Advertise on podcast: Get Back to the Beatles

Cha-Chi and David Gallant welcome Beatles author/historian Terry Crain to discuss his book "The Beatles Novelty Songs, 1964 to ’66," documenting over 500 novelty songs and presented in an alphabetized, comic-book-inspired design. Crain explains his research process, starting with the Library of Congress digital copyright archives, which revealed about 300 copyrighted songs, while many others were never copyrighted due to the short, profit-driven rush to market during Beatlemania. They explore themes such as backlash and humor, why novelty output waned after 1966 as the Beatles stopped touring, and spotlight songs including “The Beatles Got to Go” by Byron Lee & The Dragonaires (with a Dr. No connection), New Zealand’s “My Beetle Boy” label-sticker mishap, and “I Wanna Be a Beatle,” plus the multiple 1964 recordings titled “I Want a Beatle for Christmas.”   Get Terry’s Book! https://a.co/d/0gR4iNHo   Topics 00:17 Podcast Welcome and Hosts 01:14 Meet Author Terry Crain 02:27 Why 500 Novelty Songs 05:25 Library of Congress Hunt 07:32 Off Grid Research Gaps 10:22 How Clever Are They 10:40 Play Beatles Got to Go 11:52 Bond Connection Backstory 16:29 Book Design Comic Style 18:20 Themes Fear and Satire 20:11 Why It Fades After 66 22:36 Later Novelty John Too Far 23:55 Rainbow Becomes Sissy Spacek 25:58 My Beetle Boy Mixup 29:18 Did Novelty Songs Chart 30:40 Bonnie Jo Mason Was Cher 32:17 I Wanna Be a Beatle 37:19 Where To Buy The Book 38:27 Five Christmas Songs Same Title 42:27 COVID Boost And Banter 44:23 Final Thanks And Signoff

Cha-Chi and David welcome actor and musician Greg Evigan to discuss his extensive TV and film work, including a standout Columbo villain role in “Bird in the Hand,” plus early career highlights like a 1976 Coca-Cola commercial and work connected to Norman Lear, Don Kirshner, Neil Bogart, and Casablanca Records. He traces his musical roots from piano lessons and New Jersey bands to high school musicals and touring with Jesus Christ Superstar, where he understudied Jesus. Evigan recalls seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan and acting in Ringo Starr’s TV special, and describes recording his original album with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Studio One at Abbey Road under intense session time constraints. They also revisit his theme songs for BJ and the Bear and My Two Dads, Battle of the Network Stars memories, and direct listeners to Evigan.com for music purchases and autographed vinyl.   Topics 01:09 Meet Greg Evigan 02:03 Columbo Villain Stories 03:52 Coke Commercial Breakthrough 05:11 Kirshner Lear Bogart Connection 06:21 Musical Roots and Piano 07:31 High School Bands and Theater 08:37 Jesus Christ Superstar Break 09:54 Abbey Road Album Setup 11:13 Beatlemania and Ringo Gig 12:56 Recording at Abbey Road 16:18 Ringo Special Clip 17:31 Theme Songs BJ and Bear 19:31 Sitcom Theme Memories 19:45 Co Stars and Butkus 20:37 Kids and Animals Rule 21:33 Family and London Sessions 22:39 Kids Careers Spotlight 23:46 Early Bands and Keys 25:06 Parents Records and Nerves 26:18 School Musicals and Mentors 27:15 Arts Education Matters 30:20 Network Stars Throwback 33:58 Where to Buy the Album 35:22 Final Thanks and Sign Off

Cha-Chi and David interview Tony Kishman, a longtime Paul McCartney tribute performer currently touring his “Live and Let Die” show, which comes to the Regent Theatre in Arlington, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 3. Kishman recounts joining Beatlemania in 1978 despite being right-handed, learning Beatles music without internet resources, and performing under intense scrutiny in London amid Beatles-related legal action. He shares meeting George Martin, who praised the show and later declined to record Kishman’s original music because he sounded too much like McCartney, and tells how he missed an opportunity to meet Paul after leaving a Wembley concert early. Kishman discusses setlist choices, including “Uncle Albert” and “The Long and Winding Road,” his diet, Hofner’s financial troubles, playing Liverpool Beatleweek, and auditioning into Wishbone Ash.   See Tony live in Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney: https://www.liveandletdieshow.com/   Topics 01:17 Meet Tony Kishman 03:01 Beatlemania Boston Memories 05:11 Learning to Be Paul 06:59 Audition Origin Story 11:21 London Scrutiny and Lawsuit 13:25 George Martin Backstage 19:36 Almost Meeting Paul 24:14 Hofner Bankruptcy Talk 26:53 Live and Let Die Setlist 31:58 Setlist Deep Cuts 32:52 Tour Rider Food 34:40 Liverpool Beatle Week 38:20 Wishbone Ash Break 44:06 Regent Show Plug 45:22 Band on the Run Talk 49:11 Deep Track Stumpers 51:40 Song Requests Homework 53:16 Tour Dates Links 54:03 Wrap Up Credits

Cha-Chi and David welcome Beatles author and Fab Four Free For All podcaster Mitch Axelrod to discuss the Paul McCartney documentary Man on the Run (Amazon Prime). They praise its candid tone, unseen footage, humor, and the decision to keep talking heads off camera, while noting omissions, grainy upscaling, and differing expectations about how much Wings or Beatles content it should include. They highlight contributions from McCartney’s family, Sean Lennon’s contextual comments, and the film’s attention to Linda McCartney, while debating McCartney’s “truths,” legacy curation, and Beatle breakup narratives, including Allen Klein. The conversation shifts to Ringo Starr’s newly announced country/Americana album Long Road, the single “It’s Been Too Long,” track details including a re-recorded “Choose Love,” and hopes for more “swing.” They also touch on the Man on the Run soundtrack’s unique tracks like a rough mix of “Arrow Through Me,” live “Live and Let Die,” and the full “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance.”   Topics 01:23 Guest Mitch Axelrod 02:06 Man On The Run Screenings 04:21 First Reactions 05:17 Wings Expectations 07:08 Multiple Truths 11:24 Family Voices 13:39 Sean And The Drag 18:28 Linda In Focus 21:46 Linda Live Critiques 24:41 Rewatching And Details 25:58 Humor And Japan Bust 27:10 Where To End It 28:12 Where the Doc Ends 29:30 Dreaming Up a Solo Series 31:22 Beatles Breakup Revisited 34:51 Could They Have Returned 36:32 Ringo’s New Album Talk 38:58 Setlist and Swing Debate 41:21 Man on the Run Soundtrack 43:32 Collectors and Vinyl Value 48:58 Wrap Up and Thanks

Cha-Chi and David welcome legendary guitarist Steve Kimock back to the podcast to discuss his touring show “All You Need Is George,” a celebration of George Harrison coming March 11 to the Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Massachusetts. Kimock reflects on how Harrison’s musicianship and spirituality—especially the impact of All Things Must Pass, including its raw tracks—shaped him, and Gallant notes many students end up “George devotees” by semester’s end. Kimock explains how the band selects mostly familiar material spanning Harrison’s Beatles work, solo era, and Traveling Wilburys, while still leaving room for improvisational segues and fresh takes.    Get tickets: https://kimock.com/   Topics 00:18 Welcome and Introductions 00:48 Meet Steve Kimock 02:57 Why George Matters 03:56 George and the Students 07:16 Steve Beatles Origin Story 08:35 Building the Setlist 09:57 Playing George Live 11:57 Band Lineup and Tour 14:59 Openers Closers and Flow 16:57 Bangladesh and Concert Films 18:31 Traveling Wilburys Talk 20:21 Show Details and Giveaway 21:02 Spiritual Songs and Joy 22:34 Improvisation and Surprises

Cha-Chi and David welcome author Dean Thompson, who worked at John and Yoko’s Joko Films in 1972. Thompson discusses his novel Imagine Murder: A John Lennon Mystery (Tucker Press), created as historical fiction after declining to write a memoir. Legally blind, he dictated the book to friend Tom Moon with help from wife Victoria Hallerman. He recalls NYC’s turmoil, ongoing death threats, Lennon’s refusal of bodyguards, “end of the world” prank calls, and a real DNC/Watergate-related trip later used in the plot.   Get the book: https://a.co/d/036R5cO8   Topics 00:42 What’s Coming Up: Beatle Events + Introducing Author Dean Thompson 02:48 Imagine Murder: How the Lennon Mystery Novel Was Born 05:42 Inside Joko Films & 1970s New York: Setting the Scene 07:01 A Line to Cross? Writing Fiction Around a Real-Life Tragedy 07:46 The Dream That Haunted Him—and Why He Wrote the Book Anyway 10:10 Death Threats, No Bodyguards: John & Yoko Walking the Streets 12:06 One-to-One, Watergate, and Fighting Nixon: The Real History Behind the Plot 17:31 Beatles Fan to Lennon Insider: Dean’s First Reaction to the Job 18:00 From Yellow Submarine to Joko: the moment he ‘called it’ 19:16 Working for John Lennon: fear, fame, and nothing else compares 19:55 Cultural heroes & Cincinnati roots: John Lennon vs. Johnny Bench 21:16 Yoko Ono at Joko: the quiet intimidation and ‘fired every six weeks’ 22:52 Reassessing Yoko (and John stays John): writing the book changes perspective 24:40 Dan Richter the ‘ape’ & the wonderfully weird cast of characters 26:12 The ‘End of the World’ calendar: nonstop calls and apocalyptic requests 27:31 Beatles breakup era: meeting Ringo & George, never meeting Paul 28:33 Lost archives, Box of Smile, and rebuilding 1972 from memory 30:59 Wrapping up: Beatles professor talk, where to buy the book, and final thanks

Cha-Chi and David discuss highlights from 2025, including the release of 'Anthology 4' and key casting decisions for the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles project. The episode covers various Beatles-related topics from festive recordings to unreleased outtakes. Notable mentions include the Circle and Billy J. Kramer concert, the film 'Midas Man' about Brian Epstein, and Paul McCartney's role in 'Spinal Tap 2'. The hosts reflect on memorable Beatles moments, student interactions, and upcoming Beatles events for 2026.   Topics 00:48 Year-End Wrap-Up and Special Guests 01:15 Anthology 4 Discussion 02:26 Beatles in the Wild and Casting News 05:32 Deep Dive into Beatles Tracks 08:39 Anthology 4 Highlights and Listener Reactions 16:33 Discussing Anthology Four 17:08 The First Take on the Roof 18:43 Favorite Beatles Albums and Tracks 22:03 Concert Memories with Billy J. Kramer 23:02 Paul McCartney's Yesterday 25:35 The Circle and Candlestick Park Stories 26:24 Beatles Community and Student Engagement 28:18 Hosting Events and Film Screenings 32:08 Paul McCartney in Spinal Tap 2 34:49 Concluding Remarks and Future Plans

Cha-Chi and David welcome Beatles collector Mark Erbach. They delve into Mark's extensive collection of Beatles acetates, master tapes, and rare items, including Ringo Starr's 1964 United Artists Gold Record Award and Paul McCartney's original UnEQ'd master tape for the Ram album. Mark shares anecdotes about acquiring these rare pieces and discusses the upcoming auction of his collection at rrauction.com. This episode offers a deep dive into the world of Beatles memorabilia, the significance of acetates, and the evolving market for collectible records.   The Mark Erbach Collection: https://www.rrauction.com/provenance/the-mark-erbach-collection/   Topics 01:15 Special Guest: Mark's Beatles Collection 02:22 The Hunt for Rare Beatles Memorabilia 06:08 The Changing Collectibles Market 09:57 Iconic Finds and Their Stories 12:06 Personal Highlights and Future Plans 20:00 Beatles Memorabilia and Personal Stories 21:55 Rare Beatles Acetates and Their Origins 22:40 Unreleased Beatles Albums and Acetates 24:48 Upcoming Auction Highlights 26:28 Choosing RR Auction for Beatles Collection 28:26 Rolling Stones Memorabilia 29:52 The Collector's Dilemma and Future Plans 30:50 Understanding Acetates 32:53 The Mythical Beatles Acetate 34:22 Final Thoughts and Auction Details

Cha-Chi and David welcome legendary singer Billy J. Kramer. They discuss Kramer's early years, including his connections with the Beatles, his relationship with manager Brian Epstein, and iconic memories from the British Invasion era. Kramer shares stories about learning songs directly from John Lennon, performing on the Ed Sullivan Show, and the enduring excitement of his music career. The episode also highlights Kramer's upcoming performance at the Regent Theater in Massachusetts and his continued collaboration with songwriter Tom Ambridge. Join this insightful conversation about the timeless legacy of the Beatles and the music that defined a generation.   Topics 00:46 Introducing the Legendary Guest: Billy J. Kramer 02:41 Billy J. Kramer's Early Career and Brian Epstein 05:05 The Beatles Connection and Memorable Moments 09:35 Reflections on Music and Career Highlights 21:12 Upcoming Show and Final Thoughts

Cha-Chi and David welcome Charles Rosenay, a Beatles enthusiast and author. They delve into Charles's extensive work in organizing Beatles conventions and Magical History Tours in Liverpool, bringing fans closer to the band's iconic history. Additionally, Charles shares his passion for the paranormal, discussing his experiences with ghost tours and his book on true ghost stories. The conversation covers Charles's encounters with notable Beatles and their influences, as well as his involvement with Monkees conventions. The episode also highlights upcoming events, including a Beatles brunch in Burlington, a Beatles-themed concert at the Region Theater, and Charles's next Transylvania tour. Tune in for a deep dive into Beatles lore, horror stories, and the vibrant world of fandom.   Links:    www.bookoftop10Beatleslists.com   www.Bookoftop10horrorlists.com   Topics 01:24 Special Guest: Charles Rosenay and His Beatles Adventures 02:01 AI-Generated Introduction for Charles F. Rosenay 03:36 Charles's Liverpool Tours and Beatles Pilgrimages 08:42 Group Dynamics and Challenges on Beatles Tours 15:55 Networking and Connections in the Beatles Community 27:12 Exploring Cultural Phenomena and Literature 28:14 Charles's Journey as an Author 31:14 The Fascination with Horror 32:33 Paranormal Investigations and True Ghost Stories 38:51 Beatles, Rock and Roll, and Pop Culture 40:28 Concluding Remarks and Upcoming Events

Cha-Chi & David explore the influence of the Beatles on the life and music of renowned musician Sal Baglio. Sal reminisces about his early encounters with the Beatles, his experiences growing up in East Boston, and the profound impact the Beatles had on his musical journey. The episode also touches on Sal’s collaborations with other musicians and his performances with The Amplifier Heads. Tune in for anecdotes from iconic concerts, insightful discussions on songwriting, and a look forward to upcoming events celebrating Beatles history.   More on Sal and the Amplifier Heads: https://linktr.ee/theamplifierheads   Topics 01:08 Special Guest: Sal Baglio 02:41 Sal Bag's Musical Journey 04:49 the Beatles' Influence on Sal  11:39 Upcoming Beatles Tribute Event 32:20 Confusion Over Rubber Soul 34:33 Brian Wilson's Influence 35:39 Memories of Meeting the Beach Boys 39:26 Record Store Nostalgia 42:37 The White Album Experience 46:00 Upcoming Shows and Performances 48:42 Italian Heritage Podcast Idea 55:52 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Cha-chi and David delve into the intricate details and fascinating stories behind the Beatles' American and UK album releases. They discuss historical album covers, such as the butcher cover of 'Yesterday and Today,' compare track listings between US and UK versions of iconic albums like 'Rubber Soul' and 'Revolver,' and analyze the cultural impact of 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.' With entertaining anecdotes, in-depth analysis, and a touch of humor, this episode will intrigue both new listeners and long-time Beatles fans.   Topics 01:13 Special Guests and Beatles Stories 03:24 Beatles Vinyl and American Albums 15:55 The Infamous Butcher Cover 35:58 Rubber Soul: American vs. UK Versions 39:30 Exploring the UK Version of Rubber Soul 39:53 The Beatles' Psychedelic Influence 40:39 Iconic Album Covers and Their Impact 43:11 Revolver: The Beatles' High Renaissance 46:19 The Beatles' Transition and Influence 48:54 The Making of Sergeant Pepper 51:37 The Cultural Impact of Sergeant Pepper 57:17 Analyzing the Iconic Album Cover 59:36 The Legacy of Sergeant Pepper 01:11:42 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Events

Cha-Chi and David take an in-depth look at the Beatles' U.S. vinyl albums. The show delves into the history, unique characteristics, and personal anecdotes surrounding iconic albums like 'Meet the Beatles,' 'The Beatles' Second Album,' 'A Hard Day's Night,' 'Beatles '65,' and others. Listeners are in for a nostalgic trip through the Beatles' American discography, exploring not only the music but also the cultural and historical impacts of these albums. The episode includes discussions on album artwork, unique features of different releases, and even touches on rare collectibles and the host's personal experiences from hosting his long-running Beatles radio show.  Cha-Chi’s upcoming Vinyl Night event March 27 at Patriot Place: https://www.patriot-place.com/events/wormtown-brewery-beatles-vinyl-night/ Topics   02:33 Nostalgia and Radio Memories 04:49 Chachi's Induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame 08:34 Badfinger and Their Beatles Connection 12:38 Beatles Vinyl Night and Collecting Records 36:37 The Beatles' Second Album Memories 37:53 Gifts from Students and Beatles Collectibles 38:30 Odd Collection and Missing Ringo's Spot 39:52 The Beatles' Movie Ventures 41:45 Something New and the Beatles' TV Appearances 42:43 The Beatles' American Albums and Marketing Tactics 44:17 The Beatles' Soundtrack Albums 49:07 Beatles' 1964 Album Releases 51:08 Beatles' 1965 Album Releases 57:36 The Beatles' Help Album and Movie 01:02:41 Yesterday and Today Album Controversy 01:05:38 Beatles Vinyl and Collecting Memories 01:05:59 Upcoming Beatles Events and Final Thoughts

Cha-Chi and David delve into the controversial death of John Lennon. They are joined by David Whelan, author of the book 'Mind Games: The Assassination of John Lennon,' who explores the possibility of a conspiracy behind Lennon's murder. Whelan shares his extensive research, which includes questionable details about Lennon's supposed killer, Mark Chapman, alleged ties to intelligence agencies, discrepancies in witness statements, and the lack of clarity surrounding the shooting's exact circumstances. The discussion raises critical questions about the official narrative and suggests the need for further investigation. Topics 00:59 Introducing Today's Guest: David Whelan 02:10 Discussing the Conspiracy Theory 02:52 Skepticism and Public Reaction 03:31 Research and Findings 04:04 The Role of Mark Chapman 09:45 Media and Documentary Challenges 13:38 Theories and Evidence 18:48 Mark Chapman's Background 24:34 Medical and Forensic Details 30:10 The Official Narrative of John Lennon's Final Moments 32:23 Medical Anomalies and Discrepancies 34:06 Conflicting Witness Statements 36:56 The Role of Yoko Ono and Other Key Figures 39:25 Speculations and Theories 43:59 The Book and Its Impact 48:52 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Chachi and David discuss the world of Beatles novelty music and memorabilia with special guest Terry Crain, author of 'Copywriting the Beatles.' The trio delves into the fascinating stories behind various Beatles novelty records from the 1960s, highlighting key tracks and their origins. They also touch on modern-day parodies and the extensive research behind Terry's multi-volume book. The conversation spans a range of topics, including Beatles merchandising, the significance of copyright in the music industry, and the unexpected careers of artists involved in Beatlemania. Topics 00:49 Record Store Day and Beatles Collectibles 01:26 Introducing Guest Terry Crain 02:29 The Journey of Beatles Merchandise 04:41 The Fascinating World of Beatles Copyrights 13:38 Novelty Songs and Beatles Memorabilia 29:40 Jump Up: A Musical Journey 29:48 Byron Lee's Silver Screen Moment 30:25 Ringo for President: A Beatles Fantasy 33:49 The Girl from Liverpool: A Beatles Novelty 36:45 Beatles Novelty Records: A Genre Explored 45:31 Weird Al and Beatles Parodies 47:53 Terry Crain's Beatles Insights 54:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts