In honor of his birthday, Richard and Robert honor Ringo by focusing an entire show on his drumming (as well as that of his predecessor). Aboard for the discussion is Gary Astridge, Ringo’s drum historian and archivist, as well as Alex Cain and Terry McCusker, authors of Ringo Starr and The Beatles Beat. We’ll be exploring the kits he used as well as his evolution as a drummer and percussionist.

Songs include “Boys” and “Dear Prudence.”

Find Alex and Terry’s book here. Find Gary’s site here. Find Robert’s books here. Find Richard’s books here.

The post 112 77 on 7-7: Ringo Starr and The Beatles Beat appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 6, 1957 is the day that should be commemorated in Beatledom for all that sprang from it: not only in terms of the Beatles’ career, but in 1960s popular culture as well. In this special (nearly) 60-minute show, Robert and Richard discuss not the events of that day per se, but really, what it meant when the first of a series of minor miracles occurred: Paul was introduced to John.Songs include “Be Bop A Lula” and “20 Flight Rock.” Find Richard’s books here. Find Robert’s books here.

The post 111: It Was 60 Years Ago Today appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In another listener suggested topic, Richard and Robert examine this aspect of song craft and how it evolved in Beatles recordings over time. Songs include “All I’ve Got To Do,” “With A Little Help From My Friends,” and “I Me Mine.”

Find Robert’s books here. Find Richard’s books here.

The post 110: Take Me To The Bridge – Beatles Middle 8s Examined appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suggested by a listener, your hosts, Robert and Richard divulge their favorite post-Beatles desert island discs (and books and videos, too), in a follow-up to their earlier Beatles Desert Island Discs show. Songs include…well, listen and find out! “Sleepy Lagoon” performance by Martin Wheatley – check out his music here. Find Richard’s books here. Find Robert’s books here.

The post 109: Desert Island Solo Discs appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, Richard and Robert take listeners back to 1964 and the life-changing live TV debut of The Beatles in America before 73 million viewers.

Sharing their impressions of the Sullivan experience are director/writer/filmmaker Andrew Solt (Heroes of Rock N Roll,This Is Elvis!, Imagine: John Lennon), whose Sofa Entertainment owns the Sullivan archive of shows, as well as CBS executive Vince Calandra, who occupied a unique perspective: directly working with the group.Songs include “She Loves You” and “Long Tall Sally.”

Find Robert’s books here. Find Richard’s books here.

The post 108: The Beatles and Ed Sullivan appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what’s likely to be the first of a series of Sgt. Pepper discussions, Robert and Richard attempt to sort out their feelings toward a most complicated and singular Beatles release; one that stirs powerful emotions within those who were there at the time – and more than a few that weren’t. (Be sure to listen for the bonus observations by a fan who was there in ’67.) Songs include “Good Morning, Good Morning” and “A Day in the Life.” Find Richard’s books here. Find Robert’s books here.

The post 107: Sgt. Pepper at 50 – A Conversation appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before you roll your eyes, take a second: in this special episode, Richard and Robert dissect what is easily the most polarizing recording of The Beatles’ entire canon: the musique concrète produced by John, with assistance from Yoko and George, issued on their wildly expansive 1968 self-titled double album. Adding to the conversation: Jack Petruzzelli from The Fab Faux – a rare ensemble who have actually performed the piece live. No matter what you think of “Revolution 9,” there’s a lot here worth discussing: the inspiration – the intent – the influence (yes, there is that).

Songs include “Your Feet’s Too Big.”

Find Robert’s books here. Find Richard’s books here.

The post 106: Deconstructing The Beatles – Revolution 9 appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Said Allmusic about our guest: “He writes songs that are melodic, hooky and emotionally true, and he sings and plays them with an honesty and force that still finds room for humor without venom.” (See any commonality with The Beatles?) In this episode, Robert and Richard sat down and talked Beatles (and music generally) with Marshall Crenshaw, before discussing the meanings of “power pop” and “Beatlesque,” citing some favorite artists along the way. Songs include “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” and “Soldier of Love.” Find Richard’s books here. Find Robert’s books here.

The post 105: Marshall Crenshaw, The Beatles and Power Pop appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Are The Beatles on their way out now?,” asked The Daily Sketch. Said a critic at The Sunday Mirror: “They have, to put it bluntly, goofed. ‘Paperback Writer’ would have gone into my junk box had it been by another group.” They were speaking of this, The Beatles’ 12th single: a work signaling the transition from their rock ‘n’ roll era into psychedelia. Though not an official double-A-side release, both songs warrant a detailed examination by Richard and Robert. Find out if they concur with the contemporaneous words of producer George Martin: “A pretty ordinary rock beat…As far as I’m concerned, there are other tracks I much prefer to it.” Find Robert’s books here. Find Richard’s books here.

The post 104: Paperback Writer / Rain appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Setting aside the thematic full album works like Run Devil Run, Rock ‘n’ Roll or Sentimental Journey, the former Beatles recorded a fair amount of material written by others. Naturally, Ringo – the least prolific writer among them – relied on covers the most, but each of them had favorite tunes that they took on, mostly (but not always) for official release. Robert and Richard present some of their favorites (and some, not so much). Songs include Randy Newman’s “Have You Seen My Baby,” Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You” and Ian Dury’s “I’m Partial To Your Abracadabra.” Find Richard’s books here. Find Robert’s books here.

The post 103: Solo Beatle Covers appeared first on Something About The Beatles.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices