[msb-alumni] Tony Barrow, Originator of the Fad Four Prrase, Dies at 80
- From: Steve <pipeguy920@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 16:49:44 -0400
BlankLONDON Tony Barrow, the British publicist who coined the phrase "Fab Four"
to describe the early Beatles, has died. Barrow, 80, died in a Lancaster
hospital
on Saturday following a lengthy illness, his son Mike Barrow said Tuesday.
Former Beatle Paul McCartney said Barrow "was a lovely guy who helped us in
the early years of the Beatles. He called Barrow "super professional but always
ready for a laugh. Mike Barrow said his father coined the phrase at a time
when the word "fab" was in common usage. He says "he just put the two together
it was a masterstroke. Like the Beatles, Barrow was a Liverpool native and
before working with the group he wrote a music column for the Liverpool Echo
newspaper. He was recruited for a job as the Beatles' press officer by manager
Brian Epstein in 1962, the year they signed a record deal with Parlophone.
Barrow wrote the press release for their debut single, "Love Me Do," and
assembled
a five-page kit titled "Introducing THE BEATLES" that featured a photograph on
a
pink card. In Mark Lewisohn's Beatles biography "Tune In," Barrow remembered
all four band members making distinct first impressions: McCartney was
sociable,
George Harrison inquisitive, Ringo Starr shy and John Lennon abrasive.
"All the traits that came out at that initial meeting were consistent with what
followed," Barrow said. He is survived by his widow Corinne and sons Mike
and Mark.
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