When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About The Beatles

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".