Brunch Bytes
Pull up a chair to the table and nibble on Brunch Bytes, tiny tidbits of short Beatles interviews, music tracks, and other amazing gems!
Carl Perkins Interview with Joe J November 1996
Beautiful interview with Old Tennessee himself, Carl Perkins, chatting with Joe Johnson back in November 1996 when his "Go Cat Go" album / CD came out. Carl was so loving and sweet and humble of even being interviewed himself.
Pete Best Quietly Retires While on a Cruise
Beatle Brunch has learned that original Beatles' drummer Pete Best has retired. The announcement came just as Pete wrapped up his final show for the fans onboard The Flower Power Cruise where he had played from the Sky Lounge @ 9:45 Thursday night March 27th. Roag Best, Band manager and brother of Pete, who was the son of Pete's mum Mona Best and one time Beatles roadie (and later head of Apple), Neil Aspinall. In the original lineup of The Beatles, Pete was the band's full-time drummer from 1960-62 but was sacked after two years as a suggestion from EMI Producer George Martin who booked the band for two studio tests. After the second, Best was replaced by well known Liverpool drummer, Ringo Starr. Best finally got his financial reward in 1994 when he was paid very well for the 7 songs he drummed on that appear on The Beatles' Anthology VOL 1. Joe J interviewed Pete Sept 12 ,2004 for his book "The Beatles the True Beginnings", here they also talk about the failed Decca audition. Announcing Pete'e retirement, brother Roag posted to social media: "What an absolutely wonderful ride we've had. However, everything comes to pass and he is retiring from personal appearances and performing with the group. His daughter has informed me, it's due to personal circumstances. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to turn out for our shows over the years. We had a blast and we hope you did too.
Pete Best Interview w Joe Johnson 2002
Beatle Brunch host Joe Johnson on the phone with Beatles original drummer Pete Best, who was the Beatles drummer for two years. He was drumming with Paul, John & George at the Decca Audition New Years Day 1962. Joe J interviewed Pete Sept 12 2004 for his book "The Beatles the True Beginnings", here they also talk about the failed Decca audition. In April of 2025 Pete announced he was retiring due to family matters.
Missing Joey Molland. Click BELOW
We at Beatle Brunch are so deeply saddened to hear of Badfinger's guitarist and vocalist Joey Molland, born June 21, 1947, sadly passed from this earth on March 1, 2025 after a long illness. Those [...]
Remembering Gerry Marsden 1-3-2021
Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers, died Sunday, January 3rd, 2021 at the age of 78. In the celebration of his life, we remember Gerry on the Brunch via a BBC interview in 1964 with Brian Mathew of the BBC, "Pop Profiles."
Beatles Meet Elvis – A Personal Account
Beatle Brunch host Joe Johnson talked with reporter and author Ivor Davis, who was the LONE press person allowed in the room the night The Beatles met Elvis. Hear is on the scene account of what happened that historic night, from his 2014 book, "The Beatles and Me on Tour", an account of 1964, BUT Ivor was there in 1965.Listen!
Beatles FIRST Radio Intv and Two Others
Hear this historic interview with The Beatles, their first radio interview conducted on October 27, 1962. Ringo had only been in the group for 9 weeks and we hear how nervous he is. More importantly, John is named at the "acknowledged leader of the group" by Paul. Plus so much more, like Harold Kelly of Armed Forces Radio's Beatles interview recorded a week before they arrived to play Ed Sullivan in Feb of '64. WOW what questions
Billy Preston Interview & Songs
Beatle Brunch Host Joe Johnson, along with Sirius XM's Beatles Channel host Tom Frangione, met and talked with the true "Fifth Beatle", Billy Preston on August 21, 2004, about his then new EP CD of Beatles tunes and his plans for those songs, plus everything George and Beatles. Surprisingly, Billy told us he was a listener of Beatle Brunch, which just made our day. Billy passed away on June 6, 2006 at the age of 59.He is truly missed.
Beatles Christmas Messages – All 7
Hear all 7 of The Beatles Christmas messages, from 1963 to 1969. The first five years the messages were straight-forward, but by 1966, the messages became more intricate, like a goon-show performance with skits and bits of songs. In 1968-69, all four Beatles recorded their own messages, and they were cut together EMI's Abbey Road Studio. Cool piece: Listen 2 minutes in to the 1965 message and hear John start to sing The Four Tops "It's the Same Old Song", Happy Christmas listeners!
Celebrate The Beatle’s Anthology on its 25th Anniversary
Hey Beatle Buds, we here at Beatle Brunch are are happy to share with you details of a BRAND new book from Paul and his band called : WINGS: The Story of a Band on the Run! Hard cover due out November 4, 2025. - photos courtesy of Paul McCartney