John, Paul & Me-Before the Beatles: The True Story of the Very Early Days with CD (Audio) [Paperback]

Len Garry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

Relating the years before the legends were born, this book is a personal trip through the time when John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Len Garry and their friends were nothing more than a group of optimistic teenagers. The CD includes an exclusive interview with Quarymen Pete Shotton and Len Garry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Collectors Guide Publishing; 1st edition (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0969573685
• ISBN-13: 978-0969573685
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Composers & Musicians > Rock
  • #96 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Pop Culture > Beatles

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The adventures of Lennon-McCartney as told by a Quarryman, February 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: John, Paul & Me-Before the Beatles: The True Story of the Very Early Days with CD (Audio) (Paperback)

I've always been interested in the Beatles early days so this book was a must. Fellow (Quarrymen)bandmate Len Gerry does a good job documenting the first gigs, run-ins with Teddy Boy gangs, and the significance of Penny Lane. I could have done with less of Garry's personal biography, but I mourned along with him as he told of the loss of his friend John Lennon.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Captivating Content, Poor Presentation, February 17, 2011

By 

K. Hennigan "Particular about products!" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: John, Paul & Me-Before the Beatles: The True Story of the Very Early Days with CD (Audio) (Paperback)

I loved this book because I found it to be a wonderful look at John and Paul as young teens prior to and during the early Quarrymen years. And the story is told by someone who was there and who has no axe to grind. (Not that I won't accept criticism of the Beatles, but neither do I require it to find an account worthwhile.) And to be clear, ithis is not a hero-worshiping, sycophantic load of treacle, either.

Another reviewer objected to Len's personal and family history being too prominent, but, after all, it is entitled, "Joh, Paul, and Me," with the "Me" being Len. I didn't mind that because I find information on the history of Liverpool, particularly that of the 40s, 50s, and early 60s, to be quite relevant to the understanding of the origins of the Beatles.

What did bother me was the inferior nature of the editing--particularly the proofreading! The book comes across as a rather amateur production and there's really no excuse for that. Even if he didn't have much in the way of a budget, surely Len Garry has enough friends and family that he could have found free help with the typos/errors, if not with the overall layout and construction of the book--neither of which are of the highest quality.

Still, the inside look at the Liverpool, with some nice pictures and a Quarrymen related map or two, in which the Beatles grew up, is something a die-hard fan of the group should not miss.

The CD with Pete Shotton and Len visiting Mendips in Liverpool back when it was owned by the second guy after Mimi left (the one who bought it from her only stayed a year or so before splitting his family by running off with his secretary or some such cliche)is worth a listen. In addition to the at time humorous or touching reminiscing, I enjoyed the fact that Len has a voice (not just the accent) very similar to John's.

As much as I love this book, however, I'm sure glad I bought it before the best you could do on the price was nearly $30 for merely "good" condition or a library version (on both I especially worry that the CD might be scratched or otherwise in less than ideal playback condition) and at least nearly $74 with shipping for one I'd feel pretty confident would please me condition-wise.