Two Fifth Beatles Gone

Two individuals with connections to the Beatles died recently . . ..

Gordon Waller was the latter half of Peter and Gordon, the most successful duo to come out of the sixties British Invasion. He and Peter Asher recorded Lennon-McCartney songs predominantly written by Paul when he was dating Asher's sister Jane, and these were unsurprisingly among the most heartfelt ballads of the time. The list is quite impressive: "World Without Love," "Nobody I Know," "I Don't Want To See You Again," and "Woman." Hits not penned by Lennon and McCartney included "Lady Godiva" and the Buddy Holly Song "True Love Ways." Their harmonies were perfect (Waller mostly sang lead), and the arrangements were first rate. Waller went on to perform in British musical theater and run a music publishing business after the duo broke up. (Asher, of course, became a record producer, producing James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, among others.) The duo reunited a few years back, and this blogger had the rare and appreciated opportunity to see them perform at a Beatles convention in 2006. After nearly forty years apart, they hasn't lost their touch. They were doing some shows only recently, including an Atlanta appearance this spring. Waller died in Connecticut, where he lived, on July 17 of a heart attack at 64.

Heinz Edelmann was a prestigious advertising and editorial illustrator in Germany in 1967 when movie producer Al Brodax approached him to be the art director for the animated Beatles movie Yellow Submarine. Edelmann's neo-Art Nouveau approach, characterized by fluid lines and bright colors, fit the mood of the movie perfectly, and he revolutionized animation with his work (and made the greatest animated movie ever as well). The Beatles themselves loved Edelmann's work, and John Lennon singled out as the only person involved with Yellow Submarine worthy of his respect. Edelmann got little respect for a long time, as many people somehow came to believe that poster artist Peter Max had been responsible for Yellow Submarine's look. (Max, to his discredit, let people believe that.) Edelmann was still able to enjoy a distinguished career, and he gained recognition for his contributions to Yellow Submarine in later years. He died at 75 on July 21 of heart disease and kidney failure.

I just found out about both passings yesterday. :-(