Beatles Books

Donald Brackett - ’Yoko Ono - An Artful Life’

My guest for this episode is Donald Brackett, who brings us his biography of Yoko Ono, 'A Artful Life'.

Yoko is one of the most complicated and misunderstood characters in the whole Beatles story, she arrives fully formed into the story in her mid 30s - Donald's book provides some insightful and revealing detail on her life before she met John, looks at the impact he had on her art career, and how she put her life back together after his death.

More information about this book, including pre sale links can be found at https://sutherlandhousebooks.com/product/yoko-ono-preorder/?fbclid=IwAR1VKN

 

Jenny Boyd - ’Jennifer Juniper’

My guest for this episode is Jenny Boyd, younger sister of George's first wife Patti, who joins me to discuss her autobiography, 'Jennifer Juniper'. 

Jenny shares with us tales of having George as her brother in law, modelling in Swinging London, living in San Francisco in 1967, and joining The Beatles on their meditation retreat to India in 1968.

 

Signed copies of Jenny's book can be ordered at www.thejennyboyd.com/

 

Ryan Walsh - ’On Claudio’

I'm joined for this special bonus episode by Ryan Walsh, who discusses his fascinating article on Curt Claudio, the man that went to Tittenhurst in 1971 to talk to John, as captured by a film crew and originally shown in the 1988 'Imagine' film. Ryan shares detail on who this man was, why he felt the need to go to meet John and what happened to him,

You can read the article here - https://medium.com/@JahHills/on-claudio-the-man-who-sought-out-john-lennon-to-ask-if-his-songs-were-about-him-c0b34c5d57ac

 

Jon Stewart - ’Dylan, Lennon, Marx And God’

I'm joined for this episode by Jon Stewart, guitarist in Britpop band Sleeper and Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Music Business at BIMM Institute, Brighton.

Jon's book is a dual biography of John Lennon and Bob Dylan, and discusses their relationship; their politics; their understanding of history; and their deeply held spiritual beliefs. In revealing how each artist challenged the restrictive social norms of their day, the author shows how his subjects asked profound moral questions about what it means to be human and how we should live. 

Steve Matteo - ’Let It Be’

I'm joined for this episode by Steve Matteo -who wrote his book on 'Let It Be' as part of the 33 1/3 series in 2003. We discuss how the book came together and how his view of the album and film changed as the project progressed. 

We also share our thoughts on Peter Jackson's 'Get Back' series.

Bob Spitz - ‘The Beatles - The Biography‘

My guest for this episode is Bob Spitz - we look back at his 2005 biography of The Beatles. He shares the story of the writing of the book - the characters he met along the way, and how his view of the individual Beatles changed once he's finished writing.

Bob also tells us about his latest book - a stirring and thrilling look at the 70s biggest band, Led Zeppelin. 

 

More about Bob and his books can be found at https://bobspitz.com/

Jude Southerland Kessler - ‘Shades of Life‘

I'm joined for this episode by Jude Southerland Kessler who discusses 'Shades of Life' - the most recent volume in her John Lennon Series, where she tells John's life story as historical narrative - where history is written in a story based form. 

I was intrigued as to why an author would choose to write John's story in this style - and Jude tells us the challenges and rewards of writing in this style. We also discuss 'Shades of Life' - the newest book in her series which looks at John in 1965.

Jude's work can be found at https://www.johnlennonseries.com/

 

 

Joe Hagan - ‘Sticky Fingers‘

My guest for this episode is special correspondent for Vanity Fair Joe Hagan, who joins me to discuss his book 'Sticky Fingers - The Life and Times of Jann Wenner and Rolling Stone Magazine'

Rolling Stone plays a huge part in The Beatles story, be it John's 1970 Lennon Remembers interview, the famed February 1981 issue after John's death or is almost complete dismissal of Paul's solo work through the 70s and 80s. Joe's book shines a fascinating light on both the magazine and Jann Wenner himself - and tries to explain how this one magazine is such an important part of the post split Beatles narrative.

Lance Richardson - ‘House of Nutter‘

My guest for this episode is Lance Richardson who joins me to discuss his book 'House of Nutter - The Rebel Tailor of Savile Row'.

Lance's book charts the remarkable lives of both legendary tailor Tommy Nutter, and his photographer brother, David. Tommy found himself in the Beatle world via his partner, Peter Brown and The Beatles fell in love with his suits- John, Paul and Ringo are all wearing one on the Abbey Road cover and David's talents led him to be chosen to photograph John and Yoko's 1969 wedding. 

John Harris - ‘The Beatles Get Back‘

My guest today is journalist, writer and critic John Harris who joins me to discuss his involvement in 'Get Back'.

John was invited to scour through the hours of recorded audio and video from January 1969 and select entertaining and insightful passages of dialogue that help illustrate this fascinating and dramatic month in The Beatles career.