Meet Chris O'Dell
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From Apple Corps. secretary, to personal assistant to musical icons, to rock n' roll tour manager, Chris O'Dell has seen it all and lived to tell about it.
Now, a best-selling author, public figure and devoted mother to her son, William, Chris spends her time making public appearances, doing interviews and promoting her best-selling book while sharing incredible stories of her years with rock n' roll's most influential and iconic musicians. She is currently working on a documentary film with Liverpool West Productions called Miss O'Dell, showcasing her life and career with many legendary artists. It's expected to be out in 2024. She currently lives in Tucson, Arizona. |
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It all started in 1968...
Photo of a young Chris O'Dell answering phones during her time in the music industry..
In February 1968, my friend Allan excitedly called to tell me he was rubbing elbows with Derek Taylor, famed Beatles (yes, THE Beatles) press officer. Allan insisted I come down to meet them at the La Brea Inn in Los Angeles. I did, and the night ended up being one I would never forget. Derek and I became fast friends and Allan and I spent the entire night talking with him, listening to his incredible stories about his life with The Beatles, laughing, playing records and getting stoned. It was magical.
While Derek was in town for a few weeks, he introduced me to many people in the record and entertainment industries and it sparked something in me. I knew I wanted to be part of something like that - something bigger. Derek was going to head back to London to head up the press department of Apple Corps. Ltd. - The Beatles' new multimedia company in London. He told me Apple was going to be huge and that's when he offered me my first big gig: to go to London and work with him at Apple Corps.
Opportunities like this don't come often - if at all - so after talking with my parents and friends, I sold my record collection and life insurance policy, and on May 17, 1968, I flew to London. I had no idea that I would be taking on a job that would change my life forever.
While Derek was in town for a few weeks, he introduced me to many people in the record and entertainment industries and it sparked something in me. I knew I wanted to be part of something like that - something bigger. Derek was going to head back to London to head up the press department of Apple Corps. Ltd. - The Beatles' new multimedia company in London. He told me Apple was going to be huge and that's when he offered me my first big gig: to go to London and work with him at Apple Corps.
Opportunities like this don't come often - if at all - so after talking with my parents and friends, I sold my record collection and life insurance policy, and on May 17, 1968, I flew to London. I had no idea that I would be taking on a job that would change my life forever.
From Apple Records to rock n' roll tour manager
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From 1968 to 1970, Chris worked as a personal assistant at the Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd. multi media company. During her time at Apple, she worked closely with John, Paul, Ringo and George of The Beatles and encountered countless other musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker and James Taylor.
She found her way back to Los Angeles in 1972, when she was hired by the Rolling Stones to assist with the L.A. sessions for their double album “Exile on Main St.” and then later accompanied them on their infamous "S.T.P." tour in the U.S.. From 1974 to 1984, she oversaw Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 1974 reunion tour, Bob Dylan's 1975 "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour along with tours for George Harrison, Fleetwood Mac, Phil Collins, Linda Ronstadt, Queen, Electric Light Orchestra, Led Zeppelin, Santana, the Grateful Dead and others. |
Apple press office: George Harrison, Chris O'Dell and Derek Taylor, 1969. Original photo credit: unknown.
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