The Beatles
Page 114
—Tom Sykes, New York Post
“Richly detailed…. The Beatles comes as close to being a quick read as any 983-page book has a right to be…. Spitz also does a remarkable job capturing the distinct qualities of each Beatle.”
—Jonathan Bor, Baltimore Sun
“Juicy, detailed, well-written, and authoritative…. What makes Spitz’s book a standout is his attention to visual detail…. He has a knack for description and for cliffhangers. Every chapter of The Beatles promises more misery for the lads, more pleasure, more surprise.”
—David Kirby, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Beatlemaniacs will swoon.”
—People
“Riveting…. Startlingly well-reported and consistently engaging…. Even though the Beatles story is well known, Spitz has fleshed it out fully, revealing the flawed, singularly creative human beings behind the lovable moptop image…. What Spitz does exceptionally well is contextualize.”
—Carlo Wolff, Boston Globe
“In its scope, structure, and sheer length, this meaty 983-page true-life epic unfolds as a sort of Beatles’ War and Peace…. Spitz’s genius is how he stitches together available Beatles knowledge with the artistry of a fine novelist.”
—Michael Tarm, Cincinnati Enquirer
“Spitz has done a masterful job of focusing his kaleidoscope eyes on the greatest pop thing since Jesus.”
—Richard Gehr, Village Voice
“Spitz knows his subject. His encyclopedic grasp pervades every page.”
—Joe Selvin, San Francisco Chronicle
“Spitz marshals a staggering mass of research…. The early chapters are irresistible; they have the hypnotic effect of a film clip run backward.”
—Lev Grossman, Time
“Spitz has performed a valuable historical service…. The Beatles respects its subjects without canonizing them…. Best of all, at the end of the long and winding road, it sends us back home to the music.”
—David Hinckley, New York Daily News
“Filled with intimate scenes…. The first third of this opus is a treasure chest of revelation…. Spitz demonstrates his deep research and writing chops by transporting us to the place where it all began…. This book reminds us—in generous detail—that the Fab Four were just people.”
—John Kehe, Christian Science Monitor
“A real page-turner…. A vibrant and exhaustive factual and emotional picture of John, Paul, George, and Ringo’s early life and times…. It actually adds some new information—or at least a fresh analysis—to this often-told story…. The lads’ schoolboy years are told in captivating detail…. Engagingly written, meticulously researched and documented, and tremendously insightful.”
—Ruminator Review
“Fresh, terrifically entertaining…. Packed with details and anecdotes that bring the Fab Four to life…. Spitz’s group portrait should now be considered the definitive Beatles biography.”
—June Sawyers, Booklist
NOTES
One of the drawbacks in preparing a definitive biography of the Beatles is the stunning lack of reliable source material. Most of the nearly 500 volumes that make up their canon lack proper citations, and even in those remarkable cases where sources are offered, the accuracy remains suspect. Either memories were vague, tales were recycled, facts went unchecked, or circumstances were fabricated or obscured—sometimes by prejudiced eyewitnesses, other times to protect the innocent. For better or worse, misinformation has always been a key element of the Beatles’ legend.
The extent of the misinformation owes much to Napoleon’s claim that “history is a set of lies agreed upon.” That became clear to me when beginning the research for this book. During an interview with Paul McCartney, he explained how nearly forty years ago the Beatles agreed on a “version of the facts” that would serve as their story, and they stuck to—and embroidered upon—it ever since. Paul told me “about 65 percent” of their “official biography, The Beatles—written in 1967, by journalist Hunter Davies—is accurate. (Referring to the book in a lengthy 1970 interview with Jann Wenner, John Lennon said: “It was bullshit… my auntie [Mimi] knocked all the truth bits from my childhood and my mother out…. I wanted a real book to come out, but we all had wives and didn’t want to hurt their feelings.”) What’s more, all of it has been told and retold so many times that even McCartney is no longer certain where the truth begins and ends—one of the reasons, no doubt, that the wonderful Anthology is often referred to as Mythology. In any case, the “official Beatles biography” is not only loaded with misstatements and lovely little fairy tales, but inaccuracies: misspelled names, incorrect dates, confused locations—and wide, gaping holes.
Even so, I have relied upon the Davies book to support some of my own research. The oral histories provided in it by the four Beatles—their offhand remarks, as well as their quirky versions of long-forgotten events—are nevertheless poignant and provide the only vivid (and fascinating) accounts of certain escapades. To the extent that I have incorporated quotes from that book into this biography, be assured that they were scrutinized for accuracy or chosen because they contain a personal reflection that was unassailable for its honesty. Lastly, let it be said that for many of the book’s participants—George Harrison’s parents; John’s aunt Mimi and his father, Freddie; Ringo’s mother; Millie Best; and other secondary, supporting characters—the Davies book stands as their only testimony to this remarkable story.
Among other books mentioned in the notes are examples that are either hagiographic or downright silly but nevertheless contain an important interview or anecdote that could not be ignored. For instance, Gareth Pawlowski’s How They Became the Beatles is one fan’s moon-eyed excursion to his idols’ birthplace, but it contains an agreement detailing the specific terms of a Larry Parnes engagement, as well as conspicuously revealing photographs. Cynthia Lennon’s autobiography, A Twist of Lennon, mangles facts as well as dates (she even gets the year of her marriage to John wrong!) while offering personal, affecting reflections that are historically valuable. Still other books are infuriating for their damnable oversight. Keith Badman’s The Beatles: Off the Record contains one of the most comprehensive compendiums of the band’s interviews—with nary a citation. The same goes for The Beatles: An Oral History, by David Pritchard and Alan Lysaght, which contains a wealth of revealing interviews. Where did they come from? In every case in which information from these books has been used, I relied on seven years of my own durable research, as well as the biographer’s intuition—and ear—in determining a source’s authenticity.
I was fortunate to work from an amazing archive of magazine and newspaper articles collected and collated by Allan Kozinn, the eminent New York Times music columnist and Beatles authority. These papers include most of the Times’ files, even articles from the morgue that had been “killed” for space considerations, as well as other essential journals from around the world. Among them were most of the articles from Melody Maker and New Musical Express, both of which reported weekly and extensively on the Beatles’ adventures. In the course of my research, however, it was disclosed that many of the Beatles’ quotes in those articles—later incorporated into Anthology—came via telephone interviews in which Neil Aspinall or Mal Evans masqueraded as John or Paul and, thus, should be taken with a grain of salt. Whenever possible, the quotes in this book came from articles containing eyewitness accounts or those in which it was clear that one of the Beatles was actually in a room with the journalist.
As far as an accurate chronology goes, newspapers served to document the comings and goings of the Beatles; otherwise, I depended on Mark Lewisohn’s various listings, including The Beatles Live!, The Beatles: 25 Years in the Life, Recording Sessions, and The Complete Beatles Chronicle.
A note about a particular resource deserves further explanation. In the notes that follow, I often credit the Albert Goldman Archives (AGA), which are quite an extensive series of taped interviews for Goldman’s
controversial—and discredited—biography, The Lives of John Lennon. For all his foibles as a writer (and they were many, and legendary), Albert was a dear and trusted friend, who I remained close to until his untimely death. Even so, I found his biography of John unreadable, as well as irresponsible, and told him so. When I decided to write this book, however, I sought out his executors and purchased copies of the taped interviews he conducted for Lives. That acquisition turned out to be shocking, revealing, and incredibly rewarding. As far as anyone can determine, Albert never bothered to transcribe the tapes, taking only what he blithely referred to as “the good parts”—those pull quotes that would prove sensational—for his manuscript. Much of the information he chose to ignore, however, was extraordinary in detail, not at all like anything in his book or that we had heard before. Interviews with John’s cousins Stanley Parkes and Leila Harvey provided intimate information about the Stanleys, the Smiths, and a boy they described as lovable and gregarious. Barbara Baker’s lurid account of their sexual exploits upstaged the poignant recollections about John’s and Paul’s early songwriting sessions that were left out of the Goldman book. The Lives of John Lennon speaks for itself; I hope the material I used from Albert’s research adds substance to my account and brings honor to his efforts as a scholar—and to the Beatles’ amazing story.
The most important resource for this book was the hundreds of interviews I conducted with the Beatles’ family members, friends, fellow performers, and colleagues who provided new, firsthand information and colored in essential details of all the old anecdotes that had become part of the Beatles’ myth. Of course, some sources have told their stories so often—and at Beatles conventions, where they are paid a fee for appearing—that they have become rote and are generally unreliable. But scores of these people had never been interviewed before, and the information they provided has helped form a portrait of the Beatles that is both fascinating and substantially different from all previous accounts. Each of their contributions is cited in the notes by name and date, with additional information included where necessary.
PROLOGUE
here Description of Litherland: Author interviews with Tony Kenny, 2/8/98; Johnny Byrne, 10/8/97; and Tony and Mary Kenny, 4/21/98.
The four boys, riding… like astronauts: Author interview with Chas Newby, 5/21/98.
“We thought we were the best”: Sheff, Playboy Interviews, p. 62.
The word around town: “There was [no band] worse than the Beatles.” Author interview with Ray Ennis, 10/1/97. “Although the Beatles had charisma, you couldn’t say they were good.” Author interview with Sam Leach, 10/6/97.
“We sure didn’t know them”: Author interview with Howie Casey, 10/27/97.
“They were so bad”: Ted “Kingsize” Taylor, 9/2/85, AGA.
Paul McCartney had squandered: Alan Durband, quoted in Salewicz, McCartney, p. 69.
George Harrison, who regarded school: “George did go back and sit, but he failed everything.” Author interview with Arthur Kelly, 1/10/98.
Thrilled by performing, Pete Best: Best & Doncaster, Beatle!, p. 13.
“a gang of scruffs”: “We looked like a gang.” Paul McCartney in Shepherd, True Story of the Beatles, p. 52.
“They’re fantastic”: Author interview with Bob Wooler, 10/30/97.
Litherland had a great many shops: Author interview with Don Andrew, 10/4/97.
But before he got their name out: “I remember Wooler telling us to begin as soon as the curtains opened, but Paul started singing ‘Long Tall Sally’ before…” Author interview with Chas Newby, 5/21/98.
The band’s physical appearance: “We went and bought these leather jackets [together]…. We all bought cowboy boots as well. Mine and John’s were Twin Eagles.” Author interview with Johnny Byrne, 10/8/97.
“I’d never seen any band look like this”: Author interview with Dave Foreshaw, 10/31/97. Bob Wooler says: “The overriding feeling was, ‘Who the hell are they?’ ” Author interview with Bob Wooler, 10/30/97.
“It was just so different”: Author interview with Billy J. Kramer, 12/16/97.
“get your knickers down!”: Salewicz, McCartney, p. 104; confirmed by Chas Newby in author interview, 5/21/98.
CHAPTER 1: A PROPER UPBRINGING
“Gateway to the British Empire”: Encyclopaedia Britannica.
“Scousers”: Author interview with Quentin Hughes, 10/3/97; first citation of scouse in Oxford English Dictionary, dated 1945. But Jonathon Green dates nautical use to the nineteenth century, author interview with Jonathan Green, 7/3/98.
“Scousers have a fierce… patriotism”: Author interview with Bill Harry, 8/2/97.
“stout little ships”: W. F. Machin, “A Short History of Liverpool Cotton Market” (typescript, 1957), p. 2.
an elaborate Grecian influence: Picton, Architectural History of Liverpool, p. 65.
the richest city in Britain: Author interview with Quentin Hughes, 10/3/97.
“surpasses the pyramid of Cheops”: Picton, Memorials of Liverpool, p. 660.
“a real old sea sailor”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
Julia, nicknamed Judy: “Everybody called her Judy.” Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
Their first child was a boy: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
Penny Lane: “Penny Lane is not only a street, it’s a district.” Sheff, Playboy Interviews, p. 130.
“Those women were fantastic”: Ibid., p. 136.
“She was born with a keen sense”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
“She had a great sense”: Author interview with Pete Shotton, 1/19/98.
“I had no intention of getting married”: Mimi Smith, AGA (undated).
“Grandfather made it impossible”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
“That’s long enough!”: Ibid.
Julia, George Stanley’s favorite: “Judy was his favorite.” Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
“perfect profile”: Davies, Beatles, p. 6.
“I soon forgot my father”: Ibid., p. 12.
“They wanted nothing to do with him”: Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
“we knew he would be no use”: Davies, Beatles, p. 6.
“very intelligent… a clever boy”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
“Anywhere Freddie turned up”: Ibid.
“As I walked past her”: Davies, Beatles, p. 5.
“she would get a joke”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
Men ogled her: “Everybody would wink at her, but she laughed, she enjoyed it.” Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
“Judy was very feminine”: Ibid.
Instead of working: “He and Julia used to take me out for long walks in the park.” Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
allegedly at George Stanley’s behest: Goldman, Lives of John Lennon, p. 29.
Entire neighborhoods… “just gone”: Author interview with Quentin Hughes, 10/3/97.
but Freddie was gone: Author interview with Charles Lennon, 10/2/97.
“Mrs. Lennon has just had a boy”: Coleman, Lennon, p. 24.
“I was dodging in doorways”: Davies, Beatles, p. 25.
“Mary would, on occasion”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
“she would have always had a fellow”: Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
“pain… of not being wanted”: John Lennon, 1971 interview, in Anthology, p. 7.
“I said to her, there’s a war on”: Davies, Beatles, p. 8.
he set out on the Sammex: Goldman, Lives of John Lennon, p. 30.
“She claimed that she was raped”: Author interview with Charles Lennon, 10/2/97.
“she was told quite categorically”: Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
“She was a beautiful baby”: Anne Cadwallader, 9/84, AGA.
a Norwegian Salvation Army captain: Ibid.
“would always wink at [Julia]”: Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
Spiv: “So we, as kids, just named him Spiv… and it stuck”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
“a nervous cough and… thinn
ing… hair”: John Lennon, 1979 interview, in Anthology, p. 10.
“He was certainly earning good money”: Stanley Parkes, 1/19/85, AGA.
“He had a very short fuse”: Author interview with Nigel Walley, 3/11/98.
“my mother came to see us”: John Lennon, 1967 interview, in Anthology, p. 10.
“It confused him”: Albert Goldman, from handwritten notes, 1985.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake”: Leila Harvey, 2/4/85, AGA.
“You are not fit”: Ibid., 10/84.
“disagree with the way she was living”: Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
“A little bit of tea”: Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
John’s unofficial guardian: “She said she couldn’t refuse.” Davies, Beatles, p. 8.
“intending never to come back”: Ibid.
five years of indifference: “Of not being wanted,” John Lennon, 1971 interview, in Anthology, p. 7.
“She said no”: Davies, Beatles, pp. 8–9.
“He had to decide”: Ibid., p. 9.
a decision “was forced” on Julia: “It was Mimi and Julia’s father that demanded Julia give John up.” Leila Harvey, 2/3/85, AGA.
“My mother… couldn’t cope”: Sheff, Playboy Interviews, p. 136.
“a proper upbringing”: “Mary would be strict and give him a proper upbringing.” Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
no-nonsense, if “difficult,” housewife: “Mary can be quite difficult.” Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
“Mimi was a sensible, dignified lady”: Ibid.
“merciless disciplinarian”: Author interview with Pete Shotton, 1/19/98.
“she wanted John”: Leila Harvey, 10/84, AGA.
Wind in the Willows: “It was passed from me to Leila, from Leila to John.” Stanley Parkes, 2/3/85, AGA.
Mimi’s morning room was always filled: Ibid.
“a quiet and jolly man”: Stanley Parkes, 1/19/85, AGA.