- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); 1 edition (Aug 2 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 014303426X
- ISBN-13: 978-0143034261
- Product Dimensions: 15.3 x 1.7 x 22.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 1.1 Kg
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #692,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
John Lennon once said that the Beatles on tour were as debauched as the ancient Romans in Fellini's Satyricon. Outside of a description of a "happy" Lennon urging his band mates to "take your pick" from a group of hookers provided by an Atlantic City concert promoter, this highly entertaining account by broadcast journalist Kane, who covered the tour at the time, is as discreet about the Fab Four's sexual adventures as they were, although Kane notes that "women came and went from the Beatles' floor in most hotels." But in all other respects, from fiery airplanes and rioting fans to encounters with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Jayne Mansfield (the latter two seem to spend "quality" time with Lennon), this is a fantastic insider's look at the cultural explosion that was Beatlemania. It helps that Kane was only 21 at the time (the same age as Paul McCartney); unlike "dull-witted" reporters whom the Beatles came to disdain, Kane quickly noted "their indisputable naturalness and, to varying degrees, the depth of their humanity and their lack of phoniness." In turn, the Beatles rewarded Kane with many in-depth interviews through the tour (60 minutes of which are included on an accompanying CD), which Kane skillfully uses throughout provide the Beatles' own insightful view of the ongoing craziness surrounding them, as they travel from one chaotic hotel and concert scene to another. This is the most detailed description yet of the Beatles' American tours, and one of the few books on the band written in the past decade that can be considered indispensable.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Tell-all books by Beatles insiders have become as numerous and indistinguishable as hairs on a Beatle wig. But Kane's journalist's eye--he was the only American reporter to travel with the group for every stop of their 1964 and 1965 tours--sets this one apart. There had never been a cultural phenomenon to match Beatlemania--and nothing has quite equaled it since--and Kane vividly portrays its familiar trappings, from riotous fans whose screaming drowned out the music to chaotic postconcert escapes. More fascinating are Kane's behind-the-scenes views of "the boys," extracted from many interviews (excerpted on an accompanying CD), that disclose, for example, that Kane managed to insult John Lennon during their initial meeting--and wound up eliciting eloquent criticism of the war in Vietnam. Kane gradually fell for the music, and he provides valuable perspective on the performances, which are often neglected in other Beatles tour accounts. Less successful are Kane's attempted pontifications on the band as a harbinger of '60s dissent. Terrific fly-on-the-wall stuff about a unique pop-cultural event. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Author's Personality Overshadows Book,
By
This review is from: Ticket To Ride: (with CD) (Hardcover)
A moderately interesting book about the 1964 and 1965 U.S. tours. Some cool behind the scenes moments recounted. However, the author's incessant self promotion is obnoxious. I'm certain that the most common words in this book are "Larry Kane", the author's name. He reminds us on every page that he, Larry Kane, had unprecedented and incredible interaction with the Beatles which was even more amazing than the many, many other famous people that he, Larry Kane, had met. It would seem that every interaction he had with the Beatles involved them invoking his name several times. Sure.Ok, Larry, maybe you've had a sucessful life. Likely your self promoting personality has served you well in broadcasting. You sure don't sound like someone I would want to be stuck on a plane with, though!
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Read the News Today, Oh, Boy...,
By
This review is from: Ticket To Ride: (with CD) (Hardcover)
This is a sterling, high caliber first rate work.Larry Kane, a veteran news reporter/broadcast journalist shares anecdotes of his year traveling with the Beatles. He covers the concerts from 1964 and 1965 and gives in-depth analyses of each individual Beatle. Kane's voice, the voice of a newsman rings pure and clear; he not only provides an objective reporting style, but he effectively includes his subjective feelings regarding the events and people he has covered. This book contains material that is new even to inveterate Beatle fans; this book is a treasure trove of historical information. Kane covers incidents as seemingly humorous as George Harrison aiming his drink at an intrusive reporter to events as serious as the safety and personal observations of each Beatle. Kane's writing style is very inclusive; in covering the issues and events, he skillfully draws his readers in so that one feels a part of what is taking place in the narratives. He is also quite adept at portraying the individuality of each person mentioned in the book. I like the way he has interviewed fans and included their input as well as updates on them. I was also delighted that Kane included a list of Beatles' concerts, dates and places during 1964 - 1965. I have had the pleasure of hearing Larry Kane speak several times; he has a real gift and a real flair as a raconteur and this book is proof positive of that. A CD of interviews comes with the book and it is a bonus treat. This is such a worthwhile book. I can't recommend it highly enough.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Beatles Book and CD,
By Lowell Jacobsen (Bozeman, MT, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ticket To Ride: (with CD) (Hardcover)
I 've read almost every Beatles book out there, and this one ranks at the top. It's one of the few written by an insider, and you get to experience the Beatles N. American tours as real events and not just as hype.Larry Kane does a great job of capturing the daily madness of the tour, and adds interesting commentary about the sixties himself and in quotes by the band. Unlike all the other reporters, Kane got the Beatles to talk openly about issues besides their hairdos and jellybeans, so you get a sense of what they were really all about. And they way they goofed on Kane is hilarious! The bonus CD is amazing, filled with Kane's radio interviews with the Beatles in '64-'65. I've never heard any of this material before, and I thought I had heard it all. Overall, an excellent book and CD package.
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