Keith Badman interviewed

The author of "The Beatles After the Breakup 1970-2000" discusses his book

(We are honored to have this interview with the author of one of the best Beatle books in recent years. Our thanks to Keith for taking the time to answer the questions and Andrew Brooks for helping arrange it.)

Keith Badman answers questions submitted by our website visitors.
Order Keith Badman's book "The Beatles After the Breakup 1970-2000".

Q: How did the idea of the book originate and how long did it take to put together?

KB: The book came about because I realised that no one had ever attempted this before. I couldn't believe that the post Beatles career had not been examined like The Beatles' years. I worked on this book soildly around 11 months, from June 1998 until May 1999.

Q: In general, what were your research sources?

KB: I used everything possible. TV programmes, radio interviews, books, magazines, cuttings, other books, libraries, private collections, my own large collection, and, of course, the WWW.

Q: What was the most surprising thing you found from the research?

KB: Too many to mention, really. For instance, I was surprised to find the correct date for the American Let It Be film release, especially when every other book had just listed the date from the original Apple press release.

Q: Because of the recent VH1 movie "Two of Us," there's been a lot of speculation about the relationship between John and Paul after the breakup. Based on your research, how would you describe it?

KB: They just went their separate ways really. That's it. They just grew apart. Paul was more keen on John to get together, but John was more keen to spend more time with Yoko and Sean and not bother with the hassles of the music industry.

Q: And how about John's relationships with George and Ringo, how would you describe them?

KB: John didn't really have much to do with George. As we know, he was a bit hurt by his omission in the book "I Me Mine." Ringo was close to John. As we know by the picture, Ringo dropped into see John in 1979 and when tragedy struck in December 1980, Ringo was the only Beatle to turn up at the Dakota. Of course, there would have been pandemonium if Paul and George had also turned up, which would not have been fair to Yoko and Sean.

Q: Where did the picture of John and Paul at Harry Nilsson's house come from?

KB: This great picture, their last together, came from Keith Moon's friend Dougal Butler.

Q: Do you plan to do an update?

KB: Yes, I am preparing information now, and I shall keep on checking the Abbeyrd webpage to keep me informed on what's happening.