When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

Ringo Starr hits 83.      Download this episode and start it at 11:45 AM local time and we will guide you to the big moment at noon on July 7!

Ringo Starr,  Rod Argent, Sheila E, Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, Hamish Stuart.    On July 16, 2006 Ringo and the All-Starrs joined the High Rollers at the Mohegan Sun, transforming another Sunday night at the tables into a bit of rock and roll history.          Martin Quibell joins the co-host roster officially, and we talk about this tour, the assembled talent, and eighties MTV pretty boys.

Lonnie Pena co-host as we discuss (mostly) Beatles fathers and father figures.    "It Takes a Village", and John, Paul, and Ringo are examples of what that phrase means.    Jim, Johnny, Charles, Richard, Freddie, Harry, Harry, Henry, and Harold as well as several others!

One, Two, Three, Four.    Can I have a little more?     Yes, you can.      Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena and Martin "Marv" Quibell are all here for the start of WTWF, Mk. IV (or is it V?).     We chat about a number of things in Beatle-land, and settle on some lightly edited "as nature intended" chat!

People don't necessarily think of the role of keyboard instruments in the Beatles beyond Billy Preston and a few other obvious examples.   This week, we dive a little deeper, starting with Roy Young, through the harmonium, the mellotron, the moog onto the synthesizer revolution and "Band on the Run."

Filmmaker Jon Lefkovitz has just released his 2014 SXSW film "Rubber Soul" on YouTube.    Jon and I review.    Quoting his description: "In December 1970, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were interviewed for "Rolling Stone" prior to the release of their "Plastic Ono Band" albums. Ten years later, in September 1980, the couple granted their first in-depth interview in five years to "Playboy" while they were in the process of recording "Double Fantasy". RUBBER SOUL reconstructs portions of these two historical interviews based on available transcripts and audio, juxtaposing them in order to explore the dynamic nature of identity over time."

John Lennon did two major interviews acting as bookends to the 1970's.    This week, we look at Rolling Stone, Playboy and their relationship to John Lennon, Yoko Ono (and to a lesser extent Paul McCartney).    Did Jann Wenner have any ulterior motives?    Did David Sheff?    Do any of us?

Capitol spent much of the seventies repackaging the Beatles under a variety of concepts and song orders.    As we pass the fiftieth anniverary of the first (and possibly the best), 1962-1966 and 1967-1970; we take the time to look at those collections, and propose our own!

1964 was the year the Beatles took over the world.    However, the foundations for that were laid in 1963.    The Beatles visited Sweden and planned trips to France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States before anyone knew for certain there was gold to be found.    This week we tune in to a documentary covering their June 1964 visit to New Zealand, from its origins in the summer of 1963 to the run of shows and their eventual return to the UK.

Disc six of Lord Reith's "Live at the BBC" series.  Saturday Club, Two episodes of "Pop Go The Beatles" and more.    We contemplate Decca, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, Bernie Andrews, Ian Grant, Phil Tate and consider "The Mersey Sound and the life of being several hairdressers."