This is a book proposal. Anyone who wants to write the book may have the idea.
One of the best books that I read in 2003 was We Are Lincoln Men by David Herbert Donald. The noted
I propose this type of book be written about the people who contributed to the success of the Beatles. It could be called The Fifth Beatle, which might catch the attention of fans. Of course, there are some obvious characters to include. Pete Best is the most obvious because he actually was a Beatle before Ringo Starr, replaced him at the drums just before the group became famous. How he was fired and what became of him would make a good chapter.
Another chapter could profile the assorted players from the Quarrymen and early versions of the Beatles, especially Stu Suttcliff, who went with the band to
A third chapter should focus on Brian Epstein, whose management made the Beatles a successful working band.
George Martin should get a chapter. He was an important creative force in the sound of the group.
One chapter could profile the main technicians with whom the Beatles worked at EMI studios.
I am now going to make some suggestions that might stir debate among Beatles fans.
Billy Preston was added to the mix for the Let It Be/Get Back recordings. He could have a chapter.
Yoko Ono became a frequent visitor to recording sessions in the final years of the Beatles. Her merits as a fifth Beatle could be examined.
There could also be a fantasy chapter. The premise could be that the remaining Beatles replaced Paul McCartney when he left the band. The candidates could be profiled, including Eric Clapton and Graham Nash, who were groupless about that time. Perhaps it is a stretch, but the new direction of the band could be imagined.
Want to write the book? Many would read it. Send me a copy when you're done.
*****I see the term "fifth Beatle" has been used before in a few publications. In The Beatles: Untold Tales by Howard A. Dewitt, there is a chapter "Bob Wooler: the Fifth Beatle." Wooler was a Liverpool DJ who worked as a stage manager for the group. There is a DVD Brian Epstein: Inside the Fifth Beatle. Also the video The Best of Eddie Murphy Saturday Night Live has skit called "The Fifth Beatle." The idea is out there.
1 comment:
"Murray the K", a New York City DJ, was sometimes referred to ias "the fifth Beatle" during the heyday of Beatlemania in 1964. I think this was mostly a publicity stunt by his station, but it might lead to some interesting info on the whole early Beatle craze and how the media covered it.
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