The Beatles at Apple Studios

 January 21, 1969

Spending time in the hotel suite

Photo taken by Ringo 

 January 16, 1964 

Trying to Move on without George

 January 13, 1969

Louisa's treasures

 

On October 10, 1964, a 15-year-old Beatles fan, Louisa Walne, went to a Beatles concert.  That lucky girl met everyone who performed at that concert: Mary Wells, Tommy Quickly, Garry Marsden, John, Paul, George, and Ringo (plus Mal Evans).  She also obtained part of the pic Paul McCartney used and a match used by George Harrison.   She kept these treasures in her autograph book and treasured them.  Sadly, Louisa passed away due to a blood clot at the young age of 24.   Her husband of 6 months kept the book all of these years, not just because he's a big Beatles fan but because it belonged to his deceased wife and was something she loved.  However, the widower feels that it is now time to pass this amazing book to someone else who will cherish it, and it is going up for auction later this month.  

Still at Twickenham

 January 9, 1969 

A cold day at Twickenham

 January 6, 1969 

8 Cool Cats

 

Dress Rehearsal

 December 20, 1963 -

I don't know about you, but I would have loved the opportunity to have seen the Beatles Christmas Show.  It looks so silly and wonderful.  

Hometown Rehearsal

 December 7, 1963 

Living the Beatles Legend: A Book Review

 

If you have spent any time here at MTBFR, you will quickly learn that my favorite person in Beatledom (outside of the Fab 4 obviously) has always been Mal Evans.  He caught my eye when I first became a fan some 30 years ago because of his resemblance to my Grandpa who passed away in 1994 (although through this book I learned that my Grandpa was taller than Mal).  Because of his appearance, I tried to learn more about the Beatles road manager and quickly discovered that there was not much out there about him.  

When I started this site, I decided that I was going to dig and find more information about Mal Evans and learned all about the book he was writing at the time of his death and also about his diaries (my Grandpa was also a man that kept a diary, so that really interested me).   On this site, I questioned how a book that was almost finished could disappear and never see the light of day.   At one point I even questioned if it had information in it that Apple didn't want us to know.  

So it is with tears of joy that I write this review, because not only are Mal Evan's diaries and manuscripts safe and sound, but Kenneth Womack used them exclusively to write the book Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans.  

I finished reading the book a few days ago and I have taken some time to digest it.   Like all well-written Beatles books,.I am going to need to re-read it to truly grasp it all.   But WOW -- what a journey Ken takes the reader on through Mal's life.   It is a tragically sad story from start to end, yet it is also filled with so much joy.   Mal was there for everything The Beatles experienced.  Every tour, every album, holidays, India, the rooftop -- you name the event and there is a 99.9% chance Mal was there (the only thing I think he missed was the Maharishi in Wales when they learned of Brian's death).   And this book is his story told through his words.   You don't get the same old Beatles stories in this book.  So much new information is hidden within the covers.   

There were a few things in the book that I was originally disappointed about (namely what was said about The Apple Scruffs) but I really shouldn't have been.  Living the Beatles Legend is not a Beatles history book and should not be read as if it is.  Some of the things in the book contradict stories that are canon in Beatles lore (for example the back story of the song Let It Be).   But the things in the book are Mal's point of view and taken from his own manuscripts and his own memories.   As far as Mal was concerned, Let It Be was written because in India when Paul started singing "Mother Malcolm comes to me...."   I am happy to say that this book truly is Mal Evan's story.   A man who up until recent years has just been a footnote.   He led an incredible life, and you just have to read it to understand. 

The book itself is not difficult to read, however, do be warned that Ken uses words sometimes that I had to look up in the dictionary so that I was sure I knew what they meant.  I read the book while I was on the road -- on airplanes and in hotel rooms mostly and I don't think that was the right way to read it.  I am going to re-read it when I have a chance to really dig deeper.   And I just love Beatles books that give me a chance to do more research and learn more. 

I  have to give Living the Beatles Legend the title of Best Beatle Book of 2023 (well umm...right after Dear Beatle People naturally) because of the new stories and information that has been discovered from the book.   I recommend all Beatle fans should read it and it would be the perfect gift for family and friends to get Beatle lovers for Christmas.   

As I finished it, I couldn't help but think that Mal was smiling down, happy that his story has finally been told.  The words he wrote over 47 years ago are finally being read by people who love the Beatles.  Thanks, Mal, and thanks, Ken. 

https://amzn.to/3SVBKj2

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