Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin honoring John Lennon’s 80th birthday on SiriusXM

Exclusive conversation between Paul McCartney and Alec Baldwin discussing John’s life and music to premiere on Friday, October 9 at 11 am ET

SiriusXM’s The Beatles Channel is honoring John Lennon’s 80th birthday on October 9 with exclusive programming featuring special guests Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, Sean Ono Lennon, and more. Listeners will hear celebrities pay tribute to Lennon, as well as exclusive specials about his music and legacy on The Beatles Channel.

The weekend-long programming will include a new show, featuring Paul McCartney in conversation with Alec Baldwin. The exclusive show will feature McCartney reflecting on his songwriting partner, bandmate, and friend John Lennon. The special will air on Friday, October 9 at 11 am ET, 4 pm ET and 9 pm ET on SiriusXM radios (channel 18) and on the SiriusXM app. The special will also air multiple times on The Beatles Channel throughout the weekend and will be available On Demand via the SiriusXM app after its debut.

“The three others of us in the group were massive fans of John because he was that kind of guy. He was, I mean, we always used to get asked, ‘who’s the leader of the group’ and I’d go, ‘me’ and John would go, ‘no me,'” McCartney shares.

“I have to admit, we really, that it was sort of John, just his personality was a leader’s personality. Luckily it didn’t matter. We were, we all had an equal vote and so it always worked out without worrying about that.”

The Beatles Channel, SiriusXM’s channel created in collaboration with and fully authorized by The Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd., celebrates popular music’s most legendary and influential band, showcasing all-things-Beatles with regular and special programming spanning the history-making careers of the band and its members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The channel explores The Beatles’ entire career including their hits and deeper tracks, live recordings, rarities, and solo albums, while also spotlighting musicians who have inspired, and have drawn inspiration from, The Beatles. The Beatles Channel presents a curated mix of music tailored to a wide range of Beatles fans, along with a variety of regular shows and specials

The full schedule is as follows, with all times ET:

Sean Ono Lennon Guest DJ
Musician, songwriter, producer, and the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Sean Ono Lennon joins host David Fricke in a two-part series, sharing memories of his dad along with his favorite John Lennon songs, both with and without The Beatles.
Part 1 Saturday, October 10 at 1 pm
Part 2 Sunday, October 11 at midnight

The Ballad Of John And Yoko: 1969
It’s hard to imagine the life of John and Yoko in 1969 — The Beatles, Plastic Ono Band, The Bed-Ins for Peace, War Is Over… it’s a story only they can tell. Listen to John and Yoko talk about their lives and thoughts on many topics in their own words from 1969.
Friday, October 9 at 11 pm
Sunday, October 11 at 10 am

Eight Songs A Week… Times Two
Beatles fans are giving John Lennon a special birthday playlist composed of their 16 favorite songs with John on lead vocals. It’s Eight Songs A Week… Times Two!
Friday, October 9 at 1 pm
Saturday, October 10 at 10 am
Sunday, October 11 at 1 pm
Monday, October 12 at noon

Imagine Special
Bill Flanagan explores John Lennon’s Imagine: “The Ultimate Collection” in a two-part series. Hear the original masters, alternate versions, and interviews with those who were part of the creation of the landmark album.
Imagine – New York Special
Saturday, October 10 at 6 pm
Imagine – UK Special
Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm

Magical Lennon Maxi Concert
In honor of John’s birthday, The Beatles Channel has imagined the greatest John Lennon concert ever! Sixty minutes of Lennon, Beatles and solo hits live.
Saturday, October 10 at 9 pm

Fab Fourum
The Beatles Channel’s weekly live Fab Fourum talk show, hosted by Dennis Elsas and Bill Flanagan, will be dedicated to John on his birthday and feature special guests, as well as your phone calls, plus the chance to win an Epiphone guitar and the new John Lennon: Gimme Some Truth deluxe edition box set.
Wednesday, October 7 at 9 pm
Saturday, October 10 at 7 am
Sunday, October 11 at 6 pm

Northern Songs
Beatles historian and author Bill Flanagan puts together a themed playlist of hits and rarities by the Fab Four for this weekly audio adventure. This week, it’s all about John Lennon’s songs with The Beatles in honor of his 80th birthday.
Friday, October 9 at midnight
Saturday, October 10 at 7 pm
Sunday, October 11 at 6 am

Peter Asher: From Me To You
Musician, host, and friend of The Beatles Peter Asher explores the connection between John Lennon and legendary author Lewis Carroll, plus an Imagine set, Plastic Ono Band, and more.
Thursday, October 8 at 9 pm
Saturday, October 10 at 5 pm
Sunday, October 11 at 8 am
Tuesday, October 13 at 1 pm

Dark Horse Radio
In this weekly show dedicated to the music that George Harrison wrote, produced, sang and loved, musician and host Laura Cantrell will explore the special relationship between George and John Lennon.
Thursday, October 8 at 3 pm
Saturday, October 10 at 11 pm
Sunday, October 11 at 4 pm
Tuesday, October 13 at 1 am

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn

Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com