John Wardle, better known by his stage name Jah Wobble, has reflected on his early years in the 1970s punk scene and his evolving appreciation for The Beatles, coinciding with the upcoming release of a Beatles-inspired album co-created with his sons.

Raised in East London as the son of a postman and a secretary, Wobble was part of the punk movement alongside figures such as John Grey, John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), and John Ritchie (Sid Vicious). He recalls a tumultuous time, including squatting in cold buildings where sometimes furniture was burned for warmth. “We were angry, frustrated, left wing. All the institutions were mocked,” he said, likening the atmosphere to the irreverent humor of Monty Python’s Ministry of Silly Walks. Despite their early notoriety, Wobble went on to have a prolific solo career after leaving Public Image Limited in 1980. He founded The Invaders of the Heart, a band that explored world music influences, and collaborated with a range of artists including Brian Eno, The Edge, Primal Scream, Sinead O’Connor, Bill Laswell, and Bjork.

Wobble has also been open about his struggles with alcohol, which he overcame 40 years ago, describing sobriety as "the best thing I ever done." Supporting himself at times with conventional jobs such as working for London Underground, Wobble eventually started his own label, 30 Hertz Records, and began involving his family in his projects. He has four children from two marriages: daughters Natalie Wardle, a musician, and Hayley Angel Wardle, an actress, from his first marriage to Margaux Tomlinson; and two sons with his second wife, Chinese-born harpist Zilan Liao.

Though initially indifferent to The Beatles as a child during the height of Beatlemania, Wobble’s perspective shifted as he grew older and explored the band’s psychedelic period. He cites “Within You Without You” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” as pivotal tracks that revealed the band’s experimental side, noting a shared affinity between their sounds. “It was proper psychedelic and it did something to me,” he said, describing the music’s effect as a feeling of "ego dissolution and oneness with the world."

This newfound appreciation has culminated in a collaborative project with his sons John Tian Qi Wardle and Charlie Tian Yi Wardle, aged 23 and 21 respectively. Their album, titled *Mystic Liverpool: The Beatles’ Psychedelic Psongbook*, reinvents classic Beatles tracks using traditional Chinese and Mongolian instruments, bringing fresh textures to songs known for their Indian influences. John Wardle, who initially “slept on” The Beatles, acknowledged that his exposure to masterpieces like *Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band* changed his view, admiring the band’s avant-garde risks.

Now based between Stockport and London, Wobble has distanced himself from his former lifestyle of squatting and substance use. He embraces music-making as a natural and communal activity akin to cooking, sharing his creativity with family and audiences alike. Though he advised his sons against pursuing music professionally due to financial uncertainties, all have followed creative paths.

The album *Mystic Liverpool: The Beatles’ Psychedelic Psongbook* is scheduled for release on August 14. Wobble’s reflections and insights form part of a feature broadcast on Newshour on the World Service, with full interviews available on BBC Sounds.