229 avsnitt • Längd: 65 min • Veckovis: Måndag
Beatling About. Anything about the Beatles, solo and related, past, present and future.
The podcast When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles is created by Ed Chen and Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena, Martin Quibell. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Lonnie Pena and I (separately) saw "One to One: John & Yoko" in IMAX from Magnolia Pictures during it's recent run (it is still available in selected theaters, and pay streaming in May). Our first thought? They really should have emphasized that "Year in the Life" subtitle a bit more. Other than that? Tune in and find out!
More from Lonnie's Scrapbook as we shoot back to the late nineteen seventies and consider the Knack (the band, not the noun or the film), George Harrison's wedding to Olivia, the 1979 fire at Ringo's residence, the aftermath of Paul McCartney / January 1981, and the farms of John and Yoko - including their Holstein cattle (Mango the cow!).
More from the Gab Four! Lonnie, Jon, Martin and I wander from Revolver through the Beatles era, passing by landmarks including "Teddy Boy", "Ms. L.", "Goodnight Vienna", "Lavatory Lil", Mr. Double-It-Up", and the "Dark Sweet Lady". Stories and characters you know and love, and maybe some you should discover! Who doesn't want two girls [or young men] in the back, calling them Daddy?
A Gab Four spectacular! Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena, Martin Quibell and I gathered to talk about the characters and stories in Beatles songs. They started with covers of folks like Long Tall Sally, and this episode takes us through Rubber Soul, where the band gives us Michelle, the Nowhere Man, and asks about the possibility of exchanging golden rings in favor of getting behind the wheel to "Drive My Car!"
George was quite busy between "All Things Must Pass" and "The Concert for Bangladesh". However, many of the things he played on were not under his own name! We look at two projects where George was a significant contributer: Gary Wright's "Footprint", and Billy Preston's "I Wrote a Simple Song". Excellent playing, and a link between George's Beatles guitar-playing, his work on "All Things Must Pass", and his turn on John Lennon's "Imagine" (when he finally turned back to his own projects with "Living in the Material World!")
Lonnie and I chat about the CBS version of "Ringo and Friends at the Ryman" which aired on Monday, March 10, 2025. Jack White, Sheryl Crow, and even Larkin Poe honor the man, the music, the COUNTRY legend that is Ringo Starr.
Marv and I sit down to talk the first disc of the new 2024 edition of the Internet favorite "Spot the Looney". Ever wondered where you could find those rarities George Harrison played on that are not readily available from Apple (records or Music)? Try this box. Harry, Derek and the Dominoes, the Remo Four, the Silkie, Bobby Whitlock, Ashton Gardner & Dyke and MORE can be found on just the first disc of this set Nine more to come, but don't worry, they will be spread out over the next year or maybe more!
Kit O'Toole and I are honored to speak with Sally Martin Katz, the Photo Curator for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco as Paul McCartney's "Eyes of the Storm" photo exhibition comes to the deYoung museum in the Bay Area. We talk about the exhibition, the photos, and the role photography and photographers weave around the life story of Paul McCartney.
What ties Studio Two, the Casbah Coffee Club, the Bahamas, Rishikesh, and an airplane returning to London with the Beatles? George Harrison's birthday! After the news (where Kit once again drops in her mellifluous tones), we consider the changes in George and the Beatles as he moved from his nineteenth birthday to his twenty-second.
Sam Whiles joins for some chat about "Back To The Egg", but primarily one of the few interviews Paul did for "Back to the Egg". James McCartney was not quite two years old, Wings was settling into the outfit that would become the final iteration, and Paul was toying around with tunes that would become "McCartney II". Also found in this episode is news that is slightly out of date (will that matter in a year, month or even a week?)
Marv and I sit down with Kenyon Rosewall of the "Note by Note" podcast. We each compile some of our "key" Beatles songs written during the Beatles "first act". Before there was "Help!" or "Rain", there was "Do You Want to Know a Secret", "No Reply", and even a couple of Elvis-inspired three-chord raveups!
2022. Sir Paul McCartney was recovering from the passing of Linda, preparing for a tour backing his "Driving Rain" album, and celebrating fifty years of Queen Elizabeth II. The BBC gathered together a number of interesting and important figures (including Astrid Kirchherr, Jurgen Vollmer, Arthur Kelly and Kermit the Frog?) in advance of his appearance at the Jubilee (and a little thing at Castle Leslie in Glaslough, Ireland). Lonnie and I look back and discuss the documentary and how well it tells (at least some of) Paul's story.
The past is gone, but something might be found to take it's place. However, sometimes, the past is only a few weeks ago. Ethan Alexanian joins Martin and I to review "Beatles '64" - the good, the bad, and the questionable.
The definition of a "hit record" in 2025 is fairly difficult to determine, but by the "old fashioned" metrics, Ringo certainly has one with his country album "Look Up." Lonnie Pena and I go through the album, track-by-track and talk about the songs, guests, and the directions the career of Ringo Starr might head in. We close the show discussing the (mostly positive) reviews, where even the most negative reviewers can only niggle on the songwriting of T-Bone (when they could have used ALL of THAT unknown NASHVILLE TALENT!), and how Ringo is quite possibly too genial to be successful!
Jon Stone is guided by Voices (or are voices guided by Jon Stone?) Following on from Beatles '64, Marv and I wanted to talk actual memories of the year with the only co-host who had some. Lots of Beatles chat, a bit of meandering (Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, Sunday-Sunday-Sunday), and a tiny bit of off-period chat, but that's true to the documentary ;), and in this case, it does all manage to come around to almost-cohesive!
After a news segment (update on Julian, Richard Perry), Marv and I sit down for part two of our look back at some of the happenings in the Beatles world over the last twelve months. A passel full of Documentaries, the 'Living in the Material World" box, Ringo tour pt. 2, and the latest chapter in the "Got Back" tour. We also chat about Ringo's plans for 2025 (country album, Nashville shows and Spring/Summer tour), the Concert for Bangladesh and some of the other things we are looking forward to.
After a news segment (Julian, Joey Molland, Ringo and Paul!), Marv and I sit down for part one of our look back at some of the happenings in the Beatles world over the last twelve months. New music in the form of an EP from Ringo, an anniversary release from Paul for "Band on the Run", a brand new mix for "One Hand Clapping" and more!
Marv and I are joined by Eoghan Lyng and Ken Michaels to discuss the "Living in the Material World" album with an emphasis on the 50th Anniversary remix as found on the "Super Deluxe Edition". Ken rates the record at the very top, but in general the reviews over the years have been on the positive side, but perhaps less than ecstatic.
Marv, Lonnie and I sit down with Director David Tedeschi to talk Beatles '64 - the documentary newly available on Disney+ presenting 17 minutes of new Maysles Brothers footage. The Documentary also features greatly cleaned up footage, complete with new audio stems and remixes from the 1964 Ed Sullivan shows, the Washington Coliseum, and newly restored interviews from "The Beatles Anthology". All this and chat covering Tedsechi's entire career that goes from "The Shield" to "Vinyl" to "No Direction Home" and plenty more!
Part Two of our discussion with Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair covering the McCartey Legacy, Volume 2. All four of us (Lonnie, Jon, Ed and Marv) are still in on the conversation, as we pick up the McCartney story in New Orleans, visit John Lennon in the Dakota ("Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!") travel around the globe on a world tour, record on the high seas, record in a castle, complain about Pete Townshend (he wouldn't wear the suit), and end up in Japan...
Part One of our discussion with Allan Kozinn and Adrian Sinclair covering the McCartey Legacy, Volume 2. All four of us (Lonnie, Jon, Ed and Marv) are in on the conversation, as we proceed from the McGear album to Paul's time in Nashville, with stops along the way at Rembrandt, Printer's Alley and that room Jimmy McCulloch hung out while he was working with Paul in Scotland.
Marv and I talk a bit about the new "Living in the Material World" box, mostly Disc Two - EXTRAS! Alternate versions of the entire record, remixes of "Miss O'Dell", and a brand new recording of "Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond)" featuring a George Harrison lead vocal, and guest appearances from Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, and Rick Danko from The Band, alongside Ringo Starr.
Marv and I sit down to discuss the 1994 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. Yoko Ono handed over a tape. Paul McCartney inducted John Lennon as a solo artist (an honor since given to Paul, George and Ringo) while friends and familiars including Elton John, The Band, the Animals, the Grateful Dead and Bob Marley had their names added to the pantheon now housed in Cleveland.
Lonnie and I review "Midas Man". We discuss the good (production and set design), the bad (dancing around the relationship the NEMS acts including the Beatles had with Brian's homosexuality), and the downright odd (the height difference between Jonah Lees' "smaller-than- John Lennon" and Jacob-Fortune Lloyd's "taller-than-Brian Epstein".
A "Gab Four" show! Martin, Lonnie, Jon and I are together chatting on what Jon has named "The Murky Times". The period between the end of the "Get Back" sessions and McCartney's "Self Interview" in the "McCartney" promotional package!
News, updates and discussion on the last few weeks. Ringo Starr has a new country album. A very nice stream (both video AND audio) of Paul McCartney in Buenos Aires. Answers to some of our questions regarding John and Yoko on Mike Douglas, and a bit of "Lonnie's Scrapbook", mostly a couple of pieces from the seventies (and the Houston Post) covering John and Yoko's trip to Houston in 1971 (while dealing with custody and visitation rights over Kyoko Chan Cox), 1979, and how things were finally settled in the early nineties!
Marv, Lonnie and I finish our review of "Daytime Revolution" (and to a certain extent, more generally John and Yoko's week on Mike Douglas). Following that, we are joined by Erik Nelson, the man behind "Daytime Revolution", who gives his own thoughts on the the week of shows (filmed over five weeks), the process of editing 7+ hours of television down to less than ninety minutes, locating and filming new interviews with the guests still with us, and choosing representative elements (bumpers, etc) to keep that "1972 television" feel.
Marv and Lonnie join me for our discussion of the first few days of the Lennons on the Mike Douglas show in 1972, particularly as the days are represented in the new documentary "Daytime Revolution." John, Yoko, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale and Mike Douglas? How did millions of American housewives react to the counterculture entering their avocado-colored breakfast nooks? The review concludes next week, which will also feature a discussion with director of the film Erik Nelson.
Lonnie joins as we review the theatrical presentation of "One Hand Clapping", combined with the first ever appearance of the full (?) "Backyard" film. Paul, Linda, Denny, Geoff and Jimmy. Also in the studio were two other musicians, an orchestra and a dog. One of the musicians was called Howie Casey and played a saxophone. The other was called Del Newman and he conducted the orchestra. The dog was called Poppy and didn’t really do much at all. The studio at number 3 Abbey Road, London is where The Beatles recorded their first album Please Please Me in 1963 and the studio hasn’t been painted since then. Geoff Emerick, the recording engineer, said it would ruin the acoustics.
Lonnie and I spend this week looking at the Ron Chapman film "Revival 69." How much did we really know about the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival? This fil goes into the nitty gritty of September 13, 1969 - and exactly how John Lennon ended up in Canada premiering "Cold Turkey".
Marv and I finish our look at the Seventies US number ones of John, Paul, George and Ringo. Casey drops by, as do clips of John, Paul, Elton and Billy Preston. Look for a bit of a Billy Revival as Jon Batiste portrays him in the forthcoming "SNL 1975" film. With all these other films, the casting of Beatles incidentals is done for him!
While the four solo artists formerly known as the Beatles did not equal their illustrious previous decade, they did all show chart success in the Seventies. Eleven total number ones. This week we start our next multi-part series (hey, two counts as "multi") covering those chart toppers. We partially go the Paul McCartney route ("we play the hits"), but also look back at how these songs were viewed in "real time". Lots of news, and plenty of archival clips from Casey's coast to coast!
Marv and I are joined by Antony Rotunno (Glass Onion: On John Lennon), as we finish our look at the Mind Games Box Set with Disc Six - The Outtakes. While we discuss the tracks, we also take a step back and consider Lennon the man. The personal, political and psychological are all strongly represented in the lyrics found between the grooves.
The return of friend of the show Darin Murphy (a man who portrayed John Lennon on Broadway, and played with Denny Laine, Todd Rundgren, Joey Molland, Micky Dolenz and more!) He pojoins us to discuss Disc Five of the Mind Games Box, the raw studio mixes. Sean gives us plenty of material to consider, and we discuss how this album would influence artists as diverse as Meat Loaf, Tom Petty and possibly the Beats headphones!
Recorded Live in Chicago (with additional audio from Houston, Cleveland and more), this week we present "When They Was Fab" in front of a live audience. Dr. Kenneth Womack ("Living the Beatles Legend", "Solid State", "John Lennon: 1980" and more) joins us as we look at the circumstances of 1960, 1961 and 1962 which would lead to a new drummer and a new era for everyone that is a fan of popular music!
Marv, Lonnie and I sit with Nashville HOF songwriter, author and man who worked with a Beatle about his lifelong love of the Fabs, touring (and writing!) with Carole King, his Brian Epstein-themed song on the new Billy J. Kramer record, collaborating (and recording) with Ringo and the forthcoming Ringo country album. We also dig into his new novel ("Reunion"), which imagines a universe where John Lennon's fate changed, and all four were still present when Paul (at the urging of his daughters) decides to approach the others, as "the right four people" is one of the ways he might be able to overcome his heartache.
The "Mind Games" train rolls on. Disc four, the evolution mixes. Possibly the closest we will get to hearing the evolution of the "Mind Games" album. Each track, from the earliest known demo through the various changes in the studio through to the near-complete version. John, Yoko, Roy Cicala and all the musicians chime in at various times for a full look at just how the recording process worked for John Lennon in New York City in the early 1970's!
The Ultimate Box review continues! This week we move on to the third disc - the elements mixes. How many other (non-instrumental) albums have a disc not featuring lead vocals from the named artist? This one does. Marv and I talk about what we learned, and we extend the concept talking about Keltner, Gordon, Something Different, Sneaky Pete and the others that migrated from "Feeling the Space" over to "Mind Games".
Lonnie and I roll on with part two of our "Mind Games" SDE review. This week, disc two - the Elemental mixes (not to be confused with the Elements mixes). Lonnie also unveils his initial thoughts on the Mind Games (Ultimate Collection) Super Deluxe Box Set! Roll the I-Ching and see if it advises you to drop the cash!
Lonnie Pena, Jon Stone and I sit down to discuss the first disc of the "Mind Games: Ultimate Collection" Deluxe Box set. When asked about the release, Sean Lennon says: "People were having trouble adjusting to the 'new' John Lennon. So, I think Mind Games fell through the cracks for a number of reasons. The fact that the mixes were a bit thin didn’t help either." Does that apply to Jon, Lonnie (who picked up the disc at release) and me (who didn't get turned on to it until the early eighties and the half-price bin)? Tune in and find out!
Marv and I talk the Birmingham, UK Soundcheck (2015, "Out There" tour). Soundcheck is 40-60 minutes of Paul doing (mostly) songs not part of the main show. This week we talk "Celebration", "Miss Ann", "It's so Squeazy", "I'll Follow the Sun", and a bit about how the show has changed since Out There (two encores compressed to one! No "Yesterday"). As they say in "Midnight Special" (another soundcheck favorite of Paul's) "If you ever go to Houston, you better act right!"
The Last Houston storm resulted in Lonnie Pena uncovering his Seventies Beatles scrapbook. Festival Seating in the Houston Summit! Ringo, "I Dream of" Jeannie, Jim Backus and one of the hippest looking sexagenarians captured in a photograph. Also, more "Got Back 2024" dates, preparations for the "Mind Games" box, and the wonder of AI "Get Back Sessions".
The annual "Peace and Love" bonus episode of Fab. Fire it up precisely at 11:45 local time on Sunday July 7, and join our shows in wishing Ringo "All the Best" and the world "Peace and Love" as we celebrate Richard, Richie, "Ringo-Starrtime" Starkey.
Marv and I review the second disc of the "One Hand Clapping' set, and the contents of the vinyl EP. It is becoming popular for many internet types to claim that this collection is now amongst their favorite Wings albums. That might be a bit of hyperbole, and it might be recency bias, but even so, this new mix and official release of the 1974 Paul McCartney and Wings bootleg favorite is at a minimum, quality product from Sir Macca and MPL.
Lonnie and I review the first disc of the "One Hand Clapping' set (available on Vinyl, Vinyl + single, CD and streaming), the new mix of the 1974 Paul McCartney and Wings Favorite. Just how good a drummer was Geoff Britton?
Lonnie and I discuss the new Mind Games-related "You Are Here" video with new footage of John and Yoko from the Robert Fraser Gallery, talking about the WWF (not the wrestling one), balloons, charity boxes and tiny badges. We also discuss Ringo's summer 2024 tour (and Lonnie's visit to Hidalgo, TX), the McCartney 2024 tour, the Blue plaque at 12 Arnold Grove and several other items from the news bucket.
Marv and I finish up our review/overview of the McCartney "Life in Lyrics" podcast with episodes 11 and 12 ("Michelle" and "The End"). We then briefly overview the series to date, and talk about some of the things we noticed (both positive and negative) through the twenty-four episodes. No full episode on any song after "Here Today" and the Tug of War album? That's a shame. Despite the long odds, our fingers are crossed for at least one more series to cover more of the post-Wings output.
This week I am joined by the host of Fans on the Run and our own Chas Newby (and the guy who made that really neat graphic of "Rocky"), Ethan Alexanian. He joins us to discuss the Mark Lewisohn kerfuffle. For those who don't know, here is the dictionary definition of Kerfuffle:
WHO is talking? You might not know, as we get a quick flyby from "Toppermost of the Poppermost" hosts "Queen of All Beatles Media" Kit O'Toole and "Yeah, he is also among the co-hosts of the show" Martin Quibell. (In baseball terms, they are "openers"). The bulk of the show features BC the Beatles co-host Erika White, and "Writer, Occasional Troublemaker and Full-Time Whovian" Jim Ryan. We talk the intersections of "Doctor Who" and the Beatles (who knew Brian Epstein hung with Verity Lambert), and review/discuss "The Devil's Chord", the recent episode featuring actors portraying Cilla and JPGR.
As with practically every other Beatles podcast in the multiverse, the topic of the week is the 2024 release of "Let It Be" on Disney+. Lonnie Pena and I sit down, discuss the VHS, Laserdisc, new streaming version and more.
Marv, Lonnie and I talk the new Record Store Day Mind Games EP and two more episodes from the "Life In Lyrics" podcast. A nice preview of the box set coming later this summer, and we return to Paul McCartney's Life in Lyrics podcast for episodes covering "Here There and Everywhere" and "Give Ireland Back to the Irish."
A review of the Geoff Emerick Lagos tape as auctioned off last September. Two high-profile "Dutch Imports" have hit the market recently (confusingly, each coming from a different dub of the Emerick masters). The variants were classified, artifacts removed and a single "good" copy of the tape exists, and we review it! How does it compare to the "underdubbed" release? We also review Linda Perry and the new Ringo EP "Crooked Boy".
Kit O'Toole joins the show this week as we run through the voluminous Beatles news from the past week (Record Store Day, Ringo, Let It Be) and discuss the Beatles portion of "Around the Beatles." Costumes, Shakespeare, Trevor Peacock and some kicking rock and roll.
Lonnie Pena and I discuss Wings at the Hammersmith Odeon - the Concert(s) for the People of Kampuchea. Through circumstance, December 29, 1979 would end up being the final Wings concert ever. Got to Get You Into My Life, Coming Up, Maybe I'm Amazed, Mull of Kintyre and Let It Be. One-Two-Three-Four!
Marv and I sit down and chat about the Ringo selections on Rob Sheffield's "100 Best Solo Beatles Songs" list. As Dana Carvey might say, "isn't it conveeeeenient" that each claims one of the top four. More seriously, we discuss the nature of such lists, how, when and why - and we talk about the thirteen selections. Does Ringo deserve 25% of the take? Is thirteen too little?
More of our thoughts on the "Life in Lyrics" podcast. Martin Quibell and I discuss Episodes 6, 7, and 8. The episodes are entitled "Silly Love Songs", "A Day in the Life" and "Hey Jude". However, roughly fifteen different songs get covered within the three episodes...
A Beatles special you might not know about. In 1977, NBC purchased "The Beatles Forever", a variety-entertainment special from ITC Entertainment (aka: The company led by Sir Lew Grade). The Toppermost gang "comes together" to discuss this Thanksgiving spectacular!
Martin Quibell and Sam Whiles (Paul or Nothing) join to discuss the final Wings show of the summer 1973 tour. If your experience of Wings Live begins with Jimmy McCulloch, you are in for quite a different experience. Excerpts have been available for years (and are now on the official McCartney YouTube channel), but we are discussing and describing the full show, including "Turkey in the Straw."
Martin Quibell joins this week as we discuss the recent "fan mixed" Underdubbed version of "Red Rose Speedway". Sorry Paul, the term still is not going to catch on among the general public. This mix is probably more accurately referred to as an "Elements" or (to borrow a term from the Lennon camp), a "stripped" mix - it is not something that ever existed for Paul, or that he used to make decisions on future directions, but it *is* a reflection of the stages these songs passed through.
Welll...It's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready now go cat go! George "Don't Call It a Comeback" Harrison joined his buddy Carl Perkins and his other buddies Ringo Starr and Eric Clapton to pay tribute to their friend and mentor Carl Perkins in a Cinemax special filmed in 1985 and aired in the UK (and later in the US) in 1986. Lonnie Pena co-hosts.
A grand old painter died last night. I must've done something wrong. More life, more lyrics from McCartney and Muldoon. Lonnie Pena and I run through three more episodes of the "Life in Lyrics" podcast, talking about their talking, but also presenting some general chat about "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Yesterday" and "Picasso's Last Words."
Paul McCartney and Paul Muldoon return for the second season of the "Life in Lyrics" podcast. We sit down to consider the first two episodes of the new season ("Love Me Do" and "Band on the Run"), and talk about the slight stylistic change between the two seasons. We also talk a bit about the return of Paul McCartney's 1961 Hofner, and the Apple-approved, Sam Mendes directed quartet of biopics planned for 2027 release!
It was Sixty Years Ago Today... Beatlemania finished its reach as the Fab Four use New York City, Miami Beach and the Ed Sullivan Show to broadcast across the United States. We not discuss the Fab Four, but Fred Kaps, Mitzi Gaynor, Rossi and Allen, Pillsbury, Aero Shave (Wet, Wet, Wet!) and Kent Cigarettes, and even manage a bit of Davy Jones and Leonard Nimoy.
Before he jetted off to New York, and then Vegas, Sir Paul and his team dropped the fiftieth anniversary release of "Band on the Run", highlighted by the "Underdubbed edition." This week we consider the new release and look at what is under the orchestra and horns.
Lonnie Pena and I consider the recent production "The Beatles and the BBC". An interesting collection of BBC clips ranging the Beatles years and beyond with some effort putting the "Threetles" in the historic context of the band they once were.
Marv and I finish our review of episodes nine to twelve of the McCartney "Life and Lyrics" podcast and look forward to what we might find in the second series which is expected in the coming weeks! Magical Mystery Tour (roll up), The Birds of McCartney (not Linda or Nancy), Too Many People and Helter Skelter
Lonnie Pena and I sit down to consider the John Lennon episode of "A Life in Ten Pictures". One hour is barely enough time to give an overview of a "regular person's" life, much less a complex superstar. How well did the BBC accomplish that task, and are the photos chosen really representative of a chameleon-figure like John Lennon?
More from the Muldoon and McCartney Life in Lyrics podcast. "Penny Lane", "Here Today", "Uncle Albert" and "Live and Let Die". A study in how Paul McCartney thinks about characters, both his own and those given to him for a song. Martin Quibell co-hosts, which only seems proper.
Time continues to march on as Jon Stone, Martin Quibell and I (Naturally!) move through the latter half of 2023. Not just "Now and Then", but a number of tremendous books, a new Ringo EP, more touring from Sir Ringo and Sir Paul and collaborations with Dolly Parton and the Rolling Stones,.
The "Gab Four" are together again for the first show of 2024. A lot of Ringo, some chat on Beatle books from the first half of the year and "in memoriam" to folks like Royston Ellis, Chas Newby and Caroline Buckman.
This week: The "When They Was Fab" Christmas spectacular. Three of the "Gab Four" review the 1995 "Rubber Band" album from Dutch band the Beatmas (featuring Soren Dahlberg). The Fab Four were not the first to do Beatles-styled Christmas Carols. Tune in for XMAS! fun.
Sam Whiles (Paul or Nothing) steps in as we discuss the life, loves and trousers of Denny Laine. Also joining is Darin Murphy (who gets a few more words in than Roger McGough, the man who actually knew the Rutles). Merry Happy Holidays to all.
We continue with our look at the 2023 remixes of "The Beatles 1962-1966". As with disc one, the percussion blows us away. Join Martin Quibell and I as we consider the remixes and discuss some of the recent announcements as we look forward to 2024.
Now we are channeling the SuperDeluxeEdition energy! Nineteen new mixes on the first CD of 1962-1966. Hear Ringo playing the bongos on "A Hard Day's Night". Claves, handclaps, and drums as far as you can hear. Martin Quibell (and a bit of Lonnie Pena) join as we talk the wonders of MAL and the ears of Giles Martin.
Paul McCartney's "Got Back" tour hit Mexico City in mid-November 2023. This is Paul and the band's first visit to "Ciudad de Mexico" in six years. Despite being highly similar to the 2022 US version, a splendid time is still guaranteed for all, particularly with crowds like those we shared the evening with!
"Now and Then" was followed up by the sort-of 50th anniversary of "Red and Blue". This week we look at three albums of goodness from the folks at Universal Music. The blue album is very much a compilation in the traditional sense - a nice sampler for the Giles Martin post-2017 remixes. This week we consider the additions to the collection, other choices that might have been made and what is that sound in "Hey Bulldog"
The hits just keep on coming! This week, friend of the show Doctor Kenneth Womack joins the show to discuss his just-released book "Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans." "Big Mal" has been both part of the Beatles story, and a figure in the background. What drove the "Gentle Giant", and what was it like to be the friend, confidante and guy who found socks, bowties and guitar strings for John, Paul, George and Ringo.
I know it's true. There's a new Beatles song and video and short documentary out in the wild. Lonnie and I are joined by Kit O'Toole (Queen of all Beatles Media!), Tom Hunyady (one of the two legs) and Erika White (BC the Beatles), as we go through the single (does clear count as a color?), the song, the documentary, the video and the T-shirt.
Lonnie Pena and I go through the first four episodes of the Paul McCartney and Paul Muldoon podcast "A Life in Lyrics". Paul goes through Eleanor Rigby, Back in the USSR, Let It Be, When Winter Comes and Mull of Kintyre. Old stories, new stories and you might even learn something!
The record is flipped as we travel through "Devil Woman", the how's why's and extended versions of "Six O'Clock", right through to a bit more of the legend of Jack Nitzsche, Klaus Voorman, Vini Poncia, David Hentschel and the inimitable Ringo Starr. We'd like to thank you for making that little bit of plastic.
Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Harry Nilsson, Klaus Voorman, John Lennon and Ringo Starr join together to answer the question "What Shall we do with a Drunken Sailor"? Tune in as Marv and I discuss and celebrate 49 years and 50-ish weeks of the Ringo Starr album "Ringo."
Jon Stone co-hosts as we chat with Deirdre Kelly, author of "Fashioning the Beatles: The Looks that Shook the World." The topic is John Lennon as influencer, both inside and outside of the Beatles. John Lennon liked to say that the Beatles were not necessarily the originators of their style (both musically and not), but "the ones in the crow's nest." This week we discuss the taste and style of the Lads - and how their choices in that arena are still echoed to the present day!
Lonnie and I return to talk more about 2005, as we finish up our "Space Within US" commentary track. More about the crowd and families, a little bit of Steve Jobs (before the iPhone took him to the "topermost" of the CEO's), and our thoughts on songs Paul should and shouldn't bring back into the live show.
Lonnie and I celebrate the (separate) returns of the twotles to the concert stage by looking back to 2005/6, and the US (pronounced "us", not "U.S.") tour from 2005, as represented by the 2006 concert film. Paul, Wix, Abe, Brian, Rusty, those "No More Landmine" T-shirts and a whole boatload of celebrities in cameo and longer appearances.
Brian Epstein and NEMS were frequently viewed as the "golden ticket." A shiny new record contract, a song from Lennon-McCartney, and a hit record was assured. Or was it? Tune in this week as we look into some of the acts that became the "stable." Many found success, but others either missed out, or had to move on before they would ascend the charts.
More from the "Gab Four" as we continue our look at April 4, 1962 - The Beatles at the Stowe School. George Harrison's guitar comes through loud and clear, but a bout with the cold or flu has limited what he can do with his voice. Despite this issue, the band does their best and still finds a way to change the lives of the young men who will become the next generation of power brokers in the UK.
The "Gab Four" come together (and join the party). Lonnie Pena, Jon Stone and Marv Quibell join me for the first of a two-parter where we go in depth on Ringo's new release ("Rewind Forward"), his appearance in the Nils Lofgren video, and the dual autumn/winter tours. (The All-Starr's and Sir Macca). This leads into the beginning of our usual in-depth look at the Stowe school tape, which managed to grow legs and crawl out of the British Library in the recent past!
This week, Lonnie Pena and I are joined by Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter Kent Blazy. We discuss his recent trip to Liverpool, and how visiting the Beatles sites inspired him to write and record his new collection: "From the Beatles To the Bluebird." We also touch on his thoughts on fame (one of his frequent collaborators is country superstar Garth Brooks), the uniqueness of the 12-string, and how he frequently tries to channel Lennon/McCartney when he starts a new project.
A very special live edition of When They Was Fab. I am joined by "The Co-Pips" - Dr. Kit O'Toole (Queen of all Beatles Media, Talk More Talk, Toppermost of the Poppermost) and Dr. Kenneth Womack (Everything Fab Four, the keeper of Mal Evans' flame, and author of more books than you can shake a stick at). Our topic: "Alpha Omega", "Red and Blue", "Original Greatest Hits", "20 Greatest Hits", a bit about "Now and Then" (nothing new, unfortunately) and somehow the Star Club Tapes.
August 11, new show! Kit O'Toole and Martin Quibell join me to preview our various appearances at Fest for Beatles Fans Chicago! Tune in, turn on, and join us as we do live renditions of this very show (Red and Blue in 2023), "Toppermost of the Poppermost", and various other panels. We'll have Fun, Fun, Fun! (oops, wrong band)
Frequent and beloved guest Darin Murphy (Skyrocket, HeartByrne, Cotton Mather) joins us to obsess a bit more on the guitars that The Beatles used on "The Beatles" (aka: "The White Album"). Diversions into the Fender VI (bass), Ringo and his attempt at using a double bass kit, and even a bit of Andy Summers, Eric Clapton and the "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" (aka: "The Beano Album")
Aubrey "Po" Powell and Storm Thorgerson were once known as "Hipgnosis". It is not an exaggeration to say that their collective was responsible for much of the significant album cover artwork of the 1970's. This includes Wings from "Band on the Run" through "Back to the Egg", and Aubrey Powell would continue on-and-off with McCartney through "Off the Ground" and his 1992 World Tour.
Martin and I sit down to go through the rest of Paul McCartney's "1964: Eyes of the Storm". Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, DC and Miami. A Beatle's eye view of a much too serious world. We also get a brief drop-in from Kit O'Toole as we discuss the news - Penn Jillete's revelations concerning the "new" Beatles single, Paul McCartney and Paul Muldoon's forthcoming podcast, and some mumblings on Shankar Family and Friends, the lack of an announcement of the next "Archive Edition" from Paul McCartney and Wings, and more...
Stuart Sutcliffe is remembered as the one-time bass player of the Beatles, and artist who happened to die under tragic circumstances, but is that all their is to the young man? Jon Stone and I look at a BBC Four Documentary from 2005 (a decade after the story was fictionalized in "Backbeat") which features interviews with many of the participants telling Stuart's story in their own words.
Paul McCartney has done two major interviews supporting his show at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the global release of "1964: Eyes of the Storm" We look at the highlights of his program with Stanley Tucci, and the Tribeca Film Festival interview with Conan O'Brien (now available in audio in full from the "Conan O'Brien needs a Friend" podcast.
Ringo Starr hits 83. Download this episode and start it at 11:45 AM local time and we will guide you to the big moment at noon on July 7!
Ringo Starr, Rod Argent, Sheila E, Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, Hamish Stuart. On July 16, 2006 Ringo and the All-Starrs joined the High Rollers at the Mohegan Sun, transforming another Sunday night at the tables into a bit of rock and roll history. Martin Quibell joins the co-host roster officially, and we talk about this tour, the assembled talent, and eighties MTV pretty boys.
Lonnie Pena co-host as we discuss (mostly) Beatles fathers and father figures. "It Takes a Village", and John, Paul, and Ringo are examples of what that phrase means. Jim, Johnny, Charles, Richard, Freddie, Harry, Harry, Henry, and Harold as well as several others!
One, Two, Three, Four. Can I have a little more? Yes, you can. Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena and Martin "Marv" Quibell are all here for the start of WTWF, Mk. IV (or is it V?). We chat about a number of things in Beatle-land, and settle on some lightly edited "as nature intended" chat!
People don't necessarily think of the role of keyboard instruments in the Beatles beyond Billy Preston and a few other obvious examples. This week, we dive a little deeper, starting with Roy Young, through the harmonium, the mellotron, the moog onto the synthesizer revolution and "Band on the Run."
Filmmaker Jon Lefkovitz has just released his 2014 SXSW film "Rubber Soul" on YouTube. Jon and I review. Quoting his description: "In December 1970, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were interviewed for "Rolling Stone" prior to the release of their "Plastic Ono Band" albums. Ten years later, in September 1980, the couple granted their first in-depth interview in five years to "Playboy" while they were in the process of recording "Double Fantasy". RUBBER SOUL reconstructs portions of these two historical interviews based on available transcripts and audio, juxtaposing them in order to explore the dynamic nature of identity over time."
John Lennon did two major interviews acting as bookends to the 1970's. This week, we look at Rolling Stone, Playboy and their relationship to John Lennon, Yoko Ono (and to a lesser extent Paul McCartney). Did Jann Wenner have any ulterior motives? Did David Sheff? Do any of us?
Capitol spent much of the seventies repackaging the Beatles under a variety of concepts and song orders. As we pass the fiftieth anniverary of the first (and possibly the best), 1962-1966 and 1967-1970; we take the time to look at those collections, and propose our own!
1964 was the year the Beatles took over the world. However, the foundations for that were laid in 1963. The Beatles visited Sweden and planned trips to France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States before anyone knew for certain there was gold to be found. This week we tune in to a documentary covering their June 1964 visit to New Zealand, from its origins in the summer of 1963 to the run of shows and their eventual return to the UK.
Disc six of Lord Reith's "Live at the BBC" series. Saturday Club, Two episodes of "Pop Go The Beatles" and more. We contemplate Decca, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, Bernie Andrews, Ian Grant, Phil Tate and consider "The Mersey Sound and the life of being several hairdressers."
AI. Nothing to get hung about, the beginning of something else, or just another piece in the puzzle of change and progress that the Beatles were always striving for, and usually succeeded in driving to the mainstream. This week, the real Jon Stone and I (AI versions are under development) discuss the possibilities, think on ChatGPT, and are virtually joined by the Queen of All Beatles Media, Martin Quibell, and another, different version of me (alas, done the old-fashioned way, no AI or multiverse here)
May Pang's film finally hit theaters (for a day in most places) on April 13, 2023. Lonnie Pena and I were among those who attended the screening, and we review the project in this week's WTWF. Is this another retelling of a story available for over forty years, or is there something new and insightful among the clips and classic interviews?
This week we look at the "not-quite-a-Biography" about George Martin produced by the Arena folks in 2011. A young Giles, the previous iteration of Beatles history, and some interesting tales concerning the comics, musicians and others George Martin encountered during his youth, military career and adult life within Parlophone and AIR Studios. Lots of Judy Martin as well!
This show starts out with discussion on the "Stowe" tape, and what such an exciting discovery means to the world of Beatles fandom and scholarship. This is followed by our main topic - the US Singles. VJ, Swan, Tollie, MGM, Capitol and ATCO (oh my). What did the abundance of 45's mean to the average fan, and what has "collectibility" meant to the world of Beatles singles.
What's the best way to break in a new drummer? Take him with you on a high-profile television appearance. Paul McCartney was coming off his World Tour, lost a drummer (was Paul a model for Spinal Tap?) and agreed to appear on MTV's new-ish television show (interesting performances, moderate audience) called "Unplugged". This week we go back a little over thirty years to talk about the performances, the songs and see how well the TV special holds up for modern audiences.
Letters, we've got letters! We've got stacks and stacks of letters! Viewer mail, where Jon and I answer questions from our listeners. Who needs facts when you've got opinions for miles?
Our review of the second set from "George Fest" in Los Angeles, September, 2014. Weird Al, the Flaming Lips, Perry Farrell and more keep the tributes rolling celebrating the "The Quiet One." Dhani then leads the ensemble through a final two numbers as we fade into the sunset with Dhani "and friends."
On 28 September, 2014 Dhani Harrison hosted a charity concert celebrating the life of George. Conan O'Brien, members of Spoon, the Cult and Killers took the stage to play favorites written by George (and a select few others) backed by a top-notch group of session musicians. This week, the first set of that show with thoughts on the news of the week.
One of the first things John Lennon did when landing in New York City was an "art film" named "Clock" that was promptly locked away. While the film remains in limbo, the soundtrack found its way to the public, first through the "Lost Lennon Tapes", and later (in a more complete form) from the "Dutch Import" market. Four years later (after buying the Holly catalog), Wings (in the form of Paul, Linda and Denny) would go into Rude Studios in Scotland and attempt something conceptually similar, if with a little studio finesse. While the album remains in limbo, we are hopeful a release is possible. Tune in to hear Lonnie Pena and I talk about both projects and the benefits and detractions of going "homespun".
The WTWF guys are firmly in that "easy listenin' mode" this week with our review of "The Rutles Archaeology". How well did Neil Innes manage (artistically) with a second dip into the world of the pre-fab four, and does anyone know where Sony Studios is located? Tune-in and find out.
During ten days in 1977, Neil Innes, Rikki Fataar, Ollie Halsall, John Halsey and Andy Brown recorded twenty+ songs that would last a lunchtime. No time for trousers, but plenty of laughs and maybe a poignant comment or two about the boxing kangaroo's.
Jon and I sit down to review the 2010 documentary "LennoNYC" (aka: Lennon NYC). Lots of interviews, lots of fairly rare footage, a bit of surprisingly candid Yoko Ono, but does it deliver on the stated objective. Hint: "Does Exactly what it says on the tin" may be stretching things. Also a bit of chat about the new single featuring Ringo on drums, Louise Harrison and speculation concerning the announced McCartney/Wings documentary.
George Harrison was quite generous with his talents - not just for friends and relatives, but associates and "friends of friends" as well. Kristof Engelhardt has been chasing such recordings for thirty years, most recently in "The Beatles Fully Uncovered." https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Fully-Uncovered-Kristofer-Engelhardt/dp/1897350619. The George Harrison corner of that square can be filled in with "Spot the Looney" from FLO records, and we go through some of our favorites from the set, and the enirety of one of the discs.
Part two of our chat with Allan Kozinn (co-author of "The McCartney Legacy" with Adrian Sinclair). Lots more chat about Wings, Thrillington, Bruce McMouse and other oddities from the RAM era. THIS is pure McCartney.
Part 1 of our discussion with Allan Kozinn, co-author (with Adrian Sinclair) of "The McCartney Legacy: Volume 1, 1969-1973". Some might describe this book as "Everything you wanted to know about Sir Macca, but was afraid to ask", but that would be inaccurate, as Allan has asked plenty of Paul when he got the opportunity to speak with him several times during "the Kozinn era" at the New York Times.
This week we look at the 1965 Granada television special "The Music of Lennon and McCartney". Peter Sellers, Billy J. Kramer, The Beatles and a thingie which is not too terribly fiendish. We close out with some additional thoughts on Mary McCartney's "If These Walls Could Sing", which is getting a lukewarm reception from the public at large.
What do "Benny and Joon", "Mad Men" and 1976 (the year) have in common? The VH-1 television movie "Two of Us", which featured two of the leads from those projects in a fictionalized version of what happened when John Lennon and Paul McCartney hung out one evening, and Lorne Michaels (on the then new "NBC's Saturday Night") made an offer to four guys - "The Beatles."
We start 2023 by looking back to 2022. The Revolver box set, Paul and Ringo tours and more! Happy New Year to everybody listening, and thank you for downloading each week and offering up your support.
Merry Christmas everybody! This week, Jon and I talk "Unforgettable" (aka "Paul's Christmas Message"), the Beatles Christmas disks and the finances at Apple.
Episode 2 of Toppermost of the Poppermost! November 1962. More "Love Me Do", Helen Shapiro, Frank Ifield (and Iris Caldwell), The Beach Boys and more. Please like, subscribe, review and give both WTWF and Toppermost five-start ratings on Apple podcasts or your provider of choice. Only one more episodes will be included on the "When They Was Fab" feed.
Disc five of Lord Reith's "Live at the BBC" series. Three of the four "Pop Goes The Beatles" episodes on this virtual disc were recorded in a single day. Join us as we discuss several incredible performances by Ringo, a performance of that new single "She Loves You", and their guests The Shadows, The Hollies, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Russ Sainty. As always, Rodney Burke, Jon Stone and me too.
Part two of our look at a year of "Get Back". A bit of discussion on the theatrical screening of the rooftop show, a bit more pondering on the future of the Blu-Ray, and lots more chat covering the book (Apple Studios to January 31 and beyond).
Episode 1 of Toppermost of the Poppermost! "Love Me Do", Elvis, Buddy, Chris Montez and more. Please like, subscribe, review and give both WTWF and Toppermost five-start ratings on Apple podcasts or your provider of choice. Only two more episodes will be included on the "When They Was Fab" feed.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toppermost-of-the-poppermost/id1656605625
Thanksgiving 2022 brought "The Beatles Get Back" to the world. Not just the monumental three-part documentary from Peter Jackson, but also the book, the SuperDeluxeEdition CD set, the streaming rooftop concert and eventually the unenhanced DVD/Blu-Ray set. This week and next we look all of these, the different ways things play between each unique set of media, and compare the book transcription to the Nagras we have had for "All These Years."
A look into the world of the singles from McCartney, Wings and more along with some thoughts on Ed Rudy, Ken Mansfield and Ringo's latest. In a most un-Thanksgiving mode, we may be a little down on the Liverpool Lads (not the real ones), feet (comma, Ringo's), Freedom (the song), a Wonderful Christmastime (Jon only), and "Peace and Love" (as an overused sentiment in Ringo's lyrics).
A new project from Ed Chen, Kit O'Toole and Martin Quibell. We all know the Beatles dominated the charts in both the UK and US through the sixties, but what of the others. John Lennon described the Beatles as "being in the crow's nest". This new show will look at those that influenced them, the bands they knew, toured and work with and how those songs sat alongside the Beatles own progress. Subscribe soon, but all 2022 episodes will appear in our collective feeds.
We'd like to be ... under the sea ... in a Yellow Submarine, with you. Week four of our look at the Revolver Super Deluxe Editions. This week, sessions disc two. Picking up from Disc One last week, we discuss even more "And Your Bird Can Sing" through to "She Said, She Said", and wonder how song choices were made by Giles, The Beatles and UMe.
Continuing our deep dive into the Revolver Super Deluxe Edition, this week we go into the first Sessions disc. Lots of "Love You To" and "Got to Get You Into My Life", but also both sides of the single ("Rain" at the original speed!), "Doctor Robert" and "And Your Bird Can Sing." While we always want more, this is a nice selection of new, interesting and important material.
Part two of our look at the Revolver SDE. Kit O'Toole and Lonnie Pena return for our dive into the album proper (both the new remix and the mono).
The first part of the WTWF view of Revolver. This week: The book, the cover, assorted memories of the era and the EP. Coming soon - part 2 - the album proper.
Live, from New York! No, not those guys. Not those other guys either. It's Lonnie Pena and me, and we are not even "live on tape". In this show, we travel back to a Saturday Night thirty Eight years ago, when we were invited to see Ringo being sold at a Sotheby's-alike, acting as the foil for Ed Grimley, and engage in "The Pajama Game" with Barbra in Fernando's Hideaway.
An hour with author Madeline Bocaro. Her Book? "In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono." Madeline has unique insight into the life and art of Yoko Ono, and ultimately those are the things she delivers in her book, and gives us a taste of in this show!
John Lennon took a portable jukebox filled with some of his favorites on the road with him. After Ringo left Tittenhurst, the KB Discomatic found its way to the world, and is detailed in a documentary and 2-CD set. This week we look at their look at what could be described as "John Lennon's iPod." 80-songs, but nowhere near portable enough for your pocket!
Another bit of alternate (but not too alternate) history. What if the Beatles 1966 tour of the US were delayed, either by circumstances or choice. The Beatles sit down with Brian, determined not to repeat what just happened in the Philippines. How do they accomplish this, and what songs would they choose for the resulting tour? Tune in and hear our opinions!
As the Revolver box (followed by the holiday season) sit on the horizon, both Ringo and Julian have released new music. Ringo fired up Rocabela west, and finished this cycle of 3 EPs (likely to be followed up by the collection as a "full release". Julian, meanwhile has a shiny new one-record deal with BMG, dusted off some old songs, wrote some new ones and put "Jude" out into the world. Tune in to hear what Jon and I think about this. Is it a Revolver Amuse-Bouche, or good releases on their own?
Friend of the show Darin Murphy returns to chat with us about the "Number Nine Orchestra" (and Austin's annual Lennon Birthday show), touring with Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Denny Laine, Joey Molland and others, and Revolver past, present and future!
This week we investigate the politics of John Lennon. We all know about "All You Need Is Love", "Give Peace a Chance", and "Imagine" but what of "Power to the People" and "Angela"? The ambiguity in "Revolution" (out ... in) would be reflected in his friends, associates and to a certain extent his actions in the late sixties and early seventies, until settling on his own path.
Jon and I are joined by Stephen Doster and Randy Miller, two of the figures behind the return of the annual "John Lennon Birthday Tribute" on October 9 at 3TEN ACL Live in Austin. Their band, The #9 Orchestra is a group of accomplished musicians from Austin, Texas who ‘come together’ annually to pay tribute to the music of John Lennon and the Beatles. This year, 2022, will mark the 32th year they have celebrated this Austin tradition. They will perform their 32ND Annual John Lennon Birthday Tribute on October 9,th John’s birthday, at the 3TEN ACL Live theater in beautiful downtown Austin.
Following on from the crossover, Jon and I take a deep dive into the "Long and Winding Road" Documentary (or at least the version that has managed to walk out of Apple). Very much the bones of Documentaries to come, ranging from "Compleat Beatles" to "Eight Days a Week", "Get Back" and its own offspring - "The Beatles Anthology". Cross your eyes, and you'll drop into the Rutles-verse as well.
Jon (remotely) and I are joined by Queen of All Beatles Media Kit O'Toole, Ken Womack, and an audience of tens at the Fest for Beatles fans to close out the podcast portion of the 2022 Chicago Fest. Our topic: Mal Evans in 1975. Mal appeared at the 1975 Fest (second on the bill to Sid Bernstein), worked on (and more or less completed) the draft of his book, produced Joey Molland's new band Natural Gas and appeared a couple of times on Cal State Northridge radio to start his promotional tour.
(Recorded Sunday, August 14, 2:30 at the Fest for Beatles Fans, Chicago Illinois).
Martin returns for speed round, part 2. A lot of diversions, but in a good way! More Broad Street Chat, Beatles Ballads and thoughts on the rise and fall of George Harrison's solo career.
Bonus episode! Kit O'Toole (Queen of All Beatles Media), Andy Nicholes (2Legs) and I sit for a preview of our panels, podcasts and presentations at the 2022 Chicago "Fest for Beatles Fans". Also, the news so we don't get too far behind when our regular programming continues!
Namaste! This week we take a dive into the film "The Beatles and India", based in part upon the book "Across the Universe" by Ajoy Bose. There's more to it than sitars and the Maharishi!
The Beatles had a big month in July of 1963 (and they had a lot of big months)! Radio, recording and stage shows - usually multiple things on any single days. We start in on the recently renewed "Pop Go the Beatles" (11 more shows), and the other radio performances from the month. Rodney Burke too!
Freda Kelly and Ryan White crowdsourced a film telling the story of the Beatles fan club secretary and her decade-plus with Brian Epstein and the Beatles over a decade ago. This week we review the film and consider its place in the canon and whether it continues to hold up.
Question: Did you think about asking George to be in the film?
Paul: No. But because Ringo’s in it and I’m in it, it implies that maybe George ought to have been in it, too. The truth is, he’s not a ham. I don’t think he’s got any ambitions in front of the camera. He was the least keen to be acting in A Hard Day’s Night and Help. Before The Complete Beatles, we were going to put our own version together. The definitive story of the Beatles, and George was the least keen to even be involved. He’s more interested in being behind the camera. And he happened to be out of the country anyway.
I am joined this week by author and television writer/producer Bruce Ferber to discuss his new book, "I Buried Paul." Ever wondered what the real life of "Tribute Beatles" is like? Bruce describes a (fictional) McCartney-alike in his new novel. We are also joined by his original inspiration, Joe Refano (Billy J. Kramer, The Monkees) who is sometimes John Lennon in his Beatles band "The Liverpool Shuffle".
You know the drill! If you are out to lunch, or just thinking about podcasts, fire this up at 11:56 AM local time, and we will all be part of Ringo's 82nd birthday "Peace and Love" celebration!
Speed round! Julian Lennon's newly released material. The ever present public reception of Paul McCartney through the years, and how it differed on either side of "the pond." Can Paul be considered as prolific as Prince? We close on Paul's recent headlining gig at Glastonbury.
The King Mixer joins the Queen of all Beatles media and Lonnie Pena himself as we discuss his podcast/audio drama "A Day in Their Life." A brand new (yet also classic) way of sitting down and considering the history of the Fab Four.
Lonnie Pena and Kit O'Toole join us as we wrap-up coverage on Paul McCartney's "Got Back" tour. Not quite a birthday episode (although the momentous 80th is mentioned), but certainly one which celebrating the man, his life, and maybe a little bit of Chris Holmes and Ticketmaster too!
Thirty years ago, the Beatles celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sgt. Pepper with a South Bank special on the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Paul, George, Ringo, George Martin and even Brian Wilson. This week we dive deeped into Pepper proper, and wonder if the "She's Leaving Home" and "Getting Better" segments remain on the cutting room floor somewhere. Look for part one, also available now!
Thirty years ago, the Beatles celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sgt. Pepper with a South Bank special on the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Paul, George, Ringo, George Martin and even Brian Wilson. We look back at the special, the isolated tracks, what was missing and how things have changed. Look for part two, also available now!
A look at the covers of John, Paul, George and Ringo. All without one mention of "Rock Island Line", which all four of them did as solo artists in one form or another. Which is your favorite? Least? Jeff Lynne and his shaggy hair manage to get namechecked TWICE!
In 1979, EMI (via their "budget label" Music For Pleasure/mfp) recycled and expanded an idea launched nine years previously as "The Stars Sing Lennon & McCartney"). This week: the songs, the artwork and what was skipped in favor of "I'm the Greatest."
Jon and I are joined by Erika White (of BC the Beatles) for a look the 2007 Julie Taymor film "Across the Universe". A feast for the eyes and ears. A lot of people like it, and a lot of people don't. Which of these categories do we fall in? (hint: we live up to the subtitle) Which category do you fall in? Let us know!
We continue our look at the collected "Beatles at the Beeb" (Lord Reith 2021 edition) with disc three. Shows two, three and four in the "Pop Go the Beatles" series, and a couple of other appearances from the months around Paul's birthday. In addition to talking about the shows we chat a bit about the "Spanish Holiday", Paul's 21st and Lee Peters making Ringo older a month before his time.
Nine years ago Sir Paul emerged from "Kisses on the Bottom" with his next studio album "New." Paul listed his inspiration as events ranging from the early 1960's, through to the present day. Would this album keep "Hear Music" going, and Sir Paul fans rolling into the aisles of Starbucks?
Martin Quibell (co-host P2 Podcast Blues) joins the show this week for a look at the 1974 "Dark Horse" tour from 1974. After an exhausting month finishing some records and rehearsing the band, George Harrison's voice was in no condition for two months of regular shows (sometimes twice daily) across the United States. The frustrations mounted, but it wasn't all bad. The band was invited to visit the White House (with Harry Harrison alongside), and the ache of Pattie would be replaced by newfound love Olivia Arias.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the "Magical Mystery Tour" Blu-Ray. The WTWF guys look back at the film, and the "Arena" special on the making of MMT produced at the same time.
Linda McCartney passed away in Arizona on April 17, 1998. A year later, her friends Chrissie Hynde, Carla Lane and Kevin Godley would organize a concert in her honor at the Royal Albert Hall. We discuss that show, and a bit about Linda herself in this "very special episode" of When They Was Fab.
Ray Cooper and the solo Beatles. We look into the "Zelig" or "Forrest Gump" of the solo Beatle world, Ray Cooper! A drummer, a percussionist, and yes, a tambourine player. He is also a guy who survived the entirety of Handmade Films, and even tried to revive it after the debacle of Denis O'Brien. We also talk a bit about Julian (and the announcement of his new album "Jude"), George's 2022 Grammy win, and look back on our past with "Beatlefest"/"The Fest for Beatles Fans".
A wheezing grinding sound fades away as we close in on Christopher Eccleston wandering around in a moptop on the set of "A Hard Day's Night". Perhaps it is the plot for a lost episode of "Doctor Who", but it is also early on in the telefilm "Lennon Naked". Jon and I review the film, compare the reenacted scenes to their real-life counterparts (surprise! It's pretty good, for the most part), continuing on from last week's look the theatrical "Nowhere Boy".
The first of two weeks covering some John Lennon biopics from the 2009-2010 era. We start with "Nowhere Boy", a deep dive into the psychology of John Lennon as viewed through the lens of his half-sister Julia Dykins. A surprising amount of time is taken up covering the romantic relationships between older women and much younger men!
Jon and I get back to the last (almost) thirty years of Paul McCartney's solo career. Pick at least song from each mainstream release, and one (or more) frp the others (live, classical and Fireman), then build a playlist. Here are ours. What are yours?
We continue our look at the collected "Beatles at the Beeb" (Lord Reith 2021 edition) with disc two. It took the lads 14 months to generate a single disc worth of material, and now the BBC invites them back often enough that they can fill the second before the end of the summer. The disc closes with the momentous event of "Pop Goes the Beatles" (they had moved all the way to the top of the BBC radio food chain), as their album appeared atop the British LP charts!
Please ignore if you have seen/heard this episode already.
This week - Wings and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We move from Paul's induction in 1999 to questions about Wings and how they upheld "the spirit of rock and roll" with diversions wide and far including The Monkees, David Cassidy, the E-Street Band, the Traveling Wilburys and thoughts on the appropriateness of "Lumpy Trousers" as a (joke-) band name.
February 11, 1964. Fresh off their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Beatles take a leisurely trip to Washington DC (via train) and blow the minds of several thousand teenagers including future Vice-President Al Gore. A CBS crew filmed the show for closed circuit distribution, and we are fortunate enough to have a record of this show to review.
There's a lot of serious business to fooling around! This week, Jon and I sit down with humorist, author and man about town Jem Roberts. The audio version of his book "Fab Fools" is newly available on Audible. We touch on a number of comedy topics, with a lot of chat about Neil Innes and the Rutles. No Wom Direction though.
The twelve months between Fall of 1965 and fall of 1966 were difficult ones for the Beatles and their American record label Capitol records. While the Beatles prepared and released a single album, Capitol found a way to release two (creating a deficit for the forthcoming "Revolver" as well). We look at the material, the covers, the hours, the times and more in this week's episode.
Dr. Kenneth Womack of Monmouth University and author of more (Beatle and other) books than you can shake a stick at joins us this week for a look back at George Martin questions that have emerged since "Get Back", and forward to Mal's diaries, the (unpublished) diaries/archives, and the two forthcoming books covering the life and times of "The Gentle Giant". A man quite possibly the closest to the group, and the only assistant worthy of working alongside the Beatles.
This week we start a periodic (i.e.: not contiguous) series covering the Beatles at the BBC, using the Lord Reith "BBC Archives" series (available at finer Internet sites everywhere) as our basis. We run through the first volume of this 24-disc set (which roughly corresponds with their first year) watching the drummers change.
September 1968. Paul McCartney tells the media that the Beatles would be performing live before the end of the year. We know that project eventually became "Get Back", but what if it had proceeded as planned?
We conclude our seven weeks of Get Back (with more to come soon enough) live on a London rooftop. It would soon enough become a golden age for lawyers (although none with a legal bent ever went broke at Savile Row), but right here, right now (well, 53 years ago), it was four young men singing for the world without the aid of wine, bowties or black slip-ons [size 8]. Oh, yeah, there was also day 22.
The penultimate episode of our "Get Back" review. Allen Klein enters the Beatles world, weather delays the proposed show, and Paul gets cold feet. Rehearsals and recording continue while Glyn Johns and Michael Lindsay-Hogg hold their collective breath (for reasons other than Ringo farting).
Darin Murphy joins us for Days 15-17. The deadlines for Ringo and Glyn Johns draw ever closer as January comes to end. The Beatles do not quite manage a breakthrough, but they do start to get some numbers down for the album, while the crew scrambles for a replacement ending for the film now that Primrose Hill is no longer possible.
WTWF 2021-ish year end review. Jon and I start last October (with the John Lennon "Gimme Some Truth" set), and carry through to Peter Jackson's "Get Back". 20+ discs of material: remixed, remastered and sometimes just plain new. Happy Holidays! All the best for 2022!
Lonnie Pena (and the one-time Mrs. Lonnie) return this week as we continue our look at Get Back. George has returned to the band and the sessions are ready to begin in earnest at Apple Studios. Billy Preston wanders down to the basement (after an invitation?), and is swept up into the world of the Fab Four.
The third week of our look at "Get Back". This time, Martin ("Marv") Quibell of "Pods Like Us" and "P2 Podcast Blues" joins us for George Harrison's departure and eventual return to the Beatles. (For those playing along at home, the end of Part one, and the beginning of Part two). Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice? Try Eric and Charlotte and George and Pattie.
This week, we continue our look at "Get Back" the film, but just begin the journey with "Get Back" the song. While waiting for John, Paul strums the Hofner and comes up with a little bit of magic. Three days (mosty) without arguments, although there is still some lingering thoughts of a trial separation between the rehearsals. Special guest, Alan Doss - drummer of Galactic Cowboys and bass player for the Rikki's.
WTWF starts its deep dive into the new production from Disney+, Peter Jackson and the Beatles. This week, the first three days as presented in part one of the new feature. A new year, a soundstage (paid for by another production), four Beatles, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Glyn Johns and Mal Evans in search of some chairs. Is it any wonder the disagreements move from subtext to screen.
Part two of the WTWF (and "Winter of Discontent") first look at Peter Jackson's: The Beatles - Get Back. Stick around as Jon will soon return, and we will begin our deep dive into the days of their lives.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Jon spent the holiday with family, so we will wait for the forthcoming "Deep Dive" to hear his thoughts. In the meantime, I was joined by Nick Anthony of the "Winter of Discontent" podcast (Nagras, nagras and more nagras!) for our first impressions of the nearly eight hours that is "The Beatles: Get Back". Part two will be arriving as soon as I can make it happen.
Jon and I talk a bit about the original Michael Lindsay-Hogg "Let It Be" and the comings and goings of the Beatles in the studio as Ringo began work on "The Magic Christian". George Martin, Glyn Johns production and overdubs were the order of the day, making one wonder if they were continuing on from January, moving on to the next project or still figuring it all out.
Week 4 of the WTWF review of the Let It Be Superdeluxeedition. This week, Disc 3: Rehearsals and Apple Jams. Quite different from George Harrison's "Apple Jams". Eric Clapton is only whispered about here, John's safety net if George doesn't return. Have a sit, pull up a bowl of cauliflower with cheese sauce, and let us know what you think of what we thing. All through the day....
Week 3 of the WTWF look at the "Let It Be" SDE box. This week, Apple Sessions. Chat and sessions from January 1969. The Beatles are working on their next project with the start date on filming for "The Magic Christian" looming. Jams, recording sessions on EMI's portable in the basement and more!
Continuing our look at the "Let It Be" box set. This week, a bit of recap on the history of the "Get Back" LP. Glyn Johns mixes, radio airplay, bootlegs and other artifacts from 1969. We then follow this up with a look at Disc 4. We ponder the mystery of the "Japanese mixes", and discuss how an unreleased, unmastered tape went on to become something nearly as well-known as Phil Spector's "overproduction".
The "Giles Martin" Let It Be is finally here! This week Jon and I start our dive into the project with the remix of the main record (*waving fist at Phil Spector*) and the EP. More to come as we do our usual thorough job on the fun and excitement to be found within the bits of cardboard.
A repost of our first visit with Martin Quibell from 2019. More ukuleles and banjoleles than you can shake a stick at! Remember, The ukulele is a type of lute class that is quickly becoming the primary choice of instrument for musicians everywhere.
Kit O'Toole - the Queen of All Beatles Media (Talk More Talk), and Martin Quibell (Pods Like Us) join the show this week as we go deeper in-depth on the trailer to the forthcoming Peter Jackson's "The Beatles: Get Back" than some might have thought possible. Roll on November!
A peek behind the scenes of A Hard Day's Night. Richard Lester, Walter Shenson, Wilfrid Brambell, Alun Owen and many others came together at the behest of United Artists to shape a movie around the Beatles. Owen and George Martin would even be nominated for an Academy Award in their respective areas. A long way away from "Gutter Girls!"
Ringo released the "Change the World" EP on September 24. This week, we dive into the songs, songwriters, and how these pieces fall together into the whole that is expected to hear next year. We continue to "Rock Around the Clock" with a playlist of some of Ringo's pre-Beatlemania favorites that he has chosen to cover over the years.
Part two of our look at the singles of records. Hits, misses and sounds that definitely fall in-between. Would you believe Apple released a single on 78? Even Allen Klein could not stop the multiple artists that Apple presented to the world during those years. Say hello to Chris Hodge, everybody!
Week one of the "When They Was Fab" look at the singles on Apple Records. This week: Mary Hopkin, Jackie Lomax, Billy Preston, The Black Dyke Mills band and JOHNPAULGEORGE&RINGO - the foursome that started it all. We discuss Richard DiLello delivering copies of this box set to Buckingham Palace, and the unique writing style of Derek Taylor.
The fifth (and final) week of our look at the fiftieth anniversary box set of "All Things Must Pass". Sessions and jams. Who is walking down lovers lane while "Those Wedding Bells" play? Why could 2021 possibly be called "The Year of Get Back"? All this and more on this edition of "When They Was Fab".
Week four of our look at ATMP. This week, the day one demos. Also a bit about the official announcement of the "Let It Be" box set, the songs Apple made available to the public, and Charlie Watts. Hang on, only one more week before this (box set) too shall pass and we get some other topics before the year end rush of even more new product! Om Hare Om!
We continue our graze through the "All Things Must Pass" box, and this time the wheel stops on LP2 and side 6 (aka "Apple Jam side 2"). We ponder the nature of life, the universe, "Jam Piece", fidelity (as used in both audio and marital terms) and the passing of one of the few remaining fifties rock legends.
Week two of our look at "All Things Must Pass". This week, the first LP and side one of the "Apple Jams" box. George, Eric, Bobby Whitlock and Friends galore. What was George doing in 1970, and how did it end up as a three record set?
On August 6, 2021 UMe and George Harrison presented the fiftieth anniversay remix of "All Things Must Pass" in multiple versions. This week, we look at disc four (better known as "Day 2" or "Beware of ABKCO") from the streaming, 5CD, 8LP and Uber editions of this set. Nearly an hour of George Harrison, occsionally a bass player and Phil Spector listening in the booth.
Jon and I finish our review of the first series of McCartney 3 2 1. You know the routine. Paul, Rick Rubin, isolated tracks, stories both new and old - while we talk about their discussions, what they missed out on and where exactly the "Paperback Writer" bit from the trailer went!
Kit O'Toole tunes up for the B-side, as we present our review of episode 4 of McCartney 3 2 1
Kit O'Toole guests this week as we look at the "Find My Way" video from Paul and Beck, and review pt.3 of "McCartney 3 2 1". Don't stop here though, as Kit also joined us for our review of pt.4, which can be found in the "B-side" of this show.
Part two of Sam Whiles' "classic" visit to When They Was Fab. Further discussion of the Beatles in 1970, and how the lives of John, Paul, George and Ringo continued to intertwine through their early solo efforts.
"These Things Bring You Together" and "The Notes That like each Other". This week we look at the first two episodes of Paul McCartney x Rick Rubin, also known as "McCartney 321". We go through the tracks and the stories. Is it possible top find new revelations, even among old stories from "The act we've known for all these years?"
"Classic" When They Was Fab. Sam Whiles joined us in 2020 to discuss the Beatles in 1970, and how the lives of John, Paul, George and Ringo continued to intertwine through their early solo efforts. Pt.2 will be posted shortly!
The Monkees both were are were not "a weekly dose of A Hard Day's Night." This week, we look at the relationship between the two acts. How did Bob Rafelson come to the concept of "four zany musicians having wild adventures." What did the "Four Kings of EMI" think of their counterparts, and how often did their paths cross?
This week: The Beatles take drugs! No, nothing surprising about that revelation, so we spend the rest of the hour talking about how the substances changed their mindset (and subsequently songwriting, recording and production). We also examine the different ways substances altered Lennon, McCartney and Harrison - and how each spoke of their drug use without being overtly encouraging (usually).
Have fun, cue this episode up and hit start 5 minutes to noon local time (7/7/21). Peace and Love everybody, and the happiest of Birthdays to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sir Richard Starkey. Peace and Love everybody!
Jon and I consider an alternate set of All Starrs. In the thirty plus years of the band, Ringo has only had one female member. Should Ringo choose to go a different route, what would it look like? Which musicians might fit well in the band - providing and performing "songs you know and love".
Thorsten Knublauch's new book ("The Beatles Mach Schau in Hamburg") and a deep dive into Lord Reith's "Executive Version") of Live at the Star Club inspired this week's topic - a look at the Beatles trips to Hamburg, We trip through the highlights of 1960, 1961 and 1962 and each of the trips John Paul George (and variously Pete, Stu and Ringo) would make along with figures including Bruno Koschmider, Peter Eckhorn and Horst Fascher.
Jon and I spend this week talking about Apple Corps Limited. Publishing, Records, Retail, Manufacturing, Schools, Electronics and maybe even an island off the coast of Greece. They even managed a Recording Studio at 3 Savile Row. Even though the results were questionably successful, many of pieces would be resurrected in the form of Dark Horse Records, Handmade Films, LIPA and even to a certain extent MPL.
Jon and I move through the highlights of the remaining discs. Out-Takes, Elements and raw studio mixes for each. We talk through some of our favorite tracks, discuss the more (or less) significant items, and consider what we might have done different. We then close with thoughts on what's coming next - quite possibly Sometime in NYC, and a mention of Dhani and All Things Must Pass.
The George Harrison Estate has announced the fiftieth anniversary edition of "All Things Must Pass", which includes the contents of the beloved "Beware of ABKCO" unofficial release. This classic episode from 2020 features Lonnie Pena and myself reviewing that very disc. Squint, and it might even sound like something from the future (if you ignore the McCartney III and Taylor Swift chat!)
A classic WTWF that has always been among the favorites of Lonnie Pena and myself. Darin Murphy sat down behind a drum kit and demonstrated some of Ringo Starr's drum stylings and how Ringo's playing evolved through the years.
Part two of our visit with friend of the show Darin Murphy covering the Demos and Evolution documentaries from the John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band Ultimate Collection. More of the three of us wandering around Beatles topics, while managing to talk about the business of demoing new songs for friends and family, and then turning those demos into the finished recordings we are all familiar with? How well is that process represented in this box?
The second part of Darin Murphy's first visit with WTWF from 2018. New episode coming on schedule!
Darin Murphy returns for this week and next. This week we catch up, wander through the discs and start considering the set from the perspective of a singer, songwriter and performer. What surprised us in the demos, and do we think the evolution documentaries are a true representation of John, Yoko and friends in the studio working toward the finished singles (and "Mother")
WTWF classic. The first appearance of friend of the show Darin Murphy (2005's Lennon: The Musical, Cotton Mather, Trish and Darin). Originally released 2018.
We move on to disk 7 - the Jams. John, Klaus, Ringo and Yoko have fun in the studio during the recording of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. John leads the band through his favorites - predominantly, but not entirely classic rock and roll.
Week 2 of the WTWF look at the Plastic Ono Band deluxe box set. We pick up from "Mother" (last week being Mother's Day in the US), and carry through the rest of the record. The cover is courtesy of Miles Zuniga, originally performed for KUTX radio in Austin, TX.
Happy (US) Mother's Day everybody. We slide into our review of the JL/POB slowly, like easing into a warm bath. Some chat about the events of 1969-1970 that resulted in the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band singles (as featured at the end of the discs), and the first song of the disc proper - dedicated to Mothers everywhere.
Everyone of us has all we need! Please welcome Mr. Jon Stone to the pocast as the good ship WTWF relaunches for real this time!
WTWF classic 01. Danny Kristensen of Beatles (and 60's) tribute band "The Fab 5". (https://thefab5.net/). Originally released 2021.
Welcome to a (somewhat delayed) relaunch of "When They Was Fab". We are back! Anything happen in our absence?
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.