Martin Lewis - Beatles Historian
Running parallel to his primary career as a
humorist-commentator-writer-producer - Martin Lewis has a reputation as
one of the world's leading authorities on the Beatles
Lewis has undertaken extensive work in the Beatles world. This condensed list details just some of the highlights. Full details of his Beatles-related activities can be found here. • Lewis has written and broadcast extensively about the Beatles. His work includes writing, hosting and producing TV specials - and hosting & producing his own Beatles radio series. At the foot of this page are links to some of his published Beatles work - including his articles for the Time Magazine website • For the past 12 years Lewis has been the host of Beatlefest - the official Beatles fan conventions held annually in New York and Los Angeles • As a producer he has worked with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, George Martin and many others in the Beatles world • He is currently producing the official DVD release of the Beatles' first film "A Hard Day's Night" - for which he has interviewed Richard Lester, George Martin and 25 other key participants. The DVD is due to be released by Miramax in 2002 • Lewis was consultant for the theatrical reissue of "A Hard Day's Night." The website he conceived and wrote to publicize the reissue - won him the coveted "Gold Pencil" award - the advertising industry's equivalent of the Oscar - for Best Promotional Website Of The Year • His first employer was legendary Beatles publicist Derek Taylor - who became his mentor - and remained his friend for 25 years until Taylor's death in 1997 • He was a consultant to Capitol Records on the Beatles' "Anthology" and "Live At The BBC" albums - projects which revived his earlier working relationship with Derek Taylor (who was coordinating marketing of the projects from London) • Lewis was co-producer of Liverpool's official celebrations in July 1997 of the 40th anniversary of the day that John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time - leading to the formation of the Beatles. (For this event Lewis secured personal messages from Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Tony Blair and Her Majesty The Queen) • Lewis wrote the extensive companion narrative to the recently republished autobiography of Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Lewis instigated the book's reissue. He also sponsors and hosts the official Brian Epstein website - and is the force behind the campaign to have Epstein posthumously inducted into the non-performers' section of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame • Lewis was consultant for Sir George Martin's farewell album "In My Life" - an album of Beatles covers by major actors and musicians • Lewis was consultant to director Michael Lindsay-Hogg (director of "Let It Be") on his Beatle-themed film "Two Of Us" for VH1 • In July 2001 Lewis investigated the British tabloid story that erroneously claimed that George Harrison was - at that time in July - very close to death. Lewis discovered and proved that that story had been entirely fabricated. His expose - published on the prestigious Salon.com website - led to the firing of the editor who concocted the story • Lewis's most recent Beatles-related article includes a tribute to George Harrison - which calls for the Queen and the British Prime Minister to bestow a posthumous knighthood on Harrison for his pioneering charity work in the 1970's - and his extensive contributions to the revival of the British film industry in the 1980's. It appears in the current issue of leading Beatles magazine Daytrippin'. • Lewis' first professional involvement in the Beatles world came in 1968 when - as an ardent schoolboy fan - he was commissioned to compile the discography for the authorized biography of the Beatles by author Hunter Davies ("The Beatles" - published by Heinemanns - 1968)
• Full details of Martin Lewis' Beatles-related activities • Headline details of Martin Lewis' primary career as a humorist-writer-producer • Full details of Martin Lewis' primary career as a humorist-writer-producer • The official Brian Epstein website - sponsored & hosted by Martin Lewis • Beatlefest - organizers of the fan conventions hosted by Martin Lewis
On the Time Magazine website: • Reflections on the 20th anniversary of John Lennon's death • An appreciation of The Beatles popularity 30 years after their break-up Full index of Martin Lewis' columns for Beatles magazine Daytrippin': • Martin Lewis Columns in Daytrippin' • Recent column paying tribute to George Harrison's extensive achievements beyond the Beatles
Brief selection: • NBC - Nightly News With Tom Brokaw, The Today Show
Multiple appearances on MSNBC, VH1, E! TV, FX, Lifetime, BBC and on syndicated shows including: Extra, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Leeza, Sally Jessy Raphael
tel: 323-654-7755
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