British Beatles Fan Club

The BBFC magazine is a glossy, full colour, 40 page publication which comes out 4 times a year. It is packed with fascinating and thoroughly researched articles on all aspects of the Fab Four past and present. We give you an insight into the Beatles' career and their associates in Liverpool, London and throughout the world.

Our correspondents include Pete Nash - former News Editor of The Beatles Book Monthly, Rod Davis of the original Quarrymen, Bill Harry - former Editor of Merseybeat, Stan Williams - former pupil of Dovedale Primary alongside John Lennon and George Harrison, David Bedford - Our Man in Liddypool, Andy Davis - former Editor of Record Collector magazine, Craig Smith, Lucy Carter, Peter Black and Ernie Sutton.

Among the regular features are:

• Upcoming Events - organised by the club and anything else relating to the Beatles, including festivals, Beatles Days, concerts and conventions throughout the world
• Beatles 2008 - A day-by-day diary
• Media Watch
• Reviews of the latest releases
• Classified Ads
• Twist & Shout by Bill Harry
• Letters from members
• The Legendary Crap Photos of the Month

Plus:

• Comprehensive feature articles on every Beatle subject imaginable!
• High quality colour and black & white Beatles photos throughout the magazine!

If you would like to advertise in our magazine, please contact the treasurer for further details, prices and any special offers.

Latest BBFC News

Friday 25th April 2008

Today it has been announced that 10th July 2008 will be officially rechristened as the first ever Beatles Day, 24 hours when the people of Liverpool will show their love for the Fab Four and raise money for the Alder Hey Imagine appeal and Liverpool Unites.

Over 20,000 specially-made Beatles-style mop-top wigs will be sold around Merseyside in the days leading up to 10th July, a day of celebrations all over the region. The climax will come in the shape of Imagine - the concert at the Summer Pops - an extravaganza at the Arena in which top UK stars perform best loved Beatles songs chosen by the public from voting lines on radio/TV.

Find out more about Beatles Day by reading on...

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

We can't believe that this is a real competition, but the Arts Council England has nominated Liverpool and Manchester to represent the north-west of England in the competition for the prestigious title of the country's Most Musical City.

Only one scene has ever changed the world - Merseybeat. The post-austerity Britain of the 60s is heralded as a golden age when skirts got shorter, love got free-er and the world danced to Britain's beat. At the centre of the world was Liverpool and four mop-topped Scousers who had emerged from the Cavern Club to change music for ever. Yet, the reason why you should vote Liverpool the Most Musical City is about more than just John, Paul, George and Ringo.

To find out more and to vote (for Liverpool!) visit mostmusicalcity.co.uk now!

Monday 21st April 2008

David Bedford writes: If you want to know about the history of Liverpool there is a Time Team special on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight where they discover a couple of docks off the Mersey, including the very first wet dock in the world and why Liverpool became the most important port in the world.

That diversity brought many nations to Liverpool, especially close ties with a German port called Hamburg, and from these docks came different forms of music which influenced the whole city and the Fabs of course. Don't miss it!

Sunday 30th March 2008

We at the Britsih Beatles Fan Club were shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Neil Aspinall last week. Neil was a friend to The Beatles and their families in the true sense of the word, being with them from their early days until very recently.

It was Neil who salvaged much of the footage when The Beatles broke up, that later came to fruition in the Anthology, and whilst Neil must have known much of what went on in those Beatlemania days and beyond, he always maintained a dignified silence, showing his true value as a friend.

Read our collection of thoughts and tributes to Neil by BBFC members

Saturday 29th March 2008

Issue 28 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale and has been posted out to our members.

It features a review of Ringo's visit to Liverpool for the opening of the European Capital of Culture 2008 and a look a the lyrics to his single Liverpool 8.

There's also a feature by Ernie Sutton on the Beatles in Croydon, and a five-page interview with Ken Mansfield, author of The White Book and the former U.S. manager of Apple Records.

View full contents or visit our shop to buy your copy now

Friday 28th March 2008

Lynne Varcoe was the auxiliary nurse who cared for John Lennon's Aunt Mimi in her final years, between 1991-1992. Ernie Sutton of the British Beatles Fan Club speaks to her here about her time caring for Mimi.

Read Ernie Sutton's interview with Lynn Varcoe

Thursday 27th March 2008

SUPERSUPER is one of the fastest growing and most hotly tipped youth media companies in Europe, unique in being the only title speaking to style conscious 16-24 year-olds. Sir Paul McCartney is collaborating with SUPERSUPER Magazine on a special one-off 6 page feature of original drawings especially created for the magazine, giving a rare insight into the artistic and creative mind of one of the greatest musical masterminds of the 21st century. This is the first time Sir Paul has done anything like this and we hope you're as excited with the feature as we are.

To pre-order this issue for delivery by Monday 7th April and be the first to get your hands on one for just £3.99 plus P+P, visit the supersuperstore

Thursday 21st February 2008

Instamatic Karma, a much anticipated new book of wonderful photos by May Pang will be released on 6th March 2008. It is full of never-before-seen shots depicting a relaxed and playful John Lennon -- eating Chinese food at their East 52nd Street apartment, swimming in Long Island, spending Christmas and a trip to Disneyland with son Julian and hanging out with Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney.

Pang's images span color and black & white, prints and more candid Polaroids, and paint a nimble, effortless and innocent portrait of both a romance and a fascinating time in John Lennon's life.

The British Beatles Fan Club have one first edition hard cover copy of this great book to give away.

Read more about Instamatic Karma and enter our competition now!

Thursday 21st February 2008

The first London Beatles Day of the year takes place on Sunday 20th April 2008 at the usual venue -- the Bonnington Hotel, Southampton Row, WC1. You will find thousands of Beatles items for sale at prices to suit every pocket!

The London Beatles Day was founded in 1990 by Steve Holmes, Rob Batchelor, Keith Badman and Jason Hobbs who between them have attended many conventions and fairs all over Europe and beyond! The London Beatles Day has been attracting Beatles fans from all over the globe ever since, originally 2 shows a year were staged but due to increased demand this was increased to the current 4 shows per year. This enables fab 4 fans to come along and buy and trade their Fabs items on a regular basis keeping their collections updated, and of course to come along to meet all the other fans & collectors in the comfort of the recently refurbished Bonnington Hotel.

Visit our events page to find out about more Beatles events in London, Liverpool and around the UK

Tuesday 19th February 2008

In 1965, John Lennon allowed a drawing of his, called The Fat Budgie, to be used on a Christmas card, sold by Oxfam. It was re-printed in 2007, with the permission of Yoko Ono, to mark the 50th Anniversary of Oxfam producing Christmas cards. For the second time around, the Fat Budgie cards sold like hot cakes, but the British Beatles Fan Club have managed to acquire a limited number which are now for sale in our shop.

A suitable donation has been made by the BBFC to Oxfam for these cards, which will go towards helping Oxfam fight world poverty. The cards were made in the UK from at least 50 per cent recycled paper.

Visit our shop purchase your Fat Budgie card now!

Wednesday 13th February 2008

David Rowley has spent 17 years researching and writing about the music of the Beatles.

His new book, Help! - 50 Songwriting, Recording and Career Tips Used by the Beatles, was released on 11th February 2008. It is the first book to simply explain how the Beatles 'did it'. It gives instructions, signposts and golden rules to aspiring songwriters, singers and musicians on how they can learn from the most successful rock band of all time.

Read more about Help! - 50 Songwriting, Recording and Career Tips Used by the Beatles

Thursday 31st January 2008

The British Beatles Fan Club were fortunate enough to get a glimpse inside the new Beatles-themed hotel during the opening weekend of Liverpool's Capital of Culture celebrations in January. The Hard Days Night Hotel is situated in Liverpool's North John Street, which runs adjacent to Mathew Street, the site of the famous Cavern Club. The hotel finally opens its doors to the public for the first time tomorrow, 1st February 2008.

Read more about the Hard Days Night Hotel

Saturday 26th January 2008

The USB wristband version of Ringo Starr's latest album, Liverpool 8, offers a stack of extras over the CD version -- a personal video message, interview and track commentary from Ringo, behind-the-scenes making-of footage from the recording sessions, ringtunes, photos and more.

The British Beatles Fan Club have acquired a (very) limited supply which you can buy now via our shop.

Visit our shop to order your wristband now!

Sunday 20th January 2008

Former Beatles drummer, Pete Best, has launched a new bus-ticketing machine in Merseyside that will help regular passengers and tourists in Liverpool travel easily and cheaply around the city.

Stagecoach Merseyside are to introduce one of the most advanced ticketing machines in the world that will allow passengers to buy weekly passes on board Stagecoach buses, for the first time. The 'state of the art' machines will now make it even easier for passengers to enjoy the cheapest travel on Merseyside.

Read more about Pete Best and the launch of Liverpool's new ticket machines

Sunday 20th January 2008

A brilliant work of cultural history, musical analysis and group biography, Jonathan Gould's Can't Buy Me Love is more than just a book on the Beatles; it's a stunning recreation of the 1960's in England and America through the prism of the world's most iconic band.

The Beatles, perhaps more than any musical act before or since, were a quintessential product of their time, and Gould draws on widely ranging sources of information and imagination to show the unique part they played in the shaping of post-war Britain and America.

Read more about Can't Buy Me Love: The Beatles, Britain, and America

Thursday 17th January 2008

John Lennon's sister was among the guests of honour at the launch yesterday of a stunning new exhibition celebrating the life and music of the Beatles.

Julia Baird arrived at Liverpool Central Library for the official opening of the Another Hard Day's Night exhibition, which tells the story of The Beatles' triumphant return to Liverpool after taking the world by storm.

Read more about the Another Hard Day's Night exhibition

Wednesday 16th January 2008

James Hyman Gallery and Paul McCartney are delighted to announce an exhibition of photographs by Linda McCartney, running from 24th April--7th June 2008 in London.

This is the first major exhibition of platinum prints by Linda McCartney to be presented in the UK. With the full support of Paul McCartney and his family, this exhibition is the result of a three-year collaboration with gallerist and art historian James Hyman.

Read full details of the Linda McCartney Photographs exhibition

Thursday 10th January 2008

The city of Liverpool, home to the Beatles and the official capital of pop according to the Guinness Book of Records, will soon be playing a hipper tune with the grand opening of Hard Days Night Hotel in February 2008. The hotel opening will coincide with Liverpool's tenure as the 2008 European Capital of Culture.

The Hard Days Night Hotel, a four star boutique hotel set in the heart of the 'Beatles Quarter', is just a stones through away from the world famous Cavern Club where the Beatles first rose to fame. The stunning Grade II listed hotel will feature 110 rooms, including luxury and deluxe rooms and two stunning penthouses -- the specially designed Lennon & McCartney suites -- the Lennon featuring a white grand piano.

Read more about the Hard Days Night Hotel

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