Turn Me On, Dead Man: The Beatles and the "Paul Is Dead" Hoax [Paperback]

Andru J. Reeve (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2004

In the fall of 1969, the story seemed to come out of nowhere. Was Beatle Paul McCartney dead? This was no ordinary death rumor. It was believed that McCartney had died years earlier and been replaced by a look alike. What's more, the surviving Beatles were thought to have planted "clues" to his death on their record albums. "Paul-Is-Dead" mania swept the United States as people attempted to solve the riddle of Paul's alleged demise. How did all of this happen? Beatles scholar and journalist Andru J Reeve has gotten to the bottom of this intrigue. After years of research, Reeve has assembled TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN to tell the strangest tale ever in the history of rock 'n' roll.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Beatles scholar and media journalist Andru J Reeve has capped off years of research into the strangest saga ever to infiltrate the world of Rock 'N' Roll-the Paul McCartney death hoax. Bringing the story to life through a "Non-Fiction Novel" approach, Reeve tells a tale of The Beatles few have heard. Regarded throughout the world as one of the leading experts on the "Paul-Is-Dead" hoax, Reeve is currently at work on a film version of his book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (October 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418482943
• ISBN-13: 978-1418482947
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Pop Culture > Beatles

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Andru Reeve's Turn Me On, Dead Man: A Tour De Force, November 12, 2004

By 

W. Scott Westerman (East Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turn Me On, Dead Man: The Beatles and the "Paul Is Dead" Hoax (Paperback)

On October 12, 1969, WKNR-FM's Russ Gibb opened the phone lines for his usual Sunday afternoon "rap" with listeners. When Eastern Michigan University Student Tom Zarski called with questions about the supposed death Paul McCartney, so began a tale that would immortalize both Uncle Russ and WKNR-FM in the annals of Beatle history.

Several authors have attempted to cover the mountain of material connected with the story, but Andu Reeve's newly updated and expanded book "Turn Me On Dead Man The Beatles and the Paul-Is-Dead hoax" rises above the others. It's 331 pages are packed with the kind of research you would expect from Ann Sperber, Stephen Ambrose or Aljean Harmetz.

The genesis of this most famous Beatle urban legend began well before the October night when WKNR-FM launched it into the nation's consciousness and Andru weaves the web so effectively that you won't be able to put the book down. In addition to dissecting every lead, the author spent thousands of dollars to secure rare photographs and memorabilia connected with the event, all of which are on display in the pages of his book. He lists 140 clues discovered over 35 years, including every Beatle lyric that conspiracy fans say prove that the Paul McCartney we know today is an imposter.

The Michigan connection is fully covered, including Larry Monroe's on-air revelations in Ann Arbor that preceded the WKNR-FM broadcast, MSU professor Oscar Tosi, who analyzed before-and-after audio tapes of the singer's voice, and the late Terry Knight's cryptic Capitol Records single, Saint Paul. There are extensive interviews with Gibb, Fred Labour, who's album parody in the Michigan Daily was taken for fact, and with Tom Zarski, the EMU student who called Uncle Russ that October Sunday, only to vanish into obscurity until Andru discovered him alive and well and living in the Southeast.

Turn Me On Dead Man The Beatles and the Paul-Is-Dead hoax is an important addition to the Beatle cannon. It's a must-have addition to every Keenerfan's library. We hope it gets the international exposure it deserves.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A RUMOR? A HOAX? A PRANK? A MASS HALLUCINATION?, December 5, 2005

By 

HaroldGarySpencer "HarryGary" (Racine, Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turn Me On, Dead Man: The Beatles and the "Paul Is Dead" Hoax (Paperback)

Whatever it was, the "Paul Is Dead" affair is examined extensively in Reeves' book. I've followed this...WHATEVER IT IS...since it occurred in 1969, and I am impressed with how well it's covered in this book. What really gives the book alot of snazz and pizazz is how well it is footnoted and documented. I've known the d.j. Russ Gibb for years and he is well-represented through interviews. Russ Gibb is very selective when it comes to talking about his days during the hoax, and he doesn't just sign on with anybody! So his presence in these pages, along with lots of other exclusive interviews, assures me (and should assure you) that Reeve did his homework and has bought us an informative book about this hoax and the story behind it. I thought I heard it all back in Michigan in 1969; but I didn't know the half of it! (And I still think Paul's got some explaining to do! Unless he's really dead...)

The book is thick with information, and is also well-illustrated with lots of rare photographs and paraphernalia. The bibliography is insanely-complete, running for 20-plus pages. There are also several end pieces, the being Appendix One, with a chronological listing and annotation of 140 "clues." There's also another appendix dealing with other rumors about the Beatles (remember Klaatu?). I felt full and satisfied after reading this book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must, April 26, 2005

By 

A. Perez "iamthewalrus" (Laredo, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turn Me On, Dead Man: The Beatles and the "Paul Is Dead" Hoax (Paperback)

This book is a must read, if like me you stumbled on to the paul is dead rumor on the internet and got stuck to it, you must read this book. I used to surf every web page on this topic but on this book everythings included, even new ×clues×
or recent ones. As a young beatles fan, Im only 24, I love reading books about them, in fact I collect them as well as videos, so I can see how it was all on those great times I missed by far. This is an excellent book to have as a beatles collector, and any true fan should have it in his/her collection.