Yesterday and Today

Live, from Springfield, it's Yesterday & Today's fabulous 211th episode - 1991 pt2! Well, maybe not LIVE, exactly, but certainly from Springfield, as this episode features the first of the Beatle cameos on the iconic cartoon primetime staple The Simpsons. When Homer stumbles upon Marge's old portrait tribute to Ringo Starr, The Simpsons re-enter the art scene to dramatic results. Even more dramatic, perhaps, is the cutaway scenes featuring none other than Ringo Starr himself, who is STILL responding to his 1960's fan mail when he too stumbles upon Marge's portrait. This iconic appearance will herald many more on the show - and also coincides with another as-yet-to-be iconic appearance by a former Beatle on a different TV channel. MTV's new Unplugged series has just debuted, and Paul McCartney's live LP of the recorded performance is out in the world! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1991 starts with a bang! Or is it a twist? The Traveling Wilburys' latest single The Wilbury Twist is the latest release from the super-group whose popularity continued well on into the new year, and signaled the continued resilience of the George Harrison comeback of the prior decade. While George and pals were twisting, Paul McCartney was back on stage with a new iteration of his touring band - this time to to kick-off the new MTV show titled Unplugged. In one of the most intimate and deep-cut-laden performances of his post-Beatles career, McCartney too was on a winning streak into 1991 - and this was only the beginning... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the finale of 1990 and Paul McCartney is drawing a historic year in his solo career to a close with a new single. Taken from his new Tripping the Live Fantastic package capturing the best performances from his whirlwind 89-90 World Tour, the single All My Trials captures Macca and the band at their most soulful. A fitting, poignant end to a year that would come to define Paul for the rest of his life, and secure his legacy as the 20th century's most prolific pop prodigy. With new music from George Harrison's Traveling Wilburys still on the charts, so ends the beginning of a new decade in Beatle World. Next, it's 1991... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Traveling Wilburys are coming! The Traveling Wilburys are coming! Well, actually they're HERE as of October 29th, 1990 and the release of The Traveling Wilburys vol3 -- the highly anticipated follow-up to the super-group's hit debut record. Despite the shift in decade and the fallen Roy Orbison, the project begun by George Harrison had another hit on their hands with this latest release - successful in both album and singles charts alike. Cuts like Wilbury Twist, Last Night and She's My Baby offered a dose of vitality for the genre of rock'n'roll amidst a crowded marketplace of new sounds that would have been largely unrecognizable a scant decade prior. More importantly, this was new George Harrison music in the 1990s...a signal for more on the horizon? Or perhaps a last burst of excitement... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer 1990 brought an increasingly unusual sight for fans in an ever-evolving post-Beatles world: the release of two new singles by two former Beatles respectively. First up was George Harrison, back in the studio with the Traveling Wilburys to release the charity single Nobody's Child. The release, in aid of Romanian orphans spearheaded by George's wife Olivia, signaled the beginning of new music from the supergroup - and the first new music from George in the new decade. Paul McCartney was next with the single release of Birthday - cut live during his smash-hit world tour and taken from the incoming album chronicling those live performances. Two new singles followed by two new albums from Paul and George as we enter fall 1990... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's summer 1990 and the Paul McCartney World Tour is headed toward its final stretch of shows. Using a dynamic mix of Beatles classics, solo hits, album tracks for the hardcore fans and cutting edge stage production technology, Macca's bag of tricks had wowed audiences across the planet...but the surprises weren't over yet. It was in Paul's triumphant return to Liverpool where an epic tribute to his fallen friend where the World Tour soared to even greater heights... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the lumpy trousers continued their march across the world in the spring of 1990, another Beatles live experience arrived on the shores of Liverpool just in time for a special anniversary. The John Lennon memorial concert on May 5th offered healthy doses of both celebration and catharsis for the home city of the former Beatle on what would have been the year of his 50th birthday. Cyndi Lauper, Hall & Oates, Lou Reed, Natalie Cole, Kylie Minogue and more took the stage before thousands of fans to deliver music and memories of the late great Johnny Ace. Elsewhere in Beatle world, another collection of all star collaborators were also making music together, but this traveling band weren't on the stage, they were in the studio... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latter days of February 1990, Paul McCartney reached several key milestones on his return to the road - first up a lifetime achievement award at the 32nd annual Grammy Awards! This recognition of Macca's solo efforts in particular reached Paul at a career high, as his world tour set its sights on the second major moment of that month - a triumphant return to Japan. A decade after his infamous drug bust, The Paul McCartney World Tour successfully reached the stage of the Tokyo Dome to rock the country that had been so bitterly robbed of the final Wings tour. And while the early months of the new decade were dominated by Paul and co, another former Beatle was preparing new music as well... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a new year, a new decade, and a new leg of the Paul McCartney world tour to ring in 1990! From Birmingham to Wembley, Detroit to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati to Indianapolis, Paul and the band continued their ultra-successful concert experience - wowing audiences and charming critics along the way. In fact, some critics known for their harsh takes on Macca in the past - namely Rolling Stone Magazine - were themselves caught up in the mania, with cover features aplenty praising Paul's passion for live performance and cheering the strength of the Flowers in the Dirt LP. With February fast approaching, a fourth leg stood poised to continue the stadium domination even further... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The finale of 1989 - and of the 80s - is here! And this decade just refused to go out without a bang, as Paul McCartney's World Tour rolled up to Chicago, Montreal, Toronto and the legendary Madison Square Garden! Macca's triumphant return to MSG was the culmination of his grand return to form, embraced by the public and critics alike on the back of both Beatles nostalgia and a strong new offering Flowers in the Dirt. It was a decade that began on an incredible low for Paul - the Japan bust, the murder of John Lennon - but which ended on a career high for the solo output of the Beatle who had so much to prove following the band's split now two decades prior. Next for Paul? Bigger hills to climb in the 1990s... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's November 1989 and a major decade in Beatles history draws to a close...but not without a few more surprises in store. First up on the 8th, a milestone on the road to reconciliation for the former Beatles and John Lennon's estate, as The Beatles v Capitol lawsuit is finally settled (and in doing, paving the way for potential new product in years to come). Paul McCartney's momentous year continues on with the release of the new single Figure of Eight (plucked from the Flowers in the Dirt LP) and on the 23rd the second leg of his World Tour began in the US. Plus new Beatley-contributions from Eric Clapton, and a legal battle for Ringo Starr in Georgia... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Yesterday & Today Podcast is celebrating 200 episodes with a special all-new discussion around an exciting collection of Beatles news magazine rarities! In a segment we call WE READ THE NEWS TODAY, hosts Wayne and Paul Kaminski are joined by Take it Away co-founder and co-host Chris Mercer to read, review and examine a selection of contemporaneous Beatles news magazine sources from during and after the band's time together. From John Lennon's illuminating 1974 Crawdaddy feature, to TIME Magazine's exploration of the "new" Beatles in September of 1967, this episode offers a glimpse into the minds of journalists and critics that analyzed the Beatles story in real time at various points in the band's history and beyond. We'd like to thank Chris for joining us in this fun conversation, and a huge thanks to all of you listeners who kept this podcast going for 5+ years, hundreds of thousands of downloads, 190+ countries and 200 episodes & counting! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the fall of 1989 and the Paul McCartney World Tour is officially underway! Along the way on the road with Macca were the lessons gleaned from tours past - including the notion that his band ought to be broken-in in front of friendly or otherwise European crowds before heading to the UK or North America. And so it was on September 25th that the McCartneys - along with guitarist Hamish Stuart, keyboardist Paul "Wix" Wickens guitarist Robbie McIntosh and drummer Chris Whitten - hit the stage in Oslo, Norway for a series of engagements up and down the continent for the next several months. Paul's tour was met with praise from fans and reviewers alike, and would serve as exactly the boost he needed to sustain a hefty touring schedule for the foreseeable future - as well as serving as an overall template for future tours to come. As McCartney won the hearts and minds of Europe, Ringo Starr was making a return of his own, playing the Budokan in Japan for the first time since the Beatles themselves performed there live in 1966... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's September 1989 and Ringo Starr is on the road! This time Ringo and his friends are on home turf - Los Angeles California - for a star-studded line-up and audience ready to rock the city of angels. But hob-nobbing with Jack Nicholson (at the height of Bat-mania no less) or parting with Tom and Roseanne is just another day in the life of a solo Beatle taking a well-earned and sober victory lap around North America. Meanwhile, George Harrison could be found not in LA but on record, guesting on Belinda Carlisle's Leave a Light On - a brand new cut from her solo LP! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a jam-packed August of 1989, activity abounds in Beatleworld as Paul McCartney revs up for his first North American tour in 12 years. Hitting the road with wife Linda, guitarists Robbie Mcintosh and Hamish Stewart, keyboard player Paul "Wix" Wickens and drummer Chris Whitten, Macca & co hit the stage at the Lyceum Theater in New York City to play-test the new live band before a crowd of press and select fan club members. Amongst those fan club members? The Yesterday & Today podcast's own Wayne Kaminski and wife Elizabeth, excitedly expecting baby James and ready to rock'n'roll. On the other side of the continent, Ringo Starr and the All Stars head down the west coast, from Vancouver to Northern California to Las Vegas... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ringo Starr is on the road! In August 1989 the All Star Band tour rolled across North America, featuring the talents of the many legendary rockers sharing the stage with Ringo...along with some special guests to boot. Chief amongst those special guests was none other than the boss himself, Bruce Sprringsteen, who joined two of his fellow E-Street Band members on stage before a crowd of star-struck fans. Ringo's comeback tour was a rousing success, but the ghosts of his past would continue to dog the former Beatle. This time in the form of a lawsuit from Chips Moman, alleging that Starr's drunken Nashville sessions were fit for public consumption. Ringo disagreed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's summer of 1989 and for the first time in history not one but TWO former Beatles are on tour! And for the newly sober Ringo Starr, these live shows were a helpful reminder of his skills as an artist and his importance to the world of music -- hitting the road with an all-star band of friends and like-minded creatives for a triumphant North American leg in July. Joe Walsh, Nils Lofgren, Dr. John, Billy Preston, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Clarence Clemons, Jim Kelter and a host of special guests and rave reviews accompanied this All-Star Band on tour, and reinvigorated a wave of Beatles nostalgia...just in time for Paul McCartney to hit the road himself... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Paul McCartney's newest LP Flowers in the Dirt climbing the charts and reigniting a wave of critical praise for Macca's music, Parlophone and Capitol release the second single slated from the album: This One. A rare glimpse into Paul's emotional state, the song captures a conciliatory tone of regret and longing...albeit alongside Paul's trademark deflection lurking around every corner. As the McCartneys dug in on promotion for the single, Ringo Starr had some big news of his own: his first ever concert tour! Ringo Starr and the All Star Band will pair Ringo with friends and musicians for a North American victory lap of hits, and the freshly sober Starr was ready to put rubber to the road on the idea starting later in the summer of 1989... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The eventful Beatle year of 1989 rolls on with a brand new release, and a brand new batch of critical acclaim for Paul McCartney. Still reeling from the critical failures of his last two projects of original material, Paul's so-called comeback album at last reached shelves -- the LP Flower in the Dirt -- and it did NOT disappoint. Through Macca's musical collaboration with Elvis Costello, plus a band of fresh and like-minded musicians playing strong material, this new record reasserted Paul's position as master of his craft...a position which was slowly but definitely evolving beyond success in the moment... into a success as a legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Yesterday & Today Podcast is proud to present an all-new extended interview with the one and only Pete Best! This summer, Pete hits the road with the Pete Best Band throughout North America, and we're here to talk to the former Beatle about his upcoming live appearances and much more. In 2008, Pete released the LP Hayman's Green, a rock'n'roll retrospective of Liverpool's music scene, the roots of the Best family and a look forward at life beyond The Beatles for one of rock's most storied figures. We'll discuss his solo music, his time with John, Paul, George and Stu, a firsthand account of 1995's Beatles Anthology and of course the one and only Casbah Coffee Club located at 8 Hayman's Green, Liverpool. We'd like to thank Pete, Roag and the entire Best family for this wonderful interview, and we hope you'll all catch Pete on tour this summer! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's March 1989 and a new solo album from Julian Lennon is fresh on the stands - a stylistic departure titled Mr. Jordan. This latest effort in some ways marked the end of Julian's success streak as a pop star, though the effort did still manage to chart in the US, Canada and even go top 20 in the Australian market. While John Lennon's eldest son endeavored to craft musical distance from his late father, Paul McCartney and George Harrison maintained the break-neck pace that had come to signify activity in the late 80s former Beatle world by each heading into the studio. McCartney's cover of the Gerry & the Pacemakers classic Ferry Cross the Mersey was a charity single intended to raise money for the victims and families of victims of the Hillsborough disaster in Liverpool. Harrison's new composition? A freshly penned tune with fellow Wilbury Tom Petty... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's 1989 and George Harrison is still riding high on the success of the debut Traveling Wilburys LP! Of all the former Beatles, Harrison's late-80s resurgence resonated with near-universal public and critical acclaim, and the momentum of successful collaboration between George and producer Jeff Lynne showed no signs of slowing down. Also on an upturn in the early weeks of the year was Ringo Starr, whose newfound sobriety triggered an abundance of activity -- from starring in the PBS children's television show Shining Time Station (as the unflappable Mr. Conductor) to a collection of recent selections dubbed Star Struck: The Best of Ringo Starr vol2. Meanwhile, the release of the LP Spike by Elvis Costello heralded the coming of newly co-written material with Paul McCartney - material destined for McCartney's own resurgence in the months to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the end of the line for 1988, and the beginning of the epic super-group: The Traveling Wilburys! With the release of their debut LP ``Volume 1", George Harrison and friends Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Jim Keltner floored both modern and classic rockers alike with a signature blend of harmony, guitar, and rambler-style songcraft. Listeners of the day, curious to know if the band could live up to the heights of their strong debut single Handle With Care, were not disappointed. From the joyous noise of Heading for the Light to the often-hilarious lyrics of Dirty World, six old friends proved to the masses that age has nothing to do with good music, and that the combined talents of otherwise disparate musicians could amount to something spectacular. Of course the December 6th passing of bandmate Roy Orbison would put a damper on the otherwise happy affair - still, through the heartache and pain, the music of the Traveling Wilburys was a beacon of comfort to those who might need to hear that they were not alone anymore... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A flurry of developments in the lives and legacies of all four former Beatles permeated October 1988, starting with the debut of the feature-length IMAGINE film chronicling the life of John Lennon, opening in movie theaters across the world. This template for future Beatles archival projects was met with warm embrace by John's fans, and was an important milestone in the preservation of film footage and audio artifacts from throughout Lennon's life. Another former Beatle in preservation mode was Ringo Starr, having finally sought help for alcoholism with his wife Barbara Bach later in the month. After decades of substance abuse Ringo has resolved to clean up, so as to evade the fates of his less fortunate and departed friends and fellow rockers. And lastly a new single, from a super-group calling themselves "the Traveling Wilburys"... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the summer of 1988 and a fresh wave of "Lennon Fever" was sweeping its way across pop culture. In this case, however, not all of the attention on the late great John Lennon was positive - case in point the scathing, unapologetic, and often needlessly cruel biography called The Lives of John Lennon by author Albert Goldman. Goldman's feet were held to the fire by a furious but captivated public...glued to the drama by a media apparatus unable to look away from this trainwreck of a depiction of John's life in book form. While this circus took a toll on Yoko Ono, the Lennon clan nevertheless soldiered onward with its own various rebuttals to the Goldman narrative, and a dose of positivity as well. Not only was the forthcoming theatrical release of the Imagine documentary poised to reignite positive memories of the Beatles and of Lennon's successful solo works, but a star on the Hollywood walk of fame put to pavement a legacy that would, despite its occasional cracks, endure for generations to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the summer of 1988 heats up, a new super-group emerges from the primordial soup of rock'n'roll...they are The Traveling Wilburys. Born from a supplementary recording session in support of George Harrison's latest Cloud 9 single, George (aka Nelson Wilbury) was joined by fellow music legends Tom Petty, Jeff lynne, Bob Dylan and Roy Orbison to produce the superb track Handle With Care -- quickly deemed too good to be buried on an extended single release. Of course music and activity continued respectively for Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr at this time, but for the Yesterday & Today podcast we will linger with George for a moment, as opportunity knocks at Friar Park... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a busy March in 1988, with new music, releases, conventions and interviews surrounding the world of the former Beatles. First up, a first since the Beatle days with George Harrison and Ringo Starr conducting an interview together for the television program Aspel & Company. This eventful exchange covered topics ranging from the death of John Lennon, the status of ex-Beatle relationships, lawsuits from the 70s and much more. In the new releases category, George's new single This Is Love is snatched up from the Cloud 9 LP -- and The Beatles CD leases wrap up with Past Masters (collecting singles and b-sides not yet released on the format). New recordings emerge with George Harrison's Ride Rajbun and Paul McCartney's collaboration with Johnny Cash titled New Moon Over Jamaica...plus a new song from a gathering of a special set of musicians calling themselves the Traveling Wilburys... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's February 1988 and the promotional tour for George Harrison's Cloud 9 album remains in full swing. The former Beatle who often seemed the most uncomfortable with press tours was now in the thick of one, this time labeled as a "come back" story which further fried the nervous system. To cope, George (along with Cloud 9 producer Jeff Lynne) showed up for the radio program Rockline a few glugs too deep, and gave host Bob Coburn one of the most candid interviews Harrison would ever produce in his lifetime. Still, despite the annoyances of a media blitz, the "come back" narrative was hard to ignore - as Cloud 9 continued to sell gangbusters with the record buying crowd and its newest single, When We Was Fab, cracking the top 25 on both sides of the Atlantic... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's 1988 and a busy year of activity in Beatle world kicks off with a wave of retrospection. On January 20th the band was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll hall of fame, a recognition of their achievements in music and their cultural impact upon the world. Unfortunately for them (and for, apparently, one agitated Beach Boy also in attendance), the legal squabbles dogging Paul, George and Ringo for nearly two decades crept their way onto the award stage, made manifest by an absent Paul McCartney. Some tempers flared at this highly visible snub, but cooler heads did eventually prevail, with George Harrison himself speaking fondly of Paul while accepting the award. Yoko Ono, meanwhile, stood poised to unveil the Lost Lennon Tapes radio program to the world, a treasure trove of audio artifacts from her and John Lennon's private archive, made public... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the end of 1987 and George Harrison is riding the wave of a major comeback. With a new hit single in Got My Mind Set On You speeding up the charts, and a new LP - Cloud 9 - connecting with both fans and critics in equal measure, Harrison's resurgence in the latter half of the 80s was proof positive once again of that lingering Beatle magic...so pervasive even nearing 20 years since the band's split. While Paul McCartney's greatest hits LP All the Best was no resurgence of fresh material, strong sales and a slew of tv appearances to promote the new single Once Upon A Long Ago put Macca back in touring mode...an endeavor that would truly take flight in the months to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On November 2nd 1987 Dark Horse Records releases Cloud 9 by George Harrison. While George himself would insist (and rightly so) that one cannot be in the midst of a "comeback" if one has been there the entire time, no one - not even George - could not deny the reinvigorated attention upon his music heralded by the LP's lead-off #1 single Got My Mind Set On You. The happy album in which this smash-hit record resided within was produced by buddy Jeff Lynne to sound (controversially to some) much like Jeff's work with the Electric Light Orchestra - energetic, grand in scope, and future-facing in its production techniques.From the nostalgic When We Was Fab to the defiant That's What it Takes, George Harrison WAS back, and at the top of his game nearly two decades after the breakup of the Beatles. Of course George would be joined on the charts shortly by a new single from Paul McCartney, and some fresh talk about the possibility of a Beatles reunion (of sorts)... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even 17+ years after the breakup of the Beatles, solo career competition remained alive and well in the worlds of Paul McCartney and George Harrison. In October of 1987, George's first new single from a studio album release in over 5 years - Got My Mind Set On You - was blazing up the charts and stood poised to top them. The public's embrace of this unlikely comeback foretold the success of the forthcoming Cloud 9 LP, and - as if no time at all had passed since the days of all Things Must Pass - George Harrison hit the promotional trail. Not to be outdone by his former bandmate, McCartney's All the Best greatest hits compilation hit shelves the following November, and while its single Once Upon a Long Ago failed to reach the heights of Harrison's, this mammoth set of Macca marvels was no slouch on the album charts. All this, plus a return to Suzy and the Red Stripes as fall turns to winter, 1987... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the summer of 1987, and once again a Beatle joins the Prince's Trust stage — and this time not one but TWO! First up the heretofore reclusive George Harrison, busy preparing his latest audio album and dipping his toe back into the waters of pop star life for the first time since his musical hiatus began nearly half a decade prior. Joining George to sing an all-star rendition of With A Little Help From My Friends was Ringo Starr, decidedly less busy following the crumbling Memphis sessions that caused his some substantial public embarrassment. All this and an LP of rock oldies from Paul McCartney as the heat rises on yet another momentous year in Beatles history! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The next wave of Beatles compact discs arrived as spring turned to summer, 1987 - marking (handily) the 20th anniversary of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Taking the theme of "It was twenty years ago today" and running with it, Apple and their distribution arms at Capitol and EMI launched an elaborate campaign that culminated in a documentary film featuring current interviews with both Paul McCartney and George Harrison. An enchanted public teeming with nostalgia (and a chance to own such an iconic release in pristine CD-quality) drove Pepper to the #1 position on billboard's top compact discs chart, and the #3 overall slot in the UK. But this was only the beginning of the fruits of this event, as both Paul and George were busy crafting new music with a similarly-attuned nostalgic bent... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And speaking of things that are "now" and "then"...It's 1987 and another momentous chapter in the Beatles story is unfolding at break-neck pace. As Capitol/EMI plan for the launch of the first round of Beatles CDs (heralding the arrival of fab four music on compact disc for the first time), Paul, George and Ringo were all in their respective studios preparing new music. First up, the rambling Duane Eddy - pioneering guitarist of the early rock days - is making a new album and has enlisted not one but two Beatles to play on it. McCartney's contribution was a slinky, slidey cover of the 1979 Rockestra Theme - while George Harrison )with current producer Jeff Lynne offered up more than one new composition for the guitar legend to record. In February Harrison would also find himself on stage with Lynne, backing up CCR frontman John Fogerty and joined by none-other-than Bob Dylan. Dylan ALSO happened to be working with another former Beatle at this time, joining Ringo in Memphis on sessions for Starr's new album. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the year 1986 draws to a close, the musical direction and legacy of the three surviving former Beatles rounds the corner on another eventful decade. With Paul McCartney still busy promoting his less-than-smash-hit LP Press to Play - Macca turns his attention to a new year that would embrace the successes of his past...and an eye toward the next phase of his career in the latter half of the decade. George Harrison, after such a long hiatus from the music business, finds himself too at a crossroads -- feeling once again ready to re-enter the studio and make new music. All this, as we enter 1987... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Paul McCartney's latest studio album, Press to Play, at last reached the ears of the listening public, the modest success of its top 40 lead-off single Press must have been bittersweet for its creator. After nearly two years of gestation, Paul's failure to crack the top 20 on either side of the Atlantic with the catchy earworm foreshadowed the album's lukewarm reception worldwide (as compared to prior projects, certainly) -- despite the strength of some of the album's strong musicianship and songwriting. Though a top ten showing in the UK was nothing to sneeze at, this contemporary-sounding LP fell short of resonating with modern audiences as envisioned, and a reassessment of the trajectory of Paul's career was in order. Yoko Ono, meanwhile, was busy at the bottom of the barrel with her late husband's unreleased catalog - releasing the LP Menlove Avenue by John Lennon in October (and sporting snazzy Andy Warhol cover art!) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oklahoma was never like this...it's summer of 1986 and a new Paul McCartney album is on sale worldwide! Press to Play - Paul's 5th solo studio album in nearly as many years - represented a man on a mission to capture the sounds of the day, forge a new songwriting partnership, and undo the negative attention his Give My Regards to Broadstreet project attracted from all the bitter critics seeking to take a former fab down a peg. Begun mere days in the aftermath of Broadstreet, this project was also one of Macca's longest-gestating studio efforts - and while the music itself exudes trademark McCartney optimism, a darkness also lay on the brim with songs that seemed - at least at the time - bitter and resentful of his critics. But the sunny "Press", released as a single in mid-July, jauntily trotted to decent position in the charts - and while the record would fall short of Paul's "comeback" aspirations, it did point the way to projects, and collaborations, to come... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's the grand finale of 1984 - a year in Beatles history full of big swings, big misses, and new beginnings for the remaining three former Beatles. Despite the musical successes of Paul's latest project, the US flop of McCartney's Give My Regards to Broadstreet film left a bitter taste in the mouth of its creator - blaming frustrated screenwriters-turned critics for its failures.The Maccas put on a happy face for the UK premiere, palling around with co-stars Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach...as well as Olivia Harrison who attended the function in her husband's stead. George was in New Zealand at the time promoting Dereck Taylor's memoir and, when asked about the film, had nice things to say. But George did more than talk - taking the stage for the first time in years to jam with Deep Purple in Sydney Australia...perhaps signaling a contemplation of a return to music after several years adrift... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At last, after years of preparation, planning and hard work, Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broadstreet has arrived! First up in the release schedule is the soundtrack album, featuring new Macca tracks (including the successful No More Lonely Nights single) as well as incidental music and re-recorded Beatles tracks featured in the film. As expected, the LP performed well, hitting the coveted #1 spot in the UK and going top25 in the US market. Paul's victory lap would be cut-short by the disastrous critical reception of the film itself, which McCartney tried to downplay as elitist reviewers anxious to use their freshly sharpened knives on the beloved former Beatle... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's October 1984 and Paul McCartney has begun his press tour to promote the upcoming release of GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADSTREET. Nerves were abound, as this was Macca's theatrical screenwriting debut, and initial reactions seem to be mixed at best - judged perhaps unfairly to the beloved Beatles films A Hard Days Night and Help!. With nostalgia twinkling in the eyes of fans and knives being sharpened on the part of critics, it was bold of Paul to invite a conga line of film reviewers to an interview session at the Plaza Hotel. Luckily, McCartney's music seemed to never be in question... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.