. I immediately pre-ordered my copy.
Since this is Louise’s book, she uses this opportunity it to give many of her personal opinions on politics, religion and her philosophical beliefs. She does include a heads-up that not everyone is going to agree with what she has said, so read it at your own risk of being offended. Was I offended? No. It would seem I have a lot more in common with Louise than I ever thought.
Some of her stories are repeated several times over the course of the book and the readers will become aware that she probably could have used a good editor, but her story is well written and easy to read (if you’re not slamming the book down after reading her opinion of Obama, abortion or the environment!).
The book is probably not the story most Beatles fans want to read since she makes it clear that she will respect George’s privacy even in death and not tell all. I still feel this book is worth picking up and reading for the tidbits about John, Paul, George and Ringo, that Louise Harrison does provide along with her perspective of accompanying the Beatles to many of their shows during their 1964-65 tours of America.
You can order your copy of My Kid Brother’s Band (aka The Beatles) at Amazon.com.
I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under Beatles books, Beatles-freak, George Harrison
Author Dave Morrell is a guy you just love to hate! He’s the guy that had that job working in the WEA distribution center…touching, feeling, smelling, caressing, fondling and listening to all the new records that all us ordinary people had to wait to get our hands on! And he had the audacity to write a book about it!
After reading that Dave Morrell was to be a guest on Jude Kessler’s John Lennon Hour show on November 18, 2014, I decided it might be worth my while to find out who this guy is. Jude wrote that he was friends with John Lennon and had written a book called Horse-Doggin’. When I checked on Amazon, the Kindle version of Horse-Doggin’ was only 79 pages, presenting me with the opportunity to get the book and read it before his interview tonight.
If you like books with fluffy words and long drawn out descriptions of a look, a sunset or a song, this is not the book for you. Dave is very concise and direct with his words. There are no paragraphs with the same sentence written three different ways in this book! Just the way I like my books. He gets straight to the point of telling his stories without a lot of nonsense filler. Along the way through his post high school years, he attends to the very best concerts of 1972-1973, meets musical legends backstage and at parties and even shares and exchanges albums with John Lennon. He holds the very first Beatles convention in his bedroom and is often referred to as a Beatles Freak!
Wonderful book with wonderful stories. Not the best writing style…but it’ll get you through the night!
I rate this book: 3 out of 4 Beetles!
Filed under Beatles books, Beatles-freak, festival, John Lennon
‘Confessions of a Beatlemaniac’ by Dee Elias
I had the pleasure of meeting Dee Elias at the Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago and finding out about her book ‘Confessions of a Beatlemaniac: A true story of a fan who broke all the rules to meet the Beatles!‘ Without even reading a word, I got the impression that Dee’s story is going to become huge among other Beatles fans.
Though this book is currently listed on Amazon.com as being for ages 10 – 18, it’s definitely a multi-generational read. Taken from the pages of Dee’s diary when she was 14-16 years old, this book tells of the extent to which Dee, her friends and many other Beatlemaniacs would go to just to get close to the Beatles. This is the story of how she honed her technique by managing to meet other stars like Sonny & Cher and Simon & Garfunkel.
Why did she wait so long to tell her story? When I spoke with her at the fest, she said not only did she think no one would be interested, she also was still keeping her antics a secret from her parents 50 years later!
If you’re looking for a fun book directly from the heart of a true Beatle fan who was THERE, you’ll enjoy this quick (168 page) read. (And you absolutely won’t want to miss the story of Dee’s encounter with Billy J. Kramer!)
This book is available for Kindle at Amazon.com. Paperbacks are available exclusively through Dee’s website: www.ConfessionsOfABeatleManiac.com.
You can follow Dee on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Confessionsofabeatlemaniac
I rate this book: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles books, Beatles-freak, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, reviews, Ringo Starr
“Everybody’s talking
There’s a new kid in town
People started walking
There’s a new kid in town” – Eagles
With the approach of the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles coming to the United States, it seems that new events, festivals and conferences are popping up everywhere to celebrate the occasion. And though the Fest for Beatles Fans is the biggest fest around, some of the others aren’t to shabby!
One of the biggest events will be at Penn State University in Altoona, PA on the weekend of February 7-9, 2014 and is called ‘It was 50 Years Ago Today: An International Beatles Celebration.’ This three day event isn’t a festival. It’s a conference. According to their website, “In addition to panels and presentations, the conference will include film screenings, musical performances, art and photography exhibits, and keynote addresses by leading Beatles critics and musicologists.”
The director of this event is Dr. Kenneth Womack, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at PSU Altoona, and the author of: Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles, The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles, Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, And the Fab Four and the soon to be released The Beatles Encyclopedia [2 volumes]: Everything Fab Four.
A few of the respected 50+ experts set to appear at this conference are:
Mark Lewisohn – regarded as one of the world’s leading Beatles authorities, Mark is the author of the NY Times bestseller Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years, Volume 1.
Andy Babiuk – the foremost authority on the equipment used to create the Beatles’ music and the author of Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four’s Instruments from Stage to Studio. Andy is also a staff consultant to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH.
Walter Everett – the author of the Beatles As Musicians book series, Mr. Everett is also a member of the School of Music faculty at the University of Michigan and the author of The Foundations of Rock.
Jude Southerland Kessler – a Beatles expert, author and host of her own radio show, Ms. Kessler is the author of the John Lennon Series. She has spent nearly 30 years researching John Lennon and the Beatles for her 9 book series., making her a leading expert on the topic of the Fab Four.
Dr. Kit O’Toole – For over 19 years, Dr. O’Toole has written music, concert, and book reviews, interviews, popular culture essays, and technology “how to” articles. Her work has appeared at: Blogcritics.org, Something Else Reviews, Blinded by Sound, Cinema Sentries, Seattle PI and Beatlefan magazine.
This is definitely set to be one of the most intellectual of all the Beatles events to be held in 2014! And what’s cool about their registration is that you not only can you sign up for which days you would like to attend, you can add your meals and accommodations to your package as you like!
For more information on this conference, along with a schedule of events & presenters, and registration, check out their website: http://www.altoona.psu.edu/beatles.
It’s been way too long since I’ve posted a review or opinion on this blog, but when I heard about Beatles At The Ridge, I knew I just had to spread the good word!
Beatles At The Ridge is a two day festival in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas created by Charles Snapp in 2011. It is now in its third year running. Last year, the crowd size was estimated at over 10,000, but I have a feeling that this fest is going to put the best of all Beatles festivals on guard! This fest has the potential to become a new mecca for the most diehard fans.
So what connection does Walnut Ridge have to the Beatles? I’m glad you asked…because Walnut Ridge can boast about their Beatles encounter. From their website: “A quiet night in 1964 was interrupted by the unusual sound of an airliner approaching Walnut Ridge Airport. Its arrival sparked enough interest that three local teens went to investigate, only to discover John, Paul, Ringo, and George walking from the plane. The Beatles, the biggest rock band in the world, had arrived at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.” You can read the rest of the story and see pictures here.
This year’s fest will have over 100 vendors (the number is still growing as word gets out about BATR). Admission is free, parking is free and all entertainment is free. I don’t think I’ve heard of another Beatles festival that can say that (but I could be wrong).
The entertainment for this two day, three stage event is also growing by the day. Scheduled to appear this year are: Stan Perkins (son of Carl Perkins), Beatles tribute band – BritBeat, Ringo Starr tribute artist – Ringer Star, Beatles expert & author – Jude Southerland Kessler, Danny Donuts Yellow Submarine Parade and many more! There will also be a Beatles costume contest with prizes! A full list of events can be found here.
In 2012, Beatles at the Ridge won the “Top new Festival” award from the Arkansas Festival and Events Association.
Filed under Beatles-freak, festival, George Harrison, John Lennon, music, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Show
I love this t-shirt! My husband gave it to me several years ago as a christmas gift and it is without a doubt my favorite. And, it’s held up through all the washings, dryings and being hung outside on the line to dry.
Now…a little bit about it:
This shirt is from Julian Lennon‘s White Feather Foundation and is “Ethically sourced and made from 100% organic cotton with proceeds going towards the White Feather Foundation causes.”
From the foundations website: The White Feather Foundation embraces environmental and humanitarian issues and in conjunction with partners from around the world helps to raise funds for the betterment of all life, and to honour those who have truly made a difference.
If you have a Beatles fan in your life and want to also give back, my advice would be to buy them one of these shirts. I absolutely love the way this shirt wears, feels and makes me feel to wear it. But be sure to order earlier to get it in time for the holidays since they are shipped from the U.K.
You can order the shirt (in black or white) here: http://www.whitefeatherfoundation.com/shop.htm
I rate this shirt: Four Beatles!
Filed under Beatles-freak, Gifts, Julian Lennon
I just found this new song by The Quarrymen (thank you Beatles Examiner) called No. 6. It’s the first song off their new album and features none other than May Pang!
For 99 cents, I figured it was worth it to download it from Amazon and give it a listen and all I can say is….WOW!
This song is a whole lot more than I ever expected. Just when I thought that this was a band that was still trying to ride the tails of their predecessors, I’ve been proven wrong. This song, though still with its nostalgic samples, is easily just as hip, chic, awesome, groovy, swag, word or whatever the kids are saying these days.
I’m anxiously awaiting the album!
Absolutely, don’t miss the opportunity to listen and own this new song. You can download it on Amazon.com. (Don’t let the preview on Amazon fool you…it doesn’t do the song justice!)
I rate this song: 4 out of 4 Beetles
Filed under Beatles influence, Beatles-freak, May Pang, music, reviews, The Quarrymen
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