Nowhere Man (1996)

 

Nowhere Man 

By Art McCulloch

Daily News

September 22, 1996

    Sound engineer Howie Nicol's proudest possession is an award for his work on the Beatles' Anthology home video, currently selling in stores for a staggering $150. But behind the inscription on the little brass statuette lies the secret story of his dad's brief, but heady days as the fifth Beatle.

     It should have been Jimmie Nicols' ticket to ride. As the Beatles prepared to fly out on a 50-date tour, Ringo Starr collapsed with tonsillitis and was taken to the hospital. The band needed a replacement, a fifth Beatle, and they chose Nicol for 10 glorious days in the summer of 1964. 

    He joined the band for the start of their first world tour. Sitting shyly behind his drum kit, Nicol became the only outsider to play live with the Beatles as part of the band after they became famous. The fans screamed at him and tried to touch him. His face was in every newspaper and on all the TV screens, but not for long. Within a year, he was bankrupt. His marriage had collapsed, and he was on welfare. 

    Today, the forgotten Beatle lives with his second wife in a tiny apartment in London, eking out a living as a carpenter. The three surviving Beatles enjoy lives of luxury, but for Nicol, the glory days are gone. He no longer even owns a drum kit.

     "While I was with the Beatles, John had told me that I was a better drummer than Ringo, but that I'd miss the boat. When Ringo rejoined the band in Australia, and I was on the plane back home, I just felt like a bastard child sent back from a family that didn't want me," he says.  

    "My treatment by the fans was like night and day. The day before I was a Beatle, no girl would look at me. The day after, when I was in my suit and riding around in the back of a limo with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, they were all dying to touch me.

     "When the fans forget, they forget forever. After the Beatles, I played on for a few years, but then dropped out of music. Things didn't go well for me. It's a period of my life that I just want to forget about now. I mean, when you played with the best, the rest are just the rest."

     Despite this praise, Nicol insists, "I'm not and have never been a Beatles fan." The 30 years since his brief experience of fame has left their mark on Nicol. Now, age 57, with his thinning hair, stooped shoulders, missing teeth, and scruffy clothes, there is nothing to remind you of the smiling young man with the tight suit and the mop-top haircut. 

    The irony of Nicols' story is that the man who called him into the Beatles' lineup, their legendary manager Brian Epstein, is also the man who destroyed him. Epstein wanted a drummer who looked the part, but would mime his drumming, to tape recordings of Ringo playing to preserve the Beatles' unique sound. 

    What Epstein did not want was a musician with an established reputation, but what he got was a musician with principles. Nicol, who was working with Georgie Fame when Epstein called him, insisted on playing and refused to mime. Epstein was furious and spread the word to the world of promoters and booking agents that Nicol was trouble.

     Nicol, who was then 25, recalls when that call came through from Epstein. "I went to his office, I just couldn't believe it when he told me he wanted me to play for the Beatles. I was stunned. All the Beatles, with the exception of Ringo, who was already in the hospital, were there to meet me. I shook hands and told them how much I admired them, which I think embarrassed them a bit.

     But throughout it all, they were all very nice to me. Next on the agenda was money. I got very worried when Epstein started talking to me about money. They paid me $500 for the gig and a signing bonus. When John said, [Good God, Brian, you'll make him crazy,' I thought it was all finished. But then he said, 'Give him $20,000.'  Everyone laughed, but that night I couldn't sleep. I was a Beatle!"

    He was measured for his Beatles suit and had his hair cut into the trademark mop top. His five-year-old son Howard ran round to the neighbors, crying, "My dad's a Beatle!"  The next day Nicol was on a plane to Copenhagen for his first concert on the historic tour.  "It was fantastic. The best thing about being a Beatle is that you can have anything you want. Paul was not always the clean-cut person people thought he was, and John drank a hell of a lot. And although everyone thought George was shy, he loved to party all night with the rest of us."

     Nicol inadvertently made a lasting contribution to the group. Hunter Davies, a Beatles biographer, recalls after every concert, John and Paul would go up to Jimmy Nichol and ask him how he was getting on. All that Jimmy would ever say was, "It's getting better." It ended up becoming a joke phrase for the band. It stuck in their minds and later inspired the song "Getting Better" on the Sgt. Pepper album. It was in Melbourne that reality caught up with Nicol. Ringo had rejoined the band at the airport. Jimmie Nicol sat alone, waiting for the flight that would take him home to obscurity. 

    His manager announced to the world that he would be starting up his own band,: "He's a big name now. He's not just a 10-day wonder." Unfortunately, that's exactly what Nicol turned out to be. His band, the Shub Dubs, waited for bookings, but the calls never came. 

    Despite Lennon's plea to pay him more, he had made less than $4,000 from his work with the Beatles. He ended up joining a spoof act called the Spot Nix, and while on tour in Mexico, he met and married a Mexican Indian girl, Josephina. When he left the Beatles, Epstein and the band had given him a joke retirement present, a gold watch. In Mexico, Nichols smashed it in anger and resentment at fate and Epstein, as Nichol struggles to find carpentry work, the ex-Beatle insists, "I have thought about cashing in on it from time to time, but I don't want to upset the Beatles."

     The final irony is that Paul McCartney met Howie Nicol during the recording of the Anthology documentary. He told him how much he wanted to see Jimmie again and suggested Howie ask Jimmie to appear in the program, but the answer was no. What Howie didn't tell McCartney, says one of the people who worked on the documentary, was that Jimmie wants nothing to do with the Beatles. Those 10 days had ruined his life. He wished it had never happened

In the Inner Circle

 

Departing the plane

 

The Beatles plus one

 Love this fan snap of the Beatles and Jimmie -- but know what I love just as much?  The writing on the back of the photo.  The photographer got Paul and John's instruments confused but that isn't surprising because it appears that the fan behind the camera had eyes just for George. 

Australia tour

 

It's Trying Talking to the Beatles in a Crowded Room

 

It's Trying Talking to the Beatles in a Crowded Room 

By Marie Knuckey

Sydney Morning Herald

June 14, 1964

    Meeting the Beatles at their Sydney press conference was almost like being caught in the thick of a football match, but it wasn't the Beatles' fault.

     While surging groups carried one backward to be holed in the spine by a camera, a rush forward meant being jabbed in the face by four or five microphones, and every so often, one came face to face with a pair of photographers, feet perched on a table previously in among the glass of beer.

     The Beatles seemed almost the only amiable and reasonable beings present, and they retained their unruffled amiability to the end. They are attractive, quietly spoken, sensible, and intelligent young men. Too quietly spoken for a press conference like Thursdays, where as soon as you got near a Beatle, the microphones did a war dance between you and your Beatle and a camera looked over your shoulder.

     Not that the radio men ever misjudged their distance, but it took time to acquire faith in their judgment as the sneaky black mics shot from mouth to mouth so swiftly. 

     To start, the Beatles were enthroned on a semicircle of purple seats on a dais, with all frontal access to them cut off by a table bristling with mics. The first 10 minutes were given over exclusively to the photographers. After that, the journalists were supposed to have their turn, and finally, the radio men. But when the 10 minutes ended, the football match began in earnest, and everybody charged their nearest Beatle.  Faces and notebooks pushed through the four semis bodies leaned at excruciating angles over the backs of the purple padded seats, and I discovered everyone in the room was taller, broader or heavier than I.

     Only a very small percentage could speak to the Beatles, and not many more could hear the words of Beatle wisdom being uttered in reply. I had just gotten within speaking distance of Beatle George when someone demanded a replacement, and John and George had changed places. John had no sooner reached us than it would be decided it would be better if the Beatles moved out into the crowd. So we all started from scratch again, surging toward the nearest Beatle.

     I never did get to talk to George. I was within inches of it several times, but each time, someone whirled him around to face a camera or a microphone shot between us, and like the waves of the sea, the crowd surged into the gap. However, I was imprisoned beside Beatle John for some time, and once in grave danger of knocking him over when there was a violent push from behind.

     I also got to talk face-to-face with Beatle Paul.  In the intervals, I caught snatches of conversation disembodied answers that floated through the smoke haze from different corners of the room.

     I gathered that John doesn't like being away from his wife. A fortnight's all right, but he couldn't stand more than a month away at a time. That Jimmie Nicol couldn't live on 36 pounds a week, that John sometimes worried if there would be anything left over after he paid his income tax, that Paul used to read plays, and that Juliet Greco is one of his favorite film stars.  That John had no intention of deserting England for America. He liked America, but he likes England better. America was exciting, probably too exciting to live in. 

    But George, well, all I know about George is what I've read in the newspapers. However, someone luckier than I, who did talk to him, said George is a poetical Beatle. 

    "What is your financial position at the moment?" They asked John. "I asked my accountant just before I left London, and he said to me, 'Doan't Vorry,' replied John. Paul was asked if he would like to be a promoter when the Beatle craze died down. He said "no," but he would do something connected with show business. "Wouldn't you like to be an Epstein?" called someone. "No," said Paul, "I'm no good at sculpting"  Nobody laughed. "I made a joke.," said Paul sadly. When he thought about an answer, he usually put his finger to his mouth. He wears two watches, one showing Greenwich Mean Time and one showing the time of the place he is in. Sometimes, he took time off to make funny faces at the thrusting microphones.

     Occasionally, a broadcaster thrusts his own face toward the mic to reel off his network, usually a string of stations as resounding as a Beatle fan yell and stretching from here to Perth. "Give us a message for your  fans in Perth." "Paul, a message for Australia."  Paul smilingly obliged. Paul said he intended to buy a car. "What kind?" asked a reporter? But didn't wait for the answer. Patiently, Paul tried to tell what kind of car he wanted to buy. Then he gave up, announcing, determinedly, "I've got a joke. What's red and comes out of the ground at 100 miles an hour? An E-type carrot!" This time, he got his laugh, but mostly, it was a grim business.

The Beatles with Jimmie

 June 13, 1964

Colorful Arrival

 

Soggy in Sydney

 July 11, 1964 

Jimmie signed a few things....

 

John, Paul, George and Jimmie in Blokker

 June 6, 1964 

Scandinavian Airlines steps

 

No smoking on the steps of the plane

 

Living the Beatles Legend: A Book Review

 

If you have spent any time here at MTBFR, you will quickly learn that my favorite person in Beatledom (outside of the Fab 4 obviously) has always been Mal Evans.  He caught my eye when I first became a fan some 30 years ago because of his resemblance to my Grandpa who passed away in 1994 (although through this book I learned that my Grandpa was taller than Mal).  Because of his appearance, I tried to learn more about the Beatles road manager and quickly discovered that there was not much out there about him.  

When I started this site, I decided that I was going to dig and find more information about Mal Evans and learned all about the book he was writing at the time of his death and also about his diaries (my Grandpa was also a man that kept a diary, so that really interested me).   On this site, I questioned how a book that was almost finished could disappear and never see the light of day.   At one point I even questioned if it had information in it that Apple didn't want us to know.  

So it is with tears of joy that I write this review, because not only are Mal Evan's diaries and manuscripts safe and sound, but Kenneth Womack used them exclusively to write the book Living the Beatles Legend: The Untold Story of Mal Evans.  

I finished reading the book a few days ago and I have taken some time to digest it.   Like all well-written Beatles books,.I am going to need to re-read it to truly grasp it all.   But WOW -- what a journey Ken takes the reader on through Mal's life.   It is a tragically sad story from start to end, yet it is also filled with so much joy.   Mal was there for everything The Beatles experienced.  Every tour, every album, holidays, India, the rooftop -- you name the event and there is a 99.9% chance Mal was there (the only thing I think he missed was the Maharishi in Wales when they learned of Brian's death).   And this book is his story told through his words.   You don't get the same old Beatles stories in this book.  So much new information is hidden within the covers.   

There were a few things in the book that I was originally disappointed about (namely what was said about The Apple Scruffs) but I really shouldn't have been.  Living the Beatles Legend is not a Beatles history book and should not be read as if it is.  Some of the things in the book contradict stories that are canon in Beatles lore (for example the back story of the song Let It Be).   But the things in the book are Mal's point of view and taken from his own manuscripts and his own memories.   As far as Mal was concerned, Let It Be was written because in India when Paul started singing "Mother Malcolm comes to me...."   I am happy to say that this book truly is Mal Evan's story.   A man who up until recent years has just been a footnote.   He led an incredible life, and you just have to read it to understand. 

The book itself is not difficult to read, however, do be warned that Ken uses words sometimes that I had to look up in the dictionary so that I was sure I knew what they meant.  I read the book while I was on the road -- on airplanes and in hotel rooms mostly and I don't think that was the right way to read it.  I am going to re-read it when I have a chance to really dig deeper.   And I just love Beatles books that give me a chance to do more research and learn more. 

I  have to give Living the Beatles Legend the title of Best Beatle Book of 2023 (well umm...right after Dear Beatle People naturally) because of the new stories and information that has been discovered from the book.   I recommend all Beatle fans should read it and it would be the perfect gift for family and friends to get Beatle lovers for Christmas.   

As I finished it, I couldn't help but think that Mal was smiling down, happy that his story has finally been told.  The words he wrote over 47 years ago are finally being read by people who love the Beatles.  Thanks, Mal, and thanks, Ken. 

https://amzn.to/3SVBKj2

*Please know that this Amazon link is my affiliate link.  I receive a very small percentage of money from the sale of anything purchased through this link.   I use the funds received through the Amazon affiliate link to pay for the annual fees associated to keep this site online.  

This kid wants to be Ringo's stand in

 

All the very best

 

The Beatles and the Blonde

 June 5, 1964 

Interview with Jimmie Nicol (1984)

 

Jimmie Nichol has always been quite a mystery.  Jim Birkenstadt unraveled much of the Jimmie mystery in his book, The Beatle Who Vanished.    Jimmie was only heard from a handful of times since he departed from the Beatles in 1964.   One of those times was when he appeared at a Beatles convention in 1984.   I found an interview Jimmie did with Evert Vermeer (EV) for Beatles Unlimited and was published in April 1985.   I am going to just share the part of the interview that is Beatles-related.

EV:  It has been said that technically you were a better drummer than Ringo Starr. 

JN:  Without being unkind, Ringo Starr isn't really a drummer.   On some of the recordings he played really well, he's got a good feel when they get together.  But the Beatles weren't  the greatest band.  In fact, as a group, they were pretty bad.  

EV:  Well, some of the live appearances may have been appalling, but the atmosphere was there. 

JN:  Well, they didn't really care about live concerts.  And the equipment didn't match the acoustics.  Nowadays you can hire a company to handle just the sound acoustics, but they didn't have that. 

EV:  Are you doing anything at all in music now?

JN:  Oh yes, I'm composing and recording my own music now, but just as a hobby, because I'm mainly concentrating on my company.  I have to be able to create the right environment to make music. 

EV:  Would you say those days with The Beatles helped you on in your career, or do you see them as  a disadvantage?

JN: No, nothing in life has been a disadvantage to me.  And if it has, I've always turned it into an adventure. 

EV:  How did you feel you fitted into the act with the other three Beatles, who had been a close unit for eight years or so?

JN:  As I said at the convention, I'm not prepared to disclose that now.  But that will come out in the book, because I think that's very interesting. 

EV:  But you must have had the feeling you were more or less the odd man out. 

JN:  In retrospect, analyzing what actually happened, I get that impression as well. 

EV:  It must have been a fascinating experience to be inside that circle for a while. 

JN:  It was disappointing.  Not fascinating, because I had been used to it before.  When rock n roll first hit I was touring with screaming kids.  That was another reason why they chose me.  They knew how I would act as a person coming into a pre-made image. 

EV:  But you had to be a bit of an actor playing a Beatle?

JN:  They didn't want to admit, even though it was written in black and white, that there was anybody else playing the drums except Ringo.  They wanted to present The Beatles as The Beatles, as a whole.  Obviously, they were extremely afraid of a failure on the tour, of an outsider coming in. 

EV:  There is a photo of you leaving Australia after Ringo got back, on which you're waiting for your plane.  You look awfully lonely on that. 

JN:  Oh yes, that's a beautiful picture.  Well, if you look at that photograph, that answers your question.

EV:  Did you feel you were being dropped at that point?  And afterward, did you ever hear from Epstein or any of The Beatles?

JN:  No, not at all.  Ringo came back one day and I left the following morning.  I will include my suppositions in the book.  Obviously, because I was part of the internal politics, I saw and heard many things, but I never commented on them.

EV:  Were you contracted for the whole tour?

JN:  No.  It was on a daily basis, actually.   I never knew from one day to another whether I would be going onto these different countries.  Probably, that put a lot of pressure on me, this situation makes you uneasy, and I wasn't as mature as I am now. 

EV:  How were you received by the fans?  Did they accept you as a Beatle, or did they really make you feel like a stand-in?

JN: Basically, the fans had no choice. It was either The Beatles with me or no Beatles at all.  But of course, no one is indispensable.  If I hadn't been the right person in the right place at the right time and with the right background, obviously someone wise would have done the job.

EV:  Was there any audition?

JN:  Just one rehearsal in the studio with George Martin.

EV:  After you went back to England, did you ever meet anyone?

JN:  No.  Never. One time I was playing in a club in London, and George happened to come in one evening with a lady friend, and he sent the waiter with a drink.  But I declined the offer.

EV:  ....??

JN:  My dear sir, I have my self-respect.  I will not be bought by anyone, even if it's to my disadvantage.

EV:  Did you feel George wanted to make up for something?

JN:  Ooooh yes, of course.  We both knew what had happened.  It was one of those situations where no words have to be spoken.

EV:  Do you have any fixed ideas about your book yet?

JN:  No.  There's a lot of work to be done.  We want to be in complete control of everything.  The book does have potential and distribution possibilities worldwide but won't have a bad publisher.  It will not be a Beatles book, although commercially speaking, the Beatles will be the selling point. 

EV:  Aren't you afraid that some fans will be offended by any negative remarks in the book like some of them were by things in Peter Brown's book that harmed their idea of The Beatles?

JN:  I think negativeness can be taken by rational people.  Of course, the dirty bits will be good for the sales, but it would be pretty sensationalism.  But my intention is not to do an expose-the-Beatles type of book.  That's all been done before. 

Happy times for Jimmie

 

Not sure why the applause