Editing Klaus Voormann (section)

==Early life==

Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/remixing-revolver-page-6 | title=Recording and Remixing Revolver Page 6 | date=28 October 2022 }}</ref> was born in [[Berlin]], Germany, and raised in the suburbs of north Berlin. His father was a physician and Klaus was one of six brothers. In an interview for ''Talking Germany'', broadcast in July 2010, Voormann discussed his dyslexia.<ref name="DWelleInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5756160,00.html |title=Klaus Voormann, Graphic Designer and Musician|first=Peter |last=Craven |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=11 July 2010|access-date=22 May 2011}}</ref>

The Voormann family were interested in art, classical music and books, with a feeling for history and tradition. His parents decided that instead of studying music, it would be best for Klaus to study [[commercial art]] in Berlin at the Meisterschule für Grafik und Buchgewerbe. He later moved to [[Hamburg]] to study at the Meisterschule für Gestaltung. However, before finishing his education in the [[graphic arts]], Voormann started work as a commercial artist [[graphic designer]] and illustrator, spending eight months in [[Düsseldorf]] working for magazines.<ref name="VormannBiogVormann">{{cite web|url=http://www.voormann.com/biography |title=Biography |publisher=Vormann |access-date=22 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717231704/http://www.voormann.com/biography |archive-date=17 July 2011 }}</ref>

It was in Hamburg that Voormann first met [[Astrid Kirchherr]]. One day, after an argument with her and [[Jürgen Vollmer]], Voormann wandered down the [[Reeperbahn]], in the St. Pauli district of Hamburg, and heard music coming from the [[Kaiserkeller|Kaiserkeller club]]. He walked in on a performance by [[Rory Storm and the Hurricanes]]. The next group to play was the Beatles. Voormann was left "speechless" by the performances. He had never heard [[rock 'n' roll]] before, having previously only listened to [[traditional jazz]], [[Nat King Cole]], and [[The Platters]].{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=222}} Voormann invited Kirchherr and Vollmer to watch the performances the next day. After joining Voormann at a performance, the trio decided upon spending as much time as possible close to the group and immersing themselves in the music.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=223}}

The St. Pauli district was a dangerous section of town, with illicit behavior commonplace. It was an area where prostitutes worked, and anyone who looked different from the usual clientele was at risk of violence. As a trio, Voormann, Kirchherr and Vollmer stood out in the Kaiserkeller, dressed in suede coats, wool sweaters, jeans and round-toed shoes, when most of the customers had greased-back [[Teddy boy]] hairstyles and wore black leather jackets and pointed boots.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=221}} During a break, Voormann tried to talk (in faltering English) to Lennon, and pressed a crumpled [[record sleeve]] he had designed into Lennon's hands. Lennon took little interest, suggesting that he talk to [[Stu Sutcliffe]], who Lennon said was "the artist 'round here".{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=221}}

Sutcliffe was fascinated by the trio, who he thought looked like "real [[Bohemianism|bohemians]]". He later wrote that he could hardly take his eyes off them, and had wanted to talk to them during the next break, but they had already left the club.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=221}} Sutcliffe managed to meet them eventually, and learned that all three had attended the Meisterschule für Mode, which was the Hamburg equivalent of the Liverpool art college that both Sutcliffe and Lennon had attended. Lennon dubbed the trio the [[Exi (subculture)|Exies]], as a joke about their affection for [[existentialism]].{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=222}}

Voormann was in a relationship with Kirchherr at the time, and lived just around the corner from her parents' upper-class home in the Altona district of Hamburg. Kirchherr's bedroom, which was all in black, including the walls and furniture, was decorated especially for Voormann. After the visits to the Kaiserkeller, their relationship became purely [[platonic love|platonic]] as Astrid started dating Sutcliffe, who was fascinated by her. Nevertheless, she always remained a close friend of Voormann.{{sfn|Spitz|2005|p=224}}