American Ken Mansfield was part of the original team when The Beatles' Apple Records label was put together 40 years ago. In the first part of an extensive two-part conversation about his involvement with the Fabs, Howie Edelson talks with Mansfield about promoting Beatles records, beating Allen Klein in tennis, the Zapple releases, and how a guy from California appealed to The Beatles.

Also in this issue we have more with John Lennon's onetime girlfriend, May Pang, talking about her life with and after Lennon and a recent encounter with Yoko Ono. We also feature more fan tales of Growing Up With The Beatles, including a detailed account written by a 16-year-old fan of seeing the Fab Four in concert in 1966, and a second-generation fan on coming of age in the U.K. in the ?70s. And columnist Kit O'Toole takes a look at how The Beatles' musical greatness is often reflected in the openings of their songs.

Plus Rick Glover's paper collectibles series winds up with a fond look at the treasures to be found within the pages of fan scrapbooks. Also in this issue are reviews of the new "Classic Albums: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" DVD and new Beatles books, including the photo collection from Ringo's ex, Nancy Andrews. 

And this issue's Beatlenews Roundup has news of Paul McCartney's new Fireman track and his concert return to Liverpool (more coverage of which can be found on the Beatlefan/PLUS! page) and his being made an honorary Doctor of Music by Yale University, plus details of new and upcoming releases, a look at Ringo Starr's HBO special and a roundup of Beatles-related podcasts. A sample issue costs $5.50 in the U.S. or $6.50 abroad. U.S. funds only. If you want the latest issue, be sure to specify #172.Click here. . . COMING IN ISSUE #173: A look at how The Beatles fit into the tumultuous year 1968 and more memories of Growing Up With The Beatles! Check it out!  
 

Paul McCartney will play the Plains of Abraham for Quebec City's 400th anniversary, Canada's CTV reported. The July 20 concert will be free, the Canadian report said. There was no confirmation of the report from MPL . . . As part of an online fund-raiser for Adopt-a-Minefield, Paul McCartney made available a previously unreleased track recorded for his next Fireman album, "Lifelong Passion (Sail Away)". . . . McCartney's June 1 concert in Liverpool featured a few musical surprises, including opening with old Beatles Cavern Club standard "Hippy Hippy Shake," doing the song "In Liverpool" (previously available only on a DVD) and including "A Day in the Life/Give Peace a Chance" in the encore. . . . That weekend also saw Liverpool playing host to Stella McCartney's fall-winter fashion show, with her dad and Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison in attendance. . . . Sir Paul was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by Yale University at its May 26 commencement ceremonies in New Haven, CT. . . . A Beatles edition of the game Monopoly is reported to be in the works. . . . Yoko Ono scored an initial victory in her legal battle to suppress unreleased 1970 footage of John Lennon shot by her ex-husband, Anthony Cox. However, Ono lost a bid to stop a snippet of "Imagine" from being included in the documentary "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." . . . Olivia Harrison and designer Yvonne Innes, wife of Neil Innes of Rutles fame, put together a special garden tribute to George Harrison for the May 20-24 Chelsea Flower Show. . . . The Mike McCartney photo exhibition at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame runs June 27-Sept. 21. . . . An exhibition of Linda McCartney's photos, selected by Paul and daughter Mary, runs through July 19 at the James Hyman Gallery on Savile Row in London. . . . The Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor honoring Lennon, Imagine Whirled Peace, is now available nationwide. . . . For the latest Beatles news, subscribe to Beatlefan/EXTRA! . . . Bill King offers commentary on The Beatles (and much more) at Quick Cuts, the new Internet journal on pop culture. Click here to read it.

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