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Beatles Books

Joe Wisbey

A podcast that chats to a wide variety of Beatle authors and writers. What inspired them to add their entry into a library of over 1000 books?

If you like the pod then please consider a tiny thank you at https://buymeacoffee.com/beatlesbooks?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR81ZJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeRi_yVkKQ9Vqp_ECRXAAZRuciUkFgUU0HXqDUUCt6PgKcWtvG-jJBVEKCByI_aem_cS6N0eeZWM1BLMLnjJA9pA

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21 episodes
monthly
Avg 44 min
English

Episodes 21

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S1 · E109
September 4 · 38 min
Steve Taylor 'Across The Universe'
My guest today is Steve Taylor, who brings us his book 'Across The Universe - 'The Magic and Mystery of The Beatles Creativity'. Steve's book looks at the psychological, cultural and spiritual forces behind The Beatles genius. How were they elevated above their peers? What made them transcend the 1960's and endure into the 21st Century? If you've enjoyed this or any other of my podcasts - please consider a tiny, one off donation via this link! https://buymeacoffee.com/beatlesbooks?new=1
S1 · E108
August 7 · 47 min
Piers Hemmingsen - 'The Beatles in Canada 1964-1970'
My guest for today's episode is Piers Hemmingsen who joins me to discuss the second volume of his books covering the Beatles in Canada. Piers' book goes into incredible detail on The Beatles Canadian connections - the stories behind their concerts, how the press covered them, fan reactions and so much more. The books also tells the amazing stories behind John's time there in 1969 as he made 3 visits, for a bed in, a music festival and finally a meeting with the Prime Minister. If you've enjoyed the pod then please consider a tiny donation toward it at https://buymeacoffee.com/beatlesbooks?new=1
S1 · E107
July 3 · 40 min
Richard Ogden - 'Bigger Than The Beatles'
My guest today is Richard Ogden who is here to discuss his book 'Bigger Than The Beatles'. Richard was Paul McCartney's manager from 1987 to 1993 and he tells us the ups and downs of managing a superstar. Richard oversaw Paul's collaboration with Elvis Costello, his return to form with the 'Flowers in the Dirt' album and Paul getting back on the road with 1989/90 World Tour. https://buymeacoffee.com/beatlesbooks?new=1
S1 · E106
June 10 · 30 min
Amelia Davis & Joel Selvin - 'Jim Marshall - The Beatles at Candlestick Park'
My guests for this episode are Amelia Davis and Joel Selvin who are here to discuss their work on 'Live at Candlestick Park 1966' a book which collates Jim Marshall's incredible backstage and on stage pictures of The Beatles final concert at Candlestick Park. Amelia was Jim's assistant for many years and writer Joel was a close friend of Jim's so they provide an informed and entertaining insight into these mostly unseen pictures. You can provide a much appreciated one off donation to the podcast here - https://buymeacoffee.com/beatlesbooks?new=1
S1 · E105
May 29 · 33 min
Spencer Leigh - 80@80'
For this episode I'm joined by Spencer Leigh to discuss his memoir '80 @ 80'. Spencer was a first generation Beatles fan from Liverpool who began making programmes for BBC Radio Merseyside in the mid 70's. He amassed a huge library of interviews with Merseybeat musicians which led to his first book 'Let's Go Down to the Cavern' in 1984. Many other Beatle books followed, which include his biography of Cavern MC Bob Wooler and a look at the Pete Best sacking 'Drummed Out.' https://buymeacoffee.com/beatlesbooks?new=1
S1 · E104
May 1 · 44 min
Jim Windolf - 'Where The Music Had to Go'
My guest today is Jim Windolf, who joins me to discuss 'Where The Music Had to Go - How Bob Dylan and The Beatles Changed Each Other - and the World'. Jim's book looks at the entwining careers of two of the 20th Century's most important musical artists, and details known meetings through the 60's and beyond - From Lennon's and McCartney's lyrical transformations to George Harrison's growth as a songwriter, Jim showcases the ripple effects of the Beatles-Dylan connection.
S1 · E103
April 10 · 46 min
Samira Ahmed - 'A Hard Day's Night'
My guest today is the writer, broadcaster and journalist, Samira Ahmed, who joins me to discuss her BFI Film Classics book on The Beatles first film, 'A Hard Day's Night'. Drawing on her own experience of first discovering the film as a child and going on to work in the television industry, Samira shines a spotlight on the craft behind the film's enduring appeal. What makes this film still so thrilling and vital? What made it stand out from most of the pop films that had been made previously?
S1 · E102
March 27 · 39 min
Gary Astridge - Beats and Threads
My guest today is Gary Astridge, who has co written 'Beats and Threads' with a certain Ringo Starr. Gary's book collects beautiful pictures and stories of some of Ringo's legendary outfits from his Beatle years and also delves into the history and significance of each of Ringo's iconic drum kits. Gary's book can be found here - https://store.juliensauctions.com/ShopCatalog?id=219
S1 · E101
February 27 · 33 min
Dan Absher - 'The Fab Four Pillars of Impact'
My guest today is Dan Absher, who joins me to discuss his book 'The Fab Four Pillars of Impact'. Dan's book looks at The Beatles as the ultimate case study for building exceptional teams and examines how each Beatle and the people around fulfilled a role in the organisation, why this was successful and why ultimately, they failed.
S1 · E100
January 23 · 1 hr 23 min
Episode 100!
To celebrate reaching 100 episodes of the Beatles Books Podcast, I've collated together excerpts from some of my favourite conversations over the last 5 years. Thank you to every single author that came on to talk to me, and of course to every single listener! I'm looking forward to the next 100...
S1 · E99
Dec 19, 2025 · 42 min
David Guerrero - 'You Won't See Me - When The Beatles Ghosted Imelda'
My guest today is David Guerrero who is here to discuss his book 'You Won't See Me - How The Beatles Ghosted Imelda'. The story of The Beatles misadventures in The Philippines is well known, but what was the background? Who was to blame for what went wrong? How much danger were The Beatles realistically in? David's thrilling book answers all of these questions and many more and paints a vivid picture of a dramatic few days in The Beatles career.
S1 · E98
Nov 28, 2025 · 59 min
Allan Kozinn on Allan Kozinn
I'm welcoming Allan Kozinn back to the pod today, this time to look back on his amazing career and his journey to the remarkable McCartney Legacy books he's co writing with Adrian Sinclair. Allan worked as a culture reporter and music critic for the New York Times for 37 years, between 1977 and 2014, and during that time became the papers unofficial Beatles correspondent. He tells us about his his encounters with Paul and Ringo, his experience in the Dakota with Yoko and how his long career was building toward the amazing McCartney Legacy books.
S1 · E97
Oct 24, 2025 · 50 min
Tom Doyle - 'Ringo - A Fab Life'
My returning guest for this episode is Tom Doyle who brings his mosaic biography of Ringo Starr. Tom's book covers all of Ringo's remarkable life from his impoverished childhood to the dizzying heights of Beatlemania, from his alcohol hazed 80's to the sober elder statesman of rock, it's all here in Tom's brilliant book.
S1 · E96
Oct 10, 2025 · 49 min
Andrew Cook - 'Capitol Gains'
I'm joined for this episode by Andrew Cook to discuss his book 'Capitol Gains'. Andrew's book tells the story of The Beatles up and down relationship with their American record label and looks at the way they managed The Beatles catalogue through the 1960's - not always to the satisfaction of the band themselves.
S1 · E95
Aug 22, 2025 · 57 min
Peter Doggett on Peter Doggett
I'm joined by Peter Doggett for this special episode as we look back over his entire career. Peter began writing for Record Collector magazine in 1980 and was also engaged in work for Beatles Monthly, meaning he was soon in the sphere of many Beatle adjacent people. By the late 1990's he had become a renowned author and his books 'The Art and Music of John Lennon' and 'You Never Give Me Your Money' are two of the finest ever written on The Beatles.
S1 · E94
Jul 18, 2025 · 33 min
Richard Mills - 'The Beatles and Black Music'
I'm welcoming Richard Mills back to the pod today, this time to talk about his book 'The Beatles ad Black Music'. Beginning with the grand narrative of British colonial history pre-Beatles, Richard's book covers the influence of Black music and culture on the Beatles' teenage years in the 1950s, their association with Lord Woodbine, their love of American Rhythm and Blues in the mid-1960s, and extends to a discussion of post-colonial British identity and the lasting effect Black music has had on the Beatles' legacy and continues to have on the solo careers of Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney.
S1 · E93
Jun 13, 2025 · 45 min
Stuart Maconie - 'With A Little Help From Their Friends'
My guest for this episode is the brilliant Stuart Maconie who is here to discuss his book 'With A Little Help From Their Friends'. Stuart's book tells the story of 100 fascinating members of The Beatles' supporting cast - people they encountered during their career either in a major or minor way. Split into 3 sections, Before The Beatles, With the Beatles and Beyond the Beatles, Stuart tells the epic tale of the people who made the band who made Britain, and along the way adds his own experiences, encounters and conversations to further illuminate the story.
S1 · E92
May 16, 2025 · 53 min
Jonathan Gould - 'Can't Buy Me Love'
My guest today is Jonathan Gould who joins me to discuss his 2007 book 'Can't Buy Me Love'. More than just a group biography, 'Can't Buy Me Love' tells the social history of Britain and America in the 1960's and provides a sharp musical analysis of The Beatles songs. He also tells us about his new book on Talking Heads, 'Burning Down The House' which tells the story of one of Rock's most influential groups and the New York scene that they came from.
S1 · E91
Apr 18, 2025 · 40 min
Robert Rodriguez - 'Ribbons of Rust'
My guest for this episode is Robert Rodriguez who joins me to discuss the book he co- wrote with Jerry Hammack, 'Ribbons of Rust - The Beatles' Recording History in Context: Volume 1 - July 1954 - January 1963. Robert and Jerry's book tells The Beatles thrilling early story in context, describing the sights and sounds of that time creating an effect that feels like you are you are in the room with The Beatles, from the first Liverpool recording at the Percy Phillips facility to Forthlin Road, their Hamburg sessions with Tony Sheridan, Decca and Parlophone.
S1 · E90
Apr 4, 2025 · 27 min
John Harris - 'Maybe I'm Amazed'
I'm welcoming the journalist and writer John Harris back to the pod today, this time for a special bonus episode on his book 'Maybe I'm Amazed - A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs'. When John's son James was born, and three years later diagnosed with autism, music became a source of precious connection and endless wonder for both of them. James connected with so much music, but one of his strongest passions was The Beatles. As a Beatle obsessive himself, John talks about his own relationship with the band and tells us how watching his son discover and explore The Beatles became a source of inspiration for them both.

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes