Paperback Writer

For fans of science fiction and1960’s rock and roll this book is something that you must have. It is an alternative reality for the Beatles. This fictional novel by Mark Shipper was published in the 1970’s. It answers the question what would have happened if the Beatles reunited? However, that isn’t answered till the end of the book. The rest is a fabulous, fun, frenzy of a ride through a different Beatles history. For example Paul had a solo career and a solo album before he joined the group. Del Shannon briefly replaced George Harrison on lead guitar. The album “Help!” contained no new songs written by any of the Beatles. It was mostly standards with a few from new songwriters. They decided to concentrate on touring instead of songwriting. The hit song from the album was a ballad version of “Shake Your Booty.” So you can see this book is total fiction. It is a fun book to read. The author, Mark Shipper, tells us the reaction to the news of the Beatles getting together in 1979 for one more concert and album. At first it is greeted with adulation. The Beatles are back. However, expectations are too high. Even the Beatles can’t live up to it. Disco was big when this book was written so George’s contribution to the new album was “Disco Jesus.” John’s new songs aren’t any better. He contributes a new version of the Gilligan’s Island theme. That was a nice way of working in Lennon’s love for American television. Another is titled “Please Freeze Me.” Needless to say when they tour with Peter Frampton the crowd prefers Frampton over the new Beatles tunes. When they start playing the old tunes the crowd is won over. It is John who brings the message home. The people wanted them back together to play the old tunes one more time. That way they can remember a time when they were younger and remember the good old days. When they hear “She Loves You” for 3 minutes they have no worries or obligations because they are back in high school out on their first date.
Mr. Shipper is what use to be called a rock journalist. Maybe they are still called that today. No matter what the term, there is one that that Mr. Shipper is…very funny. He has written one of the funniest novels ever about rock and roll. Like all good comedy it contains some truth. Many rock bands since the 1970’s have reunited only to find that the crowd wanted the old tunes and didn’t care much about the new ones. Now the singles that reunited the Beatles, posthumously with Mr. Lennon, did sell well. But it wasn’t an albums worth and I doubt that an album would have faired as well in the long run. If you see this book I highly recommend that you buy it.