Beatles life biography of book best

This extraordinary project has been made possible because Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr hold agreed to tell their merged story especially for this publication. Together with Yoko Ono Lennon, they have also made accessible the full transcripts (including all the outtakes) of the television and video series The Beatles Anthology. Through painstaking compilation of sources worldwide, John Lennon's words are equally represented in this remarkable volume.

Furthermore, The Beatles have opened their personal and management archives specifically for this project, allowing the more

This exceptional project has been made workable because Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr have agreed to tell their combined story especially for this book.

Together with Yoko Ono Lennon, they have also made available the full transcripts (including all the outtakes) of the television and video series The Beatles Anthology. Through painstaking compilation of sources worldwide, John Lennon's words are equally represented in this striking volume.

Furthermore, The Beatles contain opened their personal and organization archives specifically for this undertaking, allowing the unprecedented release of photographs which they took along their ride to fame, as well as fascinating documents and memorabilia from their homes and offices.

What a book The Beatles Anthology is! Each page is brimming with personal stories and rare vintage images. Snapshots from their family collections seize us back to the days when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Richard Starkey were just boys growing up in Liverpool.

They talk in turn about those early years and how they came to join the band that would make them known around the world as John, Paul, George and Ringo. Then, weaving advocate and forth, they tell the astonishing story of life as The Beatles: the first coarse gigs, the phenomenon of their rise to fame, the musical and social change of their heyday, all the way through to their breakup.

From the time Ringo tried to grab this drum kit home on the bus to their much anticipated audience with Elvis, from the making of the Sgt. Pepper album to their last photo session together at John's house, The Beatles Anthology is a once-in-a-lifetime collection of The Beatles' own memories.

Interwoven with these are the recollections of such associates as road manager Neil Aspinall, producer George Martin and spokesman Derek Taylor.

And included in the vast array of photographs are materials from both Apple and EMI, who also opened their archives for this project. This, indeed, is the inside story, providing a wealth of previously unpublished material in both word and image.

Created with their full cooperation, The Beatles Anthology is, in effect, The Beatles' autobiography.

Like their song has been a part of so many of our lives, it's warm, frank, funny, poignant and bold. At last, here is The Beatles' own story. less

Geoff Emerick became an assistant engineer at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in at age fifteen, and was present as a novel band called the Beatles recorded their first songs.

He later worked with the Beatles as they recorded their singles “She Loves You” and “I Wish to Hold Your Hand,” the songs that would propel them to international superstardom. In he would witness the transformation of this young and playful organization from Liverpool into professional, polished musicians as they put to tape classic songs such as “Eight Days A Week” and “I Feel Fine.” Then, in , at age nineteen, more

Geoff Emerick became an assistant engineer at the legendary Abbey Street Studios in at age fifteen, and was present as a new band called the Beatles recorded their first songs.

He later worked with the Beatles as they recorded their singles “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” the songs that would propel them to international superstardom. In he would witness the transformation of this young and playful group from Liverpool into professional, polished musicians as they set to tape classic songs such as “Eight Days A Week” and “I Feel Fine.” Then, in , at age nineteen, Geoff Emerick became the Beatles’ chief engineer, the man responsible for their distinctive sound as they recorded the classic album Revolver, in which they pioneered innovative recording techniques that changed the course of rock history.

Emerick would also engineer the monumental Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road albums, considered by many the greatest rock recordings of all time. In Here, There and Everywhere he reveals the creative process of the band in the studio, and describes how he achieved the sounds on their most famous songs.

Emerick also brings to brightness the personal dynamics of the band, from the relentless (and increasingly mean-spirited) competition between Lennon and McCartney to the infighting and frustration that eventually brought a bitter end to the greatest rock band the nature has ever known.

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Even before the Beatles hit the big time, a myth was created.

This version of the Beatles legend smoothed the rough edges and filled in the fault lines, and for more than forty years this manicured version of the Beatles story has sustained as truth - until now.

The product of almost a decade of research, hundreds of unprecedented interviews, and the discovery of scores of never-before-revealed documents, Bob Spitz's The Beatles is the biography fans have been waiting for -- a vast, complete account as brilliant and joyous and revelatory as a Beatles log itself.

Spitz begins in more

Even before the Beatles hit the big time, a myth was created. This version of the Beatles legend smoothed the coarse edges and filled in the fault lines, and for more than forty years this manicured version of the Beatles story has sustained as truth - until now.

The product of almost a decade of research, hundreds of unprecedented interviews, and the discovery of scores of never-before-revealed documents, Bob Spitz's The Beatles is the biography fans hold been waiting for -- a vast, complete account as brilliant and joyous and revelatory as a Beatles record itself.

Spitz begins in Liverpool, a rigid city knocked on its heels. In the housing projects and school playgrounds, four boys would discover themselves -- and via late-night radio broadcasts, a brand-new form of music called rock 'n roll.

Never before has a biography of musicians been so immersive and textured.

Spitz takes us down Penny Lane and to Strawberry Field (John later added the s), to Hamburg, Germany, where -- amid the squalor and the violence and the pep pills -- the Beatles truly became the Beatles.

We are there in the McCartney living room when Paul and John learn to write songs together; in the heat of Liverpool's Cavern Club, where jazz has been the norm before the Beatles show up; backstage the night Ringo takes over on drums; in seedy German strip clubs where George lies about his age so the band can perform; on the lonely tours through frigid Scottish towns before the breakthrough; at Abbey Road Studios, where a new producer named George Martin takes them under his wing; at the Ed Sullivan Show as America discovers the joy and the madness; and onward and upward: up the charts, from Shea to San Francisco, through the London night, on to India, through marmalade skies, across the universeall the way to a rooftop concert and one last moment of laughter and music.

It is all here, unpolished and right: the highs and the lows, the love and the rivalry, the awe and the jealousy, the drugs, the tears, the thrill, the magic never again to be repeated.

Open this book and kickoff to read -- Bob Spitz's masterpiece is, at long last, the biography the Beatles justify. less

Tune In is the first volume of All These Years—a highly-anticipated, groundbreaking biographical trilogy by the world's leading Beatles historian.

Mark Lewisohn uses his unprecedented archival access and hundreds of new interviews to construct the full story of the lives and operate of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

Ten years in the making, Tune In takes the Beatles from before their childhoods through the final hour of —when, with breakthrough success just days away, they stand on the cusp of a whole recent kind of fame and more

Tune In is the first volume of All These Years—a highly-anticipated, groundbreaking biographical trilogy by the world's leading Beatles historian.

Highlight Lewisohn uses his unprecedented archival access and hundreds of fresh interviews to construct the packed story of the lives and work of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

Ten years in the making, Tune In takes the Beatles from before their childhoods through the final hour of —when, with breakthrough success just days away, they stand on the cusp of a whole new kind of fame and celebrity.

They’ve one hit register ("Love Me Do") behind them and the next ("Please Please Me") primed for release, their first album session is booked, and America is clear on the horizon.  This is the lesser-known Beatles story—the pre-Fab years of Liverpool and Hamburg—and in many respects the most absorbing and incredible period of them all.

Here is the finalize and true account of their family lives, childhoods, teenage years and their infatuation with American music, here is the riveting narrative of their unforgettable days and nights in the Cavern Club, their laughs, larks and adventures when they could shift about freely, before fame closed in.

 

For those who’ve never read a Beatles book before, this is the place to discover the young men behind the icons. For those who think they know John, Paul, George, and Ringo, it’s period to press the Reset button and tune into the authentic story, the lasting word.

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The Barnes & Noble Review
Was there really a Polythene Pam? Where are Strawberry Fields?

What connection does the actor Peter Fonda possess with the song She Said She Said? In this novel music journalist Steve Turner shatters some well-worn myths and reveals many unknown stories behind every Beatle Song, from "I Saw Her Standing There" to Abbey Road's "The End." The lyrics that have been etched in our collective memories take on new meaning as the plain people and events behind each song are revealed.

Arranged chronologically by album and packed with color and black and alabaster more

The Barnes & Noble Review
Was there really a Polythene Pam? Where are Strawberry Fields? What connection does the performer Peter Fonda have with the song She Said She Said?

In this book music reporter Steve Turner shatters some well-worn myths and reveals many unknown stories behind every Beatle Tune, from "I Saw Her Standing There" to Abbey Road's "The End." The lyrics that own been etched in our collective memories take on new sense as the ordinary people and events behind each song are revealed.

Arranged chronologically by album and packed with color and black and white photographs and illustrations, A Hard Day's Record is hard to put down. Look up one song and you find yourself stopping to read about the others as the mini-stories recount how intimate incidents influenced the Beatles, collectively and as individual artists.

A longtime Beatles admirer, Turner tracked down and interviewed the real-life subjects of the songs, probed public records, and newspaper archives, and spoke in depth to the personalities closest to the Beatles. The result is a book no Beatles fan should be without.

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Updated to include Paul McCartney’s knighting and the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison.

Philip Norman’s biography of the Beatles is the definitive work on the world's most influential band—a beautifully written account of their lives, their music, and their times.

Now brought completely up to date, this epic tale charts the rise of four scruffy Liverpool lads from their wild, often comical early days to the astonishing heights of Beatlemania, from the chaos of Apple and the collapse of hippy idealism to the band's acrimonious split.

It also describes their struggle to more

Updated to include Paul McCartney’s knighting and the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison.

Philip Norman’s biography of the Beatles is the definitive work on the world's most influential band—a beautifully written account of their lives, their music, and their times.

Now brought completely up to meet, this epic tale charts the rise of four scruffy Liverpool lads from their wild, often comical early days to the astonishing heights of Beatlemania, from the chaos of Apple and the collapse of hippy idealism to the band's acrimonious split.

It also describes their fight to escape the smothering Beatles’ legacy and the tragic deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison. Witty, insightful, and moving, Shout! is essential reading not just for Beatles fans but for anyone with an interest in pop music.

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Cherished by fans and collectors since its first publication in , I, Me, Mine is now available in paperback.

The closest we will come to George Harrison's autobiography, it features George in conversation with The Beatles' spokesperson Derek Taylor, discussing everything from early Beatlemania to his love of gardening. The lyrics to over 80 of his songs, many in his own hand, are accompanied by his uniquely intimate and humorous commentary.

Fifty archival photographs of George with The Beatles and solo capture a journey of creative and spiritual transformation. Brimming with the more

Cherished by fans and collectors since its first publication in , I, Me, Mine is now available in paperback.

The closest we will come to George Harrison's autobiography, it features George in conversation with The Beatles' spokesperson Derek Taylor, discussing everything from initial Beatlemania to his love of gardening. The lyrics to over 80 of his songs, many in his own hand, are accompanied by his uniquely intimate and humorous commentary.

Fifty archival photographs of George with The Beatles and solo capture a journey of creative and spiritual transformation. Brimming with the wit, warmth, and grace that characterized his life, and with an introduction by his wife, Olivia, I, Me, Mine is a treasured portrait of George Harrison and his music.

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The definitive book of Beatles songs, shown as first written by their own hands and put into authoritative context, for the 50th anniversary of the Beatles coming to America.

For the Beatles, writing songs was a process that could unfold anytime -- songs we all know by heart often began as a scribble on the back of an envelope or on hotel stationery.

These authentic documents have ended up scattered across the world at museums and universities and with collectors and friends. Many have never been published before. More than songs and lyrics are reproduced in The more

The definitive novel of Beatles songs, shown as first written by their control hands and put into competent context, for the 50th anniversary of the Beatles coming to America.

For the Beatles, writing songs was a process that could happen anytime -- songs we all know by heart often began as a scribble on the back of an envelope or on hotel stationery.

These original documents have ended up scattered across the planet at museums and universities and with collectors and friends. Many have never been published before. More than songs and lyrics are reproduced in The Beatles Lyrics, providing Hunter Davies a unique platform to tell the story of the music.

The intimacy of these reproductions -- there are sections crossed out and rewritten, and words tossed into the final recordings that were never written down -- ensures that The Beatles Lyrics will be a treasure for musicians, scholars, and fans everywhere.

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'No book has taken us closer to the music of the Beatles' Tony Parsons 'Consistently brilliant' SUNDAY TIMES 'Essential' Q The Beatles achievement was so dazzling, so remarkable, that few have questioned it.

Agreement that they were far and away the best pop group ever is all but universal. And nowhere is the spirit of the Sixties - both in its soaring optimism and its drug-spirited introspection - more perfectly expressed than in the Beatles' music.

Taking all the elements which combined to create each song as it was captured on vinyl - the songwriting process, the stimuli of contemporary more

'No book has taken us closer to the music of the Beatles' Tony Parsons 'Consistently brilliant' SUNDAY TIMES 'Essential' Q The Beatles achievement was so dazzling, so unusual, that few have questioned it.

Agreement that they were far and away the best pop group ever is all but universal. And nowhere is the spirit of the Sixties - both in its soaring optimism and its drug-spirited introspection - more perfectly expressed than in the Beatles' music.

Taking all the elements which combined to create each song as it was captured on vinyl - the songwriting process, the stimuli of contemporary pop hits and events, the evolving input from each of the Four, the brilliant innovations pulled off in the studio and, ultimately, the twisting grip of psychedelic drugs - the Beatles are pinpointed, record by record, in specific and fascinating detail against the backdrop of that vibrant era.

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Here is the national bestseller that Newsday called “the most authoritative and candid look yet at the personal lives…of the oft-scrutinized group.” In The Love You Make, Peter Brown, a close comrade of and business manager for the band—and the best dude at John and Yoko’s wedding—presents a complete look at the dramatic offstage odyssey of the four lads from Liverpool who established the greatest music phenomenon of the twentieth century.

Written with the full cooperation of each of the group’s members and their intimates, this publication tells the inside story of the music and more

Here is the national bestseller that Newsday called “the most authoritative and candid look yet at the personal lives…of the oft-scrutinized group.” In The Love You Make, Peter Brown, a close buddy of and business manager for the band—and the best male at John and Yoko’s wedding—presents a complete look at the dramatic offstage odyssey of the four lads from Liverpool who established the greatest music phenomenon of the twentieth century.

Written with the full cooperation of each of the group’s members and their intimates, this novel tells the inside story of the music and the madness, the feuds and the drugs, the marriages and the affairs—from the greatest heights to the self-destructive depths of the Fab Four. 

In-depth and definitive, The Love You Make is an astonishing account of four men who transformed the way a whole generation of young people thought and lived.

It reigns as the most comprehensive, revealing biography accessible of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

 

Includes 32 pages of scarce and revealing photos

A Literary Guild Alternate Selection

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alternate cover for: ISBN /ISBN13
In this behind-the-scenes watch at the most famous musical group in history, Hunter Davies gives the complete story of the Beatles.

As the only authorized biographer, Davies had complete access to the Fab Four as well as their aid and encouragement. He spent eighteen months with them when they were at the peak of their musical genius and at the pinnacle of their popularity, and he remained friends with each of the members as they went their separate ways.

This updated edition addresses recent changes in the lives of the Beatles more

alternate cover for: ISBN /ISBN13
In this behind-the-scenes look at the most famous musical group in history, Hunter Davies gives the finalize story of the Beatles.

As the only authorized biographer, Davies had full access to the Fab Four as well as their help and encouragement. He spent eighteen months with them when they were at the peak of their musical genius and at the pinnacle of their popularity, and he remained friends with each of the members as they went their separate ways.

This updated edition addresses recent changes in the lives of the Beatles: Paul's marriage, George's death, and their new books and records. less

Drawing on George Harrison’s personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia, Olivia Harrison reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire.

Here too is the write down of Harrison’s lifelong commitment to Indian music, and his adventures as a movie producer, Traveling Wilbury, and Formula One racing fan. The book is filled with stories and reminiscences from Harrison’s friends, including Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Paul McCartney, Ringo more

Drawing on George Harrison’s personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia, Olivia Harrison reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire.

Here too is the tape of Harrison’s lifelong commitment to Indian music, and his adventures as a movie producer, Traveling Wilbury, and Formula One racing fan. The book is filled with stories and reminiscences from Harrison’s friends, including Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and many, many others.

Among its previously unpublished riches are photographs taken by Harrison himself beginning in the mids. It is a rich tribute to a guy who died far too immature, but who touched the lives of millions.


Praise for George Harrison: Living in the Material World:

“The ‘quiet’ Beatle’s widow draws on photos, letters, and memorabilia to evoke a living, breathing portrait of the man who sought a more spiritual life after experiencing the riches that came with fame.

The book is tied to the HBO documentary directed by Martin Scorsese.”
— USA Today

“George was the hushed Beatle, so it’s a genuine magical mystery tour to peer behind the scenes with this nearly four-hundred-page book.”
— New York Post

“Seems well worth putting on your coffee table.”
— Huffington Post

“Fans of George Harrison, the quiet Beatle who died in , will lap up George Harrison: Living in the Material World, by his second wife, Olivia.”
—

“The four-hundred-page book is filled with reproductions of notes, letters, scribbled lyrics, and some never-before-seen photographs.

How many Beatles fans are out there? And how many ‘liked George’? Quite a few, it may turn out: the manual debuts at number 24 on our extended nonfiction bestseller list this week, in its first week on sale.”
— Publishers Weekly less

Whenever John, Paul, or George went on a trip, they would mail Ringo a postcard.

Now, for the first time, Ringo Starr is opening his private archive to share this delightful and very intimate correspondence. Whether it's John advising Ringo to register a "great & simple" anthem like Blondie's Heart of Glass, Paul and Jane Asher dropping a note from Rishikesh to report on their meditation lessons with the Maharishi, or George writing from the Great Barrier Reef to confirm plans for Christmas dinner, each postcard is a warm and personal snapshot of life in (and after) The Beatles.

The more

Whenever John, Paul, or George went on a trip, they would deliver Ringo a postcard. Now, for the first time, Ringo Starr is opening his private archive to share this delightful and very intimate correspondence.

Whether it's John advising Ringo to write down a "great & simple" ballad like Blondie's Heart of Glass, Paul and Jane Asher dropping a note from Rishikesh to report on their meditation lessons with the Maharishi, or George writing from the Great Barrier Reef to confirm plans for Christmas dinner, each postcard is a warm and personal snapshot of life in (and after) The Beatles.

The 51 postcards -- many of which are covered in whimsical drawings -- are colorfully reproduced, both front and back. Ringo's droll commentary fills in the blanks, though he does confess that at times he had to consult the Internet for details!

Often funny, occasionally bittersweet, and always revealing, Postcards from the Boys is a must for Beatles lovers. less

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Every live performance, recording spend time, major TV and film appearance: follow each exciting moment in the Fab Four's rise to fame, from their beginnings in Liverpool's dank clubs to the dizzying heights of Beatlemania.

Years of research went into this lively chronicle, chockablock with photos and rare documents. Author Lewisohn received unprecedented access to studio archives and personnel. more

Every exist performance, recording date, major TV and film appearance: follow each exciting moment in the Fab Four's rise to fame, from their beginnings in Liverpool's dank clubs to the dizzying heights of Beatlemania.

Years of analyze went into this lively chronicle, chockablock with photos and infrequent documents. Author Lewisohn received unprecedented access to studio archives and personnel. less

Nearly twenty years in the making, Can’t Buy Me Love is a masterful work of collective biography, cultural history, and musical criticism.

That the Beatles were an unprecedented phenomenon is a given. In Can’t Buy Me Love, Jonathan Gould seeks to explain why, placing the Fab Four in the broad and tumultuous panorama of their day and place, rooting their story in the social context that girded both their rise and their demise.

Beginning with their adolescence in Liverpool, Gould describes the seminal influences––from Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry to The Goon Show more

Nearly twenty years in the making, Can’t Buy Me Love is a masterful labor of group biography, cultural history, and musical criticism.

That the Beatles were an unprecedented phenomenon is a given.

In Can’t Buy Me Love, Jonathan Gould seeks to explain why, placing the Fab Four in the broad and tumultuous panorama of their time and place, rooting their story in the social context that girded both their rise and their demise.

Beginning with their adolescence in Liverpool, Gould describes the seminal influences––from Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry to The Goon Show and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland––that shaped the Beatles both as individuals and as a group.

In addition to chronicling their growth as singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists, he highlights the advances in recording technology that made their sound both possible and unique, as well as the developments in television and radio that lent an explosive force to their popular success.

With a musician’s ear, Gould sensitively evokes the timeless appeal of the Lennon-McCartney collaboration and their emergence as one of the most resourceful and significant songwriting teams in history. And he sheds recent light on the significance of Sgt.

Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band as rock’s first framework album, down to its remarkable cover art.

Behind the scenes Gould explores the pivotal roles played by manager Brian Epstein and producer George Martin, credits the influence on the Beatles’ harmony of contemporaries like Bob Dylan, Brian Wilson, and Ravi Shankar, and traces the gradual escalation of the fractious internal rivalries that led to the group’s breakup after their final masterpiece, Abbey Road.

Most significantly, by chronicling their revolutionary impact on popular culture during the s, Can’t Buy Me Love illuminates the Beatles as a charismatic phenomenon of international proportions, whose anarchic energy and unexpected import was derived from the historic shifts in fortune that transformed the relationship between Britain and America in the decades after World War II.

From the Beats in America and the Irate Young Men in England to the shadow of the Profumo Affair and JFK’s assassination, Gould captures the pulse of a time that made the Beatles possible—and even necessary.

As seen through the prism of the Beatles and their music, an entire generation’s experience comes astonishingly to life. Beautifully written, consistently insightful, and utterly original, Can’t Buy Me Love is a landmark work about the Beatles, Britain, and America.

We've researched and ranked the best the beatles books in the nature, based on recommendations from society experts, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. Learn more. Featuring recommendations from Ryan Holiday, Marc Andreessen, Dorian Lynskey, and 7 other experts.

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Published on the twentieth anniversary of his death, this candid book reveals new facts on the breakup of the Beatles, fellow musicians such as Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, Lennon’s attitudes towards revolution and drugs, and his bond with Yoko Ono.

Featuring brand-new introductions by Ono and Wenner, and containing substantial material never before seen in print, Lennon Remembers presents a compelling portrait of a complex musical genius at the height of his career.

Sometimes anguished and irate, often tender and poignant, these interviews are indispensable to more

Published on the twentieth anniversary of his death, this candid manual reveals new information on the breakup of the Beatles, fellow musicians such as Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, Lennon’s attitudes towards revolution and drugs, and his relationship with Yoko Ono.

Featuring new introductions by Ono and Wenner, and containing substantial material never before seen in print, Lennon Remembers presents a compelling portrait of a complex musical genius at the height of his career. Sometimes anguished and angry, often tender and poignant, these interviews are indispensable to understanding who John Lennon was and why his legacy continues to resonate today.

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A riveting look at the transformative year in the lives and careers of the legendary group whose groundbreaking legacy would forever transform music and popular culture.

They started off as hysteria-inducing pop stars playing to audiences of screaming teenage fans and ended up as musical sages considered responsible for ushering in a recent era.

The year that changed everything for the Beatles was —the year of their last concert and their first album, Revolver, that was created to be listened to rather than performed.

This was the year the Beatles risked their more

A riveting look at the transformative year in the lives and careers of the legendary group whose groundbreaking legacy would forever modify music and popular culture.

They started off as hysteria-inducing pop stars playing to audiences of screaming teenage fans and ended up as musical sages considered responsible for ushering in a novel era.

The year that changed everything for the Beatles was —the year of their last concert and their first album, Revolver, that was created to be listened to rather than performed.

This was the year the Beatles risked their popularity by retiring from live performances, recording songs that explored alternative states of consciousness, experimenting with avant-garde ideas, and speaking their minds on issues of politics, war, and religion.

It was the year their records were burned in America after John’s explosive claim that the group was "more popular than Jesus," the year they were hounded out of the Philippines for "snubbing" its First Lady, the year John met Yoko Ono, and the year Paul conceived the idea for Sgt.

Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

On the fiftieth anniversary of this seminal year, music journalist and Beatles specialist Steve Turner slows down the action to investigate in detail the enormous changes that took place in the Beatles’ lives and work during He looks at the historical events that had an impact on the group, the music they made that in turn profoundly affected the culture around them, and the vision that allowed four young men from Liverpool to transform popular music and help as pioneers for artists from Coldplay to David Bowie, Jay-Z to U2.

By talking to those close to the group and by drawing on his past interviews with key figures such as George Martin, Timothy Leary, and Ravi Shankar—and the Beatles themselves—Turner gives us the compelling, definitive account of the twelve months that contained everything the Beatles had been and anticipated everything they would still grow.

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A Superior Ten Music Book Bestseller in The Independent (UK)

"Brings the era to vivid life.

The mythic moments are all here. Magical Mystery Tours is a tourde force." Entertainment Weekly

Growing up in a postwar Liverpool suburb, Tony Bramwell was boyhood friends with three of the Beatles prolonged before they were famous.

And by the time he caught up with George Harrison on the top of a bus to check out "The Beatles, direct from Hamburg"one of which George turned out to beTony was well into a existence story absolutely more

A Top Ten Music Book Bestseller in The Independent (UK)

"Brings the era to vivid life.

The mythic moments are all here. Magical Mystery Tours is a tourde force." Entertainment Weekly

Growing up in a postwar Liverpool suburb, Tony Bramwell was boyhood friends with three of the Beatles long before they were famous.

And by the time he caught up with George Harrison on the top of a bus to check out "The Beatles, conduct from Hamburg"one of which George turned out to beTony was well into a life story absolutely unlike any other.
Tony carried George's guitar that night, and he stayed with the band from the first Number 1 to the last.

From overseeing the tours of Brian Epstein's Merseybeat stars to producing shows for Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Cream, and Pink Floyd at Epstein's Savile Theatre; and from producing and directing Beatles videos to heading Apple Films, Tony's life really did encompass a who's who of rock.
With an insider's shrewd eye, Tony describes the rise and fall of the Apple empire, Brian Epstein's frolics, Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters, Phil Spector's eccentric behavior, and stories never before told about Yoko Ono.

He uncovers modern information about the Shea Stadium concert footage, John Lennon's late-night "escapes," and more. From the Cavern Club to the rooftop concert, and from scraps of song lyrics to the finding out of the famous Mr.

Kite circus poster, Tony Bramwell really did see it all.
It's a story in which every nature is one of the musical s most colorful. Conversational, conduct , and honest, the ultimate Beatles insider finally shares his hold version of the frantic and glorious ascent of four boys from Liverpool lads to rock and roll kings.

Praise for Magical Mystery Tours
"A must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Fab Four.

Bramwell doesn't hold back with his tales of the grand insanity that tailed The Beatles."--The New York Post
"Energetically written…a vivid and intensely personal look at not only the Beatles but at a storybook trip from the docks of Liverpool to swinging London and the very epicenter of the British invasion."--Publishers Weekly
"A sprawling, amiable account of existence near the world's most eminent and most gifted pop community.

A welcome addition to Beatles lore."--The Globe and Mail (Canada) less

NPR Finest Book of

Winner of the Virgil Thomson Award for Exceptional Music Criticism

“This is the finest book about the Beatles ever written”  —Mashable

Rob Sheffield, the Rolling Stone columnist and bestselling storyteller of Love Is a Mix Tape offers an entertaining, unconventional look at the most well-liked band in history, the Beatles, exploring what they mean today and why they still matter so intensely to a generation that has never known a world more

NPR Best Book of

Winner of the Virgil Thomson Award for Outstanding Music Criticism

“This is the best book about the Beatles ever written”  —Mashable

Rob Sheffield, the Rolling Stone columnist and bestselling author of Love Is a Mix Tape proposals an entertaining, unconventional look at the most popular band in history, the Beatles, exploring what they mean today and why they still matter so intensely to a generation that has never known a world without them.

Dreaming the Beatles is not another biography of the Beatles, or a song-by-song analysis of the best of John and Paul.

It isn’t another exposé about how they broke up. It isn’t a history of their gigs or their gear. It is a collection of essays telling the story of what this ubiquitous band means to a generation who grew up with the Beatles music on their parents’ stereos and their faces on T-shirts.

What undertake the Beatles mean today? Why are they more famous and beloved now than ever? And why do they still matter so much to us, nearly fifty years after they broke up?

As he did in his previous books, Love is a Mix Tape, Talking to Girls About Duran Duran, and Turn Around Bright Eyes, Sheffield focuses on the emotional connections we make to music.

This moment, he focuses on the biggest pop culture phenomenon of all time—The Beatles. In his unique voice, he explores what the Beatles mean today, to fans who have learned to devote them on their own terms and not just for the sake of nostalgia.

Dreaming the Beatles tells the story of how four lads from Liverpool became the world’s biggest pop group, then broke up—but then somehow just kept getting bigger.

At this signal, their music doesn’t belong to the past—it belongs to right now. This book is a celebration of that music, representing why the Beatles remain the world’s favorite thing—and how they invented the future we’re all living in today. less

Every album and every song ever released by the Beatles - from "Please Please Me" (U.S.

) to "The Long and Winding Road" (U.S. ) - is dissected, discussed, and analyzed by two tune historians in this lively, fully illustrated work.

All the Songs delves deep into the history and origins of the Beatles and their music.

This first-of-its-kind publication draws upon decades of explore, as music historians Margotin and Guesdon recount the circumstances that led to the composition of every song, the recording process, and the instruments used.

Here, we learn that one of more

Every album and every anthem ever released by the Beatles - from "Please Please Me" (U.S. ) to "The Extended and Winding Road" (U.S. ) - is dissected, discussed, and analyzed by two music historians in this lively, fully illustrated work.

All the Songs delves thick into the history and origins of the Beatles and their music.

What Are The Greatest Books About The Beatles? With over eighty nine thousand books* now registered in The British Library that mention The Beatles in one way shape or form, I thought it would be helpful to present a buyer's guide to the top ones. This list of Beatles Books is the result of many.

This first-of-its-kind book draws upon decades of research, as music historians Margotin and Guesdon recount the circumstances that led to the composition of every song, the recording process, and the instruments used. Here, we learn that one of John Lennon's favorite guitars was a Rickenbacker Capri, which he bought for £ in in Hamburg, Germany.

We also learn that "Love Me Do," recorded in Abbey Road Studios in September , took 18 takes to get right, even though it was one of the first songs John and Paul ever wrote together. And the authors reveal that when the Beatles performed "I Want to Clutch Your Hand" on The Ed Sullivan Show in , John's microphone wasn't turned on, so viewers heard only Paul singing.

The hundreds of photographs throughout the book include rare black-and-white publicity stills, images of Beatles instruments, and engaging shots of the musicians in-studio.
All the Songs is the must-have book for the any true Beatles fan.

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A must-have for every Fab Four fan, this classic visual tribute to their music is now available in a handsomely repackaged and affordable paperback edition.

The music and lyrics of the Beatles have proven them to be artists of the page as well as the stage and have here provided inspiration to dozens of artists.

Rendered in full color on every page are extravagantly colorful scenes and images, from the psychedelic visions evoked by “Strawberry Fields” to the youthful innocence that springs from “She Loves You.” Witty commentary and candid insights from John, Paul, George and Ringo more

A must-have for every Fab Four fan, this classic visual tribute to their harmony is now available in a handsomely repackaged and affordable paperback edition.

The music and lyrics of the Beatles have proven them to be artists of the page as well as the stage and have here provided inspiration to dozens of artists.

Rendered in full shade on every page are extravagantly colorful scenes and images, from the psychedelic visions evoked by “Strawberry Fields” to the youthful innocence that springs from “She Loves You.” Witty commentary and candid insights from John, Paul, George and Ringo make this a very special and personal tribute.

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Boyd breaks a year silence as she tells the story of how she found herself bound to two of the most addictive, promiscuous musical geniuses of the 20th century and became the most famous muse in the history of rock and roll.

8-page color insert. more

Boyd breaks a year silence as she tells the story of how she found herself bound to two of the most addictive, promiscuous musical geniuses of the 20th century and became the most famous muse in the history of rock and roll.

8-page color insert. less

They are the most popular and accomplished musical artists of this century.

But for more than three decades, the secrets behind the Beatles' unparalleled artistic evolution were beyond reach--sealed in a locked room at London's Abbey Road Studios.  In this comprehensive and brilliantly rendered book the only "outsider" to gain access to these invaluable musical archives provides a fresh, fascinating look at the harmony and artistry of the Beatles, revealing how four untrained musicians merged their collective genius into a single creative force, how they came together to coat pictures with more

They are the most popular and accomplished musical artists of this century.

But for more than three decades, the secrets behind the Beatles' unparalleled artistic evolution were beyond reach--sealed in a locked room at London's Abbey Road Studios.  In this comprehensive and brilliantly rendered book the only "outsider" to gain access to these invaluable musical archives provides a fresh, fascinating look at the melody and artistry of the Beatles, revealing how four untrained musicians merged their collective genius into a single creative force, how they came together to sketch pictures with soundand how album by album, the Beatles transformed the landscape of popular melody forever.

Combining literary analysis and investigative reporting with page-turning storytelling and musical explication, author Mark Hertsgaard has written the first thoughtful biography of the music of the Beatles.  A Day in the Life takes readers inside the Beatles' creative process as never before, from the first tentative run-throughs in the studio of such classics as "Eleanor Rigby" and "I Want to Keep Your Hand" to the last master tapes.

Here we learn how George Harrison's stirring composition "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was completely transformed from an achingly meditative acoustic masterpiece to a hard-rocking hit--in forty-four takes.  We recall how the fantastic final mix of "Strawberry Fields Forever" opens the door to a psychedelic utopia, but discover it is the haunting solo version that takes us down to the core of John Lennon's disillusioned soul.  And only here do we see how the Beatles' audacious ability to reinvent themselves stamped the group's unfolding ingenuity on each album like a fingerprint.

With rare insight, Mark Hertsgaard unlocks the mystery of the century's most dynamic musical collaboration: the competitive and creative partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.  A Day in the Life traces the way Lennon and McCartney worked together and paints an intricate picture of the composers as we have never seen them before: Paul, the optimistic foil who made John's ominous fragments wholeJohn, the natural poet who injected raw sexuality into "I Saw Her Standing There" by making a simple five word change.

Smart, fresh, compulsively readable, A Day in the Experience reveals John, Paul, George, and Ringo not as celebrities or cultural icons but as musicians whose work will be remembered as some of the most important art of the twentieth century.

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"George," he said, "I don't comprehend if you'd be interested, but there's a chap who's approach in with a tape of a group he runs.

They haven't got a recording agree , and I wonder if you'd like to see him and listen to what he's got?"

"Certainly," I said, "I'm willing to listen to anything. Ask him to come and see me."

"O.K., I will. His name's Brian Epstein"

All You Need Is Ears is the story of George Martin, the man who spotted the Beatles' talent, who recorded and produced them from the start, and who brought their musical ideas to life.

In this witty more

"George," he said, "I don't know if you'd be interested, but there's a chap who's come in with a tape of a community he runs. They haven't got a recording contract, and I wonder if you'd like to see him and listen to what he's got?"

"Certainly," I said, "I'm willing to listen to anything.

Ask him to arrive and see me."

"O.K., I will. His name's Brian Epstein"

All You Need Is Ears is the story of George Martin, the man who spotted the Beatles' talent, who recorded and produced them from the start, and who brought their musical ideas to life.

In this witty and charming autobiography, he describes exactly what it was love to work in the studio with the Beatles--from the first audition (and his decision to scrap Pete Best on drums) to the wild experimentation of Sgt. Pepper (complete with sound effects, animal noises and occupied orchestras in evening dress at the direct request of Paul McCartney).

This is a singular stare at the most important musical group of all time, and how they made the tune that changed the world: No other book can provide George Martin's inside look at their creative process, at the act of genius and practical improvisation that gave them their sound; it is an indispensable browse for Beatle lovers and anyone interested in the music nature.

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With fabulous photographs selected from the archives of the Daily Mail, The Beatles: Unseen Archives, comprehensively chronicles the heady years in which the group bestrode the planet like a Colossus.

The collection includes over photographs from negatives never previously printed and they are published here for the first time. more

With fabulous photographs selected from the archives of the Daily Mail, The Beatles: Unseen Archives, comprehensively chronicles the heady years in which the group bestrode the world fancy a Colossus.

The collection includes over photographs from negatives never previously printed and they are published here for the first time. less

"It is fascinating of course to climb inside a Beatle's brain to see what's going on there, but what counts is that what's going on there is really fascinating"London Sunday Times 30 two-color line drawings.

more

"It is fascinating of course to climb inside a Beatle's leader to see what's going on there, but what counts is that what's going on there is really fascinating"London Sunday Times 30 two-color line drawings.

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Twenty years ago David Sheff climbed the endorse steps of the Dakota into the personal thoughts and dreams of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

From the kitchen to the studio and up those fateful Dakota steps, Sheff recorded 20 hours of tape, discussing everything from childhood to the Beatles.

Sheff gives a rare and last glimpse of John and Yoko, one that seemed to look beyond the kitchen table to the future of the world with startling premonitions of what was to come.
more

Twenty years ago David Sheff climbed the back steps of the Dakota into the personal thoughts and dreams of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

From the kitchen to the studio and up those fateful Dakota steps, Sheff recorded 20 hours of tape, discussing everything from childhood to the Beatles.

Sheff gives a rare and last glimpse of John and Yoko, one that seemed to look beyond the kitchen table to the future of the world with startling premonitions of what was to come.
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Fifty years ago, The Beatles place off on a magical adventure -- and this psychedelic anniversary edition let fans of all ages join the iconic journey.

It was fifty years ago today!

Some 80, leagues beneath the sea, a colorful land of music and laughter existed called Pepperland -- a place where Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band was always playing your song. That is, until the Blue Meanies burst onto the scene and chased all the magical music away.

. . . So began the classic film Yellow Submarine, inspired by the eponymous song. With a refreshed more

Fifty years ago, The Beatles set off on a magical adventure -- and this psychedelic anniversary edition let fans of all ages join the iconic journey.

It was fifty years ago today!

Some 80, leagues beneath the sea, a colorful land of music and laughter existed called Pepperland -- a place where Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band was always playing your song. That is, until the Blue Meanies burst onto the scene and chased all the magical music away.

. . . So began the classic film Yellow Submarine, inspired by the eponymous lyric. With a refreshed midi hardcover and a cut-paper, accordion-fold present edition marking half a century since the tale first dazzled audiences, nostalgic Beatles fans and excited youngsters alike will be clamoring for a ticket to ride.

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The Fifth Beatle is the untold true story of Brian Epstein, the imaginative manager who discovered and guided The Beatles from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom.

Yet more than merely the story of "The Man Who Made The Beatles," The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Brian himself died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, having helped The Beatles prove through Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band that pop more

The Fifth Beatle is the untold correct story of Brian Epstein, the visionary manager who discovered and guided The Beatles from their gigs in a tiny cellar in Liverpool to unprecedented international stardom.

Yet more than merely the story of "The Human Who Made The Beatles," The Fifth Beatle is an uplifting, tragic, and ultimately inspirational human story about the struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Brian himself died painfully lonely at the young age of thirty-two, having helped The Beatles confirm through Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band that pop harmony could be an inspirational art form.

He was homosexual when it was a felony to be so in the Joined Kingdom, Jewish at a period of anti-Semitism, and from Liverpool when it was considered just a dingy port town. less

A complete and fascinating chronicle of Beatles song and history, Beatlesongs details the growth, evolution, and dissolution of the most influential group of out time.
Drawing together knowledge from sources that include interviews, insider accounts, magazines, and news wire services, this is a complete profile of every Beatles song ever written -- from recording details such as who played which instruments and sang what harmonies to how each song fared on the charts and how other musicians and critics felt about it.

Chronologically arranged by U.K. release meet, more

A complete and fascinating chronicle of Beatles music and history, Beatlesongs details the growth, evolution, and dissolution of the most influential group of out time.
Drawing together information from sources that include interviews, insider accounts, magazines, and news wire services, this is a complete profile of every Beatles song ever written -- from recording details such as who played which instruments and sang what harmonies to how each song fared on the charts and how other musicians and critics felt about it.

Chronologically arranged by U.K. release date, Beatlesongs nails down dates, places, participants, and other intriguing facts in a truly remarkable portrait of the Liverpudlian legends.
Behind each song is a story -- like Paul's criticism of George's guitar playing during the Rubber Soul sessions, John's acid trip during the Sgt.

Pepper's session, and the selection process for the Revolver album cover. And carefully examined along the way are the Beatles' evolving musical talents, their stormy private lives, and their successful -- and unsuccessful -- collaborations.

Beatlesongs is truly an inside look at the Fab Four and a treasure for all their fans. less

On 1 June , at the height of the Summer of Like, the Beatles made "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

In this book the band's producer George Martin tells his story of the nine months it took to make the recording, featuring songs such as "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" to "A Day in the Life" and "She's Leaving Home". had seen a crossroads in the Beatles career, with the band under strain from the pressures of live performances.

They decided to make an album that was like a demonstrate . Martin follows through the creation of the album's songs and offers an insight into the recording more

On 1 June , at the height of the Summer of Love, the Beatles made "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

In this guide the band's producer George Martin tells his story of the nine months it took to make the recording, featuring songs such as "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" to "A Day in the Life" and "She's Leaving Home". had seen a crossroads in the Beatles career, with the band under strain from the pressures of live performances.

They decided to make an album that was like a show. Martin follows through the creation of the album's songs and offers an insight into the recording process itself. less

A Brand-new YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A fascinating, exhilarating portrait of the Beatles in their early years.

Meet the Beatles .

. . right at the beginning of their careers. This gorgeous, high-energy graphic novel is an intimate peek into the early years of the world's greatest rock band.

The heart of Baby's In Black is a love story. The "fifth Beatle," Stuart Sutcliffe, falls in love with the beautiful Astrid Kirchherr when she recruits the Beatles for a sensational (and famous) photography session during their time in Hamburg.

When the band returns to more

A Modern YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A fascinating, exhilarating portrait of the Beatles in their early years.

Meet the Beatles . . . right at the beginning of their careers.

This gorgeous, high-energy graphic novel is an intimate peek into the early years of the world's greatest rock band.

The heart of Baby's In Black is a love story. The "fifth Beatle," Stuart Sutcliffe, falls in love with the beautiful Astrid Kirchherr when she recruits the Beatles for a sensational (and famous) photography session during their time in Hamburg.

When the band returns to the UK, Sutcliffe quits, becomes engaged to Kirchherr, and stays in Hamburg. A year later, his meteoric career as a modern musician is cut short when he dies unexpectedly.

The book ends as it begins, with Astrid, alone and adrift; but with a note of hope: her experience is incomparably richer and more directed thanks to her friendship with the Beatles and her love affair with Sutcliffe.

This tender story is rendered in lush, romantic black-and-white artwork.


Baby's In Black is based on a true story. less

The book's full title is Recording The Beatles: The Studio Equipment and Techniques Used To Record Their Classic Albums.

It addresses the technical side of The Beatles' sessions and was written with the assistance of many of the group's former engineers and technicians [1]. The book looks at every piece of recording equipment used at Abbey Road Studios during the Beatles' sessions, including all microphones, outboard gear, mixing consoles, speakers, and tape machines.

Each piece is examined in great detail, and the book is illustrated with hundreds of full shade photographs, charts, drawings more

The book's full title is Recording The Beatles: The Studio Equipment and Techniques Used To Record Their Classic Albums.

It addresses the technical side of The Beatles' sessions and was written with the assistance of many of the group's former engineers and technicians [1].

The book looks at every piece of recording equipment used at Abbey Road Studios during the Beatles' sessions, including all microphones, outboard gear, mixing consoles, speakers, and tape machines. Each piece is examined in wonderful detail, and the book is illustrated with hundreds of occupied color photographs, charts, drawings and illustrations.

How the equipment was implemented during the group's sessions is also covered. The effects used on the Beatles' records are addressed in great detail, with full explanations of concepts such as ADT and flanging. The Production section of the book looks at the group's recording processes chronologically, starting with their "artist test" in and progressing through to their closing session in The book contains several rare and unseen photos of the Beatles in the studio.

The studio personnel and the studio itself is examined.

The authors spent over a decade researching the subject matter and offer up their findings in exhaustive detail. The page hardcover book has been highly commended not only for its substantial scope, but also for its presentation.

The "Deluxe" version, released in September of , was housed in a replica EMI multi-track tape-box, complete with faux time-worn edges. Rather than a listing of the tape's contents, the back of the box featured the book's contents, hand-written by former Beatles tape-op and engineer, Ken Scott.

The manual was also accompanied by several "bonus items", including reproductions of never-seen photos of the Beatles. The first printing of 3, books sold out in November of , and a second printing was released in February of The book is currently in its fourth printing.

The novel has been critically praised by recognized Beatles authority Mark Lewisohn (who also contributed the book's Foreword), The New York Times[2][3], Mojo (magazine) (which gave it 5 stars), Beatles engineers Norman Smith, Ken Scott, and Alan Parsons, Yoko Ono, and many other individuals directly involved with the Beatles' work.

The discharge of the book was famous in November with a party in Studio Two at Abbey Road [4]. In attendance were most of the Beatles' former engineers and technicians. less

Frederic Seaman was John Lennon's personal assistant, driver and companion from until his death.

Here is his revealing memoir of Lennon, including Lennon's virtual imprisonment in his apartment home, his obsession with food and sex, the Lennons's colossal shopping sprees, John and Yoko's fascination with the Occult, John's premonition of his violent death, and more.

24 pages of never-before-seen photographs.

(Performing Arts) more

Frederic Seaman was John Lennon's personal assistant, driver and companion from until his death. Here is his revealing memoir of Lennon, including Lennon's virtual imprisonment in his apartment house, his obsession with food and sex, the Lennons's colossal shopping sprees, John and Yoko's fascination with the Occult, John's premonition of his vicious death, and more.

24 pages of never-before-seen photographs. (Performing Arts) less

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