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
“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.
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Just Like Starting Over: John Lennon and The Quarrymen
When John Lennon and his group The Quarrymen stepped onto the back of a wagon in Rosebery Street on 22nd June 1957, Charlie Roberts borrowed a camera and took a few photos of the event. It was just a group of friends having fun at a street party.
What Charlie didn’t know at the time was that he was capturing a piece of Beatles history. This was the first time that John Lennon had been photographed performing with his group. Skiffle was the new music and soon, John would meet Paul McCartney who would then introduce George Harrison to John.
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”
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:
NEMS and the Business of Selling Beatles Merchandise in the U.S. 1964-1966 (2ND EDITION)
The book covers the approximately 150 licensed items that dotted store shelves and helped fuel the band-crazed fan during the time right after the band landed in America and performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. Toys, games, dolls, jewelry, clothing, wigs, and more!
On A Certain Softness, from the album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard of 2005, you can hear how much Paul has evolved since the Beatles. Compare this love song with She Loves You. It is much more delicate, painting the more subtle feelings of a love affair. In this song a powerful musical element is used: the perfect detail. After 1:21 minutes you hear a piano line, simple, not difficult to play, but perfect. The song is not the same without it.
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
The Beatles have used the perfect detail too, but never as beautiful as in this song. In Good Morning Good Morning from Sgt. Pepper for example, you have the electric guitar after 1:16 minutes. In Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da from The White Album you have a funny piano part, two short lines, towards the end, after 2:32 minutes. When the Analogues performed this song, as part of the integral performance of The White Album, they accentuated this perfect detail by a musician who came on stage, especially for these two piano lines.
The perfect detail, one of the musical elements used by Paul and the Beatles which make their music so interesting. A more detailed analysis of the musical elements of Beatles music can be found in The Beatles Era, A Quest for the Secret of the Beatles, by Peter Eijgenhuijsen, especially in the chapter The Secret of Their Music.
Discover more about the secrets of Paul McCartney and The Beatles in Peter’s book:
Seeing Paul’s birthday coming up, reminds me of the time he celebrated his Dad’s 62nd birthday following the premiere of “A Hard Day’s Night” in London.
They were at the after party at The Dorchester Hotel, and when it turned midnight and became the 7th July, Paul presented Jim with a big flat brown paper parcel. He opened it to find a framed picture of a horse. Jim was a bit bewildered and said, “Thanks son, it’s a very nice picture.” To which Paul replied, “It’s not just a picture Dad, I’ve bought you the bloody horse, his name is Drake’s Drum, and he’s running at Aintree next Saturday”.
A Thoughtful Gift
Angie, Paul and Jim McCartney with Drakes Drum
Paul knew his Dad liked a little flutter on the horses, and decided on this unique present, which brought Jim much happiness over the years. What a thoughtful gift.
I know Paul will have the loving wishes of family and friends around the world when he celebrates this next trip around the sun.
Ruth and I join in sending our warm and fuzzies.
Read Angie’s stories in her fascinating book:
Your Mother Should Know
Your Mother Should Know is the second book from Dr. McCartney, who published her first, My Long and Winding Road, in 2013. Now 90 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down. Her latest work is a collection of often hilarious and always heartfelt quips, memories, lifehacks, salty one-liners and witty observations. Along for the ride is McCartney’s ever-loyal and equally saucy daughter Ruth, who, as a young child greeted her future stepbrother Paul at their first meeting with “I know who you are! You’re on my cousin’s wallpaper.”
