Tributes to The Beatles PR guru from Morecambe

The former press officer of The Beatles who lived in Morecambe has died, aged 80.
Tony Barrow.Tony Barrow.
Tony Barrow.

Tony Barrow was the man credited with coming up with the quartet’s famous nickname ‘The Fab Four’.

Sir Paul McCartney paid tribute to his former publicist saying: “Tony Barrow was a lovely guy who helped us in the early years of The Beatles.

“He was super professional but always ready for a laugh.”

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Tony, who was born in Crosby, Liverpool, was part of The Beatles’ inner circle. He acted as the band’s press officer from 1962 to 1968, a sleeve note writer at Decca records who was hired by Beatles impresario Brian Epstein.

He was there when The Beatles met Elvis Presley at Bel Air, in August 1965 and managed the fall-out from the John Lennon quote “We are more popular than Jesus” after it caused uproar in the USA.

He also wrote a book ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo and Me’.

During the 1970s Barrow represented many British acts, including Cilla Black, Helen Shapiro and the Kinks, and handled publicity for many American stars on their European tours.

Tony was also present in 2012 at a celebration held in Morecambe to mark 50 years since The Beatles played at the town’s old Floral Hall venue.

Tony died on May 14 just a few days after his 80th birthday.

He is survived by his wife Corinne and their two sons Mike and Mark.