My first memories of the Beatles date to 1962 and the excitement of listening to that first single Love Me Do but it really started on 6th July 1957 with the meeting of Paul McCartney and John Lennon. In total Paolo Hewitt records 44 years of Beatles history ending with the death of George Harrison on 29th November 2001. The key moments stretch from the music to relationships, films, money, religion, drugs and politics. 50 key moments in 50 illustrated essays giving fresh perspective on one of Pop’s biggest phenomena.
Taking a completely new approach to the band, Paolo Hewitt creates one of the great Beatle biographies in time for the 50th anniversary of the release of the band's first single. Using huge amounts of research and personal insight, Paolo Hewitt will take the reader on a rollercoaster ride, from little-known moments such as the Beatles' audition to be Billy Fury's backing band, the band's early recording of 'That'll be the Day' and George Harrison being deported from Hamburg, to more famous moments, such as the band's stint at The Cavern, their 1969 rooftop gig and the making of the Sgt Pepper album. Beginning with the formation of the Beatles in the late 1950s and concluding with the band's reformation in 1996 - when Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr recorded and released two of John Lennon's songs - this book traces how the Beatles influenced their generation and countless others since.
Paolo Hewitt is a music journalist and author. He has written for Melody Maker, NME, Vogue Germany, Fare Musica and Sunday Times. He is the author of over 20 books and novels on music, fashion and popular culture and has written extensively on bands like Oasis, the Jam, The Small Faces and, in particular, the Beatles.
