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The Beatles from A to Zed
- An Alphabetical Mystery Tour
- Narrated by: Peter Asher
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Music
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Summary
This program is read by the author.
A legendary record producer and performer takes listeners on an alphabetical journey of insights into the music of the Beatles and individual reminiscences of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
Peter Asher met the Beatles in the spring of 1963, the start of a lifelong association with the band and its members. He had a front-row seat as they elevated pop music into an art form, and he was present at the creation of some of the most iconic music of our times.
But Asher was also a talented musician in his own right, with a great ear for what was new and fresh. Once, when Paul McCartney wrote a song that John Lennon didn’t think was right for the Beatles, Asher asked if he could record it. “A World Without Love” became a global number-one hit for his duo, Peter and Gordon. A few years later, Asher was asked by Paul McCartney to help start Apple Records, and the first artist Asher discovered and signed up was a young American singer-songwriter named James Taylor. Before long, he would be not only managing and producing Taylor, but also (having left Apple and moved to Los Angeles) working with Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond, Robin Williams, Joni Mitchell and Cher, among others.
In The Beatles from A to Zed, based upon 26 episodes of his current and highly popular radio show From Me to You on the Beatles Channel of SiriusXM, Peter Asher shares his memories and insights about the Fab Four, weaving his reflections into a whimsical alphabetical journey that focuses not only on songs whose titles start with each letter, but also on recurrent themes in the Beatles’ music, the instruments they played, the innovations they pioneered, the artists who influenced them, the key people in their lives, and the cultural events of the time.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
What listeners say about The Beatles from A to Zed
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- J. Chow
- 13-05-20
Valuable addition to the Beatles library
Excellent 'I was there' contribution to books about the Beatles. New details abound and the personal touch is great. Good comments about the music as well as the personalities.
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- Amazon Customer
- 18-04-20
SUPERB!! A must for Beatles fans.
Exquisitely written and narrated by Peter Asher, wonderful stuff! This book is a rare Beatles narrative told by someone who was there, with the Beatles. In depth knowledge, intellegent writing, great stories, humour and a great narration.
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- John o'neill
- 29-11-19
better than expected
just when I thought that the beatles story had been milked as much as possible, i was pleasantly surprised with this audiobook.
their non-beatles work is also featured.
the fact that it's being narrated by someone who was a friend of the band, but who was there when it was happening , makes it all the more enjoyable.
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- Victoria A
- 14-11-19
brilliant
Okay okay ... you see my name and think "Last name Asher huh ..." - yes, Peter is my father but despite the relation I can say genuinely that this book is a really fun ride. My father is a fascinating, intelligent and talented man who has had an incredible life journey. This book tells fascinating stories both about my dad's personal experiences in the industry and with the fabulous 4 and some awesome insights into the amazing songs by The Beatles themselves. Highly recommend for all music and Beatles lovers!
19 people found this helpful
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- Rick Kay
- 16-04-20
Loved It!
Fun book and I loved the way that Peter Asher narrated it - just great!! This is an easy listen and it's a book I will absolutely listen to again.
Thanks Peter!
3 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 21-01-20
A delightful journey!
This book is full of joy from start to finish. The format is unique to other books about the Beatles, and listening to Peter Asher feels like listening to an old friend tell stories. I learned many things about his relationship to the Beatles that I did not know, and he retained an air of reverence to them as musicians, despite being a fellow during the time. I definitely recommend this book to any Beatles fan!
3 people found this helpful
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- Bo Jangles
- 15-08-21
For musicians and true Beatle fans who are well versed the sons and evolution of the group
Peter of Peter and Gordon narrates his book. He offers a lot of information about the Beatles that is not in mainstream. By the way, he was Jane Asher’s brother….. fans know who that is. Technical understanding and being very informed makes this a book worth reading or hearing.
2 people found this helpful
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- MG
- 17-01-21
What a great book!
I enjoyed every word of this book. It made me happy remembering the early Beatles. We're so lucky to have Peter Asher share his memories with us as well as share his keen musical observations. I learned about music and the different ways The Beatles played their instruments. This book helps you understand why The Beatles hold the place they do in our hearts and minds and in music history, and why their music will live on forever.
2 people found this helpful
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- A, Stevens
- 18-11-20
Been there - Heard that
There is no living person with more personal and business knowledge of the Beatles and the evolution of rock and pop music than Peter Asher. However, if one has frequently listened to the Beatles Channel on Sirius/XM you've heard it all. A to Z(ed) is a novel concept which is fully realized on Sirius/XM, because we get to hear the songs after Asher's contextual reference. In the book "The Beatles from A to Zed" disappointingly does not.
2 people found this helpful
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- T. Ledbetter
- 23-11-19
He was there after all..
He was there after all. Peter witnessed the Beatles in the beginning and and in the end.. few could come even close to that kind of access- yet he comes across unassuming and humble. It was fun taking the trip. Some of the stories are profound. Some we know well- but Peter manages to put his unique spin on them to great effect!
2 people found this helpful
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- Wine Country
- 09-11-20
Fun, personal stories Respectfully told
Loved this audiobook, I’m a huge Beatles fan, and I loved all the personal stories that made me feel like I was almost there. It’s a peek into their world. Peter is great at narrating, too. Thanks for sharing!
1 person found this helpful
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- KellysHero718
- 22-11-19
Charming
Imagine sitting on a long bus journey next to a man who claimed to have known the Beatles when they first became fab. These are the sometimes obvious, often insightful, but always delightful stories he would tell. With his background and knowledge as performer and producer, he knows Beatle music in intimate ways most of us do not.
1 person found this helpful
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- RueRue
- 16-11-19
A treat for Beatles fans
Loved this look at the Beatles music, narrated with awe and insight by Peter Asher. There is more than just Beatles trivia, lots of interesting information about all things musical. So informative and a true treat for Beatles fans.
1 person found this helpful