Yesterday and Today

Beatles ’86 pt3

As Spring turns to summer in 1986, a flurry of activity points to an early clue to the new direction for the key players in Beatle World. Julian Lennon, fresh off the release of his sophomore LP The Secret Value of Daydreaming, embarked on his second North American tour in June. Ringo Starr's children's entertainment resume grew once more in May, with freshly re-recorded voice acting on the animated Harry Nilsson film The Point. George Harrison returned to EMI/Abbey Road studios after a 15 year absence in May to continue work on the Shanghai Surprise soundtrack. And finally, Paul McCartney returned to the stage once more in June for the Princes Trust star-studded concert - playing some classic Beatles songs for the first time in public in decades. For Paul, Ringo and George, this activity would inspire more moves and music as they enter the back half of the decade.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt2

George Harrison's return to the limelight was underway in the Spring of 1986, with yet another public appearance fresh off the heels of his Shanghai Surprise press tour. This time the former Beatle took to the stage for the charity concert Heartbeat '86 - and, playing alongside rock contemporaries including former Wings founding member Denny Laine, it's easy to see a relaxed Harrison having fun playing in public once more. Also in the Spring, Julian Lennon released his sophomore album The secret Value of Daydreaming - the newly-minted pop idol's follow-up to the successful 1984 outing Valotte. A host of guest stars and some truly stellar production graced Lennon's latest, which he himself admitted was more slap-dash in terms of writing than his 1984 debut. A Harrison on the rise and a Lennon at his peak in March of 1986... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’86 pt1

It's 1986 and the latter half of the 80s is off with a bang...but not a hitch. The set of George Harrison's latest Hand Made Film's project, Shanghai Surprise, found itself rife with unwanted press attention after a skirmish between star Sean Penn (beside girlfriend and co-star Madonna) and the paparazzi - eager for a story. George himself flew down to the filming location to quell tensions and ensure the remainder of the shoot went smoothly. Despite the drama behind the camera, Harrison was growing more accustomed to the idea of making music, developing several cuts for the movie's original soundtrack. Meanwhile Paul McCartney accepts the American Music Award of Merit, Ringo Starr drums on the protest song Sun City, and Yoko Ono begins her landmark Star Peace tour... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

McCartney & The Historians (A Take it Away Crossover)

The YESTERDAY & TODAY and TAKE IT AWAY podcasts are crossing over! In this special double-feature, double-interview episode, hosts Wayne Kaminski, Chris Mercer and Paul Kaminski join forces to discuss Paul McCartney historiography with special guest authors who have fresh releases on shelves now. Luca Perasi is certainly no stranger to the TAKE IT AWAY podcast -- Luca was interviewed by Chris and Ryan in 2019 to discuss his book PAUL McCARTNEY: RECORDING SESSIONS (1969-2013), which provided much of the framework for the original run of TAKE IT AWAY shows. Luca has returned to promote a brand-new book, PAUL McCARTNEY: MUSIC IS IDEAS, the first volume in a multi-part series which explores the stories behind Macca's massive catalog of solo songs from 1970-1989. Next up, returning YESTERDAY & TODAY guest Paul Salley -- author of LITTLE WING: THE JIMMY McCULLOCH STORY -- is back for the first time in 3 years to discuss the release of his definitive biography of Wings' exceptional young-gun lead guitarist. All this, plus a special announcement about the future of the TAKE IT AWAY podcast in this all-new crossover episode. We hope you will enjoy the show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt6

It's the end of 1985, and in many ways the end cap on a year of realignment for the former Beatles. While the successes of the Spies Like Us single and his lauded Live Aid performance kept Paul McCartney a part of the cultural conversation, Macca's critical and commercial wounds from 1984's Broadstreet fiasco remained. Ringo Starr and George Harrison's continued musical silence left only Julian Lennon - still riding high on the success of 1984's Valotte - standing to carry the torch of Beatles-related relevance as the back half of the decade approached. Yoko Ono's Starpeace LP too faltered commercially, despite the continued goodwill John's widow enjoyed since that fateful day in 1980. Of course, the latter half of the 80s would see a number of tables turn, and further developments within the legacy of the Beatles... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt5

It's the fall of 1985 and new music from the three remaining former Beatles abounds! First up, in their first joint concert appearance together since the Concert for Bangladesh over a decade prior, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are once again singing together on stage -- this time in support of rockabilly legend and founding rock and roll pioneer Carl Perkins. In a new special titled Carl Perkins & Friends, the two fabs are on hand alongside other legendary talents such as Eric Clapton, Dave Edmonds and more, to pay homage to the man who inspired an entire generation. Meanwhile, on the original music front, Paul McCartney's latest single release, a film soundtrack theme titled Spies Like Us, marks Macca's first new release since the disastrous Give My Regards to Broadstreet film the previous year. And a certified hit was most certainly welcome news to Macca's weary ears... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt4

As summer turned to fall in 1985, the aftermath of the LIVE AID benefit concert continued to ring in the ears of the collective musical consciousness. Paul McCartney's appearance in the show, albeit minus the rumored involvement of George and Ringo, was a welcome revitalization of Macca's profile following the disastrous reception of his Give My Regards to Broadstreet film. The aforementioned George and Ringo were also no slouches at this time, with Ringo Starr lending his voice to a new era of fan - the toddler set - via his narration of the popular Thomas the Tank Engine books. George Harrison's appearance at the European Grand Prix in October was yet another step on the road back ot public life, which would kick up a notch in the weeks to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt3

It's July 13th, 1985 and a historic event is taking place on both sides of the Atlantic. It's LIVE AID, a worldwide televised live concert featuring the biggest acts in music -- united in support of Ethiopian famine relief. Organizer Bob Geldof, known as lead singer for the Boomtown Rats, organized the largest known concert fundraising effort in history - inspired in many ways by George Harrison's efforts to aid Bangladesh in 1971. And Bob's Beatle connections didn't stop with George - Geldof was able to secure Paul McCartney for the former fab's first live appearance since the dissolution of Wings in 1979...and with that the Beatle reunion rumors were reignited all over again... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt2

It's the spring of 1985 and Paul McCartney is hard at work recording a new album at his Hog Hill Mill studio. In a shift away from his prior work in the decade, Paul sought to recreate a "band" environment with co-writing partner Eric Stewart, drummer Jerry Marotta and guitarist Carlos Alomar - along with himself and Linda - likely as a reaction to the crumbling critical reaction to his recent projects. George Harrison, meanwhile, was tip-toeing back toward the music business himself, offering up his take on Bob Dylan's I Don't Want to Do It for the Porky's Revenge movie soundtrack. But the undeniable success of this first half of 1985 was John's son Julian, embarking on a mega-successful tour to promote his album Valotte and garnering awestruck reviews in the process... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatles ’85 pt1

It's 1985, and after a whirlwind prior year the three remaining former Beatles are laying relatively low in their respective corners of the globe. Unable to accept the shortfall of his first solo cinematic debut, Paul McCartney is back in the studio - specifically his newly-minted Hog Hill Mill Studio - doing the one thing that always helps him in times of trouble: making new music. Sessions for his as-yet-untitled new LP feature co-written songs with rocker Eric Stewart and production from mid-80s producer dujour Hugh Padgham. Striking out for a contemporary sound, Macca sought to lose himself in a band environment once more - blending into a group of musicians who can generate excitement in a room...AND understand who's the boss. While Paul plonked away, Ringo Starr was himself BACK on the screen co-starring in Willie and the Poor Boys - a collection of artifacts which featured Bill Wyman's super-group project of the same name. All in all a fairly relaxed start to what would become yet another monumental year in music history... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.