Meet the Beatles for Real: John Lennon

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Johnny Gentle and the Beatles: A Book Review

Not too long ago, I posted about the recent death of Johnny Gentle and said how I discovered that his book, Johnny Gentle and the Beatles, which has been out of print for a long time, was available as an ebook. I warned that I would be reviewing it soon -- and yes -- I have finished the book and am ready to tell you my thoughts.

I was extremely impressed with this book. It was very well written and researched. For a book that is about just a few weeks in the life of The Beatles, it was detailed and interesting.

Johnny Gentle was an early 1960s "crooner" who was fairly popular in the UK in 1960. He just never quite made it big. He had some hit songs, but they never moved up the charts. He was talented and could sing rock and roll but was pegged as a singer of ballads. However, teenage girls loved him, and he was very popular in Teenage Magazines. This was where Johnny Gentle was at the time The Silver Beatles auditioned for Larry Parnes and were hired to tour Scottland for one week as Johnny Gentle's back-up band.

What I guess I didn't realize (or maybe forgot) was that after Johnny's set with the Beatles backing him, the Beatles went and did their own concert. It is great to read about the Beatles' setlist and how it changed during the tour and how the reaction to The Beatles just got better and better. Even without a hit record or any exposure, teenagers who came to hear Johnny Gentle absolutely LOVED the Beatle's music.

One of my favorite stories in the book told the story of when The Beatles were hungry and went to a beach because they figured they'd find food cheap there. Some girls who had seen them at the Johnny Gentle concert recognized them and invited them to come to one of their houses for lunch. So there she had The Beatles in her house eating sandwiches. I bet that is a story those girls told years later!

Check out this book if you are someone who doesn't mind reading an ebook.

https://amzn.to/3vjA632

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