The Beatles In Cleveland
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"The book is a masterpiece at capturing a moment that affected not only tens of thousands of people, but the BEATLES themselves. I was swept back to that night and relived the elation, awe, panic, tension and immediate instinctive reaction that made up the moment for me. I think you've done every Beatle fan in the world a service. With the printed page you have 'framed' a VERY precious memory in a time-proof display that will be cherished for generations to come." - Jack Armstrong, MC of the 1966 Beatle concert at Cleveland Stadium
"The Beatles In Cleveland captures the excitement, hysteria and even the terror of being in the middle of an amped-up mob whose only goal was to get a piece of the Fab Four. Not bogged down with minutia, this entertaining book takes you on a journey that encapsulates the live Beatles experience from all perspectives. A must read for old and new fans alike." - Fred Lindgren, Writer / Producer for The Beatle Years from Westwood One Radio, Los Angeles, CA
"I loved how you allowed the people who were actually there to talk in their own voice. I found that fascinating. It was funny how the radio stations were competing with each other and doing trickery and backhanded things to get their name attached to The Beatles. Proves my point about how the disk jockeys went crazy. I like that format. It was fun reading the little episodes of each person. Sort of like a verbal history." - Clay Cole, host of the legendary 1960's TV show, The Clay Cole Show on WPIX New York City - the only TV program ever to have The Beatles and The Rolling Stones on the same show!
"At long last, Dave Schwensen digs up hundreds of facts surrounding the Beatles' wildest concerts in the U.S.! Packed with rare photos, The Beatles In Cleveland, covers the riotous '64 & '66 concerts and comes up with fascinating under-stories... like the radio competition to 'own' the '64 concert and a Cleveland photographer's knowledge in '66 - before Brian Epstein's - that The Fab Four were retiring from the road. The Beatles In Cleveland also features observations from dozens of people who were there, including artists who were among the Beatles' opening acts. It's a fascinating look at two wild rides through the city where rock was born from an author, who, as a young'n, got to witness the frenzy!" - Archer, Host of Breakfast With The Beatles on KQMT / Denver-Boulder, Colorado
"As a life-long Beatles fan, I've never read anything about the Fab Four that gives me more of a feeling of actually 'being there' at a Beatles concert. Plan on reading it in one sitting!" - Bob Campbell, Program Director / Morning Show Host / Majic 94.1 FM, Greensboro, North Carolina
"What a ride! Reading The Beatles In Cleveland was the next best thing to being at a Beatles show! The contributing writers along with Dave Schwensen's recollections of the shows are riveting and exciting to read. With all the books ever written about the Beatles, Dave Schwensen's literary contribution to the Beatles legendary folklore rises to the top!" - Cha-Chi Loprete, Host of Breakfast with the Beatles / WZLX, Boston, MA
"Dave Schwensen did the impossible. Through his writing he took my mind from the California coastline to Cleveland and made me enjoy it. I was mainly skeptical that he could write a whole book about a single happening - the two Beatle concerts in said city and hold my interest. Not only did he accomplish both impossibilities, he totally drew me into the whole experience and gave me new insight into something I thought I knew something about. It was like looking into a microscope at a single object and when the proper focus was brought about I was amazed at how many things there were to see. It was the minutiae of it all that were so fascinating. I particularly like the simplicity of the author's reporting in that it allows the reader to live the complicated depth of the experience. Good show, mate!" - Ken Mansfield, Former U.S. Manager Apple Records
"As John Lennon once said, "You had to be there." Well, Dave has created the nearest thing to actually witnessing the Cleveland concerts and it's a worthwhile contribution to the growing canon of works about the greatest rock group of them all." - Bill Harry, Founder of Mersey Beat
"It's impressive! Combining the 1964 and 1966 Cleveland Beatles performances and all the drama and trauma that surrounded them makes for great reading. Conspiracies between radio stations, the crowds going berserk in the early days, and the controversy created by the band's album cover and comments in the press make for a pure investigation of the 60's pop culture and the major phenomenon that spearheaded it." - Joe Viglione, Rock Journalist, Boston, MA
"Paul McCartney thought the show was cancelled, because it had been. So if he reads this book, it'll be a revelation for Sir Paul." - Harry Martin, Radio Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio and credited with 'saving' The Beatles 1964 concert in Cleveland
"What a fabulous book! Fascinating book - even though you may not be living in Cleveland or have ever been there. The way it's put together, it's a wonderful read. What a great concert that was." - Norm N. Nite "Mr. Music" / Sirius Radio broadcast from The Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame
"Awesome Fab Read. Check it out." - Beatlefans.com
"The author manages to recreate the pandemonium of the Fabs concerts, appearances, and press conference in vivid detail. You get a take on the Fab Four that has been rarely told and is truly unique. Sit back and enjoy The Beatles as they romp through the heart of the rock and roll city. We know we enjoyed the ride! If you are looking for a read that will place you directly in the eye of the hurricane, as John himself liked to call it, then this book is for you." - Beatle.wordpress.com
"Schwensen and his group of talking heads do a good job of covering the many aspects of those historic concerts. They include radio DJs Harry Martin and Jerry G. Bishop, who traveled with the group on their 1965, (when they were banned from Cleveland by Mayor Ralph Locher), and 1966 tours; Ghoulardi "gofer" Ron Sweed; "Sunny" singer Bobby Hebb, who was part of the Beatles' 1966 tour, and promoter Norman Wain, along with many fans. The Beatles In Cleveland mixes fan recollections with the backstage machinations and the personal interactions with the Beatles themselves. The fan stories give a good sense of the excitement and unbridled hysteria the band of longhaired Liverpudlians fueled in teens, and the confusion and apprehension toward the establishment that would soon turn to fear and hippie dread. The backstage moments also offer insights on the band being the eye of a huge storm they didn't fully understand, and how their marketed personalities, (the Quiet One, the Cute One, etc.), were not too far off the mark." - Akron-Beacon Journal
"Finally a good Beatles book! This book is one of the best I have read in some time. What I really loved was that there were many first hand accounts of the concerts. It wasn't some historical look back on a couple concerts where riots broke out, but it was the memories of true Beatle fans who were there. And amazingly through reading their first hand accounts, you were transported back to those nights. Should you read this book? YES!" - Peggy from myspace review
"Homegrown books such as this one are getting fewer and fewer as time goes on, so it's good to see The Beatles In Cleveland, a nostalgic look at the Fabs' two shows, (1964 and 1966), in that city. Schwensen smartly doesn't try to spin the story, but uses the narratives of those interviewed as the basis for the book, along with historical background." - abbeyrd.best
"I spent my entire Saturday reading your book and WOW! I read the entire book in one day - great job! The mail got here at 10:30 and by 6:10 I was done. I only stopped reading a couple of times to rest my eyes a little, but I couldn't put it down. I know I was never there, but I seemed to be able to envision everything as clearly as though I actually went to the show. I didn't get anything else done, but I still have Sunday. Thanks for the book and great Saturday too." - Brian Luoma, Beatles Historian and Collector
"Dave, your Beatles book came in today - FANTASTIC JOB!!" - Ray Glasser, WIXY Radio Historian
"Got the book today - congrats on the great job you put into it! Really nice pictures and interviews. All the best from Hungary." - Gabor P.,( first Beatle fan in Hungary to purchase the book!)
"Thank you. This is a keepsake." - Bobby Hebb, composer & performer of the No. 1 song, "Sunny," and toured with The Beatles in 1966.
"One of these things that I can't put down!" - Will Beard, Program Director and co-host of 'Will & Jenny Lynn Morning Show,' Q92.7 FM
"This isn't really a review, but I just wanted to let you know that I finished the book a little while ago and that it was outstanding! Although the Beatles' 1966 Cleveland Stadium show took place six years before I was even born, my father was lucky enough to have attended the concert. As I became a huge Beatles fan over the years, I always enjoyed hearing his recollections about that special night. Unfortunately, because he passed away a few years ago, he never had the pleasure of reading your fine and immensely entertaining book. I'm sure he would've enjoyed it quite a bit. Thanks again for writing such a great book and taking time to read this." - Sincerely, Brian S.