The Beatles: Press Reports (Paperback)

~ W. Fraser Sandercombe (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"They're four very different people who got together to form a unit that is virtually impregnable ... They're very close indeed. A lot closer than people think." -- George Martin

Product Description

This collection of historical media pieces and interviews chronicles the lives and careers of the Beatles as seen through the lens of popular British music publications—such as Disc and Music Echo, Melody Maker, Mersey Beat, and the Record Mirror—from 1961–1970, when they received more media attention than any other rock band in history. As this era of the Beatles’ past is explored year by year, the importance of the band’s first shows in Liverpool and the subsequent attention it drew to other “Merseyside” bands (those from Mersey County, Northwest England) becomes clear. Information on the Beatles’ first trip to America and the controversies surrounding their break-up are also included in this nostalgic trip down memory lane to the time when musicians from Liverpool began making music history.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc.; First Edition edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1894959612
• ISBN-13: 978-1894959612
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #810,788 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get to know the Beatles from the Press Perspective, September 29, 2009

By	Mark A. Frumento (Cherry Hill, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just to offset the review below, this is a very interesting book but definitely not one you can just read through in a couple of sittings. The book represents all of the British press reports (NME, Melody Maker, Record Mirror etc) on the Beatles from the beginning to the end. Because of copyright restrictions (apparently) the articles are not printed verbatim but are paraphrased with the original Beatles quotes left in the context of the article. This works quite well and in fact makes the reading a lot easier. There is no bias except where there was bias from the press back in the day. The authors/editors to not offer their own opinions but rather do an excellent job of summarizing the articles. But the reason to buy the book is the quotes from the Beatles and the rest of the historical context of the articles. Of course it would be great to have a book full of all of the original press reports but no one in their right mind would publish, let alone read, all of that material. This book is nearly perfect as is.

This book is recommended if you're interested in the Beatles career day by day and from the perspective of the press. It's very cool to get a sense for what it was like when a new Beatles album was releases or get the excitement of the announcements of their Christmas records, live shows and all of the goings on of the band. The press was definitely not always accurate (when is the press always accurate) but that's half the fun of the reading.

I also recommend this for folks who weren't living in the UK when the Beatles were active. It gives you a sense for their rise to stardom like no other book. By the time they got to the US they were already stars. This takes you back to the beginning and all the way through the end of the band.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pick and Choose, January 27, 2009

By	cynicalgirl "Susan" (Laurel MS USA) - See all my reviews

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Ok, this is a warning. Do not purchase this book if you expect a fun trip down memory lane--it is exceedingly BORING which The Beatles were not. I have read similar books by Bill Harry and the editors of the DAILY MAIL where there was some sort of rhyme and reason to the inclusions. Not here. This is strictly pick and choose and it is definitely a biased book. I won't say toward whom but it has a definite bias. An almost humourous bias in which the author really goes out of his way to bend the facts to meet his fantasy. If you like The Beatles as a foursome, this book will disappoint. If you just like one or maybe two of the group you could be happy. Ringo comes out pretty well. The "press releases" are also truncated. I don't want the author to summarize the articles--I want to read them and make my own conclusions. Of course if he had done that maybe his purpose would have been distorted. This book reminds me of those old 1970's books that were full of half-truths and accusations. Like APPLE TO THE CORE or that horrible Julius Fast book that came out in 1968. I wish I had the monsey I spent back and I'd buy something decent.