On Wednesday January 13, 2010, three of the four moderators of Fab Fourum, Ken Michaels, Rob Leonard, and me (Tony Traguardo was ill) were given the opportunity and privilege to have an intimate sit down with, arguably the most famous drummer in music history, Ringo Starr. It was part of a series of radio roundtables with Ringo. The radio roundtables were a few sessions where four or five journalists at a time would be in a room with Ringo for approximately 20 minutes to discuss his new CD, Y Not. (Note: There will be a special Fab Fourum podcast with our CD review available for broadcast shortly).

It was held at a hotel in New York City. Arriving in the hotel lobby very early, I tried to calm my nerves because although I was a journalist about to conduct an interview, I am still a fan and I am also a drummer because of the man I was about to have a conversation with, so there was a certain anxiety about the fantastic task at hand.

We were grouped with two other journalists, one from CBS News Radio and the other from an online music site, and led to the small conference room where we encountered our subject. The roundtable was actually square but very cozy. If we all reached out, we could have all touched hands. Being five feet from a music legend and your musical inspiration is quite a great feeling. Ringo immediately made everyone feel very comfortable by greeting us and giving us elbow bumps instead of handshakes (hey, there’s a lot of germs out there!).

The three members of Fab Fourum had earlier discussed our questions amongst each other and it was decided that we thought Ringo would appreciate it if we stuck to questions about this new CD and not ask Beatle-related questions. Before we started we told Ringo of our intentions and he was very gracious about it telling us that it comes with the territory and it was okay to ask. We stuck to our solo questions but the fact that he put us further at ease is a testament to why he is a star(r).

The broadcast you will hear is our 20 minutes with a legend. Among the topics he discusses are, being a producer, his drumming, and specific songs and musicians on Y Not. He was witty, charming, open and honest, and very attentive to each interviewer. And by the way, he looks great! We hope you enjoy this exclusive audio interview as much as we did while having the opportunity to do so! We would like to thank Elizabeth, Kathryn and Cam from Ringo’s public relations company for giving us this rare opportunity! Enjoy.

Mitch - co-moderator "Fab Fourum"

Hi Everyone!
First, I want to take a moment to thank everyone for listening. I must quote a friend of all of us by saying "I'd like to reply personally to everybody, but I just haven't enough pens".
Anyway, putting the show together has been - and continues to be - a blast for us.  While some folks seem to be downloading it through iTunes, all of you who have joined the fun here at Podarama will be having access to this blog, along with some exclusive links (bwa-ha-haaa!).
Peace,
Tony

Click on the player above to listen. To download the program, first sign on and become a member, then click the "Listen" Menu Button. Then select the second blue button (with the arrow pointing down) to download and save to your computer .
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46 - The Beatles Album That Never Was: Sessions
The Fab Fourum review the unique story behind the Beatles album originally intended as the first post break-up collection of previously unreleased material; the legendary "Sessions".

45 - Paul McCartney & Wings: Last Recorded Flights
The Fab Fourum and special guest Laurence Juber look back on, and celebrate, the last incarnation of Paul McCartney's 'Wings', with a focus on their final studio album "Back to the Egg".

44: Paying 'Tribute' To The Beatles!
The Fab Fourum look at the interesting and expanding world of Beatles tribute bands. The guys talk about some of the best, the oldest, and the most unique, while considering questions like: 'Suits or no suits?', 'Solo music or group music only?' and 'What makes a tribute band a good one?'

43: The Mystery of the Beatles Catalog: Why Do the Later Albums Sell Better?
The Fab Fourum examine a long-standing, but fairly confusing, tradition: Why do the later Beatle albums always chart higher than the early albums? The guys consider some of the possible causes during this thought-provoking episode.

42: Fab Fourum's (Edgar) Winter Episode
The Fab Fourum talk with legendary multi-instrumentalist Edgar Winter about his work with Ringo, on the road and in the studio, and about his great love for the Beatles' music.

41: George Harrison and the Beatles: "Cry for a Shadow"?
The Fab Fourum crew pose the question: "Was/is George Harrison in the 'shadow' of John and Paul, as both a Beatle and a solo artist?" And if so ... will time change that?

40: The Beatles' "Road Songs"
Some Beatle and solo Beatle songs make us want to hit the open highway, or enjoy a relaxing ride on country roads. The guys from Fab Fourum discuss the tunes that make you wake up, turn it up or speed up, in this light-hearted episode.

39: Songs The Beatles Gave Away...to Billy J.!
Billy J. Kramer, a fan and friend of the Beatles, joins the Fab Fourum for an enlightening and entertaining interview. A fellow Liverpudlian who was also managed by Brian Epstein, Billy J. launched his career with four Lennon/McCartney international million sellers. The guys review Billy's fascinating history, talk about the (non-musical) gift given to him by a Beatle, and bring us up-to-date with a world-premiere of his new music!

38: The Lovely Lind...and A Lot of Lightning!
The Fab Fourum consider the significance of Linda Eastman McCartney in the life and music of her husband ... that fella Paul. Also, two lightning rounds cover Beatle tunes that should be in commercials and what the guys are listening to "right now"

37: The Never Ending 5th Beatle Debate
The Fab Fourum chime in on this perpetual debate, with interesting results. The usual suspects...and more...are discussed: Epstein? Martin? Best? YOU?!? An enlightening lightning round closes the show!

36: Fab Fourum FAQ 2.0 with Guest Author Robert Rodriguez
The Fab Fourum examine the music and events of first decade of the post-Beatles as solo artists with their special guest Robert Rodriguez, author of the Backbeat Books release "Fab Four FAQ 2.0".

35: John Lennon's 1980 Music: Reinvention or Re-invigoration?
"Double Fantasy" was John Lennon's 'return' to music after a five-year hiatus.  But was it a return to form? Did it pick up where he'd left off? Was this a 'new phase' John Lennon album? The cast of the Fab Fourum offer their opinions.

34: "The Beatles For Sale" : A Close Look at a Transition-Era Beatles Album
The guys put the Beatles 4th studio album - and their varied opinions about it - under a microscope.  What they uncover and reveal may shock and stun some listeners, as their perpetual "album by album review series" continues.

33a: A Fab Fourum Memorial Day Tip!

33: How Wings Took Flight! An Interview with Denny Seiwell
The Fab Fourum crew get the inside scoop on the birth of Paul McCartney's "Wings" from one of the group's original members, drummer Denny Seiwell. Denny's relaxed, good nature made for an entertaining and informative review of this important time in Paul's musical history!

32: "Themes" Like Old Times: The Beatle Theme Compilations
Rock tunes! Love songs! Non-LP tracks! The Beatles had them all ... and Capitol Records tried to compile sets of them at some point during the 70s and 80s. The Fab Fourum "reel" you in with a look at these thematic Beatle collections.

31: How Radio Handled the Break-up (with Pete Fornatale)/Lightning Strikes Twice!
In the second of two shows with DJ/author Pete Fornatale, the gang talks about how radio handled the break-up of the Beatles. Two lightning rounds are featured in this episode (you may be thinking, “TWO … I’m shocked and stunned!”). The guys choose their missed solo “follow-up” singles and try to single out their favorite Beatles interview quotes.

30: Two Pioneers of FM Radio :The Beatles and Pete Fornatale!
From "campus" to "corporate", Pete Fornatale has been a staple on the New York FM dial since the mid-60s, when the Beatles helped to usher in a new era in radio. They turned radio on its ear, and turned us all on to amazing music in the process. This episode of Fab Fourum offers up an exciting opportunity to hear how history was made, from someone who was part of it as it happened.

29: A Look at 1967: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
It was an amazing year for the Beatles. Once full of twists, turns and changes. There were highs...but there were some lows as well.  The Fab Fourum take a close look at the events surrounding the year that "Sgt. Pepper" helped to launch a Summer of Love, and "Magical Mystery Tour" left fans and critics alike wondering...what should we expect next from the Beatles?

28: Talking with a Dream Weaver: Gary Wright
He was a close friend of George Harrison’s, and a musical collaborator since his days with Spooky Tooth. He is now readying himself for another tour with Ringo. He is Gary Wright, and his chart singles are known to anyone who has ever owned a radio. The Fab Fourum talk to the “Dream Weaver” in an exclusive, revealing interview.

27 - Beatle Parodies: Funnin' on the Fab Four Pt. 2
In this second part of the Fab Fourum's look at the best Beatle parodies, the guys pay tribute to the funniest spoof ever done on the greatest band of all time. What did the Beatle world get when Monty Python, Neil Innes, George Harrison and Saturday Night Live joined forces?  Why, of course, it was Dirk, Nasty, Stig and Barry ... The Rutles!

26 - Beatle Parodies: Funnin' on the Fab Four Pt. 1
The Fab Fourum take a serious...OK, maybe not too serious...look at some of the best parodies of the Fab Four that have appeared on record, on TV, and in print. This episode may just lead you to discover some great humor that was derived from the Beatles music...and history...that you may not have seen or heard before!

25 - Who's in YOUR Hall of Fame?
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland recently held its induction ceremony for this year. Do Beatle fans think that there are any names missing from the Hall's nominating ballots? What about Ringo? What about Wings?  What about Brian?  The guys of Fab Fourum talk...no, debate... about who they each think should and should not be considered for the Hall's next ballot.

24 - Oh, Solo B-Sides!
The guys have a hard time picking their favorites from the many amazing released songs that DIDN'T make it onto the Beatles' solo albums! Join the Fab Fourum for a lively discussion about the wealth of amazing material that we fans were treated to when we flipped over the solo Beatles' 45 releases, and...in recent years...when we sought out the 'bonus tracks'  that have appeared on CD singles and soundtracks.