My latest podcast, aired on Wednesday, March 2025, focused on Beatles Books, featuring a fabulous lineup of music from the Beatles and insightful discussions with four distinguished authors.
A big thank you to David Bedford for sharing his extensive knowledge on the Beatles in Liverpool and discussing the dozens of books he has published.
Susan Shumsky delved into the Maharishi’s influence on the Beatles and their connection to Indian culture, highlighting her books Maharishi & Me and The Inner Light.
Gary Astridge provided fascinating details about his experiences with Ringo Starr and the iconic drum kits. Lastly, Paul Ferrante discussed his fiction book ’30 Minutes in Memphis,’ which explores the Beatles’ 1966 tour.
This episode was another fantastic and informative session, perfect for Beatles aficionados and book lovers alike.
Guest(s) for our show:
Date: Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
1. 📖 David Bedford
David Bedford is a renowned Beatles author and historian from Liverpool.
His books, including Liddypool, The Fab One Hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles, Finding the Fifth Beatle, and The Country of Liverpool, explore the band’s origins, key influences, and untold stories.
David will also share details about his upcoming book, The Beatles: What If, as well as his upcoming appearances at Fest for Beatles Fans in Jersey City and International Beatleweek in Liverpool. In addition to his work as an author, David has also performed with The Quarrymen, adding a unique personal perspective to his Beatles research.
🔗 More on David Bedford
2. 📖 Susan Shumsky
Susan Shumsky is the author of Maharishi & Me and The Inner Light: How India Influenced The Beatles.
Her books offer a deep look into The Beatles’ spiritual journey, particularly their time spent in India with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and how that experience shaped their music and personal lives.
🔗 More on Susan Shumsky
3. 🥁 Gary Astridge
Gary Astridge is a historian, author, lecturer, and curator of Ringo Starr’s Beatles-era drum kits and gear.
He has collaborated directly with Ringo Starr on the book Beats & Threads, which documents Ringo’s iconic drum kits and stage outfits from his time with The Beatles.
His meticulous research and preservation efforts have helped shed light on Ringo’s influential drumming style and legacy.
🔗 More on Gary Astridge
4. 📖 Paul Ferrante
Paul Ferrante is a fiction author whose book, 30 Minutes in Memphis: A Beatle Story, offers a unique historical fiction take on the legendary band.
We’ll discuss his inspiration for the novel and how The Beatles’ music and legacy continue to influence storytelling in creative ways.
🔗 More on Paul Ferrante
Our latest recorded show