Who Were The Beatles Influenced by? Live at The BBC Disc Two

Released in 1994 the Beatles Live At The BBC album was a compilation of various songs that the Beatles had performed for the BBC between 1963 and 1965. The album had some Beatles originals on it and some ’banter’ between songs, but it also had a plethora of cover versions – yet another indication of just who the Beatles were influenced by.

This article will have a look at Disc 2 of the Beatles Live At The BBC and look at the cover versions the Beatles performed on the album and which Beatle took the lead vocals on it.

Chuck Berry – Roll Over Beethoven

The Beatles not only included this on the album Live At The BBC but also on their album With The Beatles, both with George Harrison on lead vocals.

Johnny Burnette – Lonesome Tears In My Eyes

The Beatles recorded their version of this for Pop Goes The Beatles in 1963 with John Lennon on lead vocals.

Eddie Fontaine – Nothin’ Shakin’

Written by Eddie Fontaine and originally a hit in 1958, the Beatles version had George Harrison on lead vocals.

Chan Romero – The Hippy Hippy Shake

The Beatles version of this song had Paul McCartney on lead vocals. The song was a huge hit in the UK when covered by the Swinging Blue Jeans.

Carl Perkins – Glad All Over

Written by Aaron Schroeder, Sid Tepper and Roy Bennett and originally a hit for Carl Perkins, the Beatles version saw George Harrison take lead vocals.

Ann-Margaret – I Just Don’t Understand

Swedish vocalist Ann-Margaret had a number 17 US hit with this song in 1961. The Beatles version was sung by John Lennon.

Boudleaux Bryant – So How Come (No One Loves Me)

Random song sung with lead vocals by both George Harrison and John Lennon on the Beatles cover of it.

Carl Perkins – Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby

Just like the Beatles version on their album Beatles For Sale, George Harrison took lead vocals.

Chuck Berry – Rock And Roll Music

Another Chuck Berry song that the Beatles covered and another one with John Lennon on lead vocals.

Larry Williams – Dizzy Miss Lizzy

The Beatles not only included this one on the Live At The BBC album but also as the closing song to their album Help!, with lead vocals by John Lennon.

Little Richard – Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey

Paul McCartney taking lead vocals on another song that was originally a hit for Little Richard.

Carl Perkins – Matchbox

This Carl Perkins song was given to Ringo Starr to sing when the Beatles performed it for the BBC.

Elvis Presley – I Forgot To Remember To Forget

Written by Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers and a hit for Elvis Presley, lead vocals on the Beatles cover version were by George Harrison.

Chuck Berry – I Got To Find My Baby

Another Chuck Berry song that the Beatles recorded and yet another one sung by John Lennon.

Little Richard – Ooh! My Soul

Paul McCartney took lead vocals on the Beatles run through of this song written by Little Richard.

The Crickets – Dont’ Ever Change

Written by Goffin & King and a top 5 hit in the UK for the Crickets, the Beatles version had lead vocals by George Harrison and Paul McCartney.

Larry Williams – Slow Down

John Lennon took the lead vocals on the Beatles run through of this Larry Williams penned song.

Carl Perkins – Honey Don’t

This time it was John Lennon who took lead vocals on this Carl Perkins penned song.

And that concludes the look at the cover versions the Beatles performed on their Live At The BBC album so here is the updated list of bands/artist that influenced the music of the Beatles; John Lennon – Arthur Alexander, Shirelles, Isley Brothers, Marvelettes, Smokey Robinson, Barrett Strong, Chuck Berry, Roy Lee Johnson, Buddy Holly, Larry Williams, Ray Charles Goffin & King, Richie Barrett, Elvis Presley, Phil Spector, Johnny Burnette, Carl Perkins; Paul McCartney – Lenny Welch, Meredith Wilson, Leiber & Stoller, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Richie Barrett, Arthur Crudup, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley & His Comets, Chan Romero; George Harrison – Goffin & King, Chuck Berry, Richard Drapkin, Carl Perkins, Coasters, Leiber & Stoller, Buddy Holly, Eddie Fontaine, Elvis Presley.

So, having now looked through all the Beatles studio albums and also the Beatles Live At The BBC album the next step on the mission to find all those who influenced the music of the Beatles will take us to the Beatles Anthology albums!