October 2015

(31) Canada – The softback version of Marilyn was spotted at #12, and the hardback at #16 in the “Most Gifted” section on Amazon Canada. On the same day, and place, a “Temporarily out of stock” notice about the paperback version was posted on the site.

(30) Rex Features, London – With a few queries that need sorting (notably confusion of unlawful ownership); Keith paid a visit to see Steve at Rex Features in London. Several hours of checking, and double-checking numerous other Circus ’68 images followed. But it was a fruitful exercise. “It was a most productive day,” Keith remarked afterwards. “I’m most pleased to say that I’ve now got ownership of several of Mike Randolph’s pictures rightfully returned to him.”

(29) London – An incredible 16 years after its release, Keith’s 1999 Omnibus Press book, The Beatles: After The After The Break-Up, 1970 – 2000 was used extensively and (thankfully) credited in today’s Daily Mail piece about John, Paul, George and Ringo’s first solo concerts. “Thanks for the credit,” Keith Remarked after seeing the article.

(28) Berkshire – Mega busy day, with work involving Mike Randolph’s Circus, the Cavern club book and the Dave Cash shows. Conversations with Bob Young and Cash himself peppered the day’s proceedings.

(27) Berkshire – Another action-packed day. Top-of-the-agenda, the Cavern book project. A lengthy call with Paul at Archivum also took place today.

(26) Canada – Meanwhile, the paperback version of Marilyn was still out of stock on Amazon Canada.

(23) Windsor, Berkshire – Another trip out to Her Majesty-land to see Mike Randolph and exchange news of the on-going Stones Circus ’68 project.

- The David Essex Story – A momentous day for the documentary when, at 5pm today, the Pledge Music site launched its campaign for the film.

(22) London – A catch-up with old mate, Tel Rawlings at The Ship in Bermondsey.

(15) Windsor, Berkshire – Another 1:30pm meeting with Mike Randolph.

(14) Canada – Well, simply incredible. The paperback edition of Keith’s Marilyn completely sold out on Amazon Canada!

- Leafy Berkshire - Further synopsis work on Mike Randolph’s Circus ’68 project.

(13) Leafy Berkshire, UK – Dave Cash gave mighty big thumbs-up after watching the recently-completed Pirates documentary trailer… “We’re on our way!”

- Also, further extensive work took place today on the Cavern book project. “It’s looking great!”

(12) Canada – Hey! Hey! A nice surprise when the Kindle version of Marilyn suddenly climbed to the #2 slot in the “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” section on Amazon Canada. While, on the same day, same site, the book was also seen at the #11 slot in the “Humour & Entertainment > Movies > Biographies” and at #27 in the “Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Entertainers” Kindle Store.

(9) Leafy Berkshire – Phew. Another action-packed day. Following a conversation with director, Alan G. Parker, with John Lennon reaching what would have been his 75th birthday, Keith made several BBC interviews to talk about it; on the Anne Diamond and Paul Ross radio shows.
- Windsor, Berkshire – Another 1:30pm meet with legendary photographer, Mike Randolph.

(7) Goodreads – One for the “It slipped thru my net” depart. A big thank you to reader, Heather Watson for her wonderful, 5 out of 5 stars review of Marilyn on the Goodreads website. “This is the most well written Monroe biography to date,” she said. “It was diligently researched and almost completely unbiased in its' speculations regarding her passing. I was captivated and towards the end I almost felt like I was reading a suspenseful fiction…I learned some new facts I never knew and that left me completely satisfied with this book. Bravo, Mr. Badman.” And Thank You Heather! Much appreciated!

- Ground-breaking research on the new Cavern project continued.

(6) Surrey – With work on the Cavern club project gaining momentum by the day, Keith made a trip out to visit the home of Bob Young, top musician, and Status Quo friend/ co-songwriter.

(Up to 5 – Early part of the month) Leafy Berkshire – Keith carried-out further extensive research work on the new Cavern book. “The number of rarely-seen, truly staggering items I’ve come across, or been sent is simply incredible! I’m lost for words,” Keith remarked.

September 2015

(29) Leafy Berkshire –full-speed ahead now on the new History of the Cavern book, which is set for release in December 2016.

- Meanwhile, a big thank you to Mr. Nigel Quiney who posted a rather nice review of Marilyn (kindle version) on Amazon.co.uk. He wrote, “I didn't think that there was much left to say about Marilyn but amazingly Keith Badman's book was illuminating and well worth the read. Congratulations.” Thanking you, kid Sir!

(28) South London – Another trip into South London, for a meet with Tel and producer, Mike Chappers. Top of the agenda, The Pirate Radio documentary with Dave Cash.

(23) Canada – Well I never… the paperback version of Marilyn climbed to the #2 position in the “Most Wished For in Monroe, Marilyn” and #5 in the “Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Monroe, Marilyn” sections of Amazon Canada. Phew!

-Meanwhile, it’s all systems go. Work on the forthcoming, officially endorsed Cavern club book properly began today.

(21) Canada – A rather pleasant leap up to the #3 position for the paperback Marilyn in the Amazon “Best Sellers in Monroe, Marilyn” section on Amazon Canada. While on the same day, the book was also to be found at #49 in the “Humour & Entertainment > Movies > Biographies” and at #316 in the “Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Entertainers” sections of the site.

(18) Leafy Berkshire / London – A major breakthrough with ITV re copyright ownership of the Dave Cash Radio Programme. Watch this (rather exciting) space.

(15) Central London – With the Stones’ Circus 1968 idea top-of-the-agenda, Keith headed back into London to attend a meeting with Simon and Paul of the superb UK design company, Archivum uk. A truly superb glossy, limited edition, hardback book about the making of The Beatles’ 1965 film, Help! has just been released by the pair. With director, Alan G. Parker also present, it turned into a rather eventful day, especially when spectacular, rather promising news reached the quartet about the on-going David Essex movie. (A release in January 2016 for it now seems rather likely.)

(14) Leafy Berkshire – The day was spent fine-tuning items in readiness for the big, highly important meeting in London tomorrow.

(11) UK – A rise of one place. Oh yes! Keith climbs to the no.10 position in the “Most Popular People Born in Slough” listing on Amazon.co.uk.

(10) Leafy Berkshire – A return trip to Windsor to meet and discuss the on-going Rock And Roll Circus project with super-snapper, Mike Randolph.

(9) UK– The latest edition of Record Collector magazine, featuring Keith’s write-up on Ringo’s 1973 appearance on Russell Harty Plus flew thru the letterboxes of subscribers across the country.

(5) BBC Four – Another repeat screening of the two-part, 2011 Award-nominated documentary, Queen: Days of their Lives, which featured Keith’s archive research. Once more, high viewing figures were there to watch it.

(4) UK – Hey. Get this. Keith was to be found at the no.11 position in the “Most Popular People Born in Slough” category on Amazon.co.uk.

August 2015

(30) UK – Thanks to “Mrs. C” for her rather nice, four-star review of Marilyn (Kindle version) on Amazon.co.uk “Interesting information,” she said, “…This one rings mostly true to me.” Thank you!

- Liverpool Convention, Adelphi Hotel – Keith presented the video-show at Europe’s biggest Beatles fan get-together and also partook in the obligatory “Eggheads” competition. After much banter, and frivolity, his team, “The Badman” beat Billy Heckle’s by 13-12. It now stands 1-1. The decider will take place at next year’s convention. The question-master was the highly-respected author and Beatles historian, David Bedford, whose questions were HARD… to say the least!!

- Then. at approximately, 2:11, In the early hours of Monday, August 30, in one of the concert rooms in the basement of the Adelphi, in recognition of his services at the convention, Cavern City Tours inducted Keith into the Beatleweek Hall of Fame. Amidst applause and flashing lightbulbs, he was dragged onstage to collect an award and was speechless. “Thanks to all at CCT,” he said. “This really means a lot to me. Thank you all.”

(29) Slough twinned with Liverpool – Keith headed-off to Beatle-Land for the big annual, Fab Four Convention.

(27) Leafy Berkshire – Top US record dealer, and mega Beatles fan, Bob Boyer arrived at Chez Badman to begin four days of Fab Four mania.

(26) Canada – Marilyn book update… the paperback edition was spotted at #31 in the “Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( M ) > Monroe, Marilyn” and at #371 in the “Humour & Entertainment > Movies > Biographies” sections on Amazon Canada. While in the “Most Gifted in Monroe, Marilyn” area of the site, the softback version was seen at #12 and the hardback four places below at #16.

(20) Leafy Berkshire – Keith wrote a most favourable review of the superb, new Billy Fury DVD, The Sound and the Fury for Record Collector magazine.

(19) Leafy Berkshire – RC deadline-day again. This month, a tribute to Cilla Black and her appearance on the 1965 Granada TV special, The Music of Lennon & McCartney.

(15) Leafy Berkshire – With the influx of American visitors about to descend on Chez Badman, Keith carried-out further decorating work on his property.

(14) Windsor – 1:30pm. Another Stones Circus ’68-related meeting with the legendary 60s/70s snapper, Mike Randolph.

(13) Leafy Berkshire – Our Mr Badman paid another visit to the palatial home of Max and Eileen Quarterman. “Thank you both again for making me more than welcome.”

(11) Leafy Berkshire – Keith completed work on the video show for this year’s Beatles Convention in Liverpool, which is due to take place in just over two weeks’ time.

(4) London – Visit to the London studio of Chris Difford (Squeeze) with Tel, Chappers and legendary DJ, Dave Cash to begin work on the first phase on their new, Pirate Radio documentary.

(3) Leafy Berkshire – Phenomenally busy day, which included conversations with the legendary DJ, Dave Cash and frenzied, archive research/ negotiations on the (almost completed) David Essex Story. Emails from the great man himself peppered the activities.

-For a few short hours this morning, the softback edition of Keith’s Marilyn was still in the top-spot in the “Most Wished For in Monroe, Marilyn” section on Amazon Canada. It fell to #4 shortly after.

(2) Cilla – The great British singer, Cilla Black sadly passed away at her home in Spain. Keith had the fortune to meet her, briefly back in 1997, during the making of the five-part, Granada/ Channel 4 series, The Brit Girls. “Thanks, Chuck for making me welcome that day,” Keith said. “I’m pleased I found that long-lost (Thank Your Lucky Stars) 1963 clip for you.”

() Canada / Italy – Incredible start to the month when Keith’s Marilyn (paperback edition) raced back to the #1 in the “Most Wished For in Monroe, Marilyn” section on Amazon Canada, knocking J. Randy Taraborrelli’s The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe into second position. While, on the same day, in the same chart, the Kindle version of it was at #11! Meanwhile, over on Amazon Italy, the kindle version of Keith’s tome was to be found at n.106 in the “Arte, cinema e fotografia > Cinema e television” section of the site.

Announcement! David Essex film - Pledge Music campaign launched!

Hello!

On Friday, October 23 2015 at 5pm, Pledge Music launched their David Essex movie campaign.
You can see it here http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/davidessex

It's a truly cracking production! Let's get it out there!
KB (27/10/2015)

New Pics!

There are two smashing new photos on the photo page. Click here to head right there.