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THE CAVERN CLUB – A FEW FAMOUS DENIZENS

Patrick (Paddy) Delaney – The Cavern Club doorman

Pat Delaney’s signature:

Paddy Delaney's Autograph
Paddy Delaney’s Autograph

A story about Mr. Delaney from none other than Bill Harry that was found Online

MerseyCats – The Liverpool R ‘N’ R Childrens Charity-Paddy Delaney on the Door, Ted Knibbs gives it all away

Paddy’s obituary written by Spencer Leigh in 2009

Paddy Delaney: Doorman at the Cavern Club during its Sixties heyday | The Independent | The Independent

A YouTube Interview with Paddy Delaney 

The Beatles and the Cavern Club: Interview with Paddy Delaney and George Harrison’s Parents – YouTube

Interview with Paddy Delaney and George Harrison’s Parents

Although Allan Williams did occasionally visit the Cavern, he was a very independent and headstrong individual. He had opened his own club, the Jacaranda, and had his hands in the operation of numerous Liverpool venues. He signed this EP by The Big Three along with Cavern compere Bob Wooler on the back side of the EP. The Big Three were acknowledged as possibly being the best rock musicians in Liverpool even at the time of the Beatles. Their lack of songwriting ability was the apparent drawback to a bigger claim at fame. This perception was passed on to me by none other than Tony Bramwell, a friend of the Fabs!

The Big Three Record
The Big Three Record

The signatures of the Beatles first manager along with the Cavern compere:

Signatures of Allan Williams and Bob Wooler
Signatures of Allan Williams and Bob Wooler

Cavern Owner: Ray McFall

Pictured: Bob Wooler – Cavern compere with the owner of the Cavern – Ray McFall. Wooler appears in the background. Ray McFall was instrumental in achieving the transition from what was viewed as primarily a jazz club, to a rock ‘n’ roll club. Hesitant at first, the success of the Beatles forced his hand as his business instincts directed him to make the change in the focus of the club!

Ray McFall – obituary (telegraph.co.uk)

A Ray McFall signed Cavern contract in 1964 for a group to appear at the Cavern called the “Redcaps” which I purchased from the UK company entitled TRACKS.

Ray McFall Signed Contract
Ray McFall Signed Contract

You saw the Bob Wooler signature on THE BIG THREE EP above and here is a photo of a book written about Bob Wooler by Spencer Leigh. We all know that Bob literally introduced the Beatles at the Cavern well over 100 times. Bob was beaten up at Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party by John Lennon when he attempted to make a joke about Lennon’s trip to Spain with Brian Epstein in 1963. A financial settlement was reportedly worked out between John and Bob Wooler.

Bob Wooler Biography
Bob Wooler Biography

Thought a great way to end this post is this immortal Granada TV Cavern appearance (colorized) that appears on YouTube with Bob Wooler’s intro of the Beatles! Hope you enjoy!

The Beatles – Some Other Guy (LIVE at The Cavern Club) [*COLORIZED*] – YouTube

The Beatles at The Cavern

Buzz

If You Want To Know More About The Cavern Club

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The Beatles North American Fan Club

Dear Beatle People

SECOND GENERATION BEATLES FAN HAS PUBLISHED 2ND BOOK

After thoroughly enjoying reading Sara Schmidt’s first book about the Beatles playing in St. Louis, I was so happy to learn she was planning a new Beatles book. Well, it is now here!!! Published in April of 2023 it is the story of the Beatles North American Fan Club from beginning to sad end. I love books like this that deal with the direct impact the Beatles had on their fanbase. Published in both hardcover and softcover and features fantastic illustrations by noted artist, Eric Cash. This book proves that the labels of First Generation and Second Generation Beatle fans have little or no meaning or significance in the love that we all share for that fabulous group from Liverpool.  A job well done, Sara!!!

Dear Beatle People: The Story of The Beatles North American Fan Club Hardcover – April 3, 2023

by Sara Schmidt (Author), Janet Davis (Editor), Eric Cash (Illustrator)

The Beatles Northern American Fan Club
The Beatles Northern American Fan Club

The back cover of the book:

The Beatles Northern American Fan Club
The Beatles Northern American Fan Club

Sara’s first book:

Sara also loves to collect Beatles books that are titles about them in various cities and countries around the globe which is a great collecting concept!

Sara also runs an excellent website entitled “Meet the Beatles for Real” which features many rare and obscure Beatles-related photos. Both of her books are available through Amazon! At least one of her titles is also available through the Beatles Bookstore!

Beatlemania in St. Louis
Beatlemania in St Louis

You should get these books, they are fantastic! And definitely check out Sara’s website “Meet The Beatles For Real” too.

Buzz

New At The Beatles Bookstore – Art and Craft

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RINGO STARR, HILARY, AND BARBARA

Acquired this book recently from the estate of Ringo Starr’s late business manager, Hilary Gerrard. Hilary was born on January 17, 1933 in London, UK and he died on January 11, 2023 in Monaco, just prior to his 90th birthday!
This item was received by Hilary as a birthday gift for his 74th birthday from Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach!

About this Item

First edition, first printing, inscribed on the front free endpaper by Ringo Starr to his business manager, “Dear Hill, Have a great 74th, Happy Birthday, Love Ringo xxx”, additionally signed “Barbara xxxx”. Provenance: from the collection of Hilary Gerrard, Ringo Starr’s business manager from the early 1970s and a director of the Beatles Apple Corps Limited. Stone’s memoir discusses his experiences in the 1960s counterculture, including encounters with Ken Kesey, Neal Cassady, Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac from his time spent travelling with them.

The front cover of the book: it was a nice birthday gesture for Ringo to give his friend and legal advisor a book about the sixties which simultaneously was a decade hard to forget, and for some, a decade hard to remember!!!

Remembering the Sixties – by Robert Stone, published by Ecco in 2007

Remembering The Sixties
Remembering The Sixties

About this Item – the inscription page where both Ringo and Barbara wish Hilary a happy 74th birthday!

Signed by Ringo and Barbara
Signed by Ringo and Barbara

Though the following are not my items, they do indicate the respect the other Beatles had for Ringo’s legal representative and friend:

A Drawing Of Hilary Gerrard, by John Lennon on artnet

Created by John in 1974 – this indicates to me that Hilary was probably respected and appreciated by the other Beatles as well!

Drawing by John Lennon
Drawing by John Lennon

Bonhams also indicated that George Harrison liked and respected Hilary:

Bonhams: George Harrison A Collection of Greetings Cards to Hilary Gerrard, 8

Signed by George
Signed by George

This photo appears on the wonderful Sara Schmidt’s “Meet the Beatles for Real” website. I do not know who the photographer is for this photo, but it features Hilary, Ringo and Barbara! Obviously, three great friends!

Hilary, Ringo and Barbara

Hope you enjoyed this – someone universally appreciated by all four Beatles.

Buzz

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Julian Lennon and his Collaborative Musical Work

Julian Lennon and Mark Spiro

Even though Julian Lennon often spends significant amounts of time between his own album releases, he stays active as he continues to make music collaborating with a multitude of other artists. I love Julian’s contributions to many of these recordings and I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a few excellent examples on this blog entry. Julian’s musical legacy is far greater than just the albums he has personally released as his contributions to other people’s work is often superb and outstanding!

Here is a link to Julian Lennon’s website which features many of the collaborations Julian has been involved with over the years:

Collaborations – Julian Lennon

The first collaboration I want to mention here is a composition written by Julian Lennon, his good friend, the late Mark Spiro along with his wife Leslie. It is the environmental classic entitled “Saltwater.” Mark Spiro sadly passed away on his birthday in March of 2024 after a long illness. He has collaborated on several numbers over the years with Julian and he will be missed!

Julian Lennon and Mark Spiro
Julian Lennon and Mark Spiro

Julian Lennon – Saltwater (1991, Official Music Video) – YouTube

Mark’s solo rendition of the song:

Mark Spiro – Saltwater – YouTube

As a special tribute to the late Mark Spiro, here is Julian and Mark performing the song Someday in 2013 at the NightBird Recording Studios:

Julian Lennon – “Someday” Live Acoustic Performance @ NightBird Recording Studios – YouTube

Julian Lennon and a few collaborative highlights:

Here is a recording of a song that Julian is listed as a co-writer on that is posted on Youtube

That is followed by the orchestral scoring for the song published by the White Feather Foundation

Phil Naro, Julian Lennon, Brian May: ” Falling in Love” – YouTube

This is another song featuring Julian as a co-writer and one in which he is featured as lead singer

Let You Go (feat. Julian Lennon) – YouTube

Handwritten lyrics are followed to the song with Julian signing the lyric sheet that is framed

Here are a few more favorites of my favorite Julian collaborations

“Hope”

1) “Hope”- a song written by Nick Wood and co-sung with Julian about a tsunami that hit Japan:

HOPE(HD) – Nick Wood feat. Julian Lennon, Tetsuya Komuro, and BEYOND Tomorrow Students – YouTube

“Rain in England”

2) “Rain in England”- a wonderful song co-sung by Tony Mortimer and Julian Lennon. I can picture being pelted by a soft rain in the UK as this song is playing:

Rain in England (Radio Mix) – YouTube

“Sleep Now”

3) A beautiful tune co-sung by Kristina Train and Julian called “Sleep Now.” which features a tune written by Brian Byrne and words by literary great James Joyce:

Sleep Now (feat. Kristina Train & Julian Lennon) – YouTube

“The High Road”

4) Another beautiful duet. This wonderful song was written by Brent Bourgeois and Julian alternates singing the verses with Brent: “The High Road”

The High Road – YouTube

“December Sky”

5) Another example to be cited here in this post is a song entitled “December Sky.” This is the rehearsal of the song written by Tomi Swick which features harmony vocals by Julian. It is not a coincidence that this rehearsal was recorded on Dec 8, 2010.

Tomi Swick – December Sky Recording Session with Julian Lennon – December 8 2010 (Full Clip) – YouTube

I know Julian focuses primarily on his photography because it is far more relaxing for him not being compared with his dad. However, he has a golden voice and I would love to see more frequent musical releases by him. I know that I am not alone in that desire!!!

Cole’s Song”

Appearing in the closing credits of Mr. Holland’s Opus – this is a beautiful number written by Michael Kamen with lyrical contributions from Julian along with a splendid vocal performance by Jules. This movie must have been an emotional and poignant moment for Julian to come to grips with. If you remember the plot of the film, you will know what I am referring to!

Hope you have enjoyed some of the Julian Lennon collaborations that have been highlighted in this post!

Do you have a favorite? If so, what is it and why? Let me know in the comments below.

Buzz