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Post by mrmustard on Dec 30, 2016 19:35:36 GMT
I'm really sorry to have to report that Allan Williams has now passed away. Great guy. Instrumental in the Beatles early years. Hope Paul makes a statement.
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Post by Mr Kite on Dec 30, 2016 19:40:24 GMT
Blimey Saw Mr Williams in the late 70`s (ish) at a Beatle record fair Waffling on about Macca`s jacket as I remember What a year.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 30, 2016 19:46:36 GMT
He never stopped going on about it! Wasn't it his leather trousers?
Great storyteller. The swearing made it all the more believable and funnier!
That aside, there is a serious argument to say if it wasn't for him that The Beatles (and the other Liverpool bands) would never have got to Hamburg and therefore develop into what they became.
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Post by Mr Kite on Dec 30, 2016 19:51:47 GMT
It could have been the trousers Yeh, I was a bit shocked about his language , but I always thought he`d had few scoops that afternoon . He was a part of Beatle history and that I never forgot . R.I.P. Alan .
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Post by ROCKY on Dec 30, 2016 20:18:09 GMT
Allan was 86. R I P Allan Williams (1930-2016) If it wasn't for him we may not have had the Star Club Tapes now.
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Post by brewmaster on Dec 30, 2016 20:18:36 GMT
Sad to hear about Alan. I worked for him, briefly. A real character but a terrible businessman. He was an important part of the early Beatles story, so will always be remembered. RIP
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Post by ROCKY on Dec 30, 2016 20:22:27 GMT
This movie is based on Allan's recollections:
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Post by dennis1960 on Dec 30, 2016 22:32:34 GMT
Wow...2016 has been brutal for musicians and those who helped them behind the scenes RIP Allan
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Post by pothos on Dec 30, 2016 22:43:37 GMT
Wow another profound loss. RIP Alan.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 0:16:09 GMT
It is very sad news. I never like anyone dying. Thoughts to his family. I never liked him and will not pretend that I do now. But sad news.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 0:19:52 GMT
He never stopped going on about it! Wasn't it his leather trousers? Great storyteller. The swearing made it all the more believable and funnier! That aside, there is a serious argument to say if it wasn't for him that The Beatles (and the other Liverpool bands) would never have got to Hamburg and therefore develop into what they became. The Carribean Steel band alerted Bruno to the Liverpool bands first. Never get the credit. Derry and the Seniors sorted their own contract with Bruno. Though Williams did send the others for a time. Lord Woodbine had a big hand in it all as well.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 1:20:25 GMT
It is very sad news. I never like anyone dying. Thoughts to his family. I never liked him and will not pretend that I do now. But sad news. That's fair enough. Not everyone's cup of tea and clearly you have some deep seated reason for disliking him so much.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 1:50:31 GMT
The Carribean Steel band alerted Bruno to the Liverpool bands first. Never get the credit. Derry and the Seniors sorted their own contract with Bruno. Though Williams did send the others for a time. Lord Woodbine had a big hand in it all as well. So are you saying he is an out and out liar and that he had nothing to do with getting The Beatles to Hamburg? The vast majority of books show Lord Woodbine to be no more than some guy hanging around Allan Williams. This is likely not the case I'm sure and clearly there was involvement with the Caribbean steel band. I'm pretty certain that Allan Williams has overemphasised his role in The Beatles, indeed his two books, especially his first, created a lot of misinformation that remains to this day. However it's clear that he did have some significant involvement. Lewisohn's Tune In supports this, if he is to be believed of course. I appreciate your view as an author and historian but what are you basing these views on? Interviews with people at the time? First hand interviews with Allan Williams?
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Post by ROCKY on Dec 31, 2016 2:35:57 GMT
Well he did get the Beatles into the Akustik Studio there's no doubt about that. And without him there probably wouldn't be any Star Club tapes on vinyl for all of us to listen to. So no matter how bad he was, he'll never compare to a Morris Levy in my book.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 9:06:30 GMT
No, he was a big part of the Hamburg gigs.
The Steel band got themselves to Hamburg. Told Bruno about Liverpool bands. Derry and the Seniors sorted their own tour out with Bruno, Allan had drove them to London where they met him. Then Bruno paid Allan to send over a few bands for a while.
The Steel band were the first band in Hamburg.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 9:08:21 GMT
Lord Woodbine is covered in the next book.
Williams is not lying, he was part of it, Jacaranda, Hamburg, getting them gigs.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 9:58:33 GMT
Lord Woodbine is covered in the next book. Williams is not lying, he was part of it, Jacaranda, Hamburg, getting them gigs. So why do you dislike him so much?
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Post by lovelyrita1 on Dec 31, 2016 10:22:06 GMT
Sad news indeed. He seemed pretty philosophical about "giving away The Beatles" as to be honest not even Brian Epstein or George Martin would have foresaw That The Beatles were to becoming the biggest band that will ever be. To be part of The Beatles history is indeed a great honour, there probably was not a day gone by when strangers would approach him to ask for Beatles stories. I wonder if as The Beatles grew into extraordinary songwriters whether he became a fan himself of their music. He only had them as a very raw band who were only developing their music playing. Rest in peace sir, you were part of history.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 10:56:07 GMT
That's interesting Lovelyrita. Perhaps Brewmaster would know more about if he actually grew to be a fan of The Beatles. Lewisohn in Tune In states that the Beatles never actually performed any original material (or very, very little) from about 1959 and only started performing original material around the time of Brian Epstein coming on the scene. There's absolutely no one who could have realised the songwriting potential at any point.
On balance though, Allan Williams took The Beatles as far as he could. He didn't have the contacts or financial standing to take them forward. Its probably a bit of an exaggeration to say he 'gave the Beatles away' but everyone needs an angle! His contribution to their formative years was immense though and he deserves all the acknowledgement.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 11:28:19 GMT
Lord Woodbine is covered in the next book. Williams is not lying, he was part of it, Jacaranda, Hamburg, getting them gigs. So why do you dislike him so much? Personal reason bud.
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