Another wonderful collection of previously unpublished photographs by the late Bob Bonis finally receives its long-overdue release. This Beatles volume documents the same time period of '64-'66 as covered in his recently published
Stones book.
Bonis was The Beatles' US Tour Manager, which afforded him exclusive backstage access and the opportunity to snap away pretty much as he wished with his Leica M3. Bonis kept these shots for his own pleasure and never published them during his lifetime, so many of these images will be new to even the most die-hard Beatles fans.
Copious amounts of fantastic live shots are featured here alongside wonderfully intimate backstage moments. My new favourite picture of John and Paul is on page 77, where they're intently tuning up backstage on the '66 tour. Atmospheric colour shots from Memphis, Tennessee on the same tour are also highlights. If any further evidence was needed, these confirm that The Beatles were indeed the coolest-looking guys on earth in 1966. We are also treated to rare glimpses of the late Mal Evans and Derek Taylor on the '64 tour, and fantastic colour studies of Ringo from the same period.
Looking at these pictures, it's hard not to feel sorry that Bonis' association with The Beatles ended once they'd stopped touring. Do yourself a favour and buy this lovely collection whilst it's in hardback. Amidst the constant deluge of "new" Beatles books, this is a genuinely worthy addition to the canon and an indispensible purchase for any self-respecting fan of The Fabs.
RIP, Bob.