Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Sam Leach knows.....he was there!, 19 April 2000
By A Customer
Before the world first knew about The Beatles, Sam Leach was booking them in dance halls all around Liverpool. His book captures the raw energy of the Merseyside music scene in a way that only a person "close to the action" could describe.At times, he makes you laugh. At times, he forces you to pause...and reflect on the music and the personalities that emanated from the place where Beatlemania first began. Sam Leach may have "never found his pot of gold" out there, but fate placed him in a unique and wonderful spot in music history. He writes about it, here, with a genuine fondness for the era, and a certain amount of pride. Make no mistake about it, as John Lennon once said..... Sam Leach WAS the pulse of the Merseybeat.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The REAL story of the early Beatles!, 11 April 2000
Sam Leach's book, Birth of The Beatles, is a MUST HAVE for Beatles fans, music historians, Mersey Beat fans, deejays, and music promoters. Leach's amazing way with words help the reader to actually feel as if they are living through the amazing rock 'n roll concerts he promoted. His narrative preserves an amazing, exciting era through brilliant descriptions of the people, sounds, shows, the bands' interpersonal dynamics, horseplay and even the fights. The book gives the reader a perfect, behind-the-scenes view of the early concert promotion business, before there were any rules! And Leach should know! He was the music promoter for Liverpool. His name is probably on more collectible British concert posters than anyone else. There would have been no Mersey Beat and indeed The Beatles might never have been discovered by Brian Epstein, without Leach's effort. Sam Leach knew the true meaning of "A Hard Day's Night" as a concert promoter. And the reader learns this along the way. The narration and crisp Liverpool dialogue brings to life the backstage dressing room banter and on-stage rock of the early Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes and other Merseyside groups. The raw, powerful rock and roll competition between these bands provides plenty of drama throughout the book, in a manner that makes the reader feel as if he or she is sweating out front of the stage on the dance floor. And all of these great shows are occurring long before The Beatles were stolen away by The Cavern Club (which the mass media incorrectly credits for discovering and first promoting the group). The story of Leach's dealings with The Cavern and Brian Epstein are wonderful revelations to understanding the complete Beatles story. The book is rounded out by amazing, previously unpublished photos of The Beatles and the other bands promoted by Leach. The groups are shown on stage and at play. History will always remember that before Shea Stadium, Ed Sullivan, George Martin and Brian Epstein, there was the humble, hard working Sam Leach to encourage and promote The Beatles, The Pacemakers, The Hurricanes, Cilla Black and many more. This is truly the best book on The Beatles' early years. Sam Leach made it possible all those years ago. Now his book reveals how it all happened. Long live the Mersey Beat and long live Sam Leach. Jim Berkenstadt Author: Black Market Beatles: The Story Behind The Lost Recordings and Nevermind: Nirvana Editor: Before The Beatles: John, Paul & Me by Len Garry
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by Hunter Davies
by Spencer Leigh
![The Beatles - Help! Limited Edition [DVD] [1965]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OuXZ9p7zL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
DVD ~ The Beatles
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