Reading

I've had a few people ask me about the Beatles books I've read over the years and if I could list them.

While this isn't a complete list right now (I'll be adding more over the week) here are some highlights (and lowlights) on a new section of the website!

We all live

I started blogging last night when my computer had a power outage. Wasn't too happy about that.

I figure it's time for a normal episode of "Bertone Beatle Bonanza" again. All these interviews, specials, Wings Wednesdays and Monday Reports are cool, but I realize J-Term was our last STRAIGHT NORMAL episode. I will try and get one out this weekend.

Dhani Harrison is starting to become the official Beatles spokesperson. We've learned two interesting items from him as discussed on the podcast

1) The Beatles: Rock Band will contain unreleased songs and

2) The Beatles may decide to digitally sell their music through the website since iTunes isn't working out.

Selling it through their website exclusively is interesting. I do hope we can get on track with iTunes though...

In other podcast news my co-host and I are also on a show called Couch Potatoes where we jabber about TV.

I found a used book store in Tampa this last weekend that had some CHEAP out of print Beatles books. I could have easily spent over 50 dollars there but I controlled myself and only spent a few bucks. Can't wait to read some of them and to go back when I have more money!!

I also bought two books specifically on the making of the YELLOW SUBMARINE film. As I've said before I enjoy the Beatles books when they are more focused on paritcular aspects. This way they bring something more to the table than the other ones do. Now I can become a YELLOW SUBMARINE movie expert.

Work has been keeping me busy lately. Like I've said before, 2009 is proving to be a really busy year.

Eric is back from his Beatlequest overseas and we should see, or hear, him back on the show soon.

I haven't been able to keep up with all the news due to my schedule, but apparently Decca Records is ending it's existence in the next few weeks. I wonder how different things would've been had they signed The Beatles.....

Well we would've had a Beatles history with no George Martin and less creativity control and possibly Pete Best over Ringo.

Hmmmm

I've also heard (but no article that I've seen has given a direct source yet...or I haven't found one) that Paul is cancelling his upcoming tour to stay home with his daughter Beatrice. If it's true good for him. In the 70's he dragged Heather, Mary, Stella and James everywhere but I suppose he wants to do things differently now. Wings tours were different anyway, especially the early ones.

At least it's not another "PAUL IS GETTING MARRIED" rumor. Can we stop with those? Please?

Still catching up on all my new Beatles books. Reading Julia Baird's (John's half sister) new book, but decided to read her old one first to do a compare. So far her new one is better as it's more in depth. Like Pauline Sutcliffe's book (Stu's sis), the author (also a sister of a deceased Beatle) seems to have some issues they are working through using the book.

Not that it's a bad thing. Julia seems like a nice person and her childhood was nothing short of tragic.

I'll try and post a new show soon.

Meantime some big stuff are coming up for the website.

Jürgen Vollmer

I read Pauline Sutcliffe's memoir on Stuart in one day. Was alot more interesting and engaging than the one she did with Alan Clayton ("Backbeat") was.

On a side note, what is it with these Beatle people retelling their story in a second books years later? Pete Best, Cynthia Lennon, Julia Baird, May Pang and now Pauline. That is just off the top of my head, I am sure there are more.

I don't agree with all the theories and ideas presented in this book, but it was still a very nice read. She brought up Jürgen Vollmer and mentioned that she thought he had some resentment towards Astrid. This could be wrong and could just be her inference, but she thinks that Astrid gets some of Jurgen's credit for creating the Beatles look.

Looking back, Jurgen does lose alot of places in history and most of the Bealtes look (which Jurgen helped with...he did cut John and Paul's hair) came from him. In the movie "Backbeat" (which I am currently rewatching) he is absent altogether, even though he was there when Astrid met Stu.

Food for thought.

Back again

I am back from yet another trip. I seem to be traveling more than the Beatles in 1964 lately! You can find out more about that on my facebook, myspace or various other social networking stuff.

Lots of Beatle things to catch up on I wasn't hooked into the Beatles online world during those few days.

Was happy to find four new Beatle books in my mailbox. Not sure which one to read first. I am currently reading three at this one time, I'm like that.

Tampa Bloggers Meetup tonight at MOSI and I came representing BERTONE BEATLE BONANZA with my brothers as guest. Great fun and met some other bloggers.

I need to get some other stuff done, but figured this deserved an update as I've been gone.

Back From Vacation

Vacation is now over and it was grand but busy. I actually did so much going back and fourth that I needed a break from vacation!

I got some cool Beatles stuff for Christmas. I am too exhausted to make a full list but my family did good this year. One item of particular note was the Beatles Monopoly game. Those of you who read this know I posted about it months ago stating "I must have this". When I saw it, I looked at my Stepmom and asked if she knew from the blog. She didn't. I suppose she just knew from being my Stepmom or something.

Eric is actually on an epic Beatles hunt in Europe this month so we won't be seeing him until February. Lets hope he comes back with some stories.

We'll be doing our first show back in a few days. In place of Eric we will have another guest host. Some of you Beatle Bloggers may recognize him as he's been doing this Beatles Blogging for a long time now. You'll see when the show comes on..

Reread some Beatle books and saw the Beatles cartoons as I now have my DVDs of them. Wow. I will discuss those more in depth later.

Hope you all had a good vacation. Now lets get back to work!

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday! I just got back from a last minute visit home in South Florida.

While there I read my new book about the Beatles cartoons . Very nice book about a subject I don't think any other book has exclusively focused on before. Informative and I learned a lot.

Once I got my copies of the cartoons, hopefully in the next few weeks, I think I will try and upload them on the website.

Yes.

You will be able to watch EVERY episode!