David Stark - It's All Too Much

David Stark has amassed a sizable profile in the music establishment by trusting in his instincts, taking wise advantage of happenstance, and being extremely well connected; as his superb chronicle as a Fab 4 follower reveals. Having cultivated a successful career during the heyday of the modern music industry, he balanced the many hard days nights he’s obviously put into his day job by being ever ready for the plenty of memorable fun to be had.

The core of this book details how he purposefully chased after his favourite band, The Beatles, with an inexhaustible zeal; simply having to be there whenever any significant social event occurred involving the Fab 4. All of which led him merrily along on various musical adventures entertainingly documented in this autobiography of sorts.

All these years later and The Fab 4 still have an immense impact on people across and around this ever-spinning globe and, just like my mother who regularly visited The Cavern for its lunchtime and evening sessions with The Beatles and other Merseybeat stars, The Beatles cast their indelible magical spell on a then fifteen-year-old David Stark one momentous evening at the London Pavilion cinema in Piccadilly Circus at the premiere of Yellow Submarine.

A bit of teenage brass neck, and a very obliging Keith Richards, nodding in Stark and friend to two vacant seats previously reserved for an absent Mick Jagger, and his then squeeze, led Stark on his magical musical life in the music business via this surreal celluloid adventure.

Further Fab encounters from knocking on Ringo’s Hampstead home door to ask him out for a pint, to various on the hoof exchanges with John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and many other associated Beatles people and family down the years form the beating heart of this, at times, unputdownable and highly readable book.

Clearly a music nut, Stark’s life path has predominantly been played out in ‘tin pan alley’ from working for Dick James Music to landing a career-defining position at Decca Records; the very same label that reportedly turned down The Beatles, or did they? You will have to buy a copy of this book to discover the true facts. From this pivotal role, the author then journeyed forth to write for and edit music trade and studio magazines and directories, including his own Songlink magazine and website.

His passion for music undimmed, Stark’s Beatles obsession still gathers pace in his parallel obsession of playing the drums. As the backbeat for The Trembling Wilbury’s covers band, he’s living his dream as the fifth, sixth, or is it the one after 909 Beatle?

This well-written book is about more than just the adventures of a super-fan, Stark also reveals the grease that oils the wheels of the music industry through his own involvement in various music and trade organisations.

A highly recommended read.