George Bean’s music career began in 1963, when signed to Decca Records he released four singles, “Secret Love”, (strangely released by Decca at the same time as Kathy Kirby’s version), b/w “Lonely Weekends”. Then came “A Sad Story” b/w “Er Um Er”. Next was “Will You Be My Lover Tonight” b/w “It Should Be You”. Both of these songs are known to be the first recordings of Jagger/Richards compositions not to be recorded by the Rolling Stones themselves. These records came about thanks to Bean’s friendship with Andrew Loog Oldham, who was also producer. The final release for Decca in 1965 was a cover of Bob Dylan’s “She Belongs To Me”, the B-side of which was “Why Must They Criticize”, a Dylan-esque, Bean original, co-written with Tony Catchpole.
Bean and Catchpole, under the moniker of Bean & Loopy’s Lot, saw the release of the self-penned single “Haywire” b/w “A Stitch In Time” in 1966 on Parlophone Records, .
It would be another year until the next George Bean recording would be released, this time on CBS records. “The Candy Shop Is Closed” b/w “Smile For Sequin” co-written by Bean and Mark London.
The second single for CBS and the final single as a solo performer was “Bring Back Lovin” (Bean and Catchpole) b/w “Floatin'” (Bean and London).
Bean’s next move was an appearance in the film and accompanying soundtrack of “Privilege”, starring Paul Jones. Listed as George Bean and the Runner Beans, performing “Onward Christian Soldiers” and “Jerusalem”.
George Bean and The Runners evolved into Trifle and after various changes in personnel , 1971 saw the release of their only album, “First Meeting”, on Dawn Records.
George sadly died in April 1972.
