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Brian tells Bob Stanley about the art of a good interview

Brian and The Beatles

Ringo said "Of course I'm just a blob" - I thought, what a lovely expression!

Brian Matthew

Listening to the interviews Brian Matthew did over the years on Saturday Club, Easybeat, My Top Twelve and Round Midnight, what strikes the listener is the amazing, easy rapport he has with pretty much everyone.

Brian mulls this over. "I've heard this comment many times, and I'm sure you're absolutely right. What was the reason for it? I can't explain. I just tried to talk to them in their own language and about their own interests. And I was interested in it anyway."

One of the many Saturday Club interviews with the starts with Brian introducing Ringo as "A long nose has just become between me and the microphone, who are you?"

"Really?" he laughs. "One of my favourite comments was from Ringo himself, when he was doing a short interview with me. Ringo said "Of course I'm just a blob" - I thought, what a lovely expression! He was a nice, nice guy."

A few years later, Brian interviewed , who had briefly left his brothers in the for a solo career. His easy rapport was put to the test by the eager young Gibb, still only 19. Brian asks Robin "has your severance from the Bee Gees had any effect on your composing activities?"

"Definitely. The horizon for me to write is unlimited, really." Robin explains how he is now working on musical scores, film productions, tributes to Winston Churchill, and a "250 page book, that consists of Dickensian type stories."

"Well, there you go, you can do the lot" says a slightly sceptical Brian. "You don't paint as well do you, by any chance?"

"Yes... I do!"

"Ah gawd" groans Brian, "I'm sorry I mentioned that! I tell you what, sing us a song will you?"