The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away - The Allan Williams Interviews
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- 20 years ago my brother and I managed to persuade Allan Williams, The Beatles first manager, to come into our studio and record his memoirs. The result was a 54 minute exclusive interview in which Allan set the record straight, telling us how he set John, Paul, George, Stuart and Pete on the road to stardom but ended up losing them after a huge bust up. You can hear this fascinating world exclusive right here - for FREE - in commemoration of John Lennon's 80th Birthday. Enjoy!
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We also recorded one of these spoken word CD's with their publicist, Mr Tony Barrow. (John, Paul, George, Ringo and Me). If there's enough interest I'll put it up.
That would be fantastic! These are amazing. 🙏
...has two in 8 months been enough encouragement? i've just heard this detailed painting of those days and would love to hear more (unknown? more detailed?) stories of the years that i spent panting, running after the gang just 5 years older.
I don't see it on the channel. Do you still plan to upload it?
Like to add my voice, very intrested :)
I can't think that interest will go anywhere but up considering the upcoming biopics.
Bless his heart he helped launch the biggest show on earth. The Beatles would not have made it without the trip to Hamburg Germany.
Alan Williams book “The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away” is one of my favorite Fab 4 reads. I got to meet him a while back and he signed my copy. He also told the whole McCartney leather pants story that he eluded to on this CD. Great stuff!
I have seen many documentaries about the Beatles.This one is the most honest and best I’ve ever heard.I already knew most of what Allan said but he filled in all the missing information,Which was actually brilliant.There it is made in Germany. Exported to Liverpool then Britain then conquered the world
We have the unedited version. Hours more. Perhaps one day we’ll issue it. ✌️
I could listen to Mr Williams talk all day long
Thanks a lot to all who was involved in creating of this recording. The history of contemporary music would be incomplete without it. I had a real pleasure while listening to this valuable piece of memorabilia.
Wow. Incredible stories. I have read so much about the Beatles and their early years and knew Allan Williams name and that he was their original manager. But all the details he provided was absolutely fascinating. Mr. Williams, thank you for doing what you did to jump start The Beatles. Without you, I doubt I would have happened the way it did. Beatles fans everywhere owe you a great deal of gratitude. And thanks for posting this. Really, really enjoyed it.
This is such a treat, more people should Hear this. History told in such an entertaining manner.
Feel free to share.
Marci Siegel ran the counter of her family's memorabilia shop "Book City Collectibles" that was located on Hollywood Blvd (in Hollywood, CA). Rewind back to 1978, I was a regular at her shop and I purchased movie memorabilia from her that she would seek out on my behalf...just incredible stuff too (much of which I retain to this day). I had an admiration for Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and, in particular, the British actor Ronald Colman. In addition to this, as a musician, I was a huge Beatles fan...Lennon had visited her shop in the wake of the release of his "Mind Games" album...I vividly recall the photo of him wearing his beret signed in purple ink that she showed to me....Anyway, on this day, I came to pick up a signed Colman photo. Before the counter, a little disheveled bloke w/ a high-pitched British accent was talking to Marci and she appeared both skeptical and annoyed with him... the voice sounded very familiar...Marci turned to me and said, " This man claims he was the Beatles first manager and he wants me to sell copies of his book here in my shop...". When he turned to face me, I knew straight away that he was, indeed, the Beatles first manager. I said to him, "I'm very pleased to meet you." ..."...this is indeed, Allan Williams Marci....he was the Beatles first manager....I hope you can work something out with him.... I'll buy a copy of his book right now," I said. He had a box before him containing several copies of his book...some editions were signed and some were unsigned. "Give us a minute" she replied. After some haggling, they made some arrangement...I bought a copy of the unsigned edition. Allan grabbed the book from my hand, reached into his inner coat pocket for a pen so that he could inscribe the book to me; and, to my intense amusement, he pulled out a disposable BIC razor saying, "...living' out of a rental car, shavin' on the run between stops...I've got a pen here somewhere...". He looked again and produced a pen signing the book, "To Kendall, All You Need Is Love, Allan Williams"....he asked me to follow him out to his little rental car. He pulled out an 8 X 10 portrait of himself and signed that as well (using the same inscription, word for word, that he used in the book). "Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it," he remarked before driving off hurriedly to his next destination (...another memorabilia shop, I'm sure...). I still have the jacketed hardcover book (UK Edition too) and the inscribed photo ...I laugh whenever I think about this encounter. Not an historic "brush-with-greatness" moment, surely, but one that I'll always remember fondly as a fascinating and humorous encounter with the man "who gave the Beatles away."...
It was a brush with a brush with greatness.
@@WhiteCamry I’m fortunate it wasn’t a brush with a toothbrush with greatness! Instead, it was a brush with a BIC razor 🪒 with near-greatness!
Thanks this was great. Allan's always come across as quite philosophical about how things turned out and he seemed like a really good man. I would have loved to have met him.
Thanks so much for uploading this. I went with Allan to Leningrad/St. Petersburg in a band in 1991/1992 for the John Lennon Birthday Celebrations. He was such a beautiful man, a special man without whom The Beatles wouldn't have got their live experience in Hamburg. Also, so funny. He was with a lovely lady back then in the hotel, we didn't understand how he'd got her. Later on, it turned out she was a KGB Agent sent to keep check on him. Such a character. Sorely missed.
...I used to chat with Allan every year at The Adelphi and bring him a bottle of Vodka , which he'd share with Bob Wooler - until Allan's daughter told me not to any more ! I also used to take him a stack of photos of the early Beatles , for him to sign for fans ....but got nothing in return , although he was always happy to sign his books for me . I loaned the signed paperback edition of The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away to a friend of mine...and never saw it again . Thanks Mr. Fennah for uploading this .
I’ll never get enough of their story. I never knew any of this either. Thank you for making this available.
Excellent documentary. I am a long time Beatles fan and never heard of Allan Williams. Very interesting.👍
Thank you for this great interview with Allan Williams. The Beatles definitely went through very formative years with him.
Was at a Beatle convention in Liverpool at place called Pickwicks in 1978 as far i can remember Alan Williams was there.
I bought his book in the 70s. I still have my copy. Thanks for the upload, always great to hear Alan speak.
I read Allan Williams book when I was 14years old in 1979, no one wanted to know about the Beatles then; his book brought the four dark shadows on a walking street to life. Well done for documenting the early days of the Beatles. Jacaranda and Hamburg forever
Allan was instrumental in getting the band going, even though he didn’t realise it at the time. Before the CD came out he told me he was worried about how The Beatles might speak about him in the Anthology, if at all. Many in Liverpool said Allan had exaggerated his standing as ‘Beatles Manager’ and was merely an agent for many Liverpool bands. He was elated when McCartney said in the Anthology that he was indeed the bands ‘manager’ and was very good for them at the time. Allan was thrilled. We used the quote on the CD cover.
@@fennahrob6934 I remember this, Rob. He was truly elated Paul had said he was a 'motivator' And knowing him personally, I am convinced he was one of the first true influencers. In a land before the Internet.
Don't understand why you'd say " in 1979, no one wanted to know about the Beatles then". Hunter Davies wrote the only authorized biography of the Beatles 1970...a great book.
Soaked this up, important historically. Surprised I a big Beatles fan knew so little of the background this period other than the talking point that the Beatles drew popularity in Hamburg and Liverpool. Thanks for posting and big gratitude to the late Alan Williams!
Not only every true Beatles fan must listen to theses interviews but everyone interested in art history. This is part of Human History!
Love this thanks for uploading
What a fantastic recording. Well done for making this happen.
Thanks for posting! A very good insight into the early days in a level of detail that I've never heard before.
What a brilliant brilliant brilliant post. Loved every second of this - fascinating.
This is fantastic! Thanks for posting this. Allan was a wonderful guy.
A big thanks for sharing Rob! Very interesting indeed to hear how it all started.... I enjoyed it very much 😉
This was fantastic! Thank you for sharing.
You are most welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. ✌️😎
Thanks for sharing this Fennah. I remember seeing him interviewed as part of the documentary The Complete Beatles when I was a teenager. Good to hear his story. Interesting character.
Absolutely fantastic story and the honesty in which it was told. Thank you ! 👏👏👏
This is great thanks for sharing!
Shared the video round, Rob. Didn't expect this, but I'm pleasantly surprised.
Keep it up
Young fans need to hear this -- they aren't going to read his book because they don't read.
Really enjoyed this.
Wonderful insight such clarity and up close and personal attention to detail. True to life. Thank you.
I was only able to see the last fifteen or so minutes but it was very interesting. Thanks for the video!
It's not a video, so you didn't listen at all to it. It's about the beginnings of "The Beatles," and their first stint in Hamburg, which is what made "The Beatles".
Fantastic stuff. That's quite a Lennon story about him being in hysterics about the guy getting his teeth knocked out and having to play bandaged.
When Eddie Cochran's death was mentioned I thought of a connection to Marc Bolan, being influenced by Cochran, and passing in a similar fashion. Cochran's absence opening the door for Liverpool groups/The Silver Beatles in the boxing hall gig...wow.
If I were a Beatle, as an older person, I’d be proud of this history, especially the early days of being poor but sticking to what’s true to your beliefs. That’s what made it happen.
Magic. Priceless. The World Changers and YOU Are There...
I met him several times starting just after I read his book always a regular at Beatles events.
Well no wonder The Beatles became The Beatles! Because of a dedicated
entrepreneur like Alan Williams! He was a visionary who wanted to start a
movement in Rock n Roll and make a good business out of it. Hamburg
forced the Beatles to hone their gifts and talents, under great pressure.
This story should be required "telling" for every Beatles documentary.
God bless Alan Williams! The Lord moves in mysterious ways.
This guy has got the most insight into the early days of the Beatles that I've ever heard.
This is amazing!
Nothing short of amazing. Such stories told by a master storyteller.
WOW,THANK YOU ALLAN! WHAT A GREAT STORY! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍🏼😎
When I heard The Beatles first manager gave The Beatles away, I though must be a complete idiot.
In the 70's I did watch an interview with Allen I was taken aback by this gentle man with a great sense of humour.
Loved it! Thank you Allan Williams! You should have been given more respect.✌️❤️
Thank you!
Very enjoyable, great storytelling
...it's great, even at my ripe years of 69,to hear those bits that have eluded me. We moved from Toxteth to Litherland and my formative years around the park gates were over at 13 in 63. A few years ago i had the pleasure of meeting Pete before a gig here in Bielefeld and bumping into Pauline as she was attending a showing of Stuart's works at the V&A in liverpool. The latter was even more embarrassing for me than the former. At the same time, Yoko had an opening here at the art gallery but that's another story. This and other lifelines are great for me as an emigrant, more of same hey?
19:45-24:11 This is absolutely magic like many other things about the Beatles story.
This is GOLD!!!!!!!
It's so ironic that Alan is laughing at Tommy Moore for leaving the Beatles when Alan walked away also.
Yep, that’s irony for you. ✌️
What a statement to make “I suppose show business began with me, at the tender age of ten”. Alan, I’m sure show business was around well before then 😂
He means he began in show business then.
Ive got a first edition of his book of the same name, it is the most atmospheric book Ive ever read tbh, I know the Beatles were a bit dismissive of it at the time, but George did say it was the most accurate account of the early 60s in Liverpool and Hamburg ( I think he was the only one of them who actually bothered to read it 🤣)…it still remains my favourite Beatles book tbh, purely based on the atmosphere of those early 60’s days around the Beat scene back then that it evokes…and he was actually there, in the thick of it all.
Ps, I forgot to add, I think Allen was a bit hard on himself to think he lost out and gave them away, it was only because Brian had the time, patience and determination to tramps around London week after week, trying to get interest from the record companies, Allen didn’t have the same conviction or time to keep doing that , if Allen had kept hold of them they would probably have just remained a local band or gone their separate ways to seek fame and fortune singularly, so he didn’t lose anything really, he just didn’t roll the dice enough.
Stoked
If kids studied nothing in school but the Beatles, they'd learn about perseverance, how music is made, how to survive hard times, and how to develop their own talents and abilities. Life is not easy, but provides riches commensurate with our efforts and inspiration, with some luck, too.
Heck of a guy, RIP sir!
I would sometimes see Allan Williams getting on the bus to Liverpool City Centre on my way to work. I think he ended up in an old people's home or sheltered housing. A world away from how the Beatles ended up.
Hi
Do you know anyone who may have photos from 1968 with Alan Williams in NYC during the management event for Apple announcement? I was in and out of NYC and the Beatles lives at many times. Any behind the scene or odd pictures from 1963-1970? I didn't collect pictures. I didn't go to their jam moments. These photos would be odd to find as the pharmacy picture on Paul McCartney and No Other Baby video. The guys were just friends during my spring breaks from school. I was around when Linda was with her daughter. John was a real sweetheart, George superb friend, Ringo greatest and Paul. I believe I last was in touch right before the breakup and Yoko came into the picture.
Nice
John didn't want to pay this guy 10% but he fought Paul tooth and nail and had no problem giving Allen Klein 20% of a band that had no need of him????
Actually none of them wanted to pay Alan a commission he wasn’t entitled to except Stu. Had Alan produced the contract when he started legal proceedings against them, they would have paid him. Brian never took commission on work he didn’t get them .
Great, I didn't think I was going to like it based on the way he talked at first but the story telling was typos notch. The Beatles music is wonderful but sometimes the stories behind the music is even better. Now, if we could get a book out of Jane Asher about the 60's and Paul I would be a happy person.
It's amazing that the Beatles were destined to start out at the Indra, foreshading their Indian influences.
This would make a great movie, if those still alive, would allow it..
Very interesting but a little sad. I’ve never heard of this before!
Allan revelled in his association with The Beatles and he was thrilled when McCartney acknowledged him in the Anthology. (He was the only person outside the inner circle who got a mention). 👍🏻
@@fennahrob6934 cool is that a book McCARTNEY wrote? I have read a lot of Beatle books, that’s why this story surprised me! Great video!
The Beatles Anthology is a DVD box set which was also aired on TV in 1995. Check it out.✌️
❤
Nice white Ibanez back there
I was always told that john lennon had wrote hard days night in three hours so someone is lying
You think they would have picked up Allan in the car , when it was raining ,if there was room in the car .
I sure would love to see that I.O.U for 15 quid from Mc Cartney!
the thing about 10% ,the Beatles didnt pay,( today we call the "cut",if you want to give ,you are not obligated)The Beatles pay their own trip to Germany, the money that Alan didnt received for the time to take the Beatles to Germany ,neither the 10% from the Beatles and from the manager of the Kaiser keller , ""it happen all the time ,and still happening, ,sax player Howie Casey already in Germany in the 50, telling Alan the Manager of the Beatles , "dont bring the Beatles" they are a bum ...years later Casey join the Wings for recording, the story of Brian Epstain calling Alan for closing any deals with the Beatles ,when Alan recomend to Brian ,dont make a big signing ..thats why Paul said in one story that Brian never signed the contract ,the agreement only have the signature of the Fabfour..Brian maybe didnt sign in case of legal obligations..
👀👀
Allan Williams didn't give The Beatles away, he just lacked the foresight to dream that they might have something to offer the world. He didn't believe in them the way Brian did. Williams didn't go around to the record companies the way Brian did. Williams thought small, play the clubs, leave them in leather, never dreamed the big dream for them. He was more into to make a few quid for himself not for advancement of any group he managed. When you complain about losing something you gave away, you really never had their best interest to begin with.
I’m sure people out there will be keen to debate this point of view with you John. ✌️
@@fennahrob6934 I'm ready
Epstein too was into making a few quid for himself. The main difference between those two Beatles managers is that one was a club owner and the other was a record salesman. As you have pointed out. But you can't argue that Williams wasn't working for their best interest. Remember Williams have lend them the broomsticks for their mike stands. What did Epstein do? The Beatles went with two mikes on stage under Epstein's management. It was not until the roof top concert that the band could afford to have three microphones on stage for the singers.
@@KasiusKlej Forget about the microphones, epstein already had money - but he did buy them some guitars from Hessy's [ and i think he paid off the loan on George's first Gretsch].
I think the only real reason Epstein was successful in promoting them was because he had contacts with showbiz people down in London. And also he was fascinated by Lennon:
czcams.com/video/Fu2vpB9vcYU/video.html
@@jeromehattkronen2305 Epstein had no show biz connections in London, he was a dropout at RADA, his father looked down at show biz people and being a good Jewish son, he obeyed his elder. Fascinated by Lennon, that's quite possible but he also was afraid of Lennon so it would have been from a distance that anything more than business would have transpired
Allan wasn't as important as Mona Best but he was a valid character in their history. Obviously you won't hear as much about her because of the way the Beatles treated her and Pete so they hide behind innuendo and sporadic quotes, but at least we still have Pete for the truth. It was Mona that got their equipment back from Hamburg after the Beatles were deported for George being underage. Why didn't Allan? He was the one getting 10% from Bruno in Hamburg ! Because Allan was sort of spineless and ultimately got screwed by Paul and the rest, too. It's why he warned Brian to not have anything to do with the scouser scammers. Mona's house contained the Casbah club that nurtured the young Beatles - aka Quarrymen, bought them equipment, paid them well, gave her son Pete to them so they could go to Hamburg with a drummer. Quarrymen treated her like crap walking out on her because she wouldn't give them Ken Brown's wage one night because he was sick and didn't play. She also got them booked into the Cavern after being rejected countless times because they were not yet allowing "rock" into the Cavern. Neil Aspinall - longtime Beatles confidant and later head of Apple had a baby with Mona and three weeks later Pete was fired. Hmmmm. 🎸
Sò were talking 1957 ish and Allan claims to have paid them £10 to decorate the ladies toilets, that's equal to around £500 in today's money, it'd have been cheaper to get professionals in
The Beatle story is filled with luck. They met the right people at the right time when their skills and connections were needed. Especially Allen, Brian & George Martin.
You omitted Norman "Hurricane" Smith. If it wasn't for sound engineer Norman wandering into the office while George and Brian were listening to the tape, there would be no contract.
George said he was about to reject The Beatles like overy other studio had. This was Brian's last hope. The Parlophone label specialised in light orchestral music.
Norman said "They've got something" and that was enough for George to change his mind. And the rest is history. If it was a film script you'd think it could never happen.
So when Allan and The Beatles had a falling out would've been around March 1961 or just before they left for Hamburg the second time. They played in Hamburg until early July and then returned to Liverpool to a very busy schedule of gigs, as a matter of fact they performed almost daily throughout the rest of 1961 and 1962. Considering that Brian Epstein didn't officially become their manager until January 1962, who, if anyone was booking all their gigs in the interim?
I think Mona Best Pete's Mom was helping them get gigs.
Pete Best did some of the bookings too, I think.
I"m not so sure Alan really gave them away.....I think the person WHO really gave them away was the guy at Decca......
The ironic thing was Decca pressed so many Beatles records at their factories, because EMI could not cope with demand at their factory in Hayes middx.
@@daveratcliffe1016 That's interesting as I did not know that....
fantastic story..wow the IOU from Paul must have been worth a good bit thats for sure..cheap scate Paul there's the proof.
I love how he shadow looks like a fist
More like a foot with a huge boil 😂
More like four people with three guitar necks sticking out.
Allan and Pete were thrown on the hill of forgetfulness by the Beatles and Eppy. Pete apparently made a rebound and got his due; but Allan was another story. Allan had to blow his own trumpet. If it were me, I’d be blowing my TUBA! Nevertheless, he was truly part of the Beatles history. No one can deny it.
Allan was very happy when McCartney confirmed in the Anthology that as their ‘manager’ he was very good for them at the time. Many folk had dismissed Allan as merely a booking agent, as opposed to the group’s manger.
@Anne Woodward ah, nevertheless, they were a part of musical history. Both of us couldn’t say the same.
John Lennon, ever the cynic, later quipped that Allan Williams was “the man who couldn’t give the Beatles away”.
I thought The Jacaranda was Pete Bests mums club?
No, that’s the Casbah. Both are still going strong!
He forgot to mention the part when Epstein asked him to release the Beatles from his contract and he said sure you can have them but if I was you I wouldn’t touch them with a f$&@king barge pole!! 😂
It's in there!
@@fennahrob6934 I don't think it is. I didn't hear him say that.
A great film. As a Beatles guide in Liverpool I knew most of the background but there were some great new insights. However, like the above posters I also missed a reference to his dismissive "bargepole" remark to Brian Epstein, which gave rise to his "man who gave away the Beatles" title. Did I really miss it?
9:34 Gene Vincent was hardly "uninjured"! quite the opposite! the accident exacerbated an already fucked up leg from his previous motorcycle accident. His collarbone was broken in this new accident. He self medicated with alcohol for pain and went downhill to death. 13:35 how much was 8 pounds and 12 pounds in American money in this era? 21:32 maybe that tape was just running at the wrong speed?
ADDICTED TO CHRIST by APOLOGETIX a great Beatles parody
READ NEXT.... ALLAN WILLIAMS DROVE THEM TO HAMBURG IN HIS LITTLE VAN AMAZON BOOKS THE FOOL WHO LOST THE BEATLES
"The Man Who Gave The Beatles Away" is Allan Williams' book.
I knew John, Paul and George had royally screwed over Pete, I had no idea they screwed this guy over, too. Those three dirty lads really just stepped on whomever they needed to to get to the toppermost of the poppermost. The more I learn about them in these early days, the more gross they become.
First, they didn't screw over Pete, if you listen to his playing from the Decca audition he really wasn't that good. Second they didn't screw over Allan Williams, they were just barely out of their teens, had big dreams Williams didn't have the means to take them any further, he never had a binding contract with them. So it was logical to move on. Just remember we were all teens once and we all have done things that others thought were cruel or screwing someone over. So unless you're a saint, think about who you screwed over to advance your agenda.
Yes, so many musicians of those days screwed their managers.
What kind of alternate reality is that?
Thank God they did step over them!
@@lamper2 The Beatles would've been even better with Pete Best!
@@Dylan-kx6fc And why do you think George didn't like Pete?
Tom Pepper was his Dad, exclusive every time because he couldn't ever remember his last fairytale, humble and never a "name dropper" or back stabber. Social intercourse my Ass or Lord Woodbine's mates perhaps, and calling the Beatles bums ???