Get Back to the Beatles

'Man on the Run' Reactions with Mitch Axelrod

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

Steve Kimock on Celebrating George Harrison Live

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
 

Author Dean Thompson's John Lennon Mystery

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

Beatles 2025 Year-End Wrap-Up

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

Rare Beatles Collectibles with Mark Erbach

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

Billy J. Kramer on the Beatles, Brian Epstein, and Timeless Hits

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

The Magic of Charles Rosenay’s Beatles Tours

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

Beatles Memories with Sal Baglio of the Stompers

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

American vs. UK Releases (A Deep Dive)

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

Beatles Vinyl: A Deep Dive

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