Comprehensive Biography of Yoko Ono Out Now

 

In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono by Madeline Bocaro

(cover image by Cat MacInnes)

558 pages

Press Info

In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono is the true story of the extraordinary woman whom John Lennon loved.

This is the first extensive exploration of the artist's amazing life, struggles, art, activism, films and music in astounding detail. No other book encompasses Yoko’s entire life, which goes way beyond what most people know. It includes the love story of John and Yoko, and her relationship to the Beatles.

The insightful book illuminates Ono's spiritual nature and her wisdom. It is the ultimate exploration of Yoko's lonely childhood in Japan during wartime, her art, films, music and activism for peace and women's rights.

The misunderstanding and undeserved negativity that Ono has received throughout her life as an Asian woman and as the wife of one of the Beatles is explored. We can all learn from her positivity and effective healing methods.

Yoko’s life story spans thirty-three years before meeting John Lennon, twelve years with him, and over forty years of creativity since his death.

The author has followed Ono's career since the mid-1960s, assembling a vast media archive on the artist. Yoko's own voice, along with Lennon's and others (in cited, published interviews) tell her undeniably true story, and unravel many longstanding myths.

Yoko's incredible body of work expresses all the joys and suffering of an extraordinary lifetime. It is all examined in this complete biography.

The book is listed on Best Classic Bands Best Music Books of the Year 2022. It’s also on Mazzy’s Music Books Gift Guide 2022, and has received an Honorable Mention by Kit O’Toole on Something Else Reviews' Beatles Gift Guide.

See reviews, interviews and order information on the website: inyourmindbook.com

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Author Terry Crain of FaBgear Productions attends Brian Epstein Statue Ceremony in Liverpool

 

Photo by Terry Crain.

Terry Crain, author of the popular Beatles memorabilia book, NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966, has come full circle by attending the unveiling of the new Brian Epstein statue during International Beatle Week in Liverpool in August 2022. The statue, a project that had been in the works for several years, was introduced to the world on the 55^th anniversary of Epstein’s passing.

Epstein was famously the manager of the Beatles, amongst a host of other Merseyside artists, and is often referred to as “the fifth Beatle.” He is credited with cleaning up the band’s stage act and image, thus packaging them for a wider audience. His statue is located in Whitechapel, near where North End Music Stores (NEMS), which the Epstein family owned and operated, was located. Crain’s book covers the approximately 150 licensed Beatles items sanctioned by the NEMS management company.

Crain, a retired administrator from John Logan College in Southern Illinois, called the unveiling of the statue, "A very humbling moment. We learned that early contributors to the statue fund were recognized by having their initials etched in the jacket lining on the statue. It was surreal to find my ‘TC’ in the group. So glad to be a small part of this wonderful legacy!”

As for Crain’s book itself, the task of documenting original Beatles memorabilia and identifying the companies involved, as well as their dealings with NEMS and a plethora of lawyers, was a daunting one. “I’ve assembled as detailed a book as possible given the lack of record-keeping and the inaccuracies of time,” said Crain. He also makes clear that the book is not a price guide, but “a showcase of Beatles memorabilia. Not only that, it is also a detailed account of how manager Brian Epstein and NEMS dealt with licensing and much more.”

This 11" x 11" hardcover, coffee-table style book has over 600 images (mostly in color) and contains 232 pages. You can learn more and order at: https://www.fabgear.company/nems-enterprises-ltd

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Kenneth Womack + Wonderwall Launch “Everything Fab Four” Online Store, Featuring Official “MalWear” Brand

 

World-renowned Beatles scholar and author Kenneth Womack, PhD, co-owner of media company Wonderwall Communications, has launched a new online store based around his “Everything Fab Four” brand and featuring the only officially licensed Mal Evans merchandise available, affectionately called “MalWear.”

Evans, the Beatles’ road manager and confidant most recently widely seen as a central figure in Peter Jackson’s Get Back docuseries, has for decades left Beatles fans and music historians alike longing for a glimpse into his life and times. In conjunction with the Evans family and HarperCollins’ Dey Street Books, Womack is set to release an authorized biography of Mal in 2023, followed by a fully illustrated offering from the family’s archives in 2024. And with Get Back having sparked renewed interest in this trusted member of the Beatles’ inner circle, the demand for Mal-related merchandise began to grow.

Fortunately, the treasure trove of Evans’ vast, never before seen archive including hundreds of drawings and photographs afforded Womack with the means and inspiration to launch “MalWear.” As he says, “Over the years, Mal’s legend has only grown among Beatles aficionados. Though he started off as their roadie in August of 1963, he truly became their most intimate companion, with a birds-eye view of Beatlemania as it raged across the world. I’m proud to present these items on behalf of his family with the integrity they deserve.”

The new collection includes T-shirts, buttons, moleskin notebooks, paperweights and more, with additional items coming soon. The online store is also an extension of Womack’s long-established “Everything Fab Four” brand, which in addition to his web presence is the title of the Beatles-themed podcast he hosts for Salon, co-produced by Wonderwall. EF4 items also include coffee mugs, phone cases, coasters and more. Shop now at: http://store.everythingfabfour.com/ 

Dr. Kenneth Womack is Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ. He is the author or editor of more than 40 books, including a multivolume study devoted to the life and work of Beatles producer George Martin. His bestselling book, Solid State: The Story of Abbey Road and the End of the Beatles, was released in October 2019 and has received praise from The L.A. Times and Publishers Weekly amongst others. His latest book, John Lennon, 1980: The Last Days in the Life, was published in September 2020 to rave reviews. The Music Culture writer for Salon and the host of the web magazine’s aforementioned “Everything Fab Four” podcast, Womack has also written for Slate, Billboard, Variety, NBC News, Smithsonian Magazine, Time, and USA Today. 

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Brightmoon Liverpool YouTube Channel Proves to be a Global Hit

 

Brightmoon Media’s YouTube channel, Brightmoon Liverpool, has accumulated over a million views since starting just under a year ago, with viewers in 32 countries on 6 continents.

Brightmoon Liverpool, the YouTube channel of Liverpool film production company Brightmoon Media, has proven popular with viewers around the world, having passed the milestone of one million views in less than a year.

“We have been pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response to our content from around the world,” said Roger Appleton, director at Brightmoon Media.

The Brightmoon Liverpool channel is a collaborative effort between directors Roger Appleton and David Bedford, plus Alex Holbourn, a Liverpool-based music producer.

Exploring Liverpool Music History

Brightmoon Liverpool’s content is focused on the music and culture of Liverpool, with a specific interest in the early days of The Quarryment and The Beatles – prior to their international superstardom. The channel was launched on 18th July 2021, and at the time of this writing has over 1,000,000 total views and over 2800 subscribers. Some of the channel’s most popular videos include first-hand accounts of John Lennon’s first-ever show with The Quarrymen and The Beatles’ last-ever show at the Cavern, both of which were highly eventful.

The company is well-placed to provide expert insight, with renowned Beatles author and historian David Bedford as one of its directors: “We noticed early in the life of the channel that our viewers were really responsive to content about the early pre-fame days of The Beatles, and that became our main point of focus,” says Bedford. “We also make films about other prominent Liverpool artists from the 1950s to the present day, putting them into their proper historical context.”

YouTube Community

The Brightmoon Liverpool channel has a highly engaged community of followers within the YouTube platform, with many people from around the world sharing their own stories of Beatles discovery and times they have crossed paths with the Fab Four.

Looking For Lennon

The directors of Brightmoon Media were heavily involved in the production of the 2018 John Lennon documentary Looking For Lennon. Roger Appleton directed the feature documentary, David Bedford operated as historical consultant and associate producer, and Alex Holbourn worked on the project as a researcher. As lifelong Beatles fans, it was a pleasure for all parties to be involved with this project, just as it has been to run the Brightmoon Liverpool channel over the past year.

For more information:

Brightmoon Liverpool YouTube channel

www.youtube.com/brightmoonliverpool

Brightmoon Media website

www.brightmoonmedia.co.uk

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The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Series Accepted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library’s Permanent Collection

 

The books of audio engineer and producer Jerry Hammack, author of The Beatles Recording Reference Manual Series, have just been accepted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives permanent collection in Cleveland, Ohio.

An affiliate of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Library is a primary resource for information on Rock Hall Inductees and Nominees, rock-related subjects, and Rock Hall education programs and exhibits. For Hammack – whose books have been recognized by The Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) and are centered on telling the story of how The Beatles recorded their classic hits from first take to final remix – having his series made part of the collection is truly an honor and thrill.

From his home in Toronto, Canada, he explains, “Understanding how The Beatles put these songs together can open a whole new world for fans, engineers, producers and mixers. My goal is to share this knowledge, increase the appreciation of their accomplishments and hopefully open the door to a new experience for those who love the band like I do. Having my work accepted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is an unexpected honour. To say I’m chuffed would be an understatement.”

The Library is available to the public online, or in-person by appointment, for popular music research and includes databases, catalogs, archival collections and more.

Jerry Hammack has dedicated 35 years to the musical arts and is uniquely qualified to sort out the story of The Beatles’ recordings. His series of books, comprised of five volumes, includes song-by-song descriptions of the entire recording process, diagrams allowing readers to follow the critical milestones of the work, detailed session-by-session breakdowns of the people, instruments and studio tools used, and useful appendices covering release versions, gear, and more. Bibliographical references provide a pathway for additional scholarship derived from Hammack’s relentless research across countless book, audio, photographic, and other sources.

To learn more about Jerry Hammack and his work, visit: www.beatlesrecordingreferencemanuals.com or www.jerryhammack.com 

To learn more about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives, visit: https://library.rockhall.com

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"Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed" by Jim Berkenstadt Wins Nonfiction Gold Medal Book Award for Pop Culture

 

Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed (Genius Books, 2022) by bestselling author Jim Berkenstadt (aka the Rock And Roll Detective^®) has been selected as the 2022 Gold Medal Award Winner in Pop Culture for Nonfiction by the Nonfiction Authors Association.

Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed is a music whodunit examining the secrets, myths, legends, hoaxes, conspiracies, and the wildly inexplicable events that are such an intriguing part of rock and roll history. Berkenstadt has spent decades researching the players behind these famous soundtracks and the mysteries hidden within the music itself. These questions have intrigued rock and roll fans for so long because no one has ever asked eyewitnesses the tough questions or dug through the primary sources and documentary evidence left behind... until now. After many decades, the back stories of pop and rock music lore are finally unearthed—and the truth is revealed in Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed. The Foreword is written by rock producer Butch Vig (Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Smashing Pumpkins).

Heather Hirschman of Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews writes, “Jim Berkenstadt's thoroughly researched book, Mysteries in the Music, explores rumors and conspiracy theories around some of music’s greatest unanswered questions. In it, he investigates every conceivable avenue open to him, documents historical interviews, and conducts his own with those still alive to answer questions. As an experienced attorney, he makes no assumptions; instead, he sets out to trace and prove facts. The reader is left with no doubt of the veracity of the conclusions he reaches. Jim Berkenstadt literally ‘Closes Cases.’ He also does it all in a captivating and very often humorous manner. He is clearly passionate about music and this shines through his writing. He has been around for a while so is lucky enough to have met many of the people mentioned between these pages. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in modern music.”

Mysteries in the Music: Case Closed has been featured on local and international podcasts, radio shows and news outlets, and has been on the Amazon Best Sellers list since its release in February 2022. The book is available on the Genius Books website, Amazon.com and wherever books are sold. Signed copies are available exclusively on the author’s website. Jim will also be presenting and signing books at the Fest for Beatles Fans in Chicago August 12-14, 2022.

About Jim Berkenstadt

Jim Berkenstadt is the Rock And Roll Detective^®. A true Sherlock Holmes, Berkenstadt uncovers the lost history and mysteries hidden within decades of popular music. An international authority on The Beatles, his last book, The Beatle Who Vanished is a bestseller, included in the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Permanent Library and Archives, and is soon to be a major motion picture. Berkenstadt has also co-authored three other books: Black Market Beatles: The Story Behind The Lost Recordings; Nevermind Nirvana; and The Beatles Digest. Berkenstadt has been a consultant for The Beatles, George Harrison, Martin Scorsese, Traveling Wilburys, and the Buddy Holly estate on numerous film and album projects. He lives in the Midwest.

About Rock And Roll Detective^®

Rock And Roll Detective^® LLC, and was founded by Jim Berkenstadt in 1991. The company is dedicated to providing consulting, production, publishing, writing, research, social media, and content creation for the music, television, and film industry. Learn more at: www.rockandrolldetective.com

About the NonFiction Authors Association

As stated on the homepage of their website, the Nonfiction Authors Association is a vibrant, supportive community for writers to connect, exchange ideas, and learn how to write, publish, promote, and profit with nonfiction books.

About Genius Book Publishing

Genius Books specializes in developing and publishing books on true crime, mystery and music, as well as dark and light fiction. 

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John Lennon Series Author Jude Southerland Kessler’s Books Accepted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library’s Permanent Collection

The books of world-renowned Lennon historian Jude Southerland Kessler, author of The John Lennon Series, have just been accepted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives permanent collection in Cleveland, Ohio.

An affiliate of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Library is a primary resource for information on Rock Hall Inductees and Nominees, rock-related subjects, and Rock Hall education programs and exhibits. For Kessler, whose life’s work revolves around researching the life of John Lennon, having her books made part of the collection is truly an honor and thrill.

“This wonderful accolade makes the ‘eight days a week’ of work researching, writing, and editing John’s life story over the last 35 years worth the sacrifice and dedication,” she says. “If I had told that 10-year-old Lennon fan that her books would be archived in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I’m sure she wouldn’t have believed it. As John would have it, I’m on Cloud Nine.”

The Library is available to the public online, or in-person by appointment, for popular music research and includes databases, catalogs, archival collections and more.
 
Jude Southerland Kessler is the leading expert on the life of John Lennon and her expanded biographies on Lennon take readers chronologically through his life. The first five volumes of the projected nine-volume series are Shoulda Been There, Shivering Inside, She Loves You, Should Have Known Better and Shades of Life (Vol. 1). With a personal library of over 500 Beatles-related books and multi-media resources, Kessler undertook seven trips to Liverpool, England to interview Lennon’s childhood friends, early band members, art college mates, and business associates before embarking on writing the series, which is told in a narrative history format and heavily documented.

Jude Southerland Kessler is represented by 910 Public Relations. To learn more about her work, visit: www.johnlennonseries.com. To learn more about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Library & Archives, visit: https://library.rockhall.com

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