The challenge of ‘Deconstructing the Beatles’ comes to Public TV
Photo courtesy: American Public Television
No matter how much you know about the Beatles, there’s a documentary airing on public television stations this month that you do not want to miss courtesy of American Public Television.
Divided into three parts, “The Beatles Come to America,” “Deconstructing Rubber Soul,” and “A Trip Through Strawberry Fields”, Deconstructing The Beatles, with acclaimed “Beatle-ologist” Scott Freiman, guides you, step by step, on an educational journey through several of The Beatles’ milestone albums and the fascinating stories that accompanied them.
Photo courtesy: American Public Television
Deconstructing the Beatles, Ep. 101 – The Beatles Come to America
While the craze known as “Beatlemania” had taken over the U.K., in the fall of 1963, the Beatles were practically unknown in America. Through the efforts of band manager Brian Epstein, TV host Ed Sullivan, and a teenage fan from Silver Spring, Md., all of that would change by February 1964.
By the time The Beatles arrived at JFK Airport on February 7, 1964, “Beatlemania” was a full-blown phenomenon in America. Their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show garnered 73 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched shows in television history. Featured songs include “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” and “All My Loving.”
Deconstructing the Beatles, Ep. 102 – Deconstructing Rubber Soul
In October 1965, The Beatles faced an impossible task: produce a new album of original music in time for a Christmas release. Within a month, they had emerged with what many consider to be one of their greatest albums – Rubber Soul.
They even had time to create a Double A-side single, “We Can Work It Out,” backed by “Day Tripper.” Both sides, as well as the album, hit No. 1 on the charts. Composer/producer/”Beatle-ologist” Scott Freiman walks fans through the creation of Rubber Soul – and the band’s day-by-day race against the clock. Featured songs include “Drive My Car,” “Day Tripper,” “In My Life,” “Nowhere Man,” “Michelle,” and “Girl.”
Deconstructing the Beatles, Ep. 103 – A Trip Through Strawberry Fields
In August of 1966, after years of relentless touring, the Beatles found themselves grappling with inadequate sound systems, raucous, screaming fans, and the inability to hear themselves play. Their music was getting increasingly complex, but it could not be performed live due to the limitations of the technology of the time. And so, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr made the pivotal decision to stop touring. This could have spelled the end for the Beatles.
Instead, they used this critical moment to embark on a new artistic direction, pushing the boundaries of songwriting and recording. The song that started it all – “Strawberry Fields Forever” – began with a melancholic John Lennon strumming his guitar in a small apartment in Almería, Spain.
Deconstructing the Beatles airs this month on a number of public television stations across the U.S. For North Texas viewers, you can watch the premiere on KERA, Monday, March 10 at 7:00p.
In: Music
