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Magical Mystery Tours: My Life with the Beatles
"If you want to know anything about the Beatles, ask Tony Bramwell. He remembers more than I do."- Sir Paul McCartney to Donovan in a January 2002 interview
Tony Bramwell's remarkable life began in a postwar Liverpool suburb, where he was childhood friends with three of the Beatles long before they were famous. And by the time he caught up with George Harrison on the top of a bus going to check out "The Beatles, direct from Hamburg"--one of whom George turned out to be--Tony was well on his way to staying by them for every step of their meteoric rise.
If anything needed taking care of, Tony Bramwell was the man the Beatles called, the man they knew they could trust. His story has been sought after for years, and now, here it is, full of untold stories and detailing with an insider's shrewd eye the Apple empire's incomparable rise, Brian Epstein's frolics, Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters, Phil Spector's eccentric behavior, and new stories about Yoko Ono, the Stones, and the life-- his life.
From developing the first Beatle music videos to heading Apple Films, and from riding bikes and trading records with George Harrison to working and partying with everyone from the Beatles to Hendrix, Ray Charles, and The Who, Tony's life really did (and does) encompass a who's who of rock.
His story reveals fresh insights into the Beatles' childhoods and families, their early recordings and songwriting, the politics at Apple, and Yoko's pursuit of John and her growing influence over the Beatles' lives. And it uncovers new information about the Shea Stadium concert footage, John Lennon's late-night "escapes," and more. From the Cavern Club to the rooftop concert, from the first number one to the last, and from scraps of song lyrics to the discovery of the famous Mr. Kite circus poster, Tony Bramwell really did see it all.
Conversational, direct, and honest, the ultimate Beatles insider finally shares his own version of the frantic and glorious ascent of four boys from Liverpool lads to rock and roll kings.
Tony Bramwell's remarkable life began in a postwar Liverpool suburb, where he was childhood friends with three of the Beatles long before they were famous. And by the time he caught up with George Harrison on the top of a bus going to check out "The Beatles, direct from Hamburg"--one of whom George turned out to be--Tony was well on his way to staying by them for every step of their meteoric rise.
If anything needed taking care of, Tony Bramwell was the man the Beatles called, the man they knew they could trust. His story has been sought after for years, and now, here it is, full of untold stories and detailing with an insider's shrewd eye the Apple empire's incomparable rise, Brian Epstein's frolics, Ken Kesey's Merry Pranksters, Phil Spector's eccentric behavior, and new stories about Yoko Ono, the Stones, and the life-- his life.
From developing the first Beatle music videos to heading Apple Films, and from riding bikes and trading records with George Harrison to working and partying with everyone from the Beatles to Hendrix, Ray Charles, and The Who, Tony's life really did (and does) encompass a who's who of rock.
His story reveals fresh insights into the Beatles' childhoods and families, their early recordings and songwriting, the politics at Apple, and Yoko's pursuit of John and her growing influence over the Beatles' lives. And it uncovers new information about the Shea Stadium concert footage, John Lennon's late-night "escapes," and more. From the Cavern Club to the rooftop concert, from the first number one to the last, and from scraps of song lyrics to the discovery of the famous Mr. Kite circus poster, Tony Bramwell really did see it all.
Conversational, direct, and honest, the ultimate Beatles insider finally shares his own version of the frantic and glorious ascent of four boys from Liverpool lads to rock and roll kings.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2000
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746 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 24, 2009
someone was clearly not a fan of yoko
December 1, 2007
If you're more than into their music, then Bramwell's book will provide prequels as well as dirty deeds. He's almost a Forrest Gump of the Beatles in that he always seems to find himself in the thick of things without affecting the outcome.
Good read.
Good read.
April 27, 2009
With Bramwell, psych yourself up for some juicy tidbits…
*bytheway, for fans of Yoko Ono, it’d probably be advisable to overlook this book. Or maybe not…your call =) *
*also, one may opt to read other Beatles chronicles first…just to be a little bit more familiar.*
A lot of people who have written memoirs about their experience with the Beatles are almost always touted to be the “ones who were there”; the people “who knew what really happened behind the scenes.” Since I’ve barely read more than a couple of books written by those supposedly belonging to the Beatles sphere, I find myself not quite ready to trust what I read—were they really “there” when a momentous Beatles event occurred—whether personal or public? Are their accounts the genuine article (read as “firsthand”) that they can really be trusted? Sometimes it seems all too easy to believe that these “memoirs” are just another hodge-podge of widely-researched-and-collected gossips and tabloid articles, as well as a rehashing of secondhand accounts. Who knows…
So, in coming across Tony Bramwell’s account, I really was not that expecting much in the way of stumbling across new info about the band. (I admit, I cannot remember Bramwell’s [or "Tone’s":] name being mentioned much in those books that I have read, and I’m much too lazy to go through those pages again. No offense to Tony’s admirers.) Even so, the front cover splashing McCartney’s vouchsafing for Bramwell’s memory of the band was enough to make me go, “hmmm….let’s see…”
Even from just the first chapter, Bramwell impresses on the reader that his account is definitely different. He exhibits no reluctance in saying, “look, what you have been reading about the Beatles with regards to what happened in this or that is a load of hogwash…’cos THIS is what really happened…” It’s a bit “in-your-face” for me that I was taken aback.
Or maybe I really am green behind the ears regarding this band that what seemed to me as unheard-of accounts by Bramwell are actually old news to die-hard zealots, despite popular belief.
In any case, it didn’t stop me from being titillated.
From setting to rights the real story behind John and Paul’s first “meeting” on that auspicious day, the “fiasco” that was the Decca Auditions, the mystery that was Brian Epstein, the slew of girls that came and went in the Beatles' life, to the "Paul is Dead" rumors, Bramwell lays it all out.
Of course, the reader still gets the feeling that Bramwell is a little bit more prudent regarding some other topics. Either these subjects are really touchy or long-held secrets that he is bound to keep quiet despite wanting to thrill the reader, or his memories are scanty that he makes only a passing remark. In fact, he rarely expounds on the momentous events surrounding Beatlemania…and this is one of the things I was dissatisfied with, including not having written more about the John-Paul-George-Ringo dynamics (hence the 4 stars)—there really were very very few narrations on the more personal relations among the members (the times he has mentioned poor Ringo can even be counted).
But, boy, on those topics that he’s probably waiting to spill the beans on…he definitely makes no bones in keeping back.
And one of those is Yoko Ono.
In fact, his biting tongue (which is actually funny most of the times) comes to the fore whenever Yoko is mentioned. The reader is left with no doubt regarding his feelings for her. Which really surprised me, since this is the first written work I’ve come across that does not hesitate to be acerbic on the Ono-Beatles phenomenon, and with him being close friends with the band and all.
This is one of his first references to her (and arguably the most polite, at that): “We weren’t aware of it at the time—no one was—but she should have come with a warning stuck to her, like a cigarette packet, because gradually, inch by inch, she intruded into our lives.”
Granted, he came out with these writings more than a decade after John died…so I am a bit on the fence…is Bramwell a guy who’s got balls…or not? But then again, Yoko is still around…
On the whole, Bramwell’s accounts on his life around the Beatles were extremely fascinating to read. Although, I would advise others to read the more comprehensive accounts and trivia on the band before this. Bramwell’s stories take for granted that the reader has already a passing familiarity with at least the more popular 411 regarding the FabFour. His stories about meeting the other heavyweights in RockNRoll, Pop, and Hard Rock are added perks. (But really, I *was* salivating still for more insider info on the Beatles [Bramwell, ironically, can still be such a stint regarding them:].)
Still…definitely worth the read! I enjoyed soaking up another person’s insights on the wonder that was the FabFour…
*bytheway, for fans of Yoko Ono, it’d probably be advisable to overlook this book. Or maybe not…your call =) *
*also, one may opt to read other Beatles chronicles first…just to be a little bit more familiar.*
A lot of people who have written memoirs about their experience with the Beatles are almost always touted to be the “ones who were there”; the people “who knew what really happened behind the scenes.” Since I’ve barely read more than a couple of books written by those supposedly belonging to the Beatles sphere, I find myself not quite ready to trust what I read—were they really “there” when a momentous Beatles event occurred—whether personal or public? Are their accounts the genuine article (read as “firsthand”) that they can really be trusted? Sometimes it seems all too easy to believe that these “memoirs” are just another hodge-podge of widely-researched-and-collected gossips and tabloid articles, as well as a rehashing of secondhand accounts. Who knows…
So, in coming across Tony Bramwell’s account, I really was not that expecting much in the way of stumbling across new info about the band. (I admit, I cannot remember Bramwell’s [or "Tone’s":] name being mentioned much in those books that I have read, and I’m much too lazy to go through those pages again. No offense to Tony’s admirers.) Even so, the front cover splashing McCartney’s vouchsafing for Bramwell’s memory of the band was enough to make me go, “hmmm….let’s see…”
Even from just the first chapter, Bramwell impresses on the reader that his account is definitely different. He exhibits no reluctance in saying, “look, what you have been reading about the Beatles with regards to what happened in this or that is a load of hogwash…’cos THIS is what really happened…” It’s a bit “in-your-face” for me that I was taken aback.
Or maybe I really am green behind the ears regarding this band that what seemed to me as unheard-of accounts by Bramwell are actually old news to die-hard zealots, despite popular belief.
In any case, it didn’t stop me from being titillated.
From setting to rights the real story behind John and Paul’s first “meeting” on that auspicious day, the “fiasco” that was the Decca Auditions, the mystery that was Brian Epstein, the slew of girls that came and went in the Beatles' life, to the "Paul is Dead" rumors, Bramwell lays it all out.
Of course, the reader still gets the feeling that Bramwell is a little bit more prudent regarding some other topics. Either these subjects are really touchy or long-held secrets that he is bound to keep quiet despite wanting to thrill the reader, or his memories are scanty that he makes only a passing remark. In fact, he rarely expounds on the momentous events surrounding Beatlemania…and this is one of the things I was dissatisfied with, including not having written more about the John-Paul-George-Ringo dynamics (hence the 4 stars)—there really were very very few narrations on the more personal relations among the members (the times he has mentioned poor Ringo can even be counted).
But, boy, on those topics that he’s probably waiting to spill the beans on…he definitely makes no bones in keeping back.
And one of those is Yoko Ono.
In fact, his biting tongue (which is actually funny most of the times) comes to the fore whenever Yoko is mentioned. The reader is left with no doubt regarding his feelings for her. Which really surprised me, since this is the first written work I’ve come across that does not hesitate to be acerbic on the Ono-Beatles phenomenon, and with him being close friends with the band and all.
This is one of his first references to her (and arguably the most polite, at that): “We weren’t aware of it at the time—no one was—but she should have come with a warning stuck to her, like a cigarette packet, because gradually, inch by inch, she intruded into our lives.”
Granted, he came out with these writings more than a decade after John died…so I am a bit on the fence…is Bramwell a guy who’s got balls…or not? But then again, Yoko is still around…
On the whole, Bramwell’s accounts on his life around the Beatles were extremely fascinating to read. Although, I would advise others to read the more comprehensive accounts and trivia on the band before this. Bramwell’s stories take for granted that the reader has already a passing familiarity with at least the more popular 411 regarding the FabFour. His stories about meeting the other heavyweights in RockNRoll, Pop, and Hard Rock are added perks. (But really, I *was* salivating still for more insider info on the Beatles [Bramwell, ironically, can still be such a stint regarding them:].)
Still…definitely worth the read! I enjoyed soaking up another person’s insights on the wonder that was the FabFour…
March 12, 2012
this guy has some serious hate for yoko and it's distracting. the book would be a lot better if it focused more on the beatles and less on the author's life.
July 9, 2021
My favorite parts were actually the descriptions of life in post-war Britain. So bleak and constricted, hard to imagine today.
June 26, 2009
Aptly titled, Magical Mystery Tours essentially chronicles the wild life of Tony Bramwell which just so happens to intricately intertwine with the always interesting exploits of our beloved Beatles!
Whether in Liverpool, London or the good ole' USofA, if it happend to the Beatles, well, Tony was there. Sure, he might've missed out on the Ed Sullivan show but from the earliest gigs at the Cavern Club to cruising Sunset Blvd with music industry honchos and crashing Mick and Keiths in Lennon's florid Rolls Royce, Bramwell was in the thick of it since day-one!
Growing up in Liverpool, Bramwell was acquanited with the soon to be stars at a young age. George Harrison even delivered meat to his mother and would often come inside to chat or listen to the latest record! George of course would return the favor years later by allowing 'Tone' to carry his guitar in to gigs, thereby gaining free admission to often packed, if not sold out, shows.
Eventually picked up by the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein, Tony Bramwell hung in through Beatlemania as not only an employee but more important a close confidant to the Fab Four. Interestingly, none of the members ever seemed to really acknowledge they paid his salary but more that 'Tone' was just along for the ride, as they too often felt of themselves.
This expose reveals so much of not only the Beatles' personal lives but that of the developing rock 'n roll industry as a whole. Suffused with names like Clapton, Jimi, Janis, Mick and Keith, Bramwell's life is a roadies dream. Even he himself admits that he never really had a job title but was simply expected to get things done. Things of course that included partying with the biggest names in music, dining lavishly and being treated with Beatle-esque roaylty on both sides of the Atlantic.
The one thing that gets me about the book is the flagrant deprendation of Yoko Ono. Sure, every knows that 'she broke up the Beatles,' but to be honest, I never really new why and never heard anything much beyond that. That is of course, until reading Bramwell's account. He holds no bars as he first introduces her as 'an artist of mass destruction.' From there the vitriolic criticism continues, even so much that is hard to believe that anything said is every remotely objective. Even so, the apparent accuracy with which everything is seemingly portrayed made me eventually buy into the fact that this woman was in fact simply demoic. Of course, it probably didn't help at all that John might have been slowly losing his mind and, to blame the later on her is, well, presumptuous.
Without gasconading, Tony Bramwell critically manages to chronicle his time riding on top of the biggest cultural wave ever to hit mankind. If you're interested in the Beatles, rock 'n roll, the music industry or simply life as a rock star, well, this book's for you. If not, dont waste your time 'cause the one thing it ain't is literary!
Whether in Liverpool, London or the good ole' USofA, if it happend to the Beatles, well, Tony was there. Sure, he might've missed out on the Ed Sullivan show but from the earliest gigs at the Cavern Club to cruising Sunset Blvd with music industry honchos and crashing Mick and Keiths in Lennon's florid Rolls Royce, Bramwell was in the thick of it since day-one!
Growing up in Liverpool, Bramwell was acquanited with the soon to be stars at a young age. George Harrison even delivered meat to his mother and would often come inside to chat or listen to the latest record! George of course would return the favor years later by allowing 'Tone' to carry his guitar in to gigs, thereby gaining free admission to often packed, if not sold out, shows.
Eventually picked up by the Beatles manager, Brian Epstein, Tony Bramwell hung in through Beatlemania as not only an employee but more important a close confidant to the Fab Four. Interestingly, none of the members ever seemed to really acknowledge they paid his salary but more that 'Tone' was just along for the ride, as they too often felt of themselves.
This expose reveals so much of not only the Beatles' personal lives but that of the developing rock 'n roll industry as a whole. Suffused with names like Clapton, Jimi, Janis, Mick and Keith, Bramwell's life is a roadies dream. Even he himself admits that he never really had a job title but was simply expected to get things done. Things of course that included partying with the biggest names in music, dining lavishly and being treated with Beatle-esque roaylty on both sides of the Atlantic.
The one thing that gets me about the book is the flagrant deprendation of Yoko Ono. Sure, every knows that 'she broke up the Beatles,' but to be honest, I never really new why and never heard anything much beyond that. That is of course, until reading Bramwell's account. He holds no bars as he first introduces her as 'an artist of mass destruction.' From there the vitriolic criticism continues, even so much that is hard to believe that anything said is every remotely objective. Even so, the apparent accuracy with which everything is seemingly portrayed made me eventually buy into the fact that this woman was in fact simply demoic. Of course, it probably didn't help at all that John might have been slowly losing his mind and, to blame the later on her is, well, presumptuous.
Without gasconading, Tony Bramwell critically manages to chronicle his time riding on top of the biggest cultural wave ever to hit mankind. If you're interested in the Beatles, rock 'n roll, the music industry or simply life as a rock star, well, this book's for you. If not, dont waste your time 'cause the one thing it ain't is literary!
Read
August 12, 2022This guy knows where all the bodies are buried – he was friends with George since they were (roughly) 10! (And stayed with the Frolicsome Four till the end of Apple!) But he’s not telling much. Or maybe no bodies ARE buried anywhere. The most haunting phrase – I can’t find it offhand – is: “John was not as deep as people thought.”
Boy, this guy really hates Yoko! And he’s pretty convincing: she was a “stalker” after John’s money (though from extreme wealth herself, originally (her parents cut her off once they noticed she was a crazy artist)). Yoko pursued John for a year, and though perhaps he “shagged” her in the back of his Rolls-Royce occasionally, he spoke of her contemptuously, until That Night. (Cynthia had flown off to Greece with Julian, and poor John needed a new mommy – though Tony doesn’t exactly say this. He seems to think Yoko hypnotized Lennon.)
Opening at random:
“Brian had resident nurses, doctors who stayed, psychiatrists who lived in, all crowded into that little doll’s house, getting on each other’s nerves. At times he made an effort. He would sweet-talk everyone and then escape when they weren’t looking.”
[Of course that’s Brian Epstein, who referred to Tony as his “second pair of hands.”]
Boy, this guy really hates Yoko! And he’s pretty convincing: she was a “stalker” after John’s money (though from extreme wealth herself, originally (her parents cut her off once they noticed she was a crazy artist)). Yoko pursued John for a year, and though perhaps he “shagged” her in the back of his Rolls-Royce occasionally, he spoke of her contemptuously, until That Night. (Cynthia had flown off to Greece with Julian, and poor John needed a new mommy – though Tony doesn’t exactly say this. He seems to think Yoko hypnotized Lennon.)
Opening at random:
“Brian had resident nurses, doctors who stayed, psychiatrists who lived in, all crowded into that little doll’s house, getting on each other’s nerves. At times he made an effort. He would sweet-talk everyone and then escape when they weren’t looking.”
[Of course that’s Brian Epstein, who referred to Tony as his “second pair of hands.”]
August 6, 2017
A pretty good insight book on the Beatles, especially their early years and from the Sgt. Pepper's to Let it Be era. The author, Tony Bramwell, was a close personal friend of the band and went on many tours with them and hung out with them a lot, so he has a lot of inside scoop stuff. For example, uh, he and basically everyone involved with the Beatles hated Yoko Ono. Not a real shocker, but some of the things she did makes me despise her even more. In fact, even Lennon thought she was stalking him for over a year and tried to get rid of her. The rest of the band just got sick of dealing with her. So if you like Yoko, probably shouldn't read this book. A lot of good insight on how a lot of the songs were formed and what they meant. Book kind of rushes through the Help, Rubber Soul, Revolver days and I was hoping for more info on that when they were kind of changing what kind of band they were. Written okay, but I still think the best book I've read on the Beatles is probably still their anthology book.
October 21, 2013
Fantastic insight into the Beatles from a very honest point of view. Particularly great for Paul McCartney fans, as Tony Bramwell seems to favour Paul and offers more stories in comparison to the other 3 Beatles. He clearly dislikes Yoko and unfortunately mentions Ringo and George rather infrequently as the book progresses into the later years. I feel Tony often digresses into stories from his own life (interesting - but not quite what you bought the book for) and in my opinion is prone to a bit of 'name dropping'. I thoroughly enjoyed the book up until about three quarters of the way through, then I think the ending, particularly the time around Johns death, was slightly rushed.
All in all a great book, reading about each individual Beatle and the forming of The Beatles was interesting and heart warming, I couldn't put it down. I suppose, in light of the truth (the break up, death etc) the ending of the book was never going to be quite what you would have preferred.
All in all a great book, reading about each individual Beatle and the forming of The Beatles was interesting and heart warming, I couldn't put it down. I suppose, in light of the truth (the break up, death etc) the ending of the book was never going to be quite what you would have preferred.
July 20, 2020
Well, I do love a Beatles book... but this one was disappointing. For someone who was part of the inner circle, he had little to say beyond cliches and old anecdotes that felt clumsy and showbizzy.
I was never sure how much I believed his stories either. There were definitely some issues with Yoko which may have clouded his memory. A few of the passages about other women come across as pretty misogynistic and make for uncomfortable reading.
A shame because it could have been amazing, given the life that he led. There's no sense of the inner life of the writer, he's a shadow moving through the story.
I was never sure how much I believed his stories either. There were definitely some issues with Yoko which may have clouded his memory. A few of the passages about other women come across as pretty misogynistic and make for uncomfortable reading.
A shame because it could have been amazing, given the life that he led. There's no sense of the inner life of the writer, he's a shadow moving through the story.
February 16, 2013
I didn't actually get all the way through this book, but I made a valiant effort. I was about 2/3 through and I had to return it to the library. (I had already renewed it once.) I'm sure I could have checked it out again, but it wasn't worth the effort. I found it to be an extremely boring read. The author just floats from one idea/story to the next without a clear narrative arc. The only seeming qualification for whether it belongs in the book is if Bramwell remembers it.
I probably would've given it two stars if I'd gotten through it, but I don't give up on many books, so it gets just one.
I probably would've given it two stars if I'd gotten through it, but I don't give up on many books, so it gets just one.
December 24, 2021
A terrible historical account of the Beatles. Full of factual inaccuracies and an undeniable bias/prejudice towards John and Yoko. Especially Yoko. The author seems to have taken well-known Beatles anecdotes others have already detailed and added his own uninteresting comments in an attempt to cash in on the Fab Four.
July 28, 2012
I thought this was a really take on The Beatles, but it seemed like Tony talked a lot about himself and not enough about the boys at some point. It occasionally made it more difficult to keep focused to finish the book. I did enjoy reading it, don't get me wrong. I love the Beatles. :)
November 12, 2016
I liked the early Beatles days stories, and there is a lot of interesting stuff on Brian Epstein. He really makes Yoko out to be evil woman, and John not the all knowing genius. Paul is his favorite. A bit boring after the breakup.
November 16, 2009
If you're a staunch Beatles fan you might enjoy it, though it gets a bit tedious here and there. It's clear that Bramwell HATES Yoko Ono and really slams her.
November 30, 2025
Lots of good stuff. Most of the last third (after Apple) is VERY skipable. You might also want to skip Tony’s tirades about Yoko. He hates Yoko so much that I couldn't trust what he said about her.
First: Let's give thanks and well-deserved recognition to Rosemary Kingsland, who organized Tony's recollections and told them as propulsive stories. Tony credits Don Short with introducing him to his coauthor, but somehow cannot state the truth clearly: that Rosemary's talent turned his recollections into a book.
Although the book gets a 10 for containing good stories, it gets a 3 for thoughtful analysis and a 10 (not a good grade in this case) for "squandered opportunities to gain understanding" For example: Tony notes, correctly, that Paul and John bonded when they were just teenagers because both were essentially motherless. Did Paul's father or siblings have perspective on this bonding? Similarly, did John's stand-in mother, his Aunt Mimi, have something to say about the wild kid she "inherited?" Tony was there. He had the connections, he could have probed parents, siblings, other family. He didn't.
But, as Tony explains, the boys in his clique (which included Paul and George) had an expression: "don't get real on me, man." It meant (Tony's words) "Keep your feelings to yourself." As he explains: "we just grew up and got on with life."
Very unfortunate, but I guess you have to let Scousers be Scousers.
BTW, one of the book’s charms is the frequent (sometimes puzzling) British slang. This added to the authenticity, even as it required frequent pauses to consult Google.
There are connections Tony misses: the Beatles were Scousers (natives of Liverpool, a port) who spent several formative months in Hamburg, another port. However strange Hamburg may have appeared, they understood the atmosphere of a port city. BTW, Tony, why did you NOT ask this question: What did the parents think about their boys going off to entertain Germans, the same people who had, in 1941 -- less than 20 years earlier -- dropped bombs on Liverpool? The Beatles were too young to remember, but their parents were not. And, BTW, what did George's parents think about their underage 17 year old going off with mates who were barely legal themselves?
John comes off as a mixed personality. Creative, witty, charismatic, yes, but very often, cold and just plain mean. Paul is the best of the four, as talented a songwriter as John, but a natural leader and a far kinder personality. George is described as shy and introverted (and thus the favorite Beatle of the shy, introverted personality typing these words). Ringo appears to be the most level-headed and "normal" of the four.
Although John's short life was full of tragedy, the most tragic character, IMHO, was the doubly-marginalized Brian Epstein. (He was both Jewish and a homosexual; either identity places him outside "normal" British society.) He deserves a great deal of credit for upgrading the act, for guiding the Beatles to success in America, for managing (and sometimes mismanaging) enormous amounts of income. I am a little put off by this part of the arrangement: Epstein took 25 percent of all the income, then split the remaining 75 percent among the four Beatles. So yes, Epstein made more than any one of the Beatles. Did he deserve that? I dunno. Relevant facts: (1) The Beatles agreed to the arrangement (2) Epstein worked VERY hard on their behalf; Tony hypothesizes jokingly that Brian never slept.
Anecdotes from the book I want to remember:
1
--
The Beatles agreed to do three films, but after the first two, they made the animated “Yellow Submarine” as movie #3. Animation meant they did not have to appear on sets or “act.” In fact, they did not even voice all of their lines. They hired voice actors for some of the dialogue.
2
—
Some years after the breakup, Paul, while in New York, called up John at the Dakota, suggesting a jam session like the ones they'd had back in Liverpool. John declines to meet him, saying that "It's not like it used to be when we were kids."
This sounds awfully cold to me, but is, I suppose, typical John.
4
--
Tony sees George Harrison for the last time as he (Tony) is exiting the South Kensington tube station on a chilly winter day. He encounters George walking towards it. They speak briefly, agree to meet later, but never do.
First: I am utterly thrilled to think that George walked through the same tube station I used for trips to the V&A (I know this is silly). Second: This brief encounter seems utterly sad to me. And here is one time (at last) when Tony gets a little emotional and sentimental. As he recalls the missed meeting opportunity, he remembers how it was in the beginning: barreling through the night to a gig, with John saying "Bollocks to [George Martin]. If it sounds good, we'll fooking do it."
That was, as George said, "all those years ago."
Indeed.
First: Let's give thanks and well-deserved recognition to Rosemary Kingsland, who organized Tony's recollections and told them as propulsive stories. Tony credits Don Short with introducing him to his coauthor, but somehow cannot state the truth clearly: that Rosemary's talent turned his recollections into a book.
Although the book gets a 10 for containing good stories, it gets a 3 for thoughtful analysis and a 10 (not a good grade in this case) for "squandered opportunities to gain understanding" For example: Tony notes, correctly, that Paul and John bonded when they were just teenagers because both were essentially motherless. Did Paul's father or siblings have perspective on this bonding? Similarly, did John's stand-in mother, his Aunt Mimi, have something to say about the wild kid she "inherited?" Tony was there. He had the connections, he could have probed parents, siblings, other family. He didn't.
But, as Tony explains, the boys in his clique (which included Paul and George) had an expression: "don't get real on me, man." It meant (Tony's words) "Keep your feelings to yourself." As he explains: "we just grew up and got on with life."
Very unfortunate, but I guess you have to let Scousers be Scousers.
BTW, one of the book’s charms is the frequent (sometimes puzzling) British slang. This added to the authenticity, even as it required frequent pauses to consult Google.
There are connections Tony misses: the Beatles were Scousers (natives of Liverpool, a port) who spent several formative months in Hamburg, another port. However strange Hamburg may have appeared, they understood the atmosphere of a port city. BTW, Tony, why did you NOT ask this question: What did the parents think about their boys going off to entertain Germans, the same people who had, in 1941 -- less than 20 years earlier -- dropped bombs on Liverpool? The Beatles were too young to remember, but their parents were not. And, BTW, what did George's parents think about their underage 17 year old going off with mates who were barely legal themselves?
John comes off as a mixed personality. Creative, witty, charismatic, yes, but very often, cold and just plain mean. Paul is the best of the four, as talented a songwriter as John, but a natural leader and a far kinder personality. George is described as shy and introverted (and thus the favorite Beatle of the shy, introverted personality typing these words). Ringo appears to be the most level-headed and "normal" of the four.
Although John's short life was full of tragedy, the most tragic character, IMHO, was the doubly-marginalized Brian Epstein. (He was both Jewish and a homosexual; either identity places him outside "normal" British society.) He deserves a great deal of credit for upgrading the act, for guiding the Beatles to success in America, for managing (and sometimes mismanaging) enormous amounts of income. I am a little put off by this part of the arrangement: Epstein took 25 percent of all the income, then split the remaining 75 percent among the four Beatles. So yes, Epstein made more than any one of the Beatles. Did he deserve that? I dunno. Relevant facts: (1) The Beatles agreed to the arrangement (2) Epstein worked VERY hard on their behalf; Tony hypothesizes jokingly that Brian never slept.
Anecdotes from the book I want to remember:
1
--
The Beatles agreed to do three films, but after the first two, they made the animated “Yellow Submarine” as movie #3. Animation meant they did not have to appear on sets or “act.” In fact, they did not even voice all of their lines. They hired voice actors for some of the dialogue.
2
—
Some years after the breakup, Paul, while in New York, called up John at the Dakota, suggesting a jam session like the ones they'd had back in Liverpool. John declines to meet him, saying that "It's not like it used to be when we were kids."
This sounds awfully cold to me, but is, I suppose, typical John.
4
--
Tony sees George Harrison for the last time as he (Tony) is exiting the South Kensington tube station on a chilly winter day. He encounters George walking towards it. They speak briefly, agree to meet later, but never do.
First: I am utterly thrilled to think that George walked through the same tube station I used for trips to the V&A (I know this is silly). Second: This brief encounter seems utterly sad to me. And here is one time (at last) when Tony gets a little emotional and sentimental. As he recalls the missed meeting opportunity, he remembers how it was in the beginning: barreling through the night to a gig, with John saying "Bollocks to [George Martin]. If it sounds good, we'll fooking do it."
That was, as George said, "all those years ago."
Indeed.
August 20, 2021
This book is different than all of the other Beatles biographies that I have read over the years. Tony Bramwell met the Beatles as little kids in Liverpool and managed to remain their friend throughout their fab career and afterwards. He gives us tremendous insight into the record promotion business through his own experiences. The list of celebrities that he has met was endless. Being able to withstand losing all of your money, not once, or even twice but three times in this day and age without becoming a basket case is phenomenal. The fact that he eventually settled down to a normal family life is unheard of in the business. This was a page turner, a couldn't put it down sort of book. A recommendation to all.
November 8, 2023
Well, that was a fun romp through the Fab 4’s career(s). It wasn’t exclusively about the Beatles, though that is where Tony Bramwell started his career in the music biz and where most of the interesting anecdotes are from. The book references encounters with a wide range of A-listers, from early Liverpool bands through later American bands, movie stars, music biz characters, even shady lawyers. Ultimately, it’s a great story from what appears to be a true Beatles insider. Unfortunately, I do have to dock it a star because it’s too gossipy. But, hell, I’ll add it back in because the book is so damn much fun.
February 20, 2024
Enjoyed Tony’s book about his life and times with the Beatles. Not many are left who can tell stories about the pre Ed Sullivan ( or even pre Brian Epstein) days.
His point of view is very social, like about a group of friends who make it big, so not a lot of musical detail, or power struggles between who wrote what, or who gets the single. That stance allows him to be anti Yoko while still holding John in such high regard.
I know the Beatles relationship is meant to be the focus and selling point of the book, but too bad some other artist’s stories are truncated… sounds like a sequel should be in order.
His point of view is very social, like about a group of friends who make it big, so not a lot of musical detail, or power struggles between who wrote what, or who gets the single. That stance allows him to be anti Yoko while still holding John in such high regard.
I know the Beatles relationship is meant to be the focus and selling point of the book, but too bad some other artist’s stories are truncated… sounds like a sequel should be in order.
October 14, 2025
Written in 2004, you'd think Branwell would have the introspection and cultural intelligence to maybe not brag about how many groupies Mal Evans had sex with before passing them on to the Fab Four, be a little less racist and misogynistic when talking about Yoko, and maybe cut out the 40 pages at the end that have nothing to do with the Beatles and is just him name dropping one celebrity after another, from Springsteen to Nicholson. But alas, you'd be expecting too much.
April 24, 2021
If you are a fan or only interested in the real story of the Beatles, Magical Mystery Tours is a must read. Tony Bramwell grew up and went to primary school with George Harrison and Paul McCartney and was there for all of it. He remembers it all as well and wrote it down in this book
A great read!
A great read!
March 30, 2022
Loved it. Love the Beatles, loved this book. It's great because the author was there all along the way, he saw it all unfold first-hand. It's all just an amazing and inspiring as well as a sad story. Had trouble putting it down. There will never be another Beatles.
July 11, 2022
Read in 2005. Conversational, direct and honest, the ultimate Beatles insider tells all.
January 13, 2024
This scouser boomer had a lot of interesting insights, but the way he talks about Yoko is a little uncomfortable at times.
July 1, 2019
Even after 400+ pages with Tony Bramwell I don't know an awful lot about the man. What I do now know a lot more about is the Beatles. Tony Bramwell presents a fascinating and detailed history of the Beatles, from childhood to the present. He was the one constant though all the chaos, the drugs, the adulation, and the fall-outs.
He charts the rise of the band, from taking the bus with George to the first Liverpool gig through to global domination. Up to the point that Yoko Ono came on the scene I thought Tony had been even handed in his commentary. Clearly he has a deep dislike of Yoko, and took great delight mocking and putting the boot in. Yoko is not a popular character amongst Beatles fans. She is seen as a major factor in their split, but I find it hard to believe she is rotten to the core as portrayed here. He sees Yoko as an opportunist looking to exploit John Lennon and the Beatles, but maybe the same accusation be levelled at him?
The death of Brian Epstein and the eventual split of the band are well handled. Tony then talks about his post Beatles career. This was the first point he really talked about himself, but by the end I'm still not sure if he was a man who contributed to the Beatles being the entity they became, or just a lucky bloke who happened to be in the right place at the right time, who blagged a free ride on the greatest of adventures.
He charts the rise of the band, from taking the bus with George to the first Liverpool gig through to global domination. Up to the point that Yoko Ono came on the scene I thought Tony had been even handed in his commentary. Clearly he has a deep dislike of Yoko, and took great delight mocking and putting the boot in. Yoko is not a popular character amongst Beatles fans. She is seen as a major factor in their split, but I find it hard to believe she is rotten to the core as portrayed here. He sees Yoko as an opportunist looking to exploit John Lennon and the Beatles, but maybe the same accusation be levelled at him?
The death of Brian Epstein and the eventual split of the band are well handled. Tony then talks about his post Beatles career. This was the first point he really talked about himself, but by the end I'm still not sure if he was a man who contributed to the Beatles being the entity they became, or just a lucky bloke who happened to be in the right place at the right time, who blagged a free ride on the greatest of adventures.
July 5, 2008
When's the last time you shared gossip about the crazy parties in the Wild Swinging London of the 1960s? Or heard scoop on what happened at the end of the Beatles' days as a group from somebody that was actually there? Tony Bramwell was there from before the beginning, and he doesn't seem to hold back too much. Yoko Ono is, and this is a quote, a she-devil. A she-devil who bewitched an out-of-his-tree John Lennon and the people around him that cared couldn't do anything but watch the fallout of their destructive relationship. George befriended and welcomed into their world one fringe group of outlaws after another, Phil Spector is even crazier than we've been led to believe, Sharon Stone and Ozzy seem made for each other, and Vangelis has no clue about live performance marketability. It was a little difficult to put away my cynicism regarding the Zelig-like stories Bramwell writes about here, but there are many laugh-out-loud bits (written in such informal English-y language that I could smell the ale and chips) that I let down my guard and just enjoyed the ride.
And there's nothing like a rip-roaring "Let me tell you what REALLY happened" gab session, particularly when your pal is so willing to dish on Yoko.
And there's nothing like a rip-roaring "Let me tell you what REALLY happened" gab session, particularly when your pal is so willing to dish on Yoko.
November 20, 2015
This book was written by somebody who was friends with and around the Beatles before they all met each other and became the Beatles and all throughout their time together until after their breakup.
He tells some inside stories about all the fun and hard and easy times they had, all about the wives and girlfriends, their music, tours, drugs partys, all the people who came in and out of their lives including the craziness of Phil Spector,Brian Epstein, Alan Klein, and most everything else. He seems to be pretty close to Paul, and in fact Paul mentioned about Tony's writing the book, that Tony probably knew more about the Beatles than they did. For those of you who don't care for Yoko, this book is right up your alley, as Tony was definitely an anti Yoko person.
The last couple of chapters of the book, Tony tends to go more in about his life and women than about the Beatles, which is really the only part I wasn't crazy about even though it was interesting.
The book was a good read from somebody who was there from the very beginning til the very end and it was definitely worth reading..and I have read most all of the books about the Beatles.It's nice to hear from somebody who was actually there and not just somebody who relied on interviews and news clippings to write their story.
He tells some inside stories about all the fun and hard and easy times they had, all about the wives and girlfriends, their music, tours, drugs partys, all the people who came in and out of their lives including the craziness of Phil Spector,Brian Epstein, Alan Klein, and most everything else. He seems to be pretty close to Paul, and in fact Paul mentioned about Tony's writing the book, that Tony probably knew more about the Beatles than they did. For those of you who don't care for Yoko, this book is right up your alley, as Tony was definitely an anti Yoko person.
The last couple of chapters of the book, Tony tends to go more in about his life and women than about the Beatles, which is really the only part I wasn't crazy about even though it was interesting.
The book was a good read from somebody who was there from the very beginning til the very end and it was definitely worth reading..and I have read most all of the books about the Beatles.It's nice to hear from somebody who was actually there and not just somebody who relied on interviews and news clippings to write their story.
November 28, 2011
Hop on and enjoy this ride! This book is a riot
Tony's approach is very different than most biographies & is extremely entertaining!. He doesn't tip-toe around The Beatles' stories as if it were "holy history" or if they were made of fine china. He dives right in with sex jokes and gossip (where else will you come across a line, "to celebrate, he lost his virginity that evening and then told his mates" that comes off totally like your friends teasing you and not being mean or sarcastic)
Once Yoko makes an appearance.... well... lets just say the bite in the sarcasm might just leave you missing a few fingers. Surprised her "PR camp" hasn't sued the pants off him for getting this down on paper. On the flip side, Linda is written up like an angel by her halo's light
Some of the facts might be played with a tad loose, and 3rd of the book has nothing at all to do w/ the Fabs (seeing as the band was broken up by that point) I'm sure die-hard "Beatle historians" would be pointing out things left and right, but really... this is how Tony remembers things goin down and it is HIS book of HIS MEMORIES after all.
Tony's approach is very different than most biographies & is extremely entertaining!. He doesn't tip-toe around The Beatles' stories as if it were "holy history" or if they were made of fine china. He dives right in with sex jokes and gossip (where else will you come across a line, "to celebrate, he lost his virginity that evening and then told his mates" that comes off totally like your friends teasing you and not being mean or sarcastic)
Once Yoko makes an appearance.... well... lets just say the bite in the sarcasm might just leave you missing a few fingers. Surprised her "PR camp" hasn't sued the pants off him for getting this down on paper. On the flip side, Linda is written up like an angel by her halo's light
Some of the facts might be played with a tad loose, and 3rd of the book has nothing at all to do w/ the Fabs (seeing as the band was broken up by that point) I'm sure die-hard "Beatle historians" would be pointing out things left and right, but really... this is how Tony remembers things goin down and it is HIS book of HIS MEMORIES after all.
October 31, 2013
Tony Bramwell might have been a Beatle if a small physical handicap hadn't kept him from playing music. Instead, he was close friends with them and eventually became a player in the modern music industry. The book really flies when Bramwell relates tales of the Beatles early days, offering insights and perspective only he could provide. You can tell he was having as much fun as "the boys" themselves. As his responsibilities grow and he spends less time with the Beatles (he has to hold down the fort at home while the group travels the world)his viewpoint becomes more cynical and sarcastic. Once Yoko enters the scene and George "becomes Indian" his contempt is laid out plainly. These ugly bits are not as enjoyable as the rest of the book and often feel petty. The last part of the book deals a bit too much with the author's personal and professional life apart from the Beatles, but is still interesting for his take on Phil Spector and the corrupt business the music industry became. Recommended for fans who are looking for more than the Anthology and aren't afraid to see some warts on the Fab Four.
July 12, 2012
This is an excellent, interesting book about the author's friendships with the Beatles and with various other celebrities through the years. As billed, it is written from the author's experiences and is not intended to be a history of the Beatles. There are plenty of those available. This offers a different slant on the individual Beatles. As for the author's dislike and distrust of Yoko Ono, it comes across as sincere. Imagine a group of your best friends being split apart by a newcomer. That is what happened to Tony Bramwell and his friends when Yoko entered the picture. His commentary is heartfelt and rings true. Again, other books are available to offer other views of that situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone interested in learning about how the Beatles were as people through the years.
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