Expert: Steve - 11/3/2007

Question
QUESTION: What members of the Beatles' entourage accompanied them to NYC on February 7th from London. Brian Epstein, Cynthia Lennon, Mal Evans, Neil Aspinall did, I know that.
I'm wondering about Derek Taylor, Tony Bramwell, George Martin (I know he accompanied them for part of the US tour that summer, but need to know specifically about the February visit) and anyone else I may be leaving out. Thanks so much!

ANSWER:  Hi again Melissa - On page 112 of Tony Bramwell's book, Magical Mystery Tours", Bramwell writes, "I didn't go (with the Beatles to NYC on February 7th). Brian had left me behind to help take care of his other people like Gerry and Cilla and to be there if he telephoned with an urgent request."
 I will write to you more if I find out any other times Bramwell discusses that trip.
  
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much!
Any info re: Wendy Hanson, Derek Taylor, or George Martin?
It is hard to imagine they could pull off the trip logistically - wardrobe, luggage, equipment and instruments, etc. with only Neil Aspinall and Malcolm Evans to assist and Brian Epstein does seem to have at least two assistants in NYC. Who handled the press corps that seems to have gone along, e.g. Lillian Lane?

Your work is amazing!
Thanks again,
Melissa Davis

Answer
Hiya Melissa,
 All I read from any article or book is that Neil was the driver until they got a little too popular. Mal Evans then drove the van with the equipment and Neil drove the Beatles to the shows. They also occasionally had a tour bus.
 Another section of Bramwell's "Magical Mystery Tours" discusses "..the London offices were used mainly as a press office and for the promotions staff, like Tony Barrow and Tony Calder. Andrew Loog Oldham also worked there for a while until the Stones, whom he managed, took off." So, looking at the band from a business prospective, Brian had other people taking care of other bands like Billy Kramer, Cilla Black, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Tommy Cooper, Frankie Vaughn, the Fourmost and Tommy Quickly and the Remo Four. He was able to spend a little more time in figuring out exactly how he wanted the Beatles to come across as. Brian kept the office in Liverpool as they then took off for London. I think he had had the help - But looking back in hindsight, Epstein needed the confidant that would had saved him and the Beatles tons of money and probably his own life.
 In terms of the press corps, I'll try and get some information for you this week.
   I hope this gives you a little more light on how they ran operations.
 Steve