Saturday 30 December 2017

Christmas with the Beatles

One of our members, Alan Millen, has several contributions on our Fan Art page including this song which we added to the page a few years ago.  However, the tune is catchy and we thought we'd dust it off and share it again. Thanks Alan for sharing!

Friday 15 December 2017

December Magazine is out!

Issue 64 of our quarterly magazine is out now for your holiday reading. If you are a member, it is in the post. Non members can order a copy from our website here.

Issue 64 (December 2017) includes:
  • Editorial
  • The Beatles A Day In The Life
  • Media Watch
  • Coming Up-Forthcoming Events
  • On the Bus with The Beatles
  • The Beatles NOT For Sale
  • Magical Mystery Tour...50 years on
  • The Decca Auditions; Part 1
  • The Beatles and their cars
  • Paperback Writers
  • Beatles Boots
  • Try Some, Buy Some-New Releases
  • Harry Nilsson and The Beatles
  • Crap Photo of the Month

Monday 4 December 2017

EX-BEATLE TO MAKE ACTING DEBUT!

______________________________________________
 
Former Beatles drummer, Pete Best, is to play himself in a brand new comedy stage production called, Lennon's BanjoWritten by Rob Fennah, the show is about a quest to find the holy grail of pop memorabilia - the first instrument John Lennon learned to play which has been missing for 60 years and now worth millions to whoever finds it.
 
Set in present day Liverpool, the stage play is based on the novel 'Julia's Banjo' by Rob Fennah and Helen A Jones.
 
Pete said: "I read the novel 'Julia's Banjo' some years ago and thought it was a great mix of fact and fiction with regards to the Beatles and the elusive banjo. It made me smile; a really enjoyable read. So, when speaking to Rob Fennah about the book becoming a stage play, I said in passing, 'I should play me!' And low and behold, here I am doing a few of the performances.  I would have loved to have done all of them but prior commitments made that impossible. Anyway, either with me, or the actor playing me, this show is going to be great fun!"
 
Rob Fennah, added: “As a huge Beatles’ fan, I was gobsmacked when Pete said he wanted to do it. Having a real life Beatle up there on stage is going to be a fantastic buzz, not just for those fortunate enough to get tickets for the shows Pete is performing in, but for the whole cast and crew. As for the play itself, I have matched the story to historical reality including dates, places and events. I want everyone to enjoy their romp through Beatledom and come out of the theatre believing, as I do, that the banjo is still out there somewhere just waiting to be found. It's The Beatles meets The Da Vinci Code!”
 
Pete Best's confirmed performance dates will be Wednesday 25th April 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Saturday 5th May at 7.30pm.
 
Lennon’s Banjo – one of the most hotly-anticipated new plays of 2018 - will premiere at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre next spring.
 
Produced by Pulse Records Ltd in association with Bill Elms, Lennon’s Banjo will open at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 24 April 2018 for a two-week run, continuing through until Saturday 5 May.
 
Directed by Mark Heller, Lennon’s Banjo stars Eric Potts, Jake Abraham, Mark Moraghan, Stephanie Dooley, Lynn Francis and Roy Carruthers, with more cast to be announced soon.
 
On 9 October 1957, a young John Lennon turned 17. It was the last birthday he would spend with his mother, Julia, who was killed the following summer in a road traffic accident. 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of Julia's death and the banjo's disappearance.
 
It is well documented that Lennon was estranged from his parents and brought up by his Aunt Mimi. He said in many of his interviews: “I lost my mother twice. Once when I was five-years-old when she left me with my Aunt Mimi, and again at 17 when she was run over by a drunken off-duty police officer.”
 
It was Julia Lennon who introduced John to the world of pop music, teaching him to play rock and roll on a banjo, given to her by John's grandfather. Lennon often recounted how he would sneak off to visit his mum who lived only a few miles away. There, he would learn to play songs like ‘That’ll Be The Day’. He has been quoted as saying: “Mum would sit there with endless patience until I managed to work out all the chords.”
 
Mysteriously, the banjo went missing shortly after Julia Lennon’s death and no-one has set eyes on it since. One thing is certain though, if it did resurface it is estimated to be worth in the region of five million pounds.
 
“The intrigue and mystery surrounding Lennon’s missing banjo, and the logic that it could be sitting in somebody’s attic right now, has the potential to make headlines around the world. The story crosses over beautifully from fiction to fact and back again to tease and tantalise you into believing every word is true.” Trinity Mirror
 
So where do the facts end and the fiction begin? Everything will be revealed in this intriguing, colourful and fast-paced comic caper starring a talented cast of actors.
 
Watch the Promo Video here  https://youtu.be/ddpVnRStAmo   
 
For more info visit www.lennonsbanjo.com
 
Twitter @LennonsBanjo #FindTheBanjo
Facebook/LennonsBanjo
 
LISTING INFORMATION

LENNON’S BANJO
Epstein Theatre
Tue 24 April – Sat 5 May 2018
Tickets from £16
Group Rates Available
 
HOW TO BOOK

Tickets are on sale now. 
 
EPSTEIN THEATRE
CALL: 0844 888 4411
IN PERSON: Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ |Mon-Thu 2pm-6pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-6pm

TICKETQUARTER
ONLINE:
www.ticketquarter.co.uk
CALL: 0844 8000 410
IN PERSON: Echo Arena Box Office, Kings Dock, Liverpool, L3 4FP | 12noon on Echo Arena event days, and from 9am - 6pm on Fridays.

Saturday 25 November 2017

New Book Review: ASTRID KIRCHHERR WITH THE BEATLES

ASTRID KIRCHHERR WITH THE BEATLES
Damiani Books ISBN 978-88-6208-574-8
Price: £22.50

The photographs of Astrid Kirchherr are legendary.

Capturing pictures of an unknown band called The Beatles during their stint in Hamburg between 1960 and 1962, these pictures proved to be the best set of images of The Beatles during this period and have been published many times in various books and magazines.

This book, however, goes further than these images. The story of how Astrid came to take the Hamburg photographs has been documented many times. What is less known, and written about, is her time with The Beatles after they made it to stardom.

Some of the most interesting pictures are from a 1963 holiday in Tenerife which Astrid attended with the boys.

Another lesser known fact is that Astrid was invited to the filming of ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ in 1964, and the book has some excellent photographs from the set of the film. Astrid handed these negatives to Max Scheler for a magazine feature, and many of her photographs were incorrectly attributed to him. Ulf Kruger, Astrid’s manager, later rectified this error.

After working on the film, Astrid and Max took a tour of Liverpool, and there are some brilliant photographs capturing life in the city in 1964.

The book is a wonderful collection of Astrid’s work, and whilst there have been more extensive books on Astrid’s work, particularly by Genesis Publications, this book is an excellent collection and more affordable for most Beatles fans.

~Ernie Sutton

Thursday 23 November 2017

New Black Friday discount available for members

Sonic Editions, a company created to make limited edition high quality fine art photographic prints affordable for the first time, who works with some of the world’s best photographers and picture archives are offering limited edition gallery quality music photography of the greatest musicians, film stars, cult heroes and cultural icons from only £79 framed (€119/$129). 

They've just added previous unseen Beatles pictures, and have arranged with the BBFC to offer a 10% discount from Friday November 24 through Monday November 27th.

The photos on sale are shots are from the recording of "The Music of Lennon and McCartney" Tv Show in 1965.You can have a look at the gallery here: http://bit.ly/2hHtdPs
 
To take advantage of the discount use the code “blackfridaybeatles" at the checkout stage of your purchase.
 
 

Win tickets to Macca The Concert!

Enter today to win two tickets to the hot new show ‘Macca the Concert- Celebrating the Music of Paul McCartney'. Learn more about this fab show on the show's website and Facebook page.

The Prize
The British Beatles Fan Club, in conjunction with Joe Richardson Marketing, have two tickets to give away for this show at the tour locations and dates below:
  • 13/01/2018 – New Theatre Oxford
  • 17/01/2018 – New Victoria Theatre Woking
  • 18/01/2018 – Sunderland Empire
  • 01/03/2018 –Southport Theatre
  • 23/03/2018 – Leas Cliff Hall Folkestone
  • 28/03/2018 – Victoria Hall Stoke
  • 29/03/2018 – New Wimbledon Theatre
  • 08/04/2018 – Theatre Royal Glasgow
  • 26/07/2018 – Princess Theatre Torquay
How to Enter
Entries must be received by midnight December 31, 2017.

Entries must include:
  • Your name
  • Your BBFC membership number
  • Your contact details (email, phone number and postal address) 
  • Answer to the following question: Which song on the list below is the first song Paul McCartney wrote?
    • In Spite of All the Danger
    • I lost My Little Girl
    • Love Me Do
Send your entry by:
Remember! Entries must reach us by 31stDecember 2017.

How to Win
Winner will be picked at random and notified. The judge’s decision is final.
PLEASE NOTE THIS COMPETITION IS OPEN TO BBFC MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.

Friday 17 November 2017

Maximum Volume (George Martin Biography) On Sale now

Just in time for Christmas this excellent book (reviewed in our December Magazine next month) is now out and available for purchase.  It is a must read for Beatles fans who are looking for something new.

Buy Here

Thursday 2 November 2017

Help Support the transformation of Strawberry Field!


2nd November, 2017
  • Inspirational choir records Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever at Abbey Road to launch campaign to tackle unemployment and isolation among young people with special needs
  • Of one million people with learning difficulties in the UK, 93% are unemployed and 31% have no contact with family or friends
  • The Salvation Army tackles issues within the learning-disabled community by re-opening former children’s home in Lennon’s Strawberry Field as a new training hub
LIVERPOOL, Thursday 2nd November – The Salvation Army today launches a public fundraising campaign to transform Strawberry Field – the former children’s home which inspired John Lennon’s Strawberry Fields Forever – into a training and work placement hub to support young people with learning disabilities.

The Church and Charity needs £2m funding to make this happen.

Over a million people in the UK have a learning disability* and only 7% of that number have a job. 31% have no contact with family or friends, according to research uncovered by the Church and Charity.

To mark the launch of the new campaign, 50 years since the original release of the 1967 classic Beatles song, a choir formed of young people with learning disabilities – all of whom could potentially benefit from the Army’s inspiring plans – gathered at the world-famous Abbey Road studios to create a special version of the iconic song, released online today. The choir was made up from a mix of students from The City of Liverpool College and young people who The Salvation Army work with.

Major Drew McCombe, Divisional Leader for The Salvation Army, North West, said: “Lennon grew up close to Strawberry Field, and gave generously to the home as soon as he got his first pay cheque. He also had a vision for it, expressed in the song, as a place where anybody, whatever their personal background and difficulties, could realise their dreams

“Strawberry Field has the potential to bring that vision to life; changing the lives of young people with learning disabilities, who find it difficult to find gainful employment, as well as encourage more projects similar across the UK. I hope our choir will not only raise awareness of these issues, but inspire people to take action to help create a better future for those affected.”

As a child, Lennon famously used to jump over the wall into the Strawberry Field grounds, where he would play with the children who lived there and listen to The Salvation Army band. He grew up just a stone’s throw away from the site in Woolton, Liverpool, which has lain unused for 12 years.

He remained a supporter of The Salvation Army, with a particular interest in Strawberry Field throughout his life, donating several thousands of pounds to the charity after the song’s release.
Paul O’Grady, supporter of The Salvation Army, said: “It is truly shocking to know the disadvantage that young people with learning disabilities face.

“I’m sure John Lennon would be smiling down on this project. As the song lyrics say, ‘Living is easy with eyes closed’ – hopefully this campaign will open people’s eyes so they see the many individuals living alongside us that aren’t being given the support they need to thrive and flourish.”

The Salvation Army is now calling on anyone interested in making a difference to the lives of these young people to help revive the iconic location through a £2m public fundraising campaign, which will allow Strawberry Field to open its doors to the public for the first time ever.

The inspirational choir was joined at Abbey Road by special guest photographer Mike McCartney, former front man of pop band The Scaffold and younger brother of Beatle Paul. He has been involved in the Strawberry Field project from its early days.

Mike said, “I wanted to capture the choir coming off the bus and walking across the famous zebra crossing, but they were on a mission – I almost missed them! They couldn’t wait to get to the studio and get in there. There was some apprehension in their faces, but it was special watching them grow in confidence throughout the day. In the end, they delivered the goods. It was a joyous day.”
Funds raised will create a training and work placement hub for young people with learning disabilities; a new, visitor experience on the place, the song and Lennon’s early life around Strawberry Field; and the development of a haven for spiritual exploration.

Please find below links to video content to support the campaign:

  • · Make it Matter (1:08 mins) -Hear from our choir as to why Strawberry Field matters to them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT96cp5NvOQ&index=2&list=PL7L42bBlNtlOPQ...

  • The Story Behind the Song (3:49 mins) -Follow our choir as they journey to London to rehearse and record Strawberry Fields Forever at Abbey Road Studios
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t3genXp2RY&index=1&list=PL7L42bBlNtlOPQ...

  • The Song (2:16 mins) - Listen to the song in its entirety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1tHR3ovteM&index=3&list=PL7L42bBlNtlOPQ...

  • Jordan’s Story (2:36 mins) -Due to his dyspraxia, Jordan left school a shy and isolated teenager with a very unclear future. Since then, not only has he gone on to gain qualifications, he now has two jobs with big ambitions for the future. Beyond that, he’s become a treasured, conscientious member of his community and relishes in the fact that he’s able to give back. Jordan is true inspiration and testament to what young people with learning disabilities can achieve – a real success story of this project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugcmXSTuXCg&index=4&list=PL7L42bBlNtlOPQ...

Further campaign information including hi-res images of the choir at Abbey Road Studios can be found here with the full press release.  You can also DONATE on this link.

Friday 27 October 2017

TREMBLING WILBURYS AT THE CAVERN - SUNDAY OCT 29th

The Trembling Wilburys  are playing the Cavern in Liverpool this Sunday 29th October as special guests of Steve Rodgers (son of Paul, Free/Bad Company) who's currently on tour with his band promoting his debut album.


The Trembling Wilburys pay perfect homage to the Traveling Wilburys, the amazing supergroup formed by George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan and the recently departed Tom Petty (R.I.P.), with hits including ‘Handle With Care’ and ‘End Of The Line’ as well as numbers from their incredible solo catalogues plus Beatles & ELO songs. 


The original Wilburys never played live as Roy Orbison passed away shortly after the release of their debut album in 1988, but luckily the “Tremblers” can bring you their version of the show that never was. The band also features two of the closest look & sound-alikes of any tribute act, with Glen Knowler being the virtual living double of George Harrison, while Dave Collison perfectly captures Roy Orbison’s unique vocal range and style. Absolutely NO WIGS in this band, folks, just great musicianship and an incredible live show that will have you rocking in the aisles! Timings as follows:


8pm - Rosenblume (local act)
8.45 - Steve Rodgers band
9.45 - Trembling Wilburys


More info & tickets:
www.cavernclub.org/events/event/steve-rodgers/?date=2017-10-29

Tuesday 3 October 2017

You are invited - Saturday Oct 21

Members of The Beatles Fan Club are invited to our author event:

Leslie Cavendish 
The Cutting Edge: The Story of the Beatles’ Hairdresser Who Defined an Era

The Beatles’ hair changed the world. As their increasingly wild, untamed manes grew, to the horror of parents everywhere, they set off a cultural revolution as the most tangible symbol of the Sixties’ psychedelic dream of peace, love and playful rebellion. In the midst of this epochal change was Leslie Cavendish, hairdresser to the Beatles and some of the greatest stars of the music and entertainment industry.
But just how did a fifteen-year-old Jewish school dropout from an undistinguished North London suburb, with no particular artistic talent or show­business connections, end up literally at the cutting edge of Sixties’ fashion in just four years? His story – honest, always entertaining and inspiring – parallels the meteoric rise of the Beatles themselves, and is no less astounding.
Saturday 21 October, 2:00-4:00pm at Idea Store Whitechapel
Book your free tickets here: cuttingedgeisw.eventbrite.co.uk

Sunday 1 October 2017

Help make it possible to visit Strawberry Fields

We have been asked to help spread the word about this contest that is being run by a group in Spain to help the project by the Salvation Army in the UK. See the two images below. One is about the contest and how to enter. The second explains the cause that it is in aid of.

Note: This contest is not affiliated with the BBFC.  We are just helping to get the word out. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Finding the Fourth Beatle by Dave Bedford - Get your copy!

We are excited to share this news of a new book out now by our "man in Liddypool", Dave Bedford.  If you have read his previous books, you will know why we are thrilled about this new release.

Read the press release by David himself which explains the book and contains instructions on how to get a copy.  Happy reading.


BIGGEST BEATLES MYSTERY SOLVED
Since the summer of 1962, Beatles fans have debated the topic of why The Beatles sacked Pete Best, and replaced him with Ringo. Since I first started writing about The Beatles, initially for the London Beatles Fan Club, and became part of the new British Beatles Fan Club as “Our Man in Liddypool”, this topic has fascinated me. In both of my books, “Liddypool” and “The Fab one hundred and Four”, I have examined this from every angle I could.

Following on from looking at all of the musicians who contributed to the evolution of The Beatles, my latest book is “Finding the Fourth Beatle”, with my friend Garry Popper, looking at every drummer who played with the group, from The Quarrymen in 1956, right up until 1970, and I have found 18 drummers! 

But more than that, I have succeeded in my quest to find out what really happened in August 1962. The most important revelation is: Pete Best was not sacked/dismissed by Brian or The Beatles!
I know that sounds incredible, and goes against what he have always understood, but it is true, and can be supported by evidence from an eyewitness who was closely involved in the saga. The whole book is written in a new and exciting style, where we have tested eyewitnesses and every account, with each claim supported by evidence. It will rewrite Beatles history as we know it on several topics.

Finding The Fourth Beatle - Book/ Album
The is the story of The Beatles from 1956-1970 told through the 18 drummers, including Colin Hanton, Pete Best and Jimmie Nicol, and some you will not have heard of before: The Beatles’ crises; changes of musical direction, getting a record deal, and finding the drummer who would put the beat into The Beatles: Ringo Starr, the Fourth Beatle. It is:
  • The story of all the 18 drummers
  • Those who could have joined The Beatles, but didn’t
  • Expert analysis of the Beatles drummers by drummers
  • Why Brian Epstein didn't sign the Beatles first contract
  • Why The Beatles failed the Decca audition
  • Proof of whether The Beatles were under contract or not at Parlophone in June 62?
  • Who was asked to replace Pete Best before Ringo, and how and when Ringo was asked
  • Why Ringo became the Fourth Beatle and inspired a generation of drummers
  • Double CD of over 40 tracks by the drummers, plus the Decca audition, Parlophone audition and much more
The book is being issued as a limited, numbered and signed edition of only 1000 and are already going fast, even before we launched the pledgefund site! See the latest issue of the BBFC mag for more info on the story. 


Dave Bedford
“Our Man in Liddypool”

Wednesday 27 September 2017

The Magazine is out. Happy Reading!

Issue 63 of our quarterly magazine is out now for your Autumn reading. If you are a member, it is in the post. Non members can order a copy from our website here.

Issue 63 (September 2017) includes:
  • The Beatles A Day In The Life
  • Media Watch
  • Plaque Ceremony
  • Coming Up-Forthcoming Events
  • The Beatles NOT For Sale
  • George Harrison 1974 American Tour
  • Our World 50th Anniversary
  • Paperback Writers
  • Beatles Boots
  • Try Some, Buy Some-New Releases
  • Finding the 4th Beatle
  • BBFC Offers and Discounts
  • As I Write This Letter
  • Crap Photo of the Month

Friday 22 September 2017

All I Need Is Love…and The Beatles

Our latest magazine issue will be posted this weekend.  It is chock full of good stuff. In fact, it was so full that not everything made the cut include the clever piece below by Jeanne Moran.  We are posting it here as a little bonus to entertain you while you wait for your magazine.



All I Need Is Love…and The Beatles
By Jeanne Moran
When I was a Little Child, The Beatles were Here, There, and Everywhere. Something in their Rock and Roll Music touched me, and decades later, There’s A Place for them In My Life still. Any Time At All, All I’ve Got to Do is open an app, pull out a CD, or spin my well-worn vinyl. I Want To Tell You, When I’m Sixty-Four, (and It Won’t Be Long,) I Will still be listening.

Back in the 60’s, The Beatles guided a generation through the Revolution that spread Across the Universe. Convinced things were Getting Better and that in The End, the human race could Come Together, they assured the world that We Can Work It Out. If just Two Of Us could speak Words Of Love, we could start Fixing A Hole, bringing people All Together Now as Mother Nature’s Sons and daughters.

Do You Want to Know a Secret? I’ve Got A Feeling they were right.

The Beatles created The Inner Light I’ve used to Help! me Eight Days a Week for years now. If I Fell for someone too fast, they urged me to Slow Down. When This Boy broke my heart over Another Girl, they reminded me I Should Have Known Better. Then, With A Little Help from My Friends, I was able to Wait until I met some new Boys who would Please Please Me.

The Beatles broke up Long Long Long ago and our Helter Skelter world still turns. But What Goes On hasn’t changed. Past Birthdays, through countless Hello, Goodbyes, their lyrics still hold truth:
-              There will be Rain before the Sun King comes;
-              I’ve got to pay the Taxman but that’s all right. Money Can’t Buy Me Love anyway;
-              When I’m Down and I think I’m A Loser, I’ll always find someone to help Carry That Weight;
-              Even during a Hard Day’s Night when It’s All Too Much and I can’t get a Good Night’s sleep, I can Step Inside Love;
-              Reassuring Words are always there. I know I’ll Be Back on my feet again soon.

When I Drive My Car or want to Get Back to Yesterday, The Beatles Don’t Let Me Down. If the soundtrack playing down the Long and Winding Road of your life includes The Beatles, Baby, You’re a Rich Man too. From Me To You, I suggest we Let It Be.