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1967 – The World of Brian Epstein and The Beatles: The address book that defined an era – a must-have for Beatles fans and ‘an amazing work of cultural and social history’ praise from Tom Holland
Not yet published
Expected 5 Jan 27A SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER.
'A little peep behind the net curtain of swinging London. Meet the people that made the 60s tick.' Noel Gallagher
'This is granular Beatles. 1967 the year mop-topperies optimism gave way to long-hairdoms disaffection…and the people who gave birth to both. Fabulous.' Bob Geldof
1967 – The World of Brian Epstein and the Beatles is a remarkable fusion of biography and detective story, offering a vivid portrait of The Beatles' inner circle and the cultural energy of the 1960s. This engaging work delves into the extraordinary cast of characters – from Mick Jagger to David Bailey – a dazzling mix of celebrities, musicians, icons, power players and the occasional shady character. Everyone who was anyone in the 1960s found their way into its pages.
When Gary first acquired the book, he was seized by an irresistible curiosity. Who was Brian Epstein, really? And who were all these fascinating names? This project offers an intimate and unprecedented exploration of the connections he forged and the figures who helped define a generation.
More than just an address book, it is a time capsule of one of the most electrifying years in modern 1967.
Perfect for Beatles fans, music historians, and anyone curious about the electric culture and untold stories of the 1960s.
'This incredibly clever book is like an alternative history of Swinging London, a pop cultural detective story that sheds new light on a period which continues to fascinate all of us. I loved it.' Dylan Jones
"This is an Encyclopedia of a time and a place that makes you jealous you weren’t there and appreciate how close we are to it. This book’s pleasures are vast and delicious. Captures The Beatles and what London must have really felt like at the The center of the world." Paul Thomas Anderson
'What a good idea this is. Brilliantly researched and put together; packed with stuff that a Fabs nut can pore over for hours…' Martin Freeman
'A little peep behind the net curtain of swinging London. Meet the people that made the 60s tick.' Noel Gallagher
'This is granular Beatles. 1967 the year mop-topperies optimism gave way to long-hairdoms disaffection…and the people who gave birth to both. Fabulous.' Bob Geldof
1967 – The World of Brian Epstein and the Beatles is a remarkable fusion of biography and detective story, offering a vivid portrait of The Beatles' inner circle and the cultural energy of the 1960s. This engaging work delves into the extraordinary cast of characters – from Mick Jagger to David Bailey – a dazzling mix of celebrities, musicians, icons, power players and the occasional shady character. Everyone who was anyone in the 1960s found their way into its pages.
When Gary first acquired the book, he was seized by an irresistible curiosity. Who was Brian Epstein, really? And who were all these fascinating names? This project offers an intimate and unprecedented exploration of the connections he forged and the figures who helped define a generation.
More than just an address book, it is a time capsule of one of the most electrifying years in modern 1967.
Perfect for Beatles fans, music historians, and anyone curious about the electric culture and untold stories of the 1960s.
'This incredibly clever book is like an alternative history of Swinging London, a pop cultural detective story that sheds new light on a period which continues to fascinate all of us. I loved it.' Dylan Jones
"This is an Encyclopedia of a time and a place that makes you jealous you weren’t there and appreciate how close we are to it. This book’s pleasures are vast and delicious. Captures The Beatles and what London must have really felt like at the The center of the world." Paul Thomas Anderson
'What a good idea this is. Brilliantly researched and put together; packed with stuff that a Fabs nut can pore over for hours…' Martin Freeman
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 5, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
Review of advance copy
I’m a big fan of Gary Kemp, through his music but also through his excellent podcast Rockonteurs that he hosts with fellow musician Guy Pratt. I’m also a huge Beatles fan, with their music being a constant throughout my life. So it was inevitable that when the two came together that I would read this book.
Gary bought Brian Epstein’s address book via a Sotheby’s auction, having paid much more for it than he had originally planned. Bought initially as a piece of memorabilia, the co-author Simon Halfon, who produced all the photographic material for the book, suggested that it would be an excellent source of material for a book and thus here it is.
Gary managed to date the address book by the addresses of some of the contacts contained within, as Epstien’s original was apparently stolen in 1966 and so this book dates from then till Brian’s death in 1967.
He has listed all the entries in the address book alphabetically, as they appear in the book and relates their stories and how they are known to Brian and their impact on the Beatles story. Some of the contacts in the book are well known characters that worked closely with Brian and the Beatles and play a big part in their rise to stardom. Other entries refer to employees, friends and contacts of Brian’s and also to bars, clubs and restaurants mainly in London, where things were ‘happening’ in the sixties. However the individual entries combine to paint a picture of Brian, the Beatles and swinging London.
There are a multitude of written material about the Beatles out there but I would strongly recommend this one to Beatles fans, as it is derived direct from source original material and Gary has obviously done a huge amount of research and detective work to track down the majority of people mentioned in this address book. Also, to add a final flourish to the book there is a revelation that just blew me away !
I was able to read this book as it was published here in the UK on October 13 2026.
Gary bought Brian Epstein’s address book via a Sotheby’s auction, having paid much more for it than he had originally planned. Bought initially as a piece of memorabilia, the co-author Simon Halfon, who produced all the photographic material for the book, suggested that it would be an excellent source of material for a book and thus here it is.
Gary managed to date the address book by the addresses of some of the contacts contained within, as Epstien’s original was apparently stolen in 1966 and so this book dates from then till Brian’s death in 1967.
He has listed all the entries in the address book alphabetically, as they appear in the book and relates their stories and how they are known to Brian and their impact on the Beatles story. Some of the contacts in the book are well known characters that worked closely with Brian and the Beatles and play a big part in their rise to stardom. Other entries refer to employees, friends and contacts of Brian’s and also to bars, clubs and restaurants mainly in London, where things were ‘happening’ in the sixties. However the individual entries combine to paint a picture of Brian, the Beatles and swinging London.
There are a multitude of written material about the Beatles out there but I would strongly recommend this one to Beatles fans, as it is derived direct from source original material and Gary has obviously done a huge amount of research and detective work to track down the majority of people mentioned in this address book. Also, to add a final flourish to the book there is a revelation that just blew me away !
I was able to read this book as it was published here in the UK on October 13 2026.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review