Tony Booth (artist) facts for kids

Anthony Booth (born June 22, 1933 – died January 11, 2017) was a British artist. He was famous for creating posters for the Beatles and other music groups during the Merseybeat time. In the early 1960s, people in Liverpool knew him as Brian Epstein's "right-hand man." Brian Epstein was The Beatles' manager.

Tony Booth's Early Life

Anthony Booth was born in 1933. He grew up in a place called Moreton. In 1948, when he was 15, he won a special award. This award was a scholarship to study art at the Wallasey School of Art and Crafts in Wallasey, Merseyside.

After only 18 months of art school, he got his first job. He worked at a local art studio. This studio also did printing, sign-making, and poster-making.

Working with The Beatles

In the early 1960s, Tony Booth worked in Liverpool city centre. His office was very close to the Cavern Club. It was also right next door to the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein's office.

Booth did a lot of work for Brian Epstein. He made posters, printed leaflets, and many other things to help promote the bands. Booth created hand-painted posters for many music promoters. These included Brian Epstein, Sam Leach, Allan Williams, and the Cavern Club's DJ, Bob Wooler.

Booth would paint many posters by hand. He used special brushes and oil-based colors. Most of these posters were on large white paper, about 30 by 20 inches. If Brian Epstein needed many posters for an event, Booth's original artwork would be sent to a printer. The printer would then make many copies. The same artwork was often used for small leaflets and newspaper ads.

Not many of Booth's original posters from the 1960s still exist today. This is because posters were usually thrown away after an event. Or they were damaged during the printing process. However, the printed posters that have survived are now very valuable. Collectors buy them for thousands of pounds. For example, a company called Christie's of London sold one of Booth's original hand-painted Cavern Club posters. It was bought by an American collector for £27,500. This was twice what Christie's thought it would be worth!

The Cavern Club Posters

Before he made posters for The Beatles, Tony Booth created many posters for the Cavern Club. This famous club is on Mathew Street in Liverpool. The Cavern Club first opened in 1957 as a jazz club. On its opening night, 'The Merseysippi Jazz Band' was the main act.

Booth made posters for the club's very first night. The Cavern Club always had many of Booth's posters on its outside walls. These posters showed when The Beatles and other groups were playing there.

In October 2016, Booth was asked to create new artwork for the Cavern Club. This was for the club's 60th anniversary. This new artwork is now on display inside the club.

Tony Booth's Later Work

In early 2016, a TV show called Inside Out on BBC1 showed a short film about Tony Booth.

In August 2016, Booth had an art show in Liverpool. It was part of the International Beatleweek Festival. This was the first time all of Booth's posters were shown together in one place.

His Passing

Tony Booth passed away from cancer on January 11, 2017. He was 83 years old. He died in Upton, Merseyside.