Klaus Voorman on working with the Beatles

Paul Morley talks to artist and producer Klaus Voorman about working with the Beatles on their Revolver LP

[@JackieKutchen]

"I never disappointed them".......Klaus never sold "his story" about The Beatles for monetary gain...he never gave interviews regarding the Fab Four or destroyed their confidentiality as friends. That's why he remains their friend. Given how easy it would have been to sell them out, Klaus' integrity is quite something.

[@VinnyDrysdale]

Well put.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

Right you are. It's a rarity to see someone with that kind of genuine humility and loyalty in the music industry.

[@zepinousebastien1004]

A very gentleman : imagine how much he would have earned if he has writen a book or so. I love that man.

[@thesilvershining]

Well, he was loyal to John and George only. He has said in interviews that he’s a better bass player than Paul and he should have been in The Beatles with John as “his” bass player instead of Paul. Which is utterly ridiculous since a huge part of The Beatles’ appeal is the magic unique sound of their Paul/Ringo rhythm section. Paul made the bass a lead instrument and even John in 1980 said Paul was one of the most innovative bassists ever. Klaus is a very talented artist, one of THE best I’ve ever seen in fact (I’d buy one of his paintings in a heartbeat) but he was always jealous of John and Paul’s partnership and soulmatey friendship, even back in Hamburg.

[@fredericfca6611]

@@thesilvershiningmaybe he was / is jealous. He is a human being. BUT he didn’t sold something of his friendships and for that he is a very gentleman.

[@mistersongy2204]

Klaus is an eyewitness to rock history. Lucky man!

[@paulcolbourne9112]

"Im not famous" he says. Uh, You really kind of are Klaus.

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

I could listen to Klaus Voorman talk all night. What a wonderful, wonderful man. His cover art for Revolver is still my favourite L.P. cover, he is a great musician and probably most impressively is such a humble guy. Great interview. Paul Morley is like an excited schoolboy throughout. great stuff. Thanks.

[@SecretAgentPaul]

He was the very first 'fan' of The Beatles.

[@allymayful]

Spot on! And the classiest.

[@Brammy007a]

Actually, Astrid was

[@rr7firefly]

Klaus Voormann inspires me to greater creativity. His gracious and equanimous personality, always evident whenever he is on camera, provides a model for those of us who strive to become better human beings.

[@laco4275]

Noe Berengena yes, unlike John who beat his wife, neglected Julian, hurt people with malicious evil verbal abuse. John who lied changed his answers from one interview to the next, who lied constantly, who was an unstable, spoiled, mega jealous (of Paul) hyper-hypocritical ideologue. Klaus says "Yeah John got mad right away..." signalling John always got mad. Klaus is the exact opposite of John and Yokomess

[@paulcolbourne9112]

@@laco4275 John didn't beat his wife. What a load of nonsense. You've been reading too much fiction. Cynthia herself when asked repeatedly said John wasn't like that at all and it's nonsense. He was surly and sarcastic however I'll give you that. He also left Cynthia but he didn't outright 'abandon' Julian. He supported him financially and had a relationship with him albeit a distant one cause Yoko don't like those outside influences. Julian should have got a lot more from John's estate as well but crooked Yoyo didn't want to relinquish a penny. Hating on Lennon makes no sense. He never portrayed himself as a saint, other people did that after he died. He definitely wasn't but he was talented, damn interesting and not a horrible person which some try and distort him to be.

[@danielsturm809]

Klaus is one of the finest persons, ever.

[@anthonyxuereb792]

What about me?

[@handrm]

Meeting Klaus and Astrid was as fortuitous for the Beatles as meeting Brian Epstein, and George Martin. The Beatles always met the exact right people at the exact right moment, almost totally by chance. Klaus became a lifelong dear faithful friend to each individual Beatle.

[@margaritarojas4748]

Excepto una persona: llegó la persona equivocada en el momento equivocado, Everybody knows who is she

[@JStarStar00]

At the time of the breakup in 1970 there were reports that Klaus was considered by John (mainly), George and Ringo to replace Paul in the Beatles (and in fact this lineup did play on some John songs on POB and Imagine) but Klaus did not want to take sides in the intramural battles.

[@cam21333]

Those were confirmed to be rumours, time and again. By Klaus himself, among other people. There are plenty of quotes (including John’s) debunking that whole thing. Just not true.

[@jamesdean9195]

How can 7 people not like Klaus? Geez, he's one of the most soft spoken, genuine souls you could imagine. Love his work as an artist, musician and story teller. Wonderful man...

[@profile2047]

A dislike does not mean the dislike Klaus. They could dislike the interviewer, style, sound, all sorts of things.

[@neilwinchester9187]

Klaus Voorman should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@MCA828]

The simplicity of a great artist, ... great friend of the BEATLES from the beginning, .. A true great

[@TommyDimopoulos]

What a talented, well and soft spoken class act. The Beatles were blessed when they met him.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Klaus is the kind of friend I would like to have.

[@allymayful]

Lovely stories. Sincere friendship - worth much more than Gold.

[@PatTheBoone]

What a teriffic description of his relationship with the beatles. This guy met them when they were 'nothing'. Yet the beatles didn't every forget him, and in fact coveted his friendslip, which still exists today. This is why the Beatles are so great, they maintained roots and did not let it all go to there heads.

[@lykasevilla4743]

Pete best * cough* cough 😐 oh, just swinging through

[@432F01]

Somebody everybody's heard about, but they've never actually seen him..........

[@frankmertens9522]

432F01 speech on Bangladesh Desh Concert ...

[@salvadorcastanos5834]

...Mr. Klaus Voorman!!.. did i forgot someone else?... an old friend of mine... Mr. Billy Preston!! Jijiji... lovely George ✌😎

[@fviannaval]

@@salvadorcastanos5834 We"ve forgotten Billy Preston!

[@beatlemicah]

Klaus Voorman: What a great artist! I own several of his signed numbered pieces.

[@kneapoe51ky.58]

Such a wonderful person. I watch everything I can find on Klaus here & anywhere else I see. You hear the term, "the 5th Beatle", knocked about. Klaus has as much right to that title ( if it truly exists ) as anyone. Of course, he wouldn't dare say that. lol He IS the man. Truly a friend to all of The Beatles. On the stage with George, Concert for Bangladesh. Playing with John on his greatest solo work, live + studio. Playing bass along with Ringo in all of these situations + today it's obvious how much he & Paul care for each other. Great clip here on y-tube of Klaus & Carly Simon. No doubt that she loves him to death. :) As I said......he IS the man.

[@laco4275]

KNEAPOE51 KY. Oh god, uh in terms of most meaningful contributions to the music of The Beatles, GEORGE MARTIN, was the 5th Beatle. Period. No question. It isn't even debatable. Smh

[@paulcolbourne9112]

Klaus, Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best, George Martin, Mal Evans, Brian Epstein, George Martin, Billy Preston and Eric Clapton could all be considered the 'fifth Beatle'. There's a lot of fifth Beatles.

[@CooManTunes]

A great inspiration for me as a bassist.

[@comanchio1976]

+CooManTunes Have you heard this baseline he played on 'Wah Wah'' at the concert for Bangladesh? It's an absolute corker!

[@laco4275]

CooManTunes Klaus said PM is The single greatest bass player and was amazed how genius Paul innovated and rocked. He also said how amazing it was Paul could reproduce his amazing bass lines live while ASLO SINGING!

[@031767sc]

he is the one that did the bass at the start of ''you're so vain'' carly simon

[@patoloco40]

Klaus is a multi talented artist, his drawings and paintings are just awesome !!!

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Klaus is great, but his surname is actually VoormanN (double n), because he is German

[@jensmoellenhoff]

What do you expect from The Grauniad, thus named because they have so many typos in their paper? :)

[@boozer7574]

I like the revolver album cover he designed!

[@広史大舘]

🎊🎼🎶Happy birthday Klaus‼️🎂🎉

[@rascal]

Very touching insights. A true friend of each one. I can feel Brian weeping in the corner, yes he did bridge the gap with the artwork of Revolver exactly!

[@Renhjarta]

Seems like such a wonderful person! I was at a record shop here in Stockholm, Sweden just about 2-3 years ago and I was standing there checking out some records.. Suddenly I saw this man standing at my left side looking at records as well, and it was Klaus Voorman. Earlier that day he had been signing records at the shop. I didn't know about it. But I didn't wanna bother him with the same old questions he's answered a million times.

[@pumkinbreath]

What a great bass player artist all around cool person.

[@SingenSpielenSprechen]

How great to have a friend!

[@lars-fenin]

great interview... honest man..

[@GudmundurKristjansson]

Yeah Rubber Soul was a good one and Revolver was great like Klaus art work

[@jamesdunn9714]

The "Revolver" cover is among the most iconic Beatles album covers. I'd rate "Sgt. Pepper" first, "Abbey Road" second and "Revolver" third as the most iconic.

[@mariochumps99]

I agree James Dunn!

[@Melchersson]

Recognition yeas. But fame? Are people forgetting he played bass in Manfred Mann and Hollies?

[@kingslaphappy1533]

I would like to know more about his early bass days, when he started playing, was he playing before the Beatles came to Hamburg, what got him started specifically on bass guitar etc...he is a fascinating man.

[@Melchersson]

@@kingslaphappy1533 He started playing Classical music on the piano as a kid and bought a guitar when he met the Beatles and Searchers in Hamburg. Claus Voorman was a genuine talent at the guitar, bass and piano. To bad the Beatles said no because he had a German accent? Or it might have been Brian Epstein refusing to let in Voorman in the Beatles?

[@dizbang3073]

Revolver is my favorite Beatles album.

[@duneman999]

such a inoffensive guy, pity theres not more like him around!

[@Guitarrazo]

Brillant bassman

[@nigefal]

Love the way he described having to do Revolver as 'ugh'. Having to get back used to being a graphic designer again. Very honest. Who else would have said that?

[@garyordo5131]

Klaus voormann played bass on the plastic Ono live peace in Toronto album with John Lennon Eric Clapton!

[@robertleJaxon4667]

and Manfred Mann

[@truthseeker474]

What a talented gentleman Klaus Voorman is. And what an incredible journey he had with the beatles!

[@b1j755]

A lovely man. Glad he's getting some recognition these days.

[@ternak001]

If you look out in John Lennon recordings of imagine, and jealous guy and such, you can spot out Klaus, he played bass for John.

[@resireg]

Troy Rossi just watch John playing instant karma at the top of the pops show. Klaus is his bassist

[@zepinousebastien1004]

And he played too with fab georges on ATMP , Bangladesh and so

[@nervo6321]

Klaus so humble, don't forget he was up there with the elite, but never the big I am about it...

[@johnl8630]

So many interviews with Klaus on YT, but subject matter is pretty much Beatles. I really would find it infinitely more interesting to hear about his time with Manfred Mann. MM's 1966 'As Is' was a much better album IMO than the LP he did the artwork for.

[@Detroit1967]

Discovered and produced West German band Trio (of Da Da Da fame).

[@jpetersgoyanks]

I am surprised that Klaus played bass back during the Hamburg days. I would have thought they might ask him to join after Stuart left the band but I guess they were getting really good and Klaus might have been a step backwards after losing a Bass player who couldn’t really play they wanted a stronger sound.

[@debomb721]

I wondered the same thing. Someone put it to me that the Beatles may have felt that having a German guy in this band might hurt marketability

[@jpetersgoyanks]

@@debomb721 I don’t they thought in those terms but maybe. If the German thing had anything to do with it then it likely had more to do with interpersonal dynamics.

[@peacemonger1967]

if there`s a musician who can claim to be a 5th Beatle, besides George Martin, its Klaus...super hip guy and a beautiful artist all round@weenyone

[@markwilliams4383]

I still wish I could meet him

[@ClarenceFisher]

I did once. It was at the autograph table at Beatlefest a long time ago - it was his first appearance in Chicago - August. I had an original mono pressing of the British Revolver and he signed it. I gushed that I had 10 copies of the album (I did at the time) and he looked up sort of flummoxed and asked "why?" I don't think I can remember them all - a stereo and mono Capitol, stereo and mono Parlophone, a CD, a few bootlegs, vinyl reissues (this was all before the 2009 remasters came out). Anyway, he was cool, but a bit shocked and stunned that I had so many copies.

[@iangallager4091]

I just want to say that I have nothing to say. I hope this isn't controversial.

[@DaftSwank]

Astrid cut George’s hair as he transitioned from pompadoured, leather-jacket-wearing, rocker to artsy, mod, mop-topped Beatle ... 🎵She Loves You, Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! 🎶

[@patriciagonzales2148]

I love Klaus

[@dannymcrooster4089]

I LOVE this man. The perfect friend.

[@tonyward2086]

Too bad the Guardian cannot afford microphones that WORK. I COULDNT HEAR ANYTHING.

[@MsMhor]

yes! Manfred Mann :-)

[@redwhitegray748]

“I am not famous” - Klaus Voorman

[@Roddan]

one of the spirit ....the art behind the Beatles!

[@BeatlePotterFan4]

An awesome man =) you just have to love him...

[@harryfrezza2563]

They were a BAND.

[@kentgreystoke9254]

Klaus was there

[@FijneWIET]

Billy Preston Klaus Voormann Nicky Hopkins... Three master musicians.. I can't figure out why they were used as mere session players.. with all their talents they should have been "the big 3" or something!

[@comanchio1976]

+FijneWIET Maybe there's more to being in a highly revered band, than technical ability. What struck me the most about The Beatles live performances - is the personal chemistry between them, as well as the musical chemistry - forged during those 12h sets in Hamburg.

[@L0REN0R2Z0RR0]

He seems a little too shy for rock'n'roll performances.

[@Fordham1969]

Billy wasn't just a session player/sideman though, he had multiple big hits as both a solo artist and songwriter.

[@myahollandia3552]

Great man

[@portcreditdave]

In spite of the daft interviewer, Voormann is awesome!

[@laco4275]

portcreditdave the interviewer is fine, Jesus - you John fans are freaks, sociopaths, immature, hyper critical, jealous, like losers, like Johnny.

[@osamabinladen824]

@@laco4275 Who said he is a John fan?

[@osamabinladen824]

@@laco4275 You assume to early.

[@RondelayAOK]

Beautiful guy.

[@MCA828]

La sencillez de un gran artista,...gran amigo de los BEATLES desde el comienzo,..Un verdadero grande,....

[@WalshEdward]

Retail huh?

[@loriscunado3607]

Delightful human being is Klaus Voorman. Magic happened and he was part of it. Thank you.

[@user-io3th6lo9t]

He played bass for Manfred Mann as well on "Mighty Quinn" as well as the flute hook.

[@John_Doe643]

Great bass player- Especially Plastic Ono and Walls and Bridges

[@osamabinladen824]

Damn, Thom Yorke looks way older in this video. 🙈

[@jeffa6780]

Excellent! I remember seeing his little picture and signature on the "Revolver" album cover are when it first came out!

[@hannah6034]

Sgt Peppers may be the most iconic but revolver is the best Beatles cover !

[@b1j755]

The stereo is off. Klaus is in the left channel and Paul M. in the right. Come on.

[@dailyflash]

Because he supported and was close to the Beatles before they became famous, they never had to question his friendship or intentions.

[@jacquismith3277]

Talk about trivia! I love it!!

[@merseybeat1963]

Beautiful cover Revolver

[@Cloud-ok6wy]

what a deep intelligent man

[@crimsondynamoo]

Oh, just go ahead and kiss him.

[@lamper2]

The most told story is he and ASTRID had a fight and he left and discovered the Beatles. what were they fighting about?

[@Detroit1967]

Love

[@paxmule]

Klaus is cool!

[@petermcgarrymusicandflying]

Super nice and humble guy. Special.

[@J_Ciner]

He's great, but he wasn't really a fifth Beatle. He never played with them. He is more his own man. He could have been very successful and famous without them, unlike Billy Preston or George Martin.

[@docsavage8640]

Billy Preston did just fine without the Beatles

[@laco4275]

Yoko paid big money to Klause for this piece. She wrote the checks for all of this (lol no wonder he mentions Yokomess right away). Shady - John, Yoko, Sean they're shady and malicious.

[@thereunionparty]

Admit it, you're Mark David Chapman on the prison computer.

[@thesilvershining]

There’s nothing malicious about Sean.