Brian Southall began writing about music in the 1960s on a local newspaper before graduating to the likes of Melody Maker and Disc. From there he pursued a 30-year career in the record business with A&M, Tamla Motown, EMI (where he was Head of Press and dealt with the Beatles' solo projects) and Warner Music. His first book - the official history of Abbey Road Studios - was published in 1982 and he also wrote Northern Songs - the story of the Beatles' music publishing empire, Beatles Memorabilia: The Julian Lennon Collection; Jimi Hendrix: Made In England, The Rise and Fall of EMI Records, Sex Pistols: 90 Days at EMI and more.
This profusely illustrated and beautifully presented book looks at the people who created this pivotal work of rock music, as well as the historical background that made it possible and the impact the work had. It is a wonderful, nostalgic journey for Beatles fans and lovers of the colourful era that produced the album. - Daily Telegraph What else can be said? A splendid time is guarantee for all. - bside Magazine Lavishly illustrated and handsomely bound, it's packed with historical detail and rock-geek trivia. - The Weekly Review (City, Greater Geeolong, Stonnington, South East, Ivanhoe and Valley, Bayside, Eastern), Melbourne Times Weekly, Moonww Valley Weekly, This handsome package, timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' epochal 1967 album Sgt.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, is no el cheapo cash-in. Lavishly illustrated with more than 150 photographs in colour and black-and-white, with text by music journalist, author and former record company executive Brian Southall (who worked at EMI on various ex-Beatles' solo projects), the book is apportioned in six sections. Biographies of each band member, manager Brian Epstein and producer George Martin precede a two-part treatise on the album itself: like the record, split into A and B sides. What follows are essays on the cover art, how the album was received, and a retrospective