‘A poor man's guitar? No ma'am, it's a rich man's ukulele': The lesser-known Beatles stories that will make you smile

Stuart Maconie's tribute to the band who were a 'hand-grenade of rainbows' deserves its place on the increasingly crowded bookshelves dedicated to the Fab Four
Today at 21:30
Are the Beatles possibly more popular now than ever? Consider The Beatles In Mono vinyl boxset. Originally issued in 2014, it quickly sold out because hopeless cases like me couldn't get their hands into their pockets quickly enough. Last month it was announced that this set, whose hitherto appreciating value was supposed to supplement my pension, is being reissued. Despite a price tag north of €500, it's already sold out again, on pre-orders alone
The ever-growing Beatles library offers further proof. There's a volume available on every aspect of their existence and even, as likeable BBC 6 Music presenter and writer Stuart Maconie points out, a book about Beatle books themselves. This year alone has already seen the high-profile publication of Ian Leslie's affectionate John & Paul: A Love Story In Songs and David Sheff's hagiographical but persuasive Yoko: A Biography. Do we really need another one?

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Irish Times

a day ago

• Irish Times

The bond between John Lennon and Paul McCartney: ‘For sure they loved each other... they found a way to share that love with the world'

In 2020, in the enforced stillness of a pandemic lockdown, Ian Leslie sat down to write a long, impassioned defence of Paul McCartney . The resulting 10,000-word essay, published on his Substack, the Ruffian, contended that McCartney is an underrated musical and cultural force. Leslie did not expect much reaction 'for a piece arguing that Paul McCartney was good at music', but it went viral, drawing praise from Beatles scholars and fans around the world. For Leslie, a self-described Gen X Beatles fan who fell in love with the band through his parents' LPs, that essay was the beginning of something much bigger. 'Because the piece was praised by people who knew a lot about The Beatles, I thought, maybe I've effectively just given myself licence to write about them … but I didn't think it was an option, because I didn't have that background and, obviously, there are a lot of books about The Beatles, as I am constantly being reminded,' he says. Encouraged by the positive response to his essay, he began to think, 'Wow, maybe I could do that.' Leslie's viral essay led to John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs, a brilliant book exploring the creative partnership at the heart of The Beatles. Their bandmates, George Harrison and Ringo Starr , feature too, of course, but what differentiates John & Paul from all those other Beatles books is Leslie's focus on the intense, often volatile and ultimately transformative relationship between Lennon and McCartney. READ MORE At the heart of the book is the idea that these two musical geniuses didn't just write songs together but also communicated through them. 'They discovered, as teenagers, that the song could be a vessel for everything they couldn't say out loud,' Leslie says from his home in England. 'It was a kind of emotional panic room.' They were two boys from Liverpool who had both lost their mothers young, a bond that created a private gravitational pull between them. 'You've got these two emotionally intense teenagers, at the most intense stage of a young man's life, and they find this magical outlet, this way to connect, not just with the world but with each other.' It's this emotional dynamic that Leslie believes is often flattened in typical Beatles biographies; he has read most, if not all, of them. 'The music was their language,' Leslie says. 'It's how they argued, supported each other, competed and connected. Even after the band split they were still talking to each other, just through songs written apart.' Leslie was about seven years old when he discovered The Beatles. He was rifling through his parents' record collection when he found Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and a compilation album that featured a photograph of the band taking part in a Japanese tea ceremony. 'They just seemed very mysterious and glamorous to me – they have done ever since – and that was the beginning of it.' [ Seeing but not quite hearing The Beatles in Hammersmith, 1964 Opens in new window ] Leslie's background is in advertising, but his previous books, Born Liars, Curious and How to Disagree, are about human behaviour and psychology. He is known for taking a familiar aspect of human nature and uncovering fresh angles. No surprise, then, that he wanted to take a well-trodden story such as that of Lennon and McCartney and reappraise it. 'That central relationship in the group is the thing that absolutely is like the molten core of The Beatles, and the thing that really fascinated me,' he says. The Beatles: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr taking a dip. Photograph: John Loengard/TimeAs a writer on psychology Leslie brings a fresh perspective to the friendship. 'There is more than one reason that we get Lennon and McCartney so wrong, but one is that we have trouble thinking about intimate male friendships,' he writes. 'We're used to the idea of men being good friends, or fierce competitors, or sometimes both. We're thrown by a relationship that isn't sexual but is romantic, a friendship that may have an erotic or physical component to it, but doesn't involve sex.' In each chapter Leslie takes a deep dive into a song to more fully understand the Lennon-McCartney bond. Each of the 23 songs in the book, from Come Go with Me, the song Lennon sang at their fateful 1957 church-fete meeting in Woolton village, to Here Today, the song McCartney wrote after Lennon was murdered, in 1980, become emotional landmarks. When Leslie writes about a work as ubiquitous as She Loves You, he somehow manages to restore the shock of how new it once sounded. Reading the book, you find yourself stopping to listen to each song – and, with Leslie's insights, hearing them in a different way. 'I knew pretty much from the beginning that's what I wanted to do,' he says. 'I don't think you can separate the music from the relationship, and these were guys who lived and thought and felt and communicated through songs. They learned to do that as teenagers in each other's bedrooms and front parlours, and that becomes their primary channel of communication about the things they care about most.' Although Leslie's book veers away from indulging the polarising narrative around the two friends, he admits that he has always been 'a Paul person'. 'He was the one who fascinated me. I felt he'd been treated unfairly in terms of his reputation,' Leslie says. For me, as a fellow Paul person, one of the successes of the book is that it draws me more towards Lennon. Leslie is pleased about this. 'I wanted to be careful that I wasn't biased. I'm glad that it kind of sent you to John. I mean, partly, that's what happened to me as well, because I set out with that kind of approach, to say, 'Look, these two guys basically created each other.' Paul McCartney and John Lennon at the Finsbury Park Astoria, London, in December 1963. Photograph: Val Wilmer/Redferns 'It's ridiculous to talk about John versus Paul, right? You couldn't have one without the other musically, creatively speaking, and even in terms of personality. So as I was researching and writing the book I was sort of opening my own mind to how extraordinary John was.' John & Paul, Leslie explains, was a balancing act. It needed to be accessible to people who didn't know much about their back story, 'which is a lot of people, especially young people'. At the same time, 'the material had to feel fresh even if you know all about The Beatles'. He was working on three levels. 'One is what happened. It's important to me that we tell the story of The Beatles and not just assume people know it,' Leslie says. 'The second level is the John-and-Paul relationship. And the third thing is the music, and how does the music change and develop? They all have to be interwoven, so you can see how they're all playing off against each other. That was basically the challenge of writing it.' What the book powerfully communicates is the sheer unlikeliness of what Lennon and McCartney created. Leslie returns often to the mystery of their personal and musical partnership. How did two working-class young men, in a postwar industrial city, end up making the greatest popular music of the 20th century? How did both of them turn out to be world-class songwriters and singers? 'It's almost a kind of magical meeting, the two of them coming together at that time,' Leslie says. 'Sometimes you worry that if you're enchanted by something the magic will go, because it'll just become a series of facts and information. And actually, in this case, it's kind of the opposite. I think, in terms of The Beatles and John and Paul's relationship, the more you learn about it, the more detail you accumulate, the more mysterious and enchanting it gets. And I wanted to convey a little bit about that in the book.' When you're writing a story that's so familiar to so many, 'it can feel like the author knows exactly how and why all of this happened … so now and again I sort of step outside the frame and go, 'I don't know how this happened',' Leslie says. This incredibly vitriolic song is not the kind of song you write about somebody that you're exhausted by, or that you're bored by, that you just can't be bothered with It's why John & Paul begins with Lennon and McCartney's first meeting, on a hot summer's day, 12 years after the end of the second World War and a decade before Sgt Pepper. 'I wanted to capture that. John's there at the fete, playing bad skiffle, when he first meets Paul, and 10 years later they're making a psychedelic masterpiece that revolutionises music. It's hard to believe ... I still don't understand it,' Leslie says. He suspects some kind of 'hidden hand' in this. He mentions Rick Rubin's well-ventilated theory that The Beatles were the best proof available of the existence of God. 'The more you look into the story of The Beatles, that's how I feel about it. I can't explain this.' The book is particularly revealing about the acrimony that developed between the two friends in later years, and how their relationship ebbed and flowed after The Beatles split, when Lennon was with Yoko Ono in the United States and McCartney had settled into family life with his wife Linda. 'Most relationships or marriages end because the partners essentially get bored or exhausted by each other. The fire goes out altogether. That's why a lot of long-running groups split up eventually,' Leslie says. That didn't happen with The Beatles 'because they essentially split up prematurely, when they were making the best music of their career. This never happens'. 'You split up because you're not very good or you're making mediocre music, the spark is gone and you're a bit bored and so on. They never did that. They split up and they have this terrible argument when they're still doing incredible stuff.' Lennon's song How Do You Sleep?, which is full of cruel digs at McCartney, features in the book for good reason. 'This incredibly vitriolic song is not the kind of song you write about somebody that you're exhausted by, or that you're bored by, that you just can't be bothered with. It's a song you write when you really want somebody's attention, because you have very, very strong feelings about them,' Leslie says. The Beatles in 1976: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney. Photograph: Getty Images Arguably, they were still being inspired by each other when Lennon was fatally shot outside the Dakota, his apartment building in New York, and Leslie is insightful about the emotional fallout for McCartney of his best friend's death. In the book he describes McCartney's appearance on Desert Island Discs years later, visibly struggling not to cry as one of his chosen songs, Lennon's Beautiful Boy, is played. What does Leslie think Lennon would be up to now, had he lived? 'The thing about John Lennon is that he's never really what you want him to be, which is why he's so cool and fascinating and interesting. I don't think he'd ever settle into your nice, sweet grandad mode. I think he would have been on Twitter, you know, saying the most terrible things.' Did he have revelations about McCartney and Lennon as a fan himself while writing the book? 'Absolutely. It's such complex music, even when it sounds very simple, that you can always go back to it and hear different things. And, yes, that happened to me, but it was also the mission of the book to take something very familiar that we take for granted and ask people to think about it again,' Leslie says. 'We think we know The Beatles. We think we know John and Paul. I wanted to reastonish people with what they did and who they were. And, of course, the music is absolutely essential to that. I want people to hear I Want to Hold Your Hand and go, 'Oh my God,' or She Loves You and go, 'This is actually incredible. It's not just this song, it's a masterpiece,' you know.' Not even Lennon and McCartney, the mercurial protagonists themselves, could decode the full mystery of their bond. In one of the final quotes in the book, from 1981, McCartney remarks that they 'never got to the bottom of each other's souls'. [ 'A festering wound': The true story of the Beatles break-up Opens in new window ] As Leslie puts it, 'What we can say for sure is that they loved each other and that through music they found a way to share this love with the world – and in doing so they made the world an immeasurably better place.' John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs is published by Faber & Faber. Ian Leslie is in conversation with Tom Dunne and Paul Howard at the Pavilion Theatre , Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, on Wednesday, July 9th

The Irish Sun

3 days ago

• The Irish Sun

Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey reveals reason George Harrison's son was snubbed for Beatles' sons song collaboration

ZAK STARKEY hopes to recreate some of dad Ringo Starr's magic with The Beatles – by teaming up with Paul McCartney and John Lennon's sons. In an exclusive chat about the release of cool new single Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous) with band Mantra of the Cosmos, Zak tells me he's worked on a new song with Sean Lennon and James McCartney. Advertisement 12 Zak Starkey hopes to recreate some of dad Ringo Starr's magic with The Beatles Credit: Getty 12 Zak, pictured, has teamed up with Paul McCartney and John Lennon's sons Credit: Getty 12 Zak recorded a song with Sean Lennon and James McCartney Credit: Refer to Caption Zak explains: 'The Beatles kids thing is something I've avoided because it's something we will be judged on for ever. 'I thought it was a daft idea. But I've got to know James well over the last decade and Sean over the last five years and we have become great friends. 'Their music is great. 'I had a track called Rip Off and as we were communicating a lot I asked them to contribute. Advertisement Read More on THE BEATLES 'We were nervous in case there was no chemistry but there was loads and it sounded great. 'James' voice is so powerful it nearly blew me off my seat.' It was when his Mantra bandmate Shaun Ryder got involved that the magic really happened though, with Zak adding: 'Within five minutes he showed us that the only lyrical genius in the room was Shaun Ryder. 'He blew our minds and he wrote and recorded it in less than ten minutes. It's a pop song but it's overtly political dance music.' Advertisement Most read in Bizarre After the track was finished, Zak contacted 'I explained that after Sean and James' contribution the musical table was full and that nothing weird or personal was going down. The Beatles movie cast finally revealed - and who they will play 'He got it and it's all cool. He's got his own great record out at the moment, too.' Mantra's new single Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous) is also on sale on June 29 as a limited edition 7-inch clear vinyl featuring the song's full six minutes. Advertisement The first batch sold out before their shows at Zak adds of the upcoming album: 'There's 14 tunes and I've only finished six so far.' I look forward to hearing it. SHE inspired girlsto get active thanks to her Sporty Spice persona. Advertisement But it wasn't until 12 Mel C and Natasha Hunt for a Volvic campaign Credit: supplied Teaming up with Volvic – and England rugby star Natasha Hunt, for a campaign to inspire the next generation of female rugby stars, Mel said: 'Now that I've got a daughter of my own, I realise how important it is to celebrate the incredible things women are doing not just in music, but in sport too. 'We've got to keep that momentum going.' Advertisement She added: 'Today, female role models in football, rugby and all sports are absolutely smashing it, they are more visible and celebrated than when I was a child. 'It's exciting to hear young girls saying, 'I want to be a rugby player,' and believing it's possible.' Bey duet is best by a country Miley THERE was a sprinkling of superstar stardust in Paris when Miley Cyrus joined Beyonce on stage at the Stade de France. She was an extra special guest during the first night of the Cowboy Carter tour in France, where they wore matching golden outfits to perform their collaboration II Most Wanted for the first time. Advertisement 12 Miley Cyrus joined Beyonce on stage at the Stade de France Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 12 Miley was an extra special guest during the first night of the Cowboy Carter tour in France Credit: Instagram Gushing about the experience on Instagram, Miley wrote: 'Beyonce, to be beside such a humble, gracious, legendary DIVA was a dream come true. Thank you for the opportunity to perform in Paris together & sing our song about friendship. 'To have learned from you & loved you my whole life, & then be standing together in matching gold looks is more than I could've imagined.' Advertisement Miley's a busy lady, as she revealed she is now heading back to California to write her first book, which may well be a memoir. On her family podcast Sorry We're Cyrus, she said of the prospect: 'I would consider writing a book, we discussed this the other day. 'I think this is something that I'm going to spend a little time working on while I'm in Malibu.' CONGRATS to model Advertisement The couple started dating in 2021 and welcomed daughter Ivy two years later. An insider tells me they are planning a bigger bash to celebrate with family and friends, including her mum Pearl and dad Gavin Rossdale. Jackie's top Cruz fan CRUZ BECKHAM's girlfriend The singer-songwriter wore an oversized American football shirt with his name on the back as the pair headed out together in London. Advertisement 12 Cruz Beckham's girlfriend Jackie Apostel is his biggest fan – just take a look at her top Credit: Splash 12 The singer-songwriter wore an oversized American football shirt with his name on the back as the pair headed out together in London Credit: Splash 12 My insiders tell me Cruz spends most days working on his music in a studio in the capital, with Jackie popping in when she can Credit: Splash 12 'Jackie is a bit of a muse to Cruz and he loves playing his new tracks to her,' my contact explained Credit: Splash Advertisement My insiders tell me Cruz spends most days working on his music in a studio in the capital, with Jackie popping in when she can. 'Jackie is a bit of a muse to Cruz and he loves playing his new tracks to her,' my contact explained. 'She is supportive of him and what he's working on. 'It's a very sweet romance, they're besotted with each other.' Advertisement I'd say. LEIGH-ANNE has landed one of her most unlikely gigs – a slot at Reading and Leeds rock festival. The former Little Mix singer and breakout star Skye Newman have been added to the line-up for the events, from August 21 to 24, alongside Bring Me The Horizon, Limp Bizkit and Enter Shikari. WEIGHT'S ZO NOT AN ISSUE NOTHING bores me more than talking about how much people weigh – especially when it comes to my favourite artists. Advertisement So I was sad to see that 12 Lizzo had clearly been strong-armed into addressing the fact she had used Ozempic Credit: Getty 12 Lizzo said: 'Ozempic works because you eat less food, yeah?' Credit: Instagram/lizzobeeating In a new interview, the About Damn Time singer said: 'I tried everything. Advertisement 'Ozempic works because you eat less food, yeah? 'So if you eat right, it makes you feel full. 'But if you can just do that on your own and get mind over matter, it's the same thing.' She was pounced on by trolls who berated her for previously saying that her weight loss was down to a calorie deficit and doing more exercise. Advertisement It's obvious that the only reason she's addressed it now is because it's all anyone on social media can talk about. But why the hell do they care so much? Lizzo is one of the most energetic and fun singers I've watched live and when I've seen her performing, I couldn't give a flying f**k what she looks like – I'm just there to listen to her music. Let's be frank, nearly every celebrity on the planet is using a fat jab to stay slim. And I don't know anyone who would turn that option down if they had the chance. Most celebs have had Botox, fillers and the rest, and the majority of them will at some point book in for their umpteenth facelift when they will end up looking younger than their own kids – I'm looking at you Kris Jenner. Advertisement But Kris certainly doesn't care – let's face it, she's got skin that is so soft it would rival a newborn baby's arse. And neither should Lizzo. Be fat, be thin, have facial features that wouldn't even quiver in a 9.5 magnitude earthquake – you only get one life.

Irish Independent

3 days ago

• Irish Independent

Madeleine Keane on books: Oscar Wilde's reader's card is ‘uncancelled' by the British Library, 130 years on

Plus the Cork Midsummer Festival, and something for Beatles fans too Today at 09:30 After 130 years, the British Library plans to symbolically reinstate the reader pass that belonged to Oscar Wilde. Wilde was officially excluded from the Library on June 15, 1895, following the trial and conviction he faced as a result of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, which criminalised acts of 'gross indecency' between men.