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Lord Woodbine: The Forgotten Mentor of The Beatles
10 Jul
Summary
- A new BBC drama explores The Beatles' early Hamburg gigs.
- Lord Woodbine, a calypso musician, mentored the young band.
- Woodbine's contributions were largely excluded from Beatles history.
The formative years of The Beatles in Hamburg between 1960 and 1962 are the subject of a new BBC drama, "Hamburg Days." This six-part series focuses on how the band developed their performance skills through extensive gigs near Hamburg's Reeperbahn.
The drama also sheds light on the crucial role of Lord Woodbine, a Trinidadian calypso musician and early co-manager. Woodbine, who had a history in the UK since World War II, mentored the young Beatles, teaching them chords and offering support. His connection to the band was significant, especially in their early days managing the Jacaranda club.
Despite his influence, Woodbine's legacy was largely omitted from official Beatles history. His contributions were only recently acknowledged with a plaque unveiled outside Liverpool's Jacaranda club. This renewed focus aims to correct the historical record regarding his impact on the legendary band.
