Tony Bramwell dead at 78: Paul McCartney leads tributes to music mogul who discovered Queen and helped manage the Beatles

A legendary music mogul who was the Beatles’ tour manager and discovered Queen has died aged 78.

Tony Bramwell was a childhood friend of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison and later became the Fab Four’s road manager.

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The Liverpudlian was also a music industry mogul in his own right.

Bramwell met the boys before they became global stars and changed the world forever.

The music legend died on June 2 after suffering a short illness.

Sir Paul McCartney described Bramwell as a “good fellow” as he shared a touching tribute to his friend.

He wrote: “It is sad to hear of the passing of Tony Bramwell. He was a good companion to us during the Beatles journey.

“Always ready to laugh and sorry to see you go. Thanks, Tony. Love you! From Paul.”

A statement on the Beatles’ official Instagram page added: “Tony has worked on many NEMS and Apple projects, from music videos to photo shoots, PR and more, and will be missed by many friends and colleagues.”

Bramwell previously documented his experiences with the Beatles in his 2006 book, Magical Mystery Tours: My Life With The Beatles.

A quote from Let It Be singer McCartney said: “If you want to know anything about the Beatles, ask Tony Bramwell. He knows more than me.”

Born in 1946, Bramwell played Cowboys and Indians with George Harrison as a child.

McCartney and his brother Mike, who lived nearby, often attended his games.

Bramwell was also present when McCartney met John Lennon for the first time – marking the beginning of one of the greatest songwriting partnerships of all time.

He later became the Beatles’ road manager, after becoming Brian Epstein’s right-hand man and later deputy head of Apple Records.

The music legend was influential in the band’s use of the music video and even appears at the end of the All You Need is Love video.

If you want to know anything about the Beatles, ask Tony Bramwell. He knows more than me.

Paul McCartney2006

He also became a scout for Epstein and helped discover Paul Simon, Queen and Eva Cassidy.

Bramwell brought Queen to Apple, but by that time all four members of the Beatles had to agree to sign a new act – and were on the verge of splitting up.

The iconic rock band later signed to Parlophone Records.

In 2014, Bramwell published an autobiography of his life and described what it was like working with the Beatles.

Magical Mystery Tours: My Life with the Beatles told behind-the-scenes stories about Yoko Ono and the meteoric rise of the Fab Four.

In his later years, Bramwell was a regular at Liverpool’s iconic International Beatleweek.

The Liverpool Beatles Museum paid tribute to the “lovely man”.

They said: “Everyone at the Liverpool Beatles Museum – Mathew Street is saddened to hear of the recent passing of Tony Bramwell.

“He was a lovely man. We enjoyed his company on many occasions. Condolences to his family.”

In a tribute shared on the Strawberry Field website, Lennon’s sister Julia Baird said: “Tony was the ‘man who knew’ as he was there for most of the Beatles’ journey.

“He will be missed at Beatle Week.”

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