Sam Leach - KEEP
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Hello Sam I just read the sad news ~ My condolences to you, Alf Bicknell wife, family and friends! Lovely tribute to an old friend he must've been a wonderful cheerful guy! Thanks for sharing!
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Article I found Alf Bicknell, who died on Tuesday aged 75, was the Beatles' chauffeur from 1964 to 1966, when the group was at the height of its success. Dressed in a blue suit, crisp white shirt and tie, he first drove the group in an Austin Princess (registration SST 626) - at that time, he later said, it was one of only two cars in London to have blacked-out windows (the other belonged to Peter Sellers). Later Bicknell drove the band in John Lennon's Royce-Royce Phantom V, which was kitted out with a television set. On occasions when any of the Beatles wished to be more discreet, the chauffeur would use a less conspicuous vehicle. When he started the job, Bicknell wore a peaked cap; but after only a few days Lennon snatched off the cap and threw it out of the window with the words, "You don't need that, Alf." Bicknell grew his hair below the collar and began sporting dark glasses. "They didn't treat me as an employee," he recalled, "but as one of their mates." Bicknell was in attendance when the Beatles met Bob Dylan, and when they encountered Elvis Presley in 1965 the chauffeur was pleasantly impressed when Elvis addressed him as "sir". The first time he drove the band Bicknell had to collect them from a photo shoot at Emperor's Gate "All of a sudden, Whoof! They all dive into the car and we're off," he recalled. "Every time I stopped at a traffic light I felt conscious of all the eyes peering in. Between sets of traffic lights, I'm getting faster and faster, and I pull up a bit quick outside this block of flats at one point and Bang! George, who's sitting on the occasional seat, hits his head on the partition. Let's just say he was upset. A few choice words were said. I thought, well, that's it - the shortest job that's ever happened to Alf." But there were no repercussions. Despite the fact that the group's car was constantly mobbed by fans, there was only one mishap - at the Finsbury Park Empire, when Bicknell inadvertently ran over a policeman's foot. His association with the group came to an end in 1966, when the Beatles decided that they no longer wanted to tour. Thereafter, when in London, they drove themselves - Ringo, according to Bicknell, was "a superb driver", but "I had to close my eyes with John". Alf Bicknell was born on October 28 1928 at Haslemere, Surrey, and was educated locally. His father died young, and Alf left school at 14. After working as an apprentice butcher and as a circus clown, he did three years' National Service in the Army. In the late 1950s he began working as a driver with a car hire company; his clients included diplomats in London and showbusiness personalities. After leaving the Beatles, Bicknell continued to work as a driver. For a time he drove the New Christy Minstrels in America. He drove Lord McAlpine for three years, and then worked for a number of businessmen. But in 1980, an accident in his garden with a chainsaw left his right arm almost powerless, and he retired to North Wales. Then someone suggested that Bicknell might capitalise on his association with the world's most famous band. He worked up a routine with his stories, had a business card printed ("Alf Bicknell, the Beatles' Chauffeur and Road Manager 1964-65-66"), and packed a briefcase full of photographs. George Harrison provided a testimonial, part of which read "Alf Bicknell lived moment to moment with the Beatles through those years ... Anyone who was beaten up by Imelda Marcos's bully squad is a friend of mine." (This was a reference to the rough handling the band received while on tour in the Philippines.) Armed with these props - and decked out in evening dress with a red bow tie - Bicknell lectured to audiences at holiday camps and conventions. In Los Angeles, he addressed 4,000 people; the Beatles Club of Rhode Island asked him to address its summer barbecue via a live phone link. Despite lucrative offers from the tabloid press, however, Bicknell always declined to sell lurid stories about his days with the Beatles. To provide security for his family, in 1989 he tried to sell five tapes of the Beatles, recorded in 1963 and 1964 on a portable recorder which they had carried with them. The tapes - given to Bicknell by John Lennon - had the Beatles reading from the Bible and singing their favourite hymns, The Lord Is My Shepherd and There is a Green Hill Far Away; Paul McCartney singing Over the Rainbow and reciting nursery rhymes with a child; and George Harrison composing his first song, Don't Bother Me. The band is also heard assuming comic voices to ask residents of Weston-super-Mare the way to the local golf course. Bicknell put the five tapes into a Sotheby's auction of rock 'n' roll memorabilia. They were expected to raise £60,000, but in the event only two of them sold - a bidder in West Germany paying almost £12,000. In 1989 Bicknell (with Garry Marsh) produced a book and a video, Baby You Can Drive My Car, chronicling his experiences with the Beatles. Alf Bicknell is survived by his wife Jean and their son. Previous story Major Stephen Mitchell Next story Abu Abbas
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I read about Alf, too. I only knew him from his video and, I think, book. I know I have the video and I love it. My sincere condolescences to you and to Alf's family. I'm sure his passing has brought back memories for Paul and Ringo. When I voted earlier this morning, Sam had a commanding lead.
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Hi Mike; Thanks for that article. Excellent. And thanks to Starr, Maccascruff and dB for your kind remarks. I'm off to bed now so I'll chat again tomorrow PM. Cheers. Sam.
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I'm too bad for talking about death. I think that if we are dead, we're not "we", so nevermind. The problem is the people that loved that person. Well, in life we all have a mission to do. We accomplish and some time after we die. Well, I just don't know how to explain myself in that situations. I only don't want to be sad. "Baby you can drive me car, yes I'm gonna be a star (sure! :-))... and maybe I love you" Not "maybe"
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Hello Sam!! Just giving this a bump!! have a great weekend!!
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Sam, thank you for posting those nice, kind words. Mike, thank you very much for the excellent article! Though, it is sad. Hey Sara, I'm bumpin' this too! Have a great weekend all!
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Dear Sam, I've been gone from the thread for a while so I have some catch up reading to do. I was so sorry to read about Alf Bicknel but I found your tribute very touching. He must have been a wonderful person to be around. Please accept my sincerest condolences. A friend just recently sent me a copy of the Liverpool Echo's 40th anniversary Beatle newspaper special from last summer. What a treasure that is, made even more so by your presence. Lovely article. (and every time I read or hear somewhere that Eppy said that the Beatles would be as big as Elvis, I want to scream out, "NO! That was Sam Leach!!!") Love, Jennifer
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*bump* Hi Sam and everyone! Have a great weekend! Mike, That article about Alf Bicknell is a really good interesting read thanks for sharing!! Lennon throwing Alf's cap out the window lol!
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Sam Leach:
Hi Denny C, Jen, Mike and Christina: Thanks for your expressions of sympathy. Alf would be happy to know how loved he was. There are many Obits going in National papers and a special feature on Alf in the Liverpool Echo tomorrow afternoon. I've been busy all day talking to Radio Stations and Newspapers about Alf and what a gem we've lost. Jen: The Beatles also played at the Keiserkella and the Indra. Goodnight all and thanks again for your kind words. Sam xx
I heard you on Radio Kent Sam - very nice interview... such a shame about Alf I hope your problem is resolved soon without too much discomfort. All the best Dom
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In this time of sorrow for Alf, at least Sam's site is leading the pack. Sam, when is your surgery?
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Sam, Thanks for the info. In case you were wondering, I am doing a report on Hamburg and thought to include that. I just voted for you and you are up by 1 (Vote people! ). And I just read your tribute to Alf....It was very good! Kathy, It's ok you forgot my name...there are about 70 gazillion people here so it's hard to keep them all straight!! Yes, I am glad the site is working better, and I am even more glad that today is Friday!! jen HAVE AN AWESOME WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!!!
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Hi Everyone. I don't know what's happening. I've only had two notifications in the past two days. So I'll have to give a mass post. Jennifer I'm glad you liked my few words for Alf...he was a great guy. I haven't seen that 40th Anniversary issue so I'll get one next week. dB Thanks for the support. Dom Welcome to the thread and I'm glad you liked the interview. Alf was a true gent. I should have my hip Op soon. Maccascruff Thanks for voting and my Op should be quite soon. Jen Thanks for that and I'm pleased my words for Alf went down so well. He deserves that. BTW whatever happened to Cesar (Cbimbi) ?? And where is Sam C hiding ?? For anyone who can get there Alf's funeral is at Banbury Crematorioum next Thursday at 3.00 pm. Back late....ish tomorrow. Cheers all. Sam.
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Hi, Sam I`m hiding here. I travelled a little.. went to Uruguay on hollyday.. so that I have had time to read your great book..It´s great shock I could feel as if I was with John, George, Paul, Pete, " Rory ", Gerry and all those good guys... I´ll write more about it in a while regards, take care how about your surgery ? remenber you are among British doctors... they are like brazilian football players the best in the world...
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Hi Chimbi are you in England? I remember you mentioned you were going there and wanted to know which bands will be there, Peter Noone is still there till April 15th and Davy Jones is touring there also. Hello Sam and everyone!! Have a great weekend!!
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Hi, Starr... well, since a friend of mine arrived here last friday from London and told me about the prices there I´m starting to think again about travelling ... maybe I´ll delay this trip to 2005 maybe August in Liverpool... who knows ? I think I´ll choose to visit Patagonia [ argentina ] instead of England... there´s even a Cavern Pub in Buenos Aires... Too bad not to see Peter Noone´s show and also that guy from The M......`s lol Well at least everybody is talking about a possible Macca gig to Brazil this year kindest regards...and hoping someday Peter Noones band dare to come to Brazil again. They visited Porto Alegre in 1965 or 1966 and if you see Peter please mention they will be much welcomed if they come here again
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I just voted and Sam is still #1.
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Hi Chimbi well i hope Peter will come to Brazil again for you, you can email him and let him know you'd like to see him there peter@peternoone.com and yes he really does answer his email. Good luck!! Hi Paulfan how have you been? Long time no chat!!
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Hi Sara, I'm doing fine thank you. At the Barnes And Noble store in my town George is the artist of the month in one section so they have his cds for listening so I've been listening to When We Was Fab and All Those Years Ago. They have Cloud Nine and SOmewhere In England now in the store except they don't have The Best OF Dark Horse 1976-1989 which has both songs. that is the one I want. I'm off to bed now so I'll speak to you more tomorrow.