Evening Standard, Hulton Archive LONDON (AP) - Miles and Jimi. Jimi and Miles.…
David Mason, Trumpeter on the Beatles' 'Penny Lane,' Dead at 85
- Posted on May 9th 2011 5:30PM by Dan Reilly
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The London native was awarded the prestigious Beatles gig in 1967 after Paul McCartney saw him performing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major with the New Philharmonia on the BBC. Nearly a week later, Mason came to the studio to record his rapid solo, which he always swore wasn't sped up as some Beatles historians claimed. Before the session, the musician didn't know who the Beatles were and he was paid around $45 for his work.
"I did not even know who the Beatles were when I was asked to do a recording session with them," Mason said in a 2003 interview, as the Los Angeles Times reports. "For me it was just another job."
In addition to his contributions to 'Penny Lane,' Mason also performed on the Beatles' tracks 'A Day in the Life,' 'Magical Mystery Tour' and 'All You Need Is Love,' for which he used the same trumpet. Prior to his work in the New Philharmonia, he was a member of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Mason was also a professor at London's Royal College of Music, where he studied as a young man.
An Interview With David Mason
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I completely agree with you Mark. David was a fabulous teacher and musician and it was my privilege to study with him and know him a little. Demanding, yet always human and supportive, he could inspire and remove the obstacles to enable a student to play to their full potential. I shall always treasure what you taught me David, both for music and its application in my life as a whole. RIP
May 11 2011 at 6:56 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
mark prowen
The great player will be missed! Fab playing on the Penny Lane track, but if you want to explore classical music, try Sir John Barbirolli's recording of Mahler's 5th Symphony (EMI). This has David Mason playing the opening trumpet solo to great effect with the (then) New Philharmonia Orchestra.
May 10 2011 at 11:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Michael G
1 reply to Michael G's comment
Rest in peace Mr Mason. I absolutely love Penny Lane and the solo is a wonderful highlight. Isn't it a bit far-fetched, however, to report that "Before the session, the musician didn't know who the Beatles were?" The recording was made in 1967, a year on from when John had proclaimed "We're more popular than Jesus now." I doubt there was anyone in England who had not heard of the Beatles by then, least of all a professional musician.
May 10 2011 at 8:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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