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Early Beatles publicist Tony Barrow dies at 80; coined ‘Fab Four’ phrase

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Tony Barrow, the British publicist who coined the phrase “Fab Four” to describe the early Beatles, has died.

Barrow, 80, died in a Lancaster hospital Saturday following a lengthy illness, his son Mike Barrow said Tuesday.

Former Beatle Paul McCartney said Barrow “was a lovely guy who helped us in the early years of the Beatles.” He called Barrow “super professional but always ready for a laugh.”

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Mike Barrow said his father coined the phrase at a time when the word “fab” was in common usage. He says “he just put the two together -- it was a masterstroke.”

Like the Beatles, Barrow was a Liverpool native. Before working with the group, he wrote a music column for the Liverpool Echo newspaper.

He was recruited for a job as the Beatles’ press officer by manager Brian Epstein in 1962, the year the group signed a record deal with Parlophone.

Barrow wrote the news release for their debut single, “Love Me Do,” and assembled a five-page kit titled “Introducing THE BEATLES” that featured a photograph on a pink card.

In Mark Lewisohn’s Beatles biography “Tune In,” Barrow remembered all four band members making distinct first impressions: McCartney was sociable, George Harrison inquisitive, Ringo Starr shy and John Lennon abrasive.

“All the traits that came out at that initial meeting were consistent with what followed,” Barrow said.

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He is survived by his wife, Corinne, and sons Mike and Mark.

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