Many Beatles fans have made the pilgrimage to discover Beatles-related sites in London. Recently I received several wonderful photos from a friend that I know in the UK that I have never personally met, Robin Hadden. Robin has been so kind to me since I first heard from him on my old Facebook page. He has helped me acquire several nice Beatle collectibles that I had been searching for quite some time!
Recently Robin made a trip to London, and he sent me a few photos of a trip he made to several Beatles-related sites. He graciously has allowed me to share those pictures with you!
RICHARD PORTER’S LEGENDARY BEATLES WALKING TOUR OF LONDON:
This is a highly recommended tour that noted Beatles expert Richard Porter has conducted for many years to the great satisfaction of so many fascinated Beatles fans. When you are planning a trip to London, please check out this site to arrange a tour with Richard. You will love it and will remember for the balance of your lives!
Beatles London Walks and Tours with Richard Porter
WHERE THE 4 KINGS OF EMI MADE THE MOST OF THEIR RECORDINGS
On a personal note, one of the highlights of my life was in 1988. We got to visit the Abbey Road studios where most of the Beatles superb catalog was recorded. Additionally, we got the opportunity to go inside the studios with a tour group from Liverpool Productions. Not only did we visit Studio 2, but we were also very fortunate in being able to make a recording as backing singers on a cover version of Ben E. King’s Stand by Me.
You could feel the ghosts in that room and that is not hyperbole. On the exterior wall years later, I was able to post a message on the wall that was published in a book before it was washed away in the weekly/bi-weekly cleaning of the wall done as a regular maintenance to make room for thousands more messages by Beatles fans honoring their favorite band!
Photos by Robin Hadden from his recent London excursion:
IF ONLY THE WALLS IN THIS BUILDING COULD TALK: ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS
A couple of photos by Robin Hadden of the world-famous crosswalk where the famous album cover was shot. You can see in the background the white exterior wall of Abbey Road studios where fans leave their messages honoring the Fab 4.
An anonymous bystander took this photo of Robin Hadden making the obligatory trek across the famous crosswalk!
The site of the last live Beatles performance on the roof of this building at 3 Savile Row!
Photos by Robin Hadden: You can see the blue plaque on the building!
The blue plaque in closeup!
1 Soho Square, London-MPL
The site of Paul McCartney’s business operations of MPL in the Soho district
To conclude this blog post I wanted to discuss one of Robin Hadden’s former collecting passions. Robin had specialized in the collection of vinyl records that were in stereo that had the gold Parlophone label. Some of those records were extremely difficult to find but Robin has a great talent of being patient and not being impulsive as a collector like I am. He eventually acquired a near complete gold Parlophone collection. He has since moved on from that passion and has sold off some of his rarities.
Robin’s stories highlight the fact that most collectors have different approaches and interest in their passions for collecting. Some collect vinyl 45s with picture sleeves, some collect vinyl LPs, some collect Eps, others collect 8-Tracks whereas there are also reel-to reel collectors. Some collect Bubblegum cards, some collect CDs or laser disks. My particular collecting passion is Beatles print material. Collecting has a variety of interests that may appeal to a large group of individuals or a very small segment of the population! It demonstrates the wisdom of the old cliche that VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE!!!
THE SPECIALIZATION ASPECT OF COLLECTING: Robin Hadden Collected Gold Parlophone Vinyl Records!
The mentioning above of Robin Hadden having specialized in the collecting of gold Parlophone’s is demonstrated by one of the more difficult stereo gold Parlophone records he was looking for. (see below) He acquired the disk below and discovered it was not the stereo edition he was looking for but the record he acquired was in Mono instead.
Robin has now left his former passion for Gold Parlophone’s and has moved on.
At this juncture I would like to pose a question. How many collectors out there would find it to be extremely difficult to move on from their collection of items that they have loved so dearly? If you would have great trouble parting with your collections, what would soothe that transition for you?
Hope you enjoyed this post that veered away from our regular discussion of print media! Thanks again Robin for the use of your photos!
Be healthy and be happy!
Buzz
Ich denke, es ist sehr hart sich von einer Beatles-Sammlung zu trennen. Aber wir leben ja nicht ewig und man sollte es rechtzeitig vorbereiten. Meine Sammlung geht nach meinem Tod an unsere Beatles Museum hier in Halle/Saale in Deutschland. Sie können die Sammlung in der Ausstellung verwenden oder auch nach und nach verkaufen. Damit habe ich ein gutes Gefühl. Ich habe übrigens inzwischen 600 Bücher über die Beatles plus Vinyls, CDs und Sonstiges.
Thank you, Alfred! I had your German text translated into English-Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!!!
“I think it is very hard to part with a Beatles collection. But we don’t live forever, and one should prepare for it in time. My collection will go to our Beatles Museum here in Halle/Saale, Germany, after my death. They can use the collection in the exhibition or gradually sell it. That gives me a good feeling. By the way, I now have 600 books about the Beatles, plus vinyl records, CDs, and other items.”
I don’t specialize in any area of Beatles memorabilia – I have a bit of everything! Have a large room dedicated to them, and the books have spilled over to one of my bedrooms. I have over 150 Beatles-related books from 1964 to the present. Buzz, you probably have over 500! Have you counted them? I am willing everything to my boy/girl twins who are also Beatles fans. They’re 39 now. The only thing I ever sold (which I now regret) is a letter I received from Maureen Starkey in 1968 after I wrote to her. I think I got $75 for it (thought I needed the money then) Probably worth a lot more since she passed away in 1994.
Nancy -I know it sounds strange, but I have over 2,000 books in my collection, many of them stored at relatives’ houses! The Beatles were always my number one hobby and collecting fascination. I like to specialize in the harder to find independent book titles. I am now at the stage of my life when I am considering donating everything to a Beatles Museum or if I get swamped with financial difficulties in the terrible economy we are currently in, I will consider bringing everything to an auction house and sell it to a single buyer. We do not live forever and everything we acquire in life is short term as we do not take it with us!!!
Buzz, WOW! I figured my guesstimate was too low, but I was really off! I agree, if you need to, sell the books at an auction house. You might not be able to find just one buyer, but you never know! I have my dad’s “first flight” stamp collection (Google it) which my son will have to go the auction house route to eventually sell. (He started it as a young teenager in the late ‘30s/early ‘40s! He passed away at 90 in 2016.)
I used to feel embarrassed by having so much in the collection but then I realized why should I feel guilty for pursuing something I truly loved and gave me so much happiness! That is the reason I started the blog to help share with others what I have been so fortunate to acquire for the short time that we are on Planet Earth!
All these places an be seen on my London Beatles Walks.
I was on the team that got the blue plaque put on 3 Savile Row
I have been on one of your walks Richard. Very enjoyable and informative. Highly recommended.
Me too, Kate. Loved it!
Thanks, Richard!
Dear Richard-I have updated the post to include your great website which gives readers the details of how to book one of your wonderful tours! Best Wishes from across the pond!
Buzz
Thanks Buzz 🙂
That is wonderful, Richard! All Beatles fans should thank you for making that happen!