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Are YOu Living in the beatles era?

The Beatles photographed in Liverpool
The Beatles photographed in Liverpool

Do we really understand why a band like The Beatles is considered a unique phenomenon? For decades historians, writers, media makers, and enthusiasts have done their best to discover and explain how it was possible that four friends from the north of England conquered the world. With their approach to song writing, recording and performing. But with so much more. What makes and keeps The Beatles unique and why are we probably still talking about them a century from now?

In his recently published book “The Beatles Era: a quest for the secret of The Beatles” Peter Eijgenhuijsen shares his search for the secret of The Beatles in a clever and compact way in a hundred pages. In doing so, Eijgenhuijsen reflects on what it means to live in “The Beatles Era” We are all in that happy circumstance. Although the band stopped decades ago: many of us experienced the rise, thedecline, but also the solo years of the Fab Four. Others only hooked up in those solo years. Anyway: with two living Beatles in our midst, we still belong to what Eijgenhuijsen calls The Beatles Era. And that, of course, makes us privileged people.

Discover more about this fascinating topic here (The first part is in Dutch, with an English translation further down the page).

The Beatles Era

Get your copy of Peter’s excellent book from the Beatles Bookstore now

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The First photos of john lennon – the true story

John Lennon and The Quarrymen
John Lennon and The Quarrymen
John Lennon and The Quarrymen

22nd June 1957 – The Quarrymen at Rosebery Street

“Our first appearance was in Rosebery Street. They had this party out in the street. We played from the back of a lorry. We didn’t get paid. We played at blokes’ parties after that; perhaps got a few bob, but mostly we just played for fun. We didn’t mind about not being paid.”
John Lennon, 1967, Anthology

Charlie Roberts

Charlie Roberts was a friend of The Quarrymen and he booked them for this appearance. Not only that, he decided to take some photographs of his mates. Little did he know that they would become historical iconic images, as the first ever photos of John Lennon and The Quarrymen.

In his new book, “Just Like Starting Over”, Charlie recalls his friendship with John, Paul and George and the other Quarrymen too.

“Our street party was held to celebrate the 750th anniversary of King John issuing Liverpool with a Royal Charter, to give Liverpool City status. I had asked the Quarrymen if they would play at the street party, and although they were a bit hesitant because Liverpool 8 had a bad reputation, I persuaded them that they would be safe. It should be remembered at this point that some of the lads were still at school and were not streetwise or accustomed to violence. To their credit, they agreed the ‘booking’, and arranged some practice sessions a week or so before.

The Poster that Charlie Designed for the Quarrymen’s Performance

“The poster generated a lot of curiosity and interest because at the time not many people knew much about Skiffle music, and nobody in the area ever seen a live Skiffle group. Nor had anyone in the area heard of the
Quarrymen before, and of course, neither had most of Liverpool.”

The Quarrymen Turn Up

It was around 3.15pm when, to their credit, the Quarrymen sheepishly turned into Rosebery Street, having just visited the Windsor Hotel aka ‘The Clock’ pub on Kingsley Road where they ‘had a few’ for a bit of Dutch courage. I could tell that they had been drinking, as I ushered them into my house at number 84, where my mum, Marjorie Roberts, plied the lads with food and drink (tea or coffee that is) and definitely no more alcohol. We were all in a jovial mood, and although rather apprehensive, the lads were eager to get started.

They had used up a lot of time during the previous week practising for their appearance at what was to become a truly historic event in the story of the Beatles.

Time was up, and the six lads filed out of 84 and went left down to 76 and the flatback wagon. The wagon belonged to Mr. Fred Tyrer, who had also provided the basic microphone that was powered from a music system in his front room. The wagon itself was not as dirty as had been suggested in some previous publications. It wasn’t a coal wagon, but was normally
used to transport all manner of goods, but never coal!

The Quarrymen Set Up

The Quarrymen in Rosebery Street, photographed by Charlie Roberts


It was beginning to get noisy while the Quarrymen were setting up, with lots of excited kids waiting in anticipation. At this point, Pete said that they weren’t due to start until 5pm and it was only 4.00pm. John replied; “It makes a change for us, we’re usually late”.

As a large crowd was now gathering and after a brief discussion it was decided that they should get started. John Lennon, in his customary check shirt took centre stage with his guitar. Colin Hanton on drums, Len Garry on tea chest base, both sporting crew cuts were at the rear.

The remaining Quarrymen – Eric Griffiths on guitar, Rod Davis on banjo, and Pete Shotton on washboard – surrounded John near the front of the crowded flat-back wagon. The audience were in awe as the lads started
playing a mixture of mostly Skiffle and a little Rock n’ Roll.

Read the incredible full story by Charlie Roberts in his fascinating eyewitness testimonies of hanging around with The Quarrymen for a couple of years.

Get The Book Now

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was Paul Dead? eyewitness cuts to the truth

A Paul Is Dead Clue?
A Clue to the Paul is Dead Mystery
A Clue to the Paul is Dead Mystery

A Hair-Raising Experience?

An article  published on September 1969 in the Times Delphic by Tim Harper which was a student newspaper suggested that Paul McCartney suffered a road accident in his Aston Martin in November 1966.

Well it just so happens that I first cut McCartney’s hair in September 1966 and for some reason Jane Asher (girlfriend and living with him) and Three other Beatles had kept the secret to themselves mmm.

When you cut a client’s hair you will see how the hair falls especially on the forehead and its like a fingerprint and if it was an imposter I would have known.

I was asked by a American radio station how I could be sure if it was Paul!

I told them that when I last cut his hair it fell in the same place and if it was a William (Billy Shears) Campbell I would of known.

When I was asked to go to Paul’s house again to cut his hair I checked to see how his hair fell across his forehead just in case. Paul asked what I was doing  and I said “Just checking if your dead or alive”. “So what’s the verdict ?” he asked.

“Im delighted to confirm that you are the one and only Paul McCartney”

 We both started laughing and he said “Thanks I’m relieved to hear it”

PAUL IS NOT DEAD.

Happy birthday Paul.

Leslie Cavendish

Get this and so many other great stories in Leslie’s book, The Cutting Edge

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Ringo and Paul sell better

Paul McCartney Toy
Paul McCartney toy
A Paul McCartney Toy

Selling Paul McCartney and Ringo?

Memorabilia expert Terry Crain discusses Paul McCartney and Beatles memorabilia in the 1960s.

“Beatles memorabilia featuring Paul McCartney always did well in the first-generational wave of dimensional items from 1964-1966.  In fact, research by retailers and manufacturers showed that the two most popular Beatles in the US at that time were Ringo and Paul. 

Paul McCartney Board cut-out

“Even when Beatles toy rings, valued at 29 cents each, were stolen in a burglary in the St. Louis area in 1964, the shop owner after the theft was quoted as saying: ‘Frankly, I was stuck with the George rings because they did not sell, but now I won’t have to worry about them.  Ringo and Paul sell much better.'”

Discover this and more amazing stories in Terry Crain’s book: