The Beatles 100: One Hundred Pivotal Moments in Beatles History
A ranked, bite-sized walk through Beatles history that asks which meetings, records, performances, and turning points mattered most.
Books, writing, and music
A closer look at four music books, decades of criticism and interviews, and the bands and recordings that keep John connected to the song from the inside.
The bookshelf
Beatles history, John Lennon, and the records that define power pop—written for readers who want the story and the sound.
John Lennon — Life Is What Happens: Music, Memories and Memorabilia
A portrait of Lennon's life and work told through music, memory, and the objects that marked the journey.
Shake Some Action 2.0: A Guide to the 200 Greatest Power Pop Albums, 1970–2017
An expanded guide through the albums, deep cuts, and enduring hooks that make power pop worth arguing about.
Shake Some Action: The Ultimate Power Pop Guide
The foundational volume that brought John's listening, criticism, and record-collector curiosity into one guide.
The Beatles 100 audiobook
The complete audio edition of John's ranked guide to the pivotal moments that shaped Beatles history.
Selected writing
Reviews, interviews, reissues, new discoveries, and the power-pop records that still reward another listen.
Power Pop PlusJohn's column route for new releases, reissues, interviews, and finds. (opens in a new tab)
Goldmine archiveFeatures, reviews, columns, and Beatles commentary from the magazine. (opens in a new tab)
Best Classic BandsPublic author archive and classic-rock bylines. (opens in a new tab)
Beatles commentaryJohn's favorite moments from Get Back for The Big Takeover. (opens in a new tab)
From the drum chair
John's music projects share the same instinct as his writing: listen first, serve the song, and make room for the hook.
The ArmoiresSouthern California psych-pop and John's current work behind the kit. (opens in a new tab)
PopdudesA power-pop recording collective built around songs, friends, and tributes. (opens in a new tab)
We All Shine OnA tribute to the music of 1970 connecting curation, production, and performance. (opens in a new tab)
Watch John play
“I Saw Her Standing There”
John behind the kit with Let It Be for a live performance of the Beatles classic.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)
About John
A life spent following the music
John M. Borack is an Orange County, California–based author, music journalist, drummer, DJ, and lifelong record fan. He began reviewing records for Goldmine in 1985 and is now a contributing editor. He is the author of four music books, including The Beatles 100 and John Lennon — Life Is What Happens.
His work lives at the meeting point of close listening and participation: writing about the records, playing the songs, interviewing the people who make them, and helping new listeners find something worth hearing. Beyond the page and stage, John has also spoken publicly about the joy he finds DJing community dances for adults with disabilities in Orange County.
Read a public profile (opens in a new tab)