August 28, 2024
Our friend Patrick Humphries, the veteran London-based music journalist and author who, way back in the mid-1980s, co-wrote the first British book about Bruce Springsteen, has just published his Beatles biography, With The Beatles: From The Town Where They Were Born To Now And Then. It's the first full-length biography of The Beatles in almost two decades, covering their lives and careers from the early days through the post-breakup period, the deaths of John Lennon and George Harrison, and the surviving band-members' continued Beatles-centered business activities and artistic endeavors together in the 21st century. With The Beatles... also draws on material from the exclusive and previously unpublished interviews that Patrick has conducted over the years with George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr.
Like us, Patrick is a big fan of both The Beatles and Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band (as well as many other great musicians.) In fact, Patrick co-wrote 1985's Springsteen: Blinded By The Light, the first published book about Springsteen to come out of the British fan scene. Therefore it's not surprising that With The Beatles... includes some observations and reflections from Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Van Zandt, and Max Weinberg on The Beatles' massive and enduring greatness and influence. (Nils Lofgren also gets listed in a section where Humphries enumerates the many great and famous musicians heavily influenced by The Beatles through the years.)
Some additional and tantalizing information regarding what to expect from With The Beatles..., as per the official press release from its publisher, Great Northern Books:
For the first time…
Paul talks about the controversial Lennon/McCartney songwriting credit!
George reflects on Beatlemania!
Ringo reveals his skiffle musical roots!
Full details of the unmade Beatles’ film are revealed!
Also included:
Plans for Lonnie Donegan to coax John Lennon out of his New York exile!
First-hand accounts of Liverpool and Hamburg; The Beatles’ roots!
An exhaustive analysis of how their American breakthrough was achieved!
Fly-on-the-wall accounts of Paul rehearsing for a world tour!
The Beatles’ Love musical in Las Vegas!
Listen to what the men say:
Never-before-printed insights with producer George Martin, “fifth Beatle” Chas Newby and Cavern DJ Bob Wooler.
E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg and his memories of Beatlemania.
Tom Jones discussing plans for him and Elvis Presley to recruit the Beatles as their backing band!
Read the very last words that John Lennon said to Paul McCartney.
As well as telling the story from the birth of Ringo Starr in 1940 to the group’s break-up in 1970, With The Beatles also tells the story of how the Beatles’ brand continues to live on long after their demise. With unique access to archives, interviews and all media, Patrick Humphries traces the Beatles’ progress in cyberspace, on film, and in print. The author reveals how the group dominates auction house sales, including an interview with Hilary Kay from BBC’s Antiques Roadshow on the group’s enduring appeal. The long battle with Steve Jobs’ Apple is chronicled, and how the Beatles’ own Apple meticulously guards their legacy with box sets, re-releases and documentaries.
With The Beatles is that rarest of things, a new look at the enduring impact and legacy of the world’s most influential band.
Click here to purchase your copy of With The Beatles: From The Town Where They Were Born To Now And Then.
Fans who live in or near London also can attend tomorrow's special book-launch event, meet Patrick Humphries in person, and obtain a signed copy of With The Beatles... Click here for more information and ticket-purchasing links.
And in celebration of Patrick's newest book, The E Street Cafe Podcast has recently spotlighted its archived 2023 conversation with Patrick about his life and career in music journalism, especially his notable encounters and conversations with Bruce Springsteen. Click here to listen.