Beatles Books

Rob Sheffield - ‘Dreaming The Beatles‘

My guest for this episode is Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield, who joins me to discuss his book 'Dreaming The Beatles'.

Rob's book looks at The Beatles from the perspective of a fan born after the band split up - What do the Beatles mean today? Why are they more famous and beloved now than ever? And why do they still matter so much to us, nearly fifty years after they broke up?

Rob's passion and knowledge of The Beatles really came across both in the book and the interview itself - and it was quite reassuring to hear how much Harry Styles loves 'Back to the Egg'...

Luke Meddings - ‘What They Heard‘

My guest today is Luke Meddings, who is here to discuss his book 'What They Heard - How The Beatles, Beach Boys and Bob Dylan Listened to Each Other and Changed Music Forever'. 

Using timelines derived from release dates, studio sessions and personal encounters, Luke Meddings reveals the paths of influence across an astonishing 4-year period between 1963 and 1967, in which these iconic artists cross-pollinated like crazy - via recordings, rivalry, rumours, artistic envy and quite a few drugs. 

This is some of the strongest Beatle writing I've read in a long time and it was fascinating talking to Luke about his journey writing this book.

More information can be found at https://weatherglassbooks.com/shop/what-they-heard

 

David Hepworth - ‘Overpaid, Oversexed and Over There‘

I'm joined today by one of British music journalism's most famous voices, David Hepworth, to discuss his new book 'Overpaid, Oversexed and Over There - How a Few Skinny Brits With Bad Teeth Rocked America'.

David has been writing about music since the 1970's, and was involved in the launches of Smash Hits, Q and The Word Magazine. He is also one half of the Word in Your Ear podcast.

His book looks at the British Invasion of 1964 - how did this happen? What made America embrace The Beatles so fully? How did the cultural conversation between the two nations change of the past 50 years?

Daniel Rachel - ‘Like Some Forgotten Dream‘

My guest for this episode is musician turned author Daniel Rachel who joins me to discuss his book 'Like Some Forgotten Dream - What if The Beatles Hadn't Split Up?'

Daniel examines The Beatles untimely demise - and from the ashes compiles a track list for an imagined final album, pulling together unfinished demos, forgotten B-sides, hit solo songs, and arguing that together they form the basis of a lost Beatles masterpiece.

This is a exuberant and fun read - and I had a great time debating with Daniel what songs should and shouldn't be included.

Bob Smeaton - 'From Benwell Boy to 46th Beatle'

My guest today is Bob Smeaton who joins me to discuss his autobiography 'From Benwell Boy to 46th Beatle'.

After a successful career in local bands in his native Newcastle through the 80s, Bob found himself involved in The Beatles Anthology film. Bob interviewed Paul, George and Ringo at length at various exotic locations. He shares his observations and memories of the project - and what it was like to be told off by Neil Aspinall!

 

 

Brian Hamill - 'Dream Lovers John & Yoko in NYC'

For this bonus mini episode I'm joined by renowned photographer Brian Hamill to discuss his book 'Dream Lovers - John & Yoko in NYC'.

Brian had 2 photo sessions with John, an afternoon stroll around New York with Yoko in 1972, and then a session just with John at the Dakota in 1975. He also attended the Madison Square Garden show earlier in 1972.

Brian shares his observations and memories of John and Yoko (plus an encounter with George!) with us and tells us the stories behind some of his wonderful pictures.

Philip Norman - 'Shout' with Dan Rebellato

I'm incredibly lucky to be joined for this episode by dramatist and academic Dan Rebellato to discuss one of the most infamous of all Beatles books - 1981's 'Shout' by Philip Norman.

Dan and I look at the initial success and impact that this massive selling book had on both The Beatles and Paul McCartney's reputation - what drove it's success, and where it sits today amongst an ever growing Beatle library.

Ken Womack & Jason Kruppa - 'All Things Must Pass Away'

I'm joined by one of the very best Beatle authors, Ken Womack, and one of the very best Beatle podcasters, Jason Krupa, to discuss their brilliant new book 'All Things Must Pass Away - Harrison, Clapton and Other Assorted Love Songs'.

 

Ken and Jason paint a fascinating and enlightening picture of George Harrison and Eric Clapton in 1970, such a key year for both of them. George - dealing with the passing of his band, his relationship and his mother produces one of the great Beatle solo albums and Eric, bruised from the breakup of yet another band makes the tortured 'Layla'. Ken and Jason tell us how these albums came together, what happened next, and how this enduring friendship coped in the most trying of circumstances.

Paul Howard - 'I Read The News Today, Oh Boy'

I'm joined for this episode by award winning journalist and author Paul Howard to discuss his brilliant biography of Tara Browne, a member of the Irish aristocracy and Guinness heir, who went on to epitomize Swinging London and feature, in tragic circumstances, in the first verse of 'A Day In The Life', one of The Beatles' greatest songs.

More information about the book can be found at  https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/paul-howard/i-read-the-news-today-oh-boy/9781509800049

 

 

Christine Feldman Barrett - 'A Women's History of The Beatles'

I'm joined for this episode by Christine Feldman Barrett to discuss her landmark book, 'A Women's History of The Beatles'.

Hers is the first book to offer a detailed presentation of the band's social and cultural impact as understood through the experiences and lives of women. Drawing on a mix of interviews, archival research, textual analysis, and autoethnography, this scholarly work depicts how the Beatles have profoundly shaped and enriched the lives of women, while also reexamining key, influential female figures within the group's history.

 

More information about this book can be found at https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/a-womens-history-of-the-beatles-9781501348051/