Tune In: The Beatles: All These Years | Mark Lewisohn | Talks at Google

Renowned Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn discusses Tune In with Fab 4 Free 4 All hosts Mitch Axelrod, Rob Leonard, and Tony Traguardo.
Tune In is the first volume of All These Years-a highly-anticipated, groundbreaking biographical trilogy by the world's leading Beatles historian. Mark Lewisohn uses his unprecedented archival access and hundreds of new interviews to construct the full story of the lives and work of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Ten years in the making, Tune In takes the Beatles from before their childhoods through the final hour of 1962-when, with breakthrough success just days away, they stand on the cusp of a whole new kind of fame and celebrity. They've one hit record ("Love Me Do") behind them and the next ("Please Please Me") primed for release, their first album session is booked, and America is clear on the horizon. This is the lesser-known Beatles story-the pre-Fab years of Liverpool and Hamburg-and in many respects the most absorbing and incredible period of them all. Here is the complete and true account of their family lives, childhoods, teenage years and their infatuation with American music, here is the riveting narrative of their unforgettable days and nights in the Cavern Club, their laughs, larks and adventures when they could move about freely, before fame closed in.
For those who've never read a Beatles book before, this is the place to discover the young men behind the icons. For those who think they know John, Paul, George, and Ringo, it's time to press the Reset button and tune into the real story, the lasting word.

[@ianwalsh6899]

We are SO fortunate to have someone as intelligent and sensitive as Mark writing such an all-encompassing biography of The Beatles. Heaven forbid that he not be able to complete his magnum opus.

[@patticrichton1135]

I agree, and I am 74 and hope I live long enough to read Vol. 2 & 3, IF he does complete them. I have Vol 1 and it 's the best book on the Beatles I have ever read and I have about 100 Beatles books of my own. I learned SO MUCH that I NEVER knew before. It was refreshing!!

[@josephdtin]

His book was truly incredible

[@davidgrizlyadams]

The expanded edition is even better

[@ronchapman6525]

@@davidgrizlyadams What's that, about 1,600 pages?

[@UTuberz04]

@@davidgrizlyadams I’ve been tempted to read it, but it seems a little daunting. What are some examples of details that are added that aren’t in the original?

[@LeviBulger]

Does he actually talk about George Harrison in it or does he completely ignore him like on this interview/panel?

[@beatlejames5745]

This guy is an incredible researcher and writer.

[@archaic9525]

i would stress: and a very credible one ! :-)

[@MalEvansUSA]

Phenomenal researcher. Horrid writer. Terrible ego maniac

[@darrenjray]

Just an incredible book. The revelation of why George Martin really signed the Beatles is jaw dropping. Guys, don’t criticise it unless you’ve read the book.

[@ShesaRocknRollWoman]

Yes, after reading about how George Martin became the Fifth Beatle, I wandered around the room shaking my head. Fascinating stuff, and I hope Lewisohn has enough years remaining to give us volumes 2 and 3. Maybe the standard should be "when I'm 84?" 📜📜📜

[@gordonmorris6359]

Are you saying that there is more to the story than what George Martin as said himself on so many occasions? If so, don't leave me hangin', this old Beatlemaniac wants to know! haha Can't afford another book!

[@darrenjray]

@@gordonmorris6359 Do yourself a favour - save up for this book. There is a lot more to the George Martin story. The Washington Post states: But Kim Bennett, a song-plugger for EMI’s in-house publisher, said Martin had turned Epstein down, according to Lewisohn’s research. Epstein had also played his recordings for Sid Colman, Bennett’s boss. Colman wanted to publish some of the Lennon-McCartney songs, but without a record on the market, it would be difficult to sell the sheet music. So Colman tried to interest EMI’s producers in recording the group, with no more success than Epstein. Eventually he persuaded Len Wood, EMI’s managing director, to take them on. Wood was upset with Martin - thanks to a difficult contract negotiation and the discovery that Martin was having a romance with his own secretary (who later became the producer’s second wife). Wood assigned the Beatles to Martin’s Parlophone label as comeuppance.

[@gordonmorris6359]

@@darrenjray Thanks, I didn't know about Martin's romance, etc. I appreciate your responding too. Btw, in case you didn't know it, Martin had an ensemble group of his own, you can hear their records on KZbin probably, good stuff, pre-Beatles.

[@RonnieMinh]

I was 14 years old and remember myself and all my friends waiting weeks anticipating the Beatles appearance on the Sullivan show. There were no VCR’s back then so we all saw it at the same time. I saw the Beatles live on the second show on their 1st American tour, it was in Las Vegas in the smallest venue they played. Tickets cost $3.

[@theoriginalheartstrummer]

I can ABSOLUTELY attest that his first volume is the best ever biography I have ever read. I have read several dozen biographies and autobiographies of musicians. The Real Frank Zappa book, Life by Keith Richards, The Authorised Biography of The Beatles by Hunter Davies are some of my Favourites, along with Anthony Keidis' Autobiography and the NOFX autobiography. These are just some of MANY I have read and I cannot wait for the second and third parts. Of everything I have read, Mark Lewisohn's Beatles book is the best BY A MILE. I have often considered quitting my job so that I could be his minder to help him finish these volumes more quickly! It is THAT GOOD.

[@HomelightRealtyAZ]

I have a lot of Beatle books too but when I read Mark's book it brought me so much closer to understanding the Beatles.. each of them individually and then together. Thank you Google and Mark for this interview. Can't wait for the other books to comeout.. any time frame??

[@sr0242]

Gloria Handley. Do you have the Beatles Anthology Book written by all four of the Beatles?

[@YngtchieMusic]

@@sr0242 Three, the fourth was no longer around. And besides, the Anthology book, which is of course a wonderful coffee table book, is light on information compared to Lewisohn's series, judging by the first volume in any case.

[@UTuberz04]

Reading the book, it literally felt like I was there with them as they were becoming the Beatles lmao

[@leecoulson4224]

I probably haven't quite got 500 books about the Beatles on my shelves like Mark does, but I come close and in my thirty years of reading about this band, his book (well Volume 1 at least) stands spine and shoulders above nearly all other works-he is like the AJP Taylor of Beatles historians- I just hope I (and Mark) live long enough to see the trilogy completed! Hard-core (days and knights) Beatleholics will already know and read the extended editions of the single volume Tune In book but for those who haven't and can find, beg, borrow or steal (Beatles style) copies, I'd highly recommend-the depth and detail contained therein is quite staggering and what Mark has been able to dredge up from the Mersey confounds belief at times. I hope one day to maybe write my own, in my own right, history of the Beatles from my personal perspective, but like the band themselves, there will probably only ever be one biography about them from now on-perhaps the Ultimate Book for the Ultimate Band?

[@brendancronin9190]

The best book for me is revolution in the head because it's just about the songs and that's it.

[@lorettanajarian529]

I've read the first part of this trilogy twice. Can't wait for Part 2.

[@sr0242]

Loretta Najarian. Do you have the Beatles Anthology Book? Written by all four the Beatles!

[@UTuberz04]

That’s quite the feat!

[@darrenjray]

@@sr0242 We know! Most here would have read it. Have you read Tune In?

[@callithowiseeit5806]

I love those who call them over-rated, it really shows a cluelessness to that time, sure they learned their chops from the greats but the work they did soon-after was unprecedented, Tomorrow never Knows must've sounded like something from another planet when you consider what was around, I'm not rose-tinted tho, I'm schooled in 'musique concrete', early electronica etc. and know they weren't the first but what they did with it and what they stumbled upon or pioneered innadvertantly by sheer hunger for new ground and ' just doing it' must be recognised, also to produce such a wealth of work during such a Tornado of engagements, photo shoots, travel, interviews etc, is mind-boggling

[@davidbowman4259]

Overrated? Yeah, just like Da Vinci, Einstein, Picasso, Michelangelo, Monet, Beethoven, Mozart, Faulkner and Hemingway. Sod off, all you Beatles detractors.

[@--REGULAR--REGULAR]

When it comes to the producing, mixing, mastering and the equipment they recorded with...it is the epitome of why I understand people's obsession for the Beatles. The sound is just beautiful and whether you like them or not, it was unique then and its still unique now. I cannot deny that their sound was crafted in a way that is very pleasant to the ears. Their producers or their producing style are the main reason I can admire a tune by the Beatles even if the song isn't necessarily my taste or just a bad song overall to my ears. With that being said I don't consider myself a Beatles fan. After I get past the actual sounds and ascetics of the song, I never have the urge to listen to them, besides a few songs and most of the songs being from early on in their career. Mostly songs before Rubber Soul or songs when John Lennon didn't wear reading classes. The music overtime from rubber soul and beyond is nothing truley mind-blowing or on a level of like a Mozart, Stevie Wonder or even Bjork which whom I listen to all the time. I'm not saying their bad but I've never enjoyed a album by the Beatles.

[@davidbowman4259]

@@--REGULAR--REGULAR I listen to the Fabs all the time. From every part of their stellar career. Yesterday's menu included "The Night Before," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Blue Jay Way." No accounting for musical taste, I guess. In my opinionated book, they'll always be the greatest.

[@mrswozzle]

David Bowman they ARE over rated and as much so as the artists you cite. Just because millions say that it is so, does not make it true. Much of the Beatles early material was highly derivative and their later stuff just nonsense lyrics borne from a lack of original ideas. Of course, people 'interpret' this as esoteric, brilliant, innovative etc..such is the nature of the average human being.

[@foddyfoddy]

jim bob If you really feel that way, I truly feel sorry for you! You're in a tiny minority and you've clearly missed a massive experience. I lived through the Beatles era, and it gives me enormous pleasure to see how huge numbers of the younger generation also love their music. If you're looking for meaning in the lyrics, then you're largely missing the point. It's not poetry, it's music.

[@drvee1983]

As a young musician with an older brother that was a professional musician, I remember the day he brought home a brand new copy of Sgt. Peppers. He looked at me, and our dad ( who also played keyboard and guitar) and said " Wait'll you hear this!" After the second side ended, I was silent, and didn't know what to think. My father ( who was not a Beatle or Pop fan ), Looked at both of with his eyes wide and said, " THIS changes everything..."

[@piotrkanarek]

Hi! It remindes me of my story. I was 5 years old. It was 1971. We visited my dad's friend. Both of them were musicians. The guy had a TV set, which was absolutely rare at these times. At certain point we saw The Beatles singing "Hej Jude". My dad said to me: son, this is THE BEST band in the world. Since then. they are every day in my life. Nothing has changed. They are still the best. Cheers!

[@jrgboy]

@@piotrkanarek I was around 18 when Sgt Pepper came out, I remember the town hall & local Libraries stayed open late so people could come and listen to the album in stereo , it made a fantastic impact.

[@amycrunch3812]

He was prescient. A look at the back of the sleeve would have been a clue too, no?

[@LennyJohnson5]

I went to Mark's presentation/lecture about Abbey Road ('Hornsey Road') at the Redgrave Theatre in Bristol last night, with my 28 year-old son; it was brilliant; illuminating, informative and so well-presented. If you think you know everything about the Beatles, think again; you don't. We both loved it.... Mark is a jewel, and he does important work. And a complete gentleman as well.

[@johnburns4017]

11:28 The Beatles looked for the _"unusual"_ because they did not want to play the same songs as all the other bands. They did think from a different angle for sure, but were not being different for the sake of it. They were just different.

[@sr0242]

John Burns. And no two songs were the same, each other song was different that's why they was such an exciting Good Band. Because they kept changing there music. That's why they were so good at it! Plus they wrote there own music. They were very original and they were one of the best bands of our time!

[@oig40203]

Thanks to the panel for speaking only when needed and letting Mr. Lewisohn have the day.

[@Bellyflops2]

The fab4free4all podcast guys are doing this interview

[@StanKindly]

RIP Little Richard 35:35 onward is fascinating story and reconfirms his influence 🎶💕

[@w1o2l3f4i5e]

I have read the book and loved it. It is long and maybe too much info about the Beatles ancestors but definitely worth reading if you want to know how they started out.

[@johnbarry1965]

Volume's one, two and three will be the definitive works on the Beatles, Lewisohn's an absolute national treasure.

[@MrKaywyn]

The premier Beatles author. His books The Beatles Recording Sessions; The Complete Beatles' Chronicle and the book that he co-wrote The Beatles' London are probably the three best books.

[@theseanwardshow]

Oh my god, I'm so bummed I couldn't be there for this!!!

[@michaelhill3893]

This was recorded almost five years ago but I only just saw it for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am the author of a highly regarded biography of John Lennon's formative years based on my close friendship and twelve years shared schooling with John. My book is 'John Lennon; The Boy Who Became A Legend' and it came out after Mark Lewisohn's book. When he read it, Mark was very complimentary and commented "I wish I had read it before I wrote my book" implying he would have included a lot more about me and the pivotal role I played in John Lennon's life as the boy who turned him on to rock 'n' roll. As it was, Mark did accurately include quite a bit about me in his book 'Tune In' , based on a phone interview we did some five years before, and he also mentions me in this Google talk. For more about my book, and to get a copy, visit the website johnlennonlegend.com.

[@johnbarry1965]

I listened to you on "Something about the Beatles". Did you introduce Little Richard to John and were you invited to become their drummer?

[@michaelhill3893]

Thanks John. Yes, I was the man who introduced John Lennon to Little Richard when we were both aged 15. I brought back to Liverpool from a visit to Amsterdam a 78 rpm copy of Little Richard's recording of Long Tall Sally with Slippin' and Slidin' on the B side. This was almost a year before this record was released in UK so I probably had the only copy in the country. Hearing this for the first time at my house proved to be a pivotal moment in John Lennon's life when he knew he wanted to be a musician. A few weeks later he bought his first guitar then formed a group at our school called The Quarry Men which developed into The Beatles. I was asked to play not the drums but the tea chest bass. Read the full story in my book 'John Lennon; The Boy Who Became A Legend'. Full details from johnlennonlegend.com

[@michaelhill3893]

I'm new to youtube. Did you see my reply John? I made one to you but am unsure if you saw it.@@johnbarry1965

[@johnbarry1965]

@@michaelhill3893 I didn't see your reply alas, i will be purchasing your book very soon but am busy Beatle wise and the "White album" 50 release

[@michaelhill3893]

Thanks John. Get the book from the website johnlennonlegend.com and you'll receive an autographed first edition.@@johnbarry1965

[@adamsmith3923]

Dexys Midnight Runners are a one hit wonder punchline to Americans.. they don't realise the joke doesn't translate to UK peeps as they had many hits in the UK and are taken critically very seriously over here.

[@Wired4Life2]

Specifically, they capitalized on a decade-long, somewhat cult music movement, made an album that was a British success along with a hit single, made an even better album soon after that was even more successful whose showstopper single reached the top Stateside, then made a challenging third album whose mixed response upon release was enough to put the band on a decades-long hiatus, even with more favorable retrospective reviews.

[@esis1873]

Just an incredible book. The revelation of why George Martin really signed the Beatles is jaw dropping. Guys, don’t criticise it unless you’ve read the book.

[@scottamichie]

For rock ‘n’ roll fans who want a DEEP dive into the history go for the 2-volume special edition box set of Tune In (1,750 pages!!) with details on all their musical influences from pre-1950s on and on...across all genres of music.

[@TeleNikon]

Fantastic conversation. But the amount of ill-fitting garments on this stage is distracting.

[@jamesclendon4811]

I'm amazed somebody else felt that too.

[@mitchellaxelrod5286]

@@jamesclendon4811 Just wondering why our clothes made a difference to the content of the interview. Yes, I am a member of the Fab 4 Free 4 All. I am next to Mark.

[@mitchellaxelrod5286]

Just wondering why our clothes made a difference to the content of the interview. Yes, I am a member of the Fab 4 Free 4 All. I am next to Mark.

[@ceejay1794]

My opinion? Listen to the content, novel right?

[@2msvalkyrie529]

@ TeleNikon Well spotted . ! 'The apparel oft proclaims the Man '. It's not as though these guys can't afford a decent tailor . I suggest No 1 Saville Row.

[@jakob8884]

Check out the podcast “Another Kind of Mind” that does a series called “Fine tuning”, which critically analyses the pretty extreme biases that plague this valuable but over-revered under-analysed book.

[@Wildlifeonwheels]

Well Mark Lewisohn would be an authority on talking bull.(@5.32).

[@johnburns4017]

The Liverpool seamen who sailed between Liverpool and America were called the _Cunard Yanks._ There was constant sea traffic between Liverpool and east coast US ports. A few thousand seamen worked this route. They brought back obscure US records for sure. They were easily identifiable as they wore American clothes. Mark says it is a myth they influenced Liverpool. It is not. Their role may be overstated but no myth. Gerry Marsden clearly says they listened to records brought in by fiends who were Cunard Yanks. As a kid I clearly recall my elder cousin, a Cunard Yank, playing records to my elder sisters that he got from the USA - and that no one had heard of. Mark says The Beatles were in the second wave in Liverpool. The first wave clearly had an influence via the Cunard Yanks. How great an influence is undetermined. Mark also highlights that all records in the USA were available in the UK, that being so. If you knew what it was and then ordered the record of course it was available. The obscure records were never in the shops or played on the one radio channel - there was two, the other being Radio Luxembourg, which faded in and out being at times unlistenable in Liverpool being further away from Luxembourg than the likes of London. So how did they know or hear of these obscure US songs? You had to be introduced to them by someone......like a Cunard Yank. George Harrison played a Gretch guitar in early Beatles recordings. He bought that from a Cunard Yank who bought it in New York.

[@emlyngriffith5846]

Without a doubt the best book written about the history of The Beatles.....can't wait for the next two volumes!

[@ronchapman6525]

Hope he lives long enough to get them written and published.

[@UTuberz04]

Reading the book, it literally felt like I was there with them as they were becoming the Beatles lmao

[@nipstar]

That was a great watch, I really enjoyed listening to it. Context has always been important when talking about The Beatles and comparing them to modern acts.

[@SuperGrimupnorth]

Greatest impact other than the Beatles... Cool Herc is one...taking 2 turn tables and playing, scratching and mixing records to the ppl below his appartment window in the Bronx literally changed and ushered in hip hop, dance as well as live a mixing set .. not as known as the fabs but the actual impact of cool herc's work was maybe just important 🎧

[@justinherbert9146]

We can thank cool herc for a genre of music that spews the N word, degrades women by calling them b#tches and ho's, glorifies criminality and the thug gangsta life, where one earns street cred by having been shot or done prison time, along with homophobic and anti-Semitic lyrics, and encourages young ignorant males with failing reading and math scores to have jewels in the crown or many many children with many different women -- all this done by high profile beloved rap artists whose negative themes are directly related to the rise of violent crimes, shooting and homicides in inner city urban communities -- thanks again cool herc

[@GT380man]

@@justinherbert9146They sound like graduates of the SRI. In U.K., we’d say they were guided by the Tavistock.

[@minstrelofMir]

Here is my "i" i started a beatles band in 1975 age11 we played school events and disco"s,,my hands only ever half opened with the main joints never moving,,,,i played so much i opened my left hand,,now i say the beatles saved my hands,,,now there are four generations in my family playing and writing songs

[@FijneWIET]

Thanks for sharing this interview! IMHO Mark Lewisohn is one of the rare 'credible' (reliable) sources of information (on the Beatles)...

[@FijneWIET]

+007Silvery No I don't want to buy any arabic islamic books.. WTF

[@bpabustan]

FijneWIET In terms of Beatles research and studies, hands down, MARK LEWISOHN IS THE MAN!

[@ronson232]

FijneWIET, Can I interest you in some scholarly Arabic Islamic books *at 25% off*? Offer good through next Thursday only.

[@sr0242]

FijneWIET. Yes who is this?

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Paul recorded his Dad's song...walking in the park with Eloise...

[@russellroesner6073]

Thank Goodness a real historian who did his homework. Just listened to one of the worst " Beatles Documentary" interviews with Alan Parsons and Dennis Mitchell who couldn't even Mic his own interview.......However, Didn't like Mark L's comment about so many amazing things in "THIS BOOK" thus plugging his own book. A bit immodest.

[@mikeysaint4368]

I think he comes across as conceited, which is a bit jarring when he's only making a living thanks to The Beatles.

[@johnburns4017]

Mark is right. They were the first band that had the setup of: - drums. - rhythm guitar. - lead guitar - bass guitar - most importantly, no focal point of a _lead_ singer (they all sang). - wrote their own material.

[@sircurtisseretse3297]

No he isn't and neither are you. They were not the first band to have lead, rhythm, bass and drums in Britain. There were other bands with the same kind of line-up in Britain before them. Mark seems to suggest that Liverpool was the place where everything happened, and there was no rock music anywhere else in Britain. That's drivel. There were rock bands all over Britain. Where Mark is right is that there would be a front man with a microphone who did all the singing. His name would be first followed by the name of the band. But even a group like Cliff Richard and the Shadows were breaking this mould. The Shadows might have been better known as an instrumental band who backed a singer, but they made singing records without cliff where they sang in harmony, they had the lineup of lead, rhythm, bass, drums; and they wrote their own material. And they were doing all this before the Beatles did. I have not read any of Mark's books, but there is something important that he has missed from the video. One of the Beatles (And I can't remember which.) gave as one of the reasons for their success that they were the first generation who didn't have to join the army.

[@sr0242]

Mark Lewisohn also has a another book he wrote THE BEATLES CHRONICLE I. bought in 1980s A great book!

[@stephencroes55]

His books are phenomenal.

[@peterdowney1492]

But it is just not true that Liverpool was the only place with a rock band scene. Manchester had a vibrant scene of its own and I'm sure other cities did too. I am very surprised that he has said that. It's not opinion it's fact and there is a good book that documents what was going on in Manchester. Were Liverpool the best,? Maybe, maybe not but certainly they were not alone.

[@zorroonmilkavitch1840]

Wow I can't believe he said that Roy Rogers didn't make any music Roy Rogers was all about the music!

[@RedVynil]

I don't think it had a lot to do with Pete being a loner as it did with him slagging off a lot, showing up late, and just generally not being as good a drummer as they needed/wanted. It sounds like Pete was a lot like me, I pretty much always kept to myself, I hardly ever had eye contact, I didn't even look AT my drums when I played them, quite often I either played with my eyes closed or I actually played a LOT of gigs blindfolded for the entire 4-hour show! And me with a large unruly set! Add to that my want for playing something different and out of the norm! After gig, the others would get together and hang out, I'd just sit by myself, most of the time or, if we played local gigs, once I got my drums packed up for the night, I'd walk home, usually a 5 to 8 mile walk at 3:00 a.m.! They all smoked (except Bob) drank and did drugs and I didn't.So, I was very much the outsider, the loner, but, aside from Bob, my singer (it was his band), I was the integral part of the band! The drum parts I wrote for each song were needed to make the songs what they were. I've heard other drummers try to play my stuff and they just couldn't and the same songs sounded terrible for it. I'm the only other member of the band that stayed with it for 25 years, when we broke up!! Bob, being the other, started the band in the mid `70's when he got home from Viet Nam and I joined in 1980. If you ask people about the band, Bob & I are the two that everyone remembers most, mostly because the other members came and left after a couple months or years. And, Bob & I had a lot of, I guess you'd call it, showmanship; him with his acrobatics, cartwheels, dancing backwards on the edge of the stage on his toes, singing while walking ON the bar, singing without a mic and still being heard above us, and me with my large, bizarre, mix-matched drum set and being 6' 9" tall, my wild yet "sedate" playing (I could get just as much power out of my wrist as most drummers got using their entire arm), quite often playing blindfolded and my stage attire (leotard, mini skirt and pantyhose) which my fans not only loved but, DEMANDED. And, Bob & I just gave it 1000%! We played in some of the most adverse conditions and still plowed through like it was nothing!Anyway, the point is, I don't think it was as much Pete's being a loner as it was his playing and attitude that got him fired.

[@mindfulskills]

What a great project. Too bad Vols. II and III seem to be on permanent hold.

[@RocknRollMusic-xq7ho]

I loved the book, "Tune In." The BEST Beatles bio ever!

[@JaiUneGuruDeja]

The story in volume 1 that floats to the stop of my stack is how the Beatles prepared for and traveled to Hamburg for the first time. So many little things could have easily have gone wrong and prevented the Beatles we know and love from ever happening.

[@corocoro4]

Really into it, then when talking about Liverpool he missed so much out. Liverpool was the main port. A lot of the music came in from the seaman on the ships, they heard it, the Beatles heard it they changed it, the rest was HISTORY....

[@mussman717word]

He mentioned how the direct influence of the seamen had only really affected Ringo. In a sense, you're correct to thank them. After all, they're the ones who imported the wax spun by the young and burgeoning Beatles. They learned it, with the sole exception of Ringo, mostly from vinyl records shipped in from the U.S. You seem to be repeating a popular myth that's been at least partially debunked by Mr. Lewishon, both with the "Tune In" book as well as in various interviews he's given since.

[@johnburns4017]

Mark is right about Liverpool, apart from the city centre, the two main _social_ roads in the 1950s/60s were Park Rd in the south end of the city and Scotland Rd in the north end. These two roads literally had a pub on the corner of each street running off the main road. On a Friday and Saturday evening about every 5th pub had a live band. People wanted _live_ music. If the band was semi-comedic by cracking jokes and witticisms between songs all the better. Other districts of the city were similar but far less concentrated. Liverpool city planners literally razed the two areas in the 1960s, depopulating both districts, obliterating the music nursery.

[@Alkes777]

I'm one of those guys old enough to have watched, and remember (sarc) their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. I lived in New York and they were all over the radio here so the anticipation was incredible. It was certainly a defining moment because of how good they were but there WAS a huge build up before their arrival to the US. I was taking piano lessons but summarily switched to the guitar.

[@montantijoann8554]

ALSO.THANKYOU so so much MR MARK Lewisohn FOR ENLIGHTENING ME AND OTHERS ALL.HERRific FACTS AND ENJOYABLE RECREATION STORYTELLING OF THE BEATLES THEIR LIVES EARLY ON AND BEYOND!!!

[@killmerhonda4373]

Great interview. The book was so packed with details, that I lost some of the broader context available to Mr. Lewisohn. This discussion allowed me to zoom out and focus on the whole story.

[@meeeka]

In high school, I wanted to be a Beatle musicologist, the first. I was a musician, a composer, pet, I got them, but I allowed myself to be convinced otherwise: “there will never be a musicology of rock n’roll!”

[@jonnysongs]

Totally fascinating. Mark is quite amazing and the panel guys are great.

[@marcus27]

Really looking forward to the full blown version of this book having heard ML taking about these books over the years at Liverpool BW

[@jeremynorbury]

Just started listening to the audiobook...

[@Andy-ty2ni]

I am reading it now..November 2019...the detailed research is incredible...it is fascinating and a great read!

[@zorroonmilkavitch1840]

I'd love to hear what he's got to say about the PID situation

[@jrgboy]

I shouldn't think he cares about conspiracy theories

[@darrenjray]

Why would he waste his time on rubbish?

[@lucasoheyze4597]

See the amount of research Lewisohn has put into The Beatles? If he hasn't found the slightest evidence Paul died, don't you think it's unlikely he died?

[@problematic7993]

41:17 give or take a few

[@pucmahone3893]

The lads personalities was really the key to them being a group. Along with their work ethic.

[@bobtaylor170]

It's distressing to hear the questioner repeat the untruth that The Beatles' first appearance had the largest audience in the history of American television. In fact, out of a population of 180 million people in the United States in 1964, it's thought that 71 million watched that broadcast. But seven years earlier, when the American population was about 175 million, 107 million watched the live broadcast of the Rodgers and Hammerstein "Cinderella," which had been written for the 20 year old Julie Andrews.

[@SuperGrimupnorth]

Ian McDonald's : revolution in the head: is thee greatest ever Beatles book

[@LiamPorterFilms]

Absolutely

[@iamreg1965]

Revolution in the Head is too McCartney biased. But an essential read nonetheless.

[@UTuberz04]

I’ve always wanted to read that one. Thank you for making me excited for it!

[@laurencesotelo1629]

you can only say such thing if you've read every beatles book out there dude...

[@SuperGrimupnorth]

@@laurencesotelo1629 I am trying.. tho there will always be fab books that one will never know of.. probably the most outrageous was ' the lives of John lennon' by Albert Goldman 😲

[@LucilleMilo]

boy the facilitator is sort of tough to watch and listen to, right down to his poorly fitted suit jacket.

[@Superdelphinus]

Thomas Daly his mannerisms we’re doing my head in

[@Andy-ty2ni]

i read the first part last summer...it reads true and i hope i am alive long enough to read the next 2 parts!

[@YngtchieMusic]

I'm halfway through 1962 in the audiobook, and I must say that the audiobook as read by Clive Mantle is a remarkable one. He really makes the book come alive, and I love his voices for the various "characters".

[@bluebotlivingston6016]

I can confirm, it's really the ultimate way to experience the biography as a compelling narrative work

[@titusho2]

Calling all Beatle freaks! Hahaha lol😂 like me, I love this band and they're whole story.

[@zorroonmilkavitch1840]

How could John Lennon not know that his parents played the ukulele and the harmonica!

[@johnburns4017]

David Bedford in Liverpool found that _The Beatles_ were a signed formal *partnership.* Pete Best could not be fired. Pete was entitled to 25% of the profits. David Harris, Epstein's lawyer told him that it was a partnership by default, even without a formal signing. Harris did not know that in Dec 1961 they all signed a formal partnership. Best was so bad a drummer, and they never liked him so much after knowing him for two years, they all signed a formal partnership with him? Then six months later he does not fit in? I do not buy that.

[@BklyNYC]

I feel Erin Weber did a better job writing about the History of the Beatles. Mr. Lewisohn is not a trained historian and like most who write about the Beatles he has the “John vs Paul” bias. Ms. Weber feels we need to put that vs thing to bed and leave it alone. And upon reading Mr. Lewisohn books you can tell he has a bias towards John and Paul wants nothing to do with him as the “authority” of the Beatles. Ringo as well is not a fan. Read both authors books and take what you want. ✌🏻

[@ponzo1967]

Part 2 already! Please put out the next volume for Gods sake!

[@lightsone2]

I'm reading this book right now and it is marvelous! Mark has done the most incredible job on this book. I have several of the books he mentions as sources, such as The Anthology, The Beatles Gear, ect. And now, all the other Beatles books I own come together. I look forward to the two remaining volumes. In fact, I can hardly wait!!

[@mikewa2]

lightsone2 - 7 years and still waiting. Mark says 2023, perhaps maybe later. That's some book he's writing

[@michaelfontanelli5940]

Lewisohn's momentary dismissal of Roy Rogers (although he quickly recovers) is the only weak point of an otherwise articulate and informative discussion. Hasn't he ever heard of The Sons of the Pioneers? Does he think popular music began in 1957?

[@yaniratangoart]

***** Lewisonhn also fails to mention that Black American music was basically invisible in the US but not in England. It wasn't only Liverpool that it was appreciated. The Kinks were London based and had the same type of R&B, Blues, Rock LP's.

[@zorroonmilkavitch1840]

Wow caught me off-guard also that's the truth Roy Rogers was the dude back in the day!

[@justinherbert9146]

I wish he would clarify who played drums on the finished master of I FEEL FINE. He must know. 16th notes on the ride cymbal - only Beatles recording with that being played.

[@DAYHOMEONE]

Really can't agree with Lewisohn about Pete Best. All research aside, while Lewisohn's observation about Pete never being one of them was certainly true the break away from Pete would never have happened when it did were it not for the fact that Pete was never a good drummer. This is something that Anthology should have brought home with finality with fans able to hear for the first time Pete backing the Beatles on Love Me Do. The inconstancy both in tempo and style of playing is painful to hear. It really is a mess. I would argue that personality differences aside, Pete would not have been tossed before they made that first album if he had ever been a good drummer.

[@MrRobertbyers]

Seems like a good book. Possibly more accurate history. The beatles were a part of a curve of entertainment interest in kids. More kids got involved , smarter people, and so the accomplishment relative to others. The beatles re introduced exciting music and then songwriting. I don't think Epstein etc mattered that much. Unless noone would open doors for them.

[@jbpink5026]

Sorry, but did you even watch this show? Are you contradicting, on purpose, what Mark Lewisohn said? What's the source of your "contradicting" comments? Or are they just your "personal" opinions?

[@MrRobertbyers]

Yup. Watched it. I have watched/read about the beatles history heaps. I don't know your point that your saying i/m wrong about.?

[@MegaSickcat]

The first book was good, the sad thing is...where is the next one???? Most of the people that will buy the 2nd book just might be to old and stop caring about his book...

[@Beatletoon]

For more with Mark Lewisohn and the Fab 4 Free 4 All, please listen to our podcast interview at: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/fab-4-free-4-all/id498965757?mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

[@sratus]

Some of these questions are just ridiculous - 'How important was it that Brian Epstein disovered the Beatles?'... 'Who were the Beatles' influences?' For fuck sake!! Credit the audience of Beatles fans watching this with some intelligence. We know this, tell us something we don't know. ...plus i could have done without the chunky beardman's heavy breathing throughout.

[@Grithron2]

I used to think the same way, but unfortunately Unterbeger was right - the world is full of people who claim to be Beatles fans but...don't have enough knowledge to get a lot of the jokes in the Rutles film, bought the Anthologies thinking they were best-ofs and / or don't understand the need for archival / audio-documentary albums of that sort, dismissing them as rip-offs...

[@SpeegBJ]

Those who were too young to be FIRST-HAND BEATLES FANS...are forever doomed to do extensive research, gather bits and pieces, assemble records, STUDY the stuff...to gain what they never will. This guy is too studified, way too much background. Ringo would laugh privately listening to this guy. Falling in love CANNOT be experienced second hand. Yes, The Beatles are one of the biggest things that happened in my teen-early adult life. Defining.

[@mda037]

Well to be fair after all these years most die-hard Beatles fans know pretty much all there is to know about them. What else is there to tell? Its more about trying to convey the truly unique phenomena that was Beatlemania in the best way possible. And yeah, I'm wearing headphones so the guy's heavy breathing was irritating. I tried to ignore it as best as I could.

[@richardmaslinski422]

TrainInVain great

[@ardee1980]

Read the book. You will find that some of the things you think you know as a die hard Beatles fan are myths that have propagated over the years. Mark has documents and other evidence to back up his story. This is one of the two or three most well researched books I've ever read.

[@stevevirginia308]

Where is volume 2?

[@ketchup5344]

Even Paul McCartney cant remember some of the stuff this man knows!!

[@gloriamcindoe7413]

Paul McCartney is always rewriting history so far as The Beatles are concerned

[@jrgboy]

I think Paul says that he can't be certain what tracks are on what albums, but why should he ? , I don't suppose he ever plays them. as the Beatles used to spend 8 months a year touring you can't expect them to remember much about it..

[@mrinal80]

Gloria Mcindoe fantastic that we have you to tell us the real truth

[@mikewa2]

Mark wasn't there! Paul certainly was there.

[@mrinalsharma774]

@@gloriamcindoe7413 curious - mostly that you crystallize the kind of person who i always am curious about. You have no knowledge abt what actually happened. You probably havent read lewisohns books ( which for the most part ratify l McCartney) but you choose - explicitely choose to spout nonsense. I always wondered about people like you - not sure you existed. What s sorry excuse of a life.

[@paulfriedman8743]

John Lennon's murder could have been prevented. Learn more at safercountry.org/media and donate to help save other lives. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

[@horowizard]

Finally, an expert who knows exactly what he's talking about. Lewisohn tells it like it was with nothing more and nothing less. His book about the Recording Sessions is gold.

[@sr0242]

horowizard. do you mean the Beatles recording book?

[@horowizard]

It's called The Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Abbey Road Studio Session Notes 1962-1970. It was out of print for a brief time and I think there is a new edition called The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions: The Official Story of the Abbey Road Years. I haven't looked at it. There is also another good one called Recording The Beatles by Curvebender Publishing that focuses on the equipment.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Other musicians were different, and unique, but they didn't have the talent...Elvis brought black music to the whites before...

[@FijneWIET]

BTW.. I just have to say this... The guy on the utter left .. bad toupet (sorry for that, I just couldn't get that off my mind and ignore it)

[@NigelThrillington]

And i'm 95% sure he's the source of the heavy breathing throughout the discussion

[@jimmmmybrady]

It must not be much of a "mind",if it couldn't avoid commenting on an insignificant unconfirmed assumption..

[@FijneWIET]

+jimmmmybrady Imagine what kind of mind it is if it can't resist to comment on an honest observation (which I admitted to be insignificant) with a cheap insult and not adding any kind of original idea or a single thought of his own. And get real, it looks like Bea Arthur's wig from Golden Girls.. Stop whining dude.. Don't be a troll :-/

[@jimmmmybrady]

FijneWIET ....and you saw it first....AND pointed it out,I'm sure you're proud of yourself.

[@davidjanson9900]

btw bad spelling of toupee sorry for that

[@ronaldolaquidara64]

Awesome video with Mark..and all is knowledge about a lil band from across the pond in the town of Liverpool The band is called the BeaTles.. You might of heard them??🤔 😹😂😹😂 Oh I think they'll have in school someday courses of the BeaTles..maybe they already have hmm??🤔 Rock on peeps ✌🏽

[@marcelyanez9045]

My sincere thanks to Mark Lewisohn for being impeccably eloquent and objective in this interview. I'm glad indeed, that our boys - The Fabs - were usually represented by great people in their lives: from Freda to M. Evans and G. Martin. Of course there are more... Special thanks to M. Axelrod for his sensitive approach as an interviewer. Peaceandlove. [Gracias, TG].

[@daijones101]

Roy Rogers had a very successful career in music with the Sons of the Pioneers.

[@daijones101]

@Jim McCracken who was?

[@daijones101]

@Jim McCracken do you have a point? It may be at the top of your head

[@johnburns4017]

Mark is downplaying Pete Best's role, as if he was just picked up from the street. They had known Pete for a number of years, playing at his mother's coffee bar/club. Lennon, McCartney and Harrison helped paint the walls of the place before it opened. Pete was about to go to university/teachers training college when he was asked to go to Hamburg with them. He gave it all up to go with them. Then they treat him like that? He was in the first recording session at Abbey Rd studios - when they had a _contract,_ not an audition. Pete was with them during the time The Beatles were moulded into a band. Then he was dumped without an explanation, with no future., having given up his education. When Pete's daughter was about 11, she said to him, that her friend's mother said he was with a band called _The Beatles._ He never bothered to tell her.

[@tedster405]

A humorous point is made around the 48 minute mark about Dexy's Midnight Runners. I'm reminded of the time a forum I belong to posed the question, "Who was your greatest musical influence?" and a member answered "A-ha" (of "Take On Me" fame). People gave the poor guy a lot of grief for saying that, but he came back with "In your U.S., A-ha were not incredibly successful, with only one hit. However, here in Sweden, they were immensely popular, with many memorable songs". So, while I doubt anyone would overestimate the significance of A-ha compared to The Beatles... a lot can be said for individual framework-based comparisons.

[@seltaeb3302]

As a long time 1960s Beatle fan I feel at times it's become like some untouchable God or God's. I think John & George would roll their eyes🙄🙄. Not Paul tho. This is his element now.

[@chrisfox2890]

I've nearly finished reading this book - it took me about 3 weeks - but what a book! I've read hundreds of books and mags about the Fabs but this surely is the BEST. I've always considered myself, since 1982, being a bit of a Beatles expert, but perhaps half of the content here was entirely new to me. I can't recommend this book highly enough, and can't wait for Vol II. Thank God for Mark Lewisohn!

[@hannannah1uk]

Does he mention Robert (Bob) Gibson who designed the Beatles logo, regularly drew caricatures for the Beatles Monthly and single handedly designed and drew the colour cartoon book for the Magical Mystery Tour US album at the behest of Paul McCartney? No? Thought not.

[@samlottmusic4084]

An amazing book, I learnt something new on each page! I’m patiently waiting for Volume 2...

[@justmadeit2]

As a tribute to the Beatles I made an amateur sketch if you want to see it, simply just type in this.......Beatles sketch with snippets

[@Wofivkelepgovkksoef]

To answer the big guys question, it did make a difference them being from Liverpool. They Would never have been what they were if they were from the south of England.

[@billshortridgeart]

Where are the introductions, Google? We know Mark, great. There are three other people onstage. I'm halfway through and hoping it's revealed by end of interview. Thanks. And, no, I am not friends with them. Never met them.

[@davidwatkinson1226]

I like the way you work. I did the same in depth look with my Yes related book. Well done for having the right way to approach this and keep the high moral ground. I have only just heard of you. Today in fact! I am on my second interview now so I appreciate how you have gone about this book and the others to follow. Well done.

[@Zhaneris]

Google+ please stop forcing us to use a product that we didn't choose. This policy is an UNFAIR CONTRACT TERM.

[@LeviBulger]

That big guy's nostril breathing gets super annoying. They should have muted him when he's not speaking.

[@jamespaul9782]

The beatles has a great story but the problem is it's long they cant cut it because everything is important that's why it's hard to create a beatles biopic i just wish someone can create a beatles biopic that feature everything the beatles did but also not making it a long biopic

[@knockedoutloaded279]

His books are brilliant; wish he'd write a book on John Lennons compleat recordings.

[@RedVynil]

When I was 14 to 19, I had bland acoustic pop from `71 to disco in `76. The music I love the most is the stuff from the early `60's to the psych era in the late `60's! Mostly psych!

[@alejandrocorona1766]

Lewisohn says that it's not true that sailors provided the Beatles with music and then goes on to say that John and George's fathers were sailors and did bring music from America. I guess the lads just didn't want to go into details about their fathers!

[@lucasoheyze4597]

George's dad was a bus driver, and John didn't see Fred Lennon from the age of 5 until he resurfaced in 1964 looking for money.

[@lorettanajarian529]

This is a fabulous first part of the trilogy. I am so looking forward to the next two coming out in print. Lewisohn is extremely thorough.

[@lorettanajarian529]

JoeSmith....The first is the very beginning...their back family history , marraiges, births of each Beatle and siblings, and the beginnings of the group up through 1962, when they met Brian Epstein. The second part will be the Beatle years, 1963 - 1970, and the third will be after the breakup. Part 2 should be coming out in 2017, and Part 3 not until 2025. He takes about 7 years per book because he does so much research and fact-checking. The first book was over 900 pages. I've read it twice.

[@lorettanajarian529]

+Jack Woods I am hoping it's out by 2017. I've already read Volume 1 twice. When I read it for the 2nd time I found even more facts that I'd missed the first time. Fascinating. I also think he'll have a very objective opinion on the breakup. Unfortunately I hope I'm still around to read that one...LOL

[@lorettanajarian529]

+Jack Woods They all didn't pay for things they bought in the early years...LOL Little thieves!

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

They want fucking locking up for that! Which would be a relief to everyone and especially a relief to the world of music!