“We’re looking forward to coming,” says 'Whispering' Bob Harris OBE, speaking exclusively to the Isle of Wight County Press while overlooking Worcester’s riverside.
He is moments away from stepping into an auditorium filled with keen fans of The Beatles, but makes time to chat.
The iconic host of the Old Grey Whistle Test and Radio 2's The Country Show (9pm, Thursdays) will be on stage at Newport’s Quay Arts on April 20, with music journalist Colin Hall.
The pair will discuss The Songs The Beatles Gave Away.
- For tickets to see Bob Harris and Colin Hall: The Songs the Beatles Gave Away, at the Isle of Wight's Quay Arts on April 20, CLICK HERE
Bob is no stranger to the Isle of Wight, having visited in 1970, for the legendary festival at Afton.
While more than six hundred thousand music fans rocked out to Jimi Hendrix and The Who, where was Bob?
“I was there as the guest of a band called T2,” he tells me.
"They were playing on a flatbed truck just outside the festival gate and flew me in, in a little private plane, down to the Isle of Wight.
"We flew about 200 feet above the festival crowd. It was so exciting. It was really, really brilliant.
"It was just as I was starting on Radio 1."
Bob was only here for about four hours, but he made the most of it, meeting American folk singer and activist, Joan Baez.
The Beatles' George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon had themselves come to see Bob Dylan on the Island, in 1969.
Decades later, The Songs The Beatles Gave Away reveals the stories behind the hits, as well as the misses and demos never released, and the songs they wrote for artists including Cilla Black, Billy J Kramer and Tommy Quickly.
On stage, Bob is joined by his friend of 20 years, The Beatles biographer, Colin Hall.
"Colin and I went on this Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and we went to visit the location where John and Paul first met.
"I was fascinated. It led to us doing a radio show called The Day John Met Paul, which won a Sony award.”
Keen to work together again, Bob and Colin began to tour with The Songs The Beatles Gave Away, after Colin published a 2022 book of the same name.
"Cynthia Lennon [John’s first wife] was a close friend of mine.
"I know Olivia Harrison [George's widow] very well, so I feel very connected with The Beatles."
Bob has interviewed all the members of the Fab Four, including John Lennon for the Old Grey Whistle Test, in 1975.
One of Bob's other loves is country music and his specialist Radio 2 show celebrates 25 years this month (April).
Of the anniversary show, Bob said: "I’ve no idea what’s going to happen.
"[Producer] Mark Hagen said to get to the studio early and then just be prepared for surprises.
"Visiting Nashville and being part of this community is such a wonderful experience.
"I love country music, I love the community and I love the fact it’s still songs-based and performance music.
"The people are so nice. You build friendships you know will last through your life."
The genre is getting an injection of new fans recently, thanks to Beyonce's Cowboy Carter.
Bob tells me he is 'thrilled' the Destiny’s Child star is 'shining a light' on Country.
He is also enthusiastic about Morgan Wade, who played the Isle of Wight Festival and who has appeared on Bob's show.
"She’s fantastic. You can always tell when an artist really means it and Morgan really does," he says.
Football podcast
More recently, Bob has embarked on a new project with his son, Miles: A Fantasy Football podcast called A Game of No Halves.
"We talk about the fictitious football team I've been running for the last thirty-five years.
"It's hilarious and we’re now getting guests in. We’re having such a great time."
Meanwhile, Bob's looking forward to crossing The Solent again, with Colin Hall, on April 20.
"I absolutely love spending time by the sea and on the Isle of Wight, you're not very far from the sea, wherever you are."
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