Jude: What is Octopus' Garden? What is the primary focus of the publication? How is it different from other Beatles publications?
Tom: "Octopus' Garden" is a quarterly Beatles "fanzine" that focuses on the Beatles both as a group and as solo artists. This way we can deal with news and current events as well as delve into the rich history of the Beatles as a group and of John, Paul George and Ringo as solo performers. One question I get a lot is: "What is a fanzine?" A "fanzine" is a magazine that's put together by a fan - a little play on words there. It was a very popular term back in the 60s and 70s when so many publications were put out by fans themselves. What makes us different from say, Bill King's great "Beatlefan" which I have loved for years - and I think Bill does a great job with - is that we model ourselves after those old style "fanzines." We put it together ourselves from start to finish, right down to the printing of every issue. We even staple the issue together, just like all those great "fanzines" of long ago. The sub-title of "Octopus' Garden" is "The Beatles Fanzine By and For Fans" because we look to our subscribers to contribute to each issue. We encourage it. The subscribers, all Beatles fans, are a big part of it. I think that's another big difference. We do get a lot of input from non-subscribers too but it's our subscribers that make us who we are and we pay attention to them and try to treat them right because they're important. So yeah, the style and the fact that the subscribers play a role are the big differences. I think that's why we've been around so long while so many "fanzines" have closed up shop. We've just completed our 20th year of publication and we're still going strong.
Jude: When did you start Octopus'
Garden and why?
Tom: Beth Shorten, it was Foster back then, published the very first issue in September of 1991. She got the idea on her way to visit a friend in New Hampshire. She believed it was an innovative idea and then found out there were many fanzines out there (laughs). I became a subscriber in 1992 and in March of 1993 Beth and I met at Beatlefest (now called Fest for Beatles Fans) aka "Blizzardfest" because a blizzard shut down the entire east coast and even the roads in NJ were closed to traffic. Beth made it on Sunday and we soon became close friends. I wrote the review of the fest that year, my first piece. I kept doing a little more and more and eventually became Assistant Editor. In late 2000, Beth, who had recently gotten married, was thinking of shutting "OG" down and I asked if I could take it over. In March 2001 I published my first issue. Why did we do it? Simple...love for The Beatles.
Jude: When does Octopus' Garden
come out...monthly, bi-monthly, etc.? And how can someone get
a copy of it?
Tom: "OG" comes out 4 times a year...March, June, September and December. It's mainly a subscription based magazine, the kind you can still hold in your hands. Rates are $16 in the U.S. and $22.00 (U.S.) everywhere else in the world for a one year subscription of 4 issues. You get an 8"x 10" photo of the Beatles and a membership card with a new or renewal subscription, plus special "gifts" from time to time. Fans interested can either email me at Beatles94@excite.com or write to Octopus' Garden, P.O. Box 3683, Peabody MA 01961-3683 USA. We have recently added a Facebook page as well - Octopus' Garden Fanzine. Check it out: Octopus-Garden-Fanzine on Facebook
Jude: How has Octopus' Garden
changed over the years?
Tom: The general principle has remained the same - Beatles Fanzine By and For Fans" - since the beginning. We've changed the format quite a bit expanding each issue to 22-26 pages, often more, and "OG" is in a full blown magazine format. It's now in color and on heavier paper and we "smartened up" the look. We started doing interviews with various "Beatles people" as well starting back in 2001. We include gifts, such as art prints, CDs, calendars and more from time to time.
Jude: Why did you select that name for
your publication?
Tom: "Octopus' Garden" was chosen by Beth Shorten back in 1991. Beth wanted a song name as a title. Back then just about every fan magazine was named after a Beatles song title - "Good Day Sunshine," "Strawberry Fields Forever," to name two of the most popular. It was a toss up between "Old Brown Shoe" and "Octopus' Garden" and Beth thought that "Octopus' Garden" fit best. As Ringo explained about the song - an octopus actually makes a garden using bits and pieces of things that it finds on the sea bottom. And that's what "OG" was to be - bits and pieces - articles, reviews, games, poetry, photos, artwork, contests and so on. Bits and pieces, just like the octopus in the song. When I took over as editor and publisher in 2001, I wanted to continue that style. It's a great style, I think. So the name stayed. It was the perfect name for us. Still is. It fits perfectly.
Jude: Who is the most exciting person
that you've ever interviewed for the magazine?
Tom: Everyone I've interviewed has been exciting. I loved interviewing you when Shivering Inside came out. The most fun interviews would have been Sam Leach and the late Alistair Taylor which were both in person. Sam gets so excited when talking about the Beatles. The faster he talks, the thicker his accent becomes (laughs). Sam and I are still friends to this day. The late Alistair Taylor, a true gentleman, was fun. He had so many stories. It was at a Boston Beatlefest a few years ago. The interview lasted about 45 minutes and I only asked about 3 questions. He would just go on and on. His P.R person kept trying to rush it because Alistair had to do something. He turned to her and said, "They'll wait. I'm busy here," and we kept on.
Jude: Who is the most difficult interview
you've ever conducted?
Tom: Mother Teresa (laughs). Seriously I have never had a difficult interview and I've done about 30 since 2001. There is something very special about "Beatles People" from the insiders to the fans to the authors to the photographers, to the musicians - "Beatles People," those who share a love for the Beatles. Everyone I've interviewed has been super gracious.
Jude: How did you become such an ardent
Beatles' fan?
Tom: Well, I do the magazine, I'm a collector, I attend conventions, and I attend concerts. But I can answer your question very simply - Sunday night February 9, 1964 - The Ed Sullivan Show. I was hooked right then and there. Still am.
Jude: What is the ONE event in your life
that you would consider to be your most thrilling Beatles-related
event...a concert? A trip? A brush with greatness?
Tom: Oh, wow! My first concerts, first "fest", meeting people like Louise Harrison (George's sister), Pete Best (who I shared a few beers with), Laurence Juber of WINGS, Sam Leach, the late Alistair Taylor, some I still keep in touch with. The list goes on and on. There are so many but I think the most thrilling event hasn't even happened yet. I would love to meet Paul or Ringo, but I'd probably turn into a blithering idiot if I did. I haven't made what I call "The Pilgrimage" to Liverpool and London yet.
Jude: Ask yourself one question that you wish that I had asked.
Tom: Okay, let' see. Why do I keep doing it? Because of all the beautiful people I've met and become friends with because of "OG".
