Mal Evans’s long-unpublished memoir is reaching readers in With the Beatles, prepared by Beatles writer Kenneth Womack from material preserved by Evans’s family. The road manager dictated his memories in 1975, before his death the following year. The December book draws on that manuscript, diaries and photographs, including his account of the band’s meeting with Elvis Presley.
Mal Evans’s unpublished memoir is reaching readers in With the Beatles, prepared by Beatles writer Kenneth Womack. Evans’s family made the material available after decades in storage. The book is scheduled for December. Evans had planned a memoir with the band’s permission, but died in 1976 at 40 before it appeared. His recollections are now being presented alongside photographs and diaries from his years with the group.[1], [2]
Evans dictated his memories into a portable cassette recorder in 1975 and hired a stenographer. The manuscript runs to about 95,000 words. Womack assembled the material from six large boxes, having already used it for his 2023 Evans biography. The new book includes about 400 photographs, some previously unseen. Evans had kept notebooks, receipts and discarded lyric sheets as well as taking thousands of pictures while working on tour and in studios.[1]
Evans began working with the Beatles after serving as a bouncer at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. His memoir spans Help!, Magical Mystery Tour and the Get Back sessions. It includes his account of meeting Elvis Presley in Bel Air in August 1965: Presley played Beatles records before guitars were found for the musicians. Another chapter recalls intimidation during the Philippines tour after the band declined an invitation involving Imelda Marcos. Those episodes are Evans’s recollections of life alongside John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.[1]
