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Post by brewmaster on Dec 31, 2016 12:13:51 GMT
I don't think Alan Williams was much of a music fan. A lot of his problems came from his alcoholism. His book "The Man who gave the Beatles away" was nonsense, but to be fair that was standard practice in the ghost-written pop publishing back then [eg "A Cellar full of Noise"]
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 12:18:32 GMT
Very true Brew.
He did play his part, I do not contest any of that.
But you all know me, I like to dig and see what I can find. Some people are ignored for what they did and they are the one's that interest me.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 12:20:02 GMT
By the way. The Akustik studio. Williams paid for it, but Wally tells the true story in the Hurricanes book.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 13:54:22 GMT
Yes, that's the impression I got about Allan Williams that he wasn't a real fan of music. He only saw business opportunities. Derek Taylor ghost wrote A Cellar Full of Noise. Taylor is a great writer but he was obviously given his orders by Brian. Homosexuality was obviously still illegal in Britain at the time of publication.
The Man Who Gave The Beatles away was nonsense but a lot of it caught on as the truth that held for decades.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 14:00:29 GMT
Looking forward to some insight to Lord Woodbine. He is a rather overlooked character in Beatles history.
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Post by lovelyrita1 on Dec 31, 2016 14:14:58 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. Thanks i must get that Mark Lewisohn book , i've read many Beatle books but they say this and Revolution in the head (which i have) get the best plaudits.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 14:32:54 GMT
Good book, but Lewisohn got Tommy Moore wrong.
David Bedford will be bringing out a Beatles Drummers book. He has a great section on Tommy in it. Most researched account I have seen.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 14:48:52 GMT
Good book, but Lewisohn got Tommy Moore wrong. David Bedford will be bringing out a Beatles Drummers book. He has a great section on Tommy in it. Most researched account I have seen. You should Lewisohn he got Tommy wrong.
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 18:22:57 GMT
Good book, but Lewisohn got Tommy Moore wrong. David Bedford will be bringing out a Beatles Drummers book. He has a great section on Tommy in it. Most researched account I have seen. You should Lewisohn he got Tommy wrong. Should or sure bud? If Sure, then yes. He made out that Tommy was thick. He never knew him, he was far from thick.
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Post by mrmustard on Dec 31, 2016 19:58:54 GMT
You should Lewisohn he got Tommy wrong. Should or sure bud? If Sure, then yes. He made out that Tommy was thick. He never knew him, he was far from thick. Sorry Ant, I meant you should tell Lewisohn about it!
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Post by oldswanrory on Dec 31, 2016 21:22:12 GMT
I should really yes.
Still, David has written a great story on Tommy.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 2, 2017 12:45:49 GMT
Obituary by Spencer Leigh here
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Post by mrmustard on Jan 2, 2017 13:38:03 GMT
Obituary by Spencer Leigh hereNice obituary. In truth, Williams was never going to take The Beatles any further than where he took them. Although he clearly thinks he missed an opportunity, that opportunity would never have likely come The Beatles way if he continued to manage them. Epstein had the contacts, financial status, vision and presentation skills. That's not to do Allan Williams down. He played his part which was an essential part. He never really gave them away. He had to give them away in the grand scheme of things.
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 2, 2017 13:43:29 GMT
Tommy Moore once again gets bad comments in that obit. Could not remember his time with the Beatles ha ha.Funny really when he says Williams book was far from the truth. Having read some of Spencer's work I was far from impressed.
I will be so happy when David Bedford brings out his book that will include a full story of Tommy.
Sssh..but Woodbine played a hand in it all as well.
It is sad that the man has died, and my thoughts are with his family.
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Post by mrmustard on Jan 2, 2017 13:58:59 GMT
I was going to ask you about Tommy in reference to the 1977 convention. How did it really pan out when Tommy was asked to be interviewed for it?
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 2, 2017 14:16:59 GMT
No idea bud.. I was with him at the one in 1980. He was very popular to people, though he seemed embarrassed by it all. He did speak about his time then, and the one in 1981 just before he died.
There is a video online in the 70s with Tommy speaking about it all. He remembered it then, and the years later.
How much could he really say. He was only with them for 2 months.
People may not believe the truth when it comes out. Well, the experts wont as it will make their books seem false. Tommy was certainly not the idiot they make him out to be.
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 2, 2017 14:19:12 GMT
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Post by mrmustard on Jan 2, 2017 14:25:09 GMT
He never came across to me as an idiot. He was a bit older than the rest of them (although not 36 as the Philip Norman book Shout! states - I think!).
The Beatles, like all the other bands where going nowhere at that time so a steady job, supporting a family and not having to put up with Lennon's antics was the sensible thing to do at that time, I'm sure.
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Post by oldswanrory on Jan 2, 2017 15:19:50 GMT
Correct bud.
David Bedford will tell his story through his family and friends.
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Post by brewmaster on Jan 2, 2017 17:39:30 GMT
Agreed 100% If Alan had still been managing, the lads would have still been working at the Jacaranda with periodic trips to Hamburg!
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