Reading Magical Mystery Tours by Tony Bramwell felt like a magical mystery tour. Enter the realm of the sixties…an era which I hadn’t really researched or heard about, although when I think about it…I suppose my parents were in the prime of their life when the late sixties occured. Were they part of the psychadelic movement? Something tells me Dad wasn’t a hippie…but who knows? I should consult the old photo albums!
Tony Bramwell is a childhood friend of the Beatles, growing up with them in Liverpool. There are insights to the beginnings of the band, as well as the music scene in general all over the nation at the time. It’s an interesting read to see not only the inner life of the Beatles, but the financials aspects and how the record companies ran back in the day. For example, the industry was very-single driven. Now, that is definitely the case nowadays (“Hear your favourite hit single on the airwaves NOW!”) but the single is usually found on the album of the day.
Not back in the day. Singles were singles. Released on vinyl with a B-Side. Rarely showing up on the actual album. Very strange.
The story follows the Beatles throughout their lifetime and then focusses on Tony Bramwell’s life after the Beatles which is exciting on its own as he was big in the music industry being affiliated with the Beatles. For example, he promoted Bruce ‘The Boss’ Springsteen and convinced Paul McCartney to record the soundtrack to Live and Let Die, the first Roger Moore James Bond film. Neat!
The best parts of the book were the random encounters with various celebrities such as Mick Jagger and Keith ‘Keef’ Richards, where John Lennon accuses them of being a country band, and how Keith Moon gave Tony Bramwell his apartment as he was bored with it. Imagine!
These are the stories legends are made of, and Tony Bramwell gave me insight into this wonderful time.
Thanks to Mom and Dad for picking this one up for Christmas last year. It was a great read!
iplaying: No Use – jazzanova (In Between)