When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

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.

The twelve months between Fall of 1965 and fall of 1966 were difficult ones for the Beatles and their American record label Capitol records. While the Beatles prepared and released a single album, Capitol found a way to release two (creating a deficit for the forthcoming "Revolver" as well). We look at the material, the covers, the hours, the times and more in this week's episode.

Dr. Kenneth Womack of Monmouth University and author of more (Beatle and other) books than you can shake a stick at joins us this week for a look back at George Martin questions that have emerged since "Get Back", and forward to Mal's diaries, the (unpublished) diaries/archives, and the two forthcoming books covering the life and times of "The Gentle Giant". A man quite possibly the closest to the group, and the only assistant worthy of working alongside the Beatles.

This week we start a periodic (i.e.: not contiguous) series covering the Beatles at the BBC, using the Lord Reith "BBC Archives" series (available at finer Internet sites everywhere) as our basis. We run through the first volume of this 24-disc set (which roughly corresponds with their first year) watching the drummers change.

September 1968. Paul McCartney tells the media that the Beatles would be performing live before the end of the year. We know that project eventually became "Get Back", but what if it had proceeded as planned?

We conclude our seven weeks of Get Back (with more to come soon enough) live on a London rooftop. It would soon enough become a golden age for lawyers (although none with a legal bent ever went broke at Savile Row), but right here, right now (well, 53 years ago), it was four young men singing for the world without the aid of wine, bowties or black slip-ons [size 8]. Oh, yeah, there was also day 22.

The penultimate episode of our "Get Back" review. Allen Klein enters the Beatles world, weather delays the proposed show, and Paul gets cold feet. Rehearsals and recording continue while Glyn Johns and Michael Lindsay-Hogg hold their collective breath (for reasons other than Ringo farting).

Darin Murphy joins us for Days 15-17. The deadlines for Ringo and Glyn Johns draw ever closer as January comes to end. The Beatles do not quite manage a breakthrough, but they do start to get some numbers down for the album, while the crew scrambles for a replacement ending for the film now that Primrose Hill is no longer possible.

WTWF 2021-ish year end review. Jon and I start last October (with the John Lennon "Gimme Some Truth" set), and carry through to Peter Jackson's "Get Back". 20+ discs of material: remixed, remastered and sometimes just plain new. Happy Holidays! All the best for 2022!

Lonnie Pena (and the one-time Mrs. Lonnie) return this week as we continue our look at Get Back. George has returned to the band and the sessions are ready to begin in earnest at Apple Studios. Billy Preston wanders down to the basement (after an invitation?), and is swept up into the world of the Fab Four.

The third week of our look at "Get Back". This time, Martin ("Marv") Quibell of "Pods Like Us" and "P2 Podcast Blues" joins us for George Harrison's departure and eventual return to the Beatles. (For those playing along at home, the end of Part one, and the beginning of Part two). Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice? Try Eric and Charlotte and George and Pattie.

This week, we continue our look at "Get Back" the film, but just begin the journey with "Get Back" the song. While waiting for John, Paul strums the Hofner and comes up with a little bit of magic. Three days (mosty) without arguments, although there is still some lingering thoughts of a trial separation between the rehearsals. Special guest, Alan Doss - drummer of Galactic Cowboys and bass player for the Rikki's.

WTWF starts its deep dive into the new production from Disney+, Peter Jackson and the Beatles. This week, the first three days as presented in part one of the new feature. A new year, a soundstage (paid for by another production), four Beatles, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Glyn Johns and Mal Evans in search of some chairs. Is it any wonder the disagreements move from subtext to screen.

Part two of the WTWF (and "Winter of Discontent") first look at Peter Jackson's: The Beatles - Get Back. Stick around as Jon will soon return, and we will begin our deep dive into the days of their lives.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Jon spent the holiday with family, so we will wait for the forthcoming "Deep Dive" to hear his thoughts. In the meantime, I was joined by Nick Anthony of the "Winter of Discontent" podcast (Nagras, nagras and more nagras!) for our first impressions of the nearly eight hours that is "The Beatles: Get Back". Part two will be arriving as soon as I can make it happen.

Jon and I talk a bit about the original Michael Lindsay-Hogg "Let It Be" and the comings and goings of the Beatles in the studio as Ringo began work on "The Magic Christian". George Martin, Glyn Johns production and overdubs were the order of the day, making one wonder if they were continuing on from January, moving on to the next project or still figuring it all out.

Week 4 of the WTWF review of the Let It Be Superdeluxeedition. This week, Disc 3: Rehearsals and Apple Jams. Quite different from George Harrison's "Apple Jams". Eric Clapton is only whispered about here, John's safety net if George doesn't return. Have a sit, pull up a bowl of cauliflower with cheese sauce, and let us know what you think of what we thing. All through the day....