This week we bring you a very special conversation between singer/songwriter Amy Rigby & Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go’s) to mark the publication of Amy’s brand new book Girl To Country.

Amy Rigby has established herself as one of America’s enduring underground/cult/indie artists, combining the insight and humor of country and folk songwriting with classic rock craftsmanship and punk DIY spirit.

Kathy Valentine has been a working musician and songwriter for over 40 years, ever since she started her first band at age 16 in her hometown of Austin, Texas. After moving to Los Angeles, Kathy joined a band that would go on to make music history: The Go-Go’s.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July of 1966 the biggest band in the world touched down in Manila in the Philippines to play 2 shows at the Rizal Memorial Stadium - and we are joined by David Guerrero whose book You Won't See Me - When The Beatles Ghosted Imelda is out now on Penguin.

Why did the Beatles choose to play in the Philippines? Who made the call to tack it onto an existing trip to Japan? There are a number of bizarre incidents including a press conference at a local Naval Base, a proposed overnight stay on a boat in Manila Bay & of course the infamous no-show to visit the First Lady of the Philippines, Imelda Marcos.

Hysterical TV coverage follows & subsequently the huge security detail assigned to the band was withdrawn, as was room service back at their hotel, a large 'income tax' bill also arrives.

All this takes places while the Beatles play 2 of the biggest shows of their career on July 4th 1966 - the daytime show drew a crowd of 30,000 people while over 50,000 attended the evening show (potentially significantly more since many came in through unmanned gates at the stadium).

This was the Beatles final tour & they only play 1 song released in 1966 at either show, their latest single Paperback Writer.

After the 2nd gig things begin to turn sour & when leaving the country the following dat the band are jostled at the airport (resulting in driver Alf Bicknell ending up with fractured ribs), the management at the airport even turn off the escalators & make The Beatles park in the main car park with the general public, not treatment they were accustomed to by 1966.

On the plane out of Manila, John Lennon declares he won't tour again & the bands days as a touring act come to a close the following month after a show at Candlestick Park in San Francisco & to this day none of the Beatles ever returned to the Philippines.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we start in Brooklyn to chart the life & career of Carole King - from her beginnings as part of a local Doo Woo group through to the unprecedented success of Tapestry via New York’s Brill Building.

Carole King & Gerry Goffin’s big break came when they are asked to write a hit for girl group The Shirelles - the song they hand in, Will You Love Me Tomorrow shoots to number 1 & sells over a million copies.

They replicate the success with their next release The Locomotion, inspired & sang by their babysitter Eva.

They have dozens of other hits as one of the key songwriting partnerships of their era including Chains, Up On The Roof, Crying In The Rain, Some Kind of Wonderful & dozens more.

You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman) becomes a huge hit for Aretha Franklin in 1967 & also features on Carole’s breakthrough solo release Tapestry.

The album initially receives a quiet reception upon release in 1971 but goes onto sell tens of millions of copies & its influence is still felt today as it is passed down through generations.

It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmaps

It is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it.

You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/events

Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17

X: @simonmusicmaps

Facebook: E17rockbookclub

Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell

Music by Andy Maxwell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.