Think of Genesis Publications as the ultimate fanzine publisher… It’s a publishing company, based in Guildford, that was founded in ’74 by Brian Roylance. It is run today by his son and daughter, Nick and Catherine Roylance and produces signed, limited edition books about musicians.

It started by producing historical volumes but is now an ‘art house’ publisher in the fields of modern music and culture. The company’s first title to depart from historical reproductions was George Harrison’s autobiography, “I, Me, Mine”, published in ’80. Their books by and about The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Queen and more retail for hundreds.

‘Fifty Years Adrift’, by Derek Taylor was published in ’84, and edited by George Harrison and limited to a run of 2000. Copies are now selling for well over 2,000 GBP.

1984’s ‘Fifty Years Adrift’, by Derek Taylor

In 1988 they published “Songs by George Harrison” a book of song lyrics and commentary by Harrison, with illustrations by New Zealand artist Keith West. It was published in February 1988, in a limited run of 2500 copies and included an EP of rare or previously unreleased Harrison recordings. It remains the only formal release for “Sat Singing”, “Flying Hour” and the live “For You Blue”. In December 2006, Record Collector magazine ranked “Songs by George Harrison” 122nd in its list of “The 250 Most Valuable Records of Our Time”, with an estimated value of £800 for the book and disc set.

Late in ’91, Genesis published ‘24 Nights‘ by Eric Clapton, Peter Blake, and Derek Taylor. This documented the run of 24-consequetive-nights across February to March ’91 Clapton performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London to close out the Journeyman World Tour. This two-volume book and CD boxed set was Clapton’s first with Genesis, with a limited 3,500 signed copies produced.

1991’s 24 Nights published by Genesis

Ed: We will gradually add and expand this list with images and information on Genesis Publication’s books printed prior to 2000:

  • 1987 It Was Twenty Years Ago Today by Derek Taylor
  • 1990 Blinds and Shutters by Michael Cooper1991 24 Nights by Eric Clapton; scrapbook by Peter Blake
  • 1992 Songs by George Harrison 2 by George Harrison (illustrations by Keith West)
  • 1993 Live in Japan 1991 by George Harrison
  • 1994 Liverpool Days by Max Scheler with Astrid Kirchherr
  • 1995 Paul McCartney: Yesterday & Today by Ray Coleman
  • 1995 Sometime in New York City by Bob Gruen with Yoko Ono
  • 1995 Masons Yard to Primrose Hill 65–67 by Gered Mankowitz
  • 1996 Stuart: The Life and Art of Stuart Sutcliffe by Kay Williams and Pauline Sutcliffe
  • 1996 Golden Dreams by Max Scheler with Astrid Kirchherr
  • 1997 Raga Mala by Ravi Shankar (edited by George Harrison)
  • 1997 From Hamburg to Hollywood by Jürgen Vollmer
  • 1997 BIG: Beatles in Germany by Günter Zint (with Ulf Krüger and Tony Sheridan)
  • 1997 Crossfire Hurricane by Bob Gruen
  • 1998 Wyman Shoots Chagall by Bill Wyman
  • 1998 Wood on Canvas: Every Picture Tells a Story by Ronnie Wood
  • 1999 Hamburg days by Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr
  • 1999 I Contact: The Gered Mankowitz Archives by Gered Mankowitz
  • 1999 Pleased to Meet You by Michael Putland
  • 1999 Early Dylan (with Arlo Guthrie)
  • 2000 Mania Days by Curt Gunther

Since 2000, and still run out of a house on Jenner Street, Guildford, the cadence of releases has multiplied, and Genesis Publications website is well worth a browse.

Gallery:

Front cover art for the 1980 book “I, Me, Mine” written by George Harrison.
Promo material for 1984’s ‘Fifty Years Adrift’
Flipside of promo material for 1984’s ‘Fifty Years Adrift’
The black leather-bound “Songs by George Harrison”