Now and Then
Radio 2 devoted the beginning of the programme to the first play of the Beatles’ final song, Now and Then.
The recording began as a John Lennon demo and was completed decades later with help from technology developed during Peter Jackson’s Get Back documentary.
The finished track brought together John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
Scott described the play as a landmark moment and immediately read listener reactions.
Some listeners cried, rewound the programme through BBC Sounds and compared the release with hearing new Beatles music during the group’s original career.
A Glasgow secondary school stopped lessons to listen, then applauded when the song ended.
One message observed that people centuries in the future would envy those able to tune into the radio for a new Beatles release.
Beatles memories
Jeremy Vine’s programme had collected memories from listeners who saw the group during the early 1960s.
One remembered throwing jelly babies from the balcony after John Lennon said he liked them and accidentally hitting him.
Others recalled that the screaming was so intense that the music itself was almost impossible to hear.
The Birthday Game: Matt
Matt turned 40 and worked as a supermarket home-delivery driver.
He was preparing for a family week in the Lake District with his wife Elsie, son Albert, sister Claire and their dogs.
Matt wanted upbeat 1990s pop and admitted to liking music other people might call cheesy.
His first spin was David Bowie’s Space Oddity. He rejected it.
The second was McFly’s Star Girl, inspired by a dream Tom Fletcher had about falling in love with an alien.
Scott encouraged him to keep it, but Matt insisted on playing the game properly.
His compulsory final song was David Cassidy’s Daydreamer, number one in 1973.
Matt did not know it and admitted the result was not what he had hoped for, although David Cassidy fans listening were delighted.
Miriam becomes Scott’s pen pal
Scott revealed that Miriam Margolyes had emailed him after the previous day’s interview.
Her message thanked him for making her feel good and was signed with hugs.
Scott described her as his new pen pal and promoted the extended interview in the weekly podcast.
The Music Police
A new Music Police case was introduced after the Beatles celebrations.
Listeners were invited to identify the unresolved song from the evidence supplied.
Handover
Scott handed over to Sara Cox after another replay and discussion of Now and Then.
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