Beatles Books

Bob Gruen -'Right Place, Right Time'

I'm very lucky to be joined for this episode by renowned rock photographer Bob Gruen to discuss his thrilling and action packed memoir; 'Right Place, Right Time'.

Bob shares the fascinating story of his friendship with John and Yoko - from the early days on Bank Street to preparing a book to mark Yoko's 80th birthday.

Bob took some of the most recognizable pictures ever of John and Yoko and captured almost every key moment of their life in the US.

 

Examples of Bob's work and more information about his book can be found at http://www.bobgruen.com/

 

 

Patti Gallo-Stedman -'Diary of a Beatlemaniac'

I'm joined for this episode by writer and journalist and original Beatlemaniac Patti Gallo-Stedman to discuss her fascinating diary.

 

Compiled from her own diary and extensive scrapbooking - Patti's diary offers a real insight into real time Beatlemania, and tells us first hand what it was like to experience The Beatles story as it happened in real time.

 

More information about this book can be found at https://diaryofabeatlemaniac.com/

Chip Madinger - Lennonology

For this bonus, mini episode, I'm joined by Chip Madinger to discuss his fabulously detailed and rich diary of John Lennon's life, 'Lennonology'.

'Strange Days Indeed—A Scrapbook Of Madness' is a day-by-day account of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s artistic and personal partnership from 1968-1980 that will transport the reader back in time to accompany John and Yoko as their future unfolds.

Chip reveals his writing process, the challenges he faced when researching, and how he feels about this huge project now it's come to an end.

 

More information about the book, including sales links, can be found at https://lennonology.com/

 

Hunter Davies - 'The Beatles: The Authorised Biography' with Andy Miller

For this episode, I'm incredibly lucky to be joined by the writer Andy Miller to discuss Hunter Davies' 1968 authorised biography.

 

Still the only official Beatles biography ever published, Hunter's book is an essential read - he had unparalleled access not only to The Beatles but to family, friends and colleagues - some of whom would never be interviewed again. Andy and I look at how this book was created, why it still matters in 2021 and what it tells us about what readers wanted in 1968 and beyond.

Andy Miller is a reader, editor and author of books including 'The Year of Reading Dangerously' and the '33 1/3' volume on The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society. He is also co host of Backlisted, a podcast that gives new life to old books.

Darryl Bullock - 'The Velvet Mafia'

I'm joined today by Darryl Bullock to discuss his new book 'The Velvet Mafia' an eye opening account of some of the most influential and powerful gay men of the 60's. 

We focus on Brian Epstein - one of the biggest influences on The Beatles, a man absolutely central to their story, but a man still misunderstood 50 years after his sad death.

 

Darryl's fascinating book can be purchased here : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Velvet-Mafia-Gay-Swinging-Sixties/dp/1787602311

Peter Ames Carlin - 'Paul McCartney - A Life'

My guest today is renowned author and writer Peter Ames Carlin who joins me to discuss his 2009 book 'Paul McCartney - A Life' One of the few books which covers Paul's post Beatle life with enough depth and thought - Peter's book was built on years of research and contains numerous fresh interviews and perspectives - I really enjoyed talking to him.

We also discuss his current book 'Sonic Boom' a thrilling telling of the Warner Brothers Records story - maybe the most famous label in rock n roll.

 

Peter's books can be viewed and ordered from https://www.peteramescarlin.com/books

Ian Macdonald - 'Revolution in the Head' with Chris Power

I'm joined by author and critic Chris Power to discuss Ian Macdonald's seminal 1994 book 'Revolution in the Head'. Critically adored for so long, this books reputation has suffered a little in recent years. Chris and I discuss the reasons for this - and what impact the book has had on us.

Chris's short story collection 'Mothers' can be purchased here https://www.faber.co.uk/tutors/chris-power/ His debut novel 'A Lonely Man' will be released in April of this year.

Erin Torkelson Weber - 'The Beatles And The Historians'

I'm joined by Erin Torkelson Weber to discuss her excellent book 'The Beatles And The Historians'. This book examines the band's historiography exploring the four major narratives that have developed in Beatles literature since the mid 60s. 

Her book was a personal eye opener for myself and made me re evaluate my whole outlook on Beatles Books - it was real privilege to talk her.

Erin's excellent blog can be found at https://beatlebioreview.wordpress.com/about/

 

 

Candy Leonard - 'Beatleness'

I'm joined by author and sociologist Candy Leonard to discuss her 2014 book 'Beatleness'.

Based on interviews with hundreds of fans of different ages and genders, Beatleness is a richly textured cultural history, showing what it was like to grow up immersed in Beatles—from Ed Sullivan to the Apple rooftop—eagerly awaiting each record and watching their evolution.

More information about this book and author can be found at http://beatleness.com/

Tom Doyle - 'Man on the Run'

I'm joined by acclaimed music journalist and author Tom Doyle to discuss his 2014 book, 'Man on the Run' an fascinating look at one of Paul's most misunderstood decades, the 1970's.

Tom's book paints an illuminating picture: from McCartney's nervous breakdown following the Beatles' split through his apparent victimisation by the authorities to the rude awakening of his imprisonment for marijuana possession in Japan in 1980 and the shocking wake-up call of John Lennon's murder. At the same time, the book shines a light on the wonderfully varied and thrilling records that Paul and Wings released through this period.