Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale

by Gary Burr

A freak auto accident on a rainy night in Hawaii leaves a young man dead. 
The year? 1980. 
The young man? Mark David Chapman.
Eighteen years later, Paul McCartney decides to honor his wife Linda’s passing with a benefit concert. Twenty eight years after the break-up, Paul calls his three oldest friends.
“Hey lads, let’s put on a show…”
The world has been waiting a lifetime for a Beatles reunion and now it’s here. Or is it? Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and….John Lennon, all in a room together, trying to decide if they will step out onto a stage once more.

Can these four middle-aged men get along and forget their decades-old grievances?
Will the world care?
Will the world care too much and unleash Beatlemania all over again?
Do the lads even remember the songs?

This sweet, funny, heartfelt, rock and roll fairy tale is the ultimate “what if” story for Beatle fans and music lovers alike.

226 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[Annie Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in NYC the night of December 8, 1980, considering going to the mega-club Magique, because word had it John and Yoko were supposed to be there. I was exhausted, so wound up not going. On my drive home to my parents' house in Long Island, I heard the news that John had been murdered. So many things in my life that followed had to do with that huge loss: I moved to the City, I really revved up my singing career...but there was a gaping hole in my heart. I'd grown up with the Beatles and now, one was gone, and I, along with so many others, was grief-stricken.

HOWEVER, Gary Burr's book gave John (and all four) back to me. What a fabulous adventure this book was! We got to feel like we had a bird's eye view to what might have been, if only...and what a thrill it was, getting to know the Beatles all over again. Gary Burr, in his first foray as an author, totally immersed us in his world. The story is so well written, funny and really touching. There were times I forgot it was a "Rock 'N Roll Fairy Tale" and believed for a moment that it was really happening. I laughed and cried throughout, and cheered at the end. How did I feel when I got to the end? Young, very young.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Lennon's senseless death profoundly changed rock n' roll forever. But imagine if that fateful day never happened?? This amazing, heartwarming tale takes us on a magical mystery ride; at once immersed in a believable, behind-the-scenes world where The Beatles come together again - in Peace and Love - for the reunion we could only ever dream of. You'll laugh, cry and feel like you're right there with "the lads"!! Gary Burr has written a time travel journey through an alternate reality that every Beatles fan will read again and again!

[Carlyn Engstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for music lovers, especially Beatles fans! Every moment in your life sets the path for the rest of your life, and in turn, it affects the lives of others. And if something in the past changed, how would your life, and the lives of others, be different? That's the premise of Gary Burr's book, Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale.

Imagine a world in which John Lennon was NOT tragically murdered, allowing for the possibility of a Beatles reunion. Imagine a world in which those four bigger-than-life personalities consider reuniting for a cause they can't refuse. Imagine the frenzy of Beatle-mania reigniting! Gary Burr has given us this world with Reunion: A Rock and Roll Fairy Tale. Let this book carry you away to that imaginary world...you won't regret it!

[Neal Rabin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful fairy tale about the fab 4. Took me inside so many rooms, studio spaces, with what felt like 100% accurate dialogue and sentiment. Would that it were only true life! Well done Sir!

[Richard Hodgkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!
This is a must read for any Baby Boomer.
If you remember the 1964 Ed Sullivan two Beatles shows, this book is for you.
If you formed a band after that, you are part of this story.
Thanks Gary Burr!

[L Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if...?!

This book is EXACTLY what every Beatle fan could wish for...and even better than we could imagine! From beginning to end, the author weaves Beatle lore into a cohesive and comprehensive story that is both heartwarming and believable. Kudos, Gary...you've got a way with words! (a little sarcasm to an award winning songwriter LOL)... Thank you for such an enjoyable read! I've already recommended it to everyone I know who loves The Beatles.
Now my only question is...who is going to play Mark Hudson in the movie version??? (#winkwink #IYKYK)

[Albert W O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for Beatlemaniacs!

It’s a great, clever, fun and easy read for anyone who wishes that the Beatles got back together. I was terribly disappointed when it was done. Because it was so good. I hope Gary intends to follow it up!

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burr imagines it is 1998 and John Lennon is still alive. After Linda McCartney’s passing, an idea comes to Paul that a reunion of the Beatles could be possible in Linda’s name and goes about pursuing the possibility with a little help from his friends.
Sometimes cheeky and sentimental and at other times hitting the right notes it made for an entertaining read.

[Mark Julien · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lifelong Beatles fan, I loved this book. I don't want to give away too many plot points if you haven't read it but my only regret was when it ended and I had to go back to a reality where the fantasy in this book never gets to happen. It was fun putting on my old Beatles albums while reading this book and reveling in their musicianship.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Beatle fan loved it!

I heard author Gary Burr, a musician who has worked with Ringo, mention how he came to write this novel on Sirius XM's Beatles Channel. So then I had to read it, and it was amazing fun. I'm a fan of alternative history tales, and this one ticked the boxes for me. I didn't even see the final twist coming!

[Russ Morey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this book so much that I deliberately read it at a much slower rate than usual because I did not want the story to end! Much love to Gary Burr for creating an alternative ending to my favorite band of all time. He gave me the “what if” moment I’ve dreamt of since December 8, 1980. I cannot recommend this book enough for any Beatles fan or fans of speculative fiction.

[Brian Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very fun book to read being the fan I am of the group. The details added in were very interesting and I have a feeling one of the participants was very involved in reviewing the book. Thanks to Carole King, the singer, for posting about this book!!

[Curbnoise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, easy read that got repetitive at times. Still, I enjoyed the ride.

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, quick read.

[Mdgrady33 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the idea of this book-The Beatles back together!! It was a great book. I enjoyed it even though I didn’t know that much about the Beatles.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, has to be 5 stars because it is every Beatles fan’s dream!

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story.

For all Beatles fans wondering what if. Thank you, Gary Burr and, as always, thank you John, Paul, George, and Ringo for the music and the love.