The Beatles: An Oral History

by David Pritchard, Alan Lysaght

This is the real history of The Beatles, told by the people who really knew them - their childhood playmates, family, friends, rivals, lovers, teachers, fellow musicians - and by John, Paul, George and Ringo themselves. Together these voices cast new light on the band's history, with revealing accounts of the early days in Liverpool and Hamburg, the touring triumphs and burnouts, and the secrets behind the album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band . A chorus of distinctive voices tells us how The Beatles helped get The Rolling Stones rolling, why The Beatles stopped touring in 1966 at the height of their fame, and what really led to their breakup in 1970. This book is based on an award winning radio documentary. The first volume of 3 audiobooks compiled from the documentary will be available for download in May 2008.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Saed Porcayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book was Fantastic! I love the beatles so much and this book show the history from the Beginning to end of the beatles. i loved that i got to read on how some songs that i listen to everyday we’re made! I loveit!

[John De Marchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gives a great Oral History of the Beatles. It has a dialogue from George Harrison's parents, John Lennon's Aunt (Julia), Pete Best (Beatle's first drummer), George Martin, Phil Collins (of Genesis who was an extra in the movie Help) and members of the Rolling Stones.

[Brett McDowall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read well detailed and easy to follow

[Hrmcginty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good - like a documentary. Direct quotes from primary sources.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun to read book about my favorite band. This is a collection of interview transcripts strung together to tell the story of the Fab Four. The interviews are with people who were there: managers, relatives, friends, and The Beatles themselves.

The book tells the first hand story of The Beatles from their early start in Liverpool to the days when the band broke up. I don't think there was really information that I hadn't heard before, but this was a fairly quick read and very enjoyable.

[Merenwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed it from the library and LOVED it. Because it's based on a radio program, it's like reading a radio transcript, which made it easy for me to read.

[David Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Beatles: An Oral History by David Pritchard (Hyperion 1998) (780.92). The biography-lite of the Beatles. Snore. My rating: 4/10, finished 9/1/2010.