Beatles Books

My guest today is Richard Ogden who is here to discuss his book 'Bigger Than The Beatles'. Richard was Paul McCartney's manager from 1987 to 1993 and he tells us the ups and downs of managing a superstar. Richard oversaw Paul's collaboration with Elvis Costello, his return to form with the 'Flowers in the Dirt' album and Paul getting back on the road with 1989/90 World Tour. https://buymeacoffee.c...

My guests for this episode are Amelia Davis and Joel Selvin who are here to discuss their work on 'Live at Candlestick Park 1966' a book which collates Jim Marshall's incredible backstage and on stage pictures of The Beatles final concert at Candlestick Park. Amelia was Jim's assistant for many years and writer Joel was a close friend of Jim's so they provide an informed and entertaining insight i...

For this episode I'm joined by Spencer Leigh to discuss his memoir '80 @ 80'. Spencer was a first generation Beatles fan from Liverpool who began making programmes for BBC Radio Merseyside in the mid 70's. He amassed a huge library of interviews with Merseybeat musicians which led to his first book 'Let's Go Down to the Cavern' in 1984. Many other Beatle books followed, which include his biography...

My guest today is Jim Windolf, who joins me to discuss 'Where The Music Had to Go - How Bob Dylan and The Beatles Changed Each Other - and the World'. Jim's book looks at the entwining careers of two of the 20th Century's most important musical artists, and details known meetings through the 60's and beyond - From Lennon's and McCartney's lyrical transformations to George Harrison's growth as a so...

My guest today is the writer, broadcaster and journalist, Samira Ahmed, who joins me to discuss her BFI Film Classics book on The Beatles first film, 'A Hard Day's Night'. Drawing on her own experience of first discovering the film as a child and going on to work in the television industry, Samira shines a spotlight on the craft behind the film's enduring appeal. What makes this film still so thri...

My guest today is Gary Astridge, who has co written 'Beats and Threads' with a certain Ringo Starr. Gary's book collects beautiful pictures and stories of some of Ringo's legendary outfits from his Beatle years and also delves into the history and significance of each of Ringo's iconic drum kits. Gary's book can be found here - https://store.juliensauctions.com/ShopCatalog?id=219    

My guest today is Dan Absher, who joins me to discuss his book 'The Fab Four Pillars of Impact'. Dan's book looks at The Beatles as the ultimate case study for building exceptional teams and examines how each Beatle and the people around fulfilled a role in the organisation, why this was successful and why ultimately, they failed.  

To celebrate reaching 100 episodes of the Beatles Books Podcast, I've collated together excerpts from some of my favourite conversations over the last 5 years. Thank you to every single author that came on to talk to me, and of course to every single listener! I'm looking forward to the next 100...

My guest today is David Guerrero who is here to discuss his book 'You Won't See Me - How The Beatles Ghosted Imelda'. The story of The Beatles misadventures in The Philippines is well known, but what was the background? Who was to blame for what went wrong? How much danger were The Beatles realistically in? David's thrilling book answers all of these questions and many more and paints a vivid pict...

I'm welcoming Allan Kozinn back to the pod today, this time to look back on his amazing career and his journey to the remarkable McCartney Legacy books he's co writing with Adrian Sinclair. Allan worked as a culture reporter and music critic for the New York Times for 37 years, between 1977 and 2014, and during that time became the papers unofficial Beatles correspondent. He tells us about his his...

My returning guest for this episode is Tom Doyle who brings his mosaic biography of Ringo Starr.  Tom's book covers all of Ringo's remarkable life from his impoverished childhood to the dizzying heights of Beatlemania, from his alcohol hazed 80's to the sober elder statesman of rock, it's all here in Tom's brilliant book. 

I'm joined for this episode by Andrew Cook to discuss his book 'Capitol Gains'. Andrew's book tells the story of The Beatles up and down relationship with their American record label and looks at the way they managed The Beatles catalogue through the 1960's - not always to the satisfaction of the band themselves.

I'm joined by Peter Doggett for this special episode as we look back over his entire career.   Peter began writing for Record Collector magazine in 1980 and was also engaged in work for Beatles Monthly, meaning he was soon in the sphere of many Beatle adjacent people. By the late 1990's he had become a renowned author and his books 'The Art and Music of John Lennon' and 'You Never Give Me Your Mon...

I'm welcoming Richard Mills back to the pod today, this time to talk about his book 'The Beatles ad Black Music'. Beginning with the grand narrative of British colonial history pre-Beatles, Richard's book covers the influence of Black music and culture on the Beatles' teenage years in the 1950s, their association with Lord Woodbine, their love of American Rhythm and Blues in the mid-1960s, and ext...

My guest for this episode is the brilliant Stuart Maconie who is here to discuss his book 'With A Little Help From Their Friends'.  Stuart's book tells the story of 100 fascinating members of The Beatles' supporting cast - people they encountered during their career either in a major or minor way.  Split into 3 sections, Before The Beatles, With the Beatles and Beyond the Beatles,  Stuart  tells t...

My guest today is Jonathan Gould who joins me to discuss his 2007 book 'Can't Buy Me Love'. More than just a group biography, 'Can't Buy Me Love' tells the social history of Britain and America in the 1960's and provides a sharp musical analysis of The Beatles songs. He also tells us about his new book on Talking Heads, 'Burning Down The House' which tells the story of one of Rock's most influenti...

My guest for this episode is Robert Rodriguez who joins me to discuss the book he co- wrote with Jerry Hammack, 'Ribbons of Rust - The Beatles' Recording History in Context: Volume 1 - July 1954 - January 1963. Robert and Jerry's book tells The Beatles thrilling early story in context, describing the sights and sounds of that time creating an effect that feels like you are you are in the room with...

I'm welcoming the journalist and writer John Harris back to the pod today, this time for a special bonus episode on his book 'Maybe I'm Amazed -  A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs'. When John's son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them. James connected with so much music, but one of hi...

My guest for todays episode is Ian Leslie, who joins me to discuss his brilliant book on John and Paul - 'A Love Story in Songs'. Ian's book traces the twists and turns of their relationship through the music it produced and offers rich insights into the nature of creativity, collaboration and human connection.  

My guest for todays episode is Allison Bumstead who is here to to discuss her brilliant book on Teen fan magazines. She focuses mainly on Teenset which under the stewardship of the remarkable Judith Sims was one of the most forward thinking and exciting pop publications of the 60's. We talk about how The Beatles were portrayed in these magazines and how essential their existence was to the first g...

My guest today is Seth Rogovoy who is here to discuss his book 'Within You Without You - Listening to George Harrison' Seth's book is a highly personal exploration of George's essential contributions to the Beatles and his solo work, as well as his significant role as a Western proponent of Indian music and beliefs.

I'm delighted to welcome Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair back to the pod to discuss Volume 2 of their McCartney Legacy series. Volume 2 covers Paul's life from1974 up until the start of 1980 and is researched in the same fascinating detail as Volume 1 was - for this conversation I wanted to focus on what happened to Paul and Wings after their 1976 World Tour concluded, he'd reached the top of the...

My very special guest for this episode is Elliot Mintz who first encountered John and Yoko in his role as a late night radio host in 1971. A strong bond between the three of them formed after these interviews, and soon Elliot became an almost daily part of their lives. His book tells the story of this friendship, from the breakup of The Beatles to the birth of Sean, from John’s death and beyond, E...

I'm joined for this bonus, mini episode by Yvonne Innes to discuss her biography of her husband, Neil Innes. In my view, Neil was one of the largest contributors to British culture of the last 50 years, and is beloved to all Beatle fans as co creator of The Rutles. Yvonne's book is full of humour and love and tells her husband's remarkable life story with all the insight you'd expect.

I'm joined by JR Moores today to discuss his book 'Off The Ground'. JR takes a detailed look at Paul in the 90's and suggests that apart from the 60's, it turned out to be the most influential decade of Paul's professional life. Studio albums, huge tours, classical pieces and ambient side projects, as ever McCartney packs more into 10 years than most artists do in a lifetime.