Kenneth Womack, Ph.D., professor of English and popular music, and Joe Rapolla ’90 MBA, specialist professor and chair of the department of Music and Theatre Arts, will host a presentation and book signing for their recently published “Introducing the Beatles: Background and Resources” at the Asbury Book Cooperative on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Womack is a leading Beatles scholar, having published his research about the band with such vaunted presses as Oxford, Cambridge, and Cornell. His latest project, a much anticipated two-volume study under contract with HarperCollins, addresses the life and times of Beatles roadie Mal Evans. Womack’s work has been featured in the pages of Rolling Stone, while earning him opportunities to serve as an expert commentator for ABC’s “20/20” and NBC’s “Access Hollywood.” He also serves as the Music Culture critic for Salon and hosts the popular Everything Fab Four podcast.
Rapolla is a veteran music industry consultant, having partnered with the world’s leading entertainment, media, and sports brands, including Universal Studios, MTV, HBO, Apple, Sony, IPG, BMI, and CBGB. He built and headed the Integrated Consumer Marketing departments at both Universal Music and Warner Music Group, where he successfully introduced and created direct-to-consumer marketing/CRM strategies, campaigns, and platforms. At Monmouth University, he has reimagined the music industry curriculum, providing students with innovative, hands-on activities, including the student-run record label, Blue Hawk Records, and internship opportunities.
