The Beatles The Biography Author:Bob Spitz This massive new biography of the Beatles will undoubtedly become the definitive book on the band. Not only has the author conducted literally hundreds of interviews, sometimes with people who have never spoken before about their links with the Beatles, or have never spoken so candidly before; he has also told the story of their entire career, t... more »our by tour, gig by gig, with an enthralling narrative drive. His re-creation, for example, of the Beatles' exhausting early years playing in Hamburg in Germany - performing set after set all night, every night, to often violent audiences, and living in squalid conditions at the mercy of rapacious promoters, is a tour de force. The book also casts new light on many aspects of a story, which, most people might assume has been done to death - especially by talking to the band members friends and family as well as all those musicians whose paths crossed with the Beatles over the years. Here is Ringo's boyhood best friend, George's first girlfriend, Paul's first serious love (never before interviewed), and every one of John's art school mates. Here is Terry Doran, the Apple executive and George's confidante, who has never before spoken about that era, and a whole host of archival material never before consulted. It will be an essential purchase for every Beatles lover.« less
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The history behind so many of The Beatles songs was fascinating to learn and took me down memory lane like no book ever has. Being born in the mid-60's, I missed much of the Beatles early years and had no idea they'd started out singing a lot of American songs by Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Ray Charles, and Elvis. I was sad to learn that they didn't get along very well toward the end. I'd always heard that Yoko was the reason for the band's break up, but that isn't the way this story is told. It was a long time in coming with many years of pent up emotions on all sides. I recommend this book to anyone whether you loved or hated the Beatles. There's something for everyone here.