The Beatles: An Illustrated Record

by Roy Carr, Tony Tyler

The first and only complete critical guide to all the Beatle recordings ever made — including bootlegs — with a dazzling pictorial record of their lives, loves, quarrels and lawsuits. Compiled and written by 'New Musical Express' editors Roy Carr and Tony Tyler, with over 200 illustrations, a complete diary, selected quotes and all possible recording details.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Reference, Biography, History

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 1975

About the author

Roy Carr (b. 1945) was an English music journalist, covering pop, rock and jazz. He joined the New Musical Express (NME) in the late 1960s, and edited NME, Vox and Melody Maker magazines.

Reviews

[John Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I read this book about 10,000 times growing up. I learned so much from this book that I've never heard, read or listened anywhere else about The Beatles. You will never, ever need any other book about The Beatles, unless you are looking for gossip.

It is the perfect book for someone merely just curious about The Beatles or an enthusiast. For someone not particularly crazy about The Beatles, this is perfect because every Beatles album, as a group and all solo albums, are perfectly summarized and delved into, but never too much for someone that isn't a big fan to invest in.

However, it is perfect for a fan, because likely this book will offer many details that you've never learned before. It is written by two reknowned music critics and Beatles fans. I received many hand-me-downs from my older sister, but this would certainly rank near my most favorite if not at the top.

[Unigami · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's kinda strange to write this, but this book changed my life!

I grew up with the Beatles, and while I always enjoyed their music when I heard it on the radio, I never had the urge to buy a 45 single, much less an ALBUM, and pretty much stopped paying attention to them after "Hey Jude". I don't even remember the day when I heard they split up.

But one day in the summer of 1975...a local Cleveland radio station began promoting a "Beatles Weekend" where they would play a Beatles song every 1/2 hour. For some reason, I decided to fire up my reel-to-reel tape recorder and tape their songs. First song: "Can't Buy Me Love". Cool! I remember that one - great song! Second song: "I Feel Fine". Wow, I'd forgotten about that one...what a great guitar riff. Third Song: "Eleanor Rigby" Oh yeah, I love that one too...great lyrics. Fourth song: "I Am the Walrus" What the...WHAT? WHAT IS THAT??? I LOVE THAT! HOW HAVE I NEVER HEARD THIS!?!?! This is AMAZING!!!

And so began an obsession with the Beatles, and especially John Lennon.

Always a big reader, one of the first things I found was the Hunter Davies biography, which was great, but it was THIS BOOK, which I spotted in a bookstore at the local mall, that fueled my obsession with the Beatles, and became my bible as I returned again and again to the record store to buy album after album and listen to it, while looking at this book.

By today's standards, with the plethora of books out there covering every imaginable aspect of the Beatles career, "An Illustrated Record" probably wouldn't pass muster, but there was nothing like it back when it came out. Every album, single, and every solo album, was included, with every song, including details like who wrote it, who sang it, trivia, photos and critical analysis from someone who was obviously a true fan, not just a hired writer. I spent hours and hours and HOURS pouring over this book, and I still have it in my collection to this day.

The Beatles opened up a huge world to me, and this book played a huge role in my quest to learn more about them and their music. Roy and Tony, if you are reading this: thank you.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

An often mean spirited and inaccurate assessment of the Beatles work, which dismisses Harrison's excellent solo albums in particular. Being writers for the NME, it feels as if Carr and Tyler primarily wished to impress their peers with their cynicism. McCartney classics are routinely denigrated, and the impression I get is that they barely even listened to the solo albums they claim to detest.

[Nicholas Lubofsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book when I was a kid! I still think about it when I listen to Beatles music and remember it fondly.

[Mark Mywords · Rating 1 out of 5]

These authors are SERIOUS assholes. Moronic opinions abound in this limp-cover farce by Roy Carr and Tony Tyler. Lies about Paul. Even stating "factually" that Linda Eastman's family is of the Eastman KODAK company lol! (Yes, I have an older copy......no doubt ammended by now...in desperate attempt to hide the fact of how stupid these authors are). Absolutely astounding, that this book has this many stars. Just goes to show how stupid and gullible most people in this world are.

[Gerry Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second book I bought about The Beatles, the first being Hunter Davies' authorised biography. The Illustrated Record is brilliantly set out - the critiques are knowledgeable and always insightful, while the use of LP dimensions to accommodate full size pictures of Beatles album covers was a stroke of genius. However, I have to say, in terms of depth this just doesn't compare to Ian MacDonald's opus, Revolution in the Head. It's a masterpiece and the last word in Beatles analysis.

[Julio Pino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roy Carr, whom I previously praised for THE ROLLING STONES: AN ILLUSTRATED RECORD, here works his magic on The Beatles. Every recording, bootleg, and film appearance gets a mention and review. When this book hit the shelves in 1975 America and Britain were in the midst of a Beatles renaissance, with reissues of their top hits climbing up the charts. The Beatles will always be our contemporaries. Carr is to be commended for including a full discography of the four ex-Beatles, the highs (JOHN LENNON: PLASTIC ONO BAND) and the lows (everything by Paul McCartney after BAND ON THE RUN). After 1975 George and Ringo would never rise again but John continued to explore himself, and us, through his music.

[Gary Schantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for what it was because it gave a synopsis on all the Beatle and solo albums as well singles that they each had made up through 1975. It was a quick read with lots of pictures and quotes not much mention a small commentary from John Lennon himself (1978 version).

Note - This book originally came out in 1975. My purchase of it was the 2nd edition in 1978. A few years later, a 3rd version came out following Lennon's murder. Yet for some reason there has never been another version since and the remaining Beatles have released numerous pieces of music from 1981 up the present day.

I think it is time for an update.

[Ward Lehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I ever read about them when I became obsessed, shortly after Lennon died. Still remember little bits of it, like their description of him doing the guitar solo on “You Can’t Do That” (“John, a rawer guitarist altogether…”).

[Ken French · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I ever read on the Beatles, back in 1978. I recently revisited it and was very disappointed. The illustrations are the only thing I liked. The authors have a serious dislike of George and are dismissive and condescending to his work and to Ringo.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a pop gimic but fun

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected this to just be a gloss on their career since it covers so much in so few pages but it has a real thoughtful heft to it, and, of course, great photos.