Books
Songs We Were Singing: Guided Tours Through the Beatles’ Lesser-Known Tracks
A Book by Kit O'Toole
Songs We Were Singing uncovers the buried treasures that deserve a second listen. Beatlefan contributing editor and Something Else Reviews “Deep Beatles” columnist Kit O’Toole serves as a musical tour guide, taking readers through the composing and recording processes of songs such as “I’ll Get You” or “When I Get Home.” How do these songs fit in with the Beatles’ legacy, and why do they still resonate with listeners? This magical tour covers their failed1962 Decca audition, their raw Hamburg performances at the Star Club, BBC radio appearances, and every album from Please Please Me to Abbey Road.
This journey also takes some interesting detours. Not overlooking the solo years, O’Toole also examines certain albums and tracks, reassessing their value. How have albums such as Paul McCartney’s Press to Play and George Harrison’s 33 1/3 aged over the years? This tour itinerary includes a look back at the 2009 CD remasters, a list of John Lennon’s most underrated songs, and a revealing discussion of Ringo Starr’s best drumming performances.
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Michael Jackson FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the King of Pop
A Book by Kit O'Toole
Michael Jackson may be the King of Pop, but his influence extends much further. From his childhood years with the Jackson 5 through his astonishing solo career, he consistently broke sales records, pioneered the modern music video, and infused dance into rock and pop. While his life story has been well chronicled, Michael Jackson FAQ explores the stories behind his achievements.
Did he play any instruments? How much of his own music did he compose? Who were his greatest influences in both music and dance? His art is his legacy, and Michael Jackson FAQ takes an in-depth look at Jackson's work with the Jackson 5 and the Jacksons in addition to his solo catalog. Learn why current artists such as Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and countless boy bands still emulate his sound, look, and showmanship. Questions are tackled – such as whether Off the Wall or Thriller better stands the test of time.
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Fandom and the Beatles: The Act You've Known for All Those Years
Edited by Kenneth Womack and Kit O'Toole
More than 50 years after their breakup, the Beatles are still attracting fans from various generations, all while retaining their original fan base from the 1960s. Why have those first-generation fans continued following the Beatles and are now introducing their grandchildren to the group? Why are current teens affected by the band's music? And perhaps most importantly, how and why do the Beatles continue to resonate with successive generations?
Unlike other bands of their era, the Beatles seem permanently frozen in time, having never descended into "nostalgia act" territory. Instead, even after the announcement of the band's breakup in 1970, the group has maintained its cultural and musical relevance. Their timeless quality appeals to younger generations while maintaining the loyalty of older fans. While the Beatles indeed represent a specific time period, their music and words address issues as meaningful today as they were during the Summer of Love: politics, war, sex, drugs, art, and creative liberation. As the first anthology to assess the nature of fan response and the band's enduring appeal, Fandom and the Beatles: The Act You've Known for All These Years defines and explores these unique qualities and the key ways in which this particular pop fusion has inspired such loyalty and multigenerational popularity.
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