A book for Beatles fans, yeah, yeah, yeah

You say you love them? Well, chances are you will love the new book "If You Like The Beatles . . . "

The title is part of a new series, and as the name suggests, it explores "bands, films, records and other oddities that you will love" -- if you are into the lads from Liverpool.

Author Bruce Pollock starts the 216-page book with John, Paul, George and Ringo's influences -- including, of course, Little Richard, Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent (Lennon and McCartney loved "Be Bop a Lula").

"If You Like The Beatles . . . " (Backbeat Books, $15) also delves into the numerous groups and genres the group jump-started. For those of a certain age (me), the chapter titled "The American Roots Revival" tackles our greats -- R.E.M., The Replacements and Guided by Voices. But for some reason, Pollock mentions GBV and its Dayton, Ohio, upbringing a full page before Paul Westerberg, which is out of era order. Bonus: Long Island's own Stray Cats also earn a few words.

"The Anti-Beatles" section opens, appropriately enough, with an image of the Sex Pistols. Other anti-folks include another former Long Islander, Lou Reed, as well as Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa and many more. But as those of a certain age (me again) have learned with growing years, a reassessment is sometimes in order. Yeah, we'll say it. Maybe those baby boomers were right to hold The Beatles in such high regard.