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"Spencer Leigh has succeeded in conveying the spirit of the period with great accuracy. He writes in an authentic, sensitive, and honest manner, as though he had been there himself--and all with a good touch of British humor. This is not only the story of the Beatles in Hamburg--it is also a historical document of an era that left a lifelong impression on people like me and the Beatles." --Klaus Voormann
Product Description
This is the definitive, fully illustrated account of the crucial early years of the world's most influential rock 'n' roll band - and of the city that catapulted them to international stardom. It is the first book to recount the complete story of their experiences there- no other fully-illustrated book on the subject exists. It is also the first book to be produced in official association with the Beatlemania museum in Hamburg. Features numerous fresh anecdotes and stories about The Beatles' time in Hamburg along with a wealth of previously unpublished quotes and interviews from those who were there at the time. Features interviews with fellow musicians, business associates, audience members, fans, friends and family members involved with The Beatles during the period 1960 - 1962 when they were regularly playing in Hamburg and for their return Blitztournee tour in 1966. Includes specially photographed items of memorabilia from the Beatlemania museum along with previously unpublished articles from the archives of various Hamburg newspapers.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Spencer Leigh has written many books about the Beatles and his latest offering is written in association with the Beatlemania Museum in Hamburg. Much of the memorabilia in the book is housed in the exhibition, but the reproductions in the book are excellent and the book is printed in high quality and would make a nice gift.
The book has a basic history of Hamburg, a potted history of rock and roll generally and also some background on how the Beatles came to play in Hamburg. There are sections on Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best and lots of quotes from musicians who played at the same time the Beatles were in Hamburg - such as Mike Pender of the Searchers and Howie Casey of Derry and the Seniors (later with Wings of course). It is amazing that some of the musicians from that time still live in Hamburg - Tony Sheridan and Kingsize Taylor having made their homes there.
Some of the statements in the book I disagreed with strongly. For example, there is a glib comment about "John, Paul, George and Ringo" sounding clumsy in any other order and being "the order in which they joined and arguably the order of their talent as well." As a Beatlefan I think all the members of the band had equal importance, their personalities complementing each other perfectly. There are other 'facts', such as Pete Best playing with the band onstage more than Ringo, which is unsurprising as Ringo was in another band at the time! Obviously, the Beatles enjoyed playing with him and liked him personally, leading to them later asking him to join the band. Pete Best had only been asked to join the group two days before the band left for Hamburg, as they were desperate for a drummer at the time. There are many, many arguments about how and why Pete was sacked, but nevertheless, he was in the band at that time.
This is a nice, coffee table book, packed with great illustrations and memorabilia. Some of the quotes and stories about the bands time in Hamburg are interesting, but it is not an in-depth look at the Beatles time there. However, it is evocative of the period and would be fascinating, especially for the newer fan. For those of us who have read everything on the band, there is little that is new, but it was still an interesting read.
The book has a basic history of Hamburg, a potted history of rock and roll generally and also some background on how the Beatles came to play in Hamburg. There are sections on Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best and lots of quotes from musicians who played at the same time the Beatles were in Hamburg - such as Mike Pender of the Searchers and Howie Casey of Derry and the Seniors (later with Wings of course). It is amazing that some of the musicians from that time still live in Hamburg - Tony Sheridan and Kingsize Taylor having made their homes there.
Some of the statements in the book I disagreed with strongly. For example, there is a glib comment about "John, Paul, George and Ringo" sounding clumsy in any other order and being "the order in which they joined and arguably the order of their talent as well." As a Beatlefan I think all the members of the band had equal importance, their personalities complementing each other perfectly. There are other 'facts', such as Pete Best playing with the band onstage more than Ringo, which is unsurprising as Ringo was in another band at the time! Obviously, the Beatles enjoyed playing with him and liked him personally, leading to them later asking him to join the band. Pete Best had only been asked to join the group two days before the band left for Hamburg, as they were desperate for a drummer at the time. There are many, many arguments about how and why Pete was sacked, but nevertheless, he was in the band at that time.
This is a nice, coffee table book, packed with great illustrations and memorabilia. Some of the quotes and stories about the bands time in Hamburg are interesting, but it is not an in-depth look at the Beatles time there. However, it is evocative of the period and would be fascinating, especially for the newer fan. For those of us who have read everything on the band, there is little that is new, but it was still an interesting read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Spencer Leigh now tackles the Beatles in Hamburg and what a great addition to any other beatles book, except as always its better. Pictures are great very clear not grainy old pictures, so the publisher has done there job, all it leaves is Spencer to do his. As always this is not in question the book is a wealth of information easily up to the authors very high standards, see some of the other publications and I personaaly purchased most of them and they are without doubt all very well presented. This book is not as expensive as inferior copies on this subject, so go do your self a favour and buy one of the best ones first. Great book, look forward to your next offering
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a delightful book. Spencer Leigh is long known for his painstaking research into Merseybeat, for example his book on the Cavern Club, which covers every single day [and night] of it's history.His sources are impressive, with much first-hand interviews with the people who were involved in the story.
Hamburg was, without a doubt, the crucible of the Beatles development as a group. This is apparent from the reception they received on their very first gig back in Liverpool after their initial Kaiserkeller stint. This was the start of their success, which made them firstly, the number one group in Liverpool, and then, the world.
For me the best part of the book was the numerous photos, many taken by Jurgen Vollmer while they were performing at the Top Ten Club. Also, of course, there are the now famous shots taken by Astrid.
Spencer Leigh has combined these photographs together with first-hand accounts from other Liverpool musicians, their German friends, and club owners to produce an impressive account of a very significant time in the story of the most famous band in the world.
Hamburg was, without a doubt, the crucible of the Beatles development as a group. This is apparent from the reception they received on their very first gig back in Liverpool after their initial Kaiserkeller stint. This was the start of their success, which made them firstly, the number one group in Liverpool, and then, the world.
For me the best part of the book was the numerous photos, many taken by Jurgen Vollmer while they were performing at the Top Ten Club. Also, of course, there are the now famous shots taken by Astrid.
Spencer Leigh has combined these photographs together with first-hand accounts from other Liverpool musicians, their German friends, and club owners to produce an impressive account of a very significant time in the story of the most famous band in the world.
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