Beatles mentor Lord Woodbine to feature in new BBC drama
The BBC is producing a new drama series called Hamburg Days, which will explore the Beatles' early years in Hamburg, including the influence of Lord Woodbine, a Trinidadian calypso musician who was the band's early co-manager and mentor. Lord Woodbine, whose real name was Harold Adolphus Phillips, played a significant role in the band's development, teaching them chords and helping them get gigs in Liverpool. The six-part series will shed light on the often-overlooked influence of Lord Woodbine on the Beatles' music and career.
- ▪Lord Woodbine, also known as Harold Adolphus Phillips, was a Trinidadian calypso musician who became the Beatles' early co-manager and mentor.
- ▪The Beatles played over 250 gigs in Hamburg between 1960 and 1962, which helped them hone their skills and develop their sound.
- ▪Lord Woodbine's influence on the Beatles has been largely overlooked in the band's official history, but he is credited with teaching them chords and helping them get gigs in Liverpool.
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| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jul/10/lord-woodbine-beatles-bbc-drama-harold-phillips |
| Publication time | Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:13 GMT |
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Lord Woodbine (third from left) with an early Beatles line-up in 1961. Also pictured are, from left, Allan and Beryl Williams, Stuart Sutcliffe, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best. Photograph: Keystone Usa/RexView image in fullscreenLord Woodbine (third from left) with an early Beatles line-up in 1961. Also pictured are, from left, Allan and Beryl Williams, Stuart Sutcliffe, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best. Photograph: Keystone Usa/RexThe BeatlesBeatles’ early mentor Lord Woodbine to feature in new BBC dramaSix-part series will explore the band’s years in Hamburg, including the overlooked influence of Harold PhillipsLanre Bakare Arts and culture correspondentFri 10 Jul 2026 02.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleIn 1960, the Beatles arrived in the German port…
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