DEC4 Podcast

George Fairbrother
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TV & FILM

A deep dive into classic entertainment and culture, with an emphasis on the United Kingdom, US and Australia. Talking film and television, social history, nostalgia, and a little rock and roll. Produced and presented by George Fairbrother, who is joined by regular contributors and special guests. Email geordie.ent@gmail.com

  1. Preview Short: Beyond the Winter Dance Party - Where Did The Money Go?

    APR 23

    Preview Short: Beyond the Winter Dance Party - Where Did The Money Go?

    In this supplement to our episode on the Winter Dance Party tour, headlined by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP Richardson (the Big Bopper), our leading contributor ‪Gary Wells‬ joins us to discuss in more detail some of the friendships and professional relationships forged during the tour. We examine the culpability of the promoters taking into account the context of the time, and learn that the Ritchie Valens biopic, La Bamba, might have been a very different movie if not for a notable intervention. We also look at how the tragedy shaped the future of JP Richardson’s family, and share some personal thoughts on the often forgotten fourth occupant of the plane; the young pilot, Roger Peterson. Quotes from Carl Bunch used in this clip are credited to the website of 'Buddy Holly Lives'. Find our two episodes on the Winter Dance Party at our podcast website, or join us here or on your favourite podcast platform. https://dec4podcast.com/2024/02/23/gary-wells-the-winter-dance-party/

    3 min
  2. Gary Wells: Colonel Parker & the Presley Estate | Tommy James & Roulette Records

    APR 11

    Gary Wells: Colonel Parker & the Presley Estate | Tommy James & Roulette Records

    This episode, our leading contributor ‪Gary Wells,‬ guides us through the fascinating story of Colonel Parker, the Presley Estate, and a tenacious Memphis lawyer determined to get to the truth. In the wake of Vernon Presley’s death in 1979, court-appointed attorney Blanchard Tual presented a 300 page report detailing his forensic investigation into Colonel Parker’s financial arrangements with the Presley family, which he described as ‘excessive, imprudent, unfair to the estate, beyond all reasonable bounds of industry standards’, and stated that Parker had ‘violated his duty to Elvis and the estate’. A Memphis judge went on to assert that Parker’s behaviour ‘shocks the conscience of the court’. We learn that the report also called for a thorough investigation into Parker’s business associates, including RCA, and find out what, if anything, happened as a result of Blanchard Tual’s devastating findings. Gary also recounts his own memorable (and slightly starstruck) 2024 meeting with Mr Tual himself, still practising law in Memphis, and for some additional context, we look at another astonishing show business partnership; superstar recording artist Tommy James and Morris Levy of Roulette Records. Link here to research sources and background, including Gary's articles on Blanchard Tual and Tommy James, as well as his account of meeting Mr Tual himself in Memphis; https://dec4podcast.com/2026/04/11/gary-wells-colonel-parker-the-presley-estate-tommy-james-roulette-records/

    51 min
  3. Preview Short: The Nearest Faraway Place - Remembering Beach Boys Biographer Timothy White

    TRAILER

    Preview Short: The Nearest Faraway Place - Remembering Beach Boys Biographer Timothy White

    This episode is inspired by our regular contributor Gary Wells’ popular website, www.soulrideblog.com, Your Home for Vintage Leisure; specifically, his reviews of two important and fascinating books on the Beach Boys - The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience (1994), by Timothy White, and Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy (2016), by Mike Love with James S Hirsch… Join us for the complete conversation on your favourite pod place, or at our website; https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/gary-wells-the-beach-boys-book-club/

    3 min
  4. Preview Short: Elvis and the Press: Saginaw, Michigan, April 25th, 1977 - Optimism & Reality Check

    TRAILER

    Preview Short: Elvis and the Press: Saginaw, Michigan, April 25th, 1977 - Optimism & Reality Check

    For this latest instalment in our occasional series, Elvis and the Press, we’re joined once again by our leading contributor, ‪Gary Wells, to take a deep dive into the local coverage of Elvis’ performance in Saginaw, Michigan, on April 25th, 1977. It was the first of two non-consecutive shows to nearly 7 200 at the Wendler Arena, with a second concert added to the end of the 13 night tour in response to the demand for tickets. Reviewers for the Saginaw News observed that Elvis 'sings as well as ever', 'seemed in rare form' and 'that he seemed to be having as good a time as his fans'. We look beyond the familiar myths and clichés of this period to consider how Elvis' inspired performance, captured in an unofficial audience recording, fits with what we know, or think we know, about his final months on the road, and ask whether the generally accepted narrative does justice to the reality. Find the full episode on your favourite podcast platform or at our website; https://dec4podcast.com/2026/02/18/elvis-and-the-press-saginaw-michigan-april-25th-1977/

    3 min
  5. Elvis and the Press: Saginaw, Michigan, April 25th, 1977

    FEB 18

    Elvis and the Press: Saginaw, Michigan, April 25th, 1977

    For this latest instalment in our occasional series, Elvis and the Press, we’re joined once again by our leading contributor, Gary Wells, to take a deep dive into the local coverage of Elvis’ performance in Saginaw, Michigan, on April 25th, 1977. It was the first of two non-consecutive shows to nearly 7 200 at the Wendler Arena, with a second concert added to the end of the 13 night tour in response to the demand for tickets. Reviewers for the Saginaw News observed that Elvis 'sings as well as ever', 'seemed in rare form' and 'that he seemed to be having as good a time as his fans'. We look beyond the familiar myths and clichés of this period to consider how Elvis' inspired performance, captured in an unofficial audience recording, fits with what we know, or think we know, about his final months on the road, and ask whether the generally accepted narrative does justice to the reality.We have more background to this episode, including tour stats, images and links to further reference, at our podcast website; https://dec4podcast.com/2026/02/18/elvis-and-the-press-saginaw-michigan-april-25th-1977/

    55 min
  6. Preview Short: The Beach Boys: Murry Wilson in Context - Influence and Consequence

    TRAILER

    Preview Short: The Beach Boys: Murry Wilson in Context - Influence and Consequence

    This episode is inspired by our regular contributor Gary Wells’ popular website, soulrideblog.com, ‘Your Home for Vintage Leisure’; specifically, his reviews of two important and fascinating books on the Beach Boys – The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience (1994), by Timothy White, and Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy (2016), by Mike Love with James S Hirsch. We also take a look at I am Brian Wilson, by Brian himself and Ben Greenman, for some additional context. Find the full episode on you favourite podcast platform or at our website; https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/gary-wells-the-beach-boys-book-club/ Our interview with David Leaf; https://dec4podcast.com/2025/04/09/david-leaf-smile-the-rise-fall-resurrection-of-brian-wilson/

    3 min
  7. Preview Short: Elvis & The Press: 'The Most Captive Audience since Johnny Cash Played Folsom Prison'

    TRAILER

    Preview Short: Elvis & The Press: 'The Most Captive Audience since Johnny Cash Played Folsom Prison'

    In this our second Elvis and the Press episode, we're joined once again by our leading contributor, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com), to take a deep dive into the coverage of Elvis' New Year's Eve performance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the end of 1976. The Pittsburgh show, concluding a very well-received, high energy tour over just five nights, proved to be a remarkable moment in time, and was widely considered one of the best performances of his later career... #elvis #concertreview  Join us for the full episode on your favourite podcast platform or at our website; https://dec4podcast.com/2024/11/11/elvis-and-the-press-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-new-year-1976-77/

    2 min
  8. Preview Short: Elvis & the Press - Ending 1976 on a High Note & Looking to the Future

    TRAILER

    Preview Short: Elvis & the Press - Ending 1976 on a High Note & Looking to the Future

    In this our second Elvis and the Press episode, we're joined once again by our leading contributor, ‪‪Gary Wells,‬ to take a deep dive into the coverage of Elvis' New Year's Eve performance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the end of 1976. This was the second consecutive New Year's Eve Elvis had worked, with touring now continuing throughout winter by financial necessity. Elvis' Pittsburgh show, concluding a very well-received, high energy tour over just five nights, proved to be a remarkable moment in time, and was widely considered one of the best performances of his later career... Join us for the full episode on your favourite podcast platform, or at our website; https://dec4podcast.com/2024/11/11/elvis-and-the-press-pittsburgh-pennsylvania-new-year-1976-77/

    2 min
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Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A deep dive into classic entertainment and culture, with an emphasis on the United Kingdom, US and Australia. Talking film and television, social history, nostalgia, and a little rock and roll. Produced and presented by George Fairbrother, who is joined by regular contributors and special guests. Email geordie.ent@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    George Fairbrother
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © George Fairbrother
  • Show Website
    DEC4 Podcast