His formative years were spent in NW London, where he went to school, and in Hamstead, where he explored his interest in painting, which had been instigated in childhood by his painter father.
On returning to England he found quick success, having an exhibition in a gallery in Bond Street and selling out on the day.
Beal worked as a sound engineer and technician for the BBC, as well as commercial television, and freelance in the film business from 1956 to 1973.
He also studied at Sussex University, gaining an MA in Music and the Sonic Arts in 2013 On his fortieth birthday in 1973, he acquired a saxophone, and won a bet that he could learn to play it within a year.
[1] Initially, he worked as a recording engineer and editor, but later became a producer, eventually leading the company as managing director.