First published in August 1963, The Beatles Book was the official magazine devoted to the Fab Four, with a remit to keep their fans informed about the activities of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
Published by music writer Sean O’Mahony (who edited the magazine under the name of ‘Johnny Dean’), the monthly publication began with a print run of 80,000.
By the end of 1963, the circulation had grown to 330,000 copies per month.
The magazine’s photographer, Leslie Bryce, enjoyed unrivalled access to the group throughout the 1960s.
He travelled the world with John, Paul, George and Ringo and took thousands of pictures, a multitude of which adorned the magazine during its run but the vast majority of which have never been seen in public.
Beatles roadies Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans wrote many of the articles (and later provided many of the photographs), and artist Bob Gibson regularly created numerous cartoons and caricatures of the group.
The magazine continued for 77 editions until it finally stopped publication in December 1969.
O’Mahony revived the publication in May 1976 and republished all 77 original issues surrounded by eight (later sixteen) pages of new Beatles news and articles.
The magazine then continued with all new content until January 2003 (issue 321).
By then, circulation had dropped to below 10,000, a decent number for a fanzine but not one to make a publisher economically viable.
Sean O’Mahony retired from publishing in 2002 and died on 21 July 2020, aged 88.
By the end of 1963, the circulation had grown to 330,000 copies per month.
Beatles roadies Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans wrote many of the articles (and later provided many of the photographs), and artist Bob Gibson regularly created numerous cartoons and caricatures of the group.
