The Beatles Inner Circle

The Beatles Inner Circle
#Beatles #thebeatles #thebeatlesinnercircle
In this video I'm going to talk about some of the key players within the inner sanctum - the inner circle of the Beatles. The people that the beatles trusted as friends, confidants and close associates.
--
Buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/tudorsmith
--
0:00 Intro
2:57 Brian Epstein
5:14 George Martin
6:42 Neil Aspinall
8:23 Mal Evans
10:38 Derek Taylor
12:30 Peter Brown
13:48 Tony Bramwell
15:24 Klaus Voormann
19:08 Billy Preston
20:53 Pattie Boyd
22:53 Cynthia Lennon
25:03 Linda McCartney
26:46 Conclusion
--
My other KZbin Channels
Tudor Smith Photography: / tudorsmithphotography
Tudor Travels: / @tudor_travels
Drive With Care: / @drivewithcare_uk

[@joyce99999]

At various points: Ivan Vaughn, Stuart Sutcliffe, Astrid Kirsher, Mike McCartney, Peter Asher, Pete Shotten

[@TudorSmith]

Part 2 soon

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Mal Evans gets my vote for most important - he was the Beatles ‘gofer’ - and from the footage from Get Back, revelled in it. Seemed like a nice, and kind bloke! The things he was asked to do by the boys makes the mind boggle! Check him out playing an anvil on ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’ - his smile is infectious! He was loyal to the end!

[@TudorSmith]

He was a real star and an important asset to the team!

[@johnbyrnes7912]

​@@TudorSmith he's kind and likeable and it's so said his tragic death. 🤡

[@TudorSmith]

I totally agree. Was there talk about Mal's family releasing the diaries posthumously?

[@TudorSmith]

Yeah I think he got the worst of deals out of his involvement. Such a shame.

[@TudorSmith]

Thank you Paul for sharing my video. It all helps and I appreciate it 👍

[@michaeldarmody9919]

Large oversight imo in leaving out Astrid Kirchherr. Girlfriend of Stu Sutcliffe and photographer/artist, she has been credited with their unique hairstyle and clothing as they emerged from the formative Hamburg years. Major Beatles distinctions

[@TudorSmith]

There’s no denying her impact on their early years. But because they weren’t the “managed band” I had to exclude her. Perhaps she could be in the outer inner circle 😊

[@michaelharrington75]

She wasn't part of the inner circle. She probably could have been had she chosen, but rarely was around the Beatles after their rise to fame.

[@stephenadriansongs9187]

Terry Doran. His name hasn’t come up here yet but should have. Originally a Merseyside car dealer and friend of Brian Epstein who sold a 19yr old George his first car and the group their first transit van after Pete Best departed with his transport. Then followed them to London and set up Brydor cars with Brian to supply a number of luxury cars to all four as their spending power grew. Then became a key member of their inner circle after Brian died, and an especially close friend to John and George. A warm and engaging person who was part-mentor, part court jester, gopher and supreme roller of joints. Their first Apple appointee as head of Apple Music publishing. He is credited with giving John a line of A Day In The Life, shared George’s interest in Eastern religion, and managed Friar Park for George after the band Brie up. As much as anyone he went on the whole journey with them, including personal growth. Unsung because he was the soul of discretion, and never wrote a memoir or gave interviews in later years. Died of Covid in 2020. Once described the band as the finest human beings that he had ever known. Let’s hear it for Terry.

[@TudorSmith]

That’s one person I never knew about. Sounds like a trusted friend considering he never released any memoirs!

[@dreammachine2013]

Very enjoyable, informative and Well done! Thank you very much. However you may have been a bit too harsh on Jane Asher, as the whole Asher family had a tremendous artistic impact on Paul and this on the Beatles. Her mother taught George Martin, her Brother Peter joined Apple and discovered and produced James Taylor etc. And who can forget all those great songs that Paul wrote about her: And I love her, we can work it out, I'm looking through you... Then I'd like to vote for Astrid who had a great influence on the early Beatles concerning look and style. Her photographs of those days are brilliant. And she remains a good friend who never spilled the beans. And last not least the first press officer Tony Barrow, whose liner notes on those first EPs and LPs seem to predict the future course of the Fab Four😂

[@lucone2937]

Yeah, I think Jane Asher and Cynthia Lennon were at equally important before Linda Eastman and Yoko Ono arrived on the scene. For instance both Jane and Cynthia were with the Beatles in India 1968. After that things started to change for them.

[@davidkornblatt851]

I would argue Geoff Emerick and Norman Smith

[@TudorSmith]

Definitly players in the circle, but perhaps the next layer?

[@LouisMenotti]

​@@jonfarmen7455 good point Jon.

[@bassmanjez3842]

Definitely Good ol Freda Kelly. As Brian’s secretary and a fan long before they hit it big she was incredibly loyal and didn’t reveal any gossip to the press.

[@baviation1872]

I think in terms of the music, George Martin was the 5th Beatle. If it weren’t for him they wouldn’t have been able to create such intricate music with the orchestral arrangements. It seems like from what Paul has said that George Martin basically put their thoughts into actual sheet music and composed amazing additions to their music. Brian Epstein definitely played the biggest part business-wise, and he kind of mentored them and made it so they didn’t have to worry about the business side of things. I feel like if he had lived longer, they wouldn’t have had as many business disputes down the road. It seems like Mal was kind of a guy who was always around, and someone who they could bounce ideas off of, but not much more than that.

[@TudorSmith]

Quite a few contenders for the 5th Beatle that’s for sure but as you have suggested; breaking down the merits based on what they could offer, then we could have 5a, 5b, 5c etc 🤣

[@gaylealleluia8392]

@@TudorSmithBrian had a gambling problem, which The Beatles didn’t know about until sometime in ‘66. He used their money, especially from merch in the USA to pay his debts and The Beatles got nothing from that. Such a betrayal from someone so close.

[@TomDougherty-co7hg]

I always viewed Freda Kelly as a Beatle's insider. She worked for Brian and was the president of the group's official fan club from 1962 through 1972.

[@TudorSmith]

I overlooked her in the first video until Someone mentioned her 👍

[@scally1969]

You do come up with some interesting videos, mate. Keeping us Beatle Anoraks thinking, that's for sure. My contender for Beatles' inner circle would be Pete Shotton. Lifelong best mate of John Lennon and well known to all the lads. There from The Quarrymen days to becoming the manager of the Apples Boutique and subsequently first managing director of Apple Corp. If his book is to be believed. He was around the lads in many private moments; even contributing ideas towards lyrics on occasion. His all-night tea and chats with John and sometimes the other Beatles gave them a grounding they obviously needed, from someone who knew them before they were famous. Also, during the bands lifetime and even John's lifetime, he never uttered a word, so strong was his loyalty and discretion. Check out his book, if you can find it. In My Life by Pete Shotton and Nicholas Schaffner. Thanks Tudor 😊

[@TudorSmith]

Oh wow...I certainly overlooked Pete Shotten. I can see that making a VERY interesting video. Thanks for the nudge 👍

[@mjanovec]

I would make a case for Robert Freeman, the photographer they heavily collaborated with from 1963 to 1966. His work greatly shaped the band’s image and he helped create several iconic album covers for them. He was their go-to guy when they needed a photographer. They trusted his artistic sensibilities.

[@TudorSmith]

So many other candidates and for good reasons too. I wonder if there is another layer. I kind of outer inner circle?

[@doktoruzo]

Excellent as usual Tudor, well done. Neil Aspinall (The Gate Keeper) was with them pretty much from the start. He was of the same stock as them. Knew Paul and George from school days. He thought the same as them, had the same kind of upbringing in the same sort of places in Liverpool. Ferociously protective of them, the ultimate in discretion, taking no bullshit from anyone. I regard him as a Beatle. Alas, he died far too young (aged 66 in 2008). Indeed, most on your list are no longer with us... Brian, George, Neil, Mal, Derek, Billy, Cyn, Linda.

[@TudorSmith]

Yeah Neil was so down to earth.

[@brandonflorida1092]

It's about time somebody did this. Many of these important figures in Beatles history are unknown even to serious Beatles fans. What about Allan Williams, Bob Wooler, and Magic Alex?

[@TudorSmith]

So many figures involved in the making of the Beatles. It was a vast machine. Hang about for my part two...the outer inner circle 😉

[@patricksmith4424]

As others have mentioned Geoff Emerick and Norman Smith were hugely important on the musical side. Geoff was the engineer, he played a huge role on pepper and generally got everything sounding great. Norman Smith was a top dude, in his 50s he became a popstar in his own right as Hurricane Smith, he also helped early pink Floyd with their sound. The Beatles were all about the music and those two guys talents shone through with the production of the records.

[@TudorSmith]

I’m working on a part 2 - they’ll both get a mention 👍

[@RAUL110459]

According to the explanation you give, I agree with the selection of people (of course the members of The Beatles met more people, but the influence was individual, not the group). Very good analysis. Greetings from Mexico.

[@TudorSmith]

Exactly that. I've got another video coming soon with more people connected to the lads.

[@karatemaster1144]

Excellent video Tudor, this is a spot-on list for the Beatles' inner circle. With Pattie, she also sung backup vocals on "Birthday" and contributed to "Yellow Submarine". I thought those aspects were interesting beyond her usual muse role.

[@TudorSmith]

I felt I knew about Pattie singing BVs but couldn’t find a reference (I didn’t dig deep enough) so omitted it. Good to hear that you mentioned it 👍

[@bonfireballads]

Stuart Sutcliffe. Came up with the name Beatles, influenced the beatle haircut/ overall look, and even booked many of the bands early gigs.

[@TudorSmith]

An often unforgotten player in the story of the Beatles!

[@bobtaylor170]

I've speculated that if he'd lived, Sutcliffe would have been the designer of all of their album covers. He might have had other things he could have done as something of an auxiliary Beatle.

[@TudorSmith]

True. He'd already left the Beatles in '61 to persue his art, so McCartney was already on bass guiatr by this time. It would have almost certainly meant Stuart would have, and could have still been involved albeit not musically.

[@alimonyslim]

I've not heard about Stu coming up with 'Beatles'. Please explain.

[@patbrennan6572]

What a wonderful thing to have been a part of this experience. Hard to think of anything more wonderful than being a part of the Beatles.

[@TudorSmith]

They all must have had some wonderful experiences 👍

[@mustlovepretzels]

Tudor Smith: thanks for posting. John's buddy Pete Shotton? At 10:26: so cool that Mal was the swimmer in "Help". Cheers!🥨

[@TudorSmith]

Yeah that surprised me too about Mal until I did a bit of digging. Pete Shotton gets a shoutout in my other video - the outer inner circle 🤣

[@parascopes]

thanks for mentioning mal, he deserves it

[@TudorSmith]

❤️

[@Philinspaces]

Well written and presented, thank you.

[@TudorSmith]

Thank you

[@charlesjames4956]

Couple of big ommissions: Eric Clapton and Geoff Emerick. Clapton was instrumental in helping George come up with lead guitar riffs. If there is one person most responsible for the Beatles 'sound' it would be recording engineer Geoff Emerick The perfect way Ringo`s drumming and McCartney`s bass playing comes across on their recordings is all Geoff Emerick, the mics he used and how he deployed them. George MArtin would never have had the raw material of the individual tracks to come up with the stunning mixes that he did without the Geoff Emerick contributions.

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

Thanks again enjoyed the footage Cynthia Pattie Linda and Maureen we’re all crucial to them for at the time I also like yoko and thought she was part of the inner circle I enjoyed that Thankyou .

[@TudorSmith]

I felt quite moved putting the section together for Cynthia. She had to put up with so much rejection.

[@Bigeazy87]

Based on other's comments, Part 2 should be a video of inner circle members who were important for a particular period, if not the entirety of the Beatles career. Pete Shotten, Yoko Ono, Geoff Emerick, Norman Smith, Tony Barrow, Maureen Cleeve, Stu Sutcliffe, Eric Clapton, the Maharishi, perhaps the photographer Robert Freeman

[@steveconn]

Brian no doubt; moved them from one world to another.

[@TudorSmith]

I've often wondered, Brian being of the business mindset, if the Beatles was his baby right at the oftset. Sure the lads were gigging but they weren't established other than just another rock'n'roll covers band with the odd original composition thrown into the setlist. Brian was perhaps modelling himself on Elvis' Colonel Parker, and could have been the original UK manager of a boy band. It was a money making exercise Brain grabbed with both hands!

[@lornes9853]

Some of the names and stories were well-known to me. Others, like Klaus Voormann, Tony Bramwell and Derek Taylor, were familiar names with stories I'd never heard before. In particular, I had no idea Voormann had so many contributions on bass, including the iconic intro to You're So Vain! Thank you for adding some cool music trivia to my knowledge base.

[@TudorSmith]

I’m glad it revealed something new for you. Klaus Voorman. A real gentle spirited human in my opinion - and more than just an artist!

[@patrickdonahue8384]

Voorman also did the cover for Revolver.

[@petercharron3268]

Klaus was my neighbor in the 80’s on Mount Washington, a neighborhood of LA. For blocks and blocks we were all so proud having him down the street. What about Dixon VanWinkle, but I guess Ram was an influence on the x-Beatles circle.

[@TudorSmith]

What a great story.

[@clannad99germany70]

Are you sure ? According to Klaus Voormanns book, biography, he moved back from LA to Germany in the end of the 70ies, about 1978, 1979. So in the 80ies he already lived in Germany again !

[@bobbest8627]

Excellent video… What about Jürgen Vollmer? I thought I had heard an interview with one of the Beatles, who actually stated he was part of their circle. Not sure thanks again for the vid.

[@sortehuse]

Different people where in the Beatles Inner Circle at different times, so you could argue for many different people. I would add Peter Asher.

[@TudorSmith]

I think I mention him in the next video - the outer circle 👍

[@dumbbo1]

Brian liked their trousers. They were very tight. Nothing left to the imagination.

[@TudorSmith]

🤣

[@kenyotta67]

What a wonderfully researched and presented addition to your Beatles videos. I'm so glad you included Tony Bramwell. I had the pleasure recently of spending a couple of days with him as part of Beatles Pilgrimage Tour. He had great anecdotes, was very honest about his experiences, and was very funny. I HIGHLY recommend his book, Magical Mystery Tours. I cherish my signed copy. Thanks, Tudor!

[@TudorSmith]

I followed your adventures Ken. You certainly covered a lot of ground. What a great experience 👍

[@felixlusash]

So informative! Didn’t know about some of these people. Thanks!

[@jjag1027]

Interesting! Very good topic and spot on ! Thank you... if you're looking for other topics you might want to consider what could be called The Beatles outer circle/friends... e.i Donovan, the Stones, The Byrds, Beach Boys,Clapton,Dylan, etc...Cheers!👍✌️🙏

[@TudorSmith]

Thanks 🙏 I reckon an outer circle - even immediate - would contain more than 12 but it would be interesting.

[@jjag1027]

@@TudorSmith Well maybe food for thought !And I was not aware and surprised of the Klaus Voorman and Carly Simon collaboration ! That was cool to find out! 😎👍

[@TudorSmith]

He was also the bassist for Manfred Man. He's had an eclectic musical career considering he was an artist 🤣

[@Coomberg]

Very good Tudor but leaving out Jane Asher is curious - the various influences you talked about with Pattie Boyd could applied to Jane. Many of Paul songs 64-66 were about Jane.

[@TudorSmith]

Yep Jane was definitely a muse for Paul. I think the angle I was coming from was the interaction within the circle, be that the Beatles themselves or with other members of the circle. But yeah, probably she could actually fit right in along with Patti and Cyntia - and maybe even Yoko to some extent 👍

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

Jane was the main influence to Paul for his involvement in English theater. She went on many holidays along with other Beatles. She was instrumental in bringing Peter Asher into the groups inner circle to which he remains to this day. She was way more influential than Linda, Moe and Patty.

[@shippy555]

I knew of all those you named, but didn't know much about them. Thanks for all this information. I know more now of how they all "fitted in" so to speak. Well put together.

[@TudorSmith]

Thanks. 👍

[@kerryadams3429]

I think Astrid Kircherr should have been in there she was a hug he influence in the early developing years , & kept in touch with them throughout her life

[@TudorSmith]

Quite possibly actually. There have been many good suggestions since I made that video. Sadly I can’t go back and edit it now ☹️

[@robertgerber2533]

Geoff Emerick. The engineer

[@kxrv6629]

And Ken Scott

[@amb2745]

@@kxrv6629 That could get kinda sticky if you start including all the engineers that worked on Beatles albums like Norman Smith, Ron Richards, Ken Scott, Chris Thomas, John Kurlander, etc.

[@Slydeil]

Can't argue with most of that although if Patti Cynthia and Linda are there Yoko does deserve a slot. ...and Jane Asher. Janes family influence over Paul's artistic flowering is astonishing. And Billy Preston was a fleeting but important character musically to salve the Let it Be sessions but not part of their inner circle. I'd take all of them out and leave it with Brian Epstein, George Martin, Mal Evans Neil Aspinal and Derek Taylor. They were the key players and confidents. Btw the Raymond Jones story is supposed to be a PR story

[@TudorSmith]

I'm going to have to do an update video!

[@Slydeil]

@@TudorSmith You're a busy video man Tudor, but your videos are always welcome and interesting 👍

[@observer87]

I think you were too hasty in dismissing Jane Asher. Paul lived with her family who introduced him to London’s musical and artistic scene (Jane’s mother was oboe professor at the Guildhall School of Music), an influence that paved the way the way for their later musical and creative expansion.

[@TudorSmith]

I'm glad I gave her a mention though 👍

[@ketchup5344]

Fith Beatle? It has to be George Martin. This is really well presented.

[@danielthomas8507]

fantastic!!!!

[@TudorSmith]

Many thanks!!

[@troz451]

Great insights! Thanks

[@TudorSmith]

Thanks 🙏

[@KenthSandstrom]

Thanks for the great information

[@TudorSmith]

👍

[@danielhamby9448]

I love hearing about Beatles lore! I grew up having to listen to it because my dad was/is a huge Beatles fan so I just blew it off but now that I’m older I see why he was. He went as far as to dress like them when he was younger in the late ‘60’s, looked almost identical to George Harrison with a Clapton perm.

[@TudorSmith]

My dad liked country and western. That didn’t rub off on me 🤣 It’s amazing the influence the Beatles had on music and fashion!

[@Darylvb]

Astrid Kirchherr

[@TudorSmith]

One of the originals.

[@Bcell13]

great video!

[@TudorSmith]

Thanks!

[@bennyfactor1]

Alistair Taylor. There at the beginning as Brian's personal assistant and eventually all the boys as a Mr Fixit, and ended up as General Manager. Left, but returned shortly after as GM Apple. Did a lot of the running around, purchasing Johns island, there when Paul and Linda first moved into the ramshackle Scottish cottage, the guy wearing the board in the All You Need is Love transmission, there when Brians door was kicked in, and so on.

[@TudorSmith]

Yeah Alistair Taylor is a good shout. As I said in my video I probably missed a few and could have removed a few. But it’s great to see the other suggestions being offered up 👍

[@JoeBlow-fp5ng]

Good video. Thanks.

[@TudorSmith]

Thank you 🙏

[@rhlennon5869]

Very good topic Tudor! I wonder how many of them are still alive? Tony Bramwell? Peter Brown? Pattie Boyd might be all.

[@mjanovec]

Klaus Voorman is still alive too.

[@lennydellarocca4992]

I'd argue that you put all the wives in or take them all out

[@bonfireballads]

After watching this through a second time, i started thinking that George Martin wasn't treated as a member of the inner circle by the Beatles. Maybe by Paul, but John and George would often talk about Martin as if he was someone they didnt want to have to deal with. Obviously though, he made a significant contribution to their albums.

[@benwilliams647]

Hey @Tudor Smith, you forgot Stuart Sutcliffe! He was very much in The Beatles’ inner circle, he helped with the naming of the band.

[@mjanovec]

Stuart was a Beatle, so I think that puts him in a different category. Same with Pete Best. And both were out of the picture in 1962, before the group was famous. For me, the inner circle represents people they trusted during a time when they were at the eye of the hurricane.

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

Jane and Peter Asher were more involved with the Beatles than some of those mentioned. Jane went on holidays with Paul and the other Beatles. She was not only a muse but John and Paul wrote I want to hold your hand at her house. Paul even lived with her parents in the early Beatle years. She introduced Paul to the London theater scene. Peter went on to work with Apple and is a spokesman for them to this day.

[@TudorSmith]

You’re right. Both the Asher siblings were major factors in McCartney’s life. I cover them in the Outer Circle video 👍

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

@@TudorSmith thank you for responding.

[@presto709]

Great video. You forgot to mention that Peter Brown was named in The Ballad of John and Yoko

[@TudorSmith]

I was singing it in my head 😉

[@jagmarc]

The Greek scientist sound inventor who also while in India helped Lennon re-assess how perceived the leader of the sect

[@ArchKomposer]

Stuart Sutcliffe was the first inner circle member. The more you learn about his brief life, the more integral his role in their formative years. I am shocked that he is not listed among their inner circle. Please read books or watch vodeos with Jude Kessler to substantiate this.

[@TudorSmith]

He definitely had a role to play. But he was a Beatle even though it was a short time - so I didn’t include him as an inner circle member. I will have a section about him in Part 2 - coming soon 👍

[@SirKeefyKeef]

In the early days… Alan Williams, original manager before Epstein.

[@TudorSmith]

Indeed. Williams had the contact with Bruno Koshmider right - got them the Hamburg gigs 👍

[@russellesimonetta9071]

Clapton was a go to for many sessions!

[@myyootube2]

Magic Alex

[@niccoolos6297]

Dennis O Dell Geof Emerick

[@philipeaton3102]

you lean some thing new every day have heard of most of them and i still have some of my late fathers beatles albums on reel to reel tape

[@TudorSmith]

Reel to Reel! I’ll bet that’ll be fun listening to!

[@Briansmusic-]

Leggy Mountbatton!

[@TudorSmith]

Yep - it was the trousers 🤣

[@Briansmusic-]

@@TudorSmith Love that line! :)

[@bluewolf7572]

Well done overview. An aspect of early Beatles was the absence of Ringo as a Beatle (Pete Best). I’ve always wondered to what, if any, extent Brian’s, Peter’s and Billy’s homosexuality influenced the Beatles.

[@TudorSmith]

Was there something between Brian and Pete?

[@bluewolf7572]

I don’t know if there was anything romantic between Brian Epstein and Peter Brown . The term “friend and personal assistant” could mean anything. I do think that that Brian Epstein would want another gay man (PB) to work with him, share confidences etc, especially given the times they lived in. I don’t know if Billy Preston was out when he worked with the Beatles.

[@archangelmusic13]

im happy to have spent time with klaus at beatlefest in chicago a number of years ago.he signed my revolver album for me

[@amb2745]

I got to see Peter Brown at a Beatlefest in Chicago in 1982. He was helping to auction off an autographed copy of Sgt. Pepper. At the time, Peter Brown and Stephen Gaines had worked on a book called "The Love You Make: An Insider's Story Of The Beatles."

[@CutiePie-hh3gg]

I like Frida the Fan Club secretary

[@TudorSmith]

She was well liked by the Beatles.

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

I wonder if Klaus was considered to be their bass player to replace Stu when he decided to quit? Seems he would have been a natural as he was right there, and knew all their material. Maybe he wasn't playing bass yet at that time? I was surprised to see that he played at as high a level as he did; interesting fellow...

[@TudorSmith]

I read that Klaus picked up some playing bass tricks from Stuart Sutcliffe - of whom Klaus has said was a good bass player.

[@DonRamiro1]

Jane Asher was an absolute bunny rabbit of a beauty. She inspired at least a couple of Paul's songs. OTH, Yoko brought absolutely NOTHING to the table. I take that back. She brought gristle to the feast.

[@TudorSmith]

I like the way you put that.

[@Tom-hk6ub]

Magic Alex. Harry Pinsker .

[@kxrv6629]

Thought-provoking video. Don’t see how you can include Cynthia Lennon and Linda McCartney, but not Yoko Ono regardless of my and others opinions of her vocal/artistic style. And what about Freda Kelly head of the Beatles Fan Club from 1962-72?

[@TudorSmith]

They get a mention in my other video

[@neilforbes416]

5:30 Parlophone should be referred to rightly as *EMI-Parlophone* as, along with His Master's Voice and Columbia(EMI's flagship labels) as well as Regal and Regal/Zonophone among others, Parlophone was an entrenched part of EMI, as an *IN-HOUSE* label.

[@TudorSmith]

Indeed 👍

[@9999bigb]

Parlophone was the comedy record end of EMI, wasn't it? Or am I mistaken?

[@neilforbes416]

@@9999bigb Originally yes, it was where The Goons, Charlie Drake, Bernard Cribbins and others recorded comedy skits or novelty songs. Then came The Beatles and the rest is history!

[@jaelge]

Freda Kelly

[@TudorSmith]

I'll have to do a video on the other people involved with Beatles 😉

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

Very informative! Thank you. One important thing about Pattie - She is the one who was first influenced by transcendental meditation and got George into it and the other Beatles followed- all the way to India. I don’t think that Cynthia influenced John artistically, although she was also an artist. He was inspired by Stuart and then he was inspired by paul And finally by Yoko. I agree that Cynthia should be included in the inner circle however because she was there at the beginning and went to India with them as did Maureen. Maureen was a fan from the time of the Cavern and she supported Ringo just like Cynthia supported John. Jane Asher has to be included in the inner circle if these other women are because Paul lived with her and her family and was influenced by them intellectually and musically. George spoke about Jane sitting in the control room and listening to the producers at EMI so she was even in on some recording sessions. I think that all the wives (and Jane) were in the inner circle. Yoko was around the band more but she didn’t support them - that’s my opinion. I would also add that I’ve always believed that Klaus is the first person who truly discovered the Beatles. To my knowledge he’s the first to recognize their great talent in Hamburg.

[@TudorSmith]

Wow I didn’t know that about Pattie. What an impact it had on George right throughout his life! I give Jane another shoutout in my other video but yeah I think you’re right actually about her belonging in the inner circle. Wasn’t Klaus’ meeting of the Beatles a chance thing? I think I’d read that he’d had a row with someone (maybe Astrid) and gone into town. Then went into the club and heard them playing.

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

Yes that was what had Klaus within earshot of the wild Hamburg Beatles! He said he was blown away by them and as far as I know he’s the first to have that reaction other than possibly Beatles family members and girlfriends.

[@grahampratchett8207]

Hi again. I've been following you for sometime. I'm the person that got in contact with you a while ago. About your description of the Beatles being filmed at the Station for the Hard Day's Night Movie. I'm here to correct you again . The Inner circle piece. I'm watching it and when you got to Tony Bramwell, your showing John Cynthia Patti George at the cinema. Saying Tony Bramwell was there next to John. That's incorrect. Cos, it was Magic Alex. (Alexis Mardas)

[@TudorSmith]

I love a good correction. See if you can spot any others 🙂

[@brianwolle2509]

pete schotten, eric clapton, geoff emerick

[@TudorSmith]

Indeed!

[@MM180.9]

This is all great but.... Where did you get that shirt?

[@TudorSmith]

Ah, that's for my fashion channel. Ha! Seriously, it's from Marks & Spencer.

[@kens.5095]

Brian's inexperience and naivete cost The Beatles serious sums of money. While there's no doubt he played a significant role in their early career, his lack of business savvy created turbulence in his relationship with teh band, which was why in part they were in the process of distancing themselves from him when he died tragically.

[@DavidMcdonald-df8tb]

Agreed

[@LapsangTe]

You could have included their first press officer Tony Barrow, but my feeling is that he never really bonded with The Beatles in the same way Derek Taylor later did.

[@TudorSmith]

That would have been a good shout. He certainly had a big involvement didn't he?

[@LapsangTe]

@@TudorSmith He wrote the sleevenotes on their early albums and had to handle the "Beatles are greater than Jesus" controversy.

[@TudorSmith]

He was quite involved eh?

[@richardfeaster864]

Great video! Personally I think Yoko deserves a spot here. Good or bad her artistic influence on John and by association the other Beatles was just massive, especially the White Album.

[@TudorSmith]

I wasn’t sure to include her. On the basis of artistic inspiration to John then yes.

[@3879keith]

and Jane Asher

[@TudorSmith]

They would both definitely figure in the next level of circle of firends/family/lovers 😉

[@mjanovec]

I think if one includes Patti, Linda, and Cynthia, then Maureen and Yoko qualify too. (Jane Asher always came across as too private to be close to the group, but I could be wrong.) Maureen had a longer association with the group… being a fan from the Cavern days all the way up through her divorce with Ringo. She even beats Cynthia in that respect. It’s also clear the other Beatles had affection for her… some more than others. 😉 Paul even wrote a song about her (Little Willow) after she passed.

[@cynthiaforsythe8989]

Yoko was not trusted by other Beatles - trust is in Tudor’s definition of inner circle and this is his video. Influence? Definitely. But not trust.

[@strothermartin5368]

Neil had a child by Pete Best's mother.

[@TudorSmith]

I think I read that somewhere. I’d totally forgotten about it until you mentioned it.

[@johnbyrnes7912]

​@@TudorSmith And if Pete didn't agree to join them in Hamburg Germany there may never had been the Beatles or an unpolished less successful one ! 🤡

[@Ned88Man]

Roag Best

[@derekroberts6654]

Not very many people realize or remember that Linda was as much blamed for the Beatles split as Yoko was.

[@manny4552]

Yeah I suppose your right

[@cephalophorenameless422]

No, she wasn't.

[@thereunionparty]

I wonder if Alexis Mardas (Magic Alex) would merit inclusion in the Beatles inner circle? The so called electronics whizz kid whose inventions and innovations never quite seemed to work but cost the Beatles a lot of money. Despite being quite possibly a charlatan he was certainly rather influential in that late 60s period.

[@TudorSmith]

He was a contender but I think he would kind of fit into a wider circle of associates - he’s definitely someone involved with the Beatles though.

[@johnbyrnes7912]

Alex was a bad influence in India and a disaster back home with his great failure and money waste in that nonsense with a new studio (imaginary) for them ! You were right to omit him. He can join Yoko as one of the prize negatives ! 🤡

[@jeffzrockhistoryresource101]

Good choices. For the period of 1964-66, I might add journalist Maureen Cleeve. She was well read and clicked with John. The reason he felt he could talk about religion with her is that he respected her intellect. Brian Epstein also liked Maureen. Sadly, after the Jesus Christ stuff blew up in America, she lost her inside access, though she was very upset about how the quote had been misused.

[@TudorSmith]

Maureen Cleeve's article based on her interview with John is a strange piece of Beatle history. When released in the UK, no one (well probably a few) took no notice of the comment. It hit a raw nerve in America of course but then us Brits have never revered our "leaders" or people of authority. We take no one seriously. Just part of our internal make-up I think. But it clearly caused offence elsewhere. Shame she lost that inside access as she would have been an important part of the media side of everything.

[@amb2745]

@@TudorSmith A teen magazine in the U.S. called Datebook misquoted John's remark about the Beatles and Jesus Christ. John's original quote was "we're more popular than Jesus Christ". Never said greater or bigger, but Datebook wrote it the way they did, and started the furor in America.

[@lennydellarocca4992]

Geoff Emerick

[@TudorSmith]

Watch out for a part two video 👍

[@traceyjames3438]

Didn't Pattie also interest George and the others into the Indian connection?...(she attended the first event.)

[@TudorSmith]

Yeah another comment mentioned that. I didn’t know that bit of info!

[@howcotube]

That was excellent and the list was just fine. I was surprised to see a reference to a Raymond Jones. Was that photo really him ? I thought he did not ever reveal himself or even the idea that it was a made up name to promote the records.

[@TudorSmith]

Yep. Well, I say yep. The Liverpool Echo ran the story and included those pictures. One google image search for Raymond Jones reveals a lot of images of him. Apparently when the Beatles first released Please Please Me, Brian sent Raymond a thank you note and a signed copy of the album! Some say “No Brian, no Beatles”. I’m now wondering if it should be “No Raymond, no Beatles” 😊

[@howcotube]

@@TudorSmith I was going to add Pete Shotten and someone as I read down the line had done so. I like to add Ivan Vaughan, for if he did not ask Paul to see the Quarrymen on that July 6th, 1957 day there would be no discussions right now about the Beatles.

[@TudorSmith]

Ivan Vaughan may not have been an influencer in their business affairs or a muse in their song writing but can you imagine if he hadn’t invite Paul to watch the Quarrymen! I’ve heard it said “No Brian Epstein, no Beatles” but we can take it further back and suggest “No Ivan Vaughan, no Beatles”

[@jeffreyprice773]

Hi Tudor just heard on the news about a new Beatles song including John's voice to be released,. Ta mate.

[@TudorSmith]

Wow really? Something from the anthology tapes perhaps? No George H to contribute this time - unless he already put his part down?

[@jeffreyprice773]

If you google a new beatles song, it's there.

[@jjag1027]

Yes done with AI do be officially released as the their last collaboration so I'm assuming George's part would be included... speculation is for John's song Now and Then that was abandoned during the anthology sessions!

[@sornord]

Can we imagine if Peter Grant had managed the Beatles?

[@TudorSmith]

Not being into Led Zeppelin, I wasn’t sure who you were talking about. I’ve just read up on him. Wow he was a formidable character that’s for sure. Maybe the Beatles would be even bigger than they turned out to be with Peter Grant at the helm?

[@rebeccajones4stories]

Only Paul and Brian attended George & Pattie's wedding. Cynthia, John, Maureen & Ringo went on vacay to didtract from the wedding.

[@fredsalfa]

You excluded 1 or 2 names yes I agree. Yoko One was a name you missed. She really one of the most important names that should have been on the list as John Lennons wife and inspiration. She was obviously hated by everyone at the time unrightfully so and her exclusion from this list is a reflection on people’s erroneous views of her.

[@TudorSmith]

I purposefully excluded Yoko in my inner circle list because she was indeed very close to and a muse for John, but her interaction with the others was very limited if it existed at all. She does factor in my outer circle list though.

[@fredsalfa]

@@TudorSmithI would have thought being John Lennons only true love and the closet person to the most important Beatle of all would have qualified her as first place in the inner circle as John Lennon would have wanted himself regardless of what anyone else thought of her.

[@johndamer-kj5wq]

Have read that Yoko Ono blocked phone calls from Julian Lennon in his early teens to his father and apparently told her staff not to tell him .

[@tomasfagerberg6323]

What about Pete Shotton? He seems to have been present quite a bit through the Beatles career and a close friend to John throughout his hole life.

[@TudorSmith]

He’ll get a mention in Part 2 👍

[@tommoyer4697]

How do you include Linda but not Yoko. I in not realitively the same period.

[@TudorSmith]

I think my logic was Linda’s interaction with the Beatles themselves and their wives (Patty Mo) whereas Yoko remained reclusive and only interacted with John. It’s open for interpretation of course.

[@davidkornblatt851]

By that measure GLYNN JOHNS ALAN PARSONS AND THE ORIGINAL DIRECTOR OF LET IT BE !

[@oleplanthafer7034]

Bob Dylan and Brian Wilson... not so much physically present, but VERY much spiritually.

[@TudorSmith]

Definitely an inspiration right?

[@joecummings9662]

Ballad of John and yoko.Peter Brown called to say you can get married and Gilbralter or Spain Christ you know it ain’t easy

[@tibbs1980]

Terry Doran. Not musical input but definitely an insider, even referenced in a song.

[@TudorSmith]

I never knew about Terry Doran. Definitely an interesting connection. What song was he referenced in?

[@davidevans3175]

You left out Robert Fitzpatrick, their US attorney. Robert was very instrumental in handling the problems they were having in the US including a particularly nasty one involving Brian Epstein and a young boy he picked up on Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles that almost led to the Beatles demise. Robert also owned the house on Blue Jay Way where George wrote the song on Robert's company letterhead which you can see in the back of George's autobiography "I Me Mine".

[@TudorSmith]

I think I mention him in the Outer Circle video. That’s a good bit of info though 👍

[@liverpix]

Pete Shotton.

[@TudorSmith]

Part 2 soon

[@davidkornblatt851]

Peter Asher

[@alansimpson8962]

In reality nobody is to blame for beatles break up nope not even yoko. They all just got burned out and wanted to just go there own creative separate ways. Thats all it was.

[@TudorSmith]

You're spot on. I totally agree. They had all grown as individuals and it was time to "spread their wings" . It's easy to try and lay blame but the reality was that they were all branching out doing other things. It was only naturally that it was time to call it a day.

[@davidkornblatt851]

Ravi Shankur