Context vs. Excuses:  Addressing difficult topics in Beatledom

In this episode, we discuss John and Brian’s trip to Barcelona and the violent incident at Paul's 21st Birthday.  We use this as a springboard for broader topics, including how John tends to be unfairly singled out as the only Beatle with a problematic history, the failure to look critically at Brian Epstein's behavior as it pertains to the band, how homophobia curtails discussion of the fallout from the Barcelona trip, and the absence of McCartney’s perspective in the reporting of this incident.

Phoebe and Thalia explore these issues, followed by a panel discussion with newest AKOM host, Iris.

TW: domestic abuse, substance abuse, sexual assault, homophobia, and violence

SOURCES"Fab: An Intimate Life of Paul McCartney" Howard Sounes (2010)“John Paul George Ringo and Me” Tony Barrow (2006)"Meet the Beatles with Barry Miles" for Please Kill Me (2021)  https://pleasekillme.com/beatles-barry-miles/"John Lennon: the Life" Philip Norman (2008)"Paul McCartney: The Life" Philip Norman (2016)"John Lennon: In My Life" Pete Shotton (1983)Steve Gaines, post to FB group: "Beatles in Print Together and Solo" (2020)“Loving John” May Pang (1983)"Meet the Beatles: a Cultural History of the Band that Shook Youth, Gender and the World" Steven D. Stark (2005)"Love Me Do! The Beatles' Progress" Michael Braun (1964)"Behind that Locked Door" Graeme Thomson (2013)"The Search for John Lennon" Lesley Ann Jones (2020)

PLAYLIST:Three Cool Cats THE BEATLESPlease Please Me THE BEATLESKeep Your Hands Off My Baby THE BEATLESBad to Me THE BEATLESBaby it’s You THE BEATLESI’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry Over You THE BEATLESHello Little Girl THE FOURMOSTEverybody’s Trying to Be My Baby THE BEATLESAll My Loving THE BEATLESToo Much Monkey Business  THE BEATLESSoldier of Love THE BEATLES