The Music Time Machine

In 1964, The Beatles held the top 5 positions on the Billboard Top 100, an unprecedented feat. In this episode of The Music Time Machine, we look back to find how it all happened.  From the 1963 UK Tour as just one of the opening acts for the teenage sensation, Helen Shapiro, to the days when Roy Orbison, their own opening act, almost stole their thunder, here is the story of how the Fab Four conq...

By the time the Beatles entered the studio in search of their second single and first number 1 hit, they’d already begun to trust George Martin with their musical future. His recommendations on “Please, Please Me” sealed the deal. By speeding up the tempo and rearranging the harmonies, Martin helped the boys begin an ascent up the British charts that would last for years to come. Here’s the story...

After looking at the music B.B. (Before Beatles) in Beatlemania 1, and the rough early years in Beatlemania 3, we turn our attention to the Beatles refining their sound, lineup, management, label and personas as they move from a small-time, local act to the verge of stardom. It wasn’t as preordained as it seems looking back. There were defeats and depression along the way as the Fab Four teetered...

As the Lads were honing their craft in Germany, first under the name Beatals, then Beatles, things weren’t really looking up for them. Evey one of the six music English music labels refused to sign them … until they got to the final one, Decca. In the meantime, their manager was a social outcast with family money named Brian Epstein and he was having a hard time getting results. In the end it all...

The beginning of the British Invasion in 1964 started with the Beatles appearance on Ed Sullivan. But what it took to get there is the real story. Starting with a Capitol Records executive who thought they would be a flash in the pan. Then, there’s the teenage girl who first made a request to her local DJ. Beatlemania swept away lots of great Rock ‘n Roll music, so we journey back to 1964 to remem...

Who is the greatest guitar player of all?  Is it Hendrix, Clapton, Page, Gilmore? Let us lay out the case for Mark Knofler.  Who is Mark Knofler?  He’s the front man of Dire Straits. Were they good, or opportunists of a new invention “The CD” and the launching of the new MTV channel; not to mention Live Aid? Listen to the stories, and find out. Can’t you still hear Sting shouting “I Want My MTV”?...

When The Bee Gees sent a demo tape to The Beatles manager, Brian Epstein, they didn’t realize the chain of events they were kicking into gear. Epstein died shortly after passing the tape to one of the people at his management firm,. Robert Stigwood who would go on to become a famed movie producer taking The Bee Gees on a merry ride around the world. This is just one of the great stories in our sec...

This is the third episode where we roll out stories from 1971, And look at the list of songs listed below. Behind every song is a great story, causing us to wonder, Was 1971 the greatest year in Rock ‘n Roll history? We tell stories, you decide. So, here is just a teaser of the stories we uncovered for this episode:. How did the Beatles help invent the first CAT scan medical procedure? Kris Kristo...

In the year's since The Beatles breakup, George Harrison emerged as one of Rock music's finest songwriters. During his Beatles career he was eclipsed by the dynamic duo of Lennon and McCartney. But his really songwriting mentors were across the pond. Tune in and find out how George rose to the very heights of the songwriters world while fighting off frivolous lawsuits and underhanded enemies. One...

Start with a wild story about a washed up 1960's singer whose career was swept away in the British Invasion of 1964. Almost a decade later he was given the chance to record a song with a group of back-up girl singers. But, they couldn't figure out a way to be in the studio at the same time. Predictably, the result was the year's biggest hit, "Candida" setting Tony Orlando and Dawn on a record-brea...

The concept behind the Monkees sitcom, which aired on NBC between 1966 to 1968, was a madcap rock band, based loosely on the Beatles video style as seen in a “Hard Days Night” and “Help."  They were to be strictly a studio band with professional musicians and songwriters creating their songs (“Pleasant Valley Sunday” by Carole King), (“I’m a Believer” by Neil Diamond) all coordinated by Don Kirshn...

We know you're going to enjoy this episode! It's based on the music and stories of three major Hollywood productions produced by Robert Stigwood, a fellow Australian and manager of The Bee Gees. Saturday Night Fever. Grease. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. You'll find yourself tapping your toes and clapping hands along with music by The Bee Gees, John Trabolta, Olivia Newton John, Frankie V...

f you’re old enough to remember 1978, and you lived in a northern clime, you probably remember one of the coldest winters in history. But, no matter where you lived back then, you most certainly remember The Bee Gees, three brothers from Down-Under who turned the music world upside down. Today we’re turning The Music Time Machine clock back to 1978, a big year for The Bee Gees and, probably, lots...

Robert Burns famously wrote about “Mice and Men” in his 1785 poem “To A Mouse” saying “The best laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry.” The famed music festival that took place in 1969 at Yasgur’s Farm near Woodstock, had little in common with Scotland’s own Bobby Burns, except for how many things did, indeed, “go oft awry.” This is the subject of our latest podcast delving into all the interes...

If you remember the year 1974, you probably remember Henry Aaron circling the bases as he broke Babe Ruth’s 45 year old career home run record. But, this was also the year Paul and Linda McCartney lost the original demo tape of “Band On The Run” to a robber with a knife. That’s just one of the stories that made 1974 such a memorable year. Join us as we remember artists like Jim Croce, Barbra Strei...

Vietnam is over and 1979 was a transitional year, trying to leave the anger behind. Love was in the air … and on the airwaves. In this episode we cover the musical hits we enjoyed during the last third of 1979. Most of all we delve into the stories behind those hits. Think back to what you were doing in late 1979. Were you heading back to school? Starting a new job? Preparing to pop the question t...

This episode includes music selections from the following artists:  • Too Much Heaven - The BeeGees • Islands In The Stream - Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton • Sail On - The Commodores (with Lionel Ritchie) •. Still - The Commodores (with Lionel Ritchie) • I Just Want to Stop - Gino Vanelli • After the Love is Gone - Earth, Wind & Fire • Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire • We’ve Got Tonight - Bob...

What were you doing in 1979? Getting married? Looking for someone special? Listening to the music enjoyed by an older sibling? Graduating school? Whatever was happening in your life, chances are artists like the Doobie Brothers, Gloria Gaynor, Barbara Streisand or Neil Diamond was providing the background music. This episode includes intriguing stories about all of them, and more,.