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Artwork for Without the Beatles

Without the Beatles

Des Burkinshaw
The Beatles
The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson
The Zombies
Monty Python
Stackridge
Vulfpeck
Musical Theater
Odyssey and Oracle
Bon Jovi
Life Of Brian
Neil Hannon
XTC
Paul Mccartney
The Divine Comedy
George Harrison
Handmade Films

Des Burkinshaw and a selection of co-hosts including Mark Hooper and Richard Merrett, meet a variety of famous guests to discuss how the Beatles directly impacted on them and their careers..

Recorded over the past 10 years, guests include Sir Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Steve Van Zandt, Nancy Sinatra, all four members of 10cc, Barbara Dickson, Sir David Attenborough, Sir Willy Russell, Dick Clem... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes15Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Without the Beatles

Latest Episodes

We're back for 2026 - with an hour-long interview with Al Jardine of The Beach Boys. In this very special chat recorded over two interviews in 2026 and 2016, Al reflects on Brian Wilson's passing, the impact the Beatles had on the Beach Boys had on e... more

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 prese... more

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 ... more

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, b... more

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Recent Guests

Al Jardine
Member of The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
Episode: #15 Al Jardine (The Beach Boys)
Sir Michael Palin
Monty Python member and guest on the episode
Monty Python
Episode: #14 Sir Michael Palin (Monty Python)
Richie Sambora
Guitarist, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Episode: #13 Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
Andy Partridge
Avid musician and frontman of XTC
XTC
Episode: #12 Andy Partridge (XTC)
Chris White
Member of The Zombies, special guest on episode
The Zombies
Episode: #11 Chris White (The Zombies)
Neil Hannon
Lead singer and songwriter of The Divine Comedy
The Divine Comedy
Episode: #10 Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy)
Jacob Jeffries
Musician and member of Vulfpeck; primary interview guest
Vulfpeck
Episode: #9 Jacob Jeffries (Vulfpeck)
James Warren
Musician, Stackridge and the Korgis
Stackridge, The Korgis
Episode: #8 Brian Wilson/James Warren (The Korgis/Stackridge)

Host

Des Burkinshaw
Primary host of the show; oversees interviews and episode direction.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 16 ratings
  • Discontinued show?

    Great show, but nothing in 5 months…

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Non Divisi
    Swedena year ago
  • Withoutthebeatles

    This was such an interesting listen, especially to hear Lemmy’s honest and no holds barred views on the Beatles, the other bands around at the time and his own career. Can’t wait for the next episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Phaedra2024
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • 5/5 Eight days a week✨

    A real must listen for anyone! But especially if you’re anyone who has had a deep and meaningful conversation about how amazing the Beatles were, in the kitchen at a party! Des and Mark clearly know their stuff and add a lot of anecdotes and cultural references along with their guests great insights. So much more for me to share at kitchen parties now! L😍VE this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AUK✨
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts mix warm rapport with deep knowledge of historical context.
Episodes are rich with anecdotes and practical production insight.
Guests often bring unique, insider perspectives from the music industry.
Listeners praise candid, uncensored discussions and the breadth of guest backgrounds.
The show can feel nostalgic but remains relevant for modern musicians and fans.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#111
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#11 Chris White (The Zombies)
Q: What was it like touring in America and dealing with racism?
It was eye-opening and challenging; racism existed in the South, and while audiences loved the music, it was a complicated environment that required caution and resilience.
#11 Chris White (The Zombies)
Q: What did the Beatles represent for your generation and for you personally?
They sparked a move toward original songwriting and shaped our approach to making music, influencing how we wrote and performed with our own band.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Without the Beatles

What is Without the Beatles about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners can expect in-depth conversations about how the Beatles shaped other artists across decades, from classic rock legends to contemporary songwriters. Episodes often center on personal memories, songwriting craft, studio innovations, and the cultural ripple effects of Beatlemania, with guests ranging from pop icon collaborators to musicians influenced by the era. Noteworthy threads include cross-generational reverence, anecdotes about recording at iconic studios, and candid reflections on fame, collaboration, and artistic integrity. The show tends to blend historical context with practical takeaways for musicians and industry professionals, and it frequently features intimate, storyteller-driven interviews that highlight the enduring... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Without the Beatles?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Without the Beatles:

1. Word In Your Ear
2. The Rest Is Politics: US
3. My Favourite Beatles Song
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. The Rest Is Entertainment

How many episodes of Without the Beatles are there?

Without the Beatles launched 2 years ago and published 15 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Without the Beatles?

Recent guests on Without the Beatles include:

1. Al Jardine
2. Sir Michael Palin
3. Richie Sambora
4. Andy Partridge
5. Chris White
6. Neil Hannon
7. Jacob Jeffries
8. James Warren

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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