Inspector Christy Kennedy books
Inspector Starrett books
McCusker mysteries
Standalone novels
Music books
Anthologies
Music Books
(in reverse order—latest releases at the top)
The Essential Beatles Book
On March 22nd 1963 the album Please Please Me by The Beatles was released and a worldwide, multi-cultured phenomenon exploded with Beatlemania. This landmark long-player was created by four street-wise lads from Liverpool; one classy producer and one publicity savvy manager. The album was only the first in a long line of record-breaking hits from this incredible collaboration, a collaboration responsible for completely re-writing the music-business rule book. The Beatles, George Martin and Brian Epstein were destined to become the most successful entity in the history of the entertainment business. During those ten years they broke every performance and sales record in the book. Most noticeably was in March 1964 when the top five singles in America's Billboard's top hundred sales chart were:
- Twist and Shout, The Beatles
- Can't Buy Me Love, The Beatles
- She Loves You, The Beatles
- I Want To Hold Your Hand, The Beatles
- Please Please Me, The Beatles
In addition to those five singles (four of which were original Lennon & McCartney songs) they also had singles at Nos 16; 44; 49; 69; 78; 84 and 88. This is a never-bettered feat. No other artist has even come close.
Now nearly 60 years later The Beatles still remain the most recognisable group on the planet. In this fact-packed book, we examine only the years The Beatles were writing, recording, performing and making movies together. Using their singles, albums, live appearances and films, as signposts, we examines the songs, the records, their colleagues and stories behind the official releases and of their decade long career as a group. We also endeavours to explain the mystery and magic of the Beatles art and their unique artistic and commercial success. In The Essential Beatles Book we celebrates a truly unique career that produced certainly three, perhaps even four, of the best albums ever released.
ORDER THE BOOK:
New Haven Publishing, paperback, July 2021, ISBN: 978-1912587568
Reviews
"Author and musicologist Paul Charles has his excellent Fab Four primer, The Essential Beatles Book, reissued by New Haven Publishing. A treasure trove of information, it examines every aspect of their remarkable chart topping years..."
—Hot Press Magazine
The Complete Guide to Playing Live
An invaluable "how to" book for anyone planning to get started playing live on the gigging circuit. Covering everything from putting a band together to finding agents, managers, lawyers, accountants, promoters, and road crews, this is the ultimate manual for survival on the road.
Using sample expense sheets, Playing Live, shows where the money comes from... and, where it goes! Everything from concerts, radio and television, to merchandising, sponsorship and how to assemble your road crews.
ORDER THE eBOOK:
Omnibus Press, paperback, March 2004, ISBN: 978-0711998353
Reviews
"For all those who dream of being the next Beatles, Paul Charles' latest book is an absolute de riguer purchase. A step-by-step guide to making a career in rock music whilst avoiding being shafted at every turn. Playing Live is essential reading. Enlivened and enriched by Charles' down-to-earth style, dry wit and superbly delivered anecdotal insights, this comprehensive guide leaves no stone unturned in its attempt to guide bands through the pitfalls and pratfalls of 'making it'... What makes this guide essential however is that Charles really does know the business inside out. His work with Tom Waits, Van Morrison, Jackson Browne and The Undertones (among many others) has set a benchmark for quality within the industry. Playing Live is as important to a new band setting out on their career as is remembering to pack the guitar leads before heading off on their first gig."
—(5 stars), Colin Hall, What's On In London
"The best stuff is about how to make money from playing your music and how to avoid being ripped off at every stage. If your serious about your music career this book is a wise investment."
—Guitarist
"Most entertaining of all are the anecdotes, and it's possible to read this book without possessing an ounce of musical ambition and still enjoy it."
—Time Out
"... every band should read."
—The Irish Times
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS (Pocket Essentials)
How to succeed in the music business...
ORDER THE BOOK:
Pocket Essentials, paperback, August 2002, ISBN: 978-1904048060
The best review quote:
"If you sit at home thinking: 'The music business. That's a glamorous business. Loads of girls/boys, drugs, booze and loads of dosh: I'll have a bit of that' ... then if I were you I'd think again."
—The Evening Standard
