Before They Were Beatles: Recent Episodes
Megrin Entertainment
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur schoolboy skiffle bands evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
This month we turn the spotlight on on the man on the weeping guitar originally credited as “Eddie Clayton” perhaps better known as Eric Clapton
Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me atalan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the story of The Quarrymen’s Rod Davis
.
BTWB Newsletter
You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
—---------
Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.
The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
This month we turn the spotlight on n Vince Calandra, The Chants, and Norman Chapman
If you want to know more about Vince Calandra he did a four-hour interview for the Television Academy on his career which is available in their online archives. There are a few extracts from it on YouTube that refer to the Beatles' Ed Sullivan appearance.
For info on The Chants, I recommend the Sixties City website which includes links to their full discography. There is also an extract on YouTube from the documentary "Get Back: The City That Rocked The World", with Joe Ankrah talking about meeting Paul and being invited to the Cavern.
You can read more of Norman Chapman’s story in The Fab One Hundred and Four by David Bedford, and Finding the Fourth Beatle by David Bedford & Gary Popper.
Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me atalan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the story of ‘Eddie Clayton” (aka Eric Clapton)
.
BTWB Newsletter
You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
—---------
Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.
The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
This month we turn the spotlight on guitarist Ken Brown of The Quarrymen and The Blackjacks
If you want to know more about Ken Brown’s story I recommend, The Beatles: The True Beginnings,published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2003
Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me atalan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the stories of honorary Beatle Vince Calandra, vocal group The Chants, and drummer Norman Chapman.
BTWB Newsletter
You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
—---------
Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.
The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
Welcome to the first episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on drummer Pete Best
If you want to know more about Pete Best’s story we recommend,
- Beatle! The Pete Best Story - Plexus Publishing - Pete’s autobiography (although it is going for crazy money these days - if you can find a copy it is well over $200 for the paperback)
- The Beatles: The True Beginnings is a nice illustrated hardback on the history of the Casbah Club by Roag Best published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2003
- Finding the Fourth Beatle by David Bedford and Gary Popper, published in 2013 is a great book on the various Beatles drummers (many of whom we will be covering in this podcast series) and includes an in-depth study of Pete’s drumming technique.
- And of course, there’s Mark Lewishon’s mammoth volume on The Beatles’ early years, Tune In, which covers Pete’s time with the group in Liverpool and Hamburg in great detail
- Pete also has his own official website at https://www.petebest.com and on Twitter / X @BeatlesPeteBest
You can check out some of Pete's post-Beatles recordings, plus enjoy his appearance on the Have I Got A Secret TV show on The Forgotten Beatles You Tube playlist.
Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email us atalan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the story of The Quarrymen’s Ken Brown
BTWB Newsletter
You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
—---------
Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.
The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
Coming to this podcast soon, a new series -
Before They Were Beatles presents:
The Forgotten Beatles
We all know the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, The Beatles - BUT, there are other tales still left to tell.
Who were Pete, Ken, Norman, Johnny, Colin, Rod, Stuart, Eric, and more who all played their part in the story of the greatest band in rock history?
These will be the stories we share
The stories of THE FORGOTTEN BEATLES
===========
I hope you will join us for this fun trip to discover these fascinating stories.
Tune in via the podcast platform of your choice.
and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me atalan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
===========
Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXVCPXJuoG0
==========
The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this episode, I share some thoughts on the recently released, remixed, and remastered extended Red and Blue albums, and wrap things up with my reactions to the “last Beatles song” Now & Then
Thank you for joining us over the last three seasons and listening to the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.. - and I hope you also enjoyed this bonus episode.
But there are other tales still left to tell.
Whatever happened to Pete, Ken, Norman, Johnny, Colin, Rod, Stuart, Eric, and more who all played their part?
We will be sharing their stories when we return in the New Year with a new series of shows: The Forgotten Beatles.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Before They Were Beatles podcast. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
BTWB Newsletter
You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this episode, we complete our journey as The Beatles return to the recording studio, make their TV debut, and say goodbye to Hamburg.
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
.***
Before The Beatles 20th Anniversary edition newsletter
To mark both the 20th anniversary of the original BEFORE THEY WERE BEATLES book’s publication and the popularity of the podcast, we have decided to answer many long-standing requests for an updated and expanded version of the book with a new 20th Anniversary edition.
if you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/
This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more.
Why Subscribe?
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions)
- The Beatles - How Do You Do It (Anthology)
- The Beatles - Love Me Do (Single)
- The Beatles - PS I Love You (Single)
- The Beatles - Love Me Do (People and Places - Granada TV)
- Mike Berry - Loneliness
- Craig Douglas - Our Favorite Melodies
- The Beatles - A Taste of Honey (People and Places - Granada TV)
- Tommy Quickly - Tip of My Tongue
- Frank Iflield - I Remember You
- The Beatles - Twist and Shout (Star Club - Hamburg)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles YouTube playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe.-
If you enjoy the early rock-n-roll years and the music that inspired the Fab Four you can now enjoy a great selection of songs from the period on the new Before They Were Beatles playlist on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0YlCxFBR3EFxuRaT864ft9
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this episode, we will take a deep dive into the events surrounding Pete Best’s departure and Ringo’s arrival as a member of The Beatles.
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
.***
Before The Beatles 20th Anniversary edition newsletter
To mark both the 20th anniversary of the original BEFORE THEY WERE BEATLES book’s publication and the popularity of the podcast, we have decided to answer many long-standing requests for an updated and expanded version of the book with a new 20th Anniversary edition.
if you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/
This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more.
Why Subscribe?
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel
If you enjoy the early rock-n-roll years and the music that inspired the Fab Four you can now enjoy a great selection of songs from the period on the new Before They Were Beatles playlist on Spotify
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this short bonus episode I’m delighted to announce the first in-person “Before They Were Beatles” event.
Stereo Dinner and Pershing present “Before They Were Beatles” a one-night-only celebration of the Fab Four’s early days with historian and author Alan J Porter. The event on June 2 will feature an intimate multi-course ticketed dinner followed by access to the after-dinner concert with Liverpool’s The Savage Young Beatles.
Before they were The Beatles, a pre-Fab Four John, Paul, George, (and even a bit of Ringo) were infamous for their brand of raucous, rough, hard rocking shows they performed during their residencies in Hamburg and at the Cavern Club Liverpool from 1960-1963.
In celebration of a night with Liverpool’s tribute “The Savage Young Beatles” on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Pershing in East Austin, be the guest of their Fab Four historian Alan J. Porter. The pop-culture writer, podcaster, and author of the acclaimed book “Before They Were Beatles'' will host an intimate three-course tasting menu dinner crafted by Chef Chris Galluccio and inspired by the amphetamine-fueled, underfed, leather-clad, sweaty, beautiful noise of the pre-Fab Four.
For more information and to reserve a ticket see https://www.stereodinner.com/events/beforetheywerebeatles
If you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/
This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more.
Why Subscribe?
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this special episode, we take a look at what it takes to start a new Beatles tribute band with interviews with the folks behind The Savage Young Beatles and the organizers of the Abbey Road on the Road Festival.
.***
This is the story of beginnings, the story of Tom, George, Booby, and Ed - The Savage Young Beatles.
.***
Links mentioned in this episode.
Tom’s “Mean Mr. Mustard” Beatles’ covers - https://www.youtube.com/@meanmrmustard6184
Little Triggers YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkklUXhPasw15cGTOhmIUw
Abbey Road on the River - http://arotr.com
Savage Young Beatles links
Website - https://www.thesavageyoungbeatles.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheSavageYoungBeatles-hz7se
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesavageyoungbeatles/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesavageyoungbeatles
.***
The Savage Young Beatles US tour dates.
- Abbey Road on the River festival - May 25 - 29
- Austin TX
- The High Ball, S. Lamar, Blvd - Tuesday, May 30th at 7:00pm
- Sour Duck Market - E. MLK Blvd - Wednesday, May 31st at 6:00pm
- Carousel Lounge - E. 52nd St - Wednesday, May 31st at 8:00pm
- The Little Darlin' - Circle S Rd - Thursday, June 1st at 7:00pm
- The Pershing - E 5th St - Friday, June 2nd at 8:00pm
.***
Before The Beatles 20th Anniversary edition newsletter
To mark both the 20th anniversary of the original BEFORE THEY WERE BEATLES book’s publication and the popularity of the podcast, we have decided to answer many long-standing requests for an updated and expanded version of the book with a new 20th Anniversary edition.
if you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/
This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more.
Why Subscribe?
The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers.
Each month paid subscribers will get:
- Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition
- Author's notes
- Play List Suggestions
- Recommended Reads
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions)
- Tom Hamilton - Rock-n-Roll Music
- Little Triggers - High Time
- The Savage Young Beatles - Some Other Guy
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles YouTube channel.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
The Beatles make their first visit to Studio Two at Abbey Road, continue to expand their gig schedule, make their final line-up change, and attract the attention of a local TV station.
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions)
- The Beatles - Love Me Do (Anthology 1)
- The Beatles - Ask Me Why (Teenager’s Turn radio show)
- Bruce Channel - Hey Baby
- Joe Brown - A Picture of You
- Johnny Kid & The Pirates - Shakin’ All Over
- The Beatles - Some Other Guy (Granada TV recording)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
The Beatles make their radio debut, change leather for suits, and make a return to Hamburg.
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions)
- The Beatles - Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)
- Royal Waterford Showband - Hucklebuck
- Emile Ford & The Checkmates - What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For?
- Roy Young - Hey Little Girl
- Gene Vincent - Be Bop Lula ‘62
- Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers - Sweet Georgia Brown
- Tony Sheridan - Swanee River
- Tony Sheridan - Skinnie Minny
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
It’s early 1962 and John, Paul, George, and Pete, are headed down to London to audition for a major record label. Will they land that much desired recording contract?
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions)
- Beatles - Memphis Tennessee (Decca auditions)
- Brian Poole & The Tremeloes - Do You Love Me
- The Beatles - Like Dreamers Do
- The Beatles - Hello Little Girl
- Dick James - The Adventures of Robin Hood
- Temperance Seven - You’re Driving Me Crazy
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
The Beatles' wild ride continues with the formation of a one-off Liverpool ‘supergroup,’ and a momentous lunchtime visit to the Cavern by a local record store owner
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Cry For A Shadow
- Johnny Hallyday - Tout Bas-Tout Bas (All Low, All Low)
- The Beatles - A Taste of Honey
- The Beatles - Twist & Shout
- Davy Jones - Amapola
- Danny Williams - Moon River
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
The leather-clad “Savage Young Beatles” continue to take Liverpool by storm.
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Cry For A Shadow
- Bobby Day - Rockin’ Robin
- Cilla Black - Love of The Loved
- Kenny Ball and His Jazz Men - Rampart Street Blues
- Acker Bilk - Strangers on the Shore
- Ray Charles - What I’d Say
- Ken Dodd - We Are The Diddymen
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
The Beatles return to Hamburg under promises to behave, take up residence at a new venue, make a record, sack their manager, and discover a haircut.
.***
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Cry For A Shadow
- Donna Lynn - My Boyfriend Got A Beatle Haircut
- Bert Kaempfert - Wonderland By Night
- Elvis Presley - Wooden Heart
- Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers - My Bonnie
- Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers - The Saints
- The Beatles - Ain’t She Sweet
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
Before They Were Beatles - Episode 16 - Three Gigs A Day
In this episode - The experience of playing extended sets in Hamburg pays off as The Beatles chase every opportunity to play in front of the newly appreciative Liverpool audiences. Soon they are playing as many as three gigs in a single day including kicking off their legendary run at The Cavern.
.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Cry For A Shadow
- The Olympics - Hully Gully
- Stuart Sutcliffe? - Love Me Tender
- Elvis - Wooden Heart
- The Beatles - Besame Mucho
- Swinging Bluejeans - The Hippy Hippy Shake
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
Welcome to Season Two of the Before They Were Beatles podcast. This season we take a look at the group's first few trips to Hamburg, Germany, and their rise to the most popular band in Liverpool.
As we start Season Two - John, Paul, George, Pete, and Stuart have arrived in Hamburg, Germany. But what awaits these young men from Liverpool?.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Beatles - Cry For A Shadow
- Judy Garland - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
- Duane Eddy - 3:30 Blues
- Reelin & Rockin’ - Chuck Berry
- More Than I Can Say - Bobby Vee
- Jambalaya - Hank Williams
- The Beatles - Long Tall Sally
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
With their first tour behind them, the Silver Beatles start to get regular gigs in and around Liverpool leading to an invitation to play in Hamburg, Germany; but first, the boys must find that most elusive of creatures, a permanent drummer.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Royston Ellis & The Shadows
- Paul McCartney - Michelle
- Gerhard Gschossmann - Summertime
- Tommy Steele - Teenage Party
- Tony Sheridan - I Like Love
- Derry & The Seniors - Double Twist
- Paul McCartney on Drums
- Johnny Kid and the Pirates - Shakin’ All Over
- The Beatles - Kansas City (Live in Hamburg)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - for which I’ll add the link in the show notes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
Ringo gives up the day job, while the Silver Beetles find another drummer, fail a major audition, but still end up going on their first tour.
Before They Were Beatles - Episode 13 - First Tour
==========
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
==================
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Gene Vincent - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
- Casey Jones & The Governers - Dizzy Miss Lizzie
- Kingsize Taylor & The Dominies - Clarabella
- Sensational Alex Harvey Band - Boston Tea Party
- Johnny Gentle - Wendy
- Lindsay Ross & His Dance Band - title unknown (Scottish traditional)
- Darren Young (Johhny Gentle) - I’ve Just Fallen For Someone
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
==================
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
The first half of 1960 turned out to be a significant one for John, Paul, and George as they find a new bandmate, a manager, and even a new name for their band.
Before They Were Beatles - Episode 12 - A Man On A Flaming Pie
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Eddie Cochran - Come On Everybody
- The Crickets - I Fought The Law
- The Beatles (with Stuart Sutcliffe) - Hallelujah I Lover Her So / You’ll Be Mine / Cayenne
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe .
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
It’s late 1959 and The Quarry Men have a new gig, but not for long, while Ringo continues to rock the joint with The Hurricanes. The Quarry Men transform into The Moondogs and John gets persuasive with his friend Stuart.
Before They Were Beatles - Episode 11 - Rocking The Casbah
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Acker Bilk & The Paramount Jazz Band - Ackers Away
- Rory Storm & The Hurricanes (feat Ringo Starkey) - Something Else
- Buddy Holly - It’s So Easy / Think It Over / Rave On / Words of Love
- The Hollies - Bus Stop
- Billy Fury - Don’t Jump
- Freddie & The Dreamers - You Were Made For Me
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe .
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
We pick up our journey in early 1959 when we find “Three Cool Cats” anxious to find somewhere to continue playing, while some other guy with a drum set finds himself in high demand.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Anthony Newley - Personality
- Gene Vincent - Wedding Bells
- Paul McCartney - I’ll Follow The Sun
- The Clash - Rock The Casbah
- The Beatles - Three Cool Cats (from Anthology Vol. 1)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Before They Were Beatles podcast. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this episode, we take a break on our journey through the Beatles’ past and jump ahead to 1969 and the tail end of the group’s creative output as we will discuss the “Get Back” project.
We’ll be dividing the discussion into three parts:
- The TV documentary series
- The “Let It Be / Get Back” vinyl box set
- The “Get Back” book
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Before They Were Beatles podcast. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Paul McCartney - Get Back (initial creation)
- George Harrison - I Me Mine (first demo)
- The Beatles - Come Together (intro)
- Yoko Ono (with John Lennon and Paul McCartney) - Freak Out Jam
- The Beatles with Billy Preston - Don’t Let Me Down - (rehearsal)
- Streetband - Toast
- The Beatles - Let It Be (2021 Mix)
- The Beatles - One After 909 (1969 Get Back mix)
- George Harrison with Paul McCartney, John Lennon & Ringo Starr - All Things Must Pass (intro and first rehearsal)
- The Beatles - Across the Universe (1970 Get Back mix)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this episode, we enter 1958, a year of personal tragedy and the first few steps towards recording for The Quarrymen.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Before They Were Beatles podcast. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Quarrymen ‘58 - Raunchy
- Buddy Holly & The Crickets - Live - Peggy Sue
- Paul McCartney - Cats Walk
- John Lennon - Julia
- Quarrymen - First recording - That’ll Be The Day
- Quarrymen - First recording - In Spite Of All The Danger
- Trinidad Steel Band: - "Steel Meringue" (1957)
- Paul McCartney (on piano at his childhood home) - When I’m 64
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.
In this episode we look at a vital three months in our story as the boys face changes in their lives, and John and Paul start their song-writing partnership.
This is the story of how one of thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid 1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode includes:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- John Lennon - Hound Dog
- The Beatles - Bye Bye Love
- The Beatles - Long Tall Sally
- Les Paul - Guitar Boogie
- The Goons - Eh! Ah! Oh! Ooh!
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
For this episode, we focus on one single day. The date is 6th July 1957 - some say the most imporatnt day in the Beatles story. The day that Paul McCartney was introduced to John Lennon.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- The Original Quarrymen (2017) - Midnight Special
- John Lennon - Blue Suede Shoes
- Quarrymen (recreation from the movie Nowhere Boy) - Maggie Mae
- Quarrymen (from Beatles Anthology) - That’ll Be The Day
- Paul McCartney - TwentyFlight Rock
- Eddie Cochran - Twenty Flight Rock (from The Girl Can’t Help It)
- Quarrymen - Puttin on the Style & Baby Let’s Play House (recorded on 6th July 1957)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
It's 1957 and the boys start to take the stage with the first public performances by the Quarrymen (John), The Rebels (George), and the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group (Ringo).
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode includes:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- The Merseysippi Jazz Band - Snake Rag
- George Harrison & Eric Clapton - While My Guitar Gently Weeps
- The New Rebels - Young Blood
- Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
It's fall 1956 and a return to school means new friends and new ideas for John Lennon - and one idea, in particular, that will be the catalyst for everything that follows - the formation of a schoolboy skiffle group - The Quarrymen.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- The Vipers - Don’t You Rock Me Daddy’O
- The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Worried Man Blues
- Paul McCartney - I Lost My Little Girl
- Lonnie Donigan - John Henry
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
Our journey continues as we meet the teenage George Harrison, James Paul McCartney, and Richard Starkey, plus take a side trip to discuss the impact on British rock of guitar virtuoso Bert Whedon.
This is the story of how one of thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger (Harrison & McCartney)
- Burt Weedon - Guitar Boogie Shuffle
- The Beatles - extract from A Day in the Life (Lennon & McCartney)
- Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In (trad.)
- Gerry & The Pacemakers - Ferry Across the Mersey (Gerry Marsden)
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
We begin our journey in January 1956, with the rise of Elvis and the beginnings of rock-n-roll, the British skiffle craze, and the impact they had on the young John Winston Lennon.
This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The music heard in this episode included:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- Bill Haley - Rock Around The Clock
- Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line
- Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
- Fats Domino - Ain’t That A Shame
- Little Richard - Long Tall Sally
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast You Tube channel
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions
In Liverpool , England, October 1956. Schoolboy John Lennon and his best friend, Peter Shotton, decide to start a skiffle group as “a bit of a lark.” Four years later John, now accompanied by Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best, left Liverpool to start a series of near-legendary gigs in Hamburg, Germany. His group now performing under their newly acquired name – THE BEATLES.
This is the story of those four years. The story of how one of the thousands of amateur schoolboy skiffle bands evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence and at times just sheer luck.
It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.
The first introductory episode covers host Alan J. Porter's personal connections with Strawberry Fields and how the genesis of his original Before They Were Beatles book.
The music heard in this episode includes:
- The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger
- John Lennon - Strawberry Fields For Ever (acoustic)
- Various voices - Imagine (John Lennon)
- Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line
You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe
If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com
You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions