#140 - Roll Over Beethoven with guest Tim Hatfield (author, "When We Find Ourselves in Times of Trouble")

Ranking The Beatles

“If you tried to give rock and roll a different name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry." - John Lennon

To say Chuck Berry was influential on the Beatles would be an understatement. They covered more of his songs during their career than any other artist, and "Roll Over Beethoven" was in their live set all the way back in 1957. So when recording their 2nd album, With The Beatles, in 1963, and having a bit more say on what songs they would record, it's not surprising they went with paying tribute to one of their heroes with a song that, by this time, was in their DNA. It's an exciting, if a bit controlled, rock & roll rave up, with George in the forefront, handling the classic intro riff with skill and finesse. He gives what might be his best and most energetic sounding vocal of the Beatles early output (he does tend to sometimes sound a bit non-plussed in his vocal delivery), and plays a great solo (even if he kind of muffs a note or two at the end). The band are cooking behind him, especially Ringo, who absolutely drives the track. Chuck's original served notice to the establishment that rock and roll was here to stay, and for a while that was true. Following the late 50's/early 60's more mellow, crooner boom though, when the Beatles brough rock and roll back to the forefront, their cover of "Roll Over Beethoven" serves much the same purpose....a statement piece informing the establishment that, again, rock and roll was here, youth culture was here, and the days of old were gone.

Joining us this week is author, PhD, lifelong Beatles fan (and retired professor) Tim Hatfield. What began during the pandemic as Tim's daily, Beatles-themed inspirational email chain to cheer up friends and family, is now a book, "When We Find Ourselves in Times of Trouble - The Beatles: All Their Songs with Encouraging Words for Challenging Times." It's a fantastic read, finding uplifting and inspirational ideas from all the songs in the band's catalog! We had a great time chatting with Tim, talking about the Beatles' influence on his teaching career and style, passing the torch of a Beatle-influenced world to students, learning his own tenacity in working on the book, faithful cover songs, and what produces an energy in a song that some people hear, while others (looking at you, Julia) may not. Pick up Tim's book on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Beatles-their-songs-encouraging-challenging-ebook/dp/B0974LRBYV. It's a beautiful read.

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