I think it’s safe to say that this book changed my life as much as any gift. It turns out my musical sensibility was informed as much by reading about it music as it was by listening to it.
For example, for a number of years I was reading rock magazine articles about Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Television, the NY Dolls, and Richard Hell before I heard any of them. By the time I actually heard them, I was already sold. Similarly with the Beatles, by the time I got this book (1975) how much Beatles music had I heard? Barely any. I had a few solo records by the Wings and Lennon, and some random singles like “Photograph”, but in terms of actual Beatles songs I’m pretty sure it was “She Loves You” (we had the single), “All You Need is Love” (the theme song for Family Finder!), “Good Day Sunshine,” “Yellow Submarine”, “Hey Jude”, “Let it Be”, and maybe 3 or 4 more songs. Honestly.
But I was pretty sure the Beatles were my favourite band. This book sealed the deal, even before I had my copies of the blue and red anthologies. Combined, the book and the red and blue anthologies got me through Grade 7 & 8, while punk and new wave were waiting to happen.
I remember the book basically being a comprehensive annotated discography or Beatles records, along with pretty great photographs, press clippings, and quotations. I remember the images with the Maharashi Mahesh Yogi pretty clearly, not to mention the Two Virgins album cover (I was 12!). I also remember that it was pretty critical of the solo albums, especially All Things Must Pass. The latter is considered one of the high achievements of the Beatles solo universe and, over time, I have become more and more partial to the solo records as a whole. They may not be Revolver or Sgt. Pepper’s or The Beatles, but I suspect “the next Beatles album” that many fans wanted to see happen, might have been a dreadful clusterfuck. Maybe. it seems clear to me that at least Jean, Paul and George had solo work to do that would not have been supported by the other Beatles.
Anyhow, many wonderful hours and years with this book. Thanks mom (R.I.P.) and dad. And thanks for the Polaroid Swinger too.
