Without the Beatles

The Without the Beatles project in which famous artists and creatives discuss the direct impact the Fab Four had on their careers, started back in 2012. One of the first people we interviewed was Michael Palin. He found fame in the 60s as a TV presenter, before going on to become a performer and writer with Do Not Adjust Your Set, then Monty Python. He went on to have a stellar film career and a third career as presenter of the hugely popular travel series, Around the World...Michael was a good friend of George Harrison and benefited from George's role as the owner of Handmade Films. Here he talks about the Pythons, The Beatles, and George in particular. All our podcasts are available on YouTube too. If you enjoy this episode, please do leave a review or comment. Technical note: This interview was originally shot for a planned TV documentary. Des Burkinshaw, the interviewer was not wearing a microphone or featured on camera. Thanks to the wonders of AI we've been able to retrieve the distant sound of his voice from Michael's microphone and enhance it. It's not the clearest recording of his voice, but we guess most of you would rather hear Michael Palin than the interviewer in any case. We hope this does not interfere with your enjoyment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2010 we kicked off the multi-decade Without the Beatles project, and were privileged to be invited out to LA, to Richie Sambora's home, for this interview. A few years later, in 2013, Richie quit Bon Jovi because of the pressures of touring. He said at the time that he couldn't cope with 18 month world tours, but in this interview he is still very much in the band and says he can never imagine leaving. In this insight into Richie's artistic life, he details how the Beatles affected everything - from his first memory to being the first thing he plays every time he picks up the guitar. This is the unedited interview tape - there's not too much in the way of hellos and goodbyes because they were done when the camera wasn't rolling, but we hope this format gives you a real insight into the man. All our podcasts are up as videos on YouTube too. Please subscribe if you can - the more people who subscribe, the more likely it is that YouTube will show the videos to other people. Youi're not just supporting our work but also supporting the artist in the video through publicity. You can find us in all the usual places. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was such a pleasure to interview Andy Partridge of XTC for Without the Beatles - the documentary back in 2012 - when the world was a very different place.Unfortunately, because of an error on my part the documentary never saw the light of day, but now that podcasts are a thing - ours in particular - it's worth putting out Andy's interview. As usual, Andy is a great interviewee. He cites the Beatles as one of the reasons for that - he developed his sense of humour and eclecticism to their early influence on him. Of course, they impacted his music, but most importantly, like so many others, their story and personalities shaped his story and personality. Some context. I realised some time ago, that if it weren't for a combo of Hitler and The Beatles, I wouldn't even be here. Once I was here, the Beatles shaped my outlook and made me a musician. I thought it would be easy to find well known people who had a similar story, and so it proved. I shot 40-50 interviews exploring a few themes that emerged, but by then no-one would commission us because we had done so much upfront. Yes, the BBC were interested in licensing it, but that wouldn't even have covered the legal costs. From 2013 to 2020, the interviews sat on a hard drive, a testament to bad planning. As an ex-BBC producer, I should have known the hole I'd dug for myself, but was still happy to have met all those interviewees and other things came from it, so I didn't mind too much. During covid, I relished every episode of Chris Shaw's masterful, I am the Eggpod podcast, and realised that documentary interviews are really just conversations - ie unintentional podcasts. I was too missing until late 2023 to act on this, but 2024 finally saw the Without the Beatles podcast launch. As we approach our millionth watch/download a year later, we have found plenty of new people to interview. The archive was in danger of being sidelined again, but now we've decided to just put out some of those archive interviews anyway. Yes, some of the topical references don't work anymore - when this was recorded Ken Dodd and Prince Philip were both still alive - but the essence of what Andy says about the Beatles is as relevant as ever. So here it is - 13 years late - but a full unedited interview with Andy. We hope you enjoy this and the other archive interviews to come, including Richie Sambora, Nancy Sinatra, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys, filmmaker Tony Palmer, and many others.All our podcasts are also available on YouTube @withoutthebeatles. Please hit like and subscribe. We only put out 1 or 2 episodes/videos per month, so you won't get spammed. If you would like to support us via Patreon, you can. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beatles famously paved the way for the British Invasion of America after their success in 1964. One of the bands that followed in their wake was The Zombies. Although they hit in the UK too, America has always been the place they did best, and they are still thought of more highly there to this day. Chris White was the bassist and, with Rod Argent, wrote all the band's material, including This Will be Our Year, taken from the classic psychedelic pop album, Odysey and Oracle. Recently, Chris and singer, Colin Blunstone, came to Without the Beatles' hometown of Hackney in East London to launch a newly remixed mono version of that classic album. Earlier this year, the band also celebrated the release of the first documentary about the Zombies, Hung Up on a Dream. What better time to reflect on their early American success - and what part the Beatles played in their story. Richard Merrett and Des Burkinshaw are your hosts. A video version of this episode, like all the other episodes, can be found on youtube @withoutthebeatles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy popped into our studio to discuss his love of The Beatles, working in Abbey Road, and to reflect on a career that includes 13 solo albums, 2 Duckworth Lewis Method collaborations, the soundtrack to Wonka, and many film and TV Themes including Father Ted and the IT Crowd.Mark Hooper was on summer holidays, so friend of the podcast, Richard Merrett, joins Des Burkinshaw for the chat. The new album is really excellent, and we wouldn't just say that, so do go check it out. We both agree The Man Who Turned into a Chair is one of Neil's strongest songs full stop. And be honest - you're going to listen to Mar-a-Lago by the Sea as soon as it comes out, right?The album - Rainy Sunday Afternoon - is out on September 19th but you can hear Achilles, The Last Time I Saw the Old Man and Invisible Thread right now on all streaming platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We always ask this question: can you imagine your life without the Beatles? Today's guest definitely can't.Jacob Jeffries is a member of Vulfpeck, Jack Stratton's collaborator in Vulfmon, and is about to release a solo album in September, made at Theo Katzman's cabin studio. As co-writer and performer on many of the above projects, he's right at the heart of one of the most powerful musical networks of the century so far. And it's fair to say, he's also a bit of a Beatles' fan. Des Burkinshaw and Mark Hooper discuss all these projects, as well as musical theatre and inter-generational influence with Jacob. We'd like nothing more than to have included a few snippets of music in the programme to illustrate everything, but then we'd have gotten copyright strikes etc, a good example of how the record companies, publishers and even platforms, are ruining the experience for fans. Instead, tediously, when you have finished listening to this fascinating interview, come back here and explore this fantastic world of music through these links. Don't forget to visit our website, withoutthebeatles.com for all the usual stuff. The audio version of this goes out on all the usual networks. Here's our favourite collaboration between Jack Stratton and Jacob. https://youtu.be/Akaa9xHaw7E?si=iUqj7f6NwsNI4BDdHere's Jacob with Vulfpeck singing his song, Big Dipper.https://youtu.be/QEah75Oyv8c?si=gtIvsvQwrOd5E-55You'll love this. Red Cardinal from Jacob's new album, You Got The Right Idea. https://youtu.be/q-j1DMrPRUU?si=k2gQDtOiek2iSw0THere's Jacob, Jack Stratton and Harrison Whitford, channelling their inner Beatles and Byrds.https://youtu.be/1aQpedzFOHA?si=1FRVRfdQ-chf9RovMark mentions Jacob's cover of I am the Walrus. https://youtu.be/7xGKx09S524?si=VQpOj_95LQtwczRbBoth Des and Mark discovered this whole world during Covid watching the Vulfpeck Live at Madison Square Gardens footage. Neither of us knew who Vulfpeck were, but both of us watched the whole thing anyway. It's that entertaining. https://youtu.be/rv4wf7bzfFE?si=zpw4VE-NBcbWtUy1Jacob's album isn't out until September, but here's another track from it, Steady. Nick Nagurka Holden's mic choices paying off here. So warm.https://youtu.be/SP3_qq2sP9Y?si=RMhEeFeI4PutrIKhWe have pushed you down the rabbit hole. Now off you go to Wonderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Warren wrote and sang The Korgis' classic, Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime. As a member of Stackridge, he not only was the first act on at the first ever Glastonbury, but Stackridge were produced by George Martin, engineered by Geoff Emerick. He's famous for his song, There's Something About the Beatles, but in this episode Mark Hooper and Des Burkinshaw discuss the equally big impact of Brian Wilson who died on June 11, aged 82. Des and Mark both met Brian and they share some of their stories too. Check out Season 1 of the podcast which features interviews with Steve Van Zandt, Jona Lewie, Lol Creme, Terry Gilliam, Lemmy and Mary Quant, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can fit all the truly classic Christmas songs onto a double album. Jona Lewie's Stop the Cavalry is absolutely one of them.Mark Hooper and Des Burkinshaw turned up at Jona's studio, demanding tea, to discuss its 44-year success, his career on Stiff Records, and to wonder - just what is the best Christmas record?A video version of this episode will be available to Patreon subscribers. Season 2 of the Without the Beatles podcast kicks off in January. Guests this season include Nancy Sinatra, Sir Michael Palin, and Al Jardine of The Beach Boys. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 A further 45 mins of Steve's interview is available to Patreon subscribers only. This entire episode is also available on video to subscribers.But even without that extra material, this is an in-depth discussion about what made The Beatles so unique, how they influenced other musicians, and just what Steve owes to them personally. Also features an interview with Summer Litchfield, daughter of One Hand Clapping director, David Litchfield.This is the final interview episode of 2024 but there will be a Christmas Day special featuring Stop the Cavalry's Jona Lewel. We'll be back in the New Year with Season 2, featuring Sir Michael Palin, Sir David Attenborough, Nancy Sinatra and a few new interviews being recorded over the next few weeks.Check out video excerpts of this episode on our YouTube channel @withoutthebeatles and follow us on social media.Have a great Christmas break and see you soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most important fashion designer of the 60s? Of the 20th century? There's no doubt Mary Quant remains an icon. She invented the miniskirt and created a whole new world of fashion for the emancipated women of the 60s. She was also a friend and confidante of The Beatles. They impacted on each other. Mary died in 2023 but in one of her last interviews, she talked about the sociological impacts she and the Beatles had on us and each other. A video version of this episode is available to Patreon subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lol Creme has done it all. A founding member of 10cc, a member of Hotlegs, one half of Godley & Creme, the experimental duo who made hit records and directed some of the most iconic videos of the 80s for The Police and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. But they also made videos for Ringo, George and Paul. Lol talks about the impact the Beatles had on him and society in this hilarious account of his life in music. Also featured, is David Bedford, one of the most respected Beatles chroniclers - whose life was turned around when his doctor prescribed the Beatles as a way of distracting himself from the pain of his fibromyalgia. Eight books and several films later... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Terry Gilliam - Monty Python member and one of the most creative film directors of all time, recalls his lifelong love of the Beatles, how they influenced him as a young American after the Ed Sullivan Show, but also how he came to work with George Harrison. It was Terry's film, The Time Bandits, which was the first bespoke commission for Handmade Films, one of the UK's most successful film companies, set up by George following the success of Python's Life of Brian. Des Burkinshaw and Mark Hooper also discuss the mark Terry Gilliam has made in popular culture, while Mark meets Annie Shepperd OBE, who discovered a lust for life through the 60s scoial revolution - and The Beatles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We asked Lemmy - what - very specifically - did The Beatles do that changed your life?In this episode, Des Burkinshaw and Mark Hooper introduce a never-before heard interiew with Motorhead frontman, and general icon, Lemmy.He discusses their influence on him, his visits to the Cavern, and tackles that age old question: who was better: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?Mark Hooper also meets Liverpudlian songwriter/musician, Paul Mannion, who has travelled the world playing George Harrison and John Lennon on stage.Go to our website to subscribe and find out how you can access the extended version of this interview on video. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What - very specifically - did the Beatles do that changed your life?That's the question we've been asking luminaries from music, art, fashion, literature, and film for the past 10 years.Writers and producers Des Burkinshaw and Mark Hooper introduce the podcast series that shines new lights on the Beatles' cultural influence.Each interiew episode features full-length interviews with a list of A-listers including Sir Michael Palin, Nancy Sinatra, Barbara Dickson, Terry Gilliam, Diane Warren, 10cc, Mary Quant, Lemmy, Richie Sambora, Sir David Attenborough, and many more. Also ncluded are interiews with some of the Beatles' closest associates, including Tony Bramwell, Neil Innes, Geoff Baker and Klaus Voormann.This introductory episode features clips from forthcoming episodes while Des and Mark introduce the concept.Also features a featurette on Florida-based musician, Jaime Noel.A new episode featuring one of the full-length interviews is published on the first of every month.Go to www.withoutthebeatles.com to subscribe, read the WTB blogs, donate to Patreon, and get in touch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.