It was almost 50 yrs ago 2day....

So, think U know the Real Story of the Beatles? Who DOESN'T, 4 that matter? Think U got the inside info cos U read Hunter Davies' Authorized Biography, which was pretty solid 4 1968? Or mayB U read Bob Spitz's massive 1,000-pg bio that added Basically Nothing 2 the story when it came out in the early '00's?
Well, here's 1 U may have missed in yr travels, like I did: Mark Shipper's PAPERBACK WRITER (1978) -- sit down w/ this fast, breezy, funny, EZ-2-read alternate history of the Fab 4 & wonder if NE1 will ever know the Real Story. Including the members of the band....
Did U know Beatles mgr Brian Epstein was a plumber B4 he begged 2 manage the Fab 4? That he never woulda got10 in2 mgmt if he hadn't bn called 2 Liverpool's Cavern Club 1 nite in the early '60s 2 fix a plugged-up toilet? Of course U didn't....
Did U know 1 of the songs the Beatles recorded 4 their auditions 4 EMI & Decca was "Happiness is a Warm Gun"? Of course U didn't....
Did U know about the ugly argument George got in2 w/ classic rocker Del Shannon about how "My Sweet Lord" sounded just a LITTLE bit 2 much like "He's So Fine" ... back in 1964? Of course U didn't....
Did U know about the MOR/crooner-style solo album Paul McCartney recorded B4 he joined the Beatles? Of course U didn't....
Trip back in time & remember how the Fabs changed the face of popular music w/ stunning albums like WE'RE GONNA CHANGE THE FACE OF POP MUSIC FOREVER, and MONEY -- THAT'S WHAT I WANT. Learn the incredibly complicated True Story about how the concept Bhind SGT. PEPPER came about.... Learn what happened Bhind-the-scenes that led 2 the creation of the Fabs' album HELP! -- when they actually took out trade-paper ads begging 4 new songs, & Nded up releasing an album full of rock oldies.... & re-live the events that led up 2 their momentous, highly-publicized Reunion....
...Actually, it's pretty amazing how this story Bcame so much a part of pop culture that a writer could launch funny little comedy riffs off of it, even back in the late '70s when Beatle-reunion-mania was at its absolute peak.
Probably not Literature For The Ages, or even A Work Which Will Endure, but it's fairly funny & it'll make U giggle 4 a coupla hrs. MayB the funniest parts R the fake album covers, the fake reviews, the way the story gets twisted 4 just a few more silly jokes. There's also a sorta bittersweet happy Nding, which is more than U can say 4 Real Life.
An obvious Must 4 NE remaining Beatlemaniacs. & 4 NE1 out there who's intrested in more alternate Beatles history, I recommend Gregory Benford's "Doing Lennon" (1975)....