Without Tony there wouldn’t be the Beatles. Sure that sounds lofty, but it’s probably true. Tony Calder, the affable and talented Decca rising star who promoted the Beatles when no one else would, has died at the age of 74, due to complications from pneumonia in London at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
In the early 60s, Tony was holding two jobs when he met the Fab Four; a DJ at night and Decca record employee during the day. The Beatles released “Love Me Do” generating very little buzz on the streets. Tony single handily took on the promotion of the song, inspiring and charming the London radio world to play it over, and over again. The fire was lit, the Beatles never looked back.
As we begin to hear of his talents, we recognize a typical skill set; he was personable, relentless in shaking hands of the radio executives who could make or break a song, and charming to a fault. Tony didn’t stop with his success with the Beatles. He would later sign or promote Fleetwood Mac, Rod Stewart, the Beach Boys in the UK, and Rolling Stones. His final clients included the Bay City Rollers, Eddie Grant, and Maryanne Faithful.
Tony Calder, an early believer and music influencer, dead at the age of 74.