SATB

SATB episodes:

• 06.05.2024

  283: Giles on Trial – The Reissues Critiqued with John Leckie and Jerry Hammack

  Beginning with the 2017 Sgt. Pepper 50th anniversary release, a series of deluxe reissues (The Beatles, Abbey Road, Let It Be, Revolver, 1962-1966, 1967-1970) featuring remixing and the application of MAL ("machine-assisted learning") to deconstruct and re-assemble the master recordings...

  
• 05.10.2024

  282: The Women’s Revolution (Or: The Beatles’ Effect)

  My guests are three very special ladies who have all appeared on the show before, but this time, all three have memoirs out. Debbie Gendler was the first to appear on SATB (121: New York Stories) and her story as...

  
• 04.28.2024

  281: The Beatles and The Cars with Elliot Easton

  Of the 73 million Americans who viewed The Beatles’ live debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, we know with absolute certainty that a high percentage had their lives changed forever – this is not hyperbole. And of those, many...

  
• 04.11.2024

  280: All You Need is the Love You Make with Steven Gaines

  As the first insider Beatles tell-all (not counting Francie Schwartz’s Body Count – because why would I) – 1983’s The Love You Make, a collaboration between Brian Epstein’s protege Peter Brown and today’s guest, shocked fans with what was perceived...

  
• 03.31.2024

  279: The Mal Evans Project Part One with Ken Womack

  At last: the SATB conversation with the man who brought The Beatles’ road manager’s long missing manuscript to press. Living The Beatles Legend is the story Mal wanted to tell before his life ended at 40 in Los Angeles in a hail...

  
• 03.17.2024

  278: An Hour With Pattie Boyd

  Today is her 80th birthday, and given the attention being brought by the auction of some personal items through Christie’s (see https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/pattie-boyd-collection/lots/3508 ), the time was right for a conversation. We made the most of the hour, given the demand for interviews...

  
• 03.10.2024

  277: “Mike Tree” in Nutopia with Michael Medeiros

  Listeners: you may recall my conversation with Robert Rosen (245), detailing the blocking of a pair of books by reputable authors that detailed the “househusband” years of John’s life; it evolved out of an essay Robert wrote. Well, one of those writers...

  
• 02.25.2024

  276 Filmtrack Olympiad: Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine

  Picking up where we left off (259: Sgt. Pepper Olympiad ), lecturer/professor Gary Wenstrup and I resume the Olympiad series with a pair of releases featuring film score music, the 1967 Magical Mystery Tour EP/album and 1969’s Yellow Submarine release. Owing to the unique issues,...

  
• 02.09.2024

  275: Anomalies in the Assassination of John Lennon with David Whelan

  There’s no joy to be had in this subject, but it is an important topic for an open discussion. We have been fed a narrative for 43 years regarding the murder of John, yet there were aspects that either lacked...

  
• 01.25.2024

  274: George, The Reluctant Beatle with Philip Norman

  The author of Shout: The Beatles In Their Generation has brought out his third Beatles individual biography, forty plus years after the publication of his group one. George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle was put together tapping Norman’s body of old interviews (with witnesses now...

  
• 01.09.2024

  273: My Private Lennon with Sibbie O’Sullivan

  We have discussed the insights of 1st gen fans who, frankly, were screamers in the presence of The Beatles (Debbie Gendler, author of this upcoming memoir and Carol Tyler, author of this one); see thisfor a detailed discussion.     Then there’s Sibbie O’Sullivan –...

  
• 12.25.2023

  272: Born At The Right Time with Ray Connolly

  This British journalist/author/screenwriter/playwright is a SATB fave and was heard most recently among the 21 guests in the “Now and Then” discussion. But here he is alone in the spotlight, recounting his fabulous life as a chronicler of creators and...

  
• 12.08.2023

  271 Here and Now with “Now and Then”: a SATB Special

  The release of a new Beatle recording in our lifetime warrants a special approach. To that end, I assembled a group of some of your favorite podcast guests, plus a few new ones to discuss, critique, and analyze the new...

  
• 11.16.2023

  270: Top Ten Most Important/Influential Beatles Sources with Erin Weber

  The first half hour+ was taped live at The Fest in August 2023, as you can doubtless tell. The rest was done in the usual way, and you’ll note we didn’t necessarily cover everything we listed in great detail, but...

  
• 11.01.2023

  269: George Harrison in the 70s with Eoghan Lyng

  Between 1970 and 1979, George issued six studio albums (plus one triple-live one), followed by a second draft of his 1980 album the following year. Rock scribe Eoghan Lyng and I re-examine these works with fresh ears – we hope...

  
• 09.21.2023

  267: Sgt. Pepper’s Guitars

  Conversations about a familiar subject with guys who know what’s what are invaluable, because the depth of knowledge shared will always shed new light and get you to listen with fresh ears. My guests are the returning trio of pro...

  
• 09.17.2023

  266: Nowhere Man ’23 with Robert Rosen

  The author of Nowhere Man (2000) returns for a conversation prompted by the book’s recent re-publication, augmented with an array of new material and appendices. Robert will also be making a rare personal appearance in St Louis on October 4th in St....

  
• 09.02.2023

  265: EMI Days with John Leckie and Friends

  Returning guest and renowned producer John Leckie is back on SATB and this time he brought his friends; colleagues from EMI with impressive credentials of their own, who also worked with The Beatles: Nick Webb and Roger Ferris.  It was a real delight to be...

  
• 08.10.2023

  264: Harrison, Lennon: It’s Also Complicated

  As a follow-on to my last conversation with author Glenn Greenberg, we sat down to explore the Harrison-Lennon dynamic. A couple of things referenced in the show can be found below:  Here’s John’s 1974 note to George.  Here’s John’s 1976 Q&A.  Glenn Greenberg’s Making of...

  
• 07.31.2023

  263: Fab 4 On Film: The Dick Lester Films with Steve Matteo

  Journalist Steve Matteo has a new book out – Act Naturally: The Beatles on Film.  It’s an all-encompassing volume detailing and contextualizing the making of every one of their cinematic projects, including a few that didn’t actually get filmed.  For this...

  
• 06.10.2023

  262: McCartney’s Musicality; Post-Beatles with Luca Perasi

  My guest today has recently completed the first volume of an exhaustive study of Paul’s body of work in Paul McCartney: Music is Ideas 1970 – 1989. Luca Perasi is a Beatles historian who specializes in the group’s bassist, post-split....

  
• 06.10.2023

  262: McCartney's Musicality; Post-Beatles with Luca Perasi

  My guest today has recently completed the first volume of an exhaustive study of Paul's body of work in Paul McCartney: Music is Ideas 1970 - 1989. Luca Perasi is a Beatles historian who specializes in the group's bassist, post-split. He...

  
• 05.28.2023

  261: Making All Things Must Pass with John Leckie

  Hired as a tape op by EMI in February 1970, Leckie quickly found himself among rock royalty when his career began with work on Ringo's Sentimental Journey, followed quickly after with McCartney.

  
• 05.10.2023

  260: Tastemaker Tony King

  Tony King was general manager of Apple US in the early 70s, but thereafter worked directly with John and Ringo, promoting their work from 1973 through 1975. Beyond that, he was a true British rock Zelig figure, partying with The...

  
• 05.02.2023

  259: Sgt. Pepper Olympiad

  The series with professor/lecturer Gary Wenstrup continues as we rate tracks on each Beatles album in Olympic style: Gold – Silver – Bronze. This episode introduces a modification, adding in for consideration the singles that bookended the 1967 release: “Strawberry...

  
• 04.08.2023

  258: May the First – The Lost Weekend with May Pang

  “The Lost Weekend” was the handle John implemented (picked up by subsequent narrators) to describe the period of his separation from Yoko, during which time a romantic relationship began with his 22 year-old personal assistant, May Pang. Once the couple...

  
• 04.08.2023

  258: May the First - The Lost Weekend with May Pang

  "The Lost Weekend" was the handle John implemented (picked up by subsequent narrators) to describe the period of his separation from Yoko, during which time a romantic relationship began with his 22 year-old personal assistant, May Pang. Once the couple...

  
• 03.21.2023

  257: Questions From Listeners

  I asked for your questions last summer and you responded, so here you go! Aided by Gary Wenstrup (SATB regular of Olympiad series fame), we tackle the following subjects:

  
• 03.05.2023

  256: The Making of Ringo (and Goodnight Vienna) with Bill Schnee

  Fifty years on, Ringo’s third solo album (or first, as he counted it in 1977) remains a stunning achievement, not just for the near-Beatles reunion but also on its own musical merits. With Richard Perry in the producer’s chair, an...

  
• 02.19.2023

  255: Peter Jackson’s Get Back with Doug Sulpy and Dan Rivkin

  No one on the planet knows more about the contents of The Beatles’ Nagra reels than Beatle scholars Doug Sulpy (Drugs, Divorce and A Slipping Image) and Dan Rivkin (They May Be Parted blog). We convened to review the Get...

  
• 02.19.2023

  255: Peter Jackson's Get Back with Doug Sulpy and Dan Rivkin

  No one on the planet knows more about the contents of The Beatles' Nagra reels than Beatle scholars Doug Sulpy (Drugs, Divorce and A Slipping Image) and Dan Rivkin (They May Be Parted blog). We convened to review the Get...

  
• 01.28.2023

  254: McCartney, Harrison – It’s Complicated

  Returning guest Glenn Greenberg (216 Dear Friend; 223 The Beatles 1971 – 1973; 235 Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson at 80) is back for another discussion, this one examining the complex relations between George and Paul – the longest running friendship in...

  
• 01.28.2023

  254: McCartney, Harrison - It's Complicated

  Returning guest Glenn Greenberg (216 Dear Friend; 223 The Beatles 1971 - 1973; 235 Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson at 80) is back for another discussion, this one examining the complex relations between George and Paul - the longest running friendship in...

  
• 01.18.2023

  253: Something About The Yardbirds & Jeff Beck with Jim McCarty

  This show was taped a month ago, in conversation with Yardbirds/Renaissance/Illusion founding member Jim McCarty, in an effort to widen the lens exploring the world of 60s British rock that The Beatles operated in.

  
• 01.10.2023

  252: The Inner Light

  Author Susan Shumsky first appeared on SATB in 2019, upon the publication of her memoir, The Maharishi and Me, which detailed her twenty years living at his ashram (including six years working directly for his organization). We discussed her knowledge of The...

  
• 12.25.2022

  251 Revolver: Art and Music

  Musicologist Walter Everett joins professional musicians Cameron Greider and Jack Petruzzelli in a return visit to discuss the latest Beatles reissue set. Revolver is analyzed through the prism of its poetry as well as its musical maturity and what the new set...

  
• 12.14.2022

  250: Something About The Beatles' Christmas Messages

  Between 1963 and 1969, The Beatles issued ephemeral holiday greetings to members of their fan club on flexidiscs. These were collected onto an LP in 1970, but for the most part, escaped a proper issue for the masses (excepting the...

  
• 12.04.2022

  249: Ray Connolly's Lennon

  Returning SATB guest favorite Ray Connolly (journalist, Beatles insider, screenwriter) penned what remains the finest Lennon bio in print, Being John Lennon: A Restless Life. On this, his 82nd birthday, we celebrate John's life and Ray's as well as we discuss...

  
• 11.24.2022

  248: Hey Jude Deconstructed with James Campion and Jeff Martin

  An entire book dedicated to a single song may strike some as bewildering, but not if the song in question is both The Beatles' longest single (in length) as well as one of their most successful (quadruple platinum): 1968's "Hey...

  
• 11.16.2022

  247: Critiquing The Critics II - This Time It's Personal with Bill Wyman

  In which the worlds of three returning guests collide to discuss 1) is there (or should there be) a common starting point for all critiques of art and 2) the world of rock criticism generally - what's the purpose and...

  
• 10.28.2022

  246: The Rooftop Reunion

  Are you Get Back-ed out yet? No? Good, because there are still plenty of avenues to explore within the scope of January 1969. Featured today is something from the vaults: the conversation reuniting three witnesses to the events on Savile...

  
• 10.08.2022

  245: Catch and Kill - Controlling The Narrative with Robert Rosen

  Returning guest Robert Rosen (Nowhere Man) penned an essay last year discussing a phenomenon called "catch-and-kill," wherein the powerful who wish to keep unflattering stories from reaching the public exert pressure and influence to keep media companies from publishing them....

  
• 09.25.2022

  244: Double Fantasy Revisited part two

  Luther Russell and I roll into the next hour of discussion and analysis of the intent behind Double Fantasy; about Yoko's standing in the rock world, and how The Beatles might better have dealt with her entry into their world. The...

  
• 09.19.2022

  243: Double Fantasy Revisited part one

  Given the unique circumstance of Double Fantasy - John Lennon's first work in five years and his slaying within a few short weeks of its release - it is hard to assess the final work issued during his lifetime; a...

  
• 09.09.2022

  242: Beatles Olympiad '66 part two

  In which Gary Wenstrup and I continue the discussion of Revolver, followed by a thorough analysis of the group's OTHER 1966 UK release, A Collection of Beatles Oldies (But Goldies!).  This podcast is sponsored by Betterhelp. Go to betterhelp.com/SATB for 10%...

  
• 08.26.2022

  241: Beatles Olympiad '66 part one

  Taking a detour from some of the heavier SATB topics of late for end-of-summer light entertainment, Gary Wenstrup and I return to the series of gold, silver and bronze rankings of Beatle cuts through their catalog. We're at the halfway point now...

  
• 08.16.2022

  240: The Beatles on Drugs: Riding So High

  Returning guest Terry Zobeck (234: Paul McCartney Lyrics ) spent his career studying drug addiction and its effects. With a PhD in anthropology besides, this Beatles scholar is uniquely qualified to discuss the Joe Goodenn's book, Riding So High: The Beatles and...

  
• 08.06.2022

  239: Get Back to Kevin Harrington

  In the time since publishing his memoir, The Redhead on the Roof and first appearing on SATB (160), Beatles equipment manager Kevin Harrington has now become known to millions of fans by his ubiquitous presence captured on film and presented in the...

  
• 07.29.2022

  238: Remembering the 70s with Chris O'Dell and Nancy Lee Andrews

  As part of the Fab4ConJam online fan event, I convened these two Beatles insiders to take questions and reminisce. Chris O'Dell came from Tucson, AZ (yes! home of Jo Jo AND Linda) and was pulled into the Apple Press Office...

  
• 07.17.2022

  237: The Dream is Over with Dan Richter

  He's known to millions, in the words of Arthur C. Clarke, as “The most famous unknown actor in the world.” Richter was a mime (and a poet) during the 1960s, but also gained cinematic immortality as "Moonwatcher" in the iconic "Dawn of Man"...