Beatles Books

Thomas Macfarlane - ’Painting With Sound’

My guest today is Thomas Macfarlane who joins me to discuss his book 'Lennon and McCartney - Painting With Sound'

This book explores the work of two of the most influential composers of the twentieth century. Five decades after the breakup of the Beatles, the music of John Lennon and Paul McCartney continues to fascinate and inspire. Evidence suggests that their uniquely eclectic approach can be traced back to the Liverpool College of Art. Following on that idea, this book explores the creative dialogue between John Lennon and Paul McCartney, both with the Beatles and on their own, that grew out of that early influence.

David Hepworth - ’Abbey Road’

My returning guest for this episode is David Hepworth - who joins me to discuss his new book 'Abbey Road - The Inside Story of the World's Most Famous Recording Studio'.

Many people will recognise the famous zebra crossing. Some visitors may have graffitied their name on its hallowed outer walls. Others might even have managed to penetrate the iron gates. But what draws in these thousands of fans here, year after year? What is it that really happens behind the doors of the most celebrated recording studio in the world?

 

John Higgs - ’Love and Let Die’

My guest for this episode is John Higgs, who joins me to discuss his book 'Love and Let Die - Bond, The Beatles and The British Psyche'.

Dr No, the first Bond film, and ‘Love Me Do’, the first Beatles record, were both released on the same day – Friday, 5 October 1962 - John's book looks at how and why these two cultural phenomena endure - what that says about Britain and what the future holds for Mr. Bond and the Fab Four.

Bernadette & Mike Byrne - ’The Birth of The Beatles Story’

I'm joined for this episode by Bernadette and Mike Byrne, who tell us two stories via their book 'The Birth of The Beatles Story'.

Firstly, Bernadette was a Beatles fan from the Cavern, and tells us stories of their adventures in Liverpool, and how she ended up as George Harrison's girlfriend. Secondly, after noticing an influx of Beatle tourists in Liverpool through the 80's, Mike and Bernie hatch the idea for the The Beatles Story museum, an attraction on the Albert Dock which has gone on to have over 5 million visitors.

’’In His Own Write’ with Jonathan Glew

I'm joined for this episode by actor and director Jonathan Glew to discuss John Lennon's 'In His Own Write'.

In 2015 Jonathan was granted the rights from Yoko Ono and the Lennon Estate to adapt John Lennon’s first book of poetry and prose into a theatrical production.  The show went on to be a huge hit at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival and was remounted at the V&A in 2016 where it ran alongside the ‘You Say You Want A Revolution?’ exhibition.

James Campion - ’Take A Sad Song...’

My guest for this episode is James Campion, who joins me to discuss his book 'Take A Sad Song...The Emotional Currency of Hey Jude'.

James' book dives deeply into the song’s origins, recording, visual presentation, impact, and eventual influence on the remaining pat of The Beatles career

Paul Du Noyer - ’Conversations With McCartney’

Paul Du Noyer returns to the pod to discuss his 2015 book 'Conversations With McCartney'. 

In June 1989, Paul Du Noyer was contacted by Paul McCartney's office in London and asked to interview the star as they had met once before and enjoyed a good rapport.

In the years that followed, Paul Du Noyer continued to meet, interview and work for Paul McCartney on a regular basis, producing magazine articles, tour programmes, album liner notes, press materials and website editorial. It's likely that Du Noyer has spent more hours in formal, recorded conversation with McCartney than any other writer.

Jay Bergen - ’Lennon, The Mobster and The Lawyer’

My guest for this episode is Jay Bergen, the attorney who represented John in his 1976 trial against Morris Levy, the mob connected owner of Roulette Records who had released 'Roots' - an unauthorised version of John's 'Rock n Roll' album.

Jay shares his memories of the time he spent with John - what it was like interviewing him on the stand, and what he observed about John and Yoko, just as they were retiring from the public eye.

 

More information about the book can be found at https://www.lennonthemobsterandthelawyer.com/

Richard Mills - ’The Beatles and Fandom’

My guest for this episode is Richard Mills, who joins me to discuss his book 'The Beatles and Fandom'.

Richard's book is the first to discuss fan subcultures. It combines academic theory on fandom with compelling original research material to tell an alternative history of the Beatles phenomenon: a fans' history of the Beatles that runs concurrently with the popular story we all know.

Ted Widmer - ’The Beatle Who Got Away’

I'm joined for this bonus episode by historian and writer Ted Widmer, who joins me to discuss his fabulous New Yorker piece on Stuart Sutcliffe.

Ted tells about the time he spent with Stuart's sister, Pauline, how Stuart fitted in with the other Beatles, and how his early death cast a huge shadow over The Beatles for years to come.

 

You can read ted's piece here - https://www.newyorker.com/culture/essay/the-beatle-who-got-away