The Yellow Rolls-royce

 May 25, 1967

RIP Les Anthony

John Lennon psychedelic painted Rolls Royce has become somewhat of a symbol of the late 1960s and of the Beatles Sgt. Pepper era.   We all know that John was not trusted to drive that fancy car himself, so who drove John around in it?    Les Anthony was John's regular chauffeur.  Many trips were taken to EMI studios in this car.  Les was employed by John until John left for the United States in 1971 and no longer needed a chauffeur (see letter).

Those that knew him called him "Anthony."  Sometimes he would give fans that were waiting at Kenwood to see John and ride back into the city.  He was known for being a kind man to the Beatles, the inner circle, and the fans. 

Les Anthony passed away recently at the age of 86.  Some interesting things appeared in the story about Les for The Sun

Son Melvin, 63, said: “My father had some funny times. He told me that John Lennon used to answer the door naked.

“But my father didn’t care, at the end of the day you are employed by them.

“He said it was because they were hippies and were free living.”

Les, who was 6ft 4in, became a pal of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr but did not get on with Paul McCartney “because he thought he was tight with money”, said Melvin, of Chertsey, Surrey.

I am sure you all join me in sending condolences to his family and friend.  We thank Les Anthony for driving John Lennon around because John couldn't drive very well and it could have been disastrous for him to do all the driving himself. 

Off to see the Wizard

Arriving in John's Car

Apple in 1970

Posting about my trip to London reminded me of some photos I had gotten permission to share before I left on my trip from someone else who also went on a trip to London.   Only this person's trip was in August 1970 and he was able to photograph 3 Savile Row during the time when the Beatles were still in the building and Apple company that worked out of that location.   I think the Apple flag is just awesome.   I bet it would go for a lot of money at an auction these days.  

All of these photos from from "twanger13" and are posted with permission.

John Rolls!  Was John around there somewhere?

Magical Mystery Walrus

It appears that these lads were able to observe the Beatles filming the "I am the Walrus" sequence of Magical Mystery Tour as well as stood by John's car for a photo opportunity.   What is really neat is that the seemed to get the autograph of a lot of the people in the cast of the film, including all four Beatles.  

Your Mother Should know dancer

 It is a well documented fact that Beatles fans liked to pose with the Beatles cars.   So when I saw these photos on the Kenwood sight, I wasn't shocked to see a girl posing next to the cars of George and John.   But I was a bit puzzled by what she was wearing.    But obviously she was a dancer from "Your Mother Should know."   Some of the girls wore that get-up.   I hope this young lady didn't just get a photo next to the cars, but got a photo with one or more Beatle!   In the last photo posted here, do you think this girl is the first one on the left with her head turned away from the camera?

Magical Mystery Tour fans