*
banner

A whiff of the spirit of the Yellow Submarine lives on

The highly enjoyable Sky Arts programme about The Beatles and their Apple business still had a whiff of the psychedelic 1960s about it when it came to Black Dyke...

Black Dyke
  The record of a truly unique musical partnership

The 'Fab Four' may well have been the world's most influential pop group, but if the highly enjoyable Sky Arts documentary 'The Beatles, Hippies and Hells Angels — Inside the Crazy World of Apple' was anything to go by, they were also amongst the worst businessmen too.

Communist Marks & Spencer

According to one of the talking heads that were interviewed for the programme, they wanted 'Apple', the company they set up to supposedly look after and develop their various business interests, aims and ambitions, '…to be a kind of Communist Marks & Spencer'.

Little wonder then, that with the copious amount of drug taking and alcohol fuelling the day to day activities, Apple soon turned into a psychedelic financial storm drain of outflowing money.

It may also go some way to explaining why The Beatles decided to invest time and money in a poet who screamed at Lions in a zoo, a bloke who couldn't wire an electric plug let alone come up with a 36 track mixing desk, employed people who floated about on a Maharishi cloud of transcendental LSD… and came up to Yorkshire in 1968 to record 'Yellow Submarine' with Black Dyke Mills Band.

Spending a fortune

As was shown, nobody questioned John, Paul, George or Ringo when it came to how they spent their fortunes, as long as they were all having a great time of it back in trendy London.

It was therefore interesting to hear two past members of Black Dyke in John Clay and David Pogson recalling their memories of the recording at Saltaire, when the programme featured the link to the current Queensbury band under MD Prof Nicholas Childs with a neat segment of them playing the pop single.

Little wonder then, that with the copious amount of drug taking and alcohol fuelling the day to day activities, Apple soon turned into a psychedelic financial storm drain of outflowing money4BR

Whiff

Appropriately enough though, it came with a faint whiff of 1968 hippy ganga smoke most probably still in the air, as the current producers managed to mix up David with James Shepherd, whilst John pointed out that Paul McCartney seemed to be able to play the cornet OK — although the picture showed that he did, like his guitar, hold it left handed.

It was though a great insight into a time when anything was possible — even for brass bands.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


St Ronan

All inclusive course on offer at St Ronan's

July 2 • The St. Ronan's Band Camp course takes place next month — and inclusive and free.


Mark Glover

Glover makes mark in Valencia

July 2 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band solo euphonium Mark Glover was a guest artist at the recent International Tuba and Euphonium Conference in Spain.


Radio

Radio: Touch of Brass

July 2 • More great brass music over the airwaves with Martin Upfold and Julie Hedge.


Cory

Last chord for Cory legends

June 30 • The final notes of a decade of unprecedented success have been delivered by Glyn and Helen Williams at Cory Band.


Brass Bands England - Brass Band Week

Saturday 5 July • Nation wide


Besses Boys' Band - Besses Boys' Band Summer Concert

Saturday 5 July • The Derby High School, Radcliffe Rd, Bury BL9 9NH


Putney and Wimbledon Brass Band - Summer Concert

Sunday 6 July • Community Church Putney, Werter Road. SW15 2LL


Longridge Band - Anniversary Concert

Saturday 12 July • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HT


Haverhill Silver Band - Proms Concert - St Ives

Saturday 12 July • Hill Rise Park, St Ives PE27 6SP


Linthwaite Band

July 1 • We are a friendly 4th section contesting band with various engagements throughout the year, and currently have a vacancy for a cornet player (position negotiable) and are keen to fill the position. Please see contact details below.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Principal Cornet. . Would you like to be a part of the process to lead & shape the future of the band? Newport Borough Brass Band are looking for a dynamic Principal Cornet player to lead the team.


Newport Borough Brass Band

July 1 • We are inviting applications for the position of Musical Director.. The band are looking for a positive and dynamic leader who can further develop our players skills & aid us in our aspirations of reaching the 1st section.


Gary Davies


Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator


               

 © 2025 4barsrest.com Ltd