Beatles Books

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/

 

Stefan Granados - 'Those Were The Days'

My guest today is Stefan Granados - he joins me to discuss 'Those Were The Days 2.0', the fully updated version of his definitive chronicle of The Beatles' Apple organisation. 

Stefan dispels the myth that Apple was the great Beatle folly - it not only was home to hugely successful artists like James Taylor, Badfinger and Mary Hopkin, but it carefully cultivated The Beatles image, and is now a multi million dollar empire. 

This fantastic book is published by Cherry Red, and can be purchased at https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/those-were-the-days-2-0-the-beatles-apple-book/

 

 

'The Beatles Anthology' with John Mitchinson

I'm joined by publisher, writer and co host of the 'Backlisted' podcast John Mitchinson to discuss his involvement in that most all encompassing of Beatles books, 'The Beatles Anthology'.

John shares with us his experiences of working with Neil Aspinell, his views on the strengths and weaknesses of the book, and his fascinating opinions on other great and not so great Beatle Books of recent times.

John Lyons - 'Joy And Fear - The Beatles, Chicago and the 60's'

I'm joined for my latest episode by John F. Lyons. His book 'Joy and Fear' is a riveting look at the polarizing nature of the Beatles phenomenon, and how it transformed a generation, through the lens of a singular city in the centre of America.

Drawing on historical and contemporary accounts, Joy and Fear brings to life the frenzied excitement of Beatlemania in 1960s Chicago, while also illustrating the deep-seated hostility from the establishment toward the Beatles.

You can follow John on Twitter @JohnFLyons2

Steve Turner - 'Beatles 66'

I’m joined today by author and journalist Steve Turner to discuss his 2016 book ‘Beatles 66 The Revolutionary Year.’ 

 

The Beatles began 1966 as hysteria-inducing pop stars playing to audiences of screaming teenage fans and ended it as musical sages considered responsible for ushering in a new era. Steve’s book describes this transformative year by slowing down the action to investigate in detail the enormous changes that took place in the Beatles’ lives and work during 1966.

Kevin Barry - 'Beatlebone'

I'm joined for this mini episode by Kevin Barry - author of 'Beatlebone'. 

'Beatlebone' is set in 1978, where John Lennon has escaped New York City to try and find the island off the West Coast of Ireland he bought eleven years prior. 

I tend to shy away a bit from Beatle Fiction - but this is a quite brilliant novel, genuinely thrilling at every turn and Kevin perfectly captures the thoughts going round in John's head.

More information about this book and Kevin's other novels can be found at  https://canongate.co.uk/contributors/10834-kevin-barry/