The Quarrymen appear at launch of ‘The John Lennon Letters’ and play London gig

October 17, 2012

In honor of their old band-mate John Lennon, his first band, The Quarrymen, reunited last week in London on October 11th and 12th. Rod Davies, guitarist for the group, has just written us with his enthusiastic comments about the events, the attendees, as well as an exclusive photo with author Hunter Davies.

Rod wrote, “On Thursday night we played for the after-party of Hunter Davies’ ‘The John Lennon Letters’ Book Launch at the British Library in London. Here is a photo you can share with your readers.” Rod added, “It was attended by (John’s sisters) Julia and Jackie, and also Yoko, who made a short speech.”

Hunter Davies just published the book, “The John Lennon Letters,” a 400-page book that includes almost 300 letters, postcards and notes penned by Lennon throughout his life.

Yoko Ono has provided the Foreword. Read our in-depth review here.

The big performance the next night was at the North London Rock ‘n’ Roll venue Castle Rocks. “It

was great if I do say so myself,” Rod said, adding, “Julia and Jackie also attended that event, which was very nice of them. We had Chas McDevitt—the next biggest skiffler to Donegan in the sixties (watch this Lonnie Donegan video)—come and play his big hit with us, “Freight Train”, and an American friend came and sat in on musical saw and jug…(not at the same time of course) for a few numbers.”

Watch the video of the Quarrymen performing the Del Vikings’ ‘Come Go With Me.’ This was one of the songs they sang with John Lennon on July 6, 1957, the day John met Paul. The Quarrymen, you’ll note, use John’s “wrong-words” version of the song!

In the photo this page, see the line-up from the evening of Hunter Davies’ book launch: John Duff Lowe (keyboards), Len Garry (guitar/vocal), Colin Hanton (drums), Hunter Davies (Blue Shirt), Frank Cairns, (guest bassist) and Rod Davis (guitar/vocal).

The Quarrymen were John Lennon’s first group, before the line-up that became the Beatles. The name was taken from his school in Liverpool, Quarry Bank. The group was a skiffle group; the band still performs at Beatles functions, leaving a microphone open in honor of John. They still do their old favorites (included on their 2004 CD): Maggie May, I’m left, you’re right, she’s gone, Twenty flight rock,Down by the riverside, Come go with me, Mean woman blues, Puttin’ on the Style, That’ll be the day,Baby let’s play house, Memphis Tennessee, In spite of all the danger, All shook up, Rock Island Line, Blue Suede Shoes.

Shelley Germeaux