Book Review

Book review: The day a friend and fixer to the stars pinned a drunken John Lennon to the ground

Tony King worked for superstars like the Beatles, Freddie Mercury and Elton John, but he’s too loyal to disclose any real scandals, and The Tastemaker is at its best when he focuses on his own insecurities

A remarkable life: John Lennon, left, and Tony King poking fun at Elton John

Tony King is obviously a man blessed with considerable charm. “Thank God I met him, he is gold dust,” Elton John has said of the equally flamboyant character who became his artistic director.

When he once had to pin a drunken and violent John Lennon to the ground, the ex-Beatle suddenly smiled and quipped: “I never knew you were so strong, dear!”

“You know what, Tony?” he remembers a homophobic Texan saying to him at ...