When They Was Fab: Electric Arguments About the Beatles

2023.26 Fathers and Sons

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!

2023.25 One-Two-Three-Four

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!

2023.24 Pianos and Moog and Mellotrons (oh my!)

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."

2023.23 Rubber Soul the Movie (a Review)

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."

2023.22 John Lennon 1970 and 1980

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?

2023.21 Beatles Compilations through the years.

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!

2023.20 When The Beatles Drove Us Wild (Review - Australian ABC TV)

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.

2023.19 The Beatles at the Beeb (Lord Reith, Disc 6)

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."

2023.18 AI, ChatGPT and the Future (with a feature including Kit O’Toole and Martin Quibell)

AI.   Nothing to get hung about, the beginning of something else, or just another piece in the puzzle of change and progress that the Beatles were always striving for, and usually succeeded in driving to the mainstream.    This week, the real Jon Stone and I (AI versions are under development) discuss the possibilities, think on ChatGPT, and are virtually joined by the Queen of All Beatles Media, Martin Quibell, and another, different version of me (alas, done the old-fashioned way, no AI or multiverse here)

2023.17 The Lost Weekend - A Love Story (Review)

May Pang's film finally hit theaters (for a day in most places) on April 13, 2023.     Lonnie Pena and I were among those who attended the screening, and we review the project in this week's WTWF.     Is this another retelling of a story available for over forty years, or is there something new and insightful among the clips and classic interviews?