Author: Toru Omura
Size: A4
Number of pages: 320
miracle!!
Discovering a super-sized historical document on the "History of the Beatles in Japan"!!
The full details of the official Beatles fan club in Japan during their active years are revealed for the first time!
We publish an exclusive press conference from his visit to Japan and introduce all issues of the newsletter.
Special bonus: A fold-out poster faithfully reproducing the 1966 newsletter
This is the first public reveal of the full details of The Beatles Fan Club (BFC), the official Beatles fan club in Japan during the Beatles' active period.
BFC was a club that was active from 1965 to 1972 as the Japanese branch of the official fan club in the home country.
This book summarizes the details of the Beatles' activities that only members at the time knew, as well as the real-time situation of the Beatles.
The style is a "reprint of the entire newsletter (the first in Japan) + commentary," and the author is Omura Toru, whose works include "Record of the Beatles and Japan Craze," so the content is detailed and enthusiastic.
How did Beatles fan clubs spread the word about The Beatles?
What was the reality of Beatles fans in Japan?
Like "A Record of the Beatles and Japan Enthusiasm," this book conveys the Beatles whirlwind of that time from a new perspective.
As an official fan club, they were able to contact Brian Epstein directly to arrange tickets for his Japan tour, members sent messages to members, and even arranged an exclusive interview with him when he visited Japan.
Every issue of the newsletter from the first to the final issue has been completely reprinted.
It is packed with valuable materials such as questionnaires and membership cards of fan club members at the time, correspondence with Brian Epstein, and anecdotes about the Beatles who valued the fan club. This is a Beatles book with an unprecedented perspective that summarizes the history of the "Beatles Fan Club (BFC)" by drawing on interviews with people involved at the time and the background to the events.
＜Key Points＞
●It is a miracle that all issues of the Beatles Fan Club newsletter have been collected. Especially the early ones were thin sheets of paper printed with a mimeograph on straw paper, and only a few remain. For the first time, a complete collection of all issues has been realized, something that even those involved had never been able to achieve.
●This book is packed with real information that you can only read here, such as coverage of The Beatles' visit to Japan, the chairman directly consulting Brian Epstein about tickets for their Japan tour, and The Beatles providing photographs free of charge to raise funds for their activities.
●In addition to fan club mailings such as newsletters and postcards, valuable documents discovered at the homes of senior staff members at the time will be on display for the first time.
●There has never been a book about the Beatles Fan Club until now, and this is the first.
<Main Contents>
Activities start with 236 members/Congratulatory telegram from The Beatles for member event
Membership exceeds 8,000 / Epstein promises to secure tickets for members
The Beatles' Japan visit press conference / The three girls who took over the conference
Heartwarming exchange with Frida Kelly / Exclusive photos provided by the fan club from her home country
A member survey filled with passionate thoughts / A demonstration march against Paul's withdrawal
[CONTENTS]
Greetings
Introduction
About this book
BFC History 1964-1972
After a preparatory period in 1964, the organization was founded in January 1965. Its history until its dissolution in March 1972
Fan Club Overview
Preparation period: August to December 1964
The trigger was the Japanese premiere of "The Beatles Are Coming! Yea! Yea! Yea!"
1st period January 1965 - September 1968
Established with 236 members, with Shimoyama Tetsusaburo as chairman / Office established within Shochiku Central / Fan club launch reported to The Beatles / Congratulatory telegram from The Beatles at member event "BFC Convention" / Membership exceeds 8,000 / 2,000 tickets secured for their Japan tour / Meeting with The Beatles / Picture drawn by the four for Japanese fans / BFC becomes Japan's official fan club / Activities after coming to Japan / Sharp drop in membership / Announcement of suspension of activities due to Shimoyama's transfer
2nd period October 1968 - March 1970
The three girls who took over the club / Restarting with 1,000 members / Monthly newsletter / Heartwarming exchange with Frida Kelly / Exclusive photos provided by the fan club from her home country / Member survey / Preview screening of "Yellow Submarine"
3rd period April 1970 - March 1972
Staff increase / Get Back To BFC / Newsletter in booklet format / Fan club shaken by Paul's departure / Demonstrations against Paul's departure / John and Yoko visit Japan / The Beatles break up / British fan club disbands / Last issue published
Afterword
References and Collaboration
Appendix: "Chronology of BFC Activities" "Scenes from the 'Get Back Pole Demonstration Parade' on April 18, 1970"
