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3.44am
13 November 2009
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Hello. How are you?
Tell us something about yourself. 
The following people thank skye for this post:
BeatlesBibleFanGirl, Hey Jude !, natureaker, Evangeline, QuarryManAd hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
5.01am
21 August 2009
Offline I was just thinking about doing the same thing! Having a little thread dedicated to getting to know the regulars on the site, and I assume this is for everyone to post on, so here goes. It may be extremely long, but bear with me!
Okay, hi. I'm Alissa. I'm seventeen, and live in Canada, a small town, are there any other Canadians on the site? I love to read and write and think. I'm very introverted, but extremely social at the same time, which is odd. I lead almost a… double life? This may be too much info, but, ah well. I'd like to be a poet when I'm older, and my one wish (and regret) is that I was born in 1943. Strange, I know, but I don't feel right in this day and time I'm in now. Like I belong somewhere else. Anyways! I'm on a tangent.
I'm the sole Beatle lover in my house. I suppose I got the initial spark from my older brother, who is a musician and plays almost anything from the 60s and beyond; he had a quick infatuation with the Beatles when I was about 9. I thought it was just noise- who were these strange sergeants singing about love?
I was about 15 when I found them again. It started slowly, an occasional song here or there. Until about a year ago, it's become an obsession. Almost emabarrasing really, take my Christmas list: everything Beatles! My mum was ginna drive up the wall when she knew how much I wanted Beatles rockband (which I got!) and the remastered discs (which I didn't 
!) And the rest, as they say, is history. I listen to them everyday, and I can't remember the last day I skipped listening to them at least once a day (I'm keeping a semi-subconscious tally!) My parents hate the computer being in the living room, because they can hear my “bloody, loud” Beatles music all the time! (My mum especially hates George's “god-awful” indian music, which I play extra loud because of that little tidbit 
) and my dad just thinks it's a phase. In all honesty, though, I've never felt such an attraction to something. (or someone, *cough*John*cough*) This music has changed me, altered me. I'm someone different now. I've cried with Eleanor Rigby and ran away with the girl who's leaving home and hit people on the head like Maxwell when I'm feeling a bit mischievous.
I love them dearly, which is bizarre for me. I remember consciously thinking when I was younger, “how can some people be into music so much?” and now I'm one of those nuts. My name's Alissa, I like cats, museams, typewriters, photography, playing the cello and the Beatles. Me in a nutshell, a crazy, young nutshell.
The following people thank Sun Queen for this post:
Jay, Helter_SkelterTongue, lose thy light. Moon, take thy flight… see ya, George!
7.30am
14 October 2009
Offline OK, my turn! I'll try not to go on too much………..
I was born in Oxford, England in 1958 and have lived in a town just outside Oxford called Abingdon all of my life.
My first recollection of the Beatles was when She Loves You came out in 1963 and we all sang it at school in the playground. My sister bought the single and it got played to death. For some unknown reason we never bought the next single until I Feel Fine and then it was Help , Day Tripper , Paperback Writer and Yellow Submarine before it stopped as I thought they'd gone weird by growing moustaches and not being MopTops anymore. My passion moved on to football (soccer to you Americans!!) and a player called George Best. But then I got interested again in the Beatles around the Ballad of John & Yoko period as I remember thinking it was such a catchy tune.
By now I was approaching my teens and started requesting their back catalogue. Bizarly I stated off with Please Please Me followed by Let It Be . Rather a contrast and I was not too keen on Let It Be for a long while. The BBC ran a radio series about the Beatles in the early seventies and that's when I was totally hooked. From then on they've just been an obsession really. Over the years I've collected all I can although I've never gone in for the memorabilia stuff (toy guitars, wigs etc) just the music and books……loads of books!
Moving on to present day I am now 51 and married with three children aged 13, 11 and 9 (I was a late starter in that department) and I work for the University of Oxford as a duty manager in a conference centre. (I had to work on Christmas day – boooooooo).
Several years ago I built myself a little studio at the bottom of the garden where I have recorded my own songs as well as Beatle songs. A friend and myself recorded an entire album of Beatle covers and tried to replicate them as true to the originals as possible. He played all the instruments and I did all the singing. Loads of friends have now heard them and tell me they're really good – I just hope they're not just being kind!
I do love other music and have a vast collection of Rolling Stones, The Who, The Hollies, U2, Springsteen, Rod Stewart and all the solo Beatles of course, but no one comes close to the Beatles apart from my football team: Manchester United (who dominate my life with equal passion)………… and my wife and children of course!
The following people thank mjb for this post:
Rube, Helter_Skelter"If we feel our heads starting to swell.....we just look at Ringo!"
11.24am
13 November 2009
Offline Alissa – So you were born 40 as well? God it feels weird doesn't it?
mjb – That sounds a bit like my mom. I've been trying to convince her that they were pretty good post mop-tops. You have your own studio?! I'm jealous. I don't suppose you have any digital copies of your recordings?
I suppose I should say something as well. Hmm. I've lived in Glendale, Arizona for most of my life and I've recently graduated from ASU. I've been a casual fan for most of my life. Honestly, my babysitters had a choice between showing the three of us The Little Mermaid, Yellow Submarine , or Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail. I remember drawing little knights on my poetry journal and my parents, some what embarrassed, explaining to my third grade teacher why they said “Ni!”. So, yes, my sense of humor was warped from an early age, but I digress.
My ex-uncle Bob had a Beatles room, and it was awesome! He had all of the knick-knacks, even those horrible-soul-eating-bobble-heads-that -haunt-the dreams-of-small-children dolls. I want to say he even had a Butcher album cover but it could have been a replica. Fast forward to two years ago, when I received a Sgt. Pepper cd for Christmas. I had asked for it, but it was more of an experiment. I didn't recognize half of the songs and I wasn't sure I liked them. A year later, my brother took a Beatles class (he said I could have a copy of the podcasts if anyone is interested) and that was a bit of an eye opener. And bringing things up to present day, every other thought for me right now involves them some how. So here I am!
Random thought: Is it 'soccer' to you Canadians as well? And what happens if (some say when) England gets an American football league?
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
2.35pm
14 October 2009
Offline mjb – You have your own studio?! I'm jealous. I don't suppose you have any digital copies of your recordings?
Skye – Well let's put it into perpective: it's a room where I have all my equipment – guitars, keyboards, computer – which it out-of-bounds to everyone else at the bottom of the garden. It's pretty well sound-proofed too.
All the tracks are digitalised so I'll sort something out in the New Year mp3-wise if you want to hear something. I'm planning to put it on my website, but am a little cautious about copyright
"If we feel our heads starting to swell.....we just look at Ringo!"
6.38pm
31 March 2008
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OK, I'll keep this brief as I have a new year party to sort out (happy new year to all, by the way, and I hope 2010 is just great!).
I'm Joe, and I made this site. I'm currently 33 (born April 1976). I live in a small village just outside Cardiff in Wales, though I'm English (I grew up in the lovely city of Bath). Work-wise I'm a website producer for a broadcasting company that will remain nameless here for now. I only really started The Beatles Bible because I hated my then boss and was deeply bored and looking for a new challenge.
My Beatles epiphany came, I think, in 1990, when my older brother played me A Day In The Life . I was at that age when everything your older sibling does carries automatic authority, and true to form, he was bang on the money – “Listen to this, it's brilliant,” he said. After that I raided my parents' record collection for everything Beatles-related (I have about half the albums on 1960s vinyl, plus the first two fan club flexi-discs).
Since then I've always loved The Beatles, although there's plenty of other stuff I couldn't live without – David Bowie, Blondie, Pixies, Nirvana, Roxy Music, Patti Smith, Velvets etc. Nobody else in my family really loves them like I do, though my endlessly patient wife bought me The Beatles: Rock Band for Christmas and I think she's really starting to appreciate how great the songs are.
Like MJB I don't really do the memorabilia thing, but have loads of Beatles books. I do have an original Cavern Club membership card with the expiry date of December 1964 (I think) and some Beatles hair pomade. My uncle goes to rock auctions Now And Then to buy Hendrix stuff and he gave me those.
Anyway, that'll do for now. As I said, I have a party to arrange and it's already 6.30!
Can buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
Don't miss The Bowie Bible – now live!
7.26pm
13 November 2009
Offline Skye – Well let's put it into perpective: it's a room where I have all my equipment – guitars, keyboards, computer – which it out-of-bounds to everyone else at the bottom of the garden. It's pretty well sound-proofed too.
All the tracks are digitalised so I'll sort something out in the New Year mp3-wise if you want to hear something. I'm planning to put it on my website, but am a little cautious about copyright
Still, that's not too shabby. I was just curious to see how you handled some of their lesser songs, i.e. Tell Me What You See . I'm not sure how British copyright law works, but what if you stream it rather than having people download the tracks? That or add a raspberry at the end and call it a parody. If tribute bands can sell their covers on iTunes, giving it away for free should be nothing.
Well, thank God for patient relatives. Happy New Year everyone!
The following people thank skye for this post:
DaynetAd hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
7.56pm
21 August 2009
Offline skye said:
Alissa – So you were born 40 as well? God it feels weird doesn't it?
Random thought: Is it 'soccer' to you Canadians as well? And what happens if (some say when) England gets an American football league?
Ha, that I was, that I was. People call me an old soul, and it's honestly one of the most flattering compliments I get, I love being identified with anything from a previous age, god, love it. And it is weird! I'm now in a phase of saying slang from the Beatles films and sixties era (gear, grotty) and people think I'm moderately insane, but can can ya do.
And yeah, we do call it soccer. But with me on my recent British kick for the last year or so, I've come to call it football, but soccer is used over here.
And have a happy new year everyone!
Tongue, lose thy light. Moon, take thy flight… see ya, George!
7.03am
14 October 2009
Offline Still, that's not too shabby. I was just curious to see how you handled some of their lesser songs, i.e. Tell Me What You See . I'm not sure how British copyright law works, but what if you stream it rather than having people download the tracks? That or add a raspberry at the end and call it a parody. If tribute bands can sell their covers on iTunes, giving it away for free should be nothing.
Good point as I'm not selling them! We did about 20 in total and not all the hits. There were more 63-65 songs as they were easier to replicate but I'm particularly proud of things like I Don't Want To Spoil The Party, Paperback Writer , With A Little Help From My Friends , Getting Better and my favourite of them all You've Got To Hide Your Love Away.
"If we feel our heads starting to swell.....we just look at Ringo!"
8.21pm
13 November 2009
Offline mjb -So get to it man! 
(Morte? It's easy enough to translate, but doesn't make sense context wise…)
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
7.50am
14 October 2009
Offline skye said:mjb -So get to it man!
(Morte? It's easy enough to translate, but doesn't make sense context wise…)
(Morte? It's easy enough to translate, but doesn't make sense context wise…)I will, I will………..and mistake corrected 
"If we feel our heads starting to swell.....we just look at Ringo!"
3.20pm
14 December 2009
Offline
Hello All, I am BeatleMark, or just plain Mark to some of you. I am from Pensacola, Florida….one of the armpits of the South also called “The Redneck Riviera”. I was brought to child in May of the bicentennial ('76) and grew up in a little town by the beach called Gulf Breeze. My Beatles attraction began realistically when I used to watch their cartoons as a wee child. Later on, like 1987 at 11 years old, my parents just sold their house and we were in the process of building/moving when my mother found an old cassette that was hers called “The Beatles-1962-66” and asked if I wanted it. I said yes…this being my very first cassette/album! The only Beatles song I knew or remembered at the time was “I Want To Hold Your Hand ” so I fast forwarded to that song and listened to it over and over again. Eventually I listed to the rest tape repeatedly and discovered through their music….a new religion.
Now present day I am a 33 year old “Beatle Nut” with a fiance and a little dog who patiently tolerates my addiction to the Beatles. I own all of their American albums on vinyl (both mono & stereo) along with some Parlophone imports, MFSL editions, reel to reel tapes, 8 tracks and bootlegs. I recently completed my vinyl collection with a stereo 3rd state copy (butcher cover) of Yesterday & Today. I've read and own an almost complete Beatles library. I've met some interesting Beatle people in my years…..George's sister Louis-I got her autograph, Geoff Emerick, a one time limo driver for Paul, and a lady/neighbor who claims to have had “relations” with Ringo after their '64 concert in New Orleans.
Recently I have discovered this new formula for cleaning vinyl records and have been doing so with my old collection. Also got some nice headphones for Christmas and have been listening to/comparing the new remasters. Currently I've been searching flea markets/warehouses and buying up old vinyl editions of their albums, cleaning/fixing them up, and putting them up for cheap auctions on Ebay.
In a nut shell, that's just about sums up my existence in this Beatle world. 😛
Sunday's on the phone to Monday, Tuesday's on the phone to me.
4.45pm
13 November 2009
Offline Hi Mark! So many book collectors. I would like to buy some but I don't know where to to start. I did buy In His Own Write, which is fun but makes me feel like I'm dyslexic. Any reccommendations?
You probably already know about this trick: repair warped vinyl records, so
1. Have you tried it?
2. Does it work?
Alissa – Well it's a gift and a curse. 😛
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
6.22pm
14 December 2009
Offline Yes, Tony Bramwell's book, “Magical Mystery Tours” is a good start. “The Beatles Anthology” is also a must. Mark Lewisohn “The Beatles Chronicles” is like a reference I always find myself turning to.
I will check out the warp fix that you recommend. I have one that needs some attention. You're the greatest!
Sunday's on the phone to Monday, Tuesday's on the phone to me.
6.39pm
13 November 2009
Offline Florida should be warm enough for it. Thanks for the book reccommedations. Now I need to see if my checking account agrees.
Edit: Ok so I bought a second hand copy of “The Beatles Chronicles”.
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
10.43am
31 March 2008
Offline BeatleMark said:
Now present day I am a 33 year old “Beatle Nut” with a fiance and a little dog who patiently tolerates my addiction to the Beatles. I own all of their American albums on vinyl (both mono & stereo) along with some Parlophone imports, MFSL editions, reel to reel tapes, 8 tracks and bootlegs. I recently completed my vinyl collection with a stereo 3rd state copy (butcher cover) of Yesterday & Today.
That's one impressive-sounding collection. The only US releases I have is the double-vinyl The Beatles Story documentary, and the Capitol Albums CD box sets. I would like a copy of Yesterday & Today one day.
I really need to get The Beatles' stuff on vinyl. I have original copies of a few singles and about half their albums, though I'd fear for my bank balance if I tried to get mono and stereo versions of everything…
Can buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
Don't miss The Bowie Bible – now live!
10.48pm
14 December 2009
Offline Alissa said:
Okay, hi. I'm Alissa. I'm seventeen, and live in Canada, a small town, are there any other Canadians on the site?
Hi Alissa, Brampton ON's in the house!
First of all, my mother was as big a Beatles fan as any other 16-year old teen in '64 (wanted to go to see 'em at Maple Leaf Gardens but Grandma wouldn't allow her to travel to the big city), but she largely lost interest when they started getting weird. Me, I owned a coupla Beatles singles (and a few by George/Paul/Wings) at age 7, and an old copy of “Meet The Beatles” by the time I was 11, and I knew and liked another dozen-plus of their best-known hits. But i never became a fanatic until, unfortunately enough, just after Lennon was shot, when I was 13. That's when the local AM radio station started broadcasting retrospectives and I was exposed to all that incredible “weird” stuff for the first time, “Walrus” and “Day in the Life” and all that. (Strangely, I'd never heard “Strawberry Fields” before then either, and yet I'd known “Penny Lane ” for years.) In addition, there were a great deal of “less popular” rarely-revived tracks that somehow escaped my hearing, despite being big hits, like “Ticket To Ride ” and “We Can Work It Out “, all equally enthralling. I taped all that stuff off the radio and played the cassettes so often I can still hear them, complete with weird juxtapositions and partly-missed intros and 5-second scraps of commercials. And I remained a fanatic in varying degrees as I spent the next decade slowly acquiring the entire catalog. (Not an easy thing to do, since i was always a thrifty b*****d who preferred to leave things unbought until I could find them for a dollar in some budget bin somewhere.)
Paul: Yeah well… first of all, we’re bringing out a ‘Stamp Out Detroit’ campaign.
1.44am
21 August 2009
Offline Hi Alissa, Brampton ON's in the house!
Oh, we're very close then! I'm an Ontarian myself, in a little town about 20 minutes from Hamilton; nice to know there are other Beatles maniacs close to home! 
Tongue, lose thy light. Moon, take thy flight… see ya, George!
3.24pm
14 October 2009
Offline skye said:Ok so I bought a second hand copy of “The Beatles Chronicles”.
Great book along with The Beatles Recording Sessions.
"If we feel our heads starting to swell.....we just look at Ringo!"
6.58pm
13 November 2009
Offline mjb said:
Great book along with The Beatles Recording Sessions.
That looks promising! Too bad it is out of print. I'll have to look around for reasonable price.
Hi Von Bontee!
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
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