One Sweet Dream: A Beatles Podcast

Welcome to the first series of this season, Lennon Reveals: The St Regis Series, where we dive deep into one of the most fascinating and underappreciated interviews John Lennon ever gave: the St. Regis interview from September 1971. It is as wide-ranging and entertaining as Lennon Remembers but even more insightful.

Dr. Duncan Driver joins me as co-host to unpack the many layers of this conversation. This is part one of a ten-part series.

In this conversation, John revisits many of the themes from Lennon Remembers, yet he also reveals layers of emotion and vulnerability that aren’t immediately apparent in the Rolling Stone Interview.

This interview challenges the notion that Lennon had fully moved on from The Beatles, showing instead how deeply invested he remained in those relationships, even as he sought new beginnings with Yoko. It sheds light on Lennon’s need for security and love, his ongoing emotional ties to his former bandmates, and his struggles to reconcile his past with his present.

The St. Regis interview reminds us that Lennon’s story is richer and more nuanced than the popular myth. It offers valuable insights into his loyalty, emotional depth, and artistry. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to understand Lennon, the Beatles, and the dynamics that shaped their world in 1971.

Podcast host: Diana Erickson

If you have questions or comments, email us at @[email protected].

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Thanks to Duncan Driver and Halle Ryan!

In this episode, we set the stage for Season 3 by diving into the heart of One Sweet Dream. We explore the background of the podcast, what drives it, and the big subjects we’ve been tackling so far. Plus, we unpack some of the core ideas seeded in Lennon Remembers—the legendary interview that’s key to understanding what comes next. Stay tuned for the first episode of the Series Lennon Reveals in the next few days!

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In part two of Cleave's profile of George Harrison, Diana, and Duncan explore the second half of the interview, which includes topics such as George's home, his home life with his wife Pattie, his thoughts on war, the old guard, and religion.

In this interview, George is amusingly blunt and endearingly earnest. Originally posted in the Evening Standard, these interviews provide rare, intimate glimpses of the Beatles in 1966.

Many thanks to Dr. Duncan Driver! @drduncd

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In this two-part episode, Diana and Dr. Duncan Driver explore Cleave's profile of George Harrison. In the first installment, they discuss the first segments of the interview where Harrison is remarkably candid and forthcoming. Originally featured in the Evening Standard during the spring of 1966, these extraordinary interviews offer a rare peek into the lives of The Beatles at the height of their fame.

In this episode, Diana and Dr. Duncan Driver dive into the second half of Maureen Cleave's interview with Paul McCartney as it appeared in the Evening Standard in 1966.

This interview captures McCartney when he is on top of the world and fully immersed in the counterculture and avant-garde scene, depicting a period when he and the Beatles reigned supreme. These exceptional interviews provide us with a rare glimpse into the Beatles' world in 1966.

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Thanks to Dr Duncan Driver!

This is part one of the Cleave profile on Paul McCartney. In this episode, Diana and Dr. Duncan Driver explore the first half of Cleave's interview with McCartney. 

This interview series was originally titled "How A Beatle Lives" and appeared in the Evening Standard. They are remarkable because they give us a rare glimpse into the world of the Beatles in 1966.

This fascinating interview with McCartney supports his account in the book Many Years From Now. It captures McCartney when he is on top of the world and immersed in the counterculture scene.

Full Transcript: https://onesweetdreampodcast.com/blog/how-a-beatle-lives-no-4-by-maureen-cleave-161

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Thanks to Duncan Driver!

This is part two of the Maureen Cleave interview with John Lennon. In this episode, Diana and Dr. Duncan Driver dig into the second half of the Cleave interview visiting John's library, exploring his Phantom V Rolls Royce, and accompanying him to the doctor. John, as always, is entertaining and opinionated on the subject of money, power, and his future. This profile was originally written for the Evening Standard, and was titled, "How Does A Beatle Live? John Lennon Lives Like This".

Support the show: Patreon.com/onesweetdream

Website: Onesweetdreampodcast.com

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Articles & books referenced:

The Cleave John Lennon interview: https://onesweetdreampodcast.com/blog/how-does-a-beatle-live-no-1-john-lennon-by-maureen-cleave-095

About the Phantom V: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/john-lennons-phantom-v-the-story-of-the-psychedelic-beatle-mobile-253088/

Flip Magazine article: http://www.beatlesinterviews.org/db1966.05flip.beatles.html

Hunter Davies Beatles Biography: https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Hunter-Davies/dp/0393315711

Pete Shotton's book: https://www.amazon.com/John-Lennon-Life-Pete-Shotton/dp/081286185X

Thanks to Dr. Duncan Driver! @drduncd

In this episode, host Diana Erickson and regular guest Dr. Duncan Driver dive into the first part of Maureen Cleave's 1966 profile of John Lennon, originally published in The Evening Standard under the title "How A Beatle Lives." These extraordinary interviews offer unique insight into the Beatles' world and lives at this time. John Lennon captivates with his swagger and charm.

These contemporaneous portraits hold significant value because they challenge some of the dominant stories about the Beatles at this time. So much of our understanding of the Beatles has been informed by what the Beatles said after the breakup, and this close reading allows us to consider what they actually said at that time.

Part 2 will come out on Thursday.

Here is the full interview.

Support the podcast: Patreon.com/onesweetdream

https://onesweetdreampodcast.com/

Thanks to Dr. Duncan Driver! twitter.com/drduncd

The Cleave Series is an exploration of the interviews of the Beatles that were done for the Evening Standard in March 1966. Titled "How Does A Beatle Live," these exceptional profiles provide us with a rare glimpse into the world of the Beatles at a time when they were riding high. Dr. Duncan Driver joins Diana Erickson in this series.

Episode one explores her piece on Ringo Starr. Here is the full interview.

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Thanks, Duncan!