When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

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week for a look back at George Martin questions that have emerged since "Get Back", and forward to Mal's diaries, the (unpublished) diaries/archives, and the two forthcoming books covering the life and times of "The Gentle Giant".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.