Skip to content 
Hello folks;
I had hoped to have the much-touted 300th episode finished by now, but it’s still – at this hour – in progress. Fingers crossed, I am hoping to give it that final push in the next 36. Your input was fab: listeners and past guests both, so I am hoping to honor your kind words and support by delivering something worthy of your input.
This note likely reaches you on what would’ve been George‘s 82nd birthday. I am happy to note that he has been the subject of many a SATB show, either directly or indirectly:
125: The Traveling Wilburys
131: The Beatles and Randy Bachman (In part a tribute to George)
171: Handmade Films (plus 188 Handmade Redux)
229: “Something” Deconstructed
191: Jenny Boyd
219: John, George, Eric and Layla
232: Concert for George with Sam Brown
254: George and Paul
261: Making All Things Must Pass
264: George and John
269: Solo George Harrison
274: Philp Norman’s George
278: Pattie Boyd
And this doesn’t count the “George-adjacent” shows on Rishikesh or the Maharishi. There will be more to come, of course, so stay tuned.
In sad news, the death of Roberta Flack came today. She’d only just turned 88 years old recently; in addition to her career as a Grammy-winning recording artist (known for “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly With HIs Song,” “Feel Like Makin Love,” and “The Closer I Get To You,” among others), she interests us because of her ties to the Lennons. She was a neighbor at the Dakota for many years (here’s a look inside). But she also shared a stage – the Madison Square Garden, to be specific – at the 1972 One to One show, alongside Stevie Wonder and Sha-Na-Na. She also performed a Yoko cover – “Goodbye Sadness” – for the 1984 Every Man Has A Woman compilation album.
Speaking of, Yoko turned 92 last week. She reportedly left the Dakota awhile back, living in one of the Lennon properties outside of NYC. Sean has essentially taken over her duties administering LenOno business and she is rarely seen publicly these days.
Tomorrow (or today) February 25th, I will be talking with Angie and Ruth McCartney for their Teaflix series, which streams live in Facebook. Afterward, it will be posted on YouTube and as a podcast everywhere else. If you get on while it’s happening (1:30PM Chicago time/2:30PM east coast/11:30AM Pacific/7:30pm London), you will be able to chime in with a question if you are so moved. We will be talking about the new book, sans Jerry Hammack, I’m afraid, but I’ll keep you posted on all other upcoming appearances (being scheduled now) as they come up.
On the subject of books with red covers, I did that one about Revolver awhile back. I got a request from Jude Kessler of the John Lennon series to submit a summation of said album for a blog she runs on The Fest for Beatles Fans site. Jude’s a longtime friend, so I can’t say no, and it was just posted this weekend.
Before the month ended, I wanted to mention the February 1969 “Mystery Session” at Apple Studio that Dan Rivkin and Peter Jackson kicked around back when we had our talk. What makes it a mystery is that the session, photographed by Ethan Russell, came off the heels of the Get Back project and depicts the band conspicuously in recording mode (they are mic’ed up), yet no documentation exists as to what exactly they were doing. February 20 is likely the day, but there’s little else known with certainty. Perhaps some unseen document or diary or letter may one day be uncovered and spell it all out, but until then, it’s just one more mystery.
As always, all past newsletters available upon request (subject line “old newsletters”) and you can also unsubscribe anytime (subject line “unsubscribe”). Thanks to all for the 300th input and continued support!