we saw that...

the beatles "penny lane" trumpeter david mason dies

via: find-a-grave

David Mason
1926 - 2011

Musician. A trumpeter, he will be best remembered for his playing on The Beatles' classic hit "Penny Lane".

He attended Christ's Hospital School and the Royal College of Music before his service in the band of the Scots Guards.

His professional career began with the Royal Opera House, followed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Philharmonia Orchestra (the latter he remained with the rest of his career). In addition, he served as a teacher at the Royal College of Music.

An impressed Paul McCartney who watched Mason perform requested him to play on the "Penny Lane" track in January 1967 and he was paid reportedly a $45.00 fee to do so.

His contributions helped yield one of the band's most popular hits, as he provided the unique B-flat piccolo trumpet sound heard throughout the song.

He also played on their classic hits "A Day in the Life" (1967), "Magical Mystery Tour" (1967), "All You Need Is Love" (1967) and "It's All Too Much" (1968). He died from leukemia. ~ find-a-grave