Sixty years ago today, June 15, 1966, Yesterday and Today was scheduled to arrive in record stores across America. Instead, Capitol Records was already deep into what would become one of the most famous album recalls in music history. The Beatles' controversial "butcher cover" had triggered a backlash unlike anything the label had anticipated. By the time the official release date arrived,…
This episode is Part Four of our 12-part series, Beneath the Surface: The Beatles in 1966, a year-long, month-by-month look at the band’s most transformational year. In April 1966, the Beatles return from a three-month break and step into the studio with a completely new mindset. What begins with a visit to London’s Indica Gallery and John Lennon’s discovery of The Psychedelic Experience quickly…
In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Wright to discuss his new play Please Please Me, which brings the story of Brian Epstein to the stage at London’s Kiln Theatre. The play explores Epstein’s life beyond his role as the Beatles’ manager, focusing on the tension between his public success and private reality. In 1960s Britain, homosexuality was illegal—a fact that shaped nearly every aspect of…
This episode is Part Three of our 12-part series, Beneath the Surface: The Beatles in 1966, a year-long, month-by-month look at the band’s most transformational year. March 1966 marks the moment the Beatles begin to emerge from their early-year hibernation — and as they do, the divide between who they were and who they were becoming has never been more visible. On the surface, Beatlemania appears…
Today we’re bringing you part two of our interview with Andrew Cook, author of the new book Capitol Gains: Exposing the Conflict between the Beatles and the Record Label that Made Them. In part one, we dug into the many myths surrounding the Beatles signing to Capitol Records, and Andrew walked us through the new information he uncovered about how that historic deal actually came together. We also…
Today we’re joined by Andrew Cook, author of the new book Capitol Gains: Exposing the Conflict Between The Beatles and the Record Label That Made Them — part one of a two-part conversation. If you think you already know the story of how The Beatles conquered America, this book might surprise you. Capitol Gains takes a deep dive into the complicated, occasionally combative, and hugely consequential…
This episode is Part Two of our 12-part series, Beneath the Surface: The Beatles in 1966, a year-long, month-by-month look at the band’s most transformational year. February 1966 continues the strange calm at the start of the year. There are no riots. No screaming headlines. No dramatic breakups or public meltdowns. Instead, the changes are quieter — but no less significant. George Harrison and…
This episode is Part One of our 12-part series, Beneath the Surface: The Beatles in 1966, a year-long, month-by-month look at the band’s most transformational year. In January 1966, everything about the Beatles still looked exactly the way it was supposed to. They were dominating the charts, talking about new albums, new tours, and even a third movie. Beatlemania wasn’t just alive — it was still…
It's been a minute, and we're back with a new season! This year, we're focusing the transformational year of 1966 — tracking the Beatles' lives, month-by-month. In this preview episode, we catch up on our time away, including Allison's trip to Egypt and Erika's announcement about her upcoming Butcher Cover book! We then set the context for our look into 1966 by seeing where the Beatles are in…
Another crazy month for us Beatles fans! This episode, we’re going through the Beatles’ new vinyl releases, including the brand-new Mono box set and its breakouts. (Which you can win in our special holiday giveaway!) We also review the new Disney+ doc, Beatles ’64 , premiering Nov. 29. We’re giving you our thoughts on this remastered, remixed look into the Beatles’ US debut in February 1964 - be…