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Something About the Beatles

Something About the Beatles

Hosted by award-winning author Robert Rodriguez, Something About The Beatles is an intelligent but entertaining examination of The Beatles' music and career. Smart, funny and surprising - just like the Fab Four.

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Episodes

302: TeenSet and Rock Fan Magazines with Allison Bumsted

An important part of understanding both rock history generally and The Beatles' history specifically is contained in a study of the fan magazines produced throughout the 50s and 60s. For the purposes of this discussion, Dr. Allison Bumsted's newly-published TeenSet, Teen Fan Magazines and Rock Journalism: Don't Let The Name Fool You is THE roadmap to understanding the role these journals played in both promoting artists and instilling a sense of community among fans, pre-internet and social media. Allison focuses much of her research on TeenSet, a groundbreaking magazine created by Capitol Records that began as one thing and ended as something else under the guidance of visionary editor Judith Sims. You can check out Allison's research and new articles at www.allisonbumsted.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025-04-05
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301: The Beatles' Bag of Tricks Volume 2 with Jack Petruzzelli and Cameron Greider

Returning guests Cameron Greider and Jack Petruzzelli (both of the RPM-School.com) are on hand to discuss more of what The Beatles used in their songcraft: 6th and minor 3rds. If ths sounds like indecipherable music theory, hang on - it isn't and once you become aware of it, you'll recognize it everywhere - how often and how artfully they used it, and to what effect. Also in the conversation: Neil Inness, and the topic of plagiarism. Jack, Cameron and I will all be on hand in upstate New York come June as part of the 3rd annual Magical Mystery Camp, along with Walter Everett and featured guests that include Peter Asher, Joan Osbourne, Steve Forbert, The Fab Faux, Ken Womack, Scott Freiman, and last but not least, Jerry Hammack. A full on days-long music immersion in learning and participating. Details: www.magicalmysterycamp.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025-03-24
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300: Something About The Beatles' 300th Episode

YOU the loyal listeners decided what your fave moments of the show were, and based on your input, SATB runs down moments from the past 7+ years, featuring only a sampling of the many guests we've had on the show. These include (alphabetically): Nancy Lee Andrews Christine Feldman-Barrett Pattie Boyd Allison Bumsted James Campion Laura Cortner Dennis Diken Duncan Driver Elliot Easton Debbie Gendler Glenn Greenberg Cameron Greider Jerry Hammack Robert Hieronimous Terri Hemmert Peter Jackson John Leckie Candy Leonard Ramsey Lewis Ken Mansfield Jeff Martin Richard Mills Chris O'Dell Sibbie O'Sullivan May Pang Jack Petruzzelli Dan Rivkin Ethan Russell Luther Russell Arion Salazar Pat Sansone Sylvie Simmons Susan Shumsky Chris Thomas Carol Tyler Erin Weber Gary Wenstrup Thanks to every one of my guests and to each and every listener. None of this would be possible without you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025-02-26
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299: Ringo's Beats and Threads with Gary Astridge

For most whose lives were changed by The Beatles, it can only remain a dream that they would one day meet one, much less work alongside one and develop a key role in that Beatle's life and develop a friendship. But Buffalo, New York native Gary Astridge was one exceptional fellow, whose passion for percussion, inspired by the 1964 Ed Sullivan Show debut, would impact his life in ways far beyond imagining. He took up drums and was so curious about the details of Ringo's set-up that he made it a lifelong study. Then came the day that Ringo needed him to solve a problem, leading to projects and experiences few could conceive. As Ringo's drum curator and historian, he found himself in non-stop demand in ways no one could have predicted. All of this led to his authorship of a lavish book depicting not only the history of Ringo's drums but also the numerous iconic outfits he wore during The Beatles' career. The results of this research have been published in a new book, Beats and Threads, available through Julien's Auctions. Gary comes to the show sharing the stories of his journey and his one-of-a-kind experiences wit Ringo, at a time when the drummer is experiencing a career renaissance with his Look Up album of country music. Gary's site: www.ringosbeatlekits.com Julien's Auctions: https://store.juliensauctions.com/ShopCatalog?id=220 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025-02-01
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SATB Extra: Magical Mystery Camp 2025

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2025-01-30
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296: The Beatles and Fandom with Richard Mills

Beatles scholar Richard Mills is the author of The Beatles and Fandom: Sex, Death and Progressive Fandom (published by Bloomsbury). We discuss the unique and enduring aspects that of the group's multi-faceted base and how it is that decades later, a good portion of the population is STILL obsessed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2025-01-24
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298: May the Second - The Found Weekend with May Pang

Returning guest May Pang has had a busy couple of years, both with the presentation of her story in the acclaimed documentary, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, as well as her ongoing touring photographic exhibit of her photos taken fifty years ago. In this conversation, we discuss a number of topics outside the doc, including Allan Klein, Dick Cavett, the Imagine film (1972), and the productive period where she was at John's side, facilitating work that included three US chart-topping singles and collaborations with Mick Jagger, Phil Spector, Harry Nilsson, Ringo, David Bowie, Elton John...and almost, Paul.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-12-24
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297: All I Want Is The Truth with David Whelan and Robert Rosen

2024 winds down with the merging of two guests that have appeared on the show this year, in a spirited discussion of David Whelan's investigation into John Lennon's murder as presented in Mind Games. Robert Rosen (Nowhere Man) serves as skeptic in a conversation weaving together the bigger picture that converged on December 8, 1980, as well as the sketchy players surrounding the convicted killer both before and after. Joining the conversation is attorney Carole Krohn, presenting her own legal insights into the case.  If all of this is a bit heavy for you in general or at this time of year, by all means check out episode 298..... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-12-24
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FEED DROP: Crime Capsule

Staten Island is known as the mystifying borough, and it is home to numerous ghosts and eerie tales. The Alice Austin House was once home to a pioneering photographer, but ghostly images of a different sort now appear among the beams. The Moravian Cemetery in New Dorp holds tales of supernatural echoes, while over at the Old Bermuda Inn, the specter of Martha Mersereau, waiting for the return of her dead husband, appears at candlelit windows each evening. On some of the island?s most desolate roads, a spectral hitchhiker appears, vanishing from the car mid-ride, leaving only an eerie chill. Countless travelers have encountered her, a haunting reminder of the thin line between the living and the dead. Local author Marianna Randazzo uncovers the secrets behind Staten Island?s haunted houses, spectral sightings and enduring legends. Purchase the BOOK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-12-10
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295: Beatles '64 with David Tedeschi and Margaret Bodde

Many of you have by now seen the new doc, re-presenting the February 1964 footage of The Beatles' two-week jaunt in NYC, Washington and Miami, shot by Albert and David Maysles. As you know, producer Martin Scorsese has a history of music documentaries (including Living on the Material World) but this one is directed by his associate, David Tedeschi and produced by Margaret Bodde, who have worked together many times on on many music films. I got a chance to talk with them about the making of this one and the intent behind it.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-12-02
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294: White Album Olympiad with Gary Wenstrup

The Olympiad series picks up again, with music scholar Gary Wenstrup on board, picking up where we left off at episode 276, the Filmtrack Olympiad. Be sure to add your name to the satb2010@gmail.com Newsletter list to enter the giveaway of the vinyl Beatles '64 Mono Capitol albums. About "(Wild) Honey Pie" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-11-26
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293: Macca's 80s with Glenn Greenberg

Viewed at one level, Paul's 1980's career was bookended by the album triumphs of Tug of War and Flowers In The Dirt. But that would be to overlook the January 1980 Tokyo drug bust, the dissolution of Wings, John's murder, and then a period that may best be described as uneven: duets (of varying quality), the diminishing returns of Pipes of Peace, the lambasting that Give My Regards To Broad Street earned him, the "Frog Chorus," Press To Play, the abandoned Phil Ramone sessions, and the public discord over the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Beatles induction. Plus litigation aplenty.   It was a time that saw his reputation eclipsed by his martyred bandmate and hit records harder to come by, all before he found his feet with a new collaborator (Elvis Costello) that seemed to rejuvenate him, setting the table for a return to world touring. All of this is discussed in my latest conversation with author Glenn Greenberg, where we examine the good and the bad during challenging times.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-11-13
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292: The Comedy of The Beatles with Jeff Martin

An essential component of The Beatles' appeal was their sense of humour, showcased not only in their two feature films (A Hard Day's Night, Help!) but also their TV appearances, interviews and even their music. TV comedy writer (Late Night with David Letterman, The Simpsons) Jeff Martin returns to the show to discuss how this facet of their talents was not only exceptionally developed, but also an element that set them apart from their peers, as well as key to their enduring legacy. For further reading, check out The Beatles and Humour: Mockers, Funny Paper and Other Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-10-23
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291: December 8, 1980 with David Whelan

In the 44 years since John Lennon's death, the trauma of that night is still as raw, so much so that, for most people, the facts of what went down are far too painful still to examine closely. But when one does, as returning guest David Whelan has, they depict sometihng far more disturbing and sinister than the story we thought we knew. Whelan's research was presented in his book, Mind Games: The Assassination of John Lennon. Our earlier discussion this year (275) barely scratched the surface on what his research uncovered. Today's discussion goes deeper, and is in part a response to the recent show with Robert Rosen (Nowhere Man), 286.  Check out David's YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/@AssassinationOfLennon  and his SubStack writings here: https://davidwhelan.substack.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-10-10
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290: "Hey Jude" Reconstructed

In 2023, I hosted writer James Campion with Jeff Martin for a discussion of The Beatles' 1968 mega-hit and Apple Records debut. This time, we're drilling down deep for an analysis of the song's composition (as well as possible sources of inspiration) with the musicologists of RPM School: Walter Everett (author of volumes one and two of The Beatles As Musicians) plus working musicians and recording artists Jack Petruzzelli and Cameron Greider. This is where we get deep into the weeds with musical theory and a breakdown of the song's lyrical construction, as well as elements from other pieces of music that may have influenced the principal author, Paul McCartney.  RPM's new semester (on Let It Be) begins soon - see their site for details:  https://www.rpm-school.com/     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-09-24
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289: A Hard Day's Night At 60

With The Beatles' film debut turning 60 this summer, the time was right for a deep dive into the cultural and cinematic significance of it all. Joining the conversation are two new guests: Sarah Pleydell and Moya Luckett. Both were born in the UK, one's a first-gen fan, and both are authors and academics with cred particularly suited to the topic. Rounding out the talk are our three fave 1st-gen fans, Sibbie O'Sullivan, Carol Tyler and Debbie Gendler, authors all.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-09-13
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288: Band On The Run (Hand Clapping) with Luca Perasi

My guest, Luca Perasi, first appeared on the show in 2023 (262). He is the McCartney historian based in Italy, whose previous works include Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas 1970 - 1989 as well as his newest, Paul McCartney and Wings Band On The Run: The Story of A Classic Album. You can check out all his works on his site here.   In this conversation, we discuss the tumultuous creation of Paul's post-Beatles breakthrough album, as well as 1974's One Hand Clapping project, just released as an album in 2024 and soon to be in theatres.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-08-31
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287: The Historian and Get Back with Erin Weber

In the years since Peter Jackson's epic re-imagining of the January 1969 saga landed, SATb has examined it through a number of angles: from Brits - women - musicians - authors - and so forth. But this will be the first time I have actually had a conversation about it with a professional historian, your friend and mine, Erin Weber. This conversation analyzes the film through the prism of (secondary) source material, and brings into focus how the work should be viewed by fans of a more serious scholarly bent.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-08-10
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286: Nowhere Man '24 with Robert Rosen

In this conversation, my returning guest (see episodes 189 - 245 - 266) discusses his recent visit to Spain, where a belated Beatlemania is in full swing. He also offers his insights on the recent May Pang documentary, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story, as well as his take on David Whelan's investigation into John Lennon's murder and the latter's preoccupation with "lucid dreaming." Check out Robert's writings at https://www.robertrosennyc.com/index.htm  Highlights of his evening in Sevilla (with Mary Lyn Maiscott) can be found here:  https://youtu.be/qiin_ZOt9gw?si=65MgdhrGvNOUqsmv  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-08-08
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285: Sixty Years Ago in America with Lee Abrams, Dennis Diken, and Elliot Easton

As part of the ongoing campaign in 2024 to look back at 1964, we present another conversation with first-gen fans, this time focusing on the Capitol issues as well as US Top 40 radio. Returning guests Elliot Easton and Dennis Diken (The Cars and The Smithereens respectively) are joined by Lee Abrams, radio visionary and co-founder of Sirius XM. We discuss their fandom as it unfolded in real time, the impact and influence of radio, as well as their takes on the US releases (and the Beach Boys too).  You can find Lee's writings here: https://www.leeabramsmediavisions.com/blog  Something About The Beatles is an Evergreen podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-07-21
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284: Sixty Years On with Ivor Davis

Returning guest (episodes 130 and 174) Ivor Davis is a British journalist who, in 1964, went on tour with The Beatles for the Daily Express, covering their North American dates while ghost-writing a column for George Harrison (having taken over the assignment from Derek Taylor). He did similar duties for the following year, and after which, he settled in California as west coast correspondent. His job saw him cover the Warren Commission findings, the gubernatorial campaign trail for Ronald Reagan (governor) and in 1968, Bobby Kennedy (whose murder Ivor was a witness to). The following year, Ivor was at the center of the Manson Family case when he became the first journalist to visit Spahn ranch, as well as the first writer to publish a book on the Tate-LaBianca murders, Five To Die. (We discussed this in the two previous shows.) Ivor was there when Bob Dylan introduced The Fabs to weed; he was also there when they met Elvis. In short, he's been around.  He first published his memoir of The Beatles' experience as The Beatles and Me On Tour ten years ago for the 50th; it's now been expanded and republished for the 60th anniversary. In his conversation, Ivor offers his observations from the current perspective, post Get Back and "Now and Then," as well as inner-circle personas he came to know along the way.  He also has a new true crime book out, The Devil in My Friend about a 1980s double murder in Malibu. You can find info on all at his website, https://ivordavisbooks.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-07-12
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283: Giles on Trial - The Reissues Critiqued with John Leckie and Jerry Hammack

Beginning with the 2017 Sgt. Pepper 50th anniversary release, a series of deluxe reissues (The Beatles, Abbey Road, Let It Be, Revolver, 1962-1966, 1967-1970) featuring remixing and the application of MAL (?machine-assisted learning?) to deconstruct and re-assemble the master recordings have hit the streets. Supervised by engineer Sam Okell and Giles Martin, these issues have met with mixed reactions from fans, especially those who hold the original recordings sacrosanct. For some they are revelatory; for others, an abomination. I convened a 2-man panel of returning guests with expert ears to assess them. John Leckie (Abbey Road engineer for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pink Floyd and producer for Radiohead, XTC, The Stone Roses, The Verve, New Order) has one of the finest sets of ears in the business, as does producer/engineer/author Jerry Hammack (https://www.beatlesrecordingreferencemanuals.com/), whose newest work, The Beatles? Recording Techniques: Recreating The Classic EMI Studios Sound In Your Home Studio, has just been published. This conversation is front-loaded with techie-talk, but soon finds its level with an analysis of the work done for these new sets and whether or not they achieved a clear-cut goal. For Jerry?s newest: https://www.beatlesrecordingtechniques.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-06-05
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We Didn't Start The Fire - British Beatlemania with Mark Lewisohn (Part I)

YEAH YEAH YEAH, we?ve been waiting 88 episode for this and it?s finally here!! In the 60s, The Beatles? rise to fame would change the landscape of pop music and fandom forever. People were so excited to watch them, they?d urinate and scream so loud you?d struggle to hear the music. No one had ever seen fan culture or heard music like it. So it?s no surprise that we?re absolutely ecstatic to chat to Mark Lewisohn, arguably the world?s LEADING authority on the Beatles! So ecstatic that we?ve made a two part episode, so make sure you listen to that once you?re done with this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-05-31
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282: The Women?s Revolution (Or: The Beatles? Effect)

My guests are three very special ladies whom have all appeared on the show before, but this time, all three have memoirs out. Debbie Gendler was the first to appear on SATB (121: New York Stories) and her story as the 1st US fan (as far as I?m concerned) was initially laid out there. But now HER memoir has been published, I Saw Them Standing There: Adventures of an Original Fan During Beatlemania and Beyond.  Debbie joins returning guests Carol Tyler (146: Fab 4 Mania) and Sibbie O?Sullivan (273: My Private Lennon) as they react to each other?s books. What ensued though was something bigger than what we anticipated, as the notion of collating their stories and those of other 1st-generation fans into something bigger and grander took shape.  Something About The Beatles is now an Evergreen podcast.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-05-10
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281: The Beatles and The Cars with Elliot Easton

Of the 73 million Americans who viewed The Beatles? live debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, we know with absolute certainty that a high percentage had their lives changed forever ? this is not hyperbole. And of those, many were moved to take up instruments or start bands. And of that fraction, a handful went on to stellar careers in music, producing art that became a part of our lives in the years to come.  Today?s guest is one such example. Elliot Easton was the lead guitarist in The Cars, but he was put on a path to music as a livelihood at the tender age of three; The Beatles merely codified the trajectory he was on. Elliot went on to hit virtually every checkmark a musician could desire: a successful career with hit singles and albums, induction into the Rock ?n Roll Hall of Fame, even recording with a Beatle. And Elliot also happens to be student of music and rock history, The Beatles especially. He comes to the show as a fellow fan as well as an artist inspired by The Beatles to live his dream.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-04-28
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280: All You Need is the Love You Make with Steven Gaines

As the first insider Beatles tell-all (not counting Francie Schwartz?s Body Count ? because why would I) ? 1983?s The Love You Make, a collaboration between Brian Epstein?s protege Peter Brown and today?s guest, shocked fans with what was perceived as an airing of dirty laundry. Drug use, infidelity, betrayal, wife-swapping, and overall bad behavior was chronicled in detail, and Brown?s insider status gave credence to the reporting. But many Beatle historians recognize the inaccuracies and questionable decision making, rendering what was once a best-selling book into something with considerably less esteem, to put it one way. But the original interviews with an array of insiders, many of them now dead, has arrived as a sort of unfiltered access to the source material. All You Need is Love is out now, and presents many witnesses, sum of questionable veracity, but with little comment, allowing the reader to judge their truthfulness for themselves.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-04-26
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279: The Mal Evans Project Part One with Ken Womack

At last: the SATB conversation with the man who brought The Beatles? road manager?s long missing manuscript to press. Living The Beatles Legend is the story Mal wanted to tell before his life ended at 40 in Los Angeles in a hail of gunfire in 1976. But perhaps the wait was worth it to get his insider eye-witness story augmented by research and interviews Ken has conducted to fully flesh out the story.  This talk covers the first volume of this must-read book. Another volume, presenting the Evans photo archive and diaries, is due out later this year   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-04-25
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278: An Hour With Pattie Boyd

Today is her 80th birthday, and given the attention being brought by the auction of some personal items through Christie's (see https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/pattie-boyd-collection/lots/3508 ), the time was right for a conversation. We made the most of the hour, given the demand for interviews right about now, but among the things discussed were:  Meeting George on the set of A Hard Day's Night Her views on how fans see her The Fool  Apple boutique   Rishikesh  Get Back Philip Norman The happiest time and more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-03-17
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277: "Mike Tree" in Nutopia with Michael Meideros

Listeners: you may recall my conversation with Robert Rosen (245), detailing the blocking of a pair of books by reputable authors that detailed the "househusband" years of John's life; it evolved out of an essay Robert wrote. Well, one of those writers is here to tell his story himself.  Michael Meideros was hired in 1977 to work on the indoor gardening at the Lennon's Dakota apartments. But as he performed his assigned tasks, his role grew to ad hoc personal assistant and eventually, archivist. His memoir, Barefoot in Nutopia, remains unpublished - yet. But Michael wanted to share some stories and insights and we're happy to have him, in what we project to be the first of at least two conversations. Subjects include day-to-day life, Yoko, Bermuda, Fred Seaman, and the night the unspeakable occurred, and its aftermath.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-03-10
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276 Filmtrack Olympiad: Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine

Picking up where we left off (259: Sgt. Pepper Olympiad ), lecturer/professor Gary Wenstrup and I resume the Olympiad series with a pair of releases featuring film score music, the 1967 Magical Mystery Tour EP/album and 1969's Yellow Submarine release. Owing to the unique issues, with the latter representing only four new Beatle songs and the former being a six-song double 7" set, we got creative with the tracks reviewed.  Previous installments can be found here. Gary Wenstrup's site is here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-02-25
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275: Anomalies in the Assassination of John Lennon with David Whelan

There's no joy to be had in this subject, but it is an important topic for an open discussion. We have been fed a narrative for 43 years regarding the murder of John, yet there were aspects that either lacked detail or, upon closer inspection, made little sense. At least a couple of of authors have published books on the case, but documentary-maker David Whelan has approached the subject with fresh eyes, resulting in three years of research and interviews that he presents in Mind Games: The Assassination of John Lennon. He makes the case that virtually nothing we were ever told about what happened is supported by evidence and much is substantially contradicted. We managed to touch on only part of his research in this conversation, but you can learn more through the book, David's Substack site, and his YouTube channel.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-02-09
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274: George, The Reluctant Beatle with Philip Norman

The author of Shout: The Beatles In Their Time has brought out his third Beatles individual biography, forty plus years after the publication of his group one. George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle was put together tapping Norman's body of old interviews (with witnesses now beyond reach) as well as fresh research and new conversations (including his star witness, Pattie Boyd). The complexity of the subject matter is matched by the complexity of the narrator, who through series of unforced errors has led many a Beatle fan to view him with scorn. But SATB has always been about opening doors rather than shutting them, and if one is prepared to listen without prejudice, one can make up one's own mind on the value of what he has to say about George in this book.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-01-25
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273: My Private Lennon with Sibbie O'Sullivan

We have discussed the insights of 1st gen fans who, frankly, were screamers in the presence of The Beatles (Debbie Gendler, author of this upcoming memoir and Carol Tyler, author of this one); see thisfor a detailed discussion.     Then there's Sibbie O'Sullivan - a high schooler when Deb and Carol were middle-schoolers. She too was swept up in the wave of mania in her native Maryland; like Deb, she witnessed an in-person Ed Sullivan Show taping, but unlike many girls, she did not scream. Her book, My Private Lennon: Explorations From A Fan Who Never Screamed, offers a series of essays, rich with insight and perceptive observations about her very personal fandom and what The Beatles meant to her, then and now. Leading the discussion is Dr. Allison Bumsted, who is cultivating a specialty in examinations of Beatles fandom.      An essay by Sibbie here.    Allison's review of Sibbie's book here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-01-09
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272: Born At The Right Time with Ray Connolly

This British journalist/author/screenwriter/playwright is a SATB fave and was heard most recently among the 21 guests in the "Now and Then" discussion. But here he is alone in the spotlight, recounting his fabulous life as a chronicler of creators and a creator himself. Check out his website for a full accounting of his works - https://www.rayconnolly.co.uk/ - and this show for a discussion of his 2023 memoir.  Ray was friends with The Beatles and the screenwriter of THat'll Be The Day (1973), Ringo's finest film project. He discusses all and much more here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-12-25
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271 Here and Now with "Now and Then": a SATB Special

The release of a new Beatle recording in our lifetime warrants a special approach. To that end, I assembled a group of some of your favorite podcast guests, plus a few new ones to discuss, critique, and analyze the new Beatle record. Folks representing a number of geographical and generational perspectives weigh in with their insights and observations. In alphabetical order, they are: Nancy Lee Andrews (Photographer and Author, A Dose of Rock 'n' Roll)  Dr. Allison Bumsted  Ray Connolly (British journalist and Beatles insider, author of Born At The Right Time and Being John Lennon, etc.) Richard Courtney (Beatles radio host and author, From Me To You) Dennis Diken (The Smithereens) Dr. Duncan Driver (University of Canberra) Dr. Christine Feldman-Barrett (Author, A Women's History of The Beatles)  Debbie Gendler (Author, I Saw Them Standing There) Glenn Greenberg (Author of Beatles bookazines) Cameron Greider (Musician and musicologist, RPM-School.com ) Jerry Hammack  Chip Madinger Skylar Moody Dr. Sibbie O'Sullivan Dan Rivkin Luther Russell Arion Salazar Pat Sansone Carol Tyler Erin Weber Gary Wenstrup   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-12-08
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270: Top Ten Most Important/Influential Beatles Sources with Erin Weber

The first half hour+ was taped live at The Fest in August 2023, as you can doubtless tell. The rest was done in the usual way, and you'll note we didn't necessarily cover everything we listed in great detail, but that's showbiz.  Here's Erin's list:   1. A Hard Day's Night film 2 and 3. The Internet. Two slots because I see it impacting the historiography in two major ways: First, it has vastly increased accessibility to primary sources and research materials that in previous decades were extremely difficult to find. Second, its fundamentally changed the fandom experience thru podcasts, discussion boards, etc.  4. Hunter Davies: The Beatles - An Authorized Biography 5. Lennon Remembers/Rolling Stone 6. Mark Lewisohn: The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions 7. Philip Norman: Shout! 8. The Beatles Anthology (mainly the documentary, but the book, too).  9. Barry Miles: Many Years From Now 10. Christine Feldman Barrett's A Women's History of the Beatles   Here's mine:        Influential Red and Blue albums The Beatles: An Illustrated Record by Roy Carr and Tony Tyler Shout! Lennon Remembers Here, There and Everywhere by Geoff Emerick   Important The Beatles and The Historians by Erin Torkelson Weber Lewisohn Chronicles/Tune In Love Me Do by Michael Braun The Beatles: An Authorized Biography A Women's History of The Beatles   What's your list look like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-11-16
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269: George Harrison in the 70s with Eoghan Lyng

Between 1970 and 1979, George issued six studio albums (plus one triple-live one), followed by a second draft of his 1980 album the following year. Rock scribe Eoghan Lyng and I re-examine these works with fresh ears - we hope you will too.  Eoghan's book: https://www.amazon.com/George-Harrison-70s-Eoghan-Lyng/dp/1789521742  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-11-01
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268: Buddy Holly and The Beatles with Luther Russell

The Beatles were the end result of an array of confluences, circumstances and influences. On the short list near the very top (if not THE top) was American rocker Buddy Holly. In his short career, he wielded his influence on the budding Liverpool rockers in an array of ways, which returning guest Luther Russell and I discuss here. Though his time on earth was brief, the impact he made casts a long shadow, as he provided an unwitting blueprint on what a successful rock artist looked like, sounded like and could aspire to.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-10-20
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267: Sgt. Pepper's Guitars

Conversations about a familiar subject with guys who know what's what are invaluable, because the depth of knowledge shared will always shed new light and get you to listen with fresh ears. My guests are the returning trio of pro musicians and musicologists: Cameron Greider (Sean Lennon), Jack Petruzzelli (Fab Faux) and Walter Everett (The Beatles as Musicians Vol 1 and 2). You've heard their insights on previous shows, and this time they counter some myths that have grown about The Beatles' most acclaimed album, focusing on the guitars.  Their Sgt. Pepper online class at RPM-School begins October 2 - you can see about registration and other details here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-09-21
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266: Nowhere Man '23 with Robert Rosen

The author of Nowhere Man (2000) returns for a conversation prompted by the book's recent re-publication, augmented with an array of new material and appendices. Robert will also be making a rare personal appearance in St Louis on October 4th in St. Louis - details here.    Among the subjects we talked about this time round were:  May Pang Fred Seaman Early 1970s US politics and its coverage in Observation Post His upcoming book, tentatively titled No Future John's opinion of Double Fantasy Jack Douglas  John's murder The Manchurian Candidate Theory  Robert's purported role in John Lennon's murder   Robert's website and blog can be found here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-09-17
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265: EMI Days with John Leckie and Friends

Returning guest and renowned producer John Leckie is back on SATB and this time he brought his friends; colleagues from EMI with impressive credentials of their own, who also worked with The Beatles: Nick Webb and Roger Ferris.  It was a real delight to be a fly-on-the-wall as three guys who've known each other for decades spun stories about working at the most famous recording facility on earth, and the clients they supported. Among the topics that came up:  What well-known event coincided with the day John Leckie interviewed for a position at EMI Quick takes on George Martin - Norman Smith - Geoff Emerick - Ken Scott - Ken Townsend - Alan Parsons - Peter Bown and other EMI staffers Stealing from Mick Jagger Their takes on Get Back The 1971 Wings Launch Party Phil Spector Sessions for "All You Need is Love" and "You Know My Name" Seventeen Watts by the late Mo Foster In the studio with Paul and Wings IRA bomb scares of the 70s John and Yoko's curry plus loads more... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-09-02
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264: Harrison, Lennon: It's Also Complicated

As a follow-on to my last conversation with author Glenn Greenberg, we sat down to explore the Harrison-Lennon dynamic. A couple of things referenced in the show can be found below:    Here's John's 1974 note to George.    Here's John's 1976 Q&A.    Glenn Greenberg's Making of the White Album bookazine can be found here.     "I Know It's True" (end song) by Iamaphoney can be found here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-08-10
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263: Fab 4 On Film: The Dick Lester Films with Steve Matteo

Journalist Steve Matteo has a new book out - Act Naturally: The Beatles on Film.  It's an all-encompassing volume detailing and contextualizing the making of every one of their cinematic projects, including a few that didn't actually get filmed.  For this first discussion, we focused on their first two, both directed for United Artists by Richard Lester and produced by Walter Shenson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-07-31
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262: McCartney's Musicality; Post-Beatles with Luca Perasi

My guest today has recently completed the first volume of an exhaustive study of Paul's body of work in Paul McCartney: Music is Ideas 1970 - 1989. Luca Perasi is a Beatles historian who specializes in the group's bassist, post-split. He was a consultant hired by MPL for the recent 7" single box set, as well as the Italian translator for Paul's The Lyrics book.  For our first discussion, we focused on the broad parameters of Paul's art, pre-Beatles through the first Wings album. Luca's book discusses every McCartney session and the music it yielded, whether released at the time or not, for a greater context into Paul's musical development. You can find out more at Luca's site, and I encourage you to follow him on Twitter (@LucaPerasi ) for daily postings featuring amazing rare photos of Paul at work.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-06-10
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261: Making All Things Must Pass with John Leckie

Hired as a tape op by EMI in February 1970, Leckie quickly found himself among rock royalty when his career began with work on Ringo's Sentimental Journey, followed quickly after with McCartney. But his major immersion with the cream of rock's musicians soon came with the All Things Must Pass project, placing him at the service of George Harrison and Phil Spector and with a team that included Ringo, Klaus Voormann, Eric Clapton, The Dominoes, Gary Brooker, Peter Frampton, Phil Collins, Gary Wright, Billy Preston and Badfinger, among others.  This conversation focuses on that landmark album. Joining as co-host is author/producer Jerry Hammack (The Beatles Recording Reference Manual series), with a cameo from Luther Russell. Jerry's latest book has just been published: Home Studio Recording - The Complete Guide.  John was a previous guest discussing the making of John and Yoko's respective Plastic Ono Band albums, as well as alongside his previous collaborators Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) and Ian McNabb (Icicle Works) for a conversation on Peter Jackson's Get Back film. His excellent recall of events he witnessed as well as insights as someone with some amazing career achievements (Roy Harper, Be Bop Deluxe, Pink Floyd, Wings, Radiohead, XTC, Stone Roses, and so on) to his credit make this conversation something special.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-05-28
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260: Tastemaker Tony King

Tony King was general manager of Apple US in the early 70s, but thereafter worked directly with John and Ringo, promoting their work from 1973 through 1975. Beyond that, he was a true British rock Zelig figure, partying with The Beatles the night before they flew to America for their 1964 Ed Sullivan Show debut; working with Andrew Oldham and the Stones during their "Satisfaction" heyday; thereafter for George Martin and AIR Studio, and then Apple. He also befriended Elton John (before he was) as well as tons of others. His story has just been published in "The Tastemaker: My Life with the Legends and Geniuses of Rock Music." (He's also in the May Pang doc, The Lost Weekend: A Love Story.) You can get his backstory here: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/music/article/tony-king-interview    and see him as "the Queen" in this 1973 Mind Games TV ad: https://youtu.be/lx-DNpoKfVg We covered a ton of topics, including all the aforementioned plus the AIDS tragedy and his favorite music.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-05-10
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259: Sgt. Pepper Olympiad

The series with professor/lecturer Gary Wenstrup continues as we rate tracks on each Beatles album in Olympic style: Gold - Silver - Bronze. This episode introduces a modification, adding in for consideration the singles that bookended the 1967 release: "Strawberry Fields Forever"/"Penny Lane" and "All You Need Is Love"/"Baby You're A Rich Man."  Check out Gary's upcoming lectures at garywenstrup.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-05-02
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258: May the First - The Lost Weekend with May Pang

"The Lost Weekend" was the handle John implemented (picked up by subsequent narrators) to describe the period of his separation from Yoko, during which time a romantic relationship began with his 22 year-old personal assistant, May Pang. Once the couple reconciled, May's impact on his life was swept under the rug in all sanctioned tellings, in the service of a narrative propping up the John and Yoko love story as the ultimate double fantasy: literally describing themselves as Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning incarnate.  Others beg to differ and among them is May herself. Her story was told twice in book form (Loving John and Instamatic Karma) but now a new documentary film chronicles their time together on the big screen, supported by other witnesses and loads of photos, footage and writings. The Lost Weekend: A Love Story is coming to theaters, while an exhibit of May's photos has already hit the road across the US.    Here's where to track the latest on May's photo exhibit and the film: https://www.maypang.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-04-08
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257: Questions From Listeners

I asked for your questions last summer and you responded, so here you go! Aided by Gary Wenstrup (SATB regular of Olympiad series fame), we tackle the following subjects:  The "aaahs" on "A Day in the Life" The end of touring Beatles '76 Live Aid A psychological exam of John and Paul's relationship Mimi Smith's parenting The "Come Together" lawsuit George on Sgt. Pepper Where were you December 8, 1980?  Myths that won't die Check out Gary Wenstrup's lectures here: http://www.garywenstrup.com Gary's December 1980 review of Double Fantasy here.   Send further questions to: satb2010@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-03-21
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256: The Making of Ringo (and Goodnight Vienna) with Bill Schnee

Fifty years on, Ringo's third solo album (or first, as he counted it in 1977) remains a stunning achievement, not just for the near-Beatles reunion but also on its own musical merits. With Richard Perry in the producer's chair, an array of talent was rallied in support of the beloved ex-Beatle, resulting in something greater than the sum of its parts. At Perry's side was engineer Bill Schnee, who'd worked with him on hits by artists like Streisand, Nilsson, Carly, Leo Sayer and many others. Schnee has penned a memoir, Chairman at the Board, detailing a career that began with Three Dog Night and encompassed artists ranging from Steely Dan and Neil Diamond to Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. Schnee has been a mixer/remixer, engineer and producer in support of the rich soundtrack of life for anyone enjoying music during the 70s and 80s and beyond.  Bill was there at the right place and the right time to take full advantage of his gifts and creativity. His book is rich with stories, and in this conversation, we discuss his work with all four ex-Beatles, mostly but not entirely in support of Ringo.  Check out his website - https://www.billschnee.com/    This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/satb for 10% off your first month of treatment.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2023-03-05
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