Ed Chen And Jon Stone Podcasts

Paul McCartney's "Got Back" tour hit Mexico City in mid-November 2023. This is Paul and the band's first visit to "Ciudad de Mexico" in six years. Despite being highly similar to the 2022 US version, a splendid time is still guaranteed for all, particularly with crowds like those we shared the evening with!…

"Now and Then" was followed up by the sort-of 50th anniversary of "Red and Blue". This week we look at three albums of goodness from the folks at Universal Music. The blue album is very much a compilation in the traditional sense - a nice sampler for the Giles Martin post-2017 remixes. This week we consider the additions to the collection, other ch…

The hits just keep on coming! This week, friend of the show Doctor Kenneth Womack joins the show to discuss his just-released book "Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans." "Big Mal" has been both part of the Beatles story, and a figure in the background. What drove the "Gentle Giant", and what was it like to be the friend, confid…

I know it's true. There's a new Beatles song and video and short documentary out in the wild. Lonnie and I are joined by Kit O'Toole (Queen of all Beatles Media!), Tom Hunyady (one of the two legs) and Erika White (BC the Beatles), as we go through the single (does clear count as a color?), the song, the documentary, the video and the T-shirt.…

Lonnie Pena and I go through the first four episodes of the Paul McCartney and Paul Muldoon podcast "A Life in Lyrics". Paul goes through Eleanor Rigby, Back in the USSR, Let It Be, When Winter Comes and Mull of Kintyre. Old stories, new stories and you might even learn something!By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

The record is flipped as we travel through "Devil Woman", the how's why's and extended versions of "Six O'Clock", right through to a bit more of the legend of Jack Nitzsche, Klaus Voorman, Vini Poncia, David Hentschel and the inimitable Ringo Starr. We'd like to thank you for making that little bit of plastic.…

Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Harry Nilsson, Klaus Voorman, John Lennon and Ringo Starr join together to answer the question "What Shall we do with a Drunken Sailor"? Tune in as Marv and I discuss and celebrate 49 years and 50-ish weeks of the Ringo Starr album "Ringo."By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Jon Stone co-hosts as we chat with Deirdre Kelly, author of "Fashioning the Beatles: The Looks that Shook the World." The topic is John Lennon as influencer, both inside and outside of the Beatles. John Lennon liked to say that the Beatles were not necessarily the originators of their style (both musically and not), but "the ones in the crow's nest…

Lonnie and I return to talk more about 2005, as we finish up our "Space Within US" commentary track. More about the crowd and families, a little bit of Steve Jobs (before the iPhone took him to the "topermost" of the CEO's), and our thoughts on songs Paul should and shouldn't bring back into the live show.…

Lonnie and I celebrate the (separate) returns of the twotles to the concert stage by looking back to 2005/6, and the US (pronounced "us", not "U.S.") tour from 2005, as represented by the 2006 concert film. Paul, Wix, Abe, Brian, Rusty, those "No More Landmine" T-shirts and a whole boatload of celebrities in cameo and longer appearances.…

Brian Epstein and NEMS were frequently viewed as the "golden ticket." A shiny new record contract, a song from Lennon-McCartney, and a hit record was assured. Or was it? Tune in this week as we look into some of the acts that became the "stable." Many found success, but others either missed out, or had to move on before they would ascend the charts…

More from the "Gab Four" as we continue our look at April 4, 1962 - The Beatles at the Stowe School. George Harrison's guitar comes through loud and clear, but a bout with the cold or flu has limited what he can do with his voice. Despite this issue, the band does their best and still finds a way to change the lives of the young men who will become…

The "Gab Four" come together (and join the party). Lonnie Pena, Jon Stone and Marv Quibell join me for the first of a two-parter where we go in depth on Ringo's new release ("Rewind Forward"), his appearance in the Nils Lofgren video, and the dual autumn/winter tours. (The All-Starr's and Sir Macca). This leads into the beginning of our usual in-de…

This week, Lonnie Pena and I are joined by Nashville Hall of Fame songwriter Kent Blazy. We discuss his recent trip to Liverpool, and how visiting the Beatles sites inspired him to write and record his new collection: "From the Beatles To the Bluebird." We also touch on his thoughts on fame (one of his frequent collaborators is country superstar Ga…

A very special live edition of When They Was Fab. I am joined by "The Co-Pips" - Dr. Kit O'Toole (Queen of all Beatles Media, Talk More Talk, Toppermost of the Poppermost) and Dr. Kenneth Womack (Everything Fab Four, the keeper of Mal Evans' flame, and author of more books than you can shake a stick at). Our topic: "Alpha Omega", "Red and Blue", "O…

August 11, new show! Kit O'Toole and Martin Quibell join me to preview our various appearances at Fest for Beatles Fans Chicago! Tune in, turn on, and join us as we do live renditions of this very show (Red and Blue in 2023), "Toppermost of the Poppermost", and various other panels. We'll have Fun, Fun, Fun! (oops, wrong band)…

Frequent and beloved guest Darin Murphy (Skyrocket, HeartByrne, Cotton Mather) joins us to obsess a bit more on the guitars that The Beatles used on "The Beatles" (aka: "The White Album"). Diversions into the Fender VI (bass), Ringo and his attempt at using a double bass kit, and even a bit of Andy Summers, Eric Clapton and the "Blues Breakers with…

Aubrey "Po" Powell and Storm Thorgerson were once known as "Hipgnosis". It is not an exaggeration to say that their collective was responsible for much of the significant album cover artwork of the 1970's. This includes Wings from "Band on the Run" through "Back to the Egg", and Aubrey Powell would continue on-and-off with McCartney through "Off th…

Martin and I sit down to go through the rest of Paul McCartney's "1964: Eyes of the Storm". Liverpool, London, Paris, New York, DC and Miami. A Beatle's eye view of a much too serious world. We also get a brief drop-in from Kit O'Toole as we discuss the news - Penn Jillete's revelations concerning the "new" Beatles single, Paul McCartney and Paul M…

Stuart Sutcliffe is remembered as the one-time bass player of the Beatles, and artist who happened to die under tragic circumstances, but is that all their is to the young man? Jon Stone and I look at a BBC Four Documentary from 2005 (a decade after the story was fictionalized in "Backbeat") which features interviews with many of the participants t…

Paul McCartney has done two major interviews supporting his show at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the global release of "1964: Eyes of the Storm" We look at the highlights of his program with Stanley Tucci, and the Tribeca Film Festival interview with Conan O'Brien (now available in audio in full from the "Conan O'Brien needs a Frien…

Ringo Starr hits 83. Download this episode and start it at 11:45 AM local time and we will guide you to the big moment at noon on July 7!By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Ringo Starr, Rod Argent, Sheila E, Billy Squier, Edgar Winter, Hamish Stuart. On July 16, 2006 Ringo and the All-Starrs joined the High Rollers at the Mohegan Sun, transforming another Sunday night at the tables into a bit of rock and roll history. Martin Quibell joins the co-host roster officially, and we talk about this tour, the assembled talent…

Lonnie Pena co-host as we discuss (mostly) Beatles fathers and father figures. "It Takes a Village", and John, Paul, and Ringo are examples of what that phrase means. Jim, Johnny, Charles, Richard, Freddie, Harry, Harry, Henry, and Harold as well as several others!By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

One, Two, Three, Four. Can I have a little more? Yes, you can. Jon Stone, Lonnie Pena and Martin "Marv" Quibell are all here for the start of WTWF, Mk. IV (or is it V?). We chat about a number of things in Beatle-land, and settle on some lightly edited "as nature intended" chat!By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

People don't necessarily think of the role of keyboard instruments in the Beatles beyond Billy Preston and a few other obvious examples. This week, we dive a little deeper, starting with Roy Young, through the harmonium, the mellotron, the moog onto the synthesizer revolution and "Band on the Run."By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Filmmaker Jon Lefkovitz has just released his 2014 SXSW film "Rubber Soul" on YouTube. Jon and I review. Quoting his description: "In December 1970, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were interviewed for "Rolling Stone" prior to the release of their "Plastic Ono Band" albums. Ten years later, in September 1980, the couple granted their first in-depth interv…

John Lennon did two major interviews acting as bookends to the 1970's. This week, we look at Rolling Stone, Playboy and their relationship to John Lennon, Yoko Ono (and to a lesser extent Paul McCartney). Did Jann Wenner have any ulterior motives? Did David Sheff? Do any of us?By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Capitol spent much of the seventies repackaging the Beatles under a variety of concepts and song orders. As we pass the fiftieth anniverary of the first (and possibly the best), 1962-1966 and 1967-1970; we take the time to look at those collections, and propose our own!By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

1964 was the year the Beatles took over the world. However, the foundations for that were laid in 1963. The Beatles visited Sweden and planned trips to France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States before anyone knew for certain there was gold to be found. This week we tune in to a documentary covering their June 1964 visit to New Zealand, f…

Disc six of Lord Reith's "Live at the BBC" series. Saturday Club, Two episodes of "Pop Go The Beatles" and more. We contemplate Decca, Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, Bernie Andrews, Ian Grant, Phil Tate and consider "The Mersey Sound and the life of being several hairdressers."By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

AI. Nothing to get hung about, the beginning of something else, or just another piece in the puzzle of change and progress that the Beatles were always striving for, and usually succeeded in driving to the mainstream. This week, the real Jon Stone and I (AI versions are under development) discuss the possibilities, think on ChatGPT, and are virtual…

May Pang's film finally hit theaters (for a day in most places) on April 13, 2023. Lonnie Pena and I were among those who attended the screening, and we review the project in this week's WTWF. Is this another retelling of a story available for over forty years, or is there something new and insightful among the clips and classic interviews?…

This week we look at the "not-quite-a-Biography" about George Martin produced by the Arena folks in 2011. A young Giles, the previous iteration of Beatles history, and some interesting tales concerning the comics, musicians and others George Martin encountered during his youth, military career and adult life within Parlophone and AIR Studios. Lots …

This show starts out with discussion on the "Stowe" tape, and what such an exciting discovery means to the world of Beatles fandom and scholarship. This is followed by our main topic - the US Singles. VJ, Swan, Tollie, MGM, Capitol and ATCO (oh my). What did the abundance of 45's mean to the average fan, and what has "collectibility" meant to the w…

What's the best way to break in a new drummer? Take him with you on a high-profile television appearance. Paul McCartney was coming off his World Tour, lost a drummer (was Paul a model for Spinal Tap?) and agreed to appear on MTV's new-ish television show (interesting performances, moderate audience) called "Unplugged". This week we go back a littl…

Letters, we've got letters! We've got stacks and stacks of letters! Viewer mail, where Jon and I answer questions from our listeners. Who needs facts when you've got opinions for miles?By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Our review of the second set from "George Fest" in Los Angeles, September, 2014. Weird Al, the Flaming Lips, Perry Farrell and more keep the tributes rolling celebrating the "The Quiet One." Dhani then leads the ensemble through a final two numbers as we fade into the sunset with Dhani "and friends."…

On 28 September, 2014 Dhani Harrison hosted a charity concert celebrating the life of George. Conan O'Brien, members of Spoon, the Cult and Killers took the stage to play favorites written by George (and a select few others) backed by a top-notch group of session musicians. This week, the first set of that show with thoughts on the news of the week…

One of the first things John Lennon did when landing in New York City was an "art film" named "Clock" that was promptly locked away. While the film remains in limbo, the soundtrack found its way to the public, first through the "Lost Lennon Tapes", and later (in a more complete form) from the "Dutch Import" market. Four years later (after buying th…

The WTWF guys are firmly in that "easy listenin' mode" this week with our review of "The Rutles Archaeology". How well did Neil Innes manage (artistically) with a second dip into the world of the pre-fab four, and does anyone know where Sony Studios is located? Tune-in and find out.By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

During ten days in 1977, Neil Innes, Rikki Fataar, Ollie Halsall, John Halsey and Andy Brown recorded twenty+ songs that would last a lunchtime. No time for trousers, but plenty of laughs and maybe a poignant comment or two about the boxing kangaroo's.By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Jon and I sit down to review the 2010 documentary "LennoNYC" (aka: Lennon NYC). Lots of interviews, lots of fairly rare footage, a bit of surprisingly candid Yoko Ono, but does it deliver on the stated objective. Hint: "Does Exactly what it says on the tin" may be stretching things. Also a bit of chat about the new single featuring Ringo on drums, …

George Harrison was quite generous with his talents - not just for friends and relatives, but associates and "friends of friends" as well. Kristof Engelhardt has been chasing such recordings for thirty years, most recently in "The Beatles Fully Uncovered." https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Fully-Uncovered-Kristofer-Engelhardt/dp/1897350619. The George…

Part two of our chat with Allan Kozinn (co-author of "The McCartney Legacy" with Adrian Sinclair). Lots more chat about Wings, Thrillington, Bruce McMouse and other oddities from the RAM era. THIS is pure McCartney.By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Part 1 of our discussion with Allan Kozinn, co-author (with Adrian Sinclair) of "The McCartney Legacy: Volume 1, 1969-1973". Some might describe this book as "Everything you wanted to know about Sir Macca, but was afraid to ask", but that would be inaccurate, as Allan has asked plenty of Paul when he got the opportunity to speak with him several ti…

This week we look at the 1965 Granada television special "The Music of Lennon and McCartney". Peter Sellers, Billy J. Kramer, The Beatles and a thingie which is not too terribly fiendish. We close out with some additional thoughts on Mary McCartney's "If These Walls Could Sing", which is getting a lukewarm reception from the public at large.…

What do "Benny and Joon", "Mad Men" and 1976 (the year) have in common? The VH-1 television movie "Two of Us", which featured two of the leads from those projects in a fictionalized version of what happened when John Lennon and Paul McCartney hung out one evening, and Lorne Michaels (on the then new "NBC's Saturday Night") made an offer to four guy…

We start 2023 by looking back to 2022. The Revolver box set, Paul and Ringo tours and more! Happy New Year to everybody listening, and thank you for downloading each week and offering up your support.By Ed Chen and Jon Stone

Merry Christmas everybody! This week, Jon and I talk "Unforgettable" (aka "Paul's Christmas Message"), the Beatles Christmas disks and the finances at Apple.By Ed Chen and Jon Stone