The acclaimed book "Guide to the Beatles London" is now available on Kindle, on the 50th anniversary of ‘Beatlemania’ and the Beatles move to London. The book is by Richard Porter, a life long Beatles fan, professional Beatles tour guide for more than 20 years and friend of WogBlog.
Even though the Beatles were originally from Liverpool, when ‘Beatlemania’ began in 1963, they had to move to London to be nearer the scene. As Ringo Starr once said “If you are in our business, you go to London - that’s where it happens, the recording, the places to be seen, where it’s happening is there. It’s just a natural move.”
Author Richard Porter has been a Beatles tour guide in London for over 20 years, and in that time he has gathered together stories and photographs while researching the tours. Also, as editor of Off the Beatle Track magazine he interviewed many people who worked with the Beatles, including Alistair Taylor, Brian Epstein's personal assistant, top record producer Alan Parsons and top DJ Kenny Everett. Their stories are featured throughout the book.
The book also contains scores of previously unpublished and rare photos, including the Beatles at their homes and in recording Studios.
Places included in the book include Abbey Road Studios, the former 'Apple' building at 3 Savile Row, the Beatles homes, offices, recording studios and many others. However, the book is more about the people that frequented the buildings, rather than the buildings themselves.
In the book you will:
• find out what John Lennon was doing outside some public toilets in 1966;
• discover which famous Beatles song was recorded in a studio next to a strip club;
• learn how some ladies tights saved an important Beatles event;
• uncover who were the 'Apple Scruffs' featured in the George Harrison song
The book has been extensively expanded since its last print edition to include many new places, scores of new photos and newly discovered stories.
To download the book from Kindle, here are the links:
Quotes:
This book is a must for all Beatles fans whether you will be visiting London or not. It contains historical information on the Beatles' lives in London, which every Beatles fan needs to know. - Trina Yannicos - Daytrippin' magazine
'One person who has been something of a flag waver for the Beatles London has been Richard Porter, whose passion and knowledge of the group are apparent from the moment you meet him. Richard opens up each building's Beatles connection and history with vivid detail and anecdotal information. Without doubt, he is the authority concerning the group's movements within the capital during the 1960s.' - Beatles Monthly
Mr Porter has been conducting Beatles walking tours in London for over twenty years (for over 150,000 Beatles fans). He's logged a few thousand miles. He knows the scene. Richard has transcribed his tours in this book. And what a trip it is. Bravo to Richard Porter on a wonderful effort. I like this book. - Brad Howard - World Beatles Forum
'The sixties were a fun time when everything came together, and London was fab - it really was then, ... it was really jumping. And there were The Beatles and the pirate radio stations and all that, and a general loosening up. Of course the war had gone by then and rationing had finished so people started throwing their legs in the air and having a good time. It was a good place to be, around London, in the sixties.' - Kenny Everett, DJ and producer of the Beatles Christmas records
Official site