Mr. Pop History – “The Love You Make” by Beatle insider Peter Brown and the “Beatles Anthology” by Paul, Ringo and George. Just doesn’t get any better.

Paul, Ringo and George have written a book to set the record straight about the Beatles. The three of spent six years writing the 360-page “Beatles Anthology” to be published in Britain and the United States in the fall. “It will dispel some of the myths… as every Tom, Dick and uncle of a friend has been writing books on the Beatles since 1963,” said Paul McCartney. The book will weigh 4.4 pounds.

Mr. Pop History – My-My – quite a few. I’m looking forward to seeing Andy Williams perform a Palm Springs Christmas show in December. There’s Jack Jones, Jerry Vale, Bobby Vinton, Johnny Mathis and of course, Tony Bennett. Look around and you’ll find more – but see ‘em while you can! They’re all one-of-a-kind.

Al Martino was one of the greats. He had so many hits and what a range!

Mr. Pop History – Not by a long shot. Remember, this is all about hype and the thinking is for everyone to have access to the song, in the hopes they’ll buy the album and see the movie. Not a bad strategy at all. Just because it’s on the Internet (and first), doesn’t mean radio can’t touch it. It’s a different medium and is used differently.

The build-up was classic. On a newscast – I saw guys in dark suits – one with a suitcase, supposedly with “the song” inside – making their way into “the building” so it could be unveiled to the world. The media fell for that hook-line-and sinker – but it was absolutely classic! All the reporters looked so serious. I loved every minute of it and it shows you – how PR works to create hype.

The first time I saw a radio station play a song available first on the Net, was back in 2000 when KFMB-FM (San Diego) began airplay of “I Will Love You” by a duo called Fisher. That song too, was first released on the Internet, though I’m not sure if it was a free download.

Mr. Pop History – TNN or “The Nashville Network” was one of the early cable TV success stories and its folksy brand of country music and its veteran artists passed them by. It was a great place to see country greats such as George Jones, Gary Morris, Ralph Emery and others. Gaylord sold the channel to the MTV folks, who cleverly changed it to “The National Network” with a menu of “general entertainment” back in September of 2000. That eventually morphed into “Spike-TV.”

Mr. Pop History – Amazingly true – but back in 2000, Elton John acknowledged in a London court that he lived so lavishly, that he spent up to $2.15 million a month. “I have no one to leave it to.” He was testifying in a trial against former accountants.