A natural musician, by the age of 18 Tony was appearing on the weekly British television show “Oh Boy,” where he established his identity as a singer-guitarist, becoming the first musician allowed to play an electric guitar on TV. (The BBC had previously banned them.)
For Tony Sheridan success came early—while still a teenager--appearing in London with Eddie Cochran, Marty Wilde, Conway Twitty, and Vince Taylor. Word of this exciting new young performer brought Tony to the attention of European booking agents, who offered him a contract at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg Germany. With his arrival, Hamburg became the “official” Rock & Roll capitol of Europe, and Tony Sheridan its hottest Rock Star. In Europe, Tony Sheridan was Rock & Roll.
After a hugely successful six month engagement at the Top Ten Club, Tony was offered—and accepted-- a one year contract to headline at a newly opened cabaret, The Star Club, which quickly became Europe’s most important venue for Rock and Roll performers and music.
It was during this time—1960-1963—that Tony Sheridan was destined to be the ‘author’ of perhaps the most important chapter in the history of music.
As Europe’s most celebrated Rock & Roll performer, Tony had various “backup bands” that performed with him on stage. One of them he felt had ‘great promise,’ and took the time to mentor the Band’s members. They were known as The Beat Brothers, and The Beat Brothers were: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, & Pete Best (The word “Beatles” did not translate in German—except as a slang term for the male sex organ).
One night after a backstage fray, Tony Sheridan was forced to get rid of drummer Pete Best, and brought into the Band Richie Starkey (aka Ringo Starr), who had earlier worked with Tony but not with the Beatles. The ‘Fab-Four’—The Beatles - that the world would come to know and acclaim, “were born” that night in Hamburg, the end result of Tony Sheridan’s intuition and decision (as well as a quarrel). Tony Sheridan’s backup band, The Beatles, would go on to rewrite Musical History.
Tony Sheridan was signed to a recording contract by Polydor Records and producer Bert Kaempfert -composer of such hits as “Strangers In The Night.” For his debut album, Tony decided to use his backup band, The Beatles, who had been performing with him nightly.
The first recordings ever made by The Beatles were with Tony Sheridan. These first renditions, which appeared in their first album titled: TONY SHERIDAN and The Beatles, are now rare collectibles.
“TONY SHERIDAN and The Beatles” was a hit. And when English music store manager, Brian Epstein, offered The Beatles the promise of a new record contract--- which required them all to return to England-- Tony Sheridan wished them well and gave them his blessings. He had put several years of time and interest into George, Paul, John & Ringo, and very much wanted them to succeed. The Beatles took-up Brian Epstein’s offer, returning to London, and soon thereafter, World acclaim.
In 1964, as Beatlemania was building, the craziness of the news media was focused on anyone who had been a part in The Beatles success. Although Tony had played a pivotal role in their career, he also found the public hysteria being created very “off-putting,” and was far more interested in the Social & Political problems that the 1960s ignited. After extended touring with Chubby Checker, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry, Tony felt obligated to fulfill what he believed was his Social responsibility (which also allowed him to get away from The Beatles media blitz). Tony Sheridan put together a troupe of musicians to entertain the U.S. and Allied troops, in Viet Nam. In 1967 in Viet Nam, while motoring in the military zone, his crew came under fire. One member was killed. The news service Reuters reported that “British Rock star Tony Sheridan had been killed,” and his obituary appeared in papers worldwide (long before the days of faxes, computers & cell phones). Tony stayed in the Far East for 2 years, traveling between Australia & Viet Nam, entertaining the troops. For his services, Tony Sheridan was made an honorary Captain in the U.S. Army. (One of his most valued possessions is the U.S. Army Ranger cap he was presented with, which he sometimes wears on stage.)
Returning to the U. K., he appeared in England for a Command Performance. Tony Sheridan performed a program of his own original words & music, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra before a sold-out audience. Princess Margaret remarked: “Tony Sheridan should be locked-up in the Tower--- because he is one of England’s great treasures.”
When Hamburg’s celebrated Star Club was reopened in 1978, Tony Sheridan was once again the headliner. But, this time he brought the TCB Band with him. His opening night was broadcast live throughout Europe via German television (something never done before). To support their close friend, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr made surprise and unannounced appearances with Tony at the opening.
Tony Sheridan is a consummate artist of extraordinary depth. In the film (and now on videotape) The Compleat Beatles, Paul and George both relate that: “all they learned musically, they learned from Tony Sheridan.” After 41 years, Tony still retains a close and very private relationship with George, Paul & Ringo.
Married and with a large family, Tony lives in Germany, and appears in concerts throughout the world, most recently in South America. He has never appeared in Concert in the United States. But that may soon change.
Tony Sheridan and Elvis Presley became friends during the time Presley was in the U.S. Army, and stationed in Germany. With the recording of this album, Tony Sheridan accomplished one more of his goals-- to perform with the Elvis Presley TCB Band.
Skinny Minnie
Tony Sheridan And The Beat Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six foot high and one foot thick,
Well, do I love her,
Does a boy love pie?
Well, she is the apple of my eye.
Skinny Minnie, she ain't skinny,
She's tall, that's all.
Well, though her shadow,
Doesn't take much ground,
Well, what there is really gets around,
Well, what there ain't,
That's what she be,
And even that's way too much for me.
Well, slightly slimmer,
Than a fishing pole,
She's one half rock,
And the other half roll,
Well, dig that chick from either side,
And man, you'll yell,
Where did she hide?
Skinny Minnie, she ain't skinny,
She's tall, that's all.
The song "Skinny Minnie" by Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers celebrates the singer's love for a woman who is described as "crazy" and "tall." Despite her nickname of "skinny Minnie," she is actually not skinny at all, as she is "one foot thick." The singer declares his love for her, stating that she is the "apple of [his] eye."
The lyrics describe the woman as someone whose "shadow doesn't take much ground," which suggests that despite her height, she is not wide or broad. However, the little space that her shadow does take up seems to be well-traveled, as the song notes that "what there is really gets around." The singer seems to be in awe of the woman's physical presence, which he describes as "slightly slimmer than a fishing pole" but also "one half rock and the other half roll."
Despite the contradictory nature of the lyrics, the overall message of "Skinny Minnie" is one of admiration and affection for a unique and unforgettable woman.
Line by Line Meaning
My skinny Minnie is a crazy chick,
The lady I am with, Skinny Minnie, is very wild.
Six foot high and one foot thick,
She is extremely tall but not exactly thin.
Well, do I love her,
I have a deep affection for her.
Does a boy love pie?
Just like boys love pie, I love her.
Well, she is the apple of my eye.
She is the most important and cherished person in my life.
Well, though her shadow,
Even though her shadow
Doesn't take much ground,
Does not cover much ground.
Well, what there is really gets around,
Whatever is there spreads around easily.
Well, what there ain't,
Whatever is not there.
That's what she be,
That is exactly what she is.
And even that's way too much for me.
Even that is more than what I can handle.
Well, slightly slimmer,
A little bit thinner.
Than a fishing pole,
Thinner than a fishing pole.
She's one half rock,
One part of her is resilient and steady.
And the other half roll,
The other part of her is carefree and easy to get along with.
Well, dig that chick from either side,
If you look at her from any angle.
And man, you'll yell,
You will surely shout out loud.
Where did she hide?
Where did she manage to conceal herself?
Skinny Minnie, she ain't skinny,
Skinny Minnie is not actually skinny.
She's tall, that's all.
She is just very tall.
Lyrics © Tratore, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Arrett Rusty Keefer, Bill Haley, Catherine Cafra Williamson, Milt Gabler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leon
Die Beatles mit Toni Sheridan was für ein Vortrag Toni Weltbester die Beatles setzen den ganzen die Krone auf es wird lange zeit brauchen um diese genialen Musiker daas wasser zu reichen chapeau
Edda Pust
Tolle Klänge....super Tony Sheridan 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️
Kees Van Baaren
Legendary legends 👍👍
heinz wand
This is NOT the Version with the Beat Brothers, from 1962! It is from 1969! It was was the flip side of Jailhouse rock, by Tony Sheridan and the big six
Rosemarie Barnes
You are correct, that is not Rikki on sax, he had a very distinctive sound. The backing on this is are the big six. Ruby baby . What'd I say, is the Beatbrothers.
James Marshall
Skinny Minny came out in 1964 on Vinyl in Germany with Sweet Georgia on the B side it also came out with Jailhouse Rock on the B side in 1966 in Italy and in Germany 1968 if you want any more information please give me shout thanks.
James Marshall
Skinny Minny was the B side in both cases.
heinz wand
Yes, the Bert Kämpfert Version was recorded 1961 in Hamburg and came out 1964! But it was recorded in Mono! This one is in stereo and it was recorded early 1969 and released as the flip of Jailhouse rock in 1969 by Tony Sharidan and the Big Six!
James Marshall
No record of that in 1969 unless it was reissue.
heinz wand
This version is a 1969 recording as we can hear, and it was released in 1969