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Within the Beatles, there were any number of complex inter-personal dynamics. Those between the group’s lead guitarist and bassist were among the most convoluted: the Pisces fish vs. Gemini twin. In this episode, Richard and Robert discuss, examine and otherwise attempt to interpret this most volatile relationship as it evolved over time. Songs include “Don’t Ever Change, “I Me Mine” and “All Things Must Pass.”
Find Robert’s books here.
Find Richard’s books here.
lookin forward to this since your announcement of this episode,tnx and Godbless
Nice podcast.
Nice and objective.
Both can be described as petty:
I don’t know why Harrison refused to sing with McCartney at Live Aid, when he wanted to feed starving children as much as anyone else, and Macca seems a bit petty to turn down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when it was about The Beatles.
It’s a cool topic. Look forward to the next one.
I remember hearing somewhere that Paul was the first person George called after hearing that his father (or his mother?)had passed away. Is that true?
I hadn’t heard that but it could be true. The Harrisons (Harold and Louise) were very embracing of young Paul and he would’ve known them well.
Sidebar: There are truckloads of photos of G+P singing together at the same mike in live perf, but hardly any of G+J at the same mike. A coupla years ago I did a pretty deep Internet search, but could only turn up a small handful of G+J.
True!
Hi!
LOVE YOUR SHOWS!
I have trouble listening to this episode on mac/iphone.
Keep up the excellent Work!
What kind of trouble, Niels?
Everybody should listen to this scathing assessment of the documentary EIGHT DAYS A WEEK by respected Australian broadcaster and Beatles fan Rod Quinn
http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/overnights/dvd-review-captain-fantastic-and-eight-days-a-week/8219520
Have a listen it is great. Ron Howard cops a blasting for not researching well enough.
It wont play on my iphone unfortunately. All episodes have no problem.
Excellent episode, very insightful.
Glad you discussed Chaos and Creation in some detail, for what it’s worth “Friends to Go” to me sounds like another song about his troubled relationship.
Great show guys. Luv ya George, but man he had so much grumpiness and anger toward Paul at times. man! Love contributions Paul did to “Weeps” and “I Me Mine” and just impeccable like you stated. I think a lot of George’s issues date back to when they were kids but a lot of it seems to be misdirected anger he should have had toward John. How all 3 of them in the Anthology push the myth of why George left the “Get Back” sessions when the real reason was John’s heroin/Yoko addictions. The “Druge, Divorce, and a Slipping Image” book is one of my favorite Beatles books and sets the record straight. Also love “Friends To Go” as well-should have been on “Pure McCartney”
I agree with you 100% that a lot of George’s anger at Paul was really misplaced anger towards John. And yes, I’m also beyond sick of the “Paul and George’s argument was the reason George left” stories. I will definitely have to check out that Drugs, Divorce, Slipping Image book
Sorry, just wondering, where is the Christmas episode (episode #84)?
I haven’t finished to listen at it … well, I had 15 minutes left.
having difficulty accessing this episode to listen to it as well…
Would have loved to hear George’s guitar on Wanderlust. Lovely song by Paul.
Nice objective show guys.
This is the second episode I’ve listened to, and I’m glad. Although I thought “Death and the Beatles” was a bit rushed and biased against Paul, I found this episode fascinating. I thought it was a great, even-handed discussion that was fair to both George and Paul and did a great job outlining their complex yet loving relationship. Kudos especially for refuting the myth about the Let It Be sesssions. Kudos as well for not taking George’s words as Gospel (as so many Beatles fans do). I think it’s correct that George could be cutting and needlessly grumpy, but it’s wrong to think he was that way ALL of the time. The mention of the home movie taken by Ringo where George is denigrating the looks of old Liverpool fans – and Paul chastises him for it – is interesting. Was it in the Scorsese doc? I don’t remember it.
I’m glad I stumbled upon your comment. I was quite put off by the episode you’re referencing and agreed with your comments on that one quite a bit, so I was sort of afraid to check this one out, but because of your comments I gave it a chance and I’m glad to say the guys were way more fair this time. It didn’t come across as “anti Paul” this time to me, which I’m grateful for. Having a dearth of nerdy friends to discuss the Beatles with in real life is lonely sometimes, so having some good podcasts to listen to scratches that itch for me. 🙂
To illustrate Paul’s efforts on George’s songs see footage of George telling Paul how to play on ‘For You Blue’. He seems to have no problems taking advice/orders from George.
I think it is in the Anthology Book and/or film that George says it is on Pepper that he first feels he was being treated like a session musician rather than a collaborator. That seems to mark the beginning of the real antipathy. His song ration also goes from three songs on Revolver to one. Ringo clearly did not enjoy the experience either, but at least he learned how to play chess!