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Andrew Cook is a historian, researcher and author whose 15 books have been published in 7 languages.

He is the author of the international best-selling books ‘Ace of Spies’, the authorised biography of former MI6 master spy Sidney Reilly, ‘To Kill Rasputin’ and ‘Murder of the Romanovs’. All of his books have either been the subject of TV documentaries or motion pictures.

About Andrew's latest book "Capitol Gains - Exposing the conflict between The Beatles and the label that made them":

A chance remark on the stairs at Peter Morris Music in London’s Denmark Street, in October 1963, set off a chain reaction that helped Brian Epstein apply some much- needed leverage on America’s Hollywood based Capitol label.

Although February 1963 marked the Beatles’ breakthrough in Britain, by the closing months of that year they still had not conquered America. Their manager Brian Epstein had been fighting what seemed like a losing battle to persuade Capitol to release the band’s records in America. How did that chance encounter in Denmark Street eventually force Capitol’s hand?

When the Beatles eventually hit the big time in the US in February 1964, both Epstein and Capitol executives obscured the true story about how this had happened. However, corporate and personal archives now reveal the reality and much more besides. The lid is also lifted on the fact that Capitol viewed the British record industry as being 30 years behind the times, and set out to remix UK master tapes and create distinct US albums. While Capitol’s strategy made the Beatles rich beyond their wildest dreams, Epstein is shown as often struggling to balance Capitol’s commercial decisions against the Beatles’ own demands. This account also explores Capitol’s PR efforts to protect the Beatles image as they get caught up in the whirlwind of world-wide success.

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A Multifaceted Legacy in Music and Photography

During the period known as "The Lost Weekend" John Lennon experienced one of the most artistically and commercially productive phases of his post-Beatles career. With Pang’s encouragement and support, he produced the albums Mind Games, Walls and Bridges, and Rock ‘n’ Roll, achieving his first solo #1 hit, “Whatever Gets You Through the Night.” Pang’s influence extended to creative collaborations with legends like Elton John, David Bowie, Harry Nilsson, Mick Jagger, and Ringo Starr. Notably, Pang’s whispered voice is heard on “#9 Dream,” and Lennon wrote “Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradox)” about her.

Beyond music, Pang played a crucial role in rekindling Lennon’s connections with family and friends. She facilitated a long-overdue reunion between Lennon and his son, Julian, as well as fellow bandmates George Harrison and Paul McCartney (which included a historic jam session with McCartney, Stevie Wonder and others.) Her photograph of Julian Lennon is featured on the cover of his album Jude, and her image of John Lennon in the Catskills appeared on the sleeve of the “Imagine” single in England & Japan, cementing her artistic legacy.

Pang’s work extended beyond Lennon. Her early career began at ABKCO Industries, where she worked with Allen Klein’s firm, managing the Beatles’ Apple Corps and the Rolling Stones. By 1970, Lennon and Yoko Ono hired her as their personal assistant, later promoting her to production coordinator. Pang earned a gold record for her contributions to Walls and Bridges and continued to impact the industry by managing releases for artists like Bob Marley and Robert Palmer during her time at Island Records.

In 1983, Pang published Loving John, a candid memoir detailing her relationship with Lennon and her behind-the-scenes role in his life and work. In 2008, she released Instamatic Karma, a collection of intimate photographs of Lennon during the Lost Weekend. These photos, which include iconic moments like Lennon signing the contract to dissolve the Beatles, have been exhibited across the U.S. in The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang.

May Pang remains a sought-after voice in the music and photography worlds, with appearances in major publications and interviews on prominent platforms such as Good Morning America, CBS Sunday Morning, and Howard Stern. Her story was further immortalized in the acclaimed documentary The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, which premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and is now available on major streaming platforms.

Today, Pang continues to share her unique perspective through her photographs and storytelling, offering an intimate glimpse into one of rock and roll’s most fascinating chapters.

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Born and raised in Pasadena, California, Chris Pierce is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose soulful voice and powerful lyrics bridge folk, blues, and Americana. Over a 25-year career, Pierce has shared stages with legends including Neil Young, B.B. King, Seal, Al Green, and Jill Scott, and his songs have appeared in major TV and film productions.

He co-wrote “We Can Always Come Back to This”, featured on NBC’s This Is Us hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #12 on the iTunes Top 100, propelling him to national attention.

Pierce’s acclaimed album American Silence (2021) confronts race, justice, and hope with poetic honesty, earning comparisons to Richie Havens and Bill Withers. He is also half of the duo War & Pierce, and performs as Reverend Tall Tree, his blues-opera alter ego.

His latest contribution to non profits is as part of the star line up on Heart of Gold Volume 1 - The Songs of Neil Young on CMG / Killphonic, singing the iconic Southern Man. And if you’re a voting member of the Grammys®, please give it a listen at fyconline.com - click the daisy cover art and treat your ears!

Chris is a survivor of early hearing loss, he channels resilience and empathy into every note. He continues to tour globally, inspiring audiences through music that celebrates truth, healing, and unity.

� www.ChrisPierce.com

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Mike Paul is CEO at Reputation Doctor® LLC and now Chairman at Reputation Doctor® Foundation. Mr. Paul is an award-winning, global, public relations and marketing executive. He is considered one of the top crisis management, risk management, reputation management, corporate affairs, expert witness and litigation communications and corporate board governance experts in the world. His phone number is in speed-dial with leaders worldwide.

He has provided high-stakes advisory and governance services to CEOs and directors on corporate boards for over 30 years.

Mike is an independent director on a private corporate board and is now seeking independent director opportunities with public corporations.

He is also executive producer and news anchor of a digital show called Reputations In Crisis on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts & Spotify. The digital show highlights various crises ripped from the headlines.

Just a few of the top client challenges Mike has helped fix over the years include:

* crisis communications for global corporations with complex leadership, governance and tariff crises;

* risk management and activist investor strategies for blue-chip tech boards & CEOs

* global crisis management for leading oil and energy companies;

* product recall strategy & litigation communications and crisis management for global auto makers,

* crisis communications and risk management services to consumer products and various global food companies;

* financial communications & risk management for leading hedge funds, banks & financial institutions;

* reputation management for top Olympic & professional athletes in crisis;

* crisis communications for global celebrities and conglomerates in entertainment;

* litigation communications for hazing and sexual assault cases at major colleges & universities;

* media relations and reputation management for political leaders worldwide in crisis;

https://gofund.me/b48a135f2

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Billy Amendola is one of the most respected musicians and industry leaders in the music business.

Billy, a New York-based studio drummer, songwriter/producer, podcast host, celebrity interviewer, mentor, and music industry advisor, is a founding member of the late-seventies band Mantus. The band released two albums, charted three top-ten Billboard dance singles, and achieved worldwide fame, touring the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Amendola, associated with Modern Drummer magazine for 25 years, left in 2022, shortly after the publication was sold. Immediately after his exit from MD, he hosted an audio podcast series with Drum Channel for two years, recording 94 shows under his own “Billy’s Bubble” show.

A forerunner in electronic programming and hybrid drumming from the mid-70s to the late '90s, Amendola, combining acoustic and electronic drums, achieved success in the studio, recording on albums, song demos, television commercials, soundtracks, and hundreds of 12” remixes.

In 1987, he combined his hybrid sound on the debut album of teen sensation and Eighties songstress Debbie Gibson’s Out of the Blue. The album spawned several international hits, including “Only In My Dreams” and “Shake Your Love.”

Coming full circle, on several occasions, Billy has performed as a guest percussionist with Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band on the encore of The Beatles' classic song “A Little Help From My Friends.” He’s also attended Starr’s “Peace & Love” Birthday celebration for the past fifteen years.

He subsequently serves on the advisory board of Jules Follett’s “The Sessions Panel,” a foundation that empowers artists through education and real-world advice.

Billy was also an advisory board member of Music Will (previously Little Kids Rock). This charitable organization provides free music instruction and instruments to school districts nationwide. Over 1,000,000 youngsters currently participate in Music Will/LKR programs nationwide.

In 2022, Billy was appointed as an A&R board member of the non-profit organization Raven Drum Foundation (with co-founder/Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen and his wife, singer/songwriter Lauren Monroe). The non-profit sponsors events and drum circles to raise money and support for veterans and first responders.

Having spent over fifty years in the industry, Billy has experienced the ins and outs of the music industry from both sides of the fence.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/billy.amendola/

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Anthony DiMaria is an American actor, producer, author, and director. He is also known for preserving the legacy of his uncle, Jay Sebring, a pioneering stylist who was killed by members of the Manson Family in August 1969, during what is now known as the "Tate Murders."

Jay Sebring Novel 2025 "Cutting To The Truth"

In summer 2025 Anthony DiMaria and co-author Marshall Terrill released the 576-page novel Jay Sebring: Cutting to the Truth through Steven W. Booth's "Genius Books" with many restored facts, images, and interviews regarding Jay Sebring's life history. The novel was introduced to the public with a Hollywood screening and Q&A of DiMaria's original Sebring film documentary, held 9 August 2025 at the vintage Los Feliz 3 theatre and delivered by the American Cinematheque organization (led by chairman Rick Nicita) via Hollywood's Larry Edmunds Bookshop.

Watch the documentary here

https://youtu.be/nMIRhYTkjpM?si=j3IKROKFgANEfdHy

Career

In both educational and professional capacities, Anthony DiMaria has worked off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and in regional New York/Los Angeles theatres with The Barrow Group, Actors Studio, Neighborhood Playhouse, and Circle Rep LAB. In movies and TV, DiMaria has often played roles in soap operas (One Life to Live and Guiding Light), appeared in The Sopranos, and made a feature film debut as Jam Kitchen in the Sundance hit The Pigeon Egg Strategy, shot in Hong Kong.

Anthony DiMaria has further performed as Weldon Giles in Disney's Pixel Perfect and Howard Fox in Woody Allen's Café Society. DiMaria also worked as characters in CSI (Primum Non Nocere episode), Strong Medicine (PMS, Lies, and Red Tape episode), HBO's The Leftovers (Penguin One, Us Zero episode), David Milch's Deadwood (and also John from Cincinnati), along with Showtime's Ray Donovan.

Jay Sebring Documentary

Anthony DiMaria released the feature documentary Jay Sebring....Cutting to the Truth, which presented a platform to correct and illuminate his uncle Jay Sebring's life outside the Manson murders. The documentary was a critical success and featured in-depth investigative interviews with Quincy Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Quentin Tarantino,Dennis Hopper, and others.

In his Los Angeles Times review, critic Michael Ordoña found Cutting To the Truth to be "an impressive directorial debut for actor Anthony Dimaria," noting its "stylish" presentation, and an "absorbing and passionate" narrative.

Manson family parole hearings

Since 2004 Anthony DiMaria has spoken for the Sebring family and advocated for the Gary Hinman and LaBianca families as a representative in numerous parole hearings for Manson family members.

Anthony DiMaria and his immediate family continuously and unfailingly urged the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to deny any and all parole or release to the remaining Manson group. In one of Tex Watson's parole hearings Anthony DiMaria commented, "These are troubled waters for many of us in here today and I would be remiss if I didn't state that I feel profound sorrow for all of us involved, and great sorrow for Mr. Watson."

In 2016, Anthony DiMaria urged the California Board to consider parole for Patricia Krenwinkel "when her victims are paroled from their graves".

In 2022

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Martin Orkin, who is a writer on the subject of The Beatles and 1960s music. He is a big fan of The Beatles, whom he was privileged to see live in concert in December 1964 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.

Martin began listening to pop music at the age of 12 in 1962, when the charts were ruled by the likes of Elvis Presley, Neil Sedaka and Cliff Richard and The Shadows. Then The Beatles arrived at the start of 1963 and turned everything upside down! It was an amazing time for music!

Martin then followed the progress of The Beatles and their main competitors, such as The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys, throughout the 1960s and beyond.

During the late 60s and into the 70s, Martin aimed at a career in songwriting. The closest he got to success was with his song ‘Nancy’ which was released by a London group called Three’s Company in 1968, and was published by The Beatles’ publishing company Apple.Martin received a cheque for a (tiny!) amount he had earned in songwriting royalties for ‘Nancy’ – it was signed by George Harrison! Martin still has the cheque!

After retiring in 2010, Martin returned to his first love: 1960s music. In April 2021 he published his first book, Rivals Of The Beatles where he discussed 20 of the bands who competed with The Beatles during the 60s; such as The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Dave Clark Five and the Monkees. As well as telling their stories and analysing their records, Martin also explained the influence that The Beatles had on each of them.

In December 2023, Martin published his second book, Rivals Of The Beatles 2, in which he covered 10 more groups including The Animals, Simon & Garfunkel, The Who and Queen!

During the past few years, Martin has given many talks on 60s music to live audiences ranging from 50 – 300 people. His talks on The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and Queen have proved especially popular! Also his seasonal ‘Christmas Hits’ talk!

He has also had articles published in UK music magazine Shindig! and in the Liverpool Echo newspaper And he has presented several music shows with host Trevor Richards on internet radio station, AJK Radio.

Martin’s new books: The Beatles’ Hit Singles Parts 1 and 2. During the past year Martin has been working on Part 1 of two exciting new books he is currently writing, called The Beatles’ Hit Singles. These will examine in depth each of The Beatles’ singles in the order they came out in Britain and America, from My Bonnie and Love Me Do through to Let It Be and The Long And Winding Road. He will also be including a special chapter at the end of Part 2 on the Beatles’ final three singles: Free As A Bird, Real Love, and Now And Then.

If anyone would like to know more about The Beatles’ Hit Singles and Martin’s other music-related books, they can look on his dedicated website: rivalsofthebeatles.com.

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Phil Solem is best known as one half of the pop-rock duo The Rembrandts, whose hit single “I’ll Be There for You” became an iconic anthem of the 1990s as the theme song to the smash TV series Friends. A multi-talented musician, singer, and songwriter, Solem co-founded The Rembrandts with Danny Wilde in the early 1990s after the two had collaborated in the short-lived power pop band Great Buildings in the 1980s.

Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, was influenced by the British Invasion, classic rock, and power pop, with a guitar-driven sensibility and sharp melodic instinct that would become his musical signature. His harmonies, intricate guitar work, and songwriting skills helped define The Rembrandts' sound—a blend of jangly pop hooks, thoughtful lyrics, and tight arrangements.

Beyond Friends, The Rembrandts enjoyed chart success with their 1990 debut hit “Just the Way It Is, Baby”, which earned them international recognition and solidified their place in the pop-rock landscape. Solem continued to evolve as a musician throughout the decades, pursuing solo projects and collaborations, including a band called The Road Runners, while always maintaining a creative partnership with Wilde.

Phil Solem remains active in music today, touring and recording with The Rembrandts, who released their latest album Via Satellite in 2019—an album that returned to their roots in melodic, harmony-rich rock. His legacy continues through his songwriting, stage presence, and deep connection to one of television’s most beloved theme songs.

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