BEATLES STORY

BEATLES STORY 
(Editore Vito Lombardo - 1980 - 40pp.)

In 1980 the italian edition of Rolling Stone published a Beatles Story in comix. It was the translation of a famous Marvel booklet issued in 1978, which told the legend of the Fab Four from the early days of the Quarrymen to 1970.
The beautiful cover is different from the original one (and better, in my opinion).

Produced by: David Kraft.
Illustrated by: George Perez & Klaus Janson.
Introduction by Raffaello Carabini.

Supplement to Rolling Stone (italian edition), n. 7.

Size: 28x21 cm.

The full- size readable original english version can be found on Diversions of the Groovy Kind blog.

YEAH YEAH YEAH

DIE BEATLES - YEAH YEAH YEAH (A Hard Day's Night)
(Edition Northern Songs Berlin - no date - Germany - 24pp.)

A german booklet with scores from A Hard Day's Night film (entitled Yeah Yeah Yeah in Germany). The songs are those on side 1 of the homonymous LP plus "All My Loving" from "With The Beatles" which was featured in the film, although in incomplete form.

No date appears on this publication; the back cover carries the other titles available from the publisher, including scores from the 1970 "Let it Be" album.

Size: 29.5x21 cm.

WINGS AT THE SPEED OF SOUND

"WINGS AT THE SPEED OF SOUND"
(McCartney Music Ltd. - Charles Hansen Distributor - 1976 - U.S.A. - 80pp.)

Piano scores for Wings' 1976 At The Speed Of Sound LP. This book also includes lyrics and fine exclusive illustrations for each song of the album.

Art direction and cover by Georgie Hardie NTA.
Photographs by Clive Arrowsmith, Bob Ellis, Hipgnosis, Linda McCartney.
Graphics by Halpin, Hardie, Hollyhead, Ocean.

Size: 28x21,5 cm.

LINDA'S PICTURES

LINDA McCARTNEY - "LINDA'S  PICTURES"
A collection of photographs by Linda McCartney 
(Ballantine - 2nd Ballantine printing - April 1978 - U.S.A. - 174pp.)

A wonderful collection of black and white and colour photographs from Linda McCartney's archive, this book is full of family pictures with Paul and daughters, rock icons from the 60's such as The Who, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, The Stones and - of course - the Beatles. Mrs. Mccartney was an excellent photographer and Linda's Pictures reveals the artistic side of a woman who has often been unfairly considered a mediocre figure living in the shadow of a musical genious.

Size: 30x23 cm.

IMAGINE THE BEST OF JOHN LENNON

IMAGINE THE BEST OF JOHN LENNON
(Edizioni Musicali Ritmi e Canzoni - 1972 - 40pp.)

Scores for 12 John Lennon songs from singles ("Give Peace A Chance", "Instant Karma", "Power To The People") and albums ("John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine"), with a few full-page pictures.

Size: 27x21,5 cm.

BEATLES DOLCE VITA

CORRADO RIZZA - BEATLES DOLCE VITA - Storie Vere Roma Italia 65
edited by Guido Michelone
(Lampi di Stampa - November 2005 - 272pp.)

Beatles Dolce Vita is a commemorative book on the Beatles' visit to Rome in June 1965, with more than 50 accounts by celebrities and less famous names (among them Renzo Arbore, Shel Shapiro, Maurizio Vandelli). There are some first-hand recollections by people who were around the Fab Four during their stay in Rome which are particularly interesting, while we could have done without Rosario Fiorello's contribution (5 lines where all he has to say is that the song he likes most is "Imagine" and that he would like to have the Beatles back together in a tv show to sing..."Anima Mia" by Cugini di Campagna); a very nice book, especially for those who love the "Help!" period.

With lots of black and white pictures.
Size: 23x21 cm.

BEATLES '68

BEATLES 68 - edited by Umberto Buttafava and Enzo Gentile
(Mazzotta - June 2008 - 140pp.)

Beautiful illustrated catalog for an exhibition held at Spazio Oberdan in Milan (June to September 2008). This book presents Beatles memorabilia from their late years mixed with pictures of other artists, records, films and events in an attempt to documents the presence of the Fab Four's spirit in many aspects of 1968, a crucial year in recent history.

Size: 27x23 cm.

CON I BEATLES

CON I BEATLES - Le storiche fotografie di Dezo Hoffmann
(Fratelli GALLO Editori / Omnibus Press - January 1983 - 128pp.)

This is the italian version of a wonderful book featuring the late and great photographer Dezo Hoffmann (1918?-1986). Con i Beatles includes almost 450 photographs shot during the early years (1962-1964, most of them unpublished before) and Mr. Hoffmann's precious comments on the photo sessions.

 

Edited and designed by Pearce Marchbank.

Original title: With The Beatles (1982).

Italian translation: Armando Galdo and Gabriella Belloni.

Size: 29x23 cm.

IL MITO DI JOHN LENNON

TOM STOCKDALE - IL MITO DI JOHN LENNON
(Gremese Editore - 1997 - 96pp.)

Il Mito di John Lennon ("the myth of John Lennon") is easily one the tiniest Beatle books (measuring 11x8,5 cm.). This is a minimal Lennon biography from his childhood to the untimely death in New York with some inaccuracies; one such is "All You Need is Love" quoted as the most important song from the Sgt. Pepper lp!

Original title: They Died Too Young: John Lennon (1995).

Translated by Laura Totti.

VIVENDO CANTANDO

JOHN LENNON - VIVENDO CANTANDO
(Longanesi & C. - La Fronda 54 - 2nd edition - February 1968 - 84pp.)

Vivendo Cantando is the italian edition of In His Own Write, Lennon's first book. Due to the nature of John's nonsense and surreal inventions, the translation necessarily has recourse to invention; Vivendo Cantando can be translated as "Living and Singing" (rehashed titles are common in Italy) and the book was presented with a red wrapper stating: "The book that explains The Beatles from within"!

Except for the unique cover, the graphic layout is faithful to the original UK edition.

Introduction by Paul McCartney.

Translated by Adriana Pellegrini.

20 ANNI

20 ANNI
(AC-Verlag - April 1983 - 68pp.)

Another nice italian special colour magazine, sold at newsagents, printed in Austria for the italian market. This publication features the Beatles' story and their solo careers through thematic articles, with lots of pictures.
Included is a german discography and a chronology.

BIG' STORY SPECIAL

BIG' STORY SPECIAL
(Editrice PUBLIFLASH - 1981 - 32pp.)

This is a nice italian special colour magazine, sold at newsagents just after the assassination of John Lennon. The Beatles' story in words and pictures, with a short essential discography.
Design and illustration by Aldo Campanozzi, who also worked on design for Re Nudo - 70's most famous italian counterculture magazine - during its last years of publication (1979-1980).

YELLOW SUBMARINE

YELLOW SUBMARINE  
Il sottomarino giallo  
(Arnoldo Mondadori Editore - September 1969 - 60pp.)

Italian edition of Yellow Submarine gift book. Apparently the book was meant for young readers only (up to 12 years old), as shown on an ad published on Topolino mag in 1970.