Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Looking for a great all-in-all treatsie of the hoax? Look no further! This book has every clue imaginable - including clues that have sprung from the internet age. This is an exhaustive look at the hoax from many different angles. One of the most pleasurable aspects of the book (beyond the guilty pleasure of the subject matter) is the short and easily digested chapters, making this a perfect nightstand read.

The author, to his credit, doesn't have an axe to grind here. He doesn't try to convince you to accept any theory (Is Paul dead? Was it all coincidence? Was it a hoax by the Beatles to sell more records?), but just presents the historical facts and on-the-record comments as best they are known. A first-rate read that you'll love!

I picked this up here at Amazon on a caprice, and was thoroughly engrossed. I read it in two sittings -- couldn't put it down (until I had to...for surgery!). I remember the story about Paul when I was back at Northwestern University, and I was always intrigued. However, I never knew there was so much to it. The author answered all my curiousities, and even more that I didn't even know I had until I read them! I'd love to see this book made into a movie. Maybe if I win the lottery?

I've been a fan of this book ever since it first appeared about 10 years ago in hardcover. It's easily the best thing written about one of the oddest chapters in not only Beatle history but the annals of pop culture. Reeve interviews nearly all of the principal figures in the hoax, provides abundant illustrations, and corrals all the "clues" and "theories" and any number of fascinating sidebar stories into a flowing narrative. The death rumor makes a great story and Reeve gives it the treatment it deserves.

If you are old enough to remember the "Paul is dead" mystery of nearly 36 years ago, take a read of Andru J.Reeve's new book on The Beatles and The "Paul is Dead" Hoax, entitled Turn Me On, Dead Man.

As I played a small part in this Hoax, you can take it from me that this is the most most definitive work on this subject. Plus, there are several funny pictures of me in my other life. Rock ON!

This is actually a revamped version of a great book by Reeve originally released in the early 90s by Popular Culture, Ink. Thus some of the interviews, text and photos are from the late 80s, when Reeve was doing the meat of his research. It should be stated straight off that the intent of this book is not as a clue-finder. Clues are listed through out the text, and there is an appendix with a long list of them (though surprisingly missing some of my faves- including the sunlight skull on the back cover of Abbey Road, the lyrics of "Only A Northern Song", and any clues from the Let It Be album, just to name a few). But the aim of this book is first and foremost to 1) Determine the origins of the hoax 2) Theorize about why it was so fascinating from a sociohistorical context, and 3) Mention how the hoax has become an enduring part of popular culture. In fact, the book gets a smidge long in the tooth once it starts listing various publications and websites having to do with Paul-Is-Dead, pop culture references over the years, as well as a "where are they now" section regarding the main figures in the original hoax. But Reeve's dedication to the subject is flawless. Almost a third of the book is dedicated to appendices, endnotes and an index.

Throughout the narrative, the author attempts to build tension like a murder-mystery/thriller, with tongue firmly in cheek (or maybe not), with varying results. But all in all, a fun study of an odd phenomenon. Great pics too. Recommended.

Review by Ronnie Dannelley EARCANDY MAGAZINE

This is the simple case of a single book being better than all the websites on the Internet that you can find on a single subject -- in this case the subject being the greatest rock 'n' roll myth of all time. TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN gives the complete story of the hoax. The book covers everything, from its seemingly harmless beginnings to how it spread like a grass fire to become a nationwide phenomenon, complete with numerous radio shows, magazines, newspaper coverage, a TV special, and ultimately the disappearance of the rumor (but not until after the sales of Beatles' albums saw a remarkable jump!)

There were also a few surprises for me (who thought he knew it all when it comes to the PID story): one of the first newspaper accounts blends the Beach Boys unreleased SMiLE album into the mix -- and, the LIFE magazine cover which showed that Paul was alive in Scotland even had a death "clue" (when held up to the light in a certain way, you can see a car "crashing" into Paul from the car advertisement on the following page!)

Whether you are new to the "Paul is Dead" saga or a longtime Beatles fanatic, make TURN ME ON, DEAD MAN your "one-stop shopping place" for the whole story of rock 'n' roll's finest hoax.

Review by: Brian J. Bowe, HARP Magazine

In all of rock 'n' roll lore, the Paul McCartney-is-dead rumor is right up there, next to Elvis sightings and allegations that Axl Rose has telent. Writer Andru J. Reeve's compelling tome on the legend should be required reading for any serious Beatles fan.

Turn Me On, Dead Man is a revised and updated version of a book originally published in 1993. It traces the story from its origin -- a phone call to Detroit DJ and scenemaker Russ Gibb from a listener named Tom -- through the ensuing international frenzy. It's an absorbing tale that features characters like Gibb, University of Michigan student Fred LaBour (who made up some of the most famous clues) and music impresario Terry Knight, alongside the Fabs.

Along with the narrative, Reeve has compiled a fascinating compendium of "clues" on the Beatles' records that point to the demise of Sir Cute One. Also included are appendices that offer analysis on the rumor from a scholarly standpoint and that delve into other significant Beatles-related rumors (Klaatu was really the Beatles, etc.) The earlier version of the book predated mass public use of the Internet, and this new version documents many of the related Web sites.

The big question through all of this is whether the band was complicit in perpetuating the hoax. While it doesn't seem likely that the real Paul is actually dead, it's a comforting thought. It would, after all, explain some of his solo work.