Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Lost Beatles Photographs: The Bob Bonis Archive, 1964-1966

Recently released by HarperCollins, The Lost Beatles Photographs compiles the photos taken by U.S. tour manager Bob Bonis on the Beatles' three major American tours from 1964 to 1966. The complete set comprises a mixture of black and white and color pictures that cover many facets of their tours: the behind-the-scenes relaxing at their hotels, the press conferences, the airplane trips, and the on-stage performances. It's also interesting to see photos of the Beatles' opening acts, who are often left out of similar histories.

The concert photos are wonderful and are mostly taken from close range from Bonis' vantage point, either on or directly in front of the stage. Of particular interest are rare pictures taken at Portland, Oregon in 1965, where the Beatles don their "Shea" outfits, behind-the-scenes rehearsals shot in Detroit, Michigan in 1966, where the Beatles play to a Revolver drawing backdrop. and color close-ups from the infamous Memphis, Tennessee concert where a cherry bomb was thrown onstage.

Providing a memorable look back at the people, places, and performances of the Beatles' U.S. tours, The Lost Beatles Photographs would make a welcome addition to any Beatles library and is a must for Beatles photo collectors.

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