This is a really interesting read. Hunter Davies spent time with the band in 1967 - 1968, so he was able to observe from an impartial perspective how they worked together. He got insight into all of their personalities, and also into their families. This was interesting, for me. Learning about Ringo’s illnesses as a child, John’s lack of a father-figure and his domineering Aunt Mimi, George’s proud, more conservative parents, and Paul’s dad who was a proud man, but a nice guy at the same time. The anecdote that stood out the most, though, was when the author discussed Paul’s explanation of the song ‘Yesterday.’ Apparently, he wrote it about his mum’s death from breast cancer when he was fourteen. He made some comment after the funeral about how was the family (he, his dad and brother) going to cope without his mum’s wages, and lots of people overheard him and said it was a horrible thing to say. He wished he could take it back because he was just worrying like fourteen year olds worry. His mum had been a nurse, and his dad had a much lower paid menial job, and Paul had heard her parents discussing this before. I really felt for the young lad when I read this. Also, the part that goes, “Why she had to go I do t know, she wouldn’t say,” was about how his parents hadn’t told him and his brother their mother was ill, let alone dying. It brings a whole new level of meaning to that song. However, the author does say the meanings behind all of the songs vary from time to time.

I loved that this edition was released in 2013, whereas, the original book was released in 1968. A lot of time i between. But the author updated it in 1981, where he discussed John’s murder and the effect it had on the remaining members. He also spoke about the split of the band, and how they had made a few efforts to speak to one another again in recent times. He then updated the book in 2002, when he discussed George’s and Linda’s deaths and even more recent developments in Paul and Ringo’s relationship, and also that of Paul and Yoko.

It’s a very interesting story, and one I’m glad I decided to read. It’s fascinating to learn about the group dynamics from someone who wasn’t a part of the group. I think, from everything I read, Ringo was the author’s favourite. He was very unbiased and fair to all of them, though.

Anyone with a interest in The Beatles and learning about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the group. Music fans will, I'm sure, enjoy this read.

That the author clearly got to know the four Beatles really well. Also, he was completely unbiased and recorded everything as he saw it. I like the couple of updates added after the original book was published.

Watch The Beatles online. I wanted to see (and hear) them working together.

Happy. Entertained. Amused. Sad (that John was taken so early. George, also.) I think it's a shame they never got to completely make up, as tends to be the case with groups that have massive success and subsequently fall apart. Who knows what could have happened?

Hunter Davies. He is a journalist, and that's about all I know of him. I enjoyed his writing style.

It's fascinating and real. You know the author is an authority.

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Created Jan 23, 2025 at 6:16am • Submit your own review...