The Beatles: The World’s Greatest Cover Band

Although most of the Beatles’ classic recordings were of songs they wrote, in their early years much of their repertoire was devoted to superb interpretations of songs by American rock, soul, and country stars. This program will spotlight the Beatle’s versions of songs by their greatest influences, from the Isley Brothers’ “Twist and Shout” to Buck Owens’s “Act Naturally,” along with tunes that were originally hits for the likes of Chuck Berry (“Roll Over Beethoven”), Little Richard (“Long Tall Sally”), Carl Perkins, the Shirelles, and others. 

Rock historian Richie Unterberger is the author of numerous rock history books, including volumes on the Beatles, the Who, the Velvet Underground, Bob Marley, and 1960s folk-rock. He teaches courses on rock and soul music history at several Bay Area colleges. His latest book, San Francisco: Portrait of a City, was published by Taschen in 2022.