Before They Were Beatles

Megrin Entertainment
  • 3.5 (6)
  • MUSIC HISTORY

In Seasons 1 -3 we uncover the story of how one of the thousands of amateur schoolboy skiffle bands evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. In Season 4 we take a look at the stories of The Forgotten Beatles - the often-overlooked artists who at one point shared the stage or the studio with The Beatles.

  1. Episode 17 - Jacky Spelter & Rory Storm

    FEB 1

    Episode 17 - Jacky Spelter & Rory Storm

    This month, we turn the spotlight on singers Jacky Spelter and Rory Storm  ******* Links mentioned in this episode  Jacky Spelter German 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 Storm Wikipedia 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com You 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.

    15 min
  2. Episode 16 - Pete Shotton

    12/01/2025

    Episode 16 - Pete Shotton

    This month, we turn the spotlight on Quarryman and John Lennon's sidekick, Pete Shotton.   ******* Links mentioned in this episode  Pete Shotton John 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com You 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.

    16 min
  3. Episode 15 - Tony Sheridan

    10/01/2025

    Episode 15 - Tony Sheridan

    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 Sheridan Wikipedia 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com 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 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.

    15 min
  4. Episode 14 - Billy Preston

    08/01/2025

    Episode 14 - Billy Preston

    This month, we turn the spotlight on  the “almost 5th Beatle,” keyboard player Billy Preston Links mentioned in this episode  Billy Preston Billy 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 Books Before 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com 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 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.  *******

    13 min
  5. Episode 13 - Jimmie Nicol

    06/01/2025

    Episode 13 - Jimmie Nicol

    This month we turn the spotlight on drummer Jimmie Nicol. -------------------- Links mentioned in this episode  Jimmie Nicol Jimmy 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 Books Before 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com 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 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.

    26 min
  6. Episode 12 - Mason, Moore, and Newby

    05/01/2025

    Episode 12 - Mason, Moore, and Newby

    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 Mason Wikipedia entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mason_(trumpeter)  Obituary - https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/08/david-mason-obituary  Tommy Moore Wikipedia - 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/B007L0JKEY The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away - https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Gave-Beatles-Away/dp/0345270746  Chas Newby Wikipedia 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 Books Before 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com 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 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.

    19 min
  7. Episode 11 - George Martin

    04/01/2025

    Episode 11 - George Martin

    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 Martin All 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 alan@beforetheywerebeatles.com 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 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.

    16 min
  8. Episode 10 - Lomax and Lowe

    03/01/2025

    Episode 10 - Lomax and Lowe

    This month we turn the spotlight on singer Jackie Lomax and pianist John “Duff” Lowe. ******* Links mentioned in this episode  Jackie Lomax Wikipedia 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 Lowe Wikipedia 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 atalan@beforetheywerebeatles.com 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 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.

    15 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

In Seasons 1 -3 we uncover the story of how one of the thousands of amateur schoolboy skiffle bands evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. In Season 4 we take a look at the stories of The Forgotten Beatles - the often-overlooked artists who at one point shared the stage or the studio with The Beatles.

Information

  • Creator
    Megrin Entertainment
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Megrin Entertainment
  • Show Website
    Before They Were Beatles

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