Look at the first contract with Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, and you will see only one other name—Alistair Taylor's. By the band’s side from the very beginning, he beheld the inception and growth of the most extraordinary musical phenomenon of the last century. But he was also there when things started to go wrong—when George Harrison quit the band at the height of their success and when it all started to spiral out of control. And he reveals for the first time exactly what caused their break-up. As Brian Epstein’s right-hand man, Alistair Taylor was with the charismatic manager when he first saw The Beatles perform at The Cavern. Taylor later became the band’s ever-present Mr. Fix-it. He bought islands, handled paternity cases, and became a close and trusted friend. It was he who found Epstein’s body after his suicide and, in the reorganization that followed, Taylor went on to become General Manager of Apple, The Beatles’ record company.
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Look at the first contract with Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, and you will see only one other name—Alistair Taylor’s. By the band’s side from the very beginning, he beheld the inception and growth of the most extraordinary musical phenomenon of the last century. He was witness to the fun, the high life, the adulation, and the music. But he was also there when things started to go wrong: when George Harrison quit the band at the height of their success and when it all started to spiral out of control. And he reveals for the first time exactly what caused their break–up. Filled with many never–before–seen photos, this a must for fans. As Brian Epstein’s right–hand man, Alistair Taylor was with the charismatic manager when he first saw The Beatles perform at The Cavern. Taylor later became the band’s ever–present Mr. fix–it. He bought islands, handled paternity cases, and became a close and trusted friend. It was he who found Epstein’s body after his suicide and, in the reorganization that followed, Taylor went on to become General Manager of Apple, The Beatles’ record company.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
NOTHING REALLY SECRET HERE,
By Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: A Secret History (Hardcover)
I don't know, for some reason I was already doubting the validity of this book when I read the little bio of the author on the dust jacket describing Taylor as "the ultimate Beatles insider". It also said that "only one person knows exactly what was behind the Fab Four." Please! Actually, only the four Beatles knew that and then only what was in their own individual minds. We are not a race of telepaths! I should right off tell you that Alistair worked for the Beatles or more correctly, their manager, for a period of years and then was fired and after not amounting to much in life after that is finally exposing all their secrets for the world to know! This book is packaged like a National Enquirer but the inside is quite tame. Taylor hired on to Brian Epsteins record store and discovered alongside Epstein those then scruffy, cursing, leather-clad teddy boys who would later become our suit wearing Fab Four playing in the Cavern Club. Alistair soon came to be called "Mr. Fix-it" by the Beatles and handled all the grub work of the group and Epstein. This book tells about his years with the Beatles, and offers nothing shocking but still is entertaining for some of the personal anecdotes. For example, one time when George Harrison wanted to look at a house, he disguises himself as a chauffeur while Taylor and Patti Harrison charade themselves as a married couple looking at mansions. It does offer glimpses at the personalities of all the Beatles but only in snatches. The Beatle that Taylor seemed to be closest to and gets the most attention in the book is Paul McCartney. Taylor makes a big deal of how Paul had to cry on his shoulder, literally after his break up with Jane Asher in the 60s. It is basically put on that Taylor was the only person Paul could turn to and there's a little too much self-satisfaction in his reaction to it. Look at me, I was there for a Beatle! Ringo is hardly even mentioned and is even insulted in my opinion. He seems to be characterized as dumb and just lucky to have landed in the band. John is seen as a genius while Paul is just a good songwriter. George, like Ringo, doesn't really appear in the book even though Alistair does mention that he could have been a good songwriter in his own right if he had stuck up for himself. I guess this erases the fact that towards the end he was writing better songs than Lennon or McCartney (Something/ Here Comes the Sun). I took a lot of this book with a grain of salt. It feels too much the work of a disgruntled ex-employee sometimes. Or the work of wounded friend who believes in the aftermath of rejection that he had a special connection with the Beatles when it seems as if he was just an acquaintance. With the packaging of the book, it seems like an exploitation. Sometimes, it almost feels like Taylor is going to say "If it hadn't been for me, the Beatles would never have existed." It is not a secret history. I learned nothing new. Just heard some new stories about the boys personalities, but no new facts. But I did like it though. I welcome any new perspective, however biased, about the greatest group that has ever been....well, ever been to this point.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Honest Memoir,
By A Customer
This review is from: A Secret History (Hardcover)
I believe Alistair writes it as he remembers it. When facts here differ from other versions, I think he honestly believes what he tells in this book. Aside from Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans, he was probably the next closest insider to them from early to the end. He questions Peter Brown's version which is interesting to note. Much here is anecdotal and told in a conversational manner. It is true that there are not too many secrets revealed, but like other "insider" accounts,it does shed light on it all. Most interesting is how the Fabs refused his calls when Allen Klein gave him the ax. Oh, and Taylor co-authored "Hello Goodbye" but is too humble to ask for his name as co-writer.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read!,
By Pattie "Lennon Scruff" (I Am Here) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: A Secret History (Hardcover)
I just finished reading this book and I must say I'm very impressed. Alistair has written a no-holds barred book about his history with the Beatles that is frank, controversial at times and just plain entertaining. While I'd say some of the things he claims are probably based on personal opinion versus fact, I think he's done so out of loyalty not only to the Beatles themselves, but to his employer and mentor, Brian Epstein. There are some amazing stories in there as only Brian's "Mr. Fixit" can tell, like the time John told him "buy me an island", to nightly late-night visits from a crying Paul McCartney after his break-up with Jane Asher. The story of "The Long & Winding Road" brought tears to my eyes, and I couldn't help but laugh out-loud at some of the things John said and did to him. Alistair was a very simple man, with simple needs and he only tells the stories he was there for. After he was "sacked" as the chairman of Apple, the book ends. I think he figured if it didn't happen to him, he had no right to talk about it. Read it!
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