Music producer tells stories of Harrison and Elton John at pub

A PRODUCER who has worked with musicians including George Harrison, Sir Elton John and John Lennon gave a talk at a pub in Henley.

Stuart Epps, who has worked in music for more than 50 years, spoke to an audience of 40 at the Row Barge in West Street.

“An Evening of Magical Music Moments” saw Mr Epps share stories from his career, most notably his work with Harrison and Sir Elton.

Audience members included “Legs” Larry Smith, part of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band formed in the Sixties.

Mr Smith said: “Talking about the Sixties and Seventies, I think people want to hear about it because they’re times that won’t ever come again.

“I was lucky enough to be at art school during the Sixties. It was so inspirational to be alive then, there were no worries. It sounds a bit ridiculous and naïve now.”

Mr Smith added that Harrison was like “family” to him and they spent a lot of time together in Henley. Huw Pryce, or “Sid” in the music business, has known Mr Epps for decades, saying he last saw him in 1982. Guy Hutchings, manager at the Row Barge, told him about the event.

Mr Pryce said: “Guy mentioned Stuart but he got the name wrong. Called him Ebbs to begin with, which is hilarious. I thought well, I do know someone with that name, but I’m sure it’s Epps. He insisted for two or three weeks, and then we finally got the correct name. I thought, I’d better come along.”

Originally, Mr Epps wanted to present at the Kenton Theatre but, after talking to town councillor Sarah Miller and following a visit to the pub he decided that it would be “perfect”.

Mr Epps said: “I love this pub. What a great place. Of course, the second half of my talk is about George Harrison, and this was his local.

“I love George to bits, as we all do. I was very lucky to work with him.”

Mr Epps added that this talk seemed the “right time” of year to do it, with the anniversary of George’s death being November 29.

He said: “The Beatles will live forever but I think Harrison’s music will go beyond that. When you think about it, his music was passionate, his lyrics were passionate.”

He added: “Everything he did was particular and that’s how George was. We miss him very much.”

Dave Spiers, who was in the audience, has worked in the music industry for about
35 years and said that Cllr Sarah Miller had encouraged him to attend the event.

He said: “I know Saz really well and she said that this talk was happening. I thought I would come and support her and listen to someone interesting.”

Sue Quine was also in the audience, and she used to sing as part of a local band.

Ms Quine said: “I love music. When I was younger, I used to like reading the record sleeve to find out who played on it.

“I like hearing interesting facts that you wouldn’t hear anywhere else, the kind of stuff that most people don’t care about. Maybe I’m just weird, but you like what you like.”