Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kenneth Womack, Ph.D., is set to release his newest book about the Beatles, “Solid State: The Story of Abbey Road and the End of the Beatles.” The book explores the writing, recording, mixing, and reception of the legendary “Abbey Road” album.
“With ‘Solid State,’ I was interested in telling the story of the Beatles’ last desperate effort to cement their legacy before it was too late,” Womack explains. “‘Abbey Road’ is such a magnificent record, and this book provided me with a means for exploring the band’s final days together.”
The book has already received positive reviews from Rolling Stone and Publishers Weekly.
Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone wrote, “One of the world’s foremost Beatle scholars takes a fascinating tour through the band’s final masterpiece. Kenneth Womack sheds light on the struggle and strife behind ‘that magic feeling,’ as four artists on the verge of splitting apart somehow came together to make some of their best-loved music. ‘Solid State’ is a brilliant and essential trip.”
Publishers Weekly said, “[‘Solid State’] delivers a fascinating, in-depth look at the creation of ‘Abbey Road,’ the Beatles’ penultimate album released 50 years ago. The record received mixed reviews upon its release, and Womack observes that critics generally agreed that the album ‘sounded different’ from the band’s previous work. […] Womack displays a detailed and insightful analysis that fans will hope he applies to the band’s other albums.”
“Solid State” will be published on Oct. 15, 2019.