The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Hosted by Billy Corgan
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
In this episode of The Magnificent Others, host Billy Corgan talks with legendary producer, manager, and musician Peter Asher about his extraordinary life in the 1960s and 1970s music scenes. Asher shares stories about growing up in a cultured London household, having Paul McCartney move into his family home, and writing and recording era-defining hits as one half of Peter and Gordon. The two musicians discuss Asher's transition into a brilliant behind-the-scenes career as head of A&R for Apple Records and as a manager and producer for artists like James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt. Asher reflects on the magic of studio collaboration, the unique qualities that make a singer truly inimitable, and how the music of that era has endured far beyond what anyone ever expected.
The episode opens with a series of unrelated product ads before transitioning to the main interview.
Asher recounts the gradual, undramatic split with Gordon and the circumstances that led to their reunion.
Asher explains how he moved from performing to producing and became head of A&R at Apple Records.
Asher shares insights into managing James Taylor, Linda Hopkin, and other notable musicians.
The discussion turns to how Asher discovered and signed Linda Hopkin, leading to her hit "Those Were the Days."
Asher reflects on his family background, early acting roles, and the influence of his parents.
The conversation opens with reflections on early musical tastes and how Peter and Gordon met during school, setting the stage for their future partnership.
Peter recounts how Paul McCartney moved into his family home, the dynamics of that arrangement, and the early interactions between the families.
Peter describes the spontaneous creation of the Beatles’ hit in a basement piano room, highlighting the collaborative process and the song’s unexpected piano origins.
Peter explains how an unfinished demo of “World Without Love” led to a collaborative bridge addition, illustrating the songwriting dynamics between him and Paul.
The discussion turns to the technical aspects of recording at Abbey Road, including session structure, musician payment, and the use of a single microphone for vocal harmony.
The conversation covers the band’s touring experiences, single releases, and the broader cultural impact of Beatlemania on audiences and the music industry.
Undramatic Breakupstory
The guest explains that Peter and Gordon never had a dramatic breakup or actual bust-up, but rather drifted apart over decades before a benefit concert reunited them 37 years later.
Discovery of Productioninsight
The guest shares how discovering that a producer could hire superior musicians and direct the arrangement sparked his lifelong ambition to enter the profession.
Despite taking out newspaper ads and listening to vast numbers of submitted tapes, the label rarely found any worthwhile talent through open submissions.
Hearing James Taylorstory
The guest recounts the moment James Taylor played a few songs for him in London, convincing him immediately of his world-class, unique talent.
Crediting Studio Musiciansstrategy
The guest notes that it was unusual at the time to print the names of session musicians on record sleeves, a practice he was determined to change.
The guest discusses his endocrinologist father, who was famous for lying on the floor to calm psychiatric patients and for identifying and naming Munchausen syndrome.
“Once I discovered what a record producer could do, you know, that you could hire musicians vastly better than yourself and tell them what to play, I thought that was brilliant,”
“I think there's some R and B records that you, that feel like that to me, where each part, even the horn parts, have a very precise role.”
“I was more of a folky. I was already Woody Guthrie crazy.”
“I said, it sounds great. It's amazing.”
“They would listen to every take. If they did like four takes of a song, they would all come in and they'd listen to every take, good or bad.”
“Because every time you listen to that, those things are on headphones carefully. You hear, find something new or new, something you'd forgotten.”
Music legend Peter Asher joins Billy Corgan for a fascinating conversation spanning the British Invasion, the Beatles, Laurel Canyon, and the art of making timeless records. As one half of the chart-topping '60s duo Peter & Gordon, Asher looks back on his unforgettable years at Apple Records working alongside the Beatles, discovering James Taylor, and helping launch Linda Ronstadt's solo career. Billy and Peter dig into the craft of record production, the golden era of singer-songwriters, why a distinctive voice matters more than a perfect one, and the quiet relationships that shaped music history. Peter also explains why his greatest calling wasn't the spotlight but helping other artists find theirs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
14,702 words · 7 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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