FIFTY YEARS ADRIFT 
(IN AN OPEN-NECKED SHIRT)

Derek Taylor's colourful autobiography, packed with glorious pieces of memorabilia from his early days as a journalist, to his term as Beatles publicist and great friend and beyond.

Written by Derek Taylor and edited and annotated by George Harrison, it is a lasting testament to the genius, wit and insight of two great men. An early working title had been 'And We All Shine On' but the title was finally taken from a Liverpudlian expression. Fifty Years Adrift was the subject of glowing reviews including a fabulous one in The New York Times, while The Beatles Book Monthly described it as, 'Probably the best Beatles-related volume ever'.

Derek Taylor and Brian Roylance worked many a long night pasting up the page layouts in Genesis' old, cramped Pilgrim House office so that the publication date could be met. The text had to be edited down from the 400,000 words which Derek had written to around 250,000 words, while the beautiful engraving-type illustrations throughout were mainly created by Roy Williams. The wealth of memorabilia reproduced was painstakingly excavated from a batch of large streamer trunks containing Derek's assorted possessions which one day mysteriously presented itself at our offices having been shipped from Warner Bros Records in Burbank.

The book was launched in Australia at The Sydney Opera House with both Derek and George in attendance, before travelling on to New Zealand for further promotion.

George Harrison attending the launch at Sydney Opera House		Derek Taylor and George Harrison at the book launch in Auckland.

During a break in Auckland, George, Derek and Brian were walking through a park when they heard a low haunting musical refrain coming from behind a building. Around the corner the trio discovered a young man practising on a twelve-foot long Alpine horn. George asked the young musician about the practicality of transporting such a large instrument and the pair engaged each other in conversation. 'Do you play an instrument yourself?' the New Zealander enquired. 'Oh, I play the guitar - it's easier to carry on a plane', George replied as they said their goodbyes.

As a result of George and Derek travelling to the Southern Hemisphere specifically to promote Fifty Years Adrift, half the edition was sold down there which makes it extremely hard to find in the Northern Hemisphere! If you find one hold on to it: it's a gem, and has never been published in any other form. 2,000 copies were made in brown half-leather and each one is autographed by George Harrison, Derek Taylor and by ex-Bonzo Dog member Larry Smith, who created the end papers.

And finally, the Afterword was written by the late great Harry Nilsson, who so loved Fifty Years Adrift that he purchased a batch to give to friends and anyone who showed an interest. We know of at least one London taxi driver who benefited from Harry's enthusiasm and generosity.

ISBN: 0 904351 22 x