Songs, Pictures and Stories of the Fabulous Beatles Records on Vee-Jay (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

A gorgeously presented, thoroughly researched and lovingly detailed book that anyone interested in The Beatles' career 1968 on must have. -- Beatlefan, March/April, 2003

I can't tell you how impressed I am with the thoroughness of your research and writing. It's a beautiful book as well. I haven't had a chance to digest it thoroughly, and look forward to spending more time with it. -- Alan Livingston, President, Capitol Records (1961-1968)

I have just received your magnificent book on the Beatles. As a total "anorak" I loved the record labels and album covers. -- Jo Wallace, London, UK

I received the VJ book yesterday and had a tough time putting it down. I commend you on an excellent job. -- Rob Freidman, Weston, FL

I would just like to say that The Beatles Records on Vee-Jay book is by far one of the best in the Beatles collectible market today. Being a graphic designer and a Beatles fan, I am impressed by not only the content, but the quality of the layout, the attention to detail and the computer-generated documents where needed. I was completely astonished at having obtained the original artwork production invoices. So, koodos to everyone involved! -- Andrew Croft, Toronto, ONT

I've enjoyed your book on The Beatles Records on Vee-Jay immensely, and am longing for your in depth research on Capitol Records as well. (Please do it!). Once again, wonderful book!!! -- Robert Koenig, Minneola, NY

Incredibly illustrated and detailed. -- Gary Johnson, Rockaway Records

It's awesome and you've done a great service. I'm sure you'll be getting many responses. -- Robert York, Tacoma, WA

One of the nicest Beatles books to come out in years. -- Mitch McGeary, Lacey, WA

Well researched and masterfully compiled, this colorful book is a must have for Beatles record collectors and historians, as well as anyone having any interest in the group. No matter how much you think you know about the Beatles and their records, you'll know so much more after reading this entertaining and informative book! -- Perry Cox, author of The Official Price Guide to the Beatles Records and Memorabilia

Product Description

Foreword by Perry Cox.

Complete story of the Beatles records on Vee-Jay - how creative marketing turned 16 Beatles songs into a comprehensive catalog of multiple 45, EP, and album releases that, taken together, are worth more today than all other American Beatles records combined.

DID YOU KNOW... Capitol Records initially passed on the Beatles 4 times?

When the Beatles first two US singles were released by Vee-Jay Records in 1963, they were virtually ignored?

When Vee-Jay released Please Please Me as the first Beatles single in the US, the group's name was misspelled as "The BEATLES"?

Learn all this and much more in Songs, Pictures and Stories of the fabulous Beatles Records on Vee-Jay. This entertaining and informative book compiles the history and images of the most misunderstood and colorful period of the Beatles American records.

Hundreds of color pictures, including all known variations of album covers, picture sleeves and record labels, Billboard and Cash Box trade ads, royalty statements and checks issued to Capitol Records, promotional mailers, catalogs, posters and other cool stuff!

Contributors include Dave Askamit, Jason Anjoorian, Dale Aronson, Jeff Augsburger, Bob Avellino, Deborah Bonhart, Frank Caiazzo, Mike Calahan, Lou Calitri, Betty Chiapetta, Ken Clee, Sherman Cohen, Thomas Cook, Perry Cox, Andy Davis, Vance DeGeneres, Ricki Filiar, Chris Fonvielle, Rob Friedman, Mark Galloway, John Guarnieri, Jim Hansen, Gary Hein, Dan Hildebrand, Lin Holland, Pete Howard, Phillip Hunott, Matt Hurwitz, Todd Jackson, Gary Johnson, Christopher Kennel, Mark Lewisohn, Carol Luna, Phillip Marks, Susan McDaniel, Mitch McGeary, Tim Neely, Bob Nichols, Jerry Osborne, Martin Paul, Stanley Penenka, Casey Piotrowski, Marina Poch, Debra Poe Cary Pollack, Simon Postbrief, Shirley Rambeau, Rick Randell, Chris Ridges, Kate Riley, Wayne Rogers, Tom Schalk, David Schwartz, Jan Seltzer, Barry Spizer, Julie Stein, John Tefteller, Rebecca Tran, Enrico Venuti, Michael White, Craig Winston, Gordon Wrubel, Cliff Yamasaki, Robert W. York.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Four Ninety-Eight Productions (April 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966264908
• ISBN-13: 978-0966264906
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,099,929 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book!, April 7, 2000

By	Cary Pollack (Plantation, Florida, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This book is an absolute must for any serious Beatles collector or Beatles historian. It goes where no book has gone before. "Songs, Pictures, & Stories..." sets the record straight once and for all about the most mystifying Beatles album of all time, "Introducing the Beatles," and then goes on to explain, in great detail, everything you ever wanted to know about The Beatles and their short time on Vee-Jay Records. Not a stone is left unturned. Once you've started reading this brilliant masterpiece you will not be able to put it down, and you will return to it again and again as a fabulous reference.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beatles on Vee-Jay is a miracle!, May 1, 2002

By	Timothy Swan "disc jockey" (Boring, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a definitive Beatles book. I am so thankful for Mr. Bruce Spizer for coming up with such an excellent source of material, and handily placing it together into one magnificent hard-bound volume. The full-color illustrations are out-of-this-world! I never knew that so many different label and jacket variations ever existed before this. The very day that I purchased this book, I also purchased what I consider to be THE ultimate companion album; an imported CD by The Beatles, entitled "The V-J Story", which contains ALL sixteen original Beatles songs first issued on the V-J label. The good news is that ALL sixteen songs are in beautiful stereophonic sound (with the exceptions of "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You", which are only monophonic recordings electronically reprocessed into "fake" stereo). Nonetheless, this CD makes a perfect companion to Mr. Spizer's book. By all means, get this disc if you ever come across it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TWO THUMBS UP AND A RESOUNDING YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!, July 12, 2001

By	BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This book is the best friend of anybody who is seriously interested in the Beatles' records on VeeJay. Even the most well informed fan will come away with tidbits of fresh information. The writing is sharp, clear and well organized and the work itself is nonpareil.

All in all, an excellent job. This one is a keeper. It gets two thumbs up, loud cheering and a hearty yeah, yeah, yeah!