Best Neil Dickson Podcasts (2025)

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#14 Sir Michael Palin (Monty Python) 42:07

Play Pause

1M ago42:07

42:07

The Without the Beatles project in which famous artists and creatives discuss the direct impact the Fab Four had on their careers, started back in 2012. One of the first people we interviewed was Michael Palin. He found fame in the 60s as a TV presenter, before going on to become a performer and writer with Do Not Adjust Your Set, then Monty Python…

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#13 Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) 49:38

2M ago49:38

49:38

In 2010 we kicked off the multi-decade Without the Beatles project, and were privileged to be invited out to LA, to Richie Sambora's home, for this interview. A few years later, in 2013, Richie quit Bon Jovi because of the pressures of touring. He said at the time that he couldn't cope with 18 month world tours, but in this interview he is still ve…

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#12 Andy Partridge (XTC) 43:54

2M ago43:54

43:54

It was such a pleasure to interview Andy Partridge of XTC for Without the Beatles - the documentary back in 2012 - when the world was a very different place. Unfortunately, because of an error on my part the documentary never saw the light of day, but now that podcasts are a thing - ours in particular - it's worth putting out Andy's interview. As u…

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#11 Chris White (The Zombies) 1:05:49

2M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

The Beatles famously paved the way for the British Invasion of America after their success in 1964. One of the bands that followed in their wake was The Zombies. Although they hit in the UK too, America has always been the place they did best, and they are still thought of more highly there to this day. Chris White was the bassist and, with Rod Arg…

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#10 Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy) 1:13:48

4M ago1:13:48

1:13:48

Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy popped into our studio to discuss his love of The Beatles, working in Abbey Road, and to reflect on a career that includes 13 solo albums, 2 Duckworth Lewis Method collaborations, the soundtrack to Wonka, and many film and TV Themes including Father Ted and the IT Crowd. Mark Hooper was on summer holidays, so friend…

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#9 Jacob Jeffries (Vulfpeck) 55:01

5M ago55:01

55:01

We always ask this question: can you imagine your life without the Beatles? Today's guest definitely can't. Jacob Jeffries is a member of Vulfpeck, Jack Stratton's collaborator in Vulfmon, and is about to release a solo album in September, made at Theo Katzman's cabin studio. As co-writer and performer on many of the above projects, he's right at t…

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#8 Brian Wilson/James Warren (The Korgis/Stackridge) 1:01:19

6M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

James Warren wrote and sang The Korgis' classic, Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime. As a member of Stackridge, he not only was the first act on at the first ever Glastonbury, but Stackridge were produced by George Martin, engineered by Geoff Emerick. He's famous for his song, There's Something About the Beatles, but in this episode Mark Hooper and …

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#7 Jona Lewie Christmas Special 50:01

12M ago50:01

50:01

You can fit all the truly classic Christmas songs onto a double album. Jona Lewie's Stop the Cavalry is absolutely one of them. Mark Hooper and Des Burkinshaw turned up at Jona's studio, demanding tea, to discuss its 44-year success, his career on Stiff Records, and to wonder - just what is the best Christmas record? A video version of this episode…

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#6 Steve Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen/The Sopranos) 1:05:34

1y ago1:05:34

1:05:34

A further 45 mins of Steve's interview is available to Patreon subscribers only. This entire episode is also available on video to subscribers. But even without that extra material, this is an in-depth discussion about what made The Beatles so unique, how they influenced other musicians, and just what Steve owes to them personally. Also features an…

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#5 Mary Quant 40:56

1y ago40:56

40:56

The most important fashion designer of the 60s? Of the 20th century? There's no doubt Mary Quant remains an icon. She invented the miniskirt and created a whole new world of fashion for the emancipated women of the 60s. She was also a friend and confidante of The Beatles. They impacted on each other. Mary died in 2023 but in one of her last intervi…

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#4 Lol Creme (10cc/Godley & Creme) 1:04:13

1y ago1:04:13

1:04:13

Lol Creme has done it all. A founding member of 10cc, a member of Hotlegs, one half of Godley & Creme, the experimental duo who made hit records and directed some of the most iconic videos of the 80s for The Police and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. But they also made videos for Ringo, George and Paul. Lol talks about the impact the Beatles had on him …

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#3 Terry Gilliam (Monty Python) 1:05:47

1y ago1:05:47

1:05:47

Terry Gilliam - Monty Python member and one of the most creative film directors of all time, recalls his lifelong love of the Beatles, how they influenced him as a young American after the Ed Sullivan Show, but also how he came to work with George Harrison. It was Terry's film, The Time Bandits, which was the first bespoke commission for Handmade F…

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#2 Lemmy (Motorhead) 59:34

1y ago59:34

59:34

We asked Lemmy - what - very specifically - did The Beatles do that changed your life? In this episode, Des Burkinshaw and Mark Hooper introduce a never-before heard interiew with Motorhead frontman, and general icon, Lemmy. He discusses their influence on him, his visits to the Cavern, and tackles that age old question: who was better: The Beatles…

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#1 Without the Beatles - In the beginning 31:21

1y ago31:21

31:21

What - very specifically - did the Beatles do that changed your life? That's the question we've been asking luminaries from music, art, fashion, literature, and film for the past 10 years. Writers and producers Des Burkinshaw and Mark Hooper introduce the podcast series that shines new lights on the Beatles' cultural influence. Each interiew episod…