Out Dec. 10, 2013.
From 1942 to his retirement in 1966, Carl Barks drew Donald Duck
comic books (the seventh greatest comic of the twentieth century
according to The Comics Journal) for Walt Disney. He took what
should have been a bland franchise and turned it into a classic of
comics. Drawing on his own experiences (most notably a brief stint as a
chicken farmer), Barks went to create a character who was remarkable . .
. for not being remarkable. In his pursuit of a good job, his boredom
with suburban life, his temper, his squabbles with neighbors, and his
resolve in the face of his many failures, Barks's Donald Duck was truly
your average American.
Peter Schilling, Jr. is the author of The End of Baseball
and writes about film and the arts for a variety of publications. He
has been reading and studying Carl Barks's entire catalog since he was a
child.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Best of Comix Book: When Marvel Comics Went Underground
Out Dec. 24, 2013.
In 1974, legendary Marvel Comics publisher Stan Lee approached underground pioneer Denis Kitchen and offered a way for them to collaborate. Their resulting series was called Comix Book and featured work by many of the top underground cartoonists including Joel Beck, Kim Deitch, Justin Green, Harvey Pekar, Trina Robbins, Art Spiegelman (first national appearance of Maus), Skip Williamson, and S. Clay Wilson. The Best of Comix Book showcases 150-pages of classic underground comix (printed on newsprint, as they originally appeared), many never before reprinted, and features an essay illustrated with correspondence, photographs, and unpublished artwork. Featuring an Introduction by Stan Lee, The Best of Comix Book is the first collection from the new collaboration between Dark Horse and Kitchen Sink Books.
In 1974, legendary Marvel Comics publisher Stan Lee approached underground pioneer Denis Kitchen and offered a way for them to collaborate. Their resulting series was called Comix Book and featured work by many of the top underground cartoonists including Joel Beck, Kim Deitch, Justin Green, Harvey Pekar, Trina Robbins, Art Spiegelman (first national appearance of Maus), Skip Williamson, and S. Clay Wilson. The Best of Comix Book showcases 150-pages of classic underground comix (printed on newsprint, as they originally appeared), many never before reprinted, and features an essay illustrated with correspondence, photographs, and unpublished artwork. Featuring an Introduction by Stan Lee, The Best of Comix Book is the first collection from the new collaboration between Dark Horse and Kitchen Sink Books.
Steve Canyon Volume 4: 1953-1954
Out Feb. 11, 2014
The fourth volume of The Complete Steve Canyon opens with Steve as the newly-minted Light Colonel bringing the jet age to the town of Indian Cape - and the natives are after an old friend's scalp! Can Steve and new sidekick Pipper the Piper find a way to still an entire town's wrath? Canyon encounters old friends throughout 1953 and into 1954: Princess Snowflower, the irascible Dogie Hogan, and the leader of a band of Hooligans on horseback. Of course, there are girls, girls, girls - Herself Muldoon, Summer Olson, plus Miss Mizzou, still wearing that trenchcoat! Then Steve looks up the Indexes, and the sparks really start to fly near the top of the world! Edited and designed by Dean Mullaney, with historical essays by Bruce Canwell, Steve Canyon is presented in a matching hardcover set to the Library of American Comics's Eisner Award-winning Terry and the Pirates.
The fourth volume of The Complete Steve Canyon opens with Steve as the newly-minted Light Colonel bringing the jet age to the town of Indian Cape - and the natives are after an old friend's scalp! Can Steve and new sidekick Pipper the Piper find a way to still an entire town's wrath? Canyon encounters old friends throughout 1953 and into 1954: Princess Snowflower, the irascible Dogie Hogan, and the leader of a band of Hooligans on horseback. Of course, there are girls, girls, girls - Herself Muldoon, Summer Olson, plus Miss Mizzou, still wearing that trenchcoat! Then Steve looks up the Indexes, and the sparks really start to fly near the top of the world! Edited and designed by Dean Mullaney, with historical essays by Bruce Canwell, Steve Canyon is presented in a matching hardcover set to the Library of American Comics's Eisner Award-winning Terry and the Pirates.
Judgment Day And Other Stories by Joe Orlando
Out April 1, 2014
Longtime comics pro Joe Orlando drew this collection of subversive 1950s EC genre comics.
Joe Orlando was a mainstay at EC, especially on science fiction, and this collects 23 of his best sf stories. All of them, most scripted by Al Feldstein, serve up classic O. Henry-style endings, such as “I, Robot,” and “Fallen Idol.” The title story is one of EC’s most famous, with its blunt anti-racism message. When it was printed during the era of the Comics Code, publisher Bill Gaines and Feldstein had to fight to keep the story’s final panel “reveal” (and thus its whole point) intact. It was a Pyrrhic victory, however, as “Judgment Day” became the last story in the last comic book EC published. This volume also features two of Orlando’s outstanding adaptations of classic Ray Bradbury science fiction stories: “The Long Year” and “Outcast of the Stars.” Also included are all of EC’s “Adam Link” adaptations, a series which was later also adapted for The Outer Limits TV show and featured Leonard Nimoy. Black & White.
Longtime comics pro Joe Orlando drew this collection of subversive 1950s EC genre comics.
Joe Orlando was a mainstay at EC, especially on science fiction, and this collects 23 of his best sf stories. All of them, most scripted by Al Feldstein, serve up classic O. Henry-style endings, such as “I, Robot,” and “Fallen Idol.” The title story is one of EC’s most famous, with its blunt anti-racism message. When it was printed during the era of the Comics Code, publisher Bill Gaines and Feldstein had to fight to keep the story’s final panel “reveal” (and thus its whole point) intact. It was a Pyrrhic victory, however, as “Judgment Day” became the last story in the last comic book EC published. This volume also features two of Orlando’s outstanding adaptations of classic Ray Bradbury science fiction stories: “The Long Year” and “Outcast of the Stars.” Also included are all of EC’s “Adam Link” adaptations, a series which was later also adapted for The Outer Limits TV show and featured Leonard Nimoy. Black & White.
Young Romance 2 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby
Out April 20, 2014.
The sequel to the Eisner Award-nominated Simon & Kirby collection Young Romance.
From tears to soda fountains, from mobsters to pretty ingénues in freshly pressed dresses, the stories in of love and betrayal herein will prompt you to grab a tissue box or swoon in delight. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s sensational romance comics continue in this sequel to 2012’s acclaimed Young Romance. This volume covers 1947 through 1949, and includes stories about women from all walks of life — from French widows recently released prisoners. Simon and Kirby invented the romance comics genre and explored all the flirtations, dalliances, and passions of the young men and women who populated their stories. Get swept away by the sheer delirium that these pages induced so long ago. These comics have been meticulously restored in order to produce one of the most striking and faithful reproductions of 1940s. Full-color illustrations throughout.
The sequel to the Eisner Award-nominated Simon & Kirby collection Young Romance.
From tears to soda fountains, from mobsters to pretty ingénues in freshly pressed dresses, the stories in of love and betrayal herein will prompt you to grab a tissue box or swoon in delight. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby’s sensational romance comics continue in this sequel to 2012’s acclaimed Young Romance. This volume covers 1947 through 1949, and includes stories about women from all walks of life — from French widows recently released prisoners. Simon and Kirby invented the romance comics genre and explored all the flirtations, dalliances, and passions of the young men and women who populated their stories. Get swept away by the sheer delirium that these pages induced so long ago. These comics have been meticulously restored in order to produce one of the most striking and faithful reproductions of 1940s. Full-color illustrations throughout.
Henry Speaks For Himself
Out April 30, 2014
This is the never-before-collected comic-book version of a mid-century newspaper strip about a strange-looking little boy.
What is it about odd-looking comic strip characters that catch the public’s attention? Carl Anderson’s classic comic strip character Henry was certainly not your average-looking youngster, with knobby knees, a pencil neck, and a bulbous, bald head but, for years, he entertained millions of readers worldwide with his pantomime pranks. He was also the subject of a long-running comic book series, with one significant difference from the newspaper strip – in the comic books, Henry spoke! Written and drawn by John Liney, who also handled art chores on the daily Henry strip, these stories were done in a Tintin-esque clean-line art style that made them attractive to the younger set, but with writing clever enough to cause the adults to chuckle while reading to their children. These 1940s-’50s stories have never before been reprinted, and this collection provides a long-overdue look at a forgotten “kid’s comic” masterpiece. Full-color illustrations throughout.
This is the never-before-collected comic-book version of a mid-century newspaper strip about a strange-looking little boy.
What is it about odd-looking comic strip characters that catch the public’s attention? Carl Anderson’s classic comic strip character Henry was certainly not your average-looking youngster, with knobby knees, a pencil neck, and a bulbous, bald head but, for years, he entertained millions of readers worldwide with his pantomime pranks. He was also the subject of a long-running comic book series, with one significant difference from the newspaper strip – in the comic books, Henry spoke! Written and drawn by John Liney, who also handled art chores on the daily Henry strip, these stories were done in a Tintin-esque clean-line art style that made them attractive to the younger set, but with writing clever enough to cause the adults to chuckle while reading to their children. These 1940s-’50s stories have never before been reprinted, and this collection provides a long-overdue look at a forgotten “kid’s comic” masterpiece. Full-color illustrations throughout.
Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Vol. 5: "Outwits The Phantom Blot"
Out May 1, 2014.
In this collection of the award-winning newspaper strip, Mickey Mouse faces one of his most famous villains.
Disney’s greatest villain steals the spotlight! The vile Phantom Blot—dressed head-to-foot in his ghostly black cloak—is turning Mouseton upside down and leaving a trail of danger and destruction behind! Can Mickey thwart his plans? Our latest book also finds Mickey battling “Mighty Whalehunter” Pegleg Pete on the high seas and meeting a powerful genie! Lovingly restored from Disney’s original proof sheets, this volume also includes more than 30 pages of inky extras! You’ll enjoy rare behind-the-scenes art, vintage publicity material, and fascinating commentary by a most-wanted list of Disney scholars. Walt Disney often said that his studio’s success “all started with a Mouse”—now it’s time to rediscover the wild, unforgettable personality behind the icon: Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey Mouse. Black & white with over 60 pages of color.
In this collection of the award-winning newspaper strip, Mickey Mouse faces one of his most famous villains.
Disney’s greatest villain steals the spotlight! The vile Phantom Blot—dressed head-to-foot in his ghostly black cloak—is turning Mouseton upside down and leaving a trail of danger and destruction behind! Can Mickey thwart his plans? Our latest book also finds Mickey battling “Mighty Whalehunter” Pegleg Pete on the high seas and meeting a powerful genie! Lovingly restored from Disney’s original proof sheets, this volume also includes more than 30 pages of inky extras! You’ll enjoy rare behind-the-scenes art, vintage publicity material, and fascinating commentary by a most-wanted list of Disney scholars. Walt Disney often said that his studio’s success “all started with a Mouse”—now it’s time to rediscover the wild, unforgettable personality behind the icon: Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey Mouse. Black & white with over 60 pages of color.
Prince Valiant Volume 9: 1953-1954
Out May 31, 2014.
In this volume, which collects two years of the long-running Sunday newspaper strip based on the Knights of the Round Table, an interracial baby is born and Nimue bewitches Merlin.
In our ninth volume of the collected illustrative Sunday comic pages, Arn tries his hand at being a warrior, Merlin is bewitched by Nimue, and Tillicum and Boltar have a son named Hatha – the first interracial baby “born” in comics. Most of the second half of this volume follows Gawain and Val’s pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem, and Queen Aleta’s return to the Misty Isles where treacherous nobles seek her throne…and her death. Also featuring a look at Prince Valiant’s 1954 escapades on both the large and small screens by Foster scholar Brian M. Kane. As with all the previous volumes in this highly acclaimed series, these pages are reproduced for the first time from Foster’s personal set of color engraver’s proofs, the most impeccably produced Prince Valiant series ever produced. Full color throughout.
In this volume, which collects two years of the long-running Sunday newspaper strip based on the Knights of the Round Table, an interracial baby is born and Nimue bewitches Merlin.
In our ninth volume of the collected illustrative Sunday comic pages, Arn tries his hand at being a warrior, Merlin is bewitched by Nimue, and Tillicum and Boltar have a son named Hatha – the first interracial baby “born” in comics. Most of the second half of this volume follows Gawain and Val’s pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem, and Queen Aleta’s return to the Misty Isles where treacherous nobles seek her throne…and her death. Also featuring a look at Prince Valiant’s 1954 escapades on both the large and small screens by Foster scholar Brian M. Kane. As with all the previous volumes in this highly acclaimed series, these pages are reproduced for the first time from Foster’s personal set of color engraver’s proofs, the most impeccably produced Prince Valiant series ever produced. Full color throughout.
witzend
Out May 31, 2014.
This book collects one of the earliest (and most groundbreaking) indy-comic anthologies by influential creators such as Wallace Wood, Art Spiegelman, Frank Frazetta and many more.
When the formulaic constraints, censorious nature, and onerous lack of creator’s rights in mainstream comics got to be too much for the brilliant cartoonist Wallace Wood, he struck out on his own with the self-published witzend. It became a haven for Wood and his fellow professional cartoonist friends where they could produce the kind of personal work that they wanted to do, without regard to commercial demands — and with friends like Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, Reed Crandall, Ralph Reese, Archie Goodwin, Angelo Torres, Steve Ditko, Harvey Kurtzman, Bill Elder, Art Spiegelman, Don Martin, Vaughn Bodé, Jim Steranko, Jeff Jones, Howard Chaykin, Trina Robbins, Bernie Wrightson, and literally dozens more, it was bound to be a great ride! Now, Fantagraphics presents the complete run of Witzend in this beautiful slipcased 2-volume set with a special introduction by Bill Pearson and a history by Patrick Rosenkrantz. Black and white with 26 pages of color.
This book collects one of the earliest (and most groundbreaking) indy-comic anthologies by influential creators such as Wallace Wood, Art Spiegelman, Frank Frazetta and many more.
When the formulaic constraints, censorious nature, and onerous lack of creator’s rights in mainstream comics got to be too much for the brilliant cartoonist Wallace Wood, he struck out on his own with the self-published witzend. It became a haven for Wood and his fellow professional cartoonist friends where they could produce the kind of personal work that they wanted to do, without regard to commercial demands — and with friends like Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, Reed Crandall, Ralph Reese, Archie Goodwin, Angelo Torres, Steve Ditko, Harvey Kurtzman, Bill Elder, Art Spiegelman, Don Martin, Vaughn Bodé, Jim Steranko, Jeff Jones, Howard Chaykin, Trina Robbins, Bernie Wrightson, and literally dozens more, it was bound to be a great ride! Now, Fantagraphics presents the complete run of Witzend in this beautiful slipcased 2-volume set with a special introduction by Bill Pearson and a history by Patrick Rosenkrantz. Black and white with 26 pages of color.
The Complete Peanuts 1950-1952 Paperback Edition (Vol. 1)
Out June 10, 2014
The first two years of the best-selling comic strip, starring Snoopy and the gang, now in softcover.
The best-selling, award-winning, critically acclaimed series that sparked a renaissance for fans of classic comic strips upon its debut in 2004 is now coming in softcover! This first volume, covering the first two and a quarter years of the strip, features hundreds of strips rarely reprinted before this series. Three major cast members — Schroeder, Lucy, and Linus — initially show up as infants and only “grow” into their final “mature” selves as the months go by. Even Snoopy debuts as a puppy! The Complete Peanuts offers a unique chance to see a master of the art form refine his skills and solidify his universe, day by day. This volume is rounded out with Garrison Keillor’s introduction, a biographical essay by David Michaelis (Schulz and Peanuts) and an in-depth interview with Schulz conducted in 1987 by Gary Groth and Rick Marschall. Black and white with spot color.
The first two years of the best-selling comic strip, starring Snoopy and the gang, now in softcover.
The best-selling, award-winning, critically acclaimed series that sparked a renaissance for fans of classic comic strips upon its debut in 2004 is now coming in softcover! This first volume, covering the first two and a quarter years of the strip, features hundreds of strips rarely reprinted before this series. Three major cast members — Schroeder, Lucy, and Linus — initially show up as infants and only “grow” into their final “mature” selves as the months go by. Even Snoopy debuts as a puppy! The Complete Peanuts offers a unique chance to see a master of the art form refine his skills and solidify his universe, day by day. This volume is rounded out with Garrison Keillor’s introduction, a biographical essay by David Michaelis (Schulz and Peanuts) and an in-depth interview with Schulz conducted in 1987 by Gary Groth and Rick Marschall. Black and white with spot color.
Walt Disney's Donald Duck: "Trail Of The Unicorn"
Out June 20, 2014
Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey and Louie go to catch a unicorn for Uncle Scrooge in one of the stories in this collection of world-famous comics.
It’s off to Shangri-Lala for Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, on a perilous expedition to bring back a rare unicorn for Uncle Scrooge! But it’s not as easy as it sounds, with a mysterious stowaway, intrigue, and double-crosses in this land of many secrets. But once you do catch a unicorn, what, exactly, do you do with him? Then, in a trio of frigid challenges — “Luck of the North,” “Land of the Totem Poles,” and “Serum to Codfish Cove” — the Ducks must face the perils of the north. Each story has been meticulously restored and re-colored. Insightful story notes by an international panel of Barks experts. Introduction by Jeff Kinney, best-selling author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Full color illustrations throughout.
Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey and Louie go to catch a unicorn for Uncle Scrooge in one of the stories in this collection of world-famous comics.
It’s off to Shangri-Lala for Donald, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, on a perilous expedition to bring back a rare unicorn for Uncle Scrooge! But it’s not as easy as it sounds, with a mysterious stowaway, intrigue, and double-crosses in this land of many secrets. But once you do catch a unicorn, what, exactly, do you do with him? Then, in a trio of frigid challenges — “Luck of the North,” “Land of the Totem Poles,” and “Serum to Codfish Cove” — the Ducks must face the perils of the north. Each story has been meticulously restored and re-colored. Insightful story notes by an international panel of Barks experts. Introduction by Jeff Kinney, best-selling author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Full color illustrations throughout.
Heroes Of The Comic Books: 75 Portraits Of The Pioneering Legends Of Comic Books by Drew Friedman
Out June 201, 2014
This collects Drew Friedman’s caricatures of famous and not-so-famous cartoonists: the men and women who created superheroes, Mad magazine, and much more.
Featuring approximately 75 full-color portraits of the pioneering legends of American comic books, including publishers, editors and artists from the industry’s birth in the ’30s, through the brilliant artists and writers of behind EC Comics in the ’50s. All lovingly rendered and chosen by Drew Friedman, a cartooning legend in his own right. Featuring subjects popular and obscure, men and women, as well as several pioneering African-American artists. Each subject features a short essay by Friedman, who grew up knowing many of the subjects included (as the son of writer Bruce Jay Friedman), including Stan Lee, Harvey Kurtzman, Will Eisner, Mort Drucker, Al Jaffee, Jack Davis, Will Elder, and Bill Gaines. More names you might recognize: Barks, Crumb, Wood, Wolverton, Frazetta, Siegel & Shuster, Kirby, Cole, Ditko, Werthem… it’s a Hall of Fame of comic book history from the man BoingBoing.com call “America’s greatest living portrait artist!” Full color illustrations throughout
This collects Drew Friedman’s caricatures of famous and not-so-famous cartoonists: the men and women who created superheroes, Mad magazine, and much more.
Featuring approximately 75 full-color portraits of the pioneering legends of American comic books, including publishers, editors and artists from the industry’s birth in the ’30s, through the brilliant artists and writers of behind EC Comics in the ’50s. All lovingly rendered and chosen by Drew Friedman, a cartooning legend in his own right. Featuring subjects popular and obscure, men and women, as well as several pioneering African-American artists. Each subject features a short essay by Friedman, who grew up knowing many of the subjects included (as the son of writer Bruce Jay Friedman), including Stan Lee, Harvey Kurtzman, Will Eisner, Mort Drucker, Al Jaffee, Jack Davis, Will Elder, and Bill Gaines. More names you might recognize: Barks, Crumb, Wood, Wolverton, Frazetta, Siegel & Shuster, Kirby, Cole, Ditko, Werthem… it’s a Hall of Fame of comic book history from the man BoingBoing.com call “America’s greatest living portrait artist!” Full color illustrations throughout
Bomb Run and Other Stories by John Severin
Out July 15, 2014
A collection of classic EC war comics by Harvey Kurtzman, John Severin and Will Elder.
The team of Harvey Kurtzman and John Severin was one of the most fruitful collaborations in the history of comics. The work they did together brings the gritty realism and psychological truth of Stephen Crane and a verisimilitude to the page that it seems as if they are reporting from the scene. Together with inker and friend Will Elder, whose own obsession for detail perfectly complemented the impact they were all striving to achieve, they produced 34 emotionally draining — and dramatically eloquent — war stories in just under three years. This book collects them all. Settings include: the Roman empire; the Revolutionary War; the American-Indian Wars; the Alamo; the Civil War; World War I (in the trenches and in the air); World War II (in the Pacific and in Europe, including the D-Day invasion); and the Korean War. Black & white
A collection of classic EC war comics by Harvey Kurtzman, John Severin and Will Elder.
The team of Harvey Kurtzman and John Severin was one of the most fruitful collaborations in the history of comics. The work they did together brings the gritty realism and psychological truth of Stephen Crane and a verisimilitude to the page that it seems as if they are reporting from the scene. Together with inker and friend Will Elder, whose own obsession for detail perfectly complemented the impact they were all striving to achieve, they produced 34 emotionally draining — and dramatically eloquent — war stories in just under three years. This book collects them all. Settings include: the Roman empire; the Revolutionary War; the American-Indian Wars; the Alamo; the Civil War; World War I (in the trenches and in the air); World War II (in the Pacific and in Europe, including the D-Day invasion); and the Korean War. Black & white
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Jimi Hendrix: Miami Pop Festival
Out Nov. 3, 2013
Never previously available in any form, Miami Pop Festival, introduces the first recorded stage performances of "Hear My Train A Comin'" and "Tax Free" while showcasing definitive live takes on such classics as "Fire," "Hey Joe," "I Don't Live Today" and "Purple Haze." The package includes never before published photos taken at the festival and an essay by award-winning music journalist and Grammy Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli. This album includes the show as originally recorded on site by Hendrix's long term sound engineer, Eddie Kramer.
Never previously available in any form, Miami Pop Festival, introduces the first recorded stage performances of "Hear My Train A Comin'" and "Tax Free" while showcasing definitive live takes on such classics as "Fire," "Hey Joe," "I Don't Live Today" and "Purple Haze." The package includes never before published photos taken at the festival and an essay by award-winning music journalist and Grammy Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli. This album includes the show as originally recorded on site by Hendrix's long term sound engineer, Eddie Kramer.
Beatles: On Air - Live At The BBC Volume 2
Out Nov. 11, 2013.
In 1994, The Beatles' Live at the BBC was released to worldwide acclaim - hitting number one in the U.K. and number three in the U.S. and selling more than five million copies within six weeks. Now comes a new companion to The Beatles' first BBC collection, On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2. On Air's 63 tracks, none of which overlaps with The Beatles' first BBC release, include 37 previously unreleased performances and 23 previously unreleased recordings of in-studio banter and conversation between the band's members and their BBC radio hosts.
In the studios of the British Broadcasting Corporation, The Beatles performed music for a variety of radio shows. On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2 presents the sound of The Beatles seizing their moment to play for the nation. Thrilled to hear these exciting recordings again, Paul McCartney said, 'There's a lot of energy and spirit. We are going for it, not holding back at all, trying to put in the best performance of our lifetimes.'
Ten of On Air's songs were never recorded by the group for EMI in the 1960s, including two making their debuts with the new release: The Beatles' direct-to-air performance of Chuck Berry's 'I'm Talking About You' and a rocking cover of the standard 'Beautiful Dreamer.' On Air also includes different versions of six rarities heard on the 1994 BBC collection: Little Richard's 'Lucille,' Chuck Berry's 'Memphis, Tennessee,' Chan Romero's 'The Hippy Hippy Shake,' Ray Charles' 'I Got A Woman,' and two songs they learned from records by Carl Perkins, 'Glad All Over' and 'Sure To Fall.'
The Beatles' tribute to the BBC's most important pop show of the early '60s - 'Happy Birthday, Dear Saturday Club' - is another surprise. As John Lennon recalled in 1980, 'We did a lot of tracks that were never on record for Saturday Club - they were well recorded, too.' Paul remembers, 'We'd been raised on the BBC radio programs. One of the big things in our week was Saturday Club - this great show was playing the kind of music we loved, so that was something we really aspired to.'
Between March 1962 and June 1965, no fewer than 275 unique musical performances by The Beatles were broadcast by the BBC in the U.K. The group played songs on 39 radio shows in 1963 alone. Ringo Starr said in 1994, 'You tend to forget that we were a working band. It's that mono sound. There were usually no overdubs. We were in at the count-in and that was it. I get excited listening to them.' On their busiest BBC day, 16 July 1963, The Beatles recorded 18 songs for three editions of their Pop Go The Beatles series in fewer than seven hours.
The group played 88 distinct songs in their BBC sessions - some were recorded many times; others performed just once. At the time, three national BBC stations provided all daytime radio broadcasting in the U.K. Only the Light Programme network might occasionally play a record. Most broadcast music was live music. Consequently, to promote their releases, The Beatles had to play live at the BBC. 'Everything was done instantly,' remembered George Harrison, 'But before that, we used to drive 200 miles in an old van down the M1, come into London, try and find the BBC and then set up and do the program. Then we'd probably drive back to Newcastle for a gig in the evening!'
On Air also features BBC recordings of 30 well-loved songs from The Beatles' catalogue, including five number ones and other favorites such as: 'I Saw Her Standing There,' 'Twist And Shout,' 'Do You Want To Know A Secret,' 'Boys,' 'Please Mister Postman,' 'Money,' 'And I Love Her,' and 'If I Fell.'
In 1994, The Beatles' Live at the BBC was released to worldwide acclaim - hitting number one in the U.K. and number three in the U.S. and selling more than five million copies within six weeks. Now comes a new companion to The Beatles' first BBC collection, On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2. On Air's 63 tracks, none of which overlaps with The Beatles' first BBC release, include 37 previously unreleased performances and 23 previously unreleased recordings of in-studio banter and conversation between the band's members and their BBC radio hosts.
In the studios of the British Broadcasting Corporation, The Beatles performed music for a variety of radio shows. On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2 presents the sound of The Beatles seizing their moment to play for the nation. Thrilled to hear these exciting recordings again, Paul McCartney said, 'There's a lot of energy and spirit. We are going for it, not holding back at all, trying to put in the best performance of our lifetimes.'
Ten of On Air's songs were never recorded by the group for EMI in the 1960s, including two making their debuts with the new release: The Beatles' direct-to-air performance of Chuck Berry's 'I'm Talking About You' and a rocking cover of the standard 'Beautiful Dreamer.' On Air also includes different versions of six rarities heard on the 1994 BBC collection: Little Richard's 'Lucille,' Chuck Berry's 'Memphis, Tennessee,' Chan Romero's 'The Hippy Hippy Shake,' Ray Charles' 'I Got A Woman,' and two songs they learned from records by Carl Perkins, 'Glad All Over' and 'Sure To Fall.'
The Beatles' tribute to the BBC's most important pop show of the early '60s - 'Happy Birthday, Dear Saturday Club' - is another surprise. As John Lennon recalled in 1980, 'We did a lot of tracks that were never on record for Saturday Club - they were well recorded, too.' Paul remembers, 'We'd been raised on the BBC radio programs. One of the big things in our week was Saturday Club - this great show was playing the kind of music we loved, so that was something we really aspired to.'
Between March 1962 and June 1965, no fewer than 275 unique musical performances by The Beatles were broadcast by the BBC in the U.K. The group played songs on 39 radio shows in 1963 alone. Ringo Starr said in 1994, 'You tend to forget that we were a working band. It's that mono sound. There were usually no overdubs. We were in at the count-in and that was it. I get excited listening to them.' On their busiest BBC day, 16 July 1963, The Beatles recorded 18 songs for three editions of their Pop Go The Beatles series in fewer than seven hours.
The group played 88 distinct songs in their BBC sessions - some were recorded many times; others performed just once. At the time, three national BBC stations provided all daytime radio broadcasting in the U.K. Only the Light Programme network might occasionally play a record. Most broadcast music was live music. Consequently, to promote their releases, The Beatles had to play live at the BBC. 'Everything was done instantly,' remembered George Harrison, 'But before that, we used to drive 200 miles in an old van down the M1, come into London, try and find the BBC and then set up and do the program. Then we'd probably drive back to Newcastle for a gig in the evening!'
On Air also features BBC recordings of 30 well-loved songs from The Beatles' catalogue, including five number ones and other favorites such as: 'I Saw Her Standing There,' 'Twist And Shout,' 'Do You Want To Know A Secret,' 'Boys,' 'Please Mister Postman,' 'Money,' 'And I Love Her,' and 'If I Fell.'
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