Beatles Books

Beatles Books episodes:

• 04.19.2024

  Debbie Gendler -'I Saw Them Standing There'

  My guest today is Debbie Gendler who is here to discuss her book 'I Saw The Standing There - Adventures of an Original Beatle Fan During Beatlemania and Beyond'. Debbie fell for The Beatles in late 1963 and soon found herself...

  
• 03.29.2024

  Mark Lewisohn on Beatles books

  It's terrific to welcome Mark Lewisohn back to the pod, this time to discuss the stories behind some of the major works of Beatle literature. From Hunter Davies to Derek Taylor, from Michael Braun to Richard Dilello - Mark offers his...

  
• 03.15.2024

  Mary McGlory & Sylvia Saunders - 'The Liverbirds'

  I'm joined for this episode by Mary McGlory and Sylvia Saunders to talk about their book 'The Liverbirds - Our Life in Britain's First Rock n Roll Band'. Despite some disparaging words from a certain John Lennon, Mary and Sylvia, along...

  
• 02.16.2024

  Mark Lewisohn on Mark Lewisohn

  For this very special episode I'm joined by Mark Lewisohn to discuss his life, his books and the unique Beatle experiences that led him to become the writer he is today.

  
• 01.19.2024

  Aaron Badgley -'Dark Horse Records: The Story of George Harrison's Post-Beatles Record Label'

  My guest for this episode is Aaron Badgley, who joins me to discuss his book on Dark Horse Records, the label started by George Harrison in 1974. Aaron tells us the story of the varied collection of artists on the label,...

  
• 12.08.2023

  Laurie Kaye - ’Confessions of a Rock n Roll Name Dropper’

  My very special guest for this episode is Laurie Kaye, who was part of the the team that conducted John Lennon's last ever interview on December 8th 1980. Laurie talks about what she calls the best and worst day of her life...

  
• 11.17.2023

  Ken Womack - ’Living The Beatles Legend -The Mal Evans Story’

  I'm honored to welcome Ken Womack back to the pod to talk about one of the most anticipated Beatle books of 2023, his fascinating biography of the Beatles roadie, Mal Evans. Ken reveals for the first time the true story of...

  
• 11.10.2023

  Jonathan Knott - ’Follow The Sun - The Beatles in Greece’

  I'm joined for this bonus mini episode by Jonathan Knott who is here to discuss his research on The Beatles attempts in 1967 to buy a Greek island. What inspired them to make such a lavish purchase? Why did the sale...

  
• 10.20.2023

  Deirdre Kelly - ’Fashioning The Beatles’

  My guest today is Deirdre Kelly who joins me to discuss her book 'Fashioning The Beatles' - a fascinating and detailed look at what The Beatles wore through the 60's - what inspired them and how they influenced the looks...

  
• 09.15.2023

  Ken Mcnab - ’Shake It Up Baby’

  I am delighted to welcome Ken Mcnab back to the pod - this time to discuss 'Shake It Up Baby' - his thrilling and detailed story of The Beatles in 1963. How did they go from the cold nights of a...

  
• 08.18.2023

  Richard Driver - ’That Was Me’

  I'm joined for this episode by Richard Driver to discuss his book 'That Was Me - Paul McCartney's career and the legacy of The Beatles' That Was Me is an engaging and insightful journey through the prolific and awe-inspiring career of...

  
• 06.30.2023

  Steve Matteo - ’Act Naturally - The Beatles on Film’

  I'm delighted to welcome back to the pod Steve Matteo who is here this time to discuss his new book 'Act Naturally - The Beatles on Film'. Steve's book tells the stories behind all The Beatles cinematic adventures, how they reflected...

  
• 05.26.2023

  Leslie Cavendish - ’The Cutting Edge’

  I'm joined today by Leslie Cavendish to discuss his book 'The Cutting Edge'. Starting work at Vidal Sassoon's salon at the start of the 60's, Leslie soon finds himself cutting The Beatles hair - and forming a friendship in particular with...

  
• 04.28.2023

  Bob Kealing - ’Good Day Sunshine State’

  My guest for this episode is Bob Kealing, who tells the story of The Beatles in Florida, a state they spent more time in than most during 1964. Meeting Muhammad Ali, playing to 70 million on Ed Sullivan, taking part in...

  
• 03.31.2023

  David Jacks - ’Peter Asher A Life in Music’

  My guest today is David Jacks who joins me to discuss his biography of Peter Asher - 'A Life in Music'. Peter came into The Beatles world via his sister Jane's relationship with Paul McCartney, and soon Peter was a pop...

  
• 03.17.2023

  Bill Janovitz - ’Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History’

  I'm joined for this bonus episode by founding member of the band Buffalo Tom, Bill Janowitz to discuss his biography of Leon Russell. Perhaps best known in Beatles circles for his involvement in the Concert for Bangladesh - Leon was an...

  
• 02.24.2023

  Colin Hall - ’The Songs The Beatles Gave Away’

  My guest for this episode is Colin Hall, who joins me to discuss his book 'The Songs The Beatles Gave Away'. Colin is the custodian of Mendips, John Lennon's childhood home in Liverpool, and his book covers John and Paul's early...

  
• 01.27.2023

  Tony King ’ ’The Tastemaker’

  I'm joined for this episode by Tony King to discuss his brilliant memoir 'The Tastemaker'. Tony joined Decca Records at 16, and as London started to swing, was one of it's most vital promotion men. Tony got to know The Beatles during...

  
• 12.16.2022

  Allan Kozinn & Adrian Sinclair - ’McCartney Legacy Vol 1’

  I'm joined for this episode by Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair to discuss volume 1 of 'McCaartney Legacy, the first in a multi volume set, beginning with covering the years 1969 -1973. This is such a heroic and exciting period for...

  
• 11.18.2022

  Dafydd Rees - ’1963 - A Year in the Life’

  My guest today is Dafydd Rees who joins me to discuss his book 'The Beatles 1963 A Year in the Life'. At the start of 1963, The Beatles were a successful local Liverpool band with one hit single; twelve months, two...

  
• 11.04.2022

  Thomas Macfarlane - ’Painting With Sound’

  My guest today is Thomas Macfarlane who joins me to discuss his book 'Lennon and McCartney - Painting With Sound' This book explores the work of two of the most influential composers of the twentieth century. Five decades after the breakup...

  
• 10.07.2022

  David Hepworth - ’Abbey Road’

  My returning guest for this episode is David Hepworth - who joins me to discuss his new book 'Abbey Road - The Inside Story of the World's Most Famous Recording Studio'. Many people will recognise the famous zebra crossing. Some visitors...

  
• 09.16.2022

  John Higgs - ’Love and Let Die’

  My guest for this episode is John Higgs, who joins me to discuss his book 'Love and Let Die - Bond, The Beatles and The British Psyche'. Dr No, the first Bond film, and ‘Love Me Do’, the first Beatles record,...

  
• 08.19.2022

  Bernadette & Mike Byrne - ’The Birth of The Beatles Story’

  I'm joined for this episode by Bernadette and Mike Byrne, who tell us two stories via their book 'The Birth of The Beatles Story'. Firstly, Bernadette was a Beatles fan from the Cavern, and tells us stories of their adventures in...

  
• 07.22.2022

  ’’In His Own Write’ with Jonathan Glew

  I'm joined for this episode by actor and director Jonathan Glew to discuss John Lennon's 'In His Own Write'. In 2015 Jonathan was granted the rights from Yoko Ono and the Lennon Estate to adapt John Lennon’s first book of poetry...

  
• 06.24.2022

  James Campion - ’Take A Sad Song...’

  My guest for this episode is James Campion, who joins me to discuss his book 'Take A Sad Song...The Emotional Currency of Hey Jude'. James' book dives deeply into the song’s origins, recording, visual presentation, impact, and eventual influence on the...

  
• 06.17.2022

  Paul Du Noyer - ’Conversations With McCartney’

  Paul Du Noyer returns to the pod to discuss his 2015 book 'Conversations With McCartney'.  In June 1989, Paul Du Noyer was contacted by Paul McCartney's office in London and asked to interview the star as they had met once before...

  
• 05.20.2022

  Jay Bergen - ’Lennon, The Mobster and The Lawyer’

  My guest for this episode is Jay Bergen, the attorney who represented John in his 1976 trial against Morris Levy, the mob connected owner of Roulette Records who had released 'Roots' - an unauthorised version of John's 'Rock n Roll'...

  
• 04.29.2022

  Richard Mills - ’The Beatles and Fandom’

  My guest for this episode is Richard Mills, who joins me to discuss his book 'The Beatles and Fandom'. Richard's book is the first to discuss fan subcultures. It combines academic theory on fandom with compelling original research material to tell...

  
• 04.16.2022

  Ted Widmer - ’The Beatle Who Got Away’

  I'm joined for this bonus episode by historian and writer Ted Widmer, who joins me to discuss his fabulous New Yorker piece on Stuart Sutcliffe. Ted tells about the time he spent with Stuart's sister, Pauline, how Stuart fitted in with...

  
• 03.25.2022

  Donald Brackett - ’Yoko Ono - An Artful Life’

  My guest for this episode is Donald Brackett, who brings us his biography of Yoko Ono, 'A Artful Life'. Yoko is one of the most complicated and misunderstood characters in the whole Beatles story, she arrives fully formed into the story...

  
• 02.25.2022

  Jenny Boyd - ’Jennifer Juniper’

  My guest for this episode is Jenny Boyd, younger sister of George's first wife Patti, who joins me to discuss her autobiography, 'Jennifer Juniper'.  Jenny shares with us tales of having George as her brother in law, modelling in Swinging London,...

  
• 02.04.2022

  Ryan Walsh - ’On Claudio’

  I'm joined for this special bonus episode by Ryan Walsh, who discusses his fascinating article on Curt Claudio, the man that went to Tittenhurst in 1971 to talk to John, as captured by a film crew and originally shown in...

  
• 01.21.2022

  Jon Stewart - ’Dylan, Lennon, Marx And God’

  I'm joined for this episode by Jon Stewart, guitarist in Britpop band Sleeper and Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Music Business at BIMM Institute, Brighton. Jon's book is a dual biography of John Lennon and Bob Dylan, and discusses their...

  
• 12.27.2021

  Steve Matteo - ’Let It Be’

  I'm joined for this episode by Steve Matteo -who wrote his book on 'Let It Be' as part of the 33 1/3 series in 2003. We discuss how the book came together and how his view of the album and...

  
• 12.17.2021

  Bob Spitz - ‘The Beatles - The Biography‘

  My guest for this episode is Bob Spitz - we look back at his 2005 biography of The Beatles. He shares the story of the writing of the book - the characters he met along the way, and how his...

  
• 12.03.2021

  Jude Southerland Kessler - ‘Shades of Life‘

  I'm joined for this episode by Jude Southerland Kessler who discusses 'Shades of Life' - the most recent volume in her John Lennon Series, where she tells John's life story as historical narrative - where history is written in a...

  
• 11.12.2021

  Joe Hagan - ‘Sticky Fingers‘

  My guest for this episode is special correspondent for Vanity Fair Joe Hagan, who joins me to discuss his book 'Sticky Fingers - The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine' Rolling Stone plays a huge part in...

  
• 10.29.2021

  Lance Richardson - ‘House of Nutter‘

  My guest for this episode is Lance Richardson who joins me to discuss his book 'House of Nutter - The Rebel Tailor of Savile Row'. Lance's book charts the remarkable lives of both legendary tailor Tommy Nutter, and his photographer brother,...

  
• 10.16.2021

  John Harris - ‘The Beatles Get Back‘

  My guest today is journalist, writer and critic John Harris who joins me to discuss his involvement in 'Get Back'. John was invited to scour through the hours of recorded audio and video from January 1969 and select entertaining and insightful...

  
• 10.08.2021

  Tim Riley - ‘Tell Me Why‘

  My guest for this episode is Tim Riley, who joins me to discuss his 1988 book 'Tell Me Why'. Tim's book was one of the first to really examine and tackle The Beatles music - and it's fascinating to hear...

  
• 09.24.2021

  Rob Sheffield - ‘Dreaming The Beatles‘

  My guest for this episode is Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield, who joins me to discuss his book 'Dreaming The Beatles'. Rob's book looks at The Beatles from the perspective of a fan born after the band split up - What...

  
• 09.16.2021

  Luke Meddings - ‘What They Heard‘

  My guest today is Luke Meddings, who is here to discuss his book 'What They Heard - How The Beatles, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan Listened to Each Other and Changed Music Forever'.  Using timelines derived from release dates, studio sessions...

  
• 09.10.2021

  David Hepworth - ‘Overpaid, Oversexed and Over There‘

  I'm joined today by one of British music journalism's most famous voices, David Hepworth, to discuss his new book 'Overpaid, Oversexed and Over There - How a Few Skinny Brits With Bad Teeth Rocked America'. David has been writing about music...

  
• 08.31.2021

  Joe Hagan - A Quick Chat About ‘Get Back‘

  I recently spoke to author Joe Hagan about his book 'Sticky Fingers, The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine' - but couldn't let him go without mentioning his article for Vanity Fair magazine about the forthcoming...

  
• 08.27.2021

  Daniel Rachel - ‘Like Some Forgotten Dream‘

  My guest for this episode is musician turned author Daniel Rachel who joins me to discuss his book 'Like Some Forgotten Dream - What if The Beatles Hadn't Split Up?' Daniel examines The Beatles untimely demise - and from the ashes...

  
• 08.13.2021

  Bob Smeaton - 'From Benwell Boy to 46th Beatle'

  My guest today is Bob Smeaton who joins me to discuss his autobiography 'From Benwell Boy to 46th Beatle'. After a successful career in local bands in his native Newcastle through the 80s, Bob found himself involved in The Beatles Anthology...

  
• 08.06.2021

  Brian Hamill - 'Dream Lovers John & Yoko in NYC'

  For this bonus mini episode I'm joined by renowned photographer Brian Hamill to discuss his book 'Dream Lovers - John & Yoko in NYC'. Brian had 2 photo sessions with John, an afternoon stroll around New York with Yoko in 1972,...

  
• 07.30.2021

  Philip Norman - 'Shout' with Dan Rebellato

  I'm incredibly lucky to be joined for this episode by dramatist and academic Dan Rebellato to discuss one of the most infamous of all Beatles books - 1981's 'Shout' by Philip Norman. Dan and I look at the initial success and...

  
• 07.16.2021

  Ken Womack & Jason Kruppa - 'All Things Must Pass Away'

  I'm joined by one of the very best Beatle authors, Ken Womack, and one of the very best Beatle podcasters, Jason Krupa, to discuss their brilliant new book 'All Things Must Pass Away - Harrison, Clapton and Other Assorted Love...