Tune In

The Beatles: All These Years

By: Mark Lewisohn

Narrated by: Clive Mantle

Length: 43 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Tune In is the first volume of All These Years - a highly-anticipated, groundbreaking biographical trilogy by the world's leading Beatles historian. Mark Lewisohn uses his unprecedented archival access and hundreds of new interviews to construct the full story of the lives and work of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

Ten years in the making, Tune In takes the Beatles from before their childhoods through the final hour of 1962 - when, with breakthrough success just days away, they stand on the cusp of a whole new kind of fame and celebrity. They've one hit record ("Love Me Do") behind them and the next ("Please Please Me") primed for release, their first album session is booked, and America is clear on the horizon. This is the lesser-known Beatles story - the pre-Fab years of Liverpool and Hamburg - and in many respects the most absorbing and incredible period of them all. Here is the complete and true account of their family lives, childhoods, teenage years, and their infatuation with American music; here is the riveting narrative of their unforgettable days and nights in the Cavern Club, their laughs, larks, and adventures when they could move about freely, before fame closed in.

For those who've never read a Beatles book before, this is the place to discover the young men behind the icons. For those who think they know John, Paul, George, and Ringo, it's time to press the reset button and tune into the real story, the lasting word.

©2013 Mark Lewisohn (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Beyond essential . . . a wildly evocative portrait . . . The saga is clearer and richer here than it’s ever been. Lewisohn writes in novelistic detail and with the obvious conviction that none of the previous Beatles biographies have ever been good enough.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“A radical event and a joy to read . . . Lewisohn’s work stands as a monumental triumph, a challenge not merely to other Beatles biographers but to the discipline of biography itself. If only all important subjects had their Lewisohn.” (Washington Post)

“The biggest, deepest Beatles book ever.”—Rolling Stone “The widest possible angle on an extensive and engrossing group biography built on a well-raked mountain of exacting new research . . . expertly controlled and propelling.” (New York Times)

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...!

Although "Tune In" is only the first volume of Mark Lewishon's three volume Beatles biography it stands alone as the best of all the "Rock Bios" I have read or listened to!

Lewishon carefully takes the listener through the history of all the key players in the early formative period, most especially Brian Epstein and George Martin along with the cast of music personalities, promoters, club owners and family members that surrounded John, Paul, George, Ringo, Pete and Stu.

The research is exhaustive; so much so that the casual fan may feel overwhelmed. For true fans, however, Tune In is a treasure trove of connected dots. From their Hamburg days to the formation of the Beatles Fan Club and their first mention in the Mersey Beat, it's all here to be devoured. The detail that Lewishon brings to Tune In only adds to the texture of the Beatles' story.

Adding to the wonderful narrative of Tune In is Clive Mantle's brilliant narration which brings to life all the verbatim dialogue.

I had great fortune to see the Beatles' final performance at Candlestick Park on August 29, 1966. It was my first rock concert. listening to Tune In I now am beginning to understand how the Fab Four made the trek from Liverpool to the world's stage.

Amazing!

Any additional comments?

This was great, I've read many Beatles books, and thought I knew everything, but not only was this filled with new information, it's delivered in an excellent manner. Just plain good writing. The audio book is well done too. I don't know what else to say except for this was just a true treat. I can't wait for the next one.

Very Indepth

I really like the first of the trilogy. Very in-depth, If not a Beatles fan to some degree you may not find this book as entertaining as I did.
Hope the other two are released soon.

The Best

I read the book. This is even better. I will wait 6 months and listen again and again.

Incredibly historical. Emotionally detailed.

The best Beatles biography ever made.
A must for Beatles fans. It's all you need.

44 Hours Just to 1962

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Beatles, and more, much much more, from what is known about their earliest ancestors through the end of 1962 when they were on the brink of Beatlemania. Meticulously researched by Mark Lewisohn, who is working on volume II of his Beatles trilogy (best case release scenario 2023).

Forty years ago I read Shout (700 pages and not available in audio) and thought I knew all there was to know about the Beatles. What I liked best about Shout was what I hadn't previously known much about, the Boys' early years, pre-stardom. Tune In gives us 1000 pages, 44 hours in audio, of those years.

So maybe I didn't really need to know their class rankings year by year in grammar school and similar trivia, but otherwise there is a boundless wealth of insightful information here. My daughter asked me recently if adding Ringo to the band made a difference, and now I can give her a definitive answer. And as the Beatles were really a cover band until 1962, their choice of material, covered exhaustively in this book, just about ranks as a history of early rock-n-roll and rhythm & blues. Two examples of the great stuff found here.

Oh, a third example of major import: Brian Epstein and George Martin get full biographical treatment too, viewed as integral to the Beatles as the performers themselves. Amazingly, we learn that Martin was forced to sign the Beatles to EMI as punishment for an office affair after he and everyone else at EMI and every other major label had rejected them! So much for the myth that he was prescient where others weren't -- indeed he released Love Me Do reluctantly, believing it would flop.

The narration is adequate English style non-fiction, but gets high marks for using the actual Beatles' (and others') individual vocal style when reading direct quotes from them.

Full of information

Enjoyed listening about the formation and rise of the Fab Four!! Great presentation. Each have an interesting background.

Absolutely fantastic

Every bit of information one could possibly want, presented in a wonderful performance by Clive Mantle. Loved it

To Remember What I Was Too Young To Know

Age 12 yr 11 mo, saw them, Cincy. Aug '64.
115°f upper level temp. 7 pm
People nearly died, standing room only.
Played 25 mins or so.
Couldn't hear, n blinded by flash cameras.
The Boys think THEY paid their dues.
All I got is this ticket stub.
Memory of a lifetime!

A Better Beatles Biography

This is an incredibly researched, extremely well-written account of the life of Paul, George, Ringo, and John, as well as those tangential to their lives and careers, up to the dawning of their success. Mark Lewisohn is, aside from probably being the best-qualified to assemble such an epic undertaking, a superb researcher, and has managed to unearth and connect many details that have thus far not been given their due. I absolutely cannot wait for Volume 2. If anyone who finishes this book finds themselves wanting more (and how could they not?), might I recommend the purchase of the Extended Edition of this work - sadly unavailable as an audiobook at this time. Although nothing feels left out in this version, the extended edition includes a great deal more in the way of amusing anecdotes and background information. I highly recommend it, much as I would (and have) highly recommend this audiobook to anyone with an interest in The Beatles, and especially in perusing their history in as entertaining and comprehensive a fashion as possible.