One can wonder what more can be said about the biggest band in music history? Well, much more, according to Tony Barrow, Press Officer, confidante and friend of the Fab Four at the height of their pop career during the period 1963-70.

Not many people can say they were with the Beatles during the tornado of Beatle mania, and Barrow can confirm the facts about the events surrounding the Beatles at this time. He does not pull any punches on his opinions of the Beatles themselves and those around them. There are bad as well as good times recounted, and for a Beatle aficionado one cant get better, though one can feel disappointed in the many human flaws aired about their idols.

Despite this, Barrow shows his respect and regard for the boys. Life in the inner sanctum of the Beatles lives seemed to have been a mixed blessing, and Tony provides us with all the facts of the inflated egos present in the later stages of the Beatles career.

Barrow’s fluid narrative takes the reader on a journey where one feels up close and personal with the Beatles: Encounters with the King of Rock N Roll, religious zealots and assassination attempts, and many Spinal Tap moments all within the whirlwind of Beatle mania are retold with wit and nostalgia. Highlights include the truth about Mr Brian Epstein’s character, Johns temper tantrums, his views on Yoko’s role in breaking up the Beatles (not what you think!) and the change in the Beatles’ personalities after the whirlwind of touring around the world. Fans can reflect in the sadness portrayed in the final lack of enthusiasm and disillusion on the Beatles part, for such an adventure that most bands would kill for!

Ultimately Barrow follows a new tradition of autobiographical accounts by friends and work colleagues of famous people recounting events with their star friends. His book can be compared to by recent outings such as ‘My life with Mr S’; an account of life with Old Blue Eyes by Frank Sinatra’s valet. Tony Barrow writes a book which refreshes the many adventures of the mop tops, but also the dark undertones of the Fab Four in which the early era of music discovery was to sour, with the emerging dark underbelly of the sixties scene.

Overall, ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me’ is a well written evocation by a man who saw, and reaped the benefits, but also the pitfalls of working with the Beatles. The book is a melancholic piece, reflecting the sad truth of the degeneration of the Beatles’ working relationships and the souring of the Fab Four. This book is a must for any fan of the Beatles, popular music, or the social upheaval of the sixties and one cannot really go wrong reading through the eyes of a man who was there! A great entry to any music lover’s library!

Book courtesy of Catherine Duncan at Carlton Books.
www.carltonbooks.co.uk

Bianca Pizzuti

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