Rocking in Memphis: U2's 50th Anniversary Fan Celebration

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Behind the Scenes: Andy Leach (head of exhibit) on the new Paul McCartney and Wings Exhibit

Inside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum's New Paul McCartney & Wings Exhibit with Head of the Exhibit, Andy Leach Host Alice welcomes listeners to the Rock and Roll Field Trip Podcast and interviews Andy Leach, Senior Director of Museum and Archival Collections at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, about the new Paul McCartney and Wings exhibit in Cleveland. Leach describes founding the museum’s library and archives, the extensive collaboration with Paul’s MPL team, and how a casual May 2023 meeting at 1 Soho Square evolved into the first major museum exhibition on Wings and the largest public display of McCartney’s personal artifacts. He explains selecting items such as instruments, clothing, handwritten lyrics, tour memorabilia, and imagery, and recounts coordinating with former Wings members for additional artifacts. Leach highlights the exhibit’s “Heart of the Country” kitchen scene and Linda McCartney’s camera, emphasizing Linda’s underappreciated role in Wings’ sound, aesthetics, and photography, and discusses professional archival handling and the exhibit’s planned run through at least May 2027. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:31 Meet Andy Leach 01:59 Opening Night Highlights 04:59 How the Exhibit Began 08:35 Selecting Artifacts 13:17 Linda and Heart of Country 18:42 Archivist vs Fan Mode 23:38 Will Paul Visit 26:41 Wrap Up Email us at: rocknrollfieldtrip@yahoo.com [rocknrollfieldtrip@yahoo.com] Mentioned in this episode: Paul McCartney and Wings Exhibit https://rockhall.com/exhibitions/paul-mccartney-and-wings/ [https://rockhall.com/exhibitions/paul-mccartney-and-wings/] Andy Leach 's Substack Article on the Exhibit https://rockandrollhalloffame.substack.com/p/growing-wings-the-making-of-a-paul [https://rockandrollhalloffame.substack.com/p/growing-wings-the-making-of-a-paul] Thanks for listening! Please follow the podcast, leave us a (preferably five star) review, and tell a friend about us!

Rocking in Memphis: U2's 50th Anniversary Fan Celebration

U2 Turns 50: Fans Gather in Memphis for a 2026 Anniversary Meetup Host Alice welcomes Scott Calhoun and Verlinda Henning to the Rock and Roll Field Trip podcast to discuss U2’s 50th anniversary and a fan-organized meetup in Memphis, May 15–17, 2026. They reflect on the band’s longevity, the excitement around two surprise EPs (Days of Ash and Easter Lilly) and Propaganda issues, and why fans are eager to reconnect in person. Verlinda, a Memphis native, and Scott explain Memphis’s deep musical and civil-rights significance, including U2’s Rattle and Hum-era ties to Sun Studio, Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum at the former Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. They preview community-centered meetup plans—group discussions, sightseeing, a fan showcase, and a service project—and describe how U2 fandom provides friendship, civic engagement, and personal meaning. 00:00 Fans Who Found Family 00:29 Welcome to Memphis Meetup 02:34 New Music for Year 4:57 Why Memphis Matters 08:44 Choosing the Host City 10:19 Accents and Local Flavor 11:38 Weekend Schedule Highlights15:35 What Fandom Means 19:15 How Far to Follow U2 21:40 Join In Anywhere 23:21 Podcast Farewell Email us at: rocknrollfieldtrip@yahoo.com Mentioned in this episode: Meet Up Details: https://u2conference.com/memphis26/ [https://u2conference.com/memphis26/]

Preview: Why Memphis, Tennessee for U2 Fan 50th Anniversary Meet Up in 2026?

Verlinda, a long time U2 fan and native of Memphis, Tennessee, tells me why Memphis is the perfect location for a U2 Fan Meet up. U2 celebrates their 50th Anniversary this year and this group of fans are planning a Memphis based celebration. Email: rocknrollfieldtrip@yahoo.com

A Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and Wings Conversation with Dr. Allison Bumsted

Host Alice welcomes listeners to part two of her conversation with Beatles scholar Dr. Allison Bumsted, wrapping up discussion of the Paul McCartney documentary Man on the Run with themes around Liverpool, fame, and the impossibility of living privately there despite local sentiment that “the Beatles left us.” They discuss Liverpool’s post-war and de-industrial history, EU-funded rebuilding, Capital of Culture, and the growth of Beatles tourism and landmarks, plus the film’s use of archival material, family voices, and emotional moments including Stella describing Paul learning of John’s death. They share personal stories of meeting music figures and traveling, note Paul’s extensive archives, and talk about the Rock Hall’s upcoming Wings exhibit. Both rate the documentary, discuss “spirit Beatle” ideas, and share hopes for more fan perspectives, women’s stories, and future podcast interviews, including dreams of interviewing Giles Martin and Mary McCartney. Contact host Alice at rocknrollfieldtrip@yahoo.com Find the podcast on Instagram at: Rock ‘N’ Roll Fieldtrip (@rocknrollfieldtrip) • Instagram photos and videos [https://www.instagram.com/rocknrollfieldtrip/]Thank you for listening! Please consider following the podcast here on Spotify or on Apple podcasts. It's free.

Preview: The Beatles Leaving Liverpool (w/ Dr. Allison Bumsted) Part Two

Coming this week: Part two of my conversation with Dr. Allison Bumsted. Can't wait to share the full episode with you soon!