I'm welcoming Richard Mills back to the pod today, this time to talk about his book 'The Beatles ad Black Music'.
Beginning with the grand narrative of British colonial history pre-Beatles, Richard's book covers the influence of Black music and culture on the Beatles' teenage years in the 1950s, their association with Lord Woodbine, their love of American Rhythm and Blues in the mid-1960s, and extends to a discussion of post-colonial British identity and the lasting effect Black music has had on the Beatles' legacy and continues to have on the solo careers of Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney.
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33:58
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33:58
Stuart Maconie - 'With A Little Help From Their Friends'
My guest for this episode is the brilliant Stuart Maconie who is here to discuss his book 'With A Little Help From Their Friends'.
Stuart's book tells the story of 100 fascinating members of The Beatles' supporting cast - people they encountered during their career either in a major or minor way.
Split into 3 sections, Before The Beatles, With the Beatles and Beyond the Beatles, Stuart tells the epic tale of the people who made the band who made Britain, and along the way adds his own experiences, encounters and conversations to further illuminate the story.
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45:13
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45:13
Jonathan Gould - 'Can't Buy Me Love'
My guest today is Jonathan Gould who joins me to discuss his 2007 book 'Can't Buy Me Love'. More than just a group biography, 'Can't Buy Me Love' tells the social history of Britain and America in the 1960's and provides a sharp musical analysis of The Beatles songs.
He also tells us about his new book on Talking Heads, 'Burning Down The House' which tells the story of one of Rock's most influential groups and the New York scene that they came from.
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53:26
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53:26
Robert Rodriguez - 'Ribbons of Rust'
My guest for this episode is Robert Rodriguez who joins me to discuss the book he co- wrote with Jerry Hammack, 'Ribbons of Rust - The Beatles' Recording History in Context: Volume 1 - July 1954 - January 1963.
Robert and Jerry's book tells The Beatles thrilling early story in context, describing the sights and sounds of that time creating an effect that feels like you are you are in the room with The Beatles, from the first Liverpool recording at the Percy Phillips facility to Forthlin Road, their Hamburg sessions with Tony Sheridan, Decca and Parlophone.
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40:14
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40:14
John Harris - 'Maybe I'm Amazed'
I'm welcoming the journalist and writer John Harris back to the pod today, this time for a special bonus episode on his book 'Maybe I'm Amazed - A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs'.
When John's son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them.
James connected with so much music, but one of his strongest passions was The Beatles. As a Beatle obsessive himself, John talks about his own relationship with the band and tells us how watching his son discover and explore The Beatles became a source of inspiration for them both.