Before They Were Beatles

This month we turn the spotlight on bass player Stuart Sutcliffe*******Links mentioned in this episode  - Stuart Sutcliffe wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Sutcliffe  - Stuart Sutcliffe official website at https://www.stuartsutcliffeart.com/  - The Beatles Shadow: Stuart Sutcliffe & His Lonely Hearts Club” - https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-Shadow-Stuart-Sutcliffe-Lonely/dp/028307342X/  - Graphic novel “Baby’s in Black” by Arne Bellstorf. - https://www.amazon.com/Babys-Black-Graphic-Biographies-Bellstorf/dp/1906838267 Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on bass players Ivan Vaughn and Lou Walters, plus drummer Andy White**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month, we turn the spotlight on singers Jacky Spelter and Rory Storm *******Links mentioned in this episode Jacky SpelterGerman language Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacky_Spelter Tribute article on Jacky on the Berlin Beats Blog - https://mischalke04.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/jacky-and-his-strangers-rock%C2%B4n%C2%B4roll-is-here-to-stay-1977/ “Rock-n-Roll Jacky,” a one-hour German-language documentary, is available on YouTube - https://youtu.be/9dGeUqTgk4Y?si=zAJfFdFrwIHKLcp1 Rory StormWikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_Storm The Mersey Beat website article on Rory by his friend and Mersey Beat editor Bill Harry - http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/a-z/rorystorm-hurricanes.shtml The full album Rory Storm and the Hurricanes Live at the Jive Hive can be found on YouTube - https://youtu.be/TxQTr5nUAXQ?si=BHitl3I1ZkwhoV1R “From a Storm to A Hurricane” by Anthony Hogan was published in June 2016 https://www.amazon.com/Storm-Hurricane-Rory-Hurricanes/dp/1445656329 Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on bass player Stuart Sutcliffe**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month, we turn the spotlight on Quarryman and John Lennon's sidekick, Pete Shotton.  *******Links mentioned in this episode Pete ShottonJohn Lennon In My Life. - Pete Shotton & Nicholas Schaffner  - Stein and Day (1983)  - https://www.amazon.com/John-Lennon-Life-Pete-Shotton/dp/081286185X/Before They Were Beatles - Alan J. Porter - Xlibris (2003)https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781413430561 The Quarrymen - Hunter Davies - Omnibus Press (2001)https://www.amazon.com/Quarrymen-Hunter-Davies/dp/071198526X Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on singers  Jacky Spelter and Rory Storm**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.

This month, we turn the spotlight on the man The Beatles referred to as “The Teacher,” guitarist and singer Tony Sheridan  *******Links mentioned in this episode Tony SheridanWikipedia Page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Sheridan The Teacher: The Tony Sheridan Story by Alan Mann - https://www.amazon.com/Teacher-Sheridan-Story-Alan-Mann/dp/0957528507/ Tony Sheridan – The One The Beatles Called "The Teacher",  by Colin Crawley. - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781515092612 RTE audio documentary Are You Tony Sheridan? - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781515092612https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/771586-are-you-tony-sheridan Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on Quarrymen Pete Shotton, and Bill Smith**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month, we turn the spotlight on  the “almost 5th Beatle,” keyboard player Billy PrestonLinks mentioned in this episode Billy PrestonBilly Preston- He has his own wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Preston BBC radio documentary Billy Preston; That’s the Way Go Planed It - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wqb5d “The Friends of Billy Preston”, by Steve Bergsman - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781544957296 General Beatles BooksBefore They Were Beatles - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781413430561 Tune In - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781101903292 The Beatles (biography) - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9780316013314 Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on Tony Sheridan**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. *******

This month we turn the spotlight on drummer Jimmie Nicol.--------------------Links mentioned in this episode Jimmie NicolJimmy Nichol - wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmie_Nicol The Parlogram series 30 minute mini documentary on Jimmie’s story - https://youtu.be/onKRSu5C3EI?si=-f4n9Ejh2OcHKTgt Finding The Fourth Beatle by David Bedford and Garry Popper https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Fourth-Beatle-Drummers-Behind/dp/3732398420 The Beatle Who Vanished by Jim Berkenstadt. - https://www.amazon.com/Beatle-Who-Vanished-Beatles-Anniversary/dp/B0D3BD4GS3/ General Beatles BooksBefore They Were Beatles - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781413430561 Tune In - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781101903292 The Beatles (biography) - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9780316013314 Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on keyboard player Billy Preston**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month we turn the spotlight on trumpet player David Mason, drummer Tommy Moore, and bass player Chas Newby.*******Links mentioned in this episode Dave MasonWikipedia entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mason_(trumpeter) Obituary - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/08/david-mason-obituary Tommy MooreWikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Moore_(musician) Finding The Fourth Beatle - https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Fourth-Beatle-Drummers-Behind/dp/3732398420 Johnny Gentle and The Beatles - The First Tour  - https://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Gentle-Beatles-First-Ever-ebook/dp/B007L0JKEYThe Man Who Gave The Beatles Away - https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Gave-Beatles-Away/dp/0345270746 Chas NewbyWikipedia entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chas_Newby Obituary - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/23/chas-newby-one-time-beatles-bassist-dies YouTube interview - https://youtu.be/KIvghvlt1YI?si=YXLQEMb6nltp1bRH General Beatles BooksBefore They Were Beatles - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781413430561 Tune In - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781101903292 The Beatles (biography) - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9780316013314 Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on drummer Jimmy Nichol**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.

This month we turn the spotlight on the man who probably has the best claim to the title of “The 5th Beatle,” producer George Martin .*******Links mentioned in this episode George MartinAll You Need Is Ears memoir - https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9781250784049 Limited edition Playback autobiography - Copies for sale on Abe Books - https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/title/playback-illustrated-memoir/author/george-martin/ George Martin’s wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Martin David Bennet’s excellent video on George’s contributions to Beatles recordings  - https://youtu.be/YDYedISQ2JU?si=hEqorDj9xTxM39pf Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on trumpet player David Mason and drummer Tommy Moore**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month we turn the spotlight on singer Jackie Lomax and pianist John “Duff” Lowe.*******Links mentioned in this episode Jackie LomaxWikipedia entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Lomax Official website - http://www.jackielomax.com Obituary - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/17/jackie-lomax John LoweWikipedia entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lowe_(musician) Obituary - https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/may/02/john-duff-lowe-obituary Websites:Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter **************Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me [email protected] can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/.Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on producer George Martin**************Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission.The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Welcome to the ninth episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on singers Simone Jackson and Davy Jones ******* Links mentioned in this episode  Websites: Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter  ************** Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] You can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on singer Jackie Lomax and pianist John Lowe ************** Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Welcome to the eighth episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on on drummers Colin Hanton and Johnny Hutchinson ******* Links mentioned in this episode Books: The Quarrymen by Hunter Davis - https://www.amazon.com/Quarrymen-Hunter-Davies/dp/071198526X Before They Were Beatles by Alan J. Porter https://www.amazon.com/Before-They-Were-Beatles-1956-1960/dp/1413430562  Finding the Fourth Beatle by David Bedford and Gary Popper https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9783732398423  Pre:Fab! By Colin Hanton with Colin Hall - https://www.amazon.com/Pre-Lennon-McCartney-George-Harrison/dp/1912362570  Johnny Hutchinson Obituary - https://www.the-independent.com/news/obituaries/johnny-hutchinson-hutch-drummer-the-beatles-ringo-starr-big-three-a8882636.html    Websites: Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter  ************** Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] You can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on singers Simone Jackson and Davy Jones ************** Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Welcome to the seventh episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on drummer Bobby Graham, the Quarrymen’s guitarist Eric Griffiths, and one-off bass player Johhny Gustafson ******* Links mentioned in this episode Books: The Quarrymen by Hunter Davis - https://www.amazon.com/Quarrymen-Hunter-Davies/dp/071198526X Before They Were Beatles by Alan J. Porter https://www.amazon.com/Before-They-Were-Beatles-1956-1960/dp/1413430562  Finding the Fourth Beatle by David Bedford and Gary Popper https://bookshop.org/a/10029/9783732398423  John Gustafson: the second most important bassist to come out of Liverpool by Scott McCormick . https://blog.discmakers.com/2018/07/john-gustafson-the-second-most-important-bassist-to-come-out-of-liverpool/    Websites: Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter  ************** Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] You can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight drummers Colin Hanton and Johnny Hutchinson. ************** Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Welcome to the sixth episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on Quarrymen’s Len Garry, and singer Johnny Gentle ******* Links mentioned in this episode Books: The Quarrymen by Hunter Davis - https://www.amazon.com/Quarrymen-Hunter-Davies/dp/071198526X Before They Were Beatles https://www.amazon.com/Before-They-Were-Beatles-1956-1960/dp/1413430562  John, Paul & Me: Before The Beatles  - Len Garry -  https://www.amazon.com/John-Paul-Me-Before-Beatles/dp/1784560782/  Johnny Gentle and The Beatles First Ever Tour - Johnny Gentle (eBook) https://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Gentle-Beatles-First-Ever-ebook/dp/B007L0JKEY/    Websites: Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter  ************** Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] You can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on  drummer Bobby Graham, the Quarrymen’s guitarist Eric Griffiths, and bass player Johhny Gustafson ************** Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Welcome to the fifth episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on The Quarrymen’s Rod Davis, and singers Tanya Day, and Craig Douglas ******* Links mentioned in this episode Books: The Quarrymen by Hunter Davis - https://www.amazon.com/Quarrymen-Hunter-Davies/dp/071198526X Before They Were Beatles https://www.amazon.com/Before-They-Were-Beatles-1956-1960/dp/1413430562  Websites: Alan J. Porter - YouTube Channel - Forgotten Beatles related videos - https://www.youtube.com/@AlanPorterWriter  The Original Quarrymen - Official Website - originalquarrymen.co.uk/. Craig Douglas - Wikipedia entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Douglas ************** Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can find me on most social media platforms @alanjporter or you can email me at [email protected] You can also subscribe to the FREE monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. Don’t forget to join us next time when we turn the spotlight on the Quarrymen’s Len Garry and singer Johnny Gentle ************** Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month we turn the spotlight on on the man on the weeping guitar originally credited as “Eddie Clayton” perhaps better known as Eric Clapton ******* Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me at [email protected] Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the story of The Quarrymen’s Rod Davis . ************** BTWB Newsletter You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads —--------- Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month we turn the spotlight on n Vince Calandra, The Chants, and Norman Chapman If you want to know more about  Vince Calandra he did a four-hour interview for the Television Academy on his career which is available in their online archives. There are a few extracts from it on YouTube that refer to the Beatles' Ed Sullivan appearance. For info on The Chants, I recommend the Sixties City website which includes links to their full discography. There is also an extract on YouTube from the documentary "Get Back: The City That Rocked The World", with Joe Ankrah talking about meeting Paul and being invited to the Cavern. You can read more of Norman Chapman’s story in The Fab One Hundred and Four by David Bedford, and Finding the Fourth Beatle by David Bedford & Gary Popper. ******* Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles Presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me at [email protected] Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the story of ‘Eddie Clayton” (aka Eric Clapton) . ************** BTWB Newsletter You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads —--------- Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

This month we turn the spotlight on guitarist Ken Brown of The Quarrymen and The Blackjacks If you want to know more about Ken Brown’s story I recommend, The Beatles: The True Beginnings, published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2003 ******* Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me at [email protected] Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the stories of honorary Beatle Vince Calandra, vocal group The Chants, and drummer Norman Chapman. ************** BTWB Newsletter You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads —--------- Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Welcome to the first episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles in which we turn the spotlight on drummer Pete Best If you want to know more about Pete Best’s story we recommend,  Beatle! The Pete Best Story - Plexus Publishing  - Pete’s autobiography  (although it is going for crazy money these days - if you can find a copy it is well over $200 for the paperback) The Beatles: The True Beginnings is a nice illustrated hardback on the history of the Casbah Club by Roag Best published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2003 Finding the Fourth Beatle by David Bedford and Gary Popper, published in 2013 is a great book on the various Beatles drummers (many of whom we will be covering in this podcast series) and includes an in-depth study of Pete’s drumming technique.  And of course, there’s Mark Lewishon’s mammoth volume on The Beatles’ early years, Tune In, which covers Pete’s time with the group in Liverpool and Hamburg in great detail Pete also has his own official website at https://www.petebest.com and on Twitter / X @BeatlesPeteBest ******* You can check out some of Pete's post-Beatles recordings, plus enjoy his appearance on the Have I Got A Secret TV show on The Forgotten Beatles You Tube playlist. ******* Thanks for listening to this episode of Before They Were Beatles presents: The Forgotten Beatles. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email us at [email protected] Don’t forget to join us next month when we turn the spotlight on the story of The Quarrymen’s Ken Brown ************** BTWB Newsletter You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads —--------- Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission. The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

Coming to this podcast soon, a new series -  Before They Were Beatles presents:  The Forgotten Beatles  We all know the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, The Beatles - BUT, there are other tales still left to tell.  Who were Pete, Ken, Norman, Johnny, Colin, Rod, Stuart, Eric, and more who all played their part in the story of the greatest band in rock history? These will be the stories we share The stories of THE FORGOTTEN BEATLES =========== I hope you will join us for this fun trip to discover these fascinating stories. Tune in via the podcast platform of your choice. and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles or you can email me at [email protected] You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads =========== Some Other Guy performed by The Savage Young Beatles is used with permission -  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXVCPXJuoG0⁠  ========== The Before They Were Beatles podcast series is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

In this episode, I share some thoughts on the recently released, remixed, and remastered extended Red and Blue albums, and wrap things up with my reactions to the “last Beatles song” Now & Then ************************ Thank you for joining us over the last three seasons and listening to the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.. - and I hope you also enjoyed this bonus episode. But there are other tales still left to tell.  Whatever happened to Pete, Ken, Norman, Johnny, Colin, Rod, Stuart, Eric, and more who all played their part? We will be sharing their stories when we return in the New Year with a new series of shows: The Forgotten Beatles. ******* Thanks for listening to this episode of the Before They Were Beatles podcast. If you would like to leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform that would be great and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future episodes.  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles BTWB Newsletter You can also subscribe to the monthly Before They Were Beatles newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/. The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition of Before They Were Beatles Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

In this episode, we will take a deep dive into the events surrounding Pete Best’s departure and Ringo’s arrival as a member of The Beatles. .********* This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. .********* Before The Beatles 20th Anniversary edition newsletter To mark both the 20th anniversary of the original BEFORE THEY WERE BEATLES book’s publication and the popularity of the podcast, we have decided to answer many long-standing requests for an updated and expanded version of the book with a new 20th Anniversary edition. if you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/  This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more. Why Subscribe? The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads ******** The music heard in this episode included: - The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions) You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel If you enjoy the early rock-n-roll years and the music that inspired the Fab Four you can now enjoy a great selection of songs from the period on the new Before They Were Beatles playlist on Spotify  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

In this short bonus episode I’m delighted to announce the first in-person “Before They Were Beatles” event. ***************** Stereo Dinner and Pershing present “Before They Were Beatles” a one-night-only celebration of the Fab Four’s early days with historian and author Alan J Porter. The event on June 2 will feature an intimate multi-course ticketed dinner followed by access to the after-dinner concert with Liverpool’s The Savage Young Beatles.  Before they were The Beatles, a pre-Fab Four John, Paul, George, (and even a bit of Ringo) were infamous for their brand of raucous, rough, hard rocking shows they performed during their residencies in Hamburg and at the Cavern Club Liverpool from 1960-1963. In celebration of a night with Liverpool’s tribute “The Savage Young Beatles” on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Pershing in East Austin, be the guest of their Fab Four historian Alan J. Porter.  The pop-culture writer, podcaster, and author of the acclaimed book “Before They Were Beatles'' will host an intimate three-course tasting menu dinner crafted by Chef Chris Galluccio and inspired by the amphetamine-fueled, underfed, leather-clad, sweaty, beautiful noise of the pre-Fab Four. For more information and to reserve a ticket see https://www.stereodinner.com/events/beforetheywerebeatles ******************* If you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/  This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more. Why Subscribe? The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads ****************************** The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

In this special episode, we take a look at what it takes to start a new Beatles tribute band with interviews with the folks behind The Savage Young Beatles and the organizers of the Abbey Road on the Road Festival. .********* This is the story of beginnings, the story of Tom, George, Booby, and Ed - The Savage Young Beatles. .********* Links mentioned in this episode. Tom’s “Mean Mr. Mustard” Beatles’ covers - https://www.youtube.com/@meanmrmustard6184  Little Triggers YouTube page - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkklUXhPasw15cGTOhmIUw Abbey Road on the River - http://arotr.com  Savage Young Beatles links Website - https://www.thesavageyoungbeatles.com/  YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheSavageYoungBeatles-hz7se  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesavageyoungbeatles/  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thesavageyoungbeatles  .********* The Savage Young Beatles US tour dates. Abbey Road on the River festival  - May 25 - 29 Austin TX The High Ball, S. Lamar, Blvd - Tuesday, May 30th at 7:00pm Sour Duck Market - E. MLK Blvd - Wednesday, May 31st at 6:00pm Carousel Lounge - E. 52nd St - Wednesday, May 31st at 8:00pm The Little Darlin' - Circle S Rd - Thursday, June 1st at 7:00pm The Pershing - E 5th St - Friday, June 2nd at 8:00pm .********* Before The Beatles 20th Anniversary edition newsletter To mark both the 20th anniversary of the original BEFORE THEY WERE BEATLES book’s publication and the popularity of the podcast, we have decided to answer many long-standing requests for an updated and expanded version of the book with a new 20th Anniversary edition. if you’d like to keep up with the progress of the work on the 20th Anniversary edition of the Before They Were Beatles book you can sign up for a subscription to the new dedicated Substack monthly newsletter at https://beforebeatles.substack.com/  This newsletter will give you behind-the-scenes access to the development of that new edition with exclusive first looks at the new text, and more. Why Subscribe? The news and updates sections each month will be FREE to all subscribers. Each month paid subscribers will get: Exclusive first look at in-progress updates to the updated and expanded 20th Anniversary edition Author's notes Play List Suggestions Recommended Reads ******** The music heard in this episode included: The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions) Tom Hamilton - Rock-n-Roll Music Little Triggers - High Time The Savage Young Beatles - Some Other Guy You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles YouTube channel. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC. 

It’s early 1962 and John, Paul, George, and Pete, are  headed down to London to audition for a major record label. Will they land that much desired recording contract? .********* This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. The music heard in this episode included: The Beatles - Money (Intro from Decca auditions) Beatles - Memphis Tennessee (Decca auditions) Brian Poole & The Tremeloes  - Do You Love Me The Beatles - Like Dreamers Do The Beatles - Hello Little Girl Dick James - The Adventures of Robin Hood Temperance Seven - You’re Driving Me Crazy You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe. If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions The Before They Were Beatles Podcast is a production of  Megrin Entertainment, a division of 4Js Group LLC.

It's 1957 and the boys start to take the stage with the first public performances by the Quarrymen (John), The Rebels (George), and the Eddie Clayton Skiffle Group (Ringo). This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity,  and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy,  coincidence, and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. The music heard in this episode includes: The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger The Merseysippi Jazz Band - Snake Rag George Harrison & Eric Clapton - While My Guitar Gently Weeps The New Rebels - Young Blood Elvis Presley - All Shook Up You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow  the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at [email protected] You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions

It's fall 1956 and a return to school means new friends and new ideas for John Lennon - and one idea, in particular, that will be the catalyst for everything that follows - the formation of a schoolboy skiffle group - The Quarrymen. This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. The music heard in this episode included: The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger The Vipers - Don’t You Rock Me Daddy’O The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys - Worried Man Blues Paul McCartney - I Lost My Little Girl Lonnie Donigan - John Henry You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel -  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at [email protected] You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions

Our journey continues as we meet the teenage George Harrison, James Paul McCartney, and Richard Starkey, plus take a side trip to discuss the impact on British rock of guitar virtuoso Bert Whedon. This is the story of how one of thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. The music heard in this episode included: The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger (Harrison & McCartney) Burt Weedon - Guitar Boogie Shuffle The Beatles - extract from A Day in the Life (Lennon & McCartney) Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In (trad.) Gerry & The Pacemakers - Ferry Across the Mersey (Gerry Marsden) You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at [email protected] You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions

We begin our journey in January 1956, with the rise of Elvis and the beginnings of rock-n-roll, the British skiffle craze, and the impact they had on the young John Winston Lennon. This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. The music heard in this episode included: The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger Bill Haley - Rock Around The Clock Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel Fats Domino - Ain’t That A Shame Little Richard - Long Tall Sally You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast You Tube channel If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at [email protected] You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions

In Liverpool , England, October 1956. Schoolboy John Lennon and his best friend, Peter Shotton, decide to start a skiffle group as “a bit of a lark.” Four years later John, now accompanied by Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best, left Liverpool to start a series of near-legendary gigs in Hamburg, Germany. His group now performing under their newly acquired name – THE BEATLES. This is the story of those four years. The story of how one of the thousands of amateur schoolboy skiffle bands evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence and at times just sheer luck. It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles. The first introductory episode covers host Alan J. Porter's personal connections with Strawberry Fields and how the genesis of his original Before They Were Beatles book. The music heard in this episode includes: The Quarrymen - In Spite of All The Danger John Lennon - Strawberry Fields For Ever (acoustic) Various voices - Imagine (John Lennon) Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel  at https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP0CDQdLe-G141LlqyBu8rC8ap6voBhZe  If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at [email protected] You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions