When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

Episode 2 of Toppermost of the Poppermost! November 1962. More "Love Me Do", Helen Shapiro, Frank Ifield (and Iris Caldwell), The Beach Boys and more. Please like, subscribe, review and give both WTWF and Toppermost five-start ratings on Apple podcasts or your provider of choice. Only one more episodes will be included on the "When They Was Fab" feed. https://zencastr.com/z/nn_rpxPS

Disc five of Lord Reith's "Live at the BBC" series. Three of the four "Pop Goes The Beatles" episodes on this virtual disc were recorded in a single day. Join us as we discuss several incredible performances by Ringo, a performance of that new single "She Loves You", and their guests The Shadows, The Hollies, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Russ Sainty. As always, Rodney Burke, Jon Stone and me too.

Part two of our look at a year of "Get Back". A bit of discussion on the theatrical screening of the rooftop show, a bit more pondering on the future of the Blu-Ray, and lots more chat covering the book (Apple Studios to January 31 and beyond).

Episode 1 of Toppermost of the Poppermost! "Love Me Do", Elvis, Buddy, Chris Montez and more. Please like, subscribe, review and give both WTWF and Toppermost five-start ratings on Apple podcasts or your provider of choice. Only two more episodes will be included on the "When They Was Fab" feed. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/toppermost-of-the-poppermost/id1656605625

Thanksgiving 2022 brought "The Beatles Get Back" to the world. Not just the monumental three-part documentary from Peter Jackson, but also the book, the SuperDeluxeEdition CD set, the streaming rooftop concert and eventually the unenhanced DVD/Blu-Ray set. This week and next we look all of these, the different ways things play between each unique set of media, and compare the book transcription to the Nagras we have had for "All These Years."

A look into the world of the singles from McCartney, Wings and more along with some thoughts on Ed Rudy, Ken Mansfield and Ringo's latest. In a most un-Thanksgiving mode, we may be a little down on the Liverpool Lads (not the real ones), feet (comma, Ringo's), Freedom (the song), a Wonderful Christmastime (Jon only), and "Peace and Love" (as an overused sentiment in Ringo's lyrics).

A new project from Ed Chen, Kit O'Toole and Martin Quibell. We all know the Beatles dominated the charts in both the UK and US through the sixties, but what of the others. John Lennon described the Beatles as "being in the crow's nest". This new show will look at those that influenced them, the bands they knew, toured and work with and how those songs sat alongside the Beatles own progress. Subscribe soon, but all 2022 episodes will appear in our collective feeds.

We'd like to be ... under the sea ... in a Yellow Submarine, with you. Week four of our look at the Revolver Super Deluxe Editions. This week, sessions disc two. Picking up from Disc One last week, we discuss even more "And Your Bird Can Sing" through to "She Said, She Said", and wonder how song choices were made by Giles, The Beatles and UMe.

Continuing our deep dive into the Revolver Super Deluxe Edition, this week we go into the first Sessions disc. Lots of "Love You To" and "Got to Get You Into My Life", but also both sides of the single ("Rain" at the original speed!), "Doctor Robert" and "And Your Bird Can Sing." While we always want more, this is a nice selection of new, interesting and important material.

Part two of our look at the Revolver SDE. Kit O'Toole and Lonnie Pena return for our dive into the album proper (both the new remix and the mono).

The first part of the WTWF view of Revolver. This week: The book, the cover, assorted memories of the era and the EP. Coming soon - part 2 - the album proper.

Live, from New York! No, not those guys. Not those other guys either. It's Lonnie Pena and me, and we are not even "live on tape". In this show, we travel back to a Saturday Night thirty Eight years ago, when we were invited to see Ringo being sold at a Sotheby's-alike, acting as the foil for Ed Grimley, and engage in "The Pajama Game" with Barbra in Fernando's Hideaway.

An hour with author Madeline Bocaro. Her Book? "In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono." Madeline has unique insight into the life and art of Yoko Ono, and ultimately those are the things she delivers in her book, and gives us a taste of in this show!

John Lennon took a portable jukebox filled with some of his favorites on the road with him. After Ringo left Tittenhurst, the KB Discomatic found its way to the world, and is detailed in a documentary and 2-CD set. This week we look at their look at what could be described as "John Lennon's iPod." 80-songs, but nowhere near portable enough for your pocket!

Another bit of alternate (but not too alternate) history. What if the Beatles 1966 tour of the US were delayed, either by circumstances or choice. The Beatles sit down with Brian, determined not to repeat what just happened in the Philippines. How do they accomplish this, and what songs would they choose for the resulting tour? Tune in and hear our opinions!

As the Revolver box (followed by the holiday season) sit on the horizon, both Ringo and Julian have released new music. Ringo fired up Rocabela west, and finished this cycle of 3 EPs (likely to be followed up by the collection as a "full release". Julian, meanwhile has a shiny new one-record deal with BMG, dusted off some old songs, wrote some new ones and put "Jude" out into the world. Tune in to hear what Jon and I think about this. Is it a Revolver Amuse-Bouche, or good releases on their own?

Friend of the show Darin Murphy returns to chat with us about the "Number Nine Orchestra" (and Austin's annual Lennon Birthday show), touring with Todd Rundgren, Christopher Cross, Denny Laine, Joey Molland and others, and Revolver past, present and future!

This week we investigate the politics of John Lennon. We all know about "All You Need Is Love", "Give Peace a Chance", and "Imagine" but what of "Power to the People" and "Angela"? The ambiguity in "Revolution" (out ... in) would be reflected in his friends, associates and to a certain extent his actions in the late sixties and early seventies, until settling on his own path.

Jon and I are joined by Stephen Doster and Randy Miller, two of the figures behind the return of the annual "John Lennon Birthday Tribute" on October 9 at 3TEN ACL Live in Austin. Their band, The #9 Orchestra is a group of accomplished musicians from Austin, Texas who ‘come together’ annually to pay tribute to the music of John Lennon and the Beatles. This year, 2022, will mark the 32th year they have celebrated this Austin tradition. They will perform their 32ND Annual John Lennon Birthday Tribute on October 9,th John’s birthday, at the 3TEN ACL Live theater in beautiful downtown Austin.

Following on from the crossover, Jon and I take a deep dive into the "Long and Winding Road" Documentary (or at least the version that has managed to walk out of Apple). Very much the bones of Documentaries to come, ranging from "Compleat Beatles" to "Eight Days a Week", "Get Back" and its own offspring - "The Beatles Anthology". Cross your eyes, and you'll drop into the Rutles-verse as well.

Jon (remotely) and I are joined by Queen of All Beatles Media Kit O'Toole, Ken Womack, and an audience of tens at the Fest for Beatles fans to close out the podcast portion of the 2022 Chicago Fest. Our topic: Mal Evans in 1975. Mal appeared at the 1975 Fest (second on the bill to Sid Bernstein), worked on (and more or less completed) the draft of his book, produced Joey Molland's new band Natural Gas and appeared a couple of times on Cal State Northridge radio to start his promotional tour. (Recorded Sunday, August 14, 2:30 at the Fest for Beatles Fans, Chicago Illinois).

Martin returns for speed round, part 2. A lot of diversions, but in a good way! More Broad Street Chat, Beatles Ballads and thoughts on the rise and fall of George Harrison's solo career.

Bonus episode! Kit O'Toole (Queen of All Beatles Media), Andy Nicholes (2Legs) and I sit for a preview of our panels, podcasts and presentations at the 2022 Chicago "Fest for Beatles Fans". Also, the news so we don't get too far behind when our regular programming continues!

Namaste! This week we take a dive into the film "The Beatles and India", based in part upon the book "Across the Universe" by Ajoy Bose. There's more to it than sitars and the Maharishi!

The Beatles had a big month in July of 1963 (and they had a lot of big months)! Radio, recording and stage shows - usually multiple things on any single days. We start in on the recently renewed "Pop Go the Beatles" (11 more shows), and the other radio performances from the month. Rodney Burke too!

Freda Kelly and Ryan White crowdsourced a film telling the story of the Beatles fan club secretary and her decade-plus with Brian Epstein and the Beatles over a decade ago. This week we review the film and consider its place in the canon and whether it continues to hold up.

Question: Did you think about asking George to be in the film? Paul: No. But because Ringo’s in it and I’m in it, it implies that maybe George ought to have been in it, too. The truth is, he’s not a ham. I don’t think he’s got any ambitions in front of the camera. He was the least keen to be acting in A Hard Day’s Night and Help. Before The Complete Beatles, we were going to put our own version together. The definitive story of the Beatles, and George was the least keen to even be involved. He’s more interested in being behind the camera. And he happened to be out of the country anyway.

I am joined this week by author and television writer/producer Bruce Ferber to discuss his new book, "I Buried Paul." Ever wondered what the real life of "Tribute Beatles" is like? Bruce describes a (fictional) McCartney-alike in his new novel. We are also joined by his original inspiration, Joe Refano (Billy J. Kramer, The Monkees) who is sometimes John Lennon in his Beatles band "The Liverpool Shuffle".

You know the drill! If you are out to lunch, or just thinking about podcasts, fire this up at 11:56 AM local time, and we will all be part of Ringo's 82nd birthday "Peace and Love" celebration!

Speed round! Julian Lennon's newly released material. The ever present public reception of Paul McCartney through the years, and how it differed on either side of "the pond." Can Paul be considered as prolific as Prince? We close on Paul's recent headlining gig at Glastonbury.

The King Mixer joins the Queen of all Beatles media and Lonnie Pena himself as we discuss his podcast/audio drama "A Day in Their Life." A brand new (yet also classic) way of sitting down and considering the history of the Fab Four.

Lonnie Pena and Kit O'Toole join us as we wrap-up coverage on Paul McCartney's "Got Back" tour. Not quite a birthday episode (although the momentous 80th is mentioned), but certainly one which celebrating the man, his life, and maybe a little bit of Chris Holmes and Ticketmaster too!

Thirty years ago, the Beatles celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sgt. Pepper with a South Bank special on the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Paul, George, Ringo, George Martin and even Brian Wilson. This week we dive deeped into Pepper proper, and wonder if the "She's Leaving Home" and "Getting Better" segments remain on the cutting room floor somewhere. Look for part one, also available now!

Thirty years ago, the Beatles celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sgt. Pepper with a South Bank special on the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Paul, George, Ringo, George Martin and even Brian Wilson. We look back at the special, the isolated tracks, what was missing and how things have changed. Look for part two, also available now!

A look at the covers of John, Paul, George and Ringo. All without one mention of "Rock Island Line", which all four of them did as solo artists in one form or another. Which is your favorite? Least? Jeff Lynne and his shaggy hair manage to get namechecked TWICE!

In 1979, EMI (via their "budget label" Music For Pleasure/mfp) recycled and expanded an idea launched nine years previously as "The Stars Sing Lennon & McCartney"). This week: the songs, the artwork and what was skipped in favor of "I'm the Greatest."

Jon and I are joined by Erika White (of BC the Beatles) for a look the 2007 Julie Taymor film "Across the Universe". A feast for the eyes and ears. A lot of people like it, and a lot of people don't. Which of these categories do we fall in? (hint: we live up to the subtitle) Which category do you fall in? Let us know!

We continue our look at the collected "Beatles at the Beeb" (Lord Reith 2021 edition) with disc three. Shows two, three and four in the "Pop Go the Beatles" series, and a couple of other appearances from the months around Paul's birthday. In addition to talking about the shows we chat a bit about the "Spanish Holiday", Paul's 21st and Lee Peters making Ringo older a month before his time.

Nine years ago Sir Paul emerged from "Kisses on the Bottom" with his next studio album "New." Paul listed his inspiration as events ranging from the early 1960's, through to the present day. Would this album keep "Hear Music" going, and Sir Paul fans rolling into the aisles of Starbucks?

Martin Quibell (co-host P2 Podcast Blues) joins the show this week for a look at the 1974 "Dark Horse" tour from 1974. After an exhausting month finishing some records and rehearsing the band, George Harrison's voice was in no condition for two months of regular shows (sometimes twice daily) across the United States. The frustrations mounted, but it wasn't all bad. The band was invited to visit the White House (with Harry Harrison alongside), and the ache of Pattie would be replaced by newfound love Olivia Arias.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the "Magical Mystery Tour" Blu-Ray. The WTWF guys look back at the film, and the "Arena" special on the making of MMT produced at the same time.

Linda McCartney passed away in Arizona on April 17, 1998. A year later, her friends Chrissie Hynde, Carla Lane and Kevin Godley would organize a concert in her honor at the Royal Albert Hall. We discuss that show, and a bit about Linda herself in this "very special episode" of When They Was Fab.

Ray Cooper and the solo Beatles. We look into the "Zelig" or "Forrest Gump" of the solo Beatle world, Ray Cooper! A drummer, a percussionist, and yes, a tambourine player. He is also a guy who survived the entirety of Handmade Films, and even tried to revive it after the debacle of Denis O'Brien. We also talk a bit about Julian (and the announcement of his new album "Jude"), George's 2022 Grammy win, and look back on our past with "Beatlefest"/"The Fest for Beatles Fans".

A wheezing grinding sound fades away as we close in on Christopher Eccleston wandering around in a moptop on the set of "A Hard Day's Night". Perhaps it is the plot for a lost episode of "Doctor Who", but it is also early on in the telefilm "Lennon Naked". Jon and I review the film, compare the reenacted scenes to their real-life counterparts (surprise! It's pretty good, for the most part), continuing on from last week's look the theatrical "Nowhere Boy".

The first of two weeks covering some John Lennon biopics from the 2009-2010 era. We start with "Nowhere Boy", a deep dive into the psychology of John Lennon as viewed through the lens of his half-sister Julia Dykins. A surprising amount of time is taken up covering the romantic relationships between older women and much younger men!

Jon and I get back to the last (almost) thirty years of Paul McCartney's solo career. Pick at least song from each mainstream release, and one (or more) frp the others (live, classical and Fireman), then build a playlist. Here are ours. What are yours?

We continue our look at the collected "Beatles at the Beeb" (Lord Reith 2021 edition) with disc two. It took the lads 14 months to generate a single disc worth of material, and now the BBC invites them back often enough that they can fill the second before the end of the summer. The disc closes with the momentous event of "Pop Goes the Beatles" (they had moved all the way to the top of the BBC radio food chain), as their album appeared atop the British LP charts!

Please ignore if you have seen/heard this episode already. This week - Wings and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We move from Paul's induction in 1999 to questions about Wings and how they upheld "the spirit of rock and roll" with diversions wide and far including The Monkees, David Cassidy, the E-Street Band, the Traveling Wilburys and thoughts on the appropriateness of "Lumpy Trousers" as a (joke-) band name.

February 11, 1964. Fresh off their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Beatles take a leisurely trip to Washington DC (via train) and blow the minds of several thousand teenagers including future Vice-President Al Gore. A CBS crew filmed the show for closed circuit distribution, and we are fortunate enough to have a record of this show to review.

There's a lot of serious business to fooling around! This week, Jon and I sit down with humorist, author and man about town Jem Roberts. The audio version of his book "Fab Fools" is newly available on Audible. We touch on a number of comedy topics, with a lot of chat about Neil Innes and the Rutles. No Wom Direction though.