[Harp-L] Lennon's Hey, Baby! moment

[bobbie-g@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Delbert McClinton sets record straight on teaching Lennon harmonica
By WADE TATANGELO
The Bradenton Herald

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/02/3844197/delbert-mcclinton-sets-record.html

"Love Me Do" was released in 1962, but another harmonicist had a Beatles 
encounter with "From Me To You", released in 1963.  Douglas Tate was 
never certain which musician they actually used on the recording, but I 
know he suspected strongly it was Lennon after they heard how he'd do it 
for them, and they took it from there.  Doug once said, but I won't quote 
him exactly here, that they were sort of rowdy and pretty difficult to 
deal with, but he did admire that those kids definitely knew EXACTLY the 
sound results they wanted, even then at such young age.

The main difference, I suppose, is McClinton does continue to down-play 
(almost deny) what really happened while obviously still getting a 
satisfying kick out of the constant buzz about the connection he briefly 
had with the Beatles.  As for Douglas, he was shy to bring it up at all 
to anyone not close to him, even seeming a little embarrassed about 
working with rock 'n' rollers when he was so immersed in classical music, 
(or maybe that's just my take on it.)  Still, as I implied, he also gave 
'the boys' all the props pretty much for what they worked hard for and 
accomplished.

Personally, I believe John Lennon was enamored big time with the 
harmonica sound, and most likely always wanted to be the one in the band 
who handled harp duties.  I know we've had Harp-L discussions over the 
years about whether it was a chromatic or diatonic on "From Me To You", 
but can't recall if there was ever a consensus - maybe someone like 
Winslow remembers if that question ever got answered?

Bobbie G