In this episode we pay tribute to the last of Dad’s Army’s ‘Magnificent Seven’, Ian Lavender (Private Pike), who passed away on February 2nd, 2024, aged 77.L...
Talking guerrilla filmmaking, Frank Williams, British TV legends, and lots more...
As we find ourselves in between podcast episodes, in this interim newsletter we take a look at how Elvis’ professional fortunes were tracking in the summer of 1977 leading up to, and after, his untimely death on August 16th.
1972 and the lead-up to the satellite broadcast
With Gary Wells
With expert analysis from Gary Wells
From Steve's episode, Once Upon a Time in Sydney.
Hilary Duff tied the knot August 2010 with pro Hockey Star Mike Comrie... i came across these lovely photos from OK magazine and thought i s...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ZDIjaZvIs In this episode we pay tribute to the last of Dad's Army's 'Magnificent Seven', Ian Lavender (Private Pike), who passed away on February 2nd, 2024, aged 77. Leading UK television historian, publisher, author and podcaster, Oliver Crocker, joins us to share his thoughts on this very talented gentleman, and to recall his own memorable…
Remembering legendary interviewer Sir Michael Parkinson, who passed away August 16th, 2023, aged 88. 🙏 From his Australian series, one of Parky's more interesting and intense encounters was with media mogul Kerry Packer, who had bankrolled the rebel Word Series Cricket competition in the late 70s. Packer was famously intimidating and, despite earning a large portion of his massive wealth from news and media, generally could not abide journalists and often made that very clear. It was rare th...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WineGdlO4MY&t=4895s It's a great thrill and privilege this episode to welcome multi-talented actor, writer and music artist, Andrew Mackintosh, who carved his own special niche in British television history as Detective Sergeant Alistair Greig, a key character in over 300 episodes of one of the most successful and influential television dramas of all time, The…
We're delighted for this episode to be joined by a genuine legend of Australian radio, Steve Collins, who takes us on a nostalgic, personal journey through the intense Sydney music scene of the 1970s. As well as his studio work for pioneering rock radio station 2JJ, Steve was at the heart of an incredible era…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glqknrfKrMo In this episode our leading contributor, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com), joins us to take an in-depth look at the Winter Dance Party tour of early 1959, and explore what led up to a critical midtour decision to charter a light plane for a late night, 300 mile flight from Mason City, Iowa, to Fargo, North…
https://soundcloud.com/georgefairbrother/oliver-crocker-remembering-frank-williams Oliver Crocker is one of Britain’s leading and most respected authors, historians, podcasters and publishers on classic British television, whose work on iconic productions like The Bill and All Creatures Great and Small is valued and appreciated as much by the creators as by the fans. He has put together something very special for…
https://soundcloud.com/georgefairbrother/gary-wells-clip-beach-boys-biographer-timothy-white-murry-wilson-and-the-legacy-of-pain In this clip compiled from our 2022 Beach Boys Book Club episode, with our leading contributor, Gary Wells, we focus on Timothy White's wide-ranging 1994 biography, The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience. Gary explains what sets this apart as more than just a rock and roll…
All eight episodes of the first series of Letter from Helvetica is now available. LIsten on all major podcasting platforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4z81skqNXI We’re delighted to be joined once again by leading author, publisher and podcaster on classic British television, and hugely valued contributor to this podcast, Oliver Crocker. This episode we take an in-depth look at his definitive history of the iconic BBC television series, All Creatures Great and Small, based on the bestselling books by…
Tim Woodward, who played Alan Farmer in Wings, has passed away, aged 70 (November 9th, 2023). He was the son of Edward Woodward and Venetia Barrett, and his siblings, Peter and Sarah Woodward, are al…
Available from Devonfire Books, Amazon, and major retailers British actor Larry Dann became a household name in the 1980s through his wholly believable performance as the likeable and dependable sergeant, Alec Peters, reaching millions of viewers each week, in 229 episodes of ITV's long-running police drama, The Bill (2500 episodes 1983-2010). His autobiography was published…
https://soundcloud.com/georgefairbrother/gary-wells-from-memphis-to-vegas In this special extended episode, our leading contributor Gary Wells, www.soulrideblog.com, is our guide for an immersive audio tour through Memphis and Las Vegas. We’re considering these destinations wholly in the context of mid-twentieth century entertainment and culture, and what are essential places of interest for the ‘vintage leisure’ enthusiast. We begin in Memphis,…
