Follow the Sun: The Beatles in Greece

The Kalashnikovs, the kings, and the abandoned mansion: Magic Alex's hidden life on Hydra

Alexis Mardas owned a huge house which had a swimming pool, a cinema, and (according to one neighbour) guns. Then he disappeared – and the source of his…

Feb 12 • Jonathan Knott

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January 2026

The historian and the mystery of Billy Hall’s birthday

Mark Lewisohn’s error over when the key witness to the ‘Blackpool incident’ was born highlights the challenges of researching Beatles history in the…

Jan 14 • Jonathan Knott

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December 2025

How a Beatles myth was built - and dismantled

The heartbreaking choice facing John Lennon in Blackpool was an accepted part of Beatles history – until a retired businessman in New Zealand read a…

Dec 16, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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The Greek island that disappeared

The new Anthology series doesn’t mention at all the group’s visit to Greece in 1967, or their intention to buy an island there – but it better explains…

Dec 2, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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October 2025

George Martin’s 'perfect island' postcard

While the Beatles were recording tracks for the ‘White Album’, the group’s producer sent them a postcard from Italy, saying he’d found ‘the perfect…

Oct 30, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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Getting to know 'Magic Alex'

There are lots of stories about Alexis Mardas on the Greek island where he spent much of his time.

Oct 16, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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September 2025

Anatomy of a quote from ‘The Beatles Anthology’

What exactly did George Harrison say about the Greek island, and when?

Sep 24, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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Desertion, theft and a stay in hospital: Alfred Lennon’s eventful war

Newly-discovered ships' records reveal how John Lennon’s father jumped ship in New York and was imprisoned in Algeria for stealing cargo, before being…

Sep 11, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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August 2025

The 'Blackpool incident': what we've been overlooking

Billy Hall, a good friend of John Lennon’s father Alfred, emigrated to New Zealand after the second world war. Did Alf intend to join him there?

Aug 21, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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July 2025

Recap: what we’ve learned about the Beatles’ Greek island mystery

My attempts to clarify a historical footnote led me into a maze of phantom islands, financial strategies, secret services and cold war propaganda.

Jul 24, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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February 2025

Where does the island name ‘Leslo’ come from?

While the name appears in Paul McCartney’s authorised biography, the author’s records suggest it didn’t originate from the Beatle himself.

Feb 5, 2025 • Jonathan Knott

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December 2024

Who was the ‘Swedish actress’ with the Beatles in Greece?

A woman who appears in footage of the trip bears a surprising resemblance to a 1960s Hollywood star

Dec 4, 2024 • Jonathan Knott

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