An absorbing look at one of the wildest rumors to ever come out of the entertainment world- the "Paul is Dead" legend. The authors detail the history behind the rumor, and numerous figures from show business, as well as Beatles experts, share their own thoughts on the subject, as well as how the Beatles impacted their lives.
From Strawberry Fields to Abbey Road: A Billy Shears Story features contributions from many celebrities and music industry insiders. Included are: Fred LaBour (generally credited with creating the "Paul is Dead" legend), Laurence Juber (member of the band Wings), Steve Boone (member of the band The Lovin' Spoonful), Bruce Spizer (author of many books on the Beatles, considered the expert on Beatlemania), Susan Olsen (Cindy on The Brady Bunch), actor/comedian Richard Belzer, Ivor Davis (British journalist who covered the Beatles 1964 American tour), Oscar-nominated actress Sally Kirkland, Vera Ramone King (wife of Dee Dee Ramone), Leslie Cavendish (the Beatles' personal barber), Tony Peck (actor/screenwriter son of Gregory Peck), John Barbour (creator and co-host of the TV show Real People), Diane Renay (recording artist best known for the 1963 hit single Navy Blue, was the Beatles first choice to be their opening act), Richie Furay (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, co-founded Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills and Neil Young), Victoria Jackson (actress best known as a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live), Mickey Leigh (musician, brother of Joey Ramone), Bob Cowsill (of the band The Cowsills), veteran actor Nick Mancuso (best known for starring in the TV Series Stingray), and Jon Provost (Timmy on the Lassie TV series), among many others.
"I was as fascinated as the rest of the world with the 'Paul is Dead' rumors. I think he's still alive, but this is a book that's long overdue!"
- Kathy Garver, star of the TV series Family Affair.
"The Beatles changed the way we listen to music. Like Elvis, they were revolutionary. At first playful, they metamorphosed into writing thought provoking, dynamic music which shall be listened to, and appreciated, by all generations. My favorite is 'Elinor Rigby.' Haunting. A whole play and life story in one song. Coming from Norway, 'Norwegian Wood' ranks second on my list. Lyrical and romantic. And, of course, 'Let it Be,' which should be our universal anthem. To me, the Beatles' legacy is the universally heartfelt communality of their storytelling they gifted us. With their music ringing in my ears, I will never be 'Lost in Space!'"
- Marta Kristen, star of the TV series Lost in Space.
"We really enjoyed the multi-faceted approaches of this book and it was a pleasure to contribute our input to it. It's a joy-packed voyage back to a magical era that will probably never happen again in human history. Nowadays, things are very splintered into thousands of different, separate little niches. Everything is diverse- basically all over the place. The unique element about the whole Beatles phenomenon is that it was just so incredibly focused. The whole country knew that The Beatles were going to appear live on television Sunday night. Everybody knew it. Everybody watched it. Everybody talked about it the next day. Everybody was on the same page. It was just so unique. The book is unique also because it captures many of the wonders associated with that phenomenon and does so in ways that haven't been done before. "
- Richard Belzer & David Wayne, best selling authors.
