Welcome to a new research podcast unraveling the fact from the fiction in the history of The Beatles. This is an introduction to the podcast and a chance to meet me, Obadiah. Stay tuned for the first season!
New evidence rewrites what we know about the recording of 'Dear Prudence' and who played drums! In this episode, I am joined by author/producer Jerry Hammack to discuss. Jerry's books can be found on his website!
In this first episode of Gimme Some Truth, we discover the true timeline for when Ringo Starr quit The Beatles and holidayed in Sardinia!
A holiday car crash in the Scottish Highlands delayed John's return to sessions at EMI Studios for The Beatles' 1969 Abbey Road LP. New evidence shows that John returned later than we previously thought!
One of the enduring mysteries in The Beatles' music is the opening chord for 'A Hard Day's Night'. Who played what and how? In this episode, I attempt to unravel the elements and get to the truth.
In this episode we take a deep look at the events that led to The Beatles' arrival and triumph in the United States. Did they really wait until they had a number one to stage their arrival or was it fortuitous?
For the season one finale episode, I am joined by acclaimed authors/researchers Chip Madinger and Scott Raile to discuss the timeline of events surrounding the recording of John & Yoko's Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins. In their meticulously researched chronology, Lennonology: Strange Days Indeed - A Scrapbook Of Madness, Chip & Scott date the recording to earlier in May 1968 than is widely thought. You can buy Lennonology from the official website: https://lennonology.com/
In this short bonus episode, I explore the connections between The Beatles and the game of chess. Did Ringo learn to play chess during the recording of Sgt Pepper? Not 'alf he didn't!
In the first episode of Season 2, we continue to seek the truth by taking a revisionist look at how Ed Sullivan came to sign The Beatles to his show in 1963.
The fan fever The Beatles inspired in Britain in 1963 inspired a new word - Beatlemania. But where did the term actually come from and what is its history?
In 1969 the Plastic Ono Band were set to release a mysterious track called 'Rock Peace' that never saw the light of day...or did it? I am joined by Axel Korinth to discuss how Antonio Caroselli solved a 50-year-old mystery in the second volume of their fabulous A Is For Apple book series, the history of The Beatles' multimedia corporation. You can find out more about Apcor and all the brilliant things they do at: http://www.apcor.net/
Yoko Ono is one of the most central, divisive and misunderstood figures in The Beatles' history. In this two-part episode, I am joined by author Madeline Bocaro to discuss Yoko's early life and work and to present a more complete version of the woman, the artist and herstory. Part 1 covers Yoko's early life up until she met John Lennon. Get your copy of Madeline's new book In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono at conceptualbooks.com and find reviews and more information at inyourmindbook.com.
Yoko Ono is one of the most central, divisive and misunderstood figures in The Beatles' history. In this two-part episode, I am joined by author Madeline Bocaro to discuss Yoko's early life and work and to present a more complete version of the woman, the artist and herstory. Part 2 covers from when Yoko met John until they officially became a couple. Get your copy of Madeline's book In Your Mind - The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono at conceptualbooks.com and find reviews and more information at inyourmindbook.com.
This week we take a look at the true origins of the most famous myth in The Beatles' history: the 'Paul Is Dead' rumour. Find out who invented the tall tale and how they confessed within a month.
New documents and information update the timeline of The Beatles' messy departure from Germany after their first Hamburg residency. This episode highlights the wonderful research of Thorsten Knublauch in his recent book The Beatles Mach Shau in Hamburg.
In the first of two episodes with author/researcher Dafydd Rees, we look at how he uncovered two previously unknown gigs The Beatles performed on 29 June 1963. Dafydd's detailed book The Beatles 1963 - A Year In The Life is available through Omnibus Press. Audio of Mark Lewisohn used with permission from 2014 interview by Let It Be Beatles.
Forget everything you think you know about how George Harrison helped to sign The Rolling Stones to Decca Records in May 1963. I am joined once again by Dafydd Rees to discuss our new research, which calls this well-known story into question and revises not only Beatles' history but also Stones' history. Listen to the end to hear some bonus research stories from Dafydd about his book The Beatles 1963 - A Year In The Life (available here). Season 2 finale episode!
I present the unexpected results of two searches for the 'real' Sgt Pepper. Was Pepper based on a real person? Who is the military man fans could cut out of the album sleeve? Find out in this bonus episode!
My special guests and I begin our analysis of Yoko Ono's audio diary from 4 June 1968. In this section, we gain insight into her and John's early relationship and current events in their lives. To follow along with the audio, you can download an improved transcript here.
I'm back with a new, special season in which I am joined by Beatles authors and scholars Chip Madinger, Erin Torkelson Weber and Robert Rodriguez to discuss Yoko Ono's 4 June 1968 audio diary. This introduction episode sets the context for the recording and a history of 'Revolution 1' before we dive in!