Beatles Books

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 compiles a track list for an imagined final album, pulling together unfinished demos, forgotten B-sides, hit solo songs, and arguing that together they form the basis of...

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 film. Bob interviewed Paul, George and Ringo at length at various exotic locations. He shares his observations and memories of the project - and what it was li...

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, and then a session just with John at the Dakota in 1975. He also attended the Madison Square Garden show earlier in 1972. Brian shares his observations and memories of John...

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 impact that this massive selling book had on both The Beatles and Paul McCartney's reputation - what drove it's success, and where it sits today amongst an ever growing Beatle...

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 Songs'.   Ken and Jason paint a fascinating and enlightening picture of George Harrison and Eric Clapton in 1970, such a key year for both of them. George - dealing with the...

I'm joined for this episode by award winning journalist and author Paul Howard to discuss his brilliant biography of Tara Browne, a member of the Irish aristocracy and Guinness heir, who went on to epitomize Swinging London and feature, in tragic circumstances, in the first verse of 'A Day In The Life', one of The Beatles' greatest songs. More information about the book can be found at  https://ww...

I'm joined for this episode by Christine Feldman Barrett to discuss her landmark book, 'A Women's History of The Beatles'. Hers is the first book to offer a detailed presentation of the band's social and cultural impact as understood through the experiences and lives of women. Drawing on a mix of interviews, archival research, textual analysis, and autoethnography, this scholarly work depicts how...

My guest today is Stefan Granados - he joins me to discuss 'Those Were The Days 2.0', the fully updated version of his definitive chronicle of The Beatles' Apple organisation.  Stefan dispels the myth that Apple was the great Beatle folly - it not only was home to hugely successful artists like James Taylor, Badfinger and Mary Hopkin, but it carefully cultivated The Beatles image, and is now a mul...

I'm joined by publisher, writer and co host of the 'Backlisted' podcast John Mitchinson to discuss his involvement in that most all encompassing of Beatles books, 'The Beatles Anthology'. John shares with us his experiences of working with Neil Aspinell, his views on the strengths and weaknesses of the book, and his fascinating opinions on other great and not so great Beatle Books of recent times.

I'm joined for my latest episode by John F. Lyons. His book 'Joy and Fear' is a riveting look at the polarizing nature of the Beatles phenomenon, and how it transformed a generation, through the lens of a singular city in the centre of America. Drawing on historical and contemporary accounts, Joy and Fear brings to life the frenzied excitement of Beatlemania in 1960s Chicago, while also illustrati...

I’m joined today by author and journalist Steve Turner to discuss his 2016 book ‘Beatles 66 The Revolutionary Year.’    The Beatles began 1966 as hysteria-inducing pop stars playing to audiences of screaming teenage fans and ended it as musical sages considered responsible for ushering in a new era. Steve’s book describes this transformative year by slowing down the action to investigate in detail...

I'm joined for this mini episode by Kevin Barry - author of 'Beatlebone'.  'Beatlebone' is set in 1978, where John Lennon has escaped New York City to try and find the island off the West Coast of Ireland he bought eleven years prior.  I tend to shy away a bit from Beatle Fiction - but this is a quite brilliant novel, genuinely thrilling at every turn and Kevin perfectly captures the thoughts goin...

I'm very lucky to be joined for this episode by renowned rock photographer Bob Gruen to discuss his thrilling and action packed memoir; 'Right Place, Right Time'. Bob shares the fascinating story of his friendship with John and Yoko - from the early days on Bank Street to preparing a book to mark Yoko's 80th birthday. Bob took some of the most recognizable pictures ever of John and Yoko and captur...

I'm joined for this episode by writer and journalist and original Beatlemaniac Patti Gallo-Stedman to discuss her fascinating diary.   Compiled from her own diary and extensive scrapbooking - Patti's diary offers a real insight into real time Beatlemania, and tells us first hand what it was like to experience The Beatles story as it happened in real time.   More information about this book can be...

For this bonus, mini episode, I'm joined by Chip Madinger to discuss his fabulously detailed and rich diary of John Lennon's life, 'Lennonology'. 'Strange Days Indeed—A Scrapbook Of Madness' is a day-by-day account of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s artistic and personal partnership from 1968-1980 that will transport the reader back in time to accompany John and Yoko as their future unfolds. Chip revea...

For this episode, I'm incredibly lucky to be joined by the writer Andy Miller to discuss Hunter Davies' 1968 authorised biography.   Still the only official Beatles biography ever published, Hunter's book is an essential read - he had unparalleled access not only to The Beatles but to family, friends and colleagues - some of whom would never be interviewed again. Andy and I look at how this book w...

I'm joined today by Darryl Bullock to discuss his new book 'The Velvet Mafia' an eye opening account of some of the most influential and powerful gay men of the 60's.  We focus on Brian Epstein - one of the biggest influences on The Beatles, a man absolutely central to their story, but a man still misunderstood 50 years after his sad death.   Darryl's fascinating book can be purchased here : https...

My guest today is renowned author and writer Peter Ames Carlin who joins me to discuss his 2009 book 'Paul McCartney - A Life' One of the few books which covers Paul's post Beatle life with enough depth and thought - Peter's book was built on years of research and contains numerous fresh interviews and perspectives - I really enjoyed talking to him. We also discuss his current book 'Sonic Boom' a...

I'm joined by author and critic Chris Power to discuss Ian Macdonald's seminal 1994 book 'Revolution in the Head'. Critically adored for so long, this books reputation has suffered a little in recent years. Chris and I discuss the reasons for this - and what impact the book has had on us. Chris's short story collection 'Mothers' can be purchased here https://www.faber.co.uk/tutors/chris-power/ His...

I'm joined by Erin Torkelson Weber to discuss her excellent book 'The Beatles And The Historians'. This book examines the band's historiography exploring the four major narratives that have developed in Beatles literature since the mid 60s.  Her book was a personal eye opener for myself and made me re evaluate my whole outlook on Beatles Books - it was real privilege to talk her. Erin's excellent...

I'm joined by author and sociologist Candy Leonard to discuss her 2014 book 'Beatleness'. Based on interviews with hundreds of fans of different ages and genders, Beatleness is a richly textured cultural history, showing what it was like to grow up immersed in Beatles—from Ed Sullivan to the Apple rooftop—eagerly awaiting each record and watching their evolution. More information about this book a...

I'm joined by acclaimed music journalist and author Tom Doyle to discuss his 2014 book, 'Man on the Run' an fascinating look at one of Paul's most misunderstood decades, the 1970's. Tom's book paints an illuminating picture: from McCartney's nervous breakdown following the Beatles' split through his apparent victimisation by the authorities to the rude awakening of his imprisonment for marijuana p...

I'm joined by editor and author Oliver Craske to discuss his major biography of Ravi Shankar.  Ravi had a remarkable and long life - and his influence on The Beatles and particular George Harrison was huge. Oliver's book deals with Ravi's amazing story in great depth and gets to the heart of Ravi's friendship with George.  More information and sales links for this book can be found at https://www....

I'm joined by Jem Roberts to discuss his wonderful new book 'Fab Fools' - the first book to properly discuss The Beatles and comedy. Jem discovers how John, Paul, George and Ringo laughed their way to the top through their films, cartoons and even pantomimes.  No discussion of The Beatles and comedy would be complete without discussing The Rutles - and Jem documents how Eric Idle and Neil Innes cr...

Bonus Mini-Episode! I'm joined by renowned journalist and writer Tony Barrell to discuss 'The Beatles on the Roof' - a fun look at the events leading up to The Beatles final 'concert' in January 1969.  Tony met with and interviewed dozens of people who were either involved in or attended that blustery London lunchtime - he shares their memories and more over the course of our chat.   More informat...