Transcript

The Complete History of The Beatles with Conan O'Brien

From The Rest Is History · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 35 min · 16,260 words · 285 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "The Complete History of The Beatles with Conan O'Brien", an episode of The Rest Is History published December 5, 2025 (1 h 35 min, about 16,260 words). It mentions 365 people, works and ideas, including The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles.

What this episode is about

The discussion revolves around Conan O'Brien's deep admiration for The Beatles, recounting his personal experiences with the band, including encounters with George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. The conversation highlights O'Brien's lifelong fandom and his reflections on the band's impact on music and culture, contrasting it with the views of his co-host, Dominic, who prefers The Rolling Stones.

Key takeaways

  • Conan flies 35,000 miles to Abbey Road, becomes Denny Lane—sky-high honor or rock royalty ribbing?
  • SNL's ‘pissed as a noot’ George episode reinforces: Beatles charisma trumps any inebriation.
  • Paul plays guitar upside down; genius transcends tuning—though John’s wrath stays universal.
  • Beatles' group synergy was revolutionary; Johnny and the Moondogs narrowly dodged the spotlight solo trap!
  • Sixties' revolution through a Beatles lens; their echoes shape today like the 1520s did the 16th century.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  2. – 20:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  3. – 30:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  4. – 40:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  5. – 50:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  6. – 1:00:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  7. – 1:10:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  8. – 1:20:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  9. – 1:30:00: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles
  10. – 1:35:02: The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles

Notable quotes from "The Complete History of The Beatles with Conan O'Brien"

  • Hello everyone and welcome to Abi Road Studios for a Rest is History Beatles special. Now I am afraid that Dominic isn't here because as regular listeners will know he disgraces himself by not.
    about The Beatles · at
  • Dominic? Who can be Denny Lane to my Paul McCartney? and so I thought well, Conan O'Brien and Conan, here you are, in, Abby, Road., [clears throat] I, just, flew, 35,000…
    about Conan O'Brien · at
  • Easily., The, Beatles, are, a, complete, break with what happened before. They are singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, you.
    about The Beatles · at
  • George Martin famously says, Gentlemen you just made your first number one.
    about George R. R. Martin · at
  • And, lots, of, people, are, kind, of, carrying around placards saying, Jesus died for your sins. John Lennon and the Klux Clan are getting in on the act. And it's a pretty…
    about John Lennon · at
  • Remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
    about Sergeant Pepper · at
  • They're dealing now with their work as real art. To own that album is to own a piece of art. And it's seen as exemplifying the summer of love and this kind of this radical…
    about Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band · at
  • Of the kind of examples of Beatles magic that you're just sitting in a pub and suddenly Paul McCartney walks in and plays Hey Jude for you. that sense that magic is still there…
    about Paul McCartney · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Paul McCartney — Person · Referenced band member / subject of anecdotes · 9 mentions · first at
    One of the four Beatles; discussed frequently (meeting stories, songwriting, performances, solo projects such as scoring Family Way and Wings).
  • John Lennon — Person · Referenced band member / subject of controversy · 6 mentions · first at
    Discussed as co-songwriter, cultural figure, noted for controversial comments ('more popular than Jesus'), later political activism and relationship with Yoko Ono; described as struggling with drugs late in Beatles' career.
  • Conan O'Brien — Person · Main guest · 4 mentions · first at
    Guest on the podcast, sharing his experiences and insights about The Beatles.
  • George R. R. Martin — Person · Producer / collaborator · 8 mentions · first at
    Producer at EMI/Parlophone who signed and produced the Beatles; praised for appreciating their humor and contributing to their studio evolution.
  • Brian Epstein — Person · Manager / key supporting figure · 3 mentions · first at
    Introduced as the manager who discovered the Beatles in the Cavern Club; credited with securing their record deal and guiding early career; his death is discussed as a turning point.
    They hear they walk out. They're in Wales. They've listened to the Maharishi. They get the news that Brian's died and bright lights and a camera. And you can watch this footage. They are completely traumatized.
  • Matthew Dominic — Person · Co-host · 11 mentions · first at
    Co-host of the podcast, mentioned for his absence and opinions on The Beatles.
    Hello everyone and welcome to Abi Road Studios for a Rest is History Beatles special. Now I am afraid that Dominic isn't here because as regular listeners will know he…
  • George Harrison — Person · Referenced band member / subject of spiritual search · 2 mentions · first at
    Third Beatle discussed for musical contributions, meeting the Maharishi, interest in Indian spirituality, and later songwriting contributions.
    So, George, joins, John, and, Paul, and, they get joined by St.
  • Ringo Starr — Person · Referenced band member / praised drummer · 1 mention · first at
    Discussed as the final Beatles lineup drummer; praised for feel and being the right drummer for the band; anecdotes about meeting him.
    And I one time I gave him a hug and I thought he is carved out of a very dense tropical wood. this man works out I think obsessively. He just hit his 85th birthday and I think he could take.
  • The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi — Person · Spiritual influencer / catalyst · 2 mentions · first at
    Referenced as the guru who introduced the Beatles (and other rock figures) to Transcendental Meditation; his retreat with the band (Bangor/India) influenced songwriting and internal tensions.
    Ways of attaining enlightenment and by great good fortune he is put in touch with a guy called the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who has just turned up in London. Yeah and, George…
  • Yoko Ono — Person · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    John Lennon's partner, often discussed in the context of The Beatles' breakup.
    Yeah., John, has, met, this, artist,, Yokoono, and he's infatuated with her and this is obviously many people say Well, this is what ended up breaking up the Beatles. But I think that's not.
  • Pete Best — Person · Former band member (drummer) referenced · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed as the Beatles' early drummer replaced by Ringo; reasons for replacement (timekeeping) and interpersonal tensions referenced.
    Yes., and, also, there's, Pete, Best.
  • Maharishi Mahesh Yogi — Person · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A spiritual leader who influenced The Beatles during their time in India.
    Ways of attaining enlightenment and by great good fortune he is put in touch with a guy called the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who has just turned up in London. Yeah and, George…
  • Elvis Presley — Person · Influence reference · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as part of the American musical influences the Beatles could access via Liverpool's port.
    Yeah., They, can, get, Elvis,, Jean, Vincent, Buddy Holly and, black, music.
  • Andy White — Person · Session drummer (recording) · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the session drummer George Martin brought in for early Beatles recording (on Love Me Do session).
    Their first single and, his, name, is Andy, White.
  • Cynthia Lennon — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    Of, course,, Cynthia, misses, the, train, which is very symbolic. And also symbolic is the fact that while they're in Bangor, they get terrible news, which is that Brian Epstein, their.
  • Peter Jackson — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    But, there's, heming, and, hawing, up, until the moment. This is where Peter Jackson's documentary is so great. He lets you know that they're still in a back room. As the equipment's all set up and they're ready to go on the rooftop.
  • Peter Sers — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    To, the, film., There's, a, part, in, it, that's very sad to me, which is they're all they're, sitting, in, four, chairs, and, Peter Sers comes in. Do you remember this part?…
  • Stu Sutcliffe — Person · Early member / visual influence · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as an art-school friend who initially bought a bass and was valued for image though not musical skill; later died young.
    Yes, the music's important, but the, image, is who, we, are,, what, we, represent,, and, Stu is an artist. And Paul doesn't love this. M he, really, doesn't, Stu, coming, in because he can't play and I think.
  • Linda McCartney's father — Person · 1 mention · first at
    The process. There are so many bits in it I loved. But I love the bit where so Paul by now is with Linda who, he, will, end, up, marrying, the, most eligible bachelor in the…
  • Magic Alex — Person · Referenced Apple-era associate (cautionary figure) · 1 mention · first at
    Used as an example of the Beatles’ Apple-era naivety—trusting charismatic ‘inventor’ figures and getting financially/operationally exploited, worsening internal stress.
    Very 1960s hope that you get rid of the pigs and the man and the capitalists and just let groovy people like Magic Alex a Greek engineer, come up with lunatic schemes and everything will be great. He can make a studio that levitates.
  • Alan Klene — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Because, Paul, wants, his, father-in-law,, so Linda's father to run their finances for them. and the other three want a guy called Alan Klene. he seems quite a kind of New York figure, quite a New York character.
  • Julian Lennon — Person · 1 mention
  • The Maharishi — Person · Referenced expert · 6 mentions · first at
    A spiritual leader who influenced The Beatles during their time in India.
    Ways of attaining enlightenment and by great good fortune he is put in touch with a guy called the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who has just turned up in London. Yeah and, George…
  • Alli Sadi — Person · 12 mentions
  • Cynthia Lennon — Person · 4 mentions
  • Stuart Sutcliffe — Person · 4 mentions
  • Pete Best — Person · 3 mentions · first at
    Yes., and, also, there's, Pete, Best.
  • Ed Sullivan — Person · 3 mentions · first at
    Experiments in my head sometimes. What if the Beatles had been booked November 30th on the Ed Sullivan show? What if they had been booked in December? It's too soon. So, they…
  • Maureen Cleave — Person · 3 mentions
  • Peter Sellers — Person · 3 mentions
  • Buddy Holly — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    Yeah., They, can, get, Elvis,, Jean, Vincent, Buddy Holly and, black, music.
  • Peter Jackson — Person · 2 mentions · first at
    Sessions which were kind of often seen as being very difficult and troubled Peter Jackson kind of took the footage didn't he and made it into this incredible film Yeah.
  • Allen Klein — Person · 2 mentions
  • Astrid Kirchherr — Person · 2 mentions
  • Dale Conan — Person · 2 mentions
  • Denny Laine — Person · 2 mentions
  • Noël Coward — Person · 2 mentions
  • Malcolm Gladwell — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Clearly, and John said this, Hamburg, made, them., You, know,, going to Hamburg made them because as Malcolm Gladwell pointed out, they had to do their 10,000 hours. It always…
  • Jerry Lee Lewis — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Violates the man act and has to be I think he goes to jail or is it's a scandal. Yeah. Jerry Lee Lewis has his scandal.
  • The Big Bopper — Person · 1 mention · first at
    Buddy, Holly, dies, and, then, you, have big the, big, bopper, and, and, Richie, Valins.

Books & papers

  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band — Book · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A landmark album by The Beatles, symbolizing the 1960s counterculture.
    Remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
  • The Beatles Anthology — Book · Referenced work · 20 mentions
    A documentary series and book about The Beatles, providing insights into their history.
    He's the best possible drummer for the Beatles. Yeah. And actually, so there's the footage that you can see in the background is from a new version of the anthology documentary series out on Disney.
  • Penny Lane — Book · Referenced work · 5 mentions · first at
    A song by The Beatles, noted for its vivid storytelling and musical arrangement.
    Very strange penny lane is in my ears and, in,, my, eyes there beneath the blue suburban skies I said. [singing] and then their album Sergeant Peppa.
  • Revolver — Book · Referenced work · 4 mentions · first at
    An album by The Beatles, discussed for its musical innovation and complexity.
    Huge, fan, of, Revolver., Revolver, is, very interesting because the Beatles are now recording music that would be very difficult to perform live and live performance is a huge part of the.
  • Strawberry Fields Forever — Book · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    A song by The Beatles, highlighted for its innovative production and emotional depth.
    Yeah,, I, think, Strawberry, Fields, Forever might be my favorite Beatles song.
  • The White Album — Book · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    An album by The Beatles, known for its eclectic range of musical styles.
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • Hey Jude — Book · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    A single by The Beatles, mentioned as a significant and successful song.
    London to see Cynthia and John and Cynthia's son Julian and, he, writes, one, of, the, great, Beatles singles.
  • Let It Be — Book · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    An album by The Beatles, noted for its stripped-down production and as their final release.
    There's, great, songs, on, Let, It, Be, and, it and Let It Be was again the Beatles being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back.
  • Alice in Wonderland — Book · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    Book that influenced John Lennon's songwriting.
    Knows. but he never goes as far as John. But this opens up a lot in their music. And of course, John is so influenced already by Alice in Wonderland imagery.
  • The Goon Show — Book · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A comedy show mentioned in the context of George Martin's background.
    So, George, Martin, hadn't, really, been, a music producer. He'd been a producer of a comedy show The Goon Show. and the Beatles really appreciate that. But it also means that George Martin can.
  • Abbey Road — Book · 6 mentions · first at
    So when I got the opportunity to do a Beatles podcast here in Abbey Road, I thought, well, who can I get to replace Dominic? Who can be Denny Lane to my Paul McCartney? and so I thought well, Conan O'Brien and Conan, here you.
  • Get Back — Book · 6 mentions · first at
    A, little, bit, of, a, breather., And, then they get back together. Paul has an idea and they start working on Sergeant Pepper. But you mentioned that they have this incredible single they put out an aside and a B-side which is Strawberry.
  • Anthology — Book · 4 mentions · first at
    Yeah., There's, a, great, clip,, I, think, it's in the anthology, where they're talking to a young guy at basically a teenager a kid at Sha Stadium, and they're trying to kind of the interviewer's trying to run them down a little bit.
  • The End — Book · 3 mentions · first at
    All hell is breaking loose. And the huge question for listeners is, will this finish the Beatles off? Is this the end of the Beatles? It's all hoting up. And I don't think I can take the tension right, now., I, need, a, bit, of a, breather.
  • Magical Mystery Tour — Book · 3 mentions · first at
    Managerial role, says, Well, why don't we go on a kind of groovy road trip around Britain? It could be a magical mystery tour.
  • Alice and Wonderland — Book · 2 mentions
  • The Family Way — Book · 1 mention · first at
    His, I, guess, it, was, a, government, issue, granny glasses. Yeah. And then Paul does the score for the Family Way. I think everyone takes a little bit of a bit, of, a, breather.
  • The Sound of Music — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
  • You Never Give Me Your Money — Book · 1 mention · first at
    That, [clears throat], I, find, the, most moving and the and well, it's sad but it's also triumphantly moving is You Never Give Me Your Money which, is, Paul, singing, about…
  • Carry That Weight — Book · 1 mention · first at
    They're off on a kind of journey. Oh you're going to carry that weight.
  • Her Majesty — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Her, Majesty.,, no,, not, Her, Majesty.
  • All Things Must Pass — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the constituent parts of the Beatles, but the Beatles as a band are.
  • Photograph — Book · 1 mention · first at
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the…
  • How I Won the War — Book · 1 mention

Companies & orgs

  • The Rolling Stones — Company · Mentioned as a comparison to The Beatles · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed in the context of music history and influence
    Conan O'Brien's podcast. and Conan asked us were we Beatles or Stones? I of course said Beatles. Dominic said Stones. And then said I am never going to talk about the Beatles again.
  • Apple Corps — Company · 3 mentions · first at
    Apple basically they're saying come in and rip us off and so loads of people do come and rip them off. And so they've got money problems as well as all the other issues that are going on. Tensions.
  • The Plastic Ono Band — Company · Referenced company · 1 mention · first at
    A band formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, marking a departure from The Beatles.
    He's, recorded, Give, Peace, a, Chance with the Plastic Ono band. So there's a sense there of John looking to a musical future after the Beatles and, with, Yoko, he, is, now, very, into, taking kind of radical positions on.
  • The Kinks — Company · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A contemporary band often compared to The Beatles.
    Yeah., Beatles, are, on, top,, then, the Rolling Stones, then the Who Kinks way at the bottom. Herman's Hermits, but now things are changing. You can arrest a Beatle. You can arrest a Beatle and charge them. So Paul, meanwhile, he is.
  • Herman's Hermits — Company · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A contemporary band often compared to The Beatles.
    Yeah., Beatles, are, on, top,, then, the Rolling Stones, then the Who Kinks way at the bottom. Herman's Hermits, but now things are changing. You can arrest a Beatle. You can…
  • The Plastic Ono Band — Company · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A band formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono after The Beatles.
    He's, recorded, Give, Peace, a, Chance with the Plastic Ono band. So there's a sense there of John looking to a musical future after the Beatles and, with, Yoko, he, is, now, very, into, taking kind of radical positions on.
  • Credence Clearwater Revival — Company · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A music group mentioned in comparison to The Beatles.
    And Let It Be was again the Beatles being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back stripping it down, going the other way.
  • Wings — Company · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A band formed by Paul McCartney after The Beatles.
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the constituent parts of the.
  • EMI — Company · 1 mention
    Yeah., Deca, famously,, you, know,, guitar groups are on their way out. But George Martin basically is the last port calls parophone at EMI and he says, Yeah okay. I'll I'll give them a go. But it's George Martin is still not.
  • The Quarrymen — Company · 1 mention
    Goofing around has you know that's been fundamental to the Beatles right from the very beginning you know right back to the days of the quarry man or whatever. What is slightly…
  • Apple Corps — Company · 3 mentions
  • The Ed Sullivan Show — Company · 2 mentions · first at
    Experiments in my head sometimes. What if the Beatles had been booked November 30th on the Ed Sullivan show? What if they had been booked in December? It's too soon. So, they…
  • Conan O'Brien's podcast — Company · 1 mention · first at
    With talking about the Beatles. And we were recently, the pair of us on Conan O'Brien's podcast. and Conan asked us were we Beatles or Stones? I of course said Beatles. Dominic…
  • The Goon Show — Company · 1 mention · first at
    So, George, Martin, hadn't, really, been, a music producer. He'd been a producer of a comedy show The Goon Show. and the Beatles really appreciate that. But it also means that George Martin can appreciate their zany mop top humor.
  • The Supremes — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Black groups and they talk about Smokeoky Robinson and the Miracles and they talk about the Supremes and they mention so many black musicians and acts. and it's not calculated.
  • Tate Modern — Company · 1 mention · first at
    She certainly creates strain in some of the recording sessions. So, I've I've actually been in a bag. The Tate Modern here in London did a show of Yoko's art two or three years…
  • The Who — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah., Beatles, are, on, top,, then, the Rolling Stones, then the Who Kinks way at the bottom. Herman's Hermits, but now things are changing. You can arrest a Beatle. You can arrest a Beatle and charge them. So Paul, meanwhile, he is.
  • Herman's Hermits — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah., Beatles, are, on, top,, then, the Rolling Stones, then the Who Kinks way at the bottom. Herman's Hermits, but now things are changing. You can arrest a Beatle. You can…
  • M Electronics — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Hello,, I'm, Alexis, from, M, Electronics., I would like to say hello to all my brothers around the world and to all the girls around the world and to all the electronic people around the world.
  • Apple Boutique — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Is all part and parcel of Magical Mystery Tour. Hey, how hard could it be to make a movie? the Apple Boutique, how hard could it be to make a shop and sell groovy clothes? Apple Music, how hard could it be to just get rid of.
  • Apple Music — Company · 1 mention · first at
    To make a movie? the Apple Boutique, how hard could it be to make a shop and sell groovy clothes? Apple Music, how hard could it be to just get rid of the, obstacles, and, let, groovy, people, be groovy?
  • Plastic Ono Band — Company · 1 mention · first at
    He's, recorded, Give, Peace, a, Chance with the Plastic Ono band. So there's a sense there of John looking to a musical future after the Beatles and, with, Yoko, he, is, now, very, into, taking kind of radical positions on.
  • The Band — Company · 1 mention · first at
    Being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back stripping it down, going the other way.
  • Plastic Band — Company · 1 mention · first at
    It's, starting, to, go, a, bit, plastic, band which is so that, can, be, good, too.
  • Creedence Clearwater Revival — Company · 1 mention
  • Decca — Company · 1 mention
  • Dion and the Belmonts — Company · 1 mention
  • EMI — Company · 1 mention
  • Johnny and the Moondogs — Company · 1 mention
  • Ku Klux Klan — Company · 1 mention
  • Parlophone — Company · 1 mention
  • Smokey Robinson and the Miracles — Company · 1 mention
  • The Everly Brothers — Company · 1 mention
  • The Kinks — Company · 1 mention
  • The Shirelles — Company · 1 mention
  • Vox — Company · 1 mention
  • Wings — Company · 1 mention

Products & tech

  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band — Product · Cultural milestone album referenced · 10 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a major Beatles album marking a creative peak; topic of debate around concept album status and cultural impact (summer of love).
  • Strawberry Fields Forever — Product · Single (A-side/B-side) referenced · 3 mentions · first at
    Discussed as one of the Beatles' greatest songs, released as part of a double A/B single with Penny Lane and emblematic of Sgt. Pepper era.
    Yeah,, I, think, Strawberry, Fields, Forever might be my favorite Beatles song.
  • Penny Lane — Product · Referenced work · 5 mentions · first at
    Penny Lane is another iconic song by The Beatles, mentioned alongside Strawberry Fields Forever.
    Achievement. I think without a doubt the greatest single the Beatles ever released. It's their first one for, eons not to become number one and it's kept off the top spot by Engelbert Humpedink.
  • Penny Lane — Product · Single (paired with Strawberry Fields) · 5 mentions · first at
    Discussed as the complementary A/B-side single to Strawberry Fields; location in Liverpool and musical features (trumpet) highlighted.
    But it is a transcendent achievement isn't it? And it takes them back to Liverpool. So, both of both Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields are locations in Liverpool.
  • Revolver — Product · Referenced work · 4 mentions · first at
    Revolver is highlighted as one of The Beatles' greatest albums, showcasing their studio innovation.
    Huge, fan, of, Revolver., Revolver, is, very interesting because the Beatles are now recording music that would be very difficult to perform live and live performance is a huge part of the.
  • The White Album — Product · Album referenced (double album) · 4 mentions · first at
    Discussed as the Beatles' (self-titled) double album created after the Maharishi period; tensions and wide-ranging songs noted.
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • Strawberry Fields Forever — Product · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    Strawberry Fields Forever is a significant song by The Beatles, discussed as part of their creative peak.
    Achievement. I think without a doubt the greatest single the Beatles ever released. It's their first one for, eons not to become number one and it's kept off the top spot by Engelbert Humpedink.
  • The White Album — Product · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    An album by The Beatles, discussed in the context of their musical evolution.
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • Hey Jude — Product · Referenced work · 3 mentions · first at
    A song by The Beatles, mentioned as one of their great singles.
    Said by that point, people thought well, the Beatles have had it. And then Hey Jude comes out and it's a massive hit. And there's this amazing account of how Paul has the the…
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band — Product · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    An album by The Beatles, mentioned as a significant work in their discography.
    George Martin famously says, Gentlemen you just made your first number one.
  • Let It Be — Product · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    Let It Be is one of The Beatles' albums mentioned in the podcast, discussed in the context of their final works.
    There's, great, songs, on, Let, It, Be, and, it and Let It Be was again the Beatles being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back.
  • Love Me Do — Product · Referenced work · 2 mentions · first at
    The Beatles' first single, discussed as a starting point in their career.
    And, so, their, first, single, Love, Me, Do comes out in Britain which is 17.
  • How I Won the War — Product · Film project (Paul McCartney involvement) · 1 mention · first at
    Referenced as a project John or Paul was involved with (How I Won the War is a film Paul McCartney acted in). Mentioned as Paul doing film/solo projects during Beatles downtime.
    His, I, guess, it, was, a, government, issue, granny glasses. Yeah. And then Paul does the score for the Family Way. I think everyone takes a little bit of a bit, of, a, breather.
  • Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds — Product · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A song by The Beatles, mentioned in the context of the summer of love and psychedelic influences.
    Particularly hate Ashbury as well as in kind of Carnaby Street and Swinging London. And there is a track on Sergeant Pepper called Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds which people…
  • The Plastic Ono Band — Product · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A band formed by John Lennon, mentioned in the context of his post-Beatles career.
    He's, recorded, Give, Peace, a, Chance with the Plastic Ono band. So there's a sense there of John looking to a musical future after the Beatles and, with, Yoko, he, is, now, very, into, taking kind of radical positions on.
  • Wings — Product · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A band formed by Paul McCartney, mentioned in the context of post-Beatles projects.
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the constituent parts of the.
  • All Things Must Pass — Product · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    An album by George Harrison, mentioned in the context of post-Beatles projects.
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the…
  • records — Product · 7 mentions · first at
    Exclusion of music that was coming out at the time. I was stubbornly just listening to Beatles records throughout the 70s. But later on once I had a TV show and became known I…
  • piano — Product · 2 mentions
  • Amphetamines — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Into a diamond and, they're, absolutely, off, their, faces on amphetamines.
  • Prellies — Product · 1 mention · first at
  • Jelly beans — Product · 1 mention · first at
    They start kind of pushing at cordons of policemen. And the Beatles have mentioned they like jelly beans. And so they start hurling jelly beans.
  • Marshmallow — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah., He, should, have, mentioned, George should have mentioned a softer treat maybe a marshmallow jelly, babies, perhaps., But, this, is, a, kind of explosion of public teenage female joy of a kind that no one has ever seen before.
  • Jelly babies — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Should have mentioned a softer treat maybe a marshmallow jelly, babies, perhaps., But, this, is, a, kind of explosion of public teenage female joy of a kind that no one has ever seen before.
  • Beatles wigs — Product · 1 mention · first at
    DJs there are inviting people to bring their records and their Beatles wigs and to kind of burn them. Don't forget to take your Beatle records and your Beatle paraphernalia to any one of our 14 pickup points in Birmingham, Alabama.
  • placards — Product · 1 mention · first at
    And, lots, of, people, are, kind, of, carrying around placards saying, Jesus died for your sins. John Lennon and the Klux Clan are getting in on the act. And it's a pretty menacing environment isn't it? And when the Beatles land in.
  • round glasses — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah., That's, where, he, starts, wearing, his round glasses.
  • bald cap wigs — Product · 1 mention · first at
    All of seven minutes setting up the scene with a piano and impromptu goofy masks and bald cap wigs that are just applied with no glue. but it's fun and it's them having fun and…
  • electric guitars — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Biggest stars on earth they go to a retreat, they, don't, bring, electric, guitars., They bring these acoustic guitars, I think these Martin guitars, and they sit around and there's quiet and peace and there's nothing to do except.
  • acoustic guitars — Product · 1 mention · first at
    Retreat, they, don't, bring, electric, guitars., They bring these acoustic guitars, I think these Martin guitars, and they sit around and there's quiet and peace and there's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and.
  • Martin guitars — Product · 1 mention · first at
    They, don't, bring, electric, guitars., They bring these acoustic guitars, I think these Martin guitars, and they sit around and there's quiet and peace and there's nothing to…
  • suitcase — Product · 1 mention · first at
    He, has, a, suitcase, filled, with, Hines baked beans because of his stomach.
  • cruise ship — Product · 1 mention · first at
    And, so, there, was, talk, about, doing them on a cruise ship or doing it in a Roman amphitheater in Africa. But, then, they, they, they, haven't, really got the energy for any of this. And so they decide that they will have a.
  • Country Gentleman (Gretsch model guitar) — Product · 1 mention
  • Heinz baked beans — Product · 1 mention
  • masks — Product · 1 mention
  • public address system — Product · 1 mention

Concepts & topics

  • The Beatles — Concept · Core topic · 81 mentions · first at
    The central subject of the podcast, discussing their historical significance, music, and cultural impact.
  • The Beatles — Musical Artist · Subject of discussion · 81 mentions · first at
    Central topic of the podcast episode, discussed in depth for their historical and cultural impact
    Easily., The, Beatles, are, a, complete, break with what happened before. They are singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, you.
  • The Beatles — Musical Group · Subject of the podcast discussion · 81 mentions · first at
    The central topic of the entire episode, discussing their history, cultural impact, and significance
  • The Beatles — Musical Group · Subject of discussion · 81 mentions · first at
    The Beatles are a historically significant musical group that influenced the 1960s and beyond.
    Easily., The, Beatles, are, a, complete, break with what happened before. They are singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, you.
  • The Beatles — Group · historical music group discussed in Beatles special · 81 mentions · first at
    Central subject of the transcript; key example of a historically significant band and cultural phenomenon of the 1960s
    Hello everyone and welcome to Abi Road Studios for a Rest is History Beatles special. Now I am afraid that Dominic isn't here because as regular listeners will know he disgraces himself by not.
  • The Beatles — Music Band · Subject of discussion · 81 mentions · first at
    Central topic of the podcast episode
    Hello everyone and welcome to Abi Road Studios for a Rest is History Beatles special. Now I am afraid that Dominic isn't here because as regular listeners will know he disgraces himself by not.
  • Sergeant Pepper — Concept · Core topic · 11 mentions · first at
    One of The Beatles' most famous albums, discussed for its impact and innovation.
  • Revolver — Concept · Key argument · 5 mentions · first at
    Highlighted as one of The Beatles' greatest albums, showcasing their studio innovation.
    Huge, fan, of, Revolver., Revolver, is, very interesting because the Beatles are now recording music that would be very difficult to perform live and live performance is a huge part of the.
  • Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band — Concept · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    An album by The Beatles, discussed for its cultural impact.
    Remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band — Concept · Key argument · 1 mention · first at
    Discussed as a pivotal album in The Beatles' career and a cultural milestone of the 1960s.
    Remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
  • Abbey Road — Concept · Core topic · 7 mentions · first at
    The Beatles' iconic album, known for its cover and music.
    So when I got the opportunity to do a Beatles podcast here in Abbey Road, I thought, well, who can I get to replace Dominic? Who can be Denny Lane to my Paul McCartney? and so I thought well, Conan O'Brien and Conan, here you.
  • Revolver — Concept · Core topic · 4 mentions · first at
    A groundbreaking album by The Beatles, noted for its experimental sound.
    On the tour that will bring them to America and all the Jesus kathuffle they have recorded an album that many now see as their greatest album Revolver.
  • The White Album — Concept · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at
    A double album by The Beatles, known for its diversity and experimentation.
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • The White Album — Album · Mentioned work · 3 mentions · first at
    Part of Beatles' discography discussed
    A Beatles fan in the 70s to the exclusion of music that was coming out at the time. I was stubbornly just listening to Beatles records throughout the 70s. But later on once I…
  • Penny Lane — Concept · Core topic · 5 mentions · first at
    A song by The Beatles, noted for its nostalgic lyrics.
    Massive kind of musical monuments. The first double aside Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane.
  • Strawberry Fields Forever — Concept · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at
    A song by The Beatles, known for its psychedelic sound.
    Yeah,, I, think, Strawberry, Fields, Forever might be my favorite Beatles song.
  • Magical Mystery Tour — Concept · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at
    Album and film by The Beatles, discussed for its experimental nature.
    I, love, the, video, they, made, in, Magical Mystery Tour for I am the Walrus. They seem to be at some kind of military complex and it looks like they spent all of seven minutes setting up the.
  • Hey Jude — Concept · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at
    One of The Beatles' most famous songs, discussed for its creation and impact.
    Said by that point, people thought well, the Beatles have had it. And then Hey Jude comes out and it's a massive hit. And there's this amazing account of how Paul has the the…
  • A Day in the Life — Concept · Core topic · 1 mention · first at
    Song by The Beatles, noted for its orchestral climax.
    I, mean,, the, only, track, I, think, that transcends it is A Day in the Life which is the last song on Sergeant Pepper and perfectly fuses the best of John and Paul. Yeah. and is designed.
  • Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds — Concept · Core topic · 1 mention · first at
    Song by The Beatles, noted for its psychedelic imagery.
    Kind of Carnaby Street and Swinging London. And there is a track on Sergeant Pepper called Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds which people point out well the initials of that song…
  • I Am the Walrus — Concept · Core topic · 1 mention · first at
    Song by The Beatles, noted for its surreal lyrics.
    I, love, the, video, they, made, in, Magical Mystery Tour for I am the Walrus. They seem to be at some kind of military complex and it looks like they spent all of seven minutes setting up the.
  • Let It Be — Concept · Core topic · 1 mention · first at
    The Beatles' final album, discussed for its production and reception.
    There's, great, songs, on, Let, It, Be, and, it and Let It Be was again the Beatles being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back.
  • Let It Be — Concept · Key argument · 1 mention · first at
    An album by The Beatles, discussed in the context of their breakup and final works.
    And again, I don't think Let It Be should have been the last album. It's such a downer, isn't it? Compared to Yeah.
  • The Rolling Stones — Concept · Cultural reference · 3 mentions · first at
    Mentioned in the context of music preferences between the Beatles and the Stones.
    Conan O'Brien's podcast. and Conan asked us were we Beatles or Stones? I of course said Beatles. Dominic said Stones. And then said I am never going to talk about the Beatles again.
  • The White Album — Concept · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at
    Double album by The Beatles, discussed for its diverse musical styles.
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • The Rolling Stones — Musical Group · Musical comparison/contrast to Beatles · 2 mentions · first at
    Presented as the alternative to liking the Beatles in the host's discussion
    With talking about the Beatles. And we were recently, the pair of us on Conan O'Brien's podcast. and Conan asked us were we Beatles or Stones? I of course said Beatles. Dominic…
  • The Rolling Stones — Music Band · Comparative reference · 2 mentions · first at
    Contrasted with The Beatles in discussion
    Will know he disgraces himself by not liking John Lennon and also being fed up with talking about the Beatles. And we were recently, the pair of us on Conan O'Brien's podcast.…
  • The Plastic Ono Band — Concept · Referenced concept · 1 mention · first at
    A musical project by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, mentioned in the context of post-Beatles work.
    He's, recorded, Give, Peace, a, Chance with the Plastic Ono band. So there's a sense there of John looking to a musical future after the Beatles and, with, Yoko, he, is, now, very, into, taking kind of radical positions on.
  • The Goon Show — Show · Mentioned as a reference to comedy programs · 1 mention · first at
    Relevant to the discussion of entertainment and cultural impact
    So, George, Martin, hadn't, really, been, a music producer. He'd been a producer of a comedy show The Goon Show. and the Beatles really appreciate that. But it also means that George Martin can appreciate their zany mop top humor.
  • The Supremes — Music Group · Mentioned as a significant music group · 1 mention · first at
    Relevant to the discussion of influential music acts
    Black groups and they talk about Smokeoky Robinson and the Miracles and they talk about the Supremes and they mention so many black musicians and acts. and it's not calculated.
  • The Band — Musical Artist · Mentioned in comparison · 1 mention · first at
    Referenced in the context of musical groups and their dynamics, contrasting with The Beatles' approach
    Singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, there's the lead and then there's the rest of the group.…
  • Photograph Ringo's great hit — Concept · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    A song by Ringo Starr, mentioned in the context of post-Beatles projects.
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the constituent parts of the.
  • The Quarrymen — Musical Group · Precursor group · 1 mention
    Early incarnation featuring John Lennon
    Dion and the Belellmonts. There was a lot of pressure for them to have a leader. I think briefly they were Johnny and the Moon Dogs very briefly, but they always knew no, it's it's we're a group.
  • The Who — Music Band · Comparative reference · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned in context of musical groups
    Singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, there's the lead and then there's the rest of the group.…
  • The Who — Musical Group · Contemporary British band reference · 1 mention · first at
    Part of the British music scene contemporary to the Beatles
    With what happened before. They are singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, there's the lead and…
  • The Band — Musical Group · Musical group reference · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned in the context of musical groups and their structure
    Singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, there's the lead and then there's the rest of the group.…
  • The Band — Music Band · Comparative reference · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned in context of musical groups
    Singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, there's the lead and then there's the rest of the group.…
  • All Things Must Pass — Concept · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at
    An album by George Harrison, mentioned in the context of post-Beatles projects.
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the constituent parts of the Beatles, but the Beatles as a band are.
  • Photograph — Concept · 1 mention · first at
    Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the…
  • The Kinks — Musical Group · Contemporary British band reference · 1 mention
    Part of the British music scene contemporary to the Beatles
    With what happened before. They are singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, there's the lead and…

Places & events

  • Abbey Road — Place · Setting / iconic studio reference · 6 mentions · first at
    Setting for the episode recording (Abbey Road Studios) and discussed in relation to the Abbey Road album and cover (zebra crossing).
    Glorious harra isn't there and [clears throat], we, are, sat, here, in, Abby Road. Yeah. I embarrassed you, but I also embarrassed myself by getting you to pose on the Zebra…
  • Liverpool — Place · Setting · 10 mentions · first at
    The hometown of The Beatles, significant in their early development.
    Because, Liverpool, is, a, port, that, is, open to the Atlantic and ships are there still transport records are being brought over in ships and so they come to the port and the Beatles can access.
  • The Ed Sullivan Show — Event · Referenced event · 3 mentions · first at
    A pivotal moment in The Beatles' career when they performed in the US, gaining massive popularity.
    Of the story, doesn't it? And it is present when the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show. Yeah. And that show, I think, is still the second most viewed program in US history.
  • Hamburg — Place · Setting · 8 mentions · first at
    A city where The Beatles performed early in their career, shaping their sound.
    And, Hamburg, equally, I, mean, maybe, even more than Liverpool is obviously a city marked by the experience of the Second World War. The British had flattened it. And of course there were people.
  • Barnes / Bangor — Place · Referenced location (Bangor retreat) · 4 mentions
    Bangor (Wales) referenced as the site where Beatles met the Maharishi; transcript shows 'Barnes / Bangor' ambiguity but context is Bangor (Wales).
    Of, course,, Cynthia, misses, the, train, which is very symbolic. And also symbolic is the fact that while they're in Bangor, they get terrible news, which is that Brian…
  • Saturday Night Live — Event · Referenced event · 2 mentions · first at
    A show where George Harrison made an appearance, mentioned in the context of Beatles' interactions.
    That it's it's an album that is taking wing after you thought that the feathers were tred forever. I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the Saturday Night Live 50th and…
  • Tammy Lane / Penny Lane — Place · Referenced location / origin of song name · 5 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a Liverpool location (Penny Lane) referenced alongside the song; transcript shows some uncertainty on naming (Tammy Lane).
    But it is a transcendent achievement isn't it? And it takes them back to Liverpool. So, both of both Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields are locations in Liverpool.
  • Second World War — Event · Referenced expert · 3 mentions · first at
    A historical event that influenced The Beatles' upbringing.
    Well,, also, the, war, has, been, a, very different experience.
  • The Cavern — Place · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A club in Liverpool where The Beatles performed early in their career.
    Had this education and they've been transmuted. They got their leather and they're down in the cavern and the ceiling is dripping sweat from excited girls who were there in…
  • The Summer of Love — Event · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A cultural event in 1967 associated with The Beatles' music.
    From 1966 into 1967 this, will, become, very, apparent, because 1967, will, be, famous, for, the, summer, of love.
  • The Blitz — Event · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A historical event that influenced The Beatles' upbringing.
    Damage And as you say, the Beatles are born in the Warriors. John is born during the Blitz on Liverpool.
  • The Royal Variety Show — Event · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A performance venue where The Beatles played.
    And, they you, know, they, famously, they, they, play, at the Royal Variety Show and John has his witty quip. For our last number, I'd like to ask your help.
  • The Civil Rights Movement — Event · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A historical event that influenced The Beatles' activism.
    The question of will they play in segregated stadiums because that is still very much a thing. Civil rights movement is still ongoing. and the Beatles are absolutely forthright about this and they will not play and they managed to force.
  • The Manila Hotel — Place · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A hotel where The Beatles stayed during their tour in the Philippines.
    Yes., I, was, just, there., I, was, just, in, the Philippines and I went to the Manila Hotel, which is where the Beatles stayed.
  • The Vietnam War — Event · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A historical event that influenced The Beatles' activism.
    Cultural rupture that is going on in the '60s between an increasingly kind of countercultural take on religion and the Vietnam War and a kind of host of issues and a kind of a…
  • The Tate Modern — Place · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A museum where Yoko Ono's art was exhibited.
    She certainly creates strain in some of the recording sessions. So, I've I've actually been in a bag. The Tate Modern here in London did a show of Yoko's art two or three years…
  • United States (US) — Place · 10 mentions
  • Hamburg — Place · 8 mentions · first at
    [clears throat], life, but, at, the, time, the drummer. And so they all go off to Hamburg.
  • Abbey Road Studios — Place · 6 mentions
  • Bible Belt — Place · 3 mentions · first at
    Really pays any attention to it. But then there are people in the Bible belt in America who are not keen on the Beatles see sees the Beatles long hair as satanic. some of them…
  • The Cavern Club — Place · 3 mentions
  • Haight-Ashbury — Place · 2 mentions
  • pub — Place · 2 mentions
  • Savile Row — Place · 2 mentions
  • Wales — Place · 2 mentions
  • Walton fete — Place · 2 mentions
  • France — Place · 1 mention · first at
    After existentialists and kind of France is the great influence and, in, due, course, it's, Astroisha, who will give the Beatles their kind of signature mop top cuts which is.
  • Manila Hotel — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Yes., I, was, just, there., I, was, just, in, the Philippines and I went to the Manila Hotel, which is where the Beatles stayed.
  • Carnaby Street — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Are taking place in San Francisco particularly hate Ashbury as well as in kind of Carnaby Street and Swinging London. And there is a track on Sergeant Pepper called Lucy in the…
  • Bangor — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Which is very symbolic. And also symbolic is the fact that while they're in Bangor, they get terrible news, which is that Brian Epstein, their manager, the guy who had shaped…
  • Blackpool — Place · 1 mention · first at
    And again, it's this kind of idea of traditional British culture that you get on a bus and you go off to Blackpool or something combined with people claiming to be walruses and…
  • military complex — Place · 1 mention · first at
    I, love, the, video, they, made, in, Magical Mystery Tour for I am the Walrus. They seem to be at some kind of military complex and it looks like they spent all of seven…
  • Himalayas — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Idea of very earnestly going off and getting enlightenment in the Himalayas which is what then happens early in 1968 isn't it? and the Maharishi reappears because he's got a…
  • Wadebridge — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Keeping the Beatles on track. and his response to John's breakup with Cynthia is to drive down to Wadebridge from London to see Cynthia and John and Cynthia's son Julian and, he, writes, one, of, the, great, Beatles singles.
  • Roman amphitheater in Africa — Place · 1 mention · first at
    And, so, there, was, talk, about, doing them on a cruise ship or doing it in a Roman amphitheater in Africa. But, then, they, they, they, haven't, really got the energy for any…
  • Ryzak 7 — Place · 1 mention · first at
    Well,, us, off, to, a, colony, on, Ryzak, 7.
  • Arnhem — Place · 1 mention
  • JFK Airport — Place · 1 mention
  • Jibraltar (Gibraltar) — Place · 1 mention
  • London (city) — Place · 1 mention

Media & podcasts

  • The White Album — Media · Beatles album mentioned in context · 3 mentions · first at
    Referenced as part of the Beatles' discography and cultural impact
    A Beatles fan in the 70s to the exclusion of music that was coming out at the time. I was stubbornly just listening to Beatles records throughout the 70s. But later on once I…
  • Get Back — Media · Core topic · 6 mentions · first at
    A documentary about The Beatles' recording sessions, discussed for its insights.
    They get back that, they, they, get, back, to, kind, of, be you know doing live shows the footage that got taken of the of those sessions which were kind of often seen as being very difficult and troubled Peter Jackson kind of took the.
  • The Beatles Hey Jude — Media · Referenced expert · 3 mentions · first at
    A film or documentary related to The Beatles' Hey Jude song.
    Of the kind of examples of Beatles magic that you're just sitting in a pub and suddenly Paul McCartney walks in and plays Hey Jude for you. that sense that magic is still there…
  • The Beatles Sergeant Pepper — Media · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A film or documentary related to The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album.
    Remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
  • The Beatles White Album — Media · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A film or documentary related to The Beatles' White Album.
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • The Beatles Revolver — Media · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A film or documentary related to The Beatles' Revolver album.
    On the tour that will bring them to America and all the Jesus kathuffle they have recorded an album that many now see as their greatest album Revolver.
  • The Beatles Get Back — Media · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A documentary about The Beatles' final recording sessions.
    They get back that, they, they, get, back, to, kind, of, be you know doing live shows the footage that got taken of the of those sessions which were kind of often seen as being very difficult and troubled Peter Jackson kind of took the.
  • The Beatles Abby Road — Media · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A film or documentary related to The Beatles' Abbey Road album.
    All over but then there is one last glorious harra isn't there and [clears throat], we, are, sat, here, in, Abby Road. Yeah. I embarrassed you, but I also embarrassed myself by…
  • The Beatles Let It Be — Media · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A film documenting The Beatles' final recording sessions.
    There's, great, songs, on, Let, It, Be, and, it and Let It Be was again the Beatles being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back.
  • The Anthology — Media · Referenced expert · 4 mentions · first at
    A documentary series about The Beatles, discussed for its footage.
    He's the best possible drummer for the Beatles. Yeah. And actually, so there's the footage that you can see in the background is from a new version of the anthology documentary series out on Disney.
  • The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour — Media · Referenced expert · 4 mentions
    A film by The Beatles, known for its surreal and experimental style.
    On a bus and you go off to Blackpool or something combined with people claiming to be walruses and such like. So, it's a kind of fusion of the psychedelic and the kind of seaside, but it's an absolute disaster.
  • The Ed Sullivan Show — Media · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A TV show where The Beatles made their famous American debut.
    Of the story, doesn't it? And it is present when the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show. Yeah. And that show, I think, is still the second most viewed program in US history.
  • The Rest is History — Media · Host · 2 mentions · first at
    The podcast itself, hosting the discussion about The Beatles.
    Well,, next, time, it'll, be, just, Dominic and we'll be doing Beards of the Civil War.
  • The Beatles Anthology — Media · Referenced expert · 11 mentions
    A documentary series about The Beatles, discussed for its insights.
    He's the best possible drummer for the Beatles. Yeah. And actually, so there's the footage that you can see in the background is from a new version of the anthology documentary series out on Disney.
  • Saturday Night Live — Media · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at
    A TV show where George Harrison once appeared.
    That it's it's an album that is taking wing after you thought that the feathers were tred forever. I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the Saturday Night Live 50th and…
  • Saturday Night Live — Media · 2 mentions · first at
    That it's it's an album that is taking wing after you thought that the feathers were tred forever. I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the Saturday Night Live 50th and…
  • The Beatles: Get Back — Media · 2 mentions
    They get back that, they, they, get, back, to, kind, of, be you know doing live shows the footage that got taken of the of those sessions which were kind of often seen as being very difficult and troubled Peter Jackson kind of took the.
  • The Goon Show (radio comedy series) — Media · Cultural reference · 1 mention
    Clarified as a specific type of media to avoid ambiguity.
  • The Goon Show — Media · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A comedy show that influenced The Beatles and George Martin.
    So, George, Martin, hadn't, really, been, a music producer. He'd been a producer of a comedy show The Goon Show. and the Beatles really appreciate that. But it also means that George Martin can.
  • The Beatles: Penny Lane — Media · 1 mention · first at
    Massive kind of musical monuments. The first double aside Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane.
  • The Beatles: Strawberry Fields Forever — Media · 1 mention · first at
    Massive kind of musical monuments. The first double aside Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane.
  • The Beatles: Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band — Media · 1 mention · first at
    There beneath the blue suburban skies I said. [singing] and then their album Sergeant Peppa.
  • The Sound of Music — Media · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at
    A musical film that outsold Sergeant Pepper in 1967.
    Remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.
  • The Beatles: The White Album — Media · 1 mention · first at
    There's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment…
  • The Beatles: Herman's Hermits — Media · 1 mention · first at
    Yeah., Beatles, are, on, top,, then, the Rolling Stones, then the Who Kinks way at the bottom. Herman's Hermits, but now things are changing. You can arrest a Beatle. You can…
  • The Beatles: Hey Jude — Media · 1 mention · first at
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    Goofing around has you know that's been fundamental to the Beatles right from the very beginning you know right back to the days of the quarry man or whatever. What is slightly…
  • The Beatles: The Who — Media · 1 mention
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Full transcript with timestamps

Hello everyone and welcome to Abi Road Studios for a Rest is History Beatles special. Now I am afraid that Dominic isn't here because as regular listeners will know he disgraces himself by not liking John Lennon and also being fed up with talking about the Beatles. And we were recently, the pair of us on um Conan O'Brien's podcast. Uh and Conan asked us were we Beatles or Stones? I of course said Beatles. Dominic said Stones. And then said um I am never going to talk about the Beatles again. So when I got the opportunity to do a Beatles podcast here in Abbey Road, I thought, well, who can I get to replace Dominic? Who can be Denny Lane to my Paul McCartney? Um, and so I thought well, Conan O'Brien and Conan, here you are, in, Abby, Road., [clears throat]

I, just, flew, 35,000, miles, to, be, called Denny Lane to your Paul McCartney and I accept it. It's a high honor.

Thank, you, so, much, for, joining, us, because when we met in LA, um, you were talking about how you two are a massive Beatles fan, but more than that, you talked about how you've actually met

George, and, Paul, and, Ringo. Yeah., Yeah., I, was, lucky, enough, to, meet three of the four Beatles. Uh John died when I was in high school. Um but I was a Beatles fan in the 70s to the exclusion of music that was coming out at the time. I was stubbornly just listening to Beatles records throughout the 70s. But later on once I had a TV show and became known uh I was lucky to meet three of them which was really special. I met George when I was a writer at Saturday Night Live and uh he was meeting with Lauren Michaels who's a producer. They had gone out for drinks and then there's a writer room at Saturday Night Live and George came in.

I'll never forget he apologized initially cuz he had been drinking some quantity of uh liquor. So he said, "I'm sorry. I'm pissed as a noot." and he was kind of bobbing from shoe to shoe. He asked why we were all staring at him. Uh me being a Beatles geek, I had in my office the same Makeod model year Country Gentleman that George played uh in the 64 tour. And I thought about going and getting it and showing it to him, but I thought, "No, he's not in a condition to appreciate that, so he'll probably hit me with it." And then uh George sat down at a piano and started to play which was lovely.

And, what, was, he, playing? He, was, just, playing, around, chords., He wasn't playing a song.

So, not, My, guitar, gently, weeps,, right? No,, it, wasn't, what, you, think., And, you're Hollywood would make it a full rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. It was not.

So, you, were, listening, to, a, Beatle, play the piano. I, was, listening, to, a, Beatle, play, the piano. And I've also been lucky enough to be uh in a room where Paul was playing guitar and it was just a guitar that uh was in the room. So he's left-handed. He was just playing it upside down and backwards. And I said I said, "How do you do that? Where did you learn to do that?" and he said to me back in the day when we were starting out um I had to because the only other way to play it would be to retune John's guitar and he would have crippled me. I can't believe that you've you've you've had these experiences cuz the closest that I have come to meeting a Beatle was via my wife Sadi who when she was three was in a queue with her parents for a visa to America and Paul was standing behind her picked her up. I was in that queue as well.

So,, we, got, you, beat, at, every, turn., God. So,, you're, huge, Beatles, fan.

Yeah. As, am, I., But, there, are,, of, course, skeptics out there. Dominic being one of them.

Yes. So,, I, guess, the, question,, we're, a history podcaster rather than a music podcast. And so, we need to make the case that the Beatles are historically significant. Uh, is that a case you think that can be made?

Easily., The, Beatles, are, a, complete, break with what happened before. They are singer songwriters. They wrote their own music. There are so many ways that they depart. So many groups at the time, you know, there's the lead and then there's the rest of the group. It's, you know Dion and the Belellmonts. There was uh a lot of pressure for them to have a leader. I think briefly they were Johnny and the Moon Dogs very briefly, but they always knew no, it's it's we're a group. It's

this, kind, of, synergy, of, it. Yeah., and, that, was, unusual, at, the, time. So, they're a break with pretty much everything that comes before them and they're as relevant today as they were in 1964 because obviously there have been um acts that have been massive in their own time and then slightly have started to fade. But I guess you could say that the Beatles have endured long enough and remain massive enough that you can say that people will probably be listening to them in decades times maybe in centuries time.

Yeah., There's, a, great, clip,, I, think, it's in the anthology, where they're talking to a young guy at basically a teenager a kid at Sha Stadium, and they're trying to kind of the interviewer's trying to run them down a little bit

and, uh, and, and, this, kid, says, "I, love, them." Yeah., And, he, just, says,, "They're incredible musicians." And uh he more or less makes the case there in 1965 or six that we're going to be listening to their music forever. They are, I think, the bestselling musical act of all time. I mean, every statistic that they generate is off the scale. Um, I guess the case I would make and why I think they're historically significant is because in a way they are lightning rods for so much that makes the 60s a revolutionary decade. And I think that in all kinds of ways in the 21st century, we're living in the aftermath of what happened in the '60s, right? uh rather like people in the 16th century were living in the aftermath of what had happened in the 1520s. It's I think the the transformation the cultural the ethical transformation is on that scale.

Yes. And the Beatles are both kind of symbols of it but they're also vectors of it.

Yeah., I, mean, the, Beatles, themselves, knew that they weren't creating all this change. Sometimes they were just the avatar that could represent the change. And I think they were pretty sane. I mean, another group with that kind of fame would have said, "We did all this. We changed humankind forever."

They, knew, that,, of, course,, that, wasn't the case, but they were the perfect representation of what was happening. And they did drive and give credence to a lot of amazing changes that were happening. And I think also I mean just just to begin they do have their roots in kind of quite the, [clears throat], the, decades, that, ex before they were born. So which would include the war years but going back into the 30s and even back into the 20s. So um

John, was, a, big, fan, of, just, William., I don't know is that a thing in America? Probably not. But it's kind of stories of of of this kind of raggedy school boy and he has a gang of outlaws and John was obsessed by it. And Paul's dad, you know, he he he kind of played all kinds of old traditional English music. And the influence of that of of that in on the Beatles tracks is kind of really evident.

And, also,, I, think, it's, interesting, that they meet um John and Paul meet at a church fate. Neither of them were in any way religious, but it's a reminder that the the world of England in the 50s is still one where, you know, you want to be a skiffl band, you still have to go and do it at a church fate because there isn't really anywhere else to have that kind of fun.

That's, the, only, gig, in, town, really. Yeah. So, no, they come from a friend of mine said once, uh, Jimmy Vino, my my my band leader said, "The Beatles single-handedly brought us from black and white to color," which I thought was an interesting way to look at it, which is they come from this very old tradition.

Yeah. And, they're, well, schooled, in, English music hall big, band,, they're, swinging, and, all, that.

They, have, big, ears., They're, listening and hearing everything. and soaking it all up and um later on it all comes out in the music. But obviously one of the things that they are listening to and are able to listen to perhaps in a way that lots of people uh elsewhere in England can't is the sounds of America.

Yeah. Because, Liverpool, is, a, port, that, is, open to the Atlantic and ships are there still transport records are being brought over in ships and so they come to the port and the Beatles can access them.

Yeah., They, can, get, Elvis,, Jean, Vincent, Buddy Holly and, black, music. Yeah.

Which, is, all,, you, know,, they, they, love all that. Yes. So,, um,, when, John, and, Paul, meet, at, this, um, this church fate

the, Walton, fet,, the, Walton, fate,, John, is singing a DWOP song, Come Go With Me.

Yeah. And, he, doesn't, know, the, lyrics., And, Paul doesn't know the lyrics either, but he knows the lyrics well enough to know that John can't remember them.

Yeah. But, the, fact, that, they, both, know, the song is like a kind of Masonic handshake between them. It's a sign that they have access to a kind of secret information.

They, are, familiar, with, American, music. And so the kind of the potential, the excitement, the drama of what is happening in America. You know, you said that um the Beatles introduced color but I think for the future Beatles 1950s England is a monochrome country and America is vibrant technicolor.

Well,, also, the, war, has, been, a, very different experience. I, don't, need, to, tell, you

for, people, uh, living, in, England,, uh they've been bombed. They've seen their cities destroyed. Uh they've paid a terrible price. There's still rationing. There's still war rationing. So, they're growing up. uh in a world where people are coming out of a a days and there's been a lot of privation there's been a lot of difficulty I also got into the Beatles, in, the, ' 70s

and, when, I, look, back, at, the, 60s, they, the ' 60s, seemed, an, impossible, distance, from the second world war but now you think I mean it's only 20 years

20, years, I, mean, it's, so, close, and, when the Beatles are growing up they are in a city that is cratered with kind of bomb damage And as you say, you know, the Beatles are born in the Warriors. John is is born during the Blitz on Liverpool.

So, George, joins, John, and, Paul, and, they get joined by St. Paul., Paul's, the, one, who, knows, George, doesn't he?

Introduces, him, and, he, plays, Ronyie. Yeah. On, the, top, of, a, double-decker, bus.

Yeah., And, that's, enough. That's, enough. You're, in., Yeah. And, then, um, John's, art, school, friend Steu Suckliffe um wins a prize for his art and spends it on a guitar. Well John bullies him into I don't know what he it was 80 pounds or 100 pounds or something. He bullies him into buying a bass, which Stu never really learns to play. But he's a cool looking guy.

He, is. And, I, think, that's, an, early, sign, that yes, the music's important, but

the, image, is who, we, are,, what, we, represent,, and, Stu is an artist. And Paul doesn't love this. M

he, really, doesn't, like, Stu, coming, in because he can't play and and I think he's very close to John which may have been a problem for Paul.

Yes., Uh, and, also, there's, Pete, Best. Yeah. A, top, hairdresser, in, later [clears throat], life, but, at, the, time, the drummer. And so they all go off to Hamburg.

And, Hamburg, equally, I, mean, maybe, even more than Liverpool is obviously a city marked by the experience of the Second World War. The British had had flattened it. And of course there were people there who had lived through the Nazi period. And it's always struck me that one of the things that is interesting about Hamburg in the Nazi period is that it's kind of notorious among the Nazi leadership for the enthusiasm of the young people who live there for American and English jazz and swing. And it's a kind of rebellion against the ideals of the Hitler youth and all of that. and they grow their hair and they listen to jazz and they're particularly into black music and this is a kind you know obviously I mean it's the anathema to everything that Nazism represents

and, when, um, when, the, Beatles, meet, Astred Kisha and Klaus Foreman who are kind of middle-class intellectual Germans who are ashamed of the Nazi legacy and therefore are heirs to that tradition of seeing British and American music as something that is expressive of freedom and of opposition to Nazism. That's kind of one of the reasons why why they all end up getting on so well. Well, they're also they're Bohemians. They're artists and outsiders looking in. And I think that's very attractive.

Yeah. To, John, and, Paul, especially, and, George. They they really like these people. They become good friends. and they're very much influenced by them.

John, calls, them, um, exes,, doesn't, he? After existentialists and kind of France is the great influence

and, in, due, course, it's, Astroisha, who will give the Beatles their kind of signature mop top cuts which is influenced by these kind of bohem European bohemian ideals. But just to reiterate, I mean this is ultimately a kind of reaction against what the Nazis had represented and that kind of tradition. So, there is a case for saying that the mop top is a kind of anti-Nazi haircut. Do you think that's maybe going too far?

I, think, you, pushed, it, way, too, far., Uh, now I'm listening to all the early Beatles hits as anti-Hitler anthems.

I, do, agree, with, you, that, there, is clearly, and John said this uh,, Hamburg, made, them., You, know,, going to Hamburg made them because as Malcolm Gladwell pointed out, they had to do their 10,000 hours. It always changes. I need a billion hours myself, but it changes them. The volume of work they have to do is incredible. They also need to entertain those crowds. And they get very good at that. They get very good at winning, getting people from peeking in the door to coming in to buying drinks. They do it allow.

Yeah., Makshow., They, do, it, with, the strength of their personalities and with their music. And they they get honed into a a diamond

and, they're, absolutely, off, their, faces on amphetamines. Prellies. Yeah. Yeah., Uh, they're, on, these, uh, pills, that enable them to play and play and play and play.

But, you, can, keep, them., [singing] That's, what, I,, want., That's, what I want.

That's, what, I, want. That's, what, I, want. They're, living, in, I, I, think, they, share, a wall with the theater

so, they're, they're, living, in, conditions that aren't safe. Isn't, that, where, George, loses, his virginity and all the Beatles are kind of on bunks watching him or whatever. I mean, it's all very

Yeah. Um, yeah., quite, squalid, but, kind, of, quite but properly rock and roll at a time when in America and England still more so the music is kind of stopping being quite so rock and roll.

Yeah., I, mean, there's, this, period, you know I think Chuck Barry uh is is uh violates the man act and uh has to be I I think he goes to jail or is it's a scandal. Yeah. Uh Jerry Lee Lewis has his scandal.

Uh, Buddy, Holly, dies, and, then, you, have big the, big, bopper, and, um, and, Richie, Valins. You

and, Elvis, gets, drafted, of, course Elvis, gets, drafted which, the, Beatles, very, narrowly, avoid because national service which is a thing, here, in, England, in, the, ' 50s, and it gets stopped just before they you know they would have become eligible for it.

And, we, would, all, agree, that, the, Beatles would not have done well in national service. you would not have been good. Well, because because they it's kind of interesting that when they're driving out to Hamburg for the first time, they go past Arnum, which is a bridge too far, kind of disastrous British lose, lots of people there. And the story is is that John refuses to get out of the van and go and look at the graves. And already perhaps a sense there that war in its totality is something to be rejected. And that of course will become a massive theme for John's music and ide

although, apparently, when, he's, on, the stage in uh in Hamburg he's always shouting out in English you know crowds we beat you in the war kind of stuff. So so it's a as always with the Beatles it's never there's always a kind of creative tension.

Yeah., John, uh, even, then, is, walking, that line between he's goating thugs uh in a Hamburg crowd to attack him and then relying on security to handle it or a bouncer or someone um walking that line between I dare you to hit me and uh I think the um quite a few of the bouncers only kind of had one arm or one leg or whatever because they were kind of maimed in the war. So

yeah,, quite, a, quite, um, I, mean, quite, a crucible I guess and explains a lot about the kind of band that the Beatles in Due course became. You know, they come back from Hamburg, they go back to Hamburg, then they come back Liverpool again. And by this point, so 1961, 1962 they're starting to establish themselves as the biggest name in Liverpool. When they come back to Liverpool, there are people who think that they're a German band because they hear that they've come from Hamburg. So, and they're so polished. I mean, they're they're a completely different act. Um, I think on the scene in Liverpool, there were bands that didn't take them seriously. Then they come back from Hamburg and they've had this education and they've been transmuted. They got their leather and they're down in in the cavern and the um the ceiling is dripping sweat from excited girls who were there in their lunch hour. Um, and it's very fetted and

exciting and rock and roll. And it is on the 9th of November 1961 that a key figure in the story of the Beatles finds his way down the steps into the cavern. And that of course is Brian Epstein.

Yeah., You, know,, when, the, colonel, finds Elvis, the colonel is very well established as a guy who could take over Elvis's contract, it should be pointed out that Brian Epstein is not that figure. He's working at, I believe, his family's record, record shop.

He's, never, managed, anybody., No., Um,, and he sees this group that really just fascinates him

and, in, particularly, John. Particularly, John, because, Brian, is, gay. Yep. And, he, definitely,, I, think,, has, a, thing for John, doesn't he? Yeah.

Um,, but, he, kind, of, immediately picks up on the fact that this band is amazing and decides that he is going to try and get them a record contract. And although he's never managed anyone, he does kind of have links with the music industry. and he's middle class as opposed to um the Beatles. So workingass and in England in the early 60s that is massively important and it means that he can make contact with other middle-class people among whom is uh a producer here in Abbey Road called George Martin.

Mhm. Um, and, so, famously, the, Brandstein, hawks the Beatles around all kinds of record companies and you know they turn him down.

Yeah., Deca, famously,, you, know,, guitar groups are on their way out. But George Martin basically is the last port calls parophone at EMI and he says, "Yeah okay. I'll I'll give them a go." But it's um George Martin is still not [snorts] entirely convinced, is he?

No,, he's, not., One, point, I, would, make, I think should be made is that in addition to all of their amazing qualities the Beatles have uh insane luck. They have incredible luck because many people might have approached them and said, "I think I could represent you." Brian Epstein is unusual. He's someone who really loves them for them.

He's, someone, who, really, respects, them, as artists and he wants to take care of them. Now remember, this is the music business.

That, doesn't, happen., Then, who, does, he take them to? Who do they hook up with? George Martin. the people they meet early on are the essential people and it it's some kind of hobbit tale where they meet the exact right person at the exact right time.

So, George, Martin, hadn't, really, been, a music producer. He'd been a producer of a comedy show The Goon Show. Uh and the Beatles really appreciate that. But it also means that George Martin can appreciate their zany mop top humor.

So, George, Harrison, famously, saying, he didn't like George Martin's tie. Yeah. and George Martin not being unduly offended by that. And so he decides actually the Beatles have got something that they've got personality as well as musical ability. But uh there is one member of the Beatles he doesn't rate and Steve Siff by this point is has died of a brain hemorrhage but Pete Best is still on the scene. Yeah.

And, George, Martin, says, to, Brian, he's, got to go. Yeah. Um, and, so, the, final, piece, in, the, jigsaw puzzle now slots into place. namely Ringo.

Yeah., Yeah. Um, who, you've, also, met., And, you, said that you gave him a hug once and he's his body is now made of teak.

Yes., I've, met, Ringo, a, number, of, times. And uh I one time I gave him a hug and I thought he is carved out of a very dense tropical wood. Uh this man works out I think obsessively. He just uh hit his 85th birthday and I think he could take both of us in a fight. He's in incredible shape

which, is, amazing, because, um, Ringo, was born in absolutely you know the the poorest part the most bomb damaged part of Liverpool and grew up repeatedly being ill. who was always in hospital kind of missed out on school and all kinds of things but by the time the Beatles approach him has established himself as the best drummer in Liverpool

and, again, it's, the, kind, of, it's, the humor and the personality Ringo completely gels with them

and, George, Martin, has, actually, brought, a session drummer in for their to record their first single

and, his, name, is Andy, White. Andy, White., Yes., What's, interesting, is that people have always wondered uh or or theorized that Pete Best is too good-looking and maybe Paul is jealous and they edge him out, but it's been pretty much conclusively proved that

yeah,, he, was, not, a, good, timekeeper. He, couldn't, really, keep, time, and, Ringo could play all these different beats these Latin beats that later on show up in so many Beatles records. So, he was the right guy at the right time. And so how would you rate Ringo as a drummer?

Oh,, I, think, he's, spectacular. And, a, lot, of, top, drummers, now, give, it, up to Ringo. His feel

he's, minimal., And, there's, a, great, thing you can see on YouTube, which is if Keith Moon had been the Beatles drummer if John Bonham had been the Beatles drummer, and you listen to them and you're like, "Yeah, that wouldn't be the same. and it wouldn't work. So, is he Jean Krupa or Buddy Rich? No, he's not. He's the best possible drummer for the Beatles. Yeah. And actually, so there's um the the the footage that you can see in the background is from a new version of the anthology documentary series um out on Disney.

And, in, these, episodes,, there's, amazing footage of Ringo drumming. You can completely see what he is giving the Beatles. So the as I say the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle is there.

Yeah. And, so, their, first, single, Love, Me, Do comes out in Britain um which is 17. Love me do you know I love you. I'll be true. So please love me. Brian's shop has bought in box loads of it, crates of the stuff flogged it ac, you know, across Liverpool.

Um,, but, it's, not, it's, still, not, obvious that they are going to completely change everything.

Um,, and, it's, when, they, then, turn, up, to record their first album, Please Me. Last night I said these words. I know you never even tried. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. Please. Please. [singing] Yeah. George Martin famously says, "Gentlemen you just made your first number one." The sense that this is something special. And one of the key things is that they're they're not just recording covers. So, we should probably just talk about that because you you said earlier this is something that marks them out as distinctive, but it is really unusual isn't it?

It's, revolutionary., Uh, it's, unheard, of. So what John and Paul were always interested in almost the brillu tradition of being songwriters and and Paul used to think about being a songwriter even if it meant he wasn't the one performing the song. They just thought about songwriting. They were working on it for a long time. Um they're writing things but not of the quality that they'd later have. But then this moment comes when they've done Love Me Do. It's

so it's, so, so, you, listen, to, it, now, and, you think I don't know what all the excitement was. And the truth is it was number 17.

Yeah. Brian, probably, uh, helped, them, boost, them up the charts by by buying records himself. So they really need to make it. John has a song that's in the vein of he's thinking of a Roy Orbison song and it's written it's a very slow kind of um Roy Orbison ballad. Come on please. [singing]

And, they're, working, on, it., It's, not coming together. And then they decide let's pick up the tempo and they have it. And that's their first number one. The Stones, Dominic's not here, but I wish I could say this to his face. The Stones are doing covers down in London. They hear that there's this group up in Liverpool that's making records, which the Stones are not doing, and they're writing them themselves, and they're flabbergasted and I think skeptical.

Inspired, in, the, long, run. In, the, long, run., Yeah., It, took, them, a while, Dominic. It took them a while

but, they, they, don't, do, badly, either. No,, they, do, just, fine. But, the, the, the, quickening, up, the, pace, the harmonies, the shaking of the hair the twisting and the shouting

when, the, album, um, goes, out, and, then, She Loves You and, a, succession, of, singles and the live performances and girls start screaming. Yeah. And they start kind of pushing at cordons of policemen. And the Beatles have mentioned they like jelly beans. And so they start hurling jelly beans.

Yeah., George, had, said, in, an, interview,, I like these uh whatever they're called jelly beans. And um from then on he's pelted with them

and, they're, quite, dangerous, because they, you know, you could take out an eye or two.

Yeah., He, should, have, mentioned, George should have mentioned a softer treat maybe a marshmallow

jelly, babies, perhaps., But, this, is, a, kind of explosion of public teenage female joy of a kind that no one has ever seen before.

And, I, guess, it's, explained, in, in, part, by the charisma and the music of the Beatles, but it's also explained by, you know, to put it in Marxist terms, the fact that for the first time, teenage girls have spending money and leisure time. Yeah. And so you see there again you talked about how lucky the Beatles are that they are riding this crest of this wave of growing material prosperity that is kind of giving birth to the idea of the teenager

as, a, consumer. Yeah., So, another, way, in, which, they, get incredibly lucky, the timing is spectacular because as you say, if this had been 10 years earlier, I don't think this maybe could have happened. But they're at the right time, perfect time where a whole group of teenagers can express a different opinion than their parents which teenagers want to do. They want to make something theirs. And here are these four perfect people with great music and they can elect to spend their money on these records and they can have their favorite beetle and it starts to fuel this mania. And do you think the fact that all the um the bands and the singers that we've talked about up till now who influenced the Beatles have been male but actually the Beatles are really really into female groups as well?

Yes., Do, you, think, that, that's, kind, of contributo factor to their popularity with specifically female audience?

In, his, book,, Ian, Leslie wrote this fantastic book that I absolutely love. I think it's the best Beatles book that's been written in quite a while. So John and Paul

John, and, Paul, and, in, it, he, points, out, something, I hadn't really thought of, which is a lot of uh early Beatles music is influenced by doo-op groups. If someone just told me that without me thinking about it I'd say, "Well, that's stupid." But no it's not. It's true. They are performing a lot of stuff by male doo-op groups and also female groups. And I think they are just going for what's the best music and they are also very interested in getting the vocals right. So they play their own instruments, but I think their secret weapon is their vocal ability.

Yeah., The, harmonies. The, harmonies., And, Everly, Brothers,, I think, were a huge influence on them. But uh yes, they will play. I mean Ringo sings boys and doesn't they don't

Charelle's, number they don't change. It' be so easy to say girls. It would be so easy to change it and they don't.

Yeah. And, um, it's, a, little, strange,, but, it's fantastic. And so, yes, there is they're not overly concerned with gender. They're not overly concerned with, you know, no, no, we've got to stick to this image or that image. They're just going where the best music is. Now I know what what Dominic would say uh about the the secret of their popularity is also the fact that they are just edgy enough.

So, they, say, she, loves, you., Yeah., Yeah. Yeah. Rather than as Paul's father thought they should have sung she loves you. Yes. Yes. Yes.

But, they're, not, going, too, far., So, the kind of the prey popping and the you know all the kind of hamburg stuff is been kind of slightly pushed to one side and Brian has put them in suits by this point. Um and in the long run it's the the Stones who will play the part of the kind of the bad boys of rock and roll. The uh the Beatles are just edgy enough but no more so.

Right. Um, and, they you, know, they, famously, they, they, play, at the Royal Variety Show and John has his witty quip. For our last number, I'd like to ask your help. But the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you just rattle your jewelry

which, null, coward, was, uh, hated, that that's a I don't know why I remember that, but no coward thought that was atrocious.

Did, he?, And, and, this, brings, up, that performance brings up something really interesting which is the Beatles represent this new thing which is class is irrelevant and they are playing in front of the queen in a royal performance and John makes this joke that is uh very much about class and null coward I think got upset. People thought, well, this is how could he? I mean, people, some people were really takenback by that, but they are four workingclass guys who don't change their accents. They don't adopt

James, Mason, accents, when, they, make, it big. They have thick Liverpian accents and they never try to change it.

Uh,, they, don't, work, on, their, addiction or anything. Yes, they wear the suits because they are ambitious. They're extremely ambitious and they will do what it takes to get to the top. So, I mean, it's great to be number one in Britain, to be going around all these kind of market towns and selling out concerts and headlining and um having repeated number ones and all kinds of things, but they have been massively influenced by American music and for people in Britain

to, break, it, in, America, is, the, ultimate dream. British artists have not succeeded in making it in America at all. And Brian is kind of trying to to boost their career in America, but it's not really working.

Um,, and, America, is, distracted, apart, from anything else by um, you know, they America has its trauma because when the Beatles second album with the Beatles comes out in Britain, it's the same day that um, Kennedy is shot in Dallas. Mhm.

And, it, is, often, said, that, that, plunges America into a state of kind of mourning and bereiement that leaves them kind of wanting almost to be cheered up. Do you think there's anything in that?

Yeah,, I, I, again, I, mean, it's, heresy, to use the word luck with an assassination and a day that that's awful. But I will say, you know, I do these history experiments in my head sometimes. What if the Beatles had been booked uh November 30th on the Ed Sullivan show? What if they had been booked in December? It's too soon. So, they end up going to um to the US February in February. By which point, I want to hold your hand is number one.

And, when, I, touch,, you,, I, feel happy inside. It's such a feeling [singing] that my love I can I can I can and it's crucial that they go there with that single already number one so that they're not going as you know supplicants they're going as stars. This is one of those moments where Paul has subsequently said we knew to wait until we had number one hits in the US to go over. And if you look into it, I don't think it holds up. I I I think that Ed Sullivan had been flying in Europe. His plane has a stopover I think in, I, don't, know if, he's, in, Sweden, or he's someplace and he sees screaming fans and he says, "What's that all about?" out and he says it's this group from England, the Beatles.

These, youngsters, from, Liverpool, call themselves the Beatles. Yeah., Um, and, so, the, booking, is, made before the Beatles have hit number one in America. Again, the timing is perfect. Yeah.

But, again,, it's it's, not, just, luck,, but, luck, plays, a, big part in it. So they land in a JFK and there's huge press attention and there are crowds of screaming girls

which, surprises, them. It, does, and, it, obviously, surprises, the US media as well. There's kind of incredible footage in the um the anthology uh documentary of them arriving outside the hotel with girls just hurling themselves at the window and it's like they're in a zombie film and it's like the kind of zombie plague has crossed the Atlantic from Britain and now it's arrived in New York and the screaming and the hysteria becomes part of the story, doesn't it? And it it is present when the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show. Yeah. And that show, I think, is still the second most viewed program in US history.

Yeah,, I, think, um, some, reality, show, has the number one spot, I believe, someone eating cockroaches. Um about two years ago, Paul McCartney released pictures that he took because all of them had cameras. They've been given cameras. So Paul called it the eyes of the storm because it's all of them. But he took pictures constantly and I had a chance to interview him about it and he was talking about being in the center of all that and how surprised they were.

Storm. Yeah., And, he, was, just, taking, all, these photos of a lot of them are just people losing their minds and staring at them. And I think you know I think it was George who later said we just became an excuse for people to lose their minds.

Yeah., People, wanted, to, lose, their, minds. They needed some kind of fuse or trigger and these this group shows up and yes the music's great and yes, they have these incredible personalities and but it's something completely new when everyone says it is time to go insane. Yeah. And and so that's something that the Beatles are introducing to America. But obviously for the Beatles as well going to America is a kind of pilgrimage because this is where the music that they have most loved and have been most inspired comes from. And you know, we've said they're particularly influenced by black American music. And so one of the issues that comes up in in 1964 when they're going on tour around the US is the question of will they play in segregated stadiums because that is still very much a thing. Civil rights movement is still ongoing. Um, and the Beatles are absolutely forthright about this and they will not play and they

managed to force an, odd, stadium, here, or, there, to, change the ticketing. Other ones they just say "Well, we're not going to play there." So, what kind of impact do you think that has?

I, think, it's, massive., I, mean,, it, first of all, it shows that they are not going to bend the knee. They're uh they are principled. There are things that they think are important. they care about. There's the fact that they will not play uh in front of segregated audiences. And then almost maybe more important in their press conferences where people hang on every word when asked what groups do they like, they list all these black groups and they talk about Smokeoky Robinson and the Miracles and they talk about the Supremes and they mention so many black musicians and acts. Um, and it's not calculated.

That's just what they love. That's what they love. But they're, it certainly, I think, is a beautiful moment when they um, when they're in um, uh, New York in the, you know, the first days of their arrival, they get given the chance to kind of DJ on various radio stations don't they? And they're just endlessly playing um, black female groups.

Yeah. Because, that's, what, they, love., That's their kind of great influence. And so that sense of the fact that they're not just um musicians, but that what they say might matter. I mean that that last through 1964 and it last through 1965. And there is an assumption that the Beatles will always give interesting copy, but the maybe the potential for them to say something that might ultimately turn out to be inflammatory. Yes, there's a there's a constant expectation from the minute the Beatles arrive on the scene and it's going so well and it keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger. Success success, success, smash hit, smash hit smash hit. When is the bubble going to burst and so the pump is primed for something to go wrong? So in March 1966 uh there's a journalist called Morin Cleave who has known the Beatles very well, known them for about 3 years, has has is kind of friends with them. And

she does she interviews each one of the Beatles. Um and it runs uh in the the press uh as an what it's like to, you know, to be a Beatle.

Yeah., Um, and, one, of, the, interviews, is with John uh and he has been reading quite a lot about uh religion. Um and he gives Morin some some good copy. So he says Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that. I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now. And so this runs in the British press and nobody in Britain could care less about it.

Yeah., Um, and, these, articles, then, get, um they get sold on to publication in America and they appear and still nobody really pays any attention to it. But then there are people in the um in the Bible belt in America who are not keen on the Beatles see sees the Beatles long hair as satanic. Um some of them aren't keen on the whole anti-segregation stage. Um, and when some of these people read what John has said, they're less than enthused, aren't they?

They're, less, than, enthused., It's, funny because it's a we're in 1966, but it's kind of a before the internet. It's an internet moment because today John would have said that on Wednesday at 3:00 in the afternoon and there'd be outrage on Thursday.

Um,, this, is, an, interview, he, does, with Moren Cleave. It run. It takes a while. Yeah. It actually takes quite a while

for, it, to, finally, surface, and, find, the right person to hate it. Yeah. And, then, it, becomes, this, explosion, this huge controversy and the article comes out in England and then makes its way across to the States. It takes some time, but then it starts to pick up traction and the Beatles are coming back to America for a tour.

Yeah. And, by, the, time, they, are, ready, to, leave Britain to fly to New York all hell is breaking loose. And the huge question for listeners is, will this finish the Beatles off? Is this the end of the Beatles? It's all hoting up. And I don't think I can take the tension right, now., I, need, a, bit, of a, breather. So, let's have a quick break.

Hello. Welcome back to the rest is history. I am with Conan O'Brien and we are talking Beatles. And this is part two. It's the blue album to the red album of part one. We left you on an absolute cliffhanger. John Lennon has made unwise comments about Jesus and provoked outrage in the Bible belt in the United States. And the problem for him is that the Beatles are due to go on a tour to the United States. So, Conan O'Brien, who has replaced Dominic on this um show because Dominic refuses to talk about the Beatles because Conan what we didn't perhaps go into in great detail in the first episode was the actual music. And before the Beatles go uh on the tour that will bring them to America and all the the Jesus kathuffle they have recorded um an album that many now see as their greatest album Revolver.

You've, seen, seven, wonders, and, [singing] your bed is green but you can't see me.

Are, you, a, particular, fan, of, Revolver? Huge, fan, of, Revolver., Revolver, is, very interesting because the Beatles are now recording music that would be very difficult to perform live and live performance is a huge part of the Beatles engine. Elanor Riby

Tomorrow, Never, Knows, Tomorrow, Never, Knows, which, is, kind, of, playing, things backwards. Turn off your mind. Relax and float down stream. It is not dying. It is not dying. These are all very difficult, if not impossible. Now, it could be done with modern technology, but they've become real recording geniuses and artists, and it's taking them in this other direction. So, they finished Revolver and enough time has gone by because I think people used to say, well, Sergeant Pepper or Abby Road is their greatest and those are obviously fantastic, but Revolver,

I, think, if, you, asked, one, of, the, Beatles, they, might, have, the, greatest, fondness for Revolver. And that there's a kind of tension between what now what they can do in a studio but not reproduce on a stage and the fact that they are starting to get a bit fed up with touring because it's not only that they can't reproduce, you know, the musical effects that they've got on revolver on stage. It's also the fact that they can't barely hear themselves play and they know that most people in their audience cuz they're all screaming, they can't really hear them either. So that's frustrating. We just became like lip-syncing, you know, rhyming and uh we didn't we almost sometimes things would break down and nobody would know and so it wasn't wasn't doing the music any good.

And, then, after, they, finished, Revolver, they go on a world tour and they go to Japan and then they go to the Philippines and they have a kind of awful runin with Alda Marcos. Yes.

Famous, for, her, shoe, collection. Yes., I, was, just, there., I, was, just, in, the Philippines and I went to the Manila Hotel, which is where the Beatles stayed.

But, you, didn't, turn, down, an, invitation to tea with the head of the Philippines.

I, get, in, trouble. I, did, and, I, was, bullied, at, the, airport like the Beatles were.

Like, the, Beatles, were., Uh,, no,, that, was totally not the Beatles fault. The Marcoses announced that the Beatles will be appearing at the palace and having tea and then greeting a bunch of children, but no one asked the Beatles and they're, as you guys would say knackered.

Yeah., and, they, were, knackered., They, were knackered. They, just, wanted, to, use, the, L, and, then take a lift.

Um, I'll, never, be, invited, again., But, they they were tired. They didn't want to do that. They said, "No, we're not going to do that." And then of course the Marcos family said, "This is a terrible snub."

And, they, were, in, their, hotel, room watching this all unfold. And then they were hated throughout the Philippines.

And, there, was, a, kind, of, real, physical threat of of of danger. and they kind of, you know, they made it out to their flight and it was all really traumatic and they left the Philippines said we're never going back. And I don't think they ever did actually. But kind of in a sense worse was to come because we now come to the way that uh John Lennon's comments on Christianity was playing out in America and there's kind of escalating outrage in um the Bible belt. DJs there are inviting people to bring their records and their Beatles wigs and to kind of burn them. Don't forget to take your Beatle records and your Beatle paraphernalia to any one of our 14 pickup points in Birmingham, Alabama.

And, lots, of, people, are, kind, of, carrying around placards saying, you know, Jesus died for your sins. John Lennon and the Klux Clan are getting in on the act. And it's a pretty menacing environment isn't it? And when the Beatles land in America and they are asked about this you can see when John is speaking at the press conference, I mean, he looks traumatized.

Yeah., Well,, apparently, he's, a, tough, guy and he speaks his mind and he's not afraid to back down. But this was traumatic for him and he realizes that he's put the whole thing in jeopardy and at one point he cries apparently breaks down crying just with the group and Brian and says, "I I I'll do what I have to do to fix this."

And, he, does. He, does., He, gives, an, apology., It's, a it's a bit of a non-apology apology

you, know., I'm, not, saying, that, we're better or greater or comparing us with Jesus Christ as a person or God as a thing or whatever it is. You know, I just said what I said and it was wrong or was taken wrong and now it's all this.

But, he, clarifies, his, remarks, and, of course people that don't like the Beatles won't be satisfied, but it feels like it's enough for them to get to move on. And so they decide after this that they have had enough of touring. And so from this point on they essentially are going to be meeting in the studio and developing albums of increasing complexity technological and and musical. But there is also a sense isn't there? I think that what that imbriolio in America in 1966 had kind of revealed was the scale of the cultural rupture that is going on in the '60s between an increasingly kind of countercultural take on religion and the Vietnam War and a kind of host of issues and a kind of a a conservatism that is still very much there. And there is a real kind of cultural divide starting to widen. Yeah. And as you go from 1966 into 1967

this, will, become, very, apparent, because 1967, will, be, famous, for, the, summer, of love.

And, it, is, the, Beatles, who, provide, in, a sense the soundtrack for that with two massive massive kind of musical monuments. The first double aside Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane.

Penny, Lane of every head he's had the pleasure to [singing] know and all the people that come and go. Stop and say hello. On the corner [singing] is a banker with a motor car. The little children having him, behind, [singing and music], his, back and the banker never wears a Mac in the pouring [singing] rain. Very strange penny lane is in my ears and, in,, my, eyes there beneath the blue suburban skies I said. [singing] and then their album Sergeant Peppa.

Yeah., I, mean,, it's, important, to, remember that 66, we're just two years away from Nixon being elected president. And what Nixon reveals and his campaign is that there is a huge part of the United States that isn't down with the kids. Yeah.

And, um, wants, no, part, of, it., And, through the Beatles, we're starting to see this showing up. and we're going to see it very clearly in 2 years. But it's one of the reasons they stopped touring. They can't hear themselves. The technology for touring on the Beatles scale was terrible. They're still using these relatively small Vox amps. They when they play giant stadiums, they're piping it through the public announce address system. So they can't hear themselves people can't hear them. And I think I mean John Lennon always said they were a terrific live band and they got something from that. But now there's no communicating with an audience that size. There's no give and take. So they've got to move on. They take a break in after they stop touring. John goes off and makes uh How I W the War.

Yeah., That's, where, he, starts, wearing, his um his round glasses. His, I, guess, it, was, a, government, issue, uh granny glasses glasses. Yeah. And then uh Paul does the score for the Family Way. I think everyone takes a little bit of a

bit, of, a, breather. A, little, bit, of, a, breather., And, then they get back together. Paul has an idea and they start working on Sergeant Pepper. But you mentioned that they have this incredible single they put out an aside and a B-side which is Strawberry Fields Forever and then uh Penny Lane. They were meant to be part of the new album, but because of this demand that there always be new singles, two of the greatest songs the Beatles would ever make are put on an A and a Bside and put out and now can't be on the album, which today people would say, "Well, that's silly. Put it on the album, too." But they were very strict about that. You mentioned how Nixon in America is lurking in the wings. And it would be remiss of me at this point not to ventriloquise Dominic

whose, great, point, is, that, Sergeant Pepper will be outsold by The Sound of Music in 1967.

Penny, Lane, and, Strawberry, Fields,, which lots of critics have said is the kind of cultural pinnacle of post-war British achievement. I think without a doubt the greatest single the Beatles ever released. It's their first one for, you know, eons not to become number one and it's kept off the the top spot by Engelbert Humpedink.

Yeah. So,, they're, not, having, it, all, their, way, but it is a transcendent achievement isn't it? And it takes them back to Liverpool. So, both of both Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields are locations in Liverpool.

Yeah,, I, think, Strawberry, Fields, Forever might be my favorite Beatles song. Penny Lane for me with the trumpet. But I mean, they're both so incredible.

They, also, show, you, both, sides, of, this incredible songwriting team. And they're perfection.

Living with eyes closed misunderstanding all you see. It's getting hard to be someone but it all [singing] works out. It doesn't matter much to me. Let, me, [singing and music], take, you, down cuz I'm going to Strawberry Fields. Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about. And so this is how good the Beatles have become. You take these two songs and you don't even put them on the watershed album Sergeant Pepper. You take them off and issue them as a single. That would be unheard of today.

I, mean,, the, only, track, I, think, that transcends it is A Day in the Life which is the last song on Sergeant Pepper and perfectly fuses the best of John and Paul. Yeah. um and is designed to be a kind of overwhelming symphonic experience. They here we are in Abbey Road. They invited, you know, vast orchestra to come in and play all kinds of mad tunes and, you know, crashes out and you're left with this incredible silence which continues on the album and it's all very groovy and it's all very countercultural and you do get the sense with Sergeant Pepper that the Beatles are starting to, as the Queen put it, go a bit odd. So, it's not just that the music is more radical and edgy and kind of exploring new ways of of developing, but they're al, you know that the facial hair is starting to develop and the hair is getting even longer.

I, know, that, you, and, Dominic, have, uh beard obsessions and the beards start to show up, the mustaches, um, and soon beards,

but, it's, a, concept, album., It, It, really isn't. They Paul had this idea that it would be a whole album done by a fictional band called Sergeant Peppers but they stick with that idea for maybe one or two songs and then they give up. But it doesn't matter. It's really about that amazing cover.

It's, called, the, first, concept, album., It doesn't go anywhere. Mr. Kite, all my contributions are absolutely nothing to do with this idea of Sergeant Pepper and his band, but it works cuz we said it worked and that's how it appeared.

It, was, 20, years, ago, today, the man to play. They've been going in and out of style, but the guaranteed to raise a smile. So may I introduce to you the act of all these years. They're dealing now with their work as real art. To own that album is to own a piece of art. And it's seen as exemplifying the summer of love and this kind of this radical developments that are taking place in San Francisco particularly hate Ashbury as well as in kind of Carnaby Street and Swinging London. And there is a track on Sergeant Pepper called Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds which people point out well the initials of that song LSD

and, this, is, the, time, when, the, Beatles even Paul who's been very reluctant to take it starts taking it LSD. I mean they always deny that it was but it's kind of hovering in the atmosphere

and, that, sense, of, of, drugs, as, opening the mind you know you can uh tune in and discover new things about yourself that is also part of the excitement for people who are listening to Sergeant Pepper of what is going on isn't it the sense that new opportunities are opening up

there's, this, new, idea, that, drugs, can, can provide all these positive benefits yeah

and, this you know, a number of years before we start losing people to, drugs., And, John, tends, to, overdo things. So, he goes

he's, all, in. He's, all, in, on, LSD, to, the, point, where he's positively green from it.

I, was, aware, of, them, smoking, pot., I wasn't aware that they did anything really serious. Um, in fact, I was so innocent that I actually took John up into the roof when he was having a an LSD trip, not knowing what it was.

Paul, takes, LSD, because, John, is, out, of, you know, off his face and he wants to kind of, you know, accompany John in his, you know, this terrible kind of experience, which I was find kind of very touching, moving illustration of there.

Yeah., He, he, felt, the, need, to, I've, got, to do this, too, so that I can know what he knows. but he never goes as far as as John. But this opens up a lot in their music. And of course, John is so influenced already by Alice in Wonderland imagery.

So, that's, that's, the, other, thing,, isn't it? That even as they are kind of pushing at the limits in a kind of Timothy Liry kind of way, they are still drawing on the the traditions of their childhood. So Alice in Wonderland, but even Sergeant Pepper, they're kind of dressing up in Edwardian style uniforms and there's the fairground noises in the benefit of Mr. Kite, which was a kind of fairground poster. There's a kind of Edwardian vibe there, even as the hippies are crowding in.

I, have, a, theory, that many artists get lost in the '60s because you start to think if I think of it and I do it, it must be good. There are many terrible songs written in the 60s and there are many terrible movies made in the 60s. Uh especially in the later 60s, people can tend to lose their way because there's this concept that we just made it. It's wacky. Uh it's what happened. It doesn't make sense, but it doesn't have to. I think the Beatles survive it really well because they're rooted in this discipline, the music hall, uh music structure, uh production fine production. They're rooted in all these things that help give them balance. Even though yes, they're taking LSD, they've been smoking a lot of pot they always have that ballast of there's work to be done and it needs to be good.

And I think also they they consistently have a sense of the ridiculous. They they can recognize when people are making idiots of themselves. So, it's interesting that George goes to San Francisco and he hangs out in Hate Ashbury and he wants to see the flower power revolution and hang out with the hippies and stuff and actually he's, you know, he thinks there's quite a lot of casualties here and decides it's not really for him.

I, mean,, everywhere, we, went,, people, were um smiling and, you know, sitting on lawns drinking tea, you know festivals of music and stuff. I mean you know that summer of love a lot of that was really was all what the press was saying

and, so, he, wants, to, explore, alternative uh ways of attaining enlightenment and by great good fortune um he is put in touch with a guy called the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who has just turned up in London. Yeah

and, George, persuades, the, other, Beatles and McJagger and Marian Faithful to get on a train with the Maharishi and go to Banganger

in, Wales., So,, what's, your, take, on, the Maharesi? Well,, I, think, the, Beatles, are very curious people and they always want to advance to the next level and learn more. And so, when they hear about this Maharishi, they think, "Let's give it a try. Let's hear them out." So, that's what the trip, I think, to Banganger's about. It's a getaway. It's a happening.

Yeah. They, all, go, together. Of, course,, uh, Cynthia, misses, the, train, which is very symbolic. And also symbolic is the fact that while they're in Bangor, they get terrible news, which is that that Brian Epstein, their their manager, the guy who had shaped their career and kind of kept them on track has died of an overdose back in London.

Yeah., And, there's, footage, right, after they hear they walk out. They're in Wales. They've listened to the Maharishi. They they get the news that Brian's died and bright bright lights and a camera. And you can watch this footage. They are completely traumatized.

Well,, I, don't, know, what, to, say,, you know. We've only just heard and it's hard to think of things to say, but he was just abusable and fell, you know

and, it's, terrible. What, are, your, plans, now? Well,, we, haven't, made, any.

I, mean,, it's, only, just, we, only, just, had that, was, kind, of, stunning, cuz, we, were off on this sort of finding the meaning of life and there he was dead.

And, much, later,, John, said,, "I, knew, then we'd had it." that this was the guy who kept everything together and he's gone. And and particularly traumatic I think for John and and probably Paul too because they had both lost key figures of their life, you know, uh as kids they had lost their moms. You can see in that footage that they are dumbruck.

The, interviewer, says, to, them,, you, know, what did the Maharishi say? And John's way he basically gave us these platitudes and John at this level isn't point isn't saying their platitudes.

I, understand, that, um, this, afternoon Maharishi conferred with you all. Could I ask you what he what advice he offered you?

He, told, us, uh, not, to, get, overwhelmed, by grief and to whatever thoughts we have of Brian to keep them happy because any thoughts we have of have of him will travel to him wherever he is. But you can see that already John is not the kind of person probably who's going to think that the Maharishi is the guy to replace Brian in his life. I mean, you said that John will ultimately say this is where it all ends. I mean, let's let's explore that a bit further. Yeah they're at a crossroads now. And uh it's funny there'd always been probably some chafing against Brian and his suits and they had probably at times chafed, you know,, at, at at, some, of, his, ideas, and concepts, but then when he's gone, I think they probably realized how much he had held them all together.

And, you, said, in, the, first, half, that, um the Beatles are very good at not going off on kind of mad lunatic journeys that turn out to be disasters.

Yeah. But, actually, that, is, what, they, do., Yeah. In, the, wake, of, Brian's, death., Yes,

cuz, Paul,, who, almost, by, default, is, kind of stepping up to play the the managerial role, says, "Well, why don't we go on a kind of groovy road trip around Britain? It could be a magical mystery tour."

The, mag is waiting to take you away. Waiting to take you away. And again, it's this kind of idea of traditional British culture that you get on a bus and you go off to Blackpool or something combined with people claiming to be walruses and such like. So, it's a kind of fusion of the psychedelic and the and the kind of seaside, but it's an absolute disaster.

Well,, I, think, one, of, the, problems, is that the Beatles are very confident people because when they've had to try things and do things, they they're extremely highly competent. They haven't had a failure, but now they extend it to how hard could it be to direct and make a cohesive film. And I think Paul gets on the floor and he has a giant sheet of paper and he draws a circle and then his way of creating the movie is I think to just to section off parts of the circle and arrows. I mean I like it.

Yeah., He, would, say, it, has, great, moments in it. He would say look it was shot in color. It was aired by the BBC on um Boxing Day and in black and white on little screens. That's not the way it was meant to be seen. and it holds up if you really look at it and there are a bunch of good things in it but at the time it's seen as a disaster. It gets panned by the critics. People think the Beatles have lost their minds.

It's another big bump in the road for them. But it I would shouldn't say that in, [clears throat], no, way, terminal., Um not not at all.

And, I, think, the, I, am, Aoris, sequence,, one of John's great songs kind of ends up with King Leah muttering in the background and they're all gooooing in the background and it's I think one of the one of their great moments.

I, love, the, video, they, made, in, Magical Mystery Tour for I am the Walrus. They seem to be at some kind of military complex and um it looks like they spent all of seven minutes setting up the scene with a piano and impromptu goofy masks uh and and bald cap wigs that are just applied with no glue. Um but it's fun and it's them having fun and goofing around which is infectious. So the goofing around has you know that's been fundamental to the Beatles right from the very beginning you know right back to the days of the quarry man or whatever. What is slightly newer is the idea of very earnestly going off and getting enlightenment um in the Himalayas which is what then happens early in 1968 isn't it? and the Maharishi reappears because he's got a he's got a kind of a big place out in Rishies and he says come on you know come on out and uh and sit at my feet

learn, wisdom, when, the, Maharishi, died several years ago someone wrote a a really thoughtful piece which said he's an important part of the Beatles story because after Brian's death they've all had it they're fraying their lives are chaotic and they do a very unusual thing for the biggest stars on earth they go to a retreat,

they, don't, bring, electric, guitars., They bring these acoustic guitars, I think these Martin guitars, and they sit around and there's quiet and peace and there's nothing to do except chant. And they start writing songs and essentially most of the white album was written during that period. Like anything else, they take a moment and they make it work to their advantage. So even though they didn't find enlightenment and spirituality they wrote a ton of songs they might not have written otherwise.

Well,, they, kind, of, respond, in, different ways, don't they? So Ringo has gone out with baked beans.

He, has, a, suitcase, filled, with, Hines baked beans because of his stomach. He's, worried, about, his, stomach.

Yeah. Paul, is, I, mean, he's, kind, of, into, it, and kind of not really. Yeah.

John, has, a, massive, bust, up., I, feel, you know and he writes um an excoriation of the Maharishi which which he titles sexy sadi because he's worried about you know whether the maharish will be too cross with him or whatever for George Indian spirituality opens up entire you know portals through which he goes and will never come back I mean it's a [clears throat], massive, massive experience for him a life-changing experience

yeah, a, lot, of, people, don't, know, sexy sadi the original title was Maharishi they made it a song it's almost as if lawyer showed up and said, "You have to change that because

you'll, get, yours, yet." Yeah., It, was, originally, it, was Maharishi, you'll get yours yet. And it was the other Beatles saying, "Let's think of another title." Yeah. He, you know, didn't want to look like anyone had made a fool of him. So, he's very angry and rejects it completely. Yet another of the the many songs that emerges from that period.

And, as, you, say,, it, goes, on, to, the, White Album. And I suppose two things to say about the White Album. First is it's white. I mean, it's not actually called the White Album, is it? called the Beatles, but it such a deliberate contrast with the kind of technicolor of Sergeant Pepper, just this white album.

And, the, other, thing, is, that, it's, a double album because they kind of feel we've got so many songs, we want to put it all on.

I, know, that, George, Martin, later regretted that. Do you What do you think? Do you think it it should have been just a brilliant single album or do you have room for Revolution 9? I say let the Beatles be the Beatles. And so I know George Martin thought it should just be one perfectly produced album, not a double album, but I'm on the Paul side of that. He says this in the anthology. He says, you know, people say maybe it could have been this or it could have been that. And maybe there's some songs in there that are too many or and he said, "Oh, come on. It's the Beatles. It's the White Album." You know, I'm I'm not a great one for that.

You know, maybe it was too many of that. What do you mean? It was great. It sold. It's the bloody Beatles white album. Shut up.

The, Beatles, still, have, so, many, great songs left in them. And particularly, I guess Paul does because by this point John is starting to become increasingly disenchanted with his identity as a Beatle. And it's kind of fueled, I guess, by a couple of things. One is that he's starting to get seriously into heroine.

Yeah. Which, is, obviously, quite, a, drag, on, one's creativity. Mhm. But, the, other, thing, is, that, he's, got, a new woman in his life, hasn't he? So, he was married to Cynthia, but um by 1968 no longer.

Yeah., John, has, met, this, artist,, Yokoono, and he's infatuated with her and this is obviously many people say "Well, this is what ended up breaking up the Beatles." But I think that's not true. People always want to blame somebody for something that I think would have happened anyway. And so, no I don't think Yoko broke up the Beatles. She certainly creates strain in some of the recording sessions. So, I've I've actually been in a bag. The Tate Modern here in London did a show of Yoko's art two or three years ago. There's an opportunity to get in a bag and we went in a bag and did a happening.

Okay., I, hate, to, top, you., I've, been, in, a bag with Yoko. Yoko came on the show and she surprised me with the bag and she thought that I'd be too uptight to get into it with her. But of course, being a a terrible ham, I said, "Absolutely." We both got in the bag. And

And, you're, quite, tall., Was, the, bag, big enough to It, was, big, enough., It, was, an, extra-lar bag.

I, take, an, XXL, in, the, bag., Uh, but, I, got into the bag with Yoko and then she we were inside and there's a stu live studio audience and she said, "What do we do now?" She said "Well, that's it. Now we just get out of the bag and go to commercial." And I said "No, Yoko. We have to do something cuz that's the comedy rule." So, I start handing my clothes out of the bag and then we emerge from the bag. I didn't take everything off, but I took I think her I think I took up an article of her clothing and put it on which looked absurd

cuz, Yoko, had, a, thing, where, people, would cut her clothing off, didn't she? I mean, it's quite something to have been in a bag with Yoko. I mean, do you feel one of the great moments of your life or

It's, the, greatest, moment, of, my, life, and I have been at the birth of both of my children. Um, so I'm a sociopath.

Yeah., No,, you're, a, big, you're, a, fan, of Yoko's art. Yeah., The, saddest, thing, to, me, about, this period are the clips I see where you can tell John is impaired. Uh he's on heroin or trying to come off heroin. And it makes me sad. That kind of been, I think, a a kind of gentleman's agreement um among the police that it was fine to arrest the Rolling Stones for drug offenses, but you leave the Beatles alone. That sense is starting to fade by now. and John and Yoko are arrested and George is arrested. So there's a sense that the Beatles are becoming fair game now.

There, was, a, hierarchy, in, the, pop, world. Yeah., Beatles, are, on, top,, then, the Rolling Stones, then the Who Kinks way at the bottom. Herman's Hermits, but now things are changing. You can arrest a Beatle. You can arrest a Beatle and charge them. So Paul, meanwhile, he is still very keen on being a Beatle keeping the Beatles on track. and his response to John's breakup with Cynthia is to drive down um to Wadebridge from London to see Cynthia and John and Cynthia's son Julian

and, he, writes, one, of, the, great, Beatles singles. Yeah., Hey, Jude. Hey, Jude.

Yeah. They, play, it, live, on, David, Frost, show and it's their kind of first live performance for a very long while. It's my pleasure to introduce now in their first live appearance for goodness knows how long in front of an audience, the Beatles.

Hey,, you, don't make it bad. Take a [singing] sad song and make it better. Remember to [singing] let her into your heart. And you can start to [singing] make it better. Hey, [singing] you don't be afraid. You were [singing] made to go out again. A minute you [singing] let it run under your skin then you begin to, make, it., [singing and music]

And, also,, it's, inordinately, long,, isn't it? So, that's another kind of Beatles first.

It, breaks, all, these, rules., No, track, has been that long. And at the time, someone said by that point, people thought well, the Beatles have had it. And then Hey Jude comes out and it's a massive massive hit. And there's this amazing account of how Paul has the the the the tapes and he's kind of driving through the English countryside and they're going back to London. They want to have you know, take a break and they arrive in this picture perfect village and there's a pub and the pub is open and Paul goes in there and um he plays Hey Jude on the piano for people there and then he plays the track and people will always remember it. You know, it's one of the kind of examples of Beatles magic that you're just sitting in a pub and suddenly Paul McCartney walks in and plays Hey Jude for you. that sense that that that magic is still there is obviously a kind of powerful motivator for Paul but but also for the other

Beatles as well and so they are prepared to listen to him when he proposes that they get back

that, they, they, get, back, to, kind, of, be you know doing live shows the footage that got taken of the of of those sessions which were kind of often seen as being very difficult and and and troubled Peter Jackson kind of took the footage didn't he and and made it into this incredible film Yeah.

A, lot, of, things, I, loved, about, Get, Back. Just I'm a geek, so getting to see all the equipment, how it really worked is fascinating. But basically, the the greatest thing is seeing these guys together and and they're still making each other laugh. You get glimpses of the process. There are so many bits in it I loved. But I I love the bit where so Paul by now is with Linda

who, he, will, end, up, marrying, um, the, most eligible bachelor in the world will will get hitched to Linda and Linda and Yoko are talking and in the background Paul is composing get back and it's like kind of watching I don't know Michelangelo think oh I don't know should I have Adam and God and their fingers t maybe oh I don't know he's in the background it's so it's so brilliant but also it's the fact that that all of them look so cool I mean George George just looks brilliant ly cooling it. They're also just little little fun things. I don't know what time of day it is, but Mal will say, "Does anyone want anything?"

And they'll all want some wine or beer cup, of, tea. Yeah., There's, always, a, lot, of, toast. You're like, "This is the biggest band in the world." And they've got, you know, there's not a bowl of cocaine it's toast.

It's, all, very, British., Although,, you, can see that John is really not well. Of the four of them, John is is the one who's most kind of faded at that point. Although they were very keen to have a kind of spectacular climax to this process of filming. Yeah.

Um, and, so, there, was, talk, about, doing them on a cruise ship or doing it in a Roman amphitheater in Africa.

But, then, they, they, they, haven't, really got the energy for any of this. And so they decide that they will have a rooftop concert um on the Apple building in Savo.

But, there's, heming, and, hawing, up, until the moment. This is where Peter Jackson's documentary is so great. He lets you know that they're still in a back room. As the equipment's all set up and they're ready to go on the rooftop they're still deciding whether or not they're going to come out.

Yeah. Because, at, this, point,, they, have, so, many wounds from traveling and knowing what the spectacle was all about. They've been just living in a hobbit hole engineering these great sounds. Why go out there and expose ourselves? So, it's amazing when they come out.

Don't, let, me, down. Don't let me down. Don't let me down. Nobody [singing] ever love me like she does. Oh, she does. Yes, she does. And if [singing] somebody love me like she does she does. Yes, she does. Don't let me down. Don't let me down. Don't let me down. Don't,, let, me, down.

And, you, know,, all, of, London, gathers, on the streets below and then the police come and stop the fun. And actually that's kind of, you know, perfect way for way for the film to end.

Yeah,, there, was, some, disappointment., Uh, I think Paul really wanted them or George or Ringo, they really wanted the police to grab them and physically roll them off

because, that, would, be, a, better, ending to, the, film., There's, a, part, in, it, that's very sad to me, which is they're all

they're, sitting, in, four, chairs, and, Peter Sers comes in. Do you remember this part? Peter Cers comes in and says "Hello, fellas." five years before they had met Peter Sers and it was the one of the biggest thrills of their life and they're young and they're excited. Now it's the number of years later and John's on heroin and they're tired.

Yeah. And, they're, all, sitting, in, four, chairs like mannequins for some reason that segment I think John makes a joke about watch out for the needles on the floor. He makes a heroin joke to Peter Sers and

it's, just, starting, to, the, milk, is starting to curdle a little. Yeah., And, adding, to, the, stress, is, the fact that they're now supposed to be a business. So I mentioned the Apple building in Savo. This is the headquarters for a groovy new company that the Beatles have set up as a kind of tax dodge. And they've set it up in a very 1960s hope that you get rid of the pigs and the man and the capitalists and just let groovy people like Magic Alex uh, a Greek engineer, come up with lunatic schemes and everything will be great. He can make a studio that levitates.

Yeah. Hello,, I'm, Alexis, from, M, Electronics., I would like to say hello to all my brothers around the world and to all the girls around the world and to all the electronic people around the world. Apple basically they're saying come in and rip us off and so loads of people do come and rip them off. And so they've got money problems as well as all the other issues that are going on. Tensions over music, tensions over drugs, tension over, you know, their respective spouses and now money. And money is probably the the kind of the biggest thing. Yeah

because, Paul, wants, his, father-in-law,, so Linda's father to run their finances for them. Um, and the other three want a guy called Alan Klene. I mean, he seems quite a kind of New York figure, quite a New York character.

Yeah,, I, think, thuggish, is, one, word people might use. I think the Rolling Stones felt they had had a good experience with him. John hears about this tough guy who can come in and get you a better royalty rate. He's all down. It's actually in Get Back. John's had a meeting with him and he goes and he says to George, I mean, I feel I think he knows me as well as you do or better, George. I mean, can you imagine George hearing this? He's been he's been with John since 195758 and now John's had one meeting.

Yeah., When, I, wonder, George, walks, out, I'll, see, you, in, the, clubs, and, he, walks out. They get him back in. But there's a lot of bad feeling now. And again, this is all part and parcel of Magical Mystery Tour. Hey, how hard could it be to make a movie? You know, the Apple Boutique, how hard could it be to make a shop and sell groovy clothes? Apple Music, how hard could it be to just get rid of

the, obstacles, and, let, groovy, people, be groovy? Stick, it, to, the, man. Yeah., And, without, accepting, that, maybe what made the Beatles great were hurdles and obstacles and or added to their greatness. So there's a lot of naive at this point.

Yeah,, it, all, seems, kind, of, fun, now,, but I think they're pretty miserable.

So,, um,, John, has, gone, off, and, he's, got married to Yoko in Jibraltton, Spain.

You, can, get, married, in, Spain., Christ, you know it ain't easy. You know how hard it [singing] be. the way he's going. They're going to crucify me.

He's, um, recorded, Give, Peace, a, Chance with the Plastic Ono band. So there's a sense there of John looking to a musical future after the Beatles

and, with, Yoko, he, is, now, very, into, taking uh kind of uh radical positions on um Vietnam because I think he he had recorded a track called Revolution and he'd sung two versions of it and he said you can count me out or you can count me in and he decided to go with you can count me out. um and felt embarrassed about that and so he political activism is something that he's getting increasingly into. You can see kind of a new career direction for him with Yoko and they've got all these money issues and arguments and so it looks as if it's all over but then there is one last glorious harra isn't there and [clears throat], we, are, sat, here, in, Abby Road. Yeah. I embarrassed you, but I also embarrassed myself by getting you to pose on the Zebra Crossing Outside which of course is the cover of the album Abby Road.

Yeah. I, I, only, uh, objected, because, I'm, the last person alive to not pose and now you made me do it.

I'm, so, sorry., I'm, so, sorry., But, Abby Road, are you a a fan of Abby Road?

Of, course., Yeah,, Abby, Road, is, fantastic. And again, I don't think Let It Be should have been the last album. It's such a downer, isn't it? Compared to

Yeah. There's, great, songs, on, Let, It, Be, and, it and Let It Be was again the Beatles being part of something that was really happening, which is there was music like The Band and Credence Clearwater Revival that were stripping it all back stripping it down, going the other way. So, that's what they're doing. They're playing very stripped down.

They're, getting, back,, aren't, they? They're, getting, back, as, it, were., Yeah, they're getting back. And so, that's great, but it's not the heroic ending they should have. the water, doesn't it? Because it the songs on Get Back are recorded during the Get Back sessions and it's then released as their final album. But actually, the last time that they're in the studio creating an album is with Abby Road. I think the moment on Abby Road

that, [clears throat], I, find, the, most moving and the and and well, it's sad but it's also triumphantly moving is You Never Give Me Your Money

which, is, Paul, singing, about, you, only give me your funny papers. It's this sense I'm bogged down in paperwork and arguments over finance and cash. And you see there the kind of the horror of the Beatles breakup. And then it's such a kind of classic Paul moment where he suddenly, you know, oh hang this, we're off and the kind of music soarses and they're off on a kind of journey. Oh you're going to carry that weight. Carry that weight a long time. It's a move that Paul does again and again in his songs where that you're down and then you free yourself. That for me is the moment in in Abbey Road that it's it's an album that is taking wing after you thought that the feathers were tred forever. I was lucky enough to be in the audience for the Saturday Night Live 50th and I had seats that were way off to the side. So for all the live sketches, I had a pretty good view but not the best. And then I realized

oh wait a minute, here comes Paul McCartney to close the show uh with the final track on Abbey Road. And I'm sitting right there. I'm in the perfect spot.

Her, Majesty., Uh,, no,, not, Her, Majesty. Um, yes, not them. Yeah. Okay, you're gonna be literal, but where they're trading guitar solos and

I, got, to, watch, Paul, McCartney, do, that. Yeah. Out of body experience to to see him do that and also know that they ended on a perfect note. And I think there are people that moan about how the Beatles could have gone on into the 70s but I think one of the things that makes them a true rarity in show business is their timing was impeccable always.

And, they, ended, on, this, beautiful, note and then never came back. And that's that's one of the reasons that we are still talking about them today. I intend to hang around show business. I already have long after I've served my purpose to an embarrassing degree. They timed it perfectly. Do you think also that the news that the Beatles are breaking up comes out in 1970? So in a sense the association of the Beatles with the 1960s is absolutely cemented by the fact that they don't survive into the next decade. And do you think that's a kind of important part in framing the memory of them, the understanding of them, that they're associated so indelibly with everything that made the 60s kind of vivid and technical? I brought up this concept of luck early on. None of this is planned. Think about how short a decade is to us now. At this stage in my life, a decade is so quick. They are in 196061

just really getting started. And in 1969 at the end of the year, they're finishing it up. And that wasn't planned, but like so many things with them, it's what happened. And it was perfect. Yes. In history books, uh, 500 years from now, there'll be if there's a section on the 60s and there are only three photographs, one of them is going to be of the Beatles.

So,, do, you, think, that,, um,, people, will still be listening to the Beatles in 500 years?

Yeah,, I, do., Um,, you, know,, this, is, with the caveat that we're all still here in 500 years. Hate to be a downer, but one never knows.

So,, unless, we're, destroyed, in, a, nuclear holocaust, people probably or, I, I'm, tending, more, towards, alien invasion. Oh, the aliens will love the music, but we won't be there anymore.

Well,, us, off, to, a, colony, on, Ryzak, 7. So,, this, episode, is, spiraling, off, in, a direction that I hadn't anticipated.

No,, that's, my, favorite, thing, is, to, take something, unlike the Beatles, I like to take something that is pretty perfect and then ruin it. with my mad babblings.

It's, starting, to, go, a, bit, plastic, band which is so that, can, be, good, too.

So, that, that, is, I, think, the, perfect, way to to end this episode. Um the 60s are over. The 70s are dawning.

Plastic, band, is, waiting., Wings, are waiting. All Things Must Pass are waiting. Photograph Ringo's great hit

is, waiting., So,, it's, certainly, not, over for the constituent parts of the Beatles, but the Beatles as a band are over. And I think on that note, Conan, I should thank you very, very much for joining me here in Abbey Road to talk about the Beatles.

Well,, I, think, I've, made, it, clear, Rest, is History is my favorite podcast. So, when I got the call, would you would you be on Rest is History at the studio where your favorite band and your obsession recorded their songs? That's a trip I had to make. And you said um that you were quite keen to to to be on the rest of history, but only with one of us because you wanted to make the other one jealous.

Well,, next, time, it'll, be, just, Dominic and we'll be doing Beards of the Civil War.

Yeah. And, you, will, have, to, stew, alone, on, your estate while we two yuck it up. Dominic is left to reflect on the error of his ways. If only he'd been a little more enthusiastic about the Beatles, he could have been here, too.

Or, if, he, had, understood, anything, about music. Yeah,, that's, true., And, on, that tremendous Dominic oriented note, uh thank you everyone for watching or for listening. Goodbye. Goodbye.

And, [singing], in,, the, end, the love you take is, equal,, to, the, love you make. Heat. Heat.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "The Complete History of The Beatles with Conan O'Brien"?

Tom Holland (Host), Conan O'Brien (Guest), Dominic Sandbrook (Host).

What is "The Complete History of The Beatles with Conan O'Brien" about?

The discussion revolves around Conan O'Brien's deep admiration for The Beatles, recounting his personal experiences with the band, including encounters with George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. The conversation highlights O'Brien's lifelong fandom and his reflections on the band's impact on music and culture, contrasting it with the views of his co-host, Dominic, who prefers The…

What is mentioned in this The Rest Is History episode?

365 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "The Complete History of The Beatles with Conan O'Brien"?

The episode runs 1 h 35 min; the transcript is about 16,260 words in 285 timestamped sections.

More from The Rest Is History

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated February 24, 2026.