Rock Star Gallery hosts Beatles book signing

ROCK STAR GALLERY FEATURES BOOK SIGNING FOR BEATLES INSIDER AND MUSIC INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE

Ken Mansfield to sign The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insiders Look at an Era

Ken Mansfield has worked with some of the biggest giants in the rock 'n roll and the country music genres and is coming to ROCK STAR Gallery in Scottsdale Az. for an exclusive book signing on Saturday, April 26.

As the U.S. manager of the Apple Records label, Mansfield was invited by his bosses, The Beatles to be among only a handful of eyewitnesses to catch their last-ever gig on the rooftop of their London headquarters on January 30, 1969. He was a loyal employee and companion to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both during the band years and well after their breakup in 1970. He was present when they composed some of their most enduring tunes.

As a record label exec and Grammy Award-winning producer, he also worked on the marketing, promotion and production of dozens of top-selling artists, such as the Beach Boys, and was also a major player in country music in the 1970s as producer of choice of the groundbreaking Outlaw movement, whose impact is still felt in the genre to this very day. Now, Mansfield's experiences with the Fab Four and the music industry - many of which are told for the first time - are recounted in his first all-music tome, The White Book - The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insider's Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson, $22.99).

Entertaining, historically accurate, and illuminating a side of the Fab Four known only to a few like Mansfield, The White Book shines fresh light on the true characters behind the cultural phenomena that revolutionized a generation.

Mansfield will give a 45-minute talk with a question and answer session, followed by a book signing that starts at 1:00-3:00 Saturday, April 26. This event is open to the public and will be held at the ROCK STAR Gallery, 15220 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 160, Scottsdale, Ariz., 85254. ROCK STAR Gallery is located next to Crate and Barrel in the Kierland Commons.

To R.S.V.P. for this event and secure a book, please contact ROCK STAR Gallery at (480) 275-4501 or email info@rockstargallery.net. For more information please go to http://www.rockstargallery.net/

Arc of a Writer

ARC, WHO GOES THERE?

By Christopher Keane

Let me try to clear up for some of you out there what a CHARACTER ARC is. Everybody bandies about character arcs as if they know what they’re talking about, and some of them do. Some of them don’t.

One of the best definitions I’ve heard is this: the moment by moment, scene by scene, act by act decision-making process a character goes through during the course of the story.

That’s all well and good. He decides to take a bath. She decides to kill her mother-in-law. He decides to kill her mother-in-law. She decides to run a bath to drown out the sound of murder.

Lets narrow down that definition: the moment by moment, scene by scene, act by act high stakes decision-making process a character goes through during the course of the story. A decision making process that involves the choice between two very different and equally balanced options. About five of them per script.

That’s better. It’s the toughest decisions a character has to make, the ones that will give the character his or her character. The decisions that are not overloaded on one side or the other that the writer makes so obvious and predictable that the story flattens out and the character becomes a vehicle for the writer’s lazy half-assed attempt to get across a point.

That leads to the question: What is character?

Character is the behavior that a character shows as a result of his decisions over the course of the story. It’s the writer’s job, let’s call obligation, to balance the choices in such a way that the character, at the most critical moment under pressure, has to make.

Let’s say that the character has five such high stakes, high-pressured decisions during the course of the story. And if one were to study the progression of these decision one might see that the character has, during this time and under these given set of circumstances, significantly changed his or her way of thinking and acting.

A weak woman becomes strong; a confident man turns to jelly.

For instance let’s say a Seattle brain surgeon is rushing to a hospital where he has to perform emergency surgery on, say, a South African heart surgeon who is world renowned for his medical breakthroughs. The South African will not survive unless our Seattle doc operates within the next hour.

Our Seattle brain surgeon is the only man alive who can possibly save this South African, and let’s face it, if successful, which the brain surgeon believes he will be, his own reputation will be greatly enhanced.

Native American tribes inhabit many areas of the Great Pacific Northwest. It just so happens that as the Seattle brain surgeon speeds along a remote highway towards the hospital to perform his emergency operation he spies a couple of Native American women in an old sedan by the side of the road. The sedan is on fire. The Native American women are trapped inside, hands pressed against the glass, crying out.

It won’t be long before they’re engulfed in flames and perish. The brain surgeon is the only one around and he knows it. The question is: will he stop to save the women and certainly lose the famous doctor, or will he push on to the hospital and leave the women to die.

He has a split second to decide.

These are the kind of critical decisions that your character must face in order to show what she’s made of. If her decision comes in the beginning of the story and she chooses to leave the women and go to the hospital, she has room to become someone else by the end of the story. Or if she stops to save the women and the famous doctor dies, she has room to grow and become a different woman by the end of the story.

It’s your decision, your character. Look at the pressure this woman is under. Look at the elements inherent in each decision, the prejudices, the self-interest to consider, the consequences. And they all roll through her in no time at all.

Hit the break or hit the accelerator. These character elements can, and will, turn a mediocre story into a memorable one.

It’s called the character arc. Try it. It should improve your script

Chris Keane has written many books, originals and adaptations of others’ books and his own into movies and TV series. Among his books are three on screenwriting. His latest – ROMANCING THE A-LIST: Writing the Script the Big Stars Want to Make – will be published in April 2008.

Chris is also a script consultant. See his website – Keanewords.com – for more information.

Rock Star hosts Ken Mansfield book signing

ROCK STAR GALLERY FEATURES BOOK SIGNING FOR BEATLES INSIDER AND MUSIC INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE

Ken Mansfield to sign The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insiders Look at an Era

(Scottsdale, Az.) Ken Mansfield has worked with some of the biggest giants in the rock 'n roll and the country music genres and is coming to ROCK STAR Gallery in Scottsdale Az. for an exclusive book signing on Saturday, April 26.

As the U.S. manager of the Apple Records label, Mansfield was invited by his bosses, The Beatles to be among only a handful of eyewitnesses to catch their last-ever gig on the rooftop of their London headquarters on January 30, 1969. He was a loyal employee and companion to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both during the band years and well after their breakup in 1970. He was present when they composed some of their most enduring tunes. As a record label exec and Grammy Award-winning producer, he also worked on the marketing, promotion and production of dozens of top-selling artists, such as the Beach Boys, and was also a major player in country music in the 1970s as producer of choice of the groundbreaking Outlaw movement, whose impact is still felt in the genre to this very day. Now, Mansfield's experiences with the Fab Four and the music industry - many of which are told for the first time - are recounted in his first all-music tome, The White Book - The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insider's Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson, $22.99).

Through exclusive, never-before-seen photos and personal stories, Mansfield – one of the very last Fab Four insiders to pen a book – offers a compelling memoir that delves into his life in the 1960s and '70s and his unique partnership with The Beatles and other musicians who had orbited their world, from James Taylor to Harry Nilsson. It also includes fleeting, yet unforgettable encounters with Mama Cass Elliott, Eric Clapton, Donovan, Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton. As observer, friend and colleague, Mansfield attended Beatles recording sessions, partied in their swimming pools, took their irate calls, witnessed the madness of Beatlemania, and publicized their success. In addition to aggressively promoting the various artists in the Apple Records stable like James Taylor, Badfinger, Mary Hopkin and Jackie Lomax, he became a trusted member of his bosses' inner circle and got to know them intimately - he was among a small, privileged audience as the four Beatles played a casual cocktail set at noontime in London during a break from a meeting, he would join them at local boutiques or cafés, and was around when they composed their songs.

Entertaining, historically accurate, and illuminating a side of the Fab Four known only to a few like Mansfield, The White Book shines fresh light on the true characters behind the cultural phenomena that revolutionized a generation.

Mansfield will give a 45-minute talk with a question and answer session, followed by a book signing that starts at 1:00-3:00 Saturday, April 26. This event is open to the public and will be held at the ROCK STAR Gallery, 15220 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 160, Scottsdale, Ariz., 85254. ROCK STAR Gallery is located next to Crate and Barrel in the Kierland Commons.

To R.S.V.P. for this event and secure a book, please contact ROCK STAR Gallery at (480) 275-4501 or email info@rockstargallery.net. For more information please go to http://www.rockstargallery.net/

Rock Star Gallery features Beatles insider

ROCK STAR GALLERY FEATURES BOOK SIGNING FOR BEATLES INSIDER AND MUSIC INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE

Ken Mansfield to sign The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insiders Look at an Era

(Scottsdale, Az.) Ken Mansfield has worked with some of the biggest giants in the rock 'n roll and the country music genres and is coming to ROCK STAR Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona for an exclusive book signing on Saturday, April 26.

As the U.S. manager of the Apple Records label, Mansfield was invited by his bosses, The Beatles to be among only a handful of eyewitnesses to catch their last-ever gig on the rooftop of their London headquarters on January 30, 1969. He was a loyal employee and companion to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both during the band years and well after their breakup in 1970. He was present when they composed some of their most enduring tunes. As a record label exec and Grammy Award-winning producer, he also worked on the marketing, promotion and production of dozens of top-selling artists, such as the Beach Boys, and was also a major player in country music in the 1970s as producer of choice of the groundbreaking Outlaw movement, whose impact is still felt in the genre to this very day.

Now, Mansfield's experiences with the Fab Four and the music industry - many of which are told for the first time - are recounted in his first all-music tome, The White Book - The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insider's Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson, $22.99).

Through exclusive, never-before-seen photos and personal stories, Mansfield – one of the very last Fab Four insiders to pen a book – offers a compelling memoir that delves into his life in the 1960s and '70s and his unique partnership with The Beatles and other musicians who had orbited their world, from James Taylor to Harry Nilsson. It also includes fleeting, yet unforgettable encounters with Mama Cass Elliott, Eric Clapton, Donovan, Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton. As observer, friend and colleague, Mansfield attended Beatles recording sessions, partied in their swimming pools, took their irate calls, witnessed the madness of Beatlemania, and publicized their success.

In addition to aggressively promoting the various artists in the Apple Records stable like James Taylor, Badfinger, Mary Hopkin and Jackie Lomax, he became a trusted member of his bosses' inner circle and got to know them intimately - he was among a small, privileged audience as the four Beatles played a casual cocktail set at noontime in London during a break from a meeting, he would join them at local boutiques or cafés, and was around when they composed their songs. Entertaining, historically accurate, and illuminating a side of the Fab Four known only to a few like Mansfield, The White Book shines fresh light on the true characters behind the cultural phenomena that revolutionized a generation.

Mansfield will give a 45-minute talk with a question and answer session, followed by a book signing that starts at 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26. This event is open to the public and will be held at the ROCK STAR Gallery, 15220 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 160, Scottsdale, Ariz., 85254. ROCK STAR Gallery is located next to Crate and Barrel in the Kierland Commons.

To R.S.V.P. for this event and secure a book, please contact ROCK STAR Gallery at (480) 275-4501 or email info@rockstargallery.net. For more information please go to http://www.rockstargallery.net/

Meet The Beatles former girlfriends Former girlfriends of John, Ringo talk of life, love Judith Salkin • The Desert Sun • April 12, 2008 Read Comments(1) Recommend (6) Print this page E-mail this article Share this article: Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine What’s this? Back in the 1970s, May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews lived out the fantasy of young women around the globe. They were the girlfriends of former Beatles John Lennon and Ringo Starr. Now both women have documented their relationships in books, offering a glimpse into the lives of their famous loves. On Sunday, Pang and Andrews will be the guest speakers at Melvyn's Restaurant at the Ingleside Inn in Palm Springs. Pushed by Yoko In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono made the move from England to New York and set up not only housekeeping, but a multi-armed business (fueled by Lennon's wealth) headquartered at the St. Regis Hotel. One of the couple's first employees was a 21-year-old Chinese American named May Pang, who had been working at Apple's American office. She started as the Lennons' gofer, eventually rising to the position of personal assistant. But by 1973, John and Yoko's marriage was on the verge of imploding. It was then that Ono took Pang aside, told her that Lennon fancied her and that it was OK to respond to him. Over the next 18 months - what he later called his "Lost Weekend" - Lennon and Pang embarked on a productive and passionate affair that ended as abruptly as it started when Ono decided she wanted Lennon back in her life. Pang told her side of the story in "Loving John" with Henry Edwards in 1983, and more recently in "Instamatic Karma," a book of photos documenting their time together. "It was probably John's most productive period," Pang said from her home outside New York City. "He recorded three albums - one right after the other. But I guess the idea that John was depressed is a great way for someone else to continue the myth." Using her camera (a present from John) Pang recorded their adventures on film, which included a trip to Palm Springs with singer and notorious troublemaker Harry Nilsson. Through her lens, she also captured Lennon's happy reunion with his son, Julian, after a four-year separation; a summer in Peter Lawford's Santa Monica beach house with Ringo; Nilsson and Keith Moon working on Nilsson's "Pussy Cats" album; and Paul and Linda McCartney dropping by in New York. "What I love about the photos is that this was the John I knew," Pang said. "He's not guarded; he's relaxed and you can see he's enjoying his life. What I didn't realize was that I was capturing history. I was just on autopilot." Poker pal Dark-haired model Nancy Lee Andrews was introduced to Ringo at Lennon's Santa Monica beach house. She had moved through the world of rock with boyfriend Carl Radle, who worked as Eric Clapton's bass player in Derek and the Dominos. Andrews was then asked by Lennon to deliver the 1968 Barracuda he'd purchased for Pang to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Starr, who was estranged from his wife Maureen, opened the door to their suite. Standing over his shoulder, Lennon gave Andrews a wink. "He told me, 'Give the lad a chance,'" Andrews recalled from her home in Nashville, Tenn. She decided to give Ringo a chance. The romance blossomed and Andrews was later named the co-respondent in Starr's divorce. "Ringo asked me to do it for the sake of his children," Andrews said. The pair were together for the next six years, engaged in fact, when Starr began working on the 1981 movie "Caveman" with Barbara Bach. "That was the end of our relationship," Andrews said. "But I have to give it them - they've been together for 27 years, so I'm happy for them." Today, Andrews has a studio on her property outside Nashville and is a sought-after photographer for album art and portraits. She moved to the country music capital after marrying in 1994. Her book, "A Dose of Rock and Roll," is the result of a her experiences. "I told them I'd only do the book on my terms," she said. "I wanted it to be an homage to the '70s and the music of our times." Judith Salkin is a features writer. She can be reached at 202-3233 or judith.salkin@thedesertsun.com. In your voice Read reactions to this story Newest first Oldest first oldboys wrote: Regarding the girlfriends... Are they living in assisted living? 4/12/2008 3:31:25 PM Recommend (4) Report Abuse You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login | Register {staffMark} {authorIcon} {authorHandle} wrote: {commentBody} {commentTimestamp} {recommendLink} {reportAbuseLink} Report item as: (required) X Obscenity/vulgarity Hate speech Personal attack Advertising/Spam Copyright/Plagiarism Other Comment: (optional) Missing input fields. You must fill out the comment body in order to submit a comment. Comment too long. The comment you have entered is too long. Please limit your post to {maxchars} characters or less.

Courtesy of Nancy Lee Andrews Ringo Starr and Nancy Lee Andrews at Disneyland, circa 1977. Andrews and Starr had a six-year relationship. Courtesy of May Pang May Pang had an 18-month affair with John Lennon. He's pictured above with singer Harry Nilsson in Palm Springs. Meet The Beatles girlfriends WHAT: "Dinner With..." May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews, former girlfriends of John Lennon and Ringo Starr WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Melvyn's Restaurant at the Ingleside Inn, 200 W. Ramon Road, Palm Springs COST: $60, plus tax and tip; pre-paid reservations required. OTHER DETAILS: Includes dinner with choice of entree INFORMATION: 325-2323; www.ingleside.com

All You Need Is Love

Former Beatles girlfriends May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews experienced what millions of girls only dreamed.

Pang, former Yoko Ono-endorsed companion to John Lennon, is the author of the new book, "Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon," featuring rare photos of her time with the music legend.

Former international model Andrews shared a seven-year relationship with Ringo Starr, and is the author of the photographic memoir, "A Dose of Rock and Roll."

Both will be featured at the Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn Dinner Sunday. Reservations are recommended.

Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn Dinner with May Pang, including champagne reception with hors d'oeuvres and photo exhibition, 6-6:30 p.m.; dinner followed by talk, and Q&A session, 6:30 p.m. Melvyn's at the Ingleside Inn, 200 W. Ramon Road, Palm Springs. (760) 325-2323

Beatles ex-girlfriends to appear at Melvyn's

Ex-girlfriends of Beatles to appear at Melvyn's
Katie Ruark • April 3, 2008

Former girlfriends of John Lennon and Ringo Starr will discuss their books at Melvyn’s Restaurant April 13 at 6 p.m.

May Pang, former girlfriend of John Lennon, is author of Instamatic Karma. Nancy Lee Andrews, former girlfriend of Ringo Starr is author of a photographic memoir called A Dose of Rock and Roll.

The presentation is part of Melvyn’s “Dinner With...” series and will include a champagne reception and exhibit of their photos at 6 p.m. followed by a three-course dinner at 6:30 p.m., and a question and answer with Pang and Lee Andrews. Reservations are required and the event is $60 per person excluding tax and gratuity.

For reservations call Melvyn's at (760) 325-2323.

Pang and Andrews invade the Desert

Melvyn's hosts April 13 exhibit and book signing with May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews

Authors May Pang and Nancy Lee Andrews, both long time companions of John Lennon and Ringo Starr, will hold an exhibition and book signing at Melvyn’s Restaurant in the heart of Palm Springs, California.

Nancy Lee Andrews met Ringo through Lennon who introduced them in May of 1974. The photographs, taken over a decade starting in 1970, are a personal journey through her life at the peak of pop culture history. May Pang was requested to become John Lennon’s companion in June of 1973. Pang’s memoir recounts stories of her former lover in vivid detail.

Pang and Andrews are exhibiting never before seen photos of John Lennon and Ringo Starr on Sunday, April 13, 2008 6-9 p.m. Pang and Andrews will also hold a champagne reception, book signing and story hour. The photos and books will be for sale at Melvyn’s Restaurant tucked inside The Ingleside Inn, 200 Ramon Road.

Andrews’ book A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll ($69.99, Dalton Watson Fine Books) a photographic essay about her life with Ringo Starr while Pang is promoting Instamatic Karma ($29.99, St. Martin's Press), chronicling her 18-month relationship with John Lennon.

Melvyn’s Restaurant at The Ingleside Inn was built as a private residence in 1925, and was converted to an inn in 1935. The inn, which features a classic, old world style, is a Palm Springs Historic Landmark.

Call (760) 325-2323 or visit http://www.inglesideinn.com/ for tickets or more information.


.# # #