BOOK REVIEW
“ Tune In ” by Mark Lewisohn
Reviewed by Harley White
To understand the BEATLES , we need to look back at the uniqueness and history of the city of Liverpool and the cultural divisions of the people of north and south England . Liverpool , a centuries old maritime city , was the home port of slave ships in the 1800 ’ s as well as the home of immigrants from Ireland , Scotland and various immigrant groups from the British colonies . Liverpudlians endured the most damage from the Nazi bombings and as London received first priority for bombing repairs after the war , suffered over 20 years of infrastructure neglect from 1940- 1965 , promoting poverty , racism , and thuggery .
“ TED Boys ,” a group of juvenile delinquents which included the members of what was to become the BEATLES , began a defiant movement of change . Coming from poor and broken families and living in slums with no hot water , poor sewage , no heating , neglectful city management and the unfairness of the judiciary system , fueled the anger of John Lennon and Paul McCartney towards the police and the courts . Both musicans lost their mothers to drunk drivers who escaped penalties and jail time . John Lennon ’ s mother , Julia , died in his arms . ( Stuart Sutcliffe died years later from brain injuries sustained from fighting as a TED Boy .) Alcoholism , violence and teen gangs were the result of neglect of Liverpool ’ s communities with the people of Northern London assuming that “ nothing good could ever come from a hell hole like Liverpool .”
Like a phoenix rising out of the flames was the beginnings of greatness .
The Beatles were self-taught musicians who , like thousands of other guitarists at that time , were trying to play Skiffle music , a genre with jazz , blues , folk influences . The musical influence of American records and movies had a profound effect on the Beatles , particularly the blues sounds of guitars and harmonica . They were fascinated with Motown sounds , black artists and worshipped Elvis Presley , thinking that he created the blues . One of the Beatle ’ s practices in the early days that contributed to their uniqueness was listening to all the newly created 45 RPM hit records from America , and performing both sides for their audiences .
The Beatles name was changed by John Lennon from the “ Quarrymen ” to “ The Silver Beatles ,” a play on the band name , “ The Crickets .”
Pete Best was the original drummer for the Beatles , with his mother booking their gigs and giving them their first place to stay . When they finally started playing at the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool , their fan club promoted the tavern ’ s noon concerts . Students , office workers , and others would attend in this below ground , stone cavern above the subway system . With their long hair , greaser leather jackets , jeans , cowboy boots , long sideburns and tough guy good looks copied from Tony Curtis in The Wild Ones ; they strived to produce a macho persona that would attract TED boys and their girlfriends . The Beatles idolized actress Bridget Bardot and required their girlfriends to wear blonde hair , black clothes , to never speak in their presence , and , in particular , never stand near the bandstand .
The Beatles went to Germany for five tours over five years , which solidified the band ’ s sound . They toured between Germany and home with six month rotations in order to keep their name relevant and pockets full . The people that they played for in Hamburg nightclubs were gangsters , prosititutes , former Nazi youth groups , and bar clientele . They lived in deplorable conditions in Hamburg , ate poor food and took pills named “ preppies ” to endure brutally long hours performing along with painfully harsh winters . John Lennon ’ s motto as leader of the band was to have them recite that “ We will be bigger than Elvis and the Topper most of the popper most .”
Playing in a strip club in Hamburg , they met and performed with Little Richard , Billy Preston , and met all the major American black stars , including BB King and Ray Charles . Billy Preston went on to play piano for the Beatles , becoming the de-facto fifth Beatle ; they were introduced to British and American heroes of rock music . They became personal friends of Little Richard , who invited them to dinner where they had their first steak dinners , two weeks before they became millionaires in a shared concert .
Having been rejected for a recording contract by EMI for three years , they met with success when they recorded “ I Want To Hold Your Hand ,” which broke into the work music charts , earned record busting earnings and created a flood of interest from the EMI label . George Martin , a musician , and arranger who had been given the assignment by EMI years earlier to produce a record for the Beatles as punishment for having an affair with his secretary was vindicated . His introduction of unique sound effects and creative approaches to rock and roll music are still relevant in music today , as rap music , hip hop and pop are all highly influenced by his sampling techniques , digital drum sets , and electric engineering .
Publisher ’ s Note : The Beatles brought “ I Want To Hold Your Hand ” to The Ed Sullivan Show in their first appearance , with new haircuts and clothes , on February 9 , 1964 . This editor was in the audience .
28 Marin Arts & Culture