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Waiting for the Beatles: An Apple Scruff's Story
One of a group of young women fanatically devoted to the Beatles describes her encounters with the members of the rock band
296 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 27, 2014
I have to preface this by saying that I am a HUGE Beatles fan.
This reads like fan fiction. I have second-hand embarrassment for the author. She falls into hysterics if "her" Beatle (George) doesn't say hi/bye to her, or her frenemy sabotages her attempts to say hi/bye to him, despite the fact that they say hi/bye to him every freaking day. For months and years on end. Chill out girl, you'll see him again in a few hours. The only way I can relate to this is to think back to my high school crushes when they didn't look at me -- and I'm so glad I moved beyond that obsessive, needy mentality. It's kind of frustrating trying to relate to someone who is stuck there.
There's hardly a trace of critical self-reflection. The tone is... self-righteous? She spends a lot of time convincing herself and the reader how different she and the Scruffs were from the "regular" (inferior) fans/tourists. While I do give them credit for keeping a respectful distance and for their persistence, COME ON. Man, I love the Beatles, but camping out every night and day just for these fleeting glimpses seems... a little unbalanced. Even when she decides to stop "waiting out," it seems like she is more motivated by giving George "a great gift" of not having the responsibilty of interacting with her and impressing him that way than wanting to move on with her life. It's still more about him than it is about her. There's no real change/development on the author's part.
She describes how she believes the Beatles' inner circle sees the Apple Scruffs: "I think they saw us as something almost holy: self-sacrificing and totally giving to our loved ones, not asking for anything in return (p. 155)." Almost holy? Really?
I was frustrated about the author's motivation and what she wanted out of the whole ordeal. She is totally obsessed with the Beatles, especially George, but She keeps emphasizing her and George's "friendship" but her interactions with him seem very one-sided. She scoffs at her rival Scruff's dream of marrying George, but what did she want from him exactly, then? She doesn't make that clear. It left me feeling frustrated and bored. It's like she didn't want to own up to just wanting a piece of him.
If you google the author and the book you come across threads (not sure how reliable -- some from people who claim to be Scruffs, but it's the internet, so...) that question the validity of some of her stories. I came across one article that the author herself wrote in the 60s where she contradicts what she later wrote in this book http://www.meetthebeatlesforreal.com/.... I can never know for sure, but my gut feeling was that she embellished a lot. The way she describes the Beatles and most of the dialogues seems contrived. I felt like the author was ascribing meaning to her brief interactions with the Beatles where there was none or maybe created some of the interactions altogether. It turns out that a book about people standing around waiting and saying hi/bye to them isn't terribly exciting.
As far as fascinating/unique insights go, I don't think there are any. The factual information in here can be found elsewhere, and I'm just too dubious about the rest.
Annoying stuff: gross overuse of "I nearly screamed/nearly shouted" to convey emotion. Some sloppy editing. After the first 25 mentions, we know that Terry is George's PA. No need to write "Terry (George's PA)" a 26th time.
Still, it's intriguing to read about that era and kind of fun for Beatles fans... I think I would have enjoyed this more as an obsessive, imaginative teenager.
This reads like fan fiction. I have second-hand embarrassment for the author. She falls into hysterics if "her" Beatle (George) doesn't say hi/bye to her, or her frenemy sabotages her attempts to say hi/bye to him, despite the fact that they say hi/bye to him every freaking day. For months and years on end. Chill out girl, you'll see him again in a few hours. The only way I can relate to this is to think back to my high school crushes when they didn't look at me -- and I'm so glad I moved beyond that obsessive, needy mentality. It's kind of frustrating trying to relate to someone who is stuck there.
There's hardly a trace of critical self-reflection. The tone is... self-righteous? She spends a lot of time convincing herself and the reader how different she and the Scruffs were from the "regular" (inferior) fans/tourists. While I do give them credit for keeping a respectful distance and for their persistence, COME ON. Man, I love the Beatles, but camping out every night and day just for these fleeting glimpses seems... a little unbalanced. Even when she decides to stop "waiting out," it seems like she is more motivated by giving George "a great gift" of not having the responsibilty of interacting with her and impressing him that way than wanting to move on with her life. It's still more about him than it is about her. There's no real change/development on the author's part.
She describes how she believes the Beatles' inner circle sees the Apple Scruffs: "I think they saw us as something almost holy: self-sacrificing and totally giving to our loved ones, not asking for anything in return (p. 155)." Almost holy? Really?
I was frustrated about the author's motivation and what she wanted out of the whole ordeal. She is totally obsessed with the Beatles, especially George, but She keeps emphasizing her and George's "friendship" but her interactions with him seem very one-sided. She scoffs at her rival Scruff's dream of marrying George, but what did she want from him exactly, then? She doesn't make that clear. It left me feeling frustrated and bored. It's like she didn't want to own up to just wanting a piece of him.
If you google the author and the book you come across threads (not sure how reliable -- some from people who claim to be Scruffs, but it's the internet, so...) that question the validity of some of her stories. I came across one article that the author herself wrote in the 60s where she contradicts what she later wrote in this book http://www.meetthebeatlesforreal.com/.... I can never know for sure, but my gut feeling was that she embellished a lot. The way she describes the Beatles and most of the dialogues seems contrived. I felt like the author was ascribing meaning to her brief interactions with the Beatles where there was none or maybe created some of the interactions altogether. It turns out that a book about people standing around waiting and saying hi/bye to them isn't terribly exciting.
As far as fascinating/unique insights go, I don't think there are any. The factual information in here can be found elsewhere, and I'm just too dubious about the rest.
Annoying stuff: gross overuse of "I nearly screamed/nearly shouted" to convey emotion. Some sloppy editing. After the first 25 mentions, we know that Terry is George's PA. No need to write "Terry (George's PA)" a 26th time.
Still, it's intriguing to read about that era and kind of fun for Beatles fans... I think I would have enjoyed this more as an obsessive, imaginative teenager.
January 5, 2018
I'm currently doing my dissertation on Beatle fandom, and this book is a gem! For those who are interested in the Beatles as a band, this isn't your book. Although it references the band and their latest releases, it doesn't focus on the day-to-day life of the Band or them individually. Nevertheless, it is an insightful read of the day-to-day lives of the 'Apple Scruffs': a small group of girls (and guys) who dedicated their lives to following the Fab Four. The book isn't exactly the best-written book, however, it is a first hand, and a very personal account of Carol's meetings with George. One crucial thing it highlights is the give and take relationship between the Scruffs and the Band, something which I think is unique to the Scruffs, and unique to the topic of fandom.
March 10, 2008
This is a great book for Beatles fans, and even more so for George Harrison fans. This book tells the story of one of the "Apple Scruffs," those fans that sat outside the Apple studios in London while the Beatles recorded their last albums. The author develops a friendship with George and thus provides an interesting peek into the intimate world of the Beatles.
August 12, 2009
Reading it for the tenth time....favorite book ever!
July 19, 2015
Carol Bedford was an "Apple Scruff", part of a group of excessive fans who sat on the steps of the Apple Studios hoping to get a glimpse of their heroes, The Beatles. This is their story but could be equated to excesses of fandom in any group.
July 19, 2021
Reviewer "Butterfly" has summed up my thoughts on this book quite well. I give it an additional star; there must be some basis in truth, despite what comes across as distorted memories, spin, and wishful thinking. A back-handed compliment to the author who seems unashamed to expose her insecurities, depression, teen angst, and fan-girl foolishness.
Now I'm off to search the indices of other Beatles-related memoirs to see if the Scruffs are mentioned, and if any of the stories match up. (Not surprisingly, Pattie Boyd doesn't honor them with a mention.) Had George Harrison not immortalized the Scruffs on his "All Things Must Pass" album, I imagine they would be a mere footnote in the Beatles story, if that.
Now I'm off to search the indices of other Beatles-related memoirs to see if the Scruffs are mentioned, and if any of the stories match up. (Not surprisingly, Pattie Boyd doesn't honor them with a mention.) Had George Harrison not immortalized the Scruffs on his "All Things Must Pass" album, I imagine they would be a mere footnote in the Beatles story, if that.
December 20, 2021
After wanting this book for many years, I finally found a reasonably priced copy of it. The first 1/2 of the book is very good - filled with nice little tidbits and anecdotes that I hadn't heard before. Then it seems to become a bit... Mary Sue-esque? The way Bedford writes about her experiences with George almost seem like something taken from a romcom, the exact word by word conversation as recalled by someone about 15 years since the conversation took place is also a bit hard to believe.
However, I would recommend to any George fan.
However, I would recommend to any George fan.
September 25, 2023
10/10 no notes. Loved it! I love fans I love women I love these stories! Wonderful feeling
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews