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 Minny
Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Six foot high and one foot thick
Do I love her
Does a boy love pie
She is the apple of my eye,
Skinny Minnie
She ain't skinny, she's tall, that's all
What there is sure gets around
What there ain't that's what she be
'N' even that's too much for me
Skinny Minnie
She ain't skinny, she's tall, that's all
Slightly slimmer than a fishing pole
One half rock and one half roll
Dig that chick from either side
Man, you'll yell "Where did she hide"
Skinny Minnie
She ain't skinny, she's tall, that's all
The song "Skinny Minny" by Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers is a lighthearted tribute to a girl who is not actually skinny, but is instead described as "six foot high and one foot thick." Despite her size, the singer is in love with her and declares her to be the "apple of my eye." The lyrics also suggest that this woman is something of a character, with a shadow that "doesn't take much ground" but manages to get around nonetheless. Despite any quirks or challenges associated with her size, the singer remains devoted to his "Skinny Minnie."
The lyrics of "Skinny Minny" speak to a certain type of 1960s rock and roll aesthetic, which prized irreverence and humor over more serious subject matter. The song was originally released in 1962 on a single by Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers (who would later become The Beatles). It would later be included on the album "My Bonnie," which was credited to Tony Sheridan and The Beatles. Interestingly, the guitar solo in "Skinny Minny" was performed by George Harrison, one of the future members of The Beatles.
Line by Line Meaning
My skinny Minnie is a crazy chick,
My girlfriend, who I refer to as Skinny Minnie, is quite unique and eccentric in her own way.
Six foot high and one foot thick
She's notably tall and slender.
Do I love her
Do I have strong affection towards her?
Does a boy love pie
Absolutely, I do!
She is the apple of my eye,
She's the most important person in my life, someone I cherish deeply.
Skinny Minnie
She goes by the name of Skinny Minnie.
She ain't skinny, she's tall, that's all
In spite of her nickname, she's not skinny but quite tall, nothing more to it.
Tho' her shadow doesn't take much ground
She's so slim that her shadow is not very prominent.
What there is sure gets around
Despite not being noticeable, whatever part of her shadow exists makes an impact.
What there ain't that's what she be
Her personality thrives on the things that are not readily available to the world.
'N' even that's too much for me
Even her elusive presence sometimes becomes unbearable for me.
Slightly slimmer than a fishing pole
She's so slim that she's almost as thin as the string on a fishing rod.
One half rock and one half roll
She's versatile and embodies two different sides, like the rock and roll music genre.
Dig that chick from either side
Admire the fact that she's able to be appreciated from either side of her personality.
Man, you'll yell "Where did she hide"
People are taken aback by her ability to remain elusive and still present herself in a great light.
Skinny Minnie
Once more, she goes by the name of Skinny Minnie.
She ain't skinny, she's tall, that's all
Just to reiterate, despite her nickname, she is simply tall and not really skinny in any sense.
Writer(s): M. Gabler, Rusty Keefer, Bill Haley, C. Cafra
Contributed by Taylor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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