British Beatles Fan Club

The British Beatles Fan Club (BBFC) is run by fans for fans. We currently have over 800 members and bring together Beatles enthusiasts from the UK and across the world. We publish a highly esteemed quarterly magazine and organise Beatles related events in the London and Liverpool areas and across the UK, including monthly get-togethers in London. For those who can't make it to the meetings we have an on-line chat group for keeping up to date with the latest news and in touch with other fans.

BBFC news archives - 2008

Tuesday 16th December 2008

The Fireman's new album Electric Arguments, which was released last month to much critical acclaim, is being re-issued this week with exclusive new artwork.

To mark the launch, Paul McCartney will be appearing at HMV's flagship store on Oxford Street, this Sunday—21st December.

Paul will be signing copies of Electric Arguments and entry will be by wristband only.

More details about The Fireman signing at HMV

Monday 15th December 2008

Ever wondered what Paul and the McCartney family dish up for their Christmas Dinner? Well, now you can find out, thanks to the December issue of Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine.

WFI speaks to Paul and Mary McCartney; the article also includes some lovely photos of Paul playing guitar with his family around the bonfire, and collects together some mouth-watering vegetarian recipes including hot spiced cider, parsnip and butter bean soup, chilli non carne and toffee apples— recipes from World of Vegetarian Cooking by Linda McCartney.

Read more on the WFI site

Tuesday 2nd December 2008

Anthony Brown was born in Liverpool in 1961 and is an artist, designer, illustrator, musician and composer. His work moves between contemporary portraiture and abstract art in any medium, from graphic design, photography and illustration.

He is to exhibit a collection of Beatles inspired canvas portraits at The Gallery, Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool, which opens today and runs until 28th August 2009.

Brown over 40 years has collected newspapers, photographs, memorabilia, reproductions, certificates, song lyrics and magazines to create a montage which is at the foundation for his new oil paintings. The mixed media compromises every aspect of the life and work of The Beatles.

More about Anthony Brown's Beatles Canvas Exhibition

Tuesday 11th November 2008

The Revolution Collection from Lyric Culture offers updated spins on vintage rock'n'roll images, from The Beatles and David Bowie to INXS.

The British Beatles Fan Club have got together with Lyric Culture to bring readers a special deal—15% off from their on-line store.

What's more, we have this great Let It Be t-shirt to give away to one lucky reader, just in time for Christmas.

Enter our competition to win a Lyric Culture t-shirt!

Wednesday 5th November 2008

Poet John Sinclair, the activist, writer and founder of the White Panther Party, will be appearing at Bamalama Posters in London next Wednesday, 12th November 2008.

John shot to international fame in the 60s as an early victim of the war on drugs. He was arrested for selling 2 joints to an undercover cop and was given a 10 year prison sentence. Various appeals and campaigns took place, supported by John Lennon who wrote the song John Sinclair and played at the "Free John Sinclair" benefit concert in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on 10 December 1971, alongside Yoko Ono, Stevie Wonder and Allen Ginsberg.

The event at Bamalama will be spoken word and live music, will include a book signing and there will be a screening of rare Detroit-related film footage.

More about next John Sinclair's talk on our events page

Wednesday 5th November 2008

The Beatles' extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to rock across the universe in 2009, in the form of a video game through an exclusive partnership between Apple Corps Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks.

The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.

Read full press release

Wednesday 22nd October 2008

This week saw the long-awaited release of the feature-length documentary All Together Now — a full month earlier than previously advertised.

This joint production between Apple and Cirque Du Soleil is dedicated to the memory of Neil Aspinall. The BBFC's treasurer Ernie Sutton has been enjoying his copy and bring us a review here.

We always love being able to offer our readers competitions and give-aways, so we're very pleased to be able to bring you a chance to win a copy of All Together Now on DVD!

Read our review and enter our All Together Now competition!

Monday 20th October 2008

Joe Brown was one of the original rock'n'roll stars to come out of the UK. One of the first UK session men, he went on to top the charts with his own records and had The Beatles open shows for him and remained close to George Harrison.

With a career spanning over fifty years, Joe is renowned for his alarming work rate and his incredible talent. His new album, More Of The Truth is another addition to his expansive catalogue and combines rock 'n' roll, blues, folk and bluegrass - which highlights and enhances his enduring appeal.

It also includes great cover of George Harrison's That's The Way It Goes, which Joe performed live at the Concert For George in 2002.

Saturday 18th October 2008

The final London Beatles Day of 2008 takes place on Sunday 7th December at the usual venue -- the Park Inn (formerly known as the Bonnington Hotel), on 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 Park Inn.

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

Wednesday 15th October 2008

[The Quarrymen - Never Stop Rockin' and Rollin'!]

John Lennon's Original Quarrymen have been busy in a Liverpool recording studio. The resulting single, entitled Never Stop Rockin' and Rollin'! is written by Vic Elmes, whose group Christie enjoyed a series of hits in the 1970s.

It's a great country/rock style number and the band have made it available as a downloadable MP3 -- but you can only get it during October 2008. The single coincides with their U.S. tour this month.

Wednesday 15th October 2008

On Wednesday 12th November, John Sinclair will be appearing at the Bamalama Music & Movie Posters store in London at their Beatles Promo & Movie Poster Exhibition.

John Sinclair is the political activist who John Lennon wrote a song for on the 1972 Sometime In New York City album. He will be doing a reading and signing starting at 7.30pm.

See our events page for more info

Monday 13th October 2008

Issue 30 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale. If you're a BBFC member you should be receiving your copy in the mail very soon -- and if you're not, you can order it now from our shop (or why not join the BBFC?)

This issue's big cover story is Ringo & his All-Starr Band's 2008 tour. We bring you eleven pages with some fabulous glossy colour photos, an interview and gig-by-gig reviews from along the tour.

Also in this issue: we look at some newly found facts about Stuart Sutcliffe from previously ignored witnesses, translated letters and a look at Stuart's student records. And Lucy In The Sky is back -- Lucy looks at the way the Beatles have influenced so many of us, the fans.

Wednesday 8th October 2008

Paul McCartney is to release a new album on along with Youth under their dance music alter-ego The Fireman.

Electric Arguments is an eclectic and varied album consisting of thirteen tracks recorded in thirteen days over the period of nearly a year. Each track was written and recorded in the space of one day. The Fireman went into the studio with no plan or clear direction of how they wanted the album to sound. The project took a life of its own and the results will surprise anyone expecting to hear the previous sound of the band.

The album will be released on 18th November 2008.

Wednesday 1st October 2008

The BBFC have heard about a couple of Beatles-related features coming up on the radio this Saturday -- 4th October -- that we thought you'd want to know about.

The first is during Richard Atkins's show on BBC Radio Gloucestershire. Richard brings you classic album tracks and singles with the very best music from four decades, and this week features the Beatles' albums Beatles For Sale and Let it Be. You may well hear a plug for the BBFC too, so listen in. The show starts at 12.00 and the Beatles feature is expected to be shortly after 1pm.

Then at 5.30pm, tune in to BBC Radio Merseyside for Spencer Leigh's 'On The Beat' show. Spencer will be doing a feature on Phillips Sound Recording Services, where in 1958 the Quarrymen made their first ever record. Spencer visited the studios and speaks with Peter Phillips, Percy Phillips's grandson. It's bound to be a facinating story -- well worth tuning in!

You can listen to BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Merseyside on-line via the links above if you are not in the UK and the shows are expected to be available to 'listen again' for a week after broadcast.

Sunday 7th September 2008

Award-winning screen and theatre star Victor Spinetti has appeared in over thirty films including three with The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night, Help! and Magical Mystery Tour, as well as co-writing a play, In his Own Write with John Lennon which appeared at the National Theatre in 1968.

Victor is touring the UK with A Very Private Diary... Revisited starting in Inverness on 9th September 2008 in a run that continues until 20th December 2008. There will also be three dates in New York in January 2009.

In his one-man show, Victor unlocks his very private diary and tells stories about The Beatles, Peter Sellers, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Salvador Dali, Marlene Dietrich, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Mick Jagger, Franco Zeffirelli, Laurence Olivier, Brendan Behan, Richard Attenborough, Keith Richards, Princess Margaret and many more.

More information and full tour dates for Victor Spinetti - A Very Private Diary... Revisited

Friday 5th September 2008

There aren't many artists who worked with The Beatles as much as Donovan did. He went to Rishikesh with them to study with the Maharishi and showed John Lennon how to finger-pick a guitar by the banks of the Ganges, he wrote a line of the lyrics to Yellow Submarine and also sang backing vocals, he was part of the recording session for A Day in the Life -- he even contributed some songs to Mary Hopkin for her first album Post Card, released by Apple Records.

Now, seven years in the making, a three-hour feature-length documentary -- Sunshine Superman - The Journey of Donovan is due to be released on 29th September 2008. It will trace his career, music and cultural impact. Among the footage is a scene from India where Donovan, four Beatles, one Beach Boy, and others meditate with the Maharishi.

Thursday 4th September 2008

The long-awaited feature-length documentary All Together Now is now set for DVD release on 30th November 2008.

The film details the story behind the unique partnership between The Beatles and Cirque du Soleil that resulted in the creation and launch of LOVE, the stage production still wowing audiences at The Mirage in Las Vegas, and the double Grammy-winning album of the same name. The film is dedicated to the memory of Neil Aspinall, an Executive Producer of the DVD.

It faithfully recounts how the LOVE project came into being, borne from the personal friendship between George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. George saw how the twin talents of Cirque's artistry and The Beatles' music could be fused into something new and totally original.

Find out more and pre-order your copy of All Together Now

Wednesday 3rd September 2008

Released this week is Eight Days a Week: Inside The Beatles' Final World Tour, a look through the lens and words of their official photographer, Robert Whitaker, with journalist and documentary-maker Marcus Hearn.

It documents the tempestuous journey that began in Germany and included a visit to Hamburg, then an unscheduled stop-over in Alaska before arriving in Japan, where they were confined to their hotel between shows for their own security. Their final destination, Manila in the Philippines turned into a nightmare after unintentional offence was given to Imelda Marcos, wife of the country's dictator.

Robert was a guest speaker during at the convention in during this year's Beatle Week in Liverpool. He spoke about his time with the Beatles, their final world tour, and his new book.

Read on for Poppy's report on Robert's talk

Monday 1st September 2008

Sunday during Beatle Week can only mean one thing -- it's Convention Day at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool. It was lovely to meet so many of you at our table in the main hall, and there was so much else going on as well.

The day's speakers included Yellow Submarine illustrator Ron Campbell, photographer Robert Whitaker, author Philip Norman and actor Victor Spinetti -- as well as Joey Molland from Badfinger, who was also playing at the Mathew Street Festival the following day. Joey spoke about Apple, Badfinger and the Beatles in his interview with Spencer Leigh.

Read on for Ernie Sutton's memories of Joey's talk

Monday 1st September 2008

Linda McCartney was an original food pioneer - she believed in great tasting, honest, meat free food and the shared pleasure that eating well could bring.

Those involved in the Linda McCartney brand today, including the McCartney family, are dedicated to sharing Linda's passion for wholesome cooking with everyone. The food is meat-free, but just like in Linda's own kitchen, the recipes go far beyond vegetarian eating. Their aim is to deliver a simply delicious range that is full of variety and flavour and tempting to everyone.

You can register on the Linda McCartney Foods site to receive information about Linda McCartney Foods, and you may stand a chance of becoming a product tester or to take part in product research.

Sunday 31st August 2008

This week saw the release of The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour Memories on DVD. It's billed as an upbeat rockumentary film featuring the vivid memories of those who witnessed the making of the cult Beatle movie.

It is narrated by the wonderful Victor Spinetti and features interviews with Tony Barrow, Mike McCartney, Miranda Ward, Spencer Davis, Tony Bramwell, Neil Innes, Freda Kelly and Dame Peggy Spencer.

The BBFC have been enjoying it -- you can read Ernie Sutton's review here and what's more, we're running a competition for three lucky readers to win copies.

Read our review and enter to win a copy of Magical Mystery Tour Memories!

Saturday 30th August 2008

John Lennon - the iconic songwriter, composer and one quarter of The Beatles - was a giant of the twentieth century. As the founding member of the world's most successful group ever, he changed lives. Now, Philip Norman, the bestselling author of Shout!, recognised for over 25 years as the ultimate Beatles biography, turns his formidable talent to the Beatle for whom belonging to the world's most beloved pop group was never enough.

Drawing on previously untapped sources, and with unprecedented access to all the major characters, John Lennon: The Life is the comprehensive and most revealing portrait of John Lennon that is ever likely to be published.

John Lennon: The Life is due for release on 1st October 2008 and Philip Norman will be discussing the book at signings in London and Liverpool.

Wednesday 13th August 2008

Boasting an impressive cast of hugely talented performers, All You Need is Love is a full-scale musical celebration of some of the best-loved bands in history. Contrasting highlights include the thunderous rendition of Twist and Shout, the timeless solo rendition of Yesterday and a glimpse of the gloriously psychedelic world of Sgt Pepper. Incredible lighting, exquisite colourful costumes, energetic dancers and special effects provide the atmosphere and backdrop for this outstanding production.

Our roving reporter Ernie Sutton was lucky enough to catch the show at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and brings us a review.

All You Need Is Love - read our review and view running order

Thursday 7th August 2008

The September issue of MOJO is on sale now and is a must-have for all Beatles fans.

Conceived in the transcendental purity of an Indian retreat, birthed during a year of political upheval and internecine conflict, The Beatles' White Album stripped the Fab Four back to the bone and sowed the seeds for their destruction.

40 years on, The White Album still holds a plethora of secrets and continues to defy definition. In this, the first part of MOJO's two-month 30-page special, Yoko Ono, Donovan, Oasis and many more, dissect the album track-by-track.

The cover CD this issue is of The White Album Recovered - disc 1. It's side one of The Beatles' 1968 masterpiece re-imagined by Joan As Policewoman, Vashti Bunyan & Max Richter, Johnny Flynn, Gabriella Cilmi, Field Music, Julie Fowlis and many, many more!

Saturday 26th July 2008

[Scene From The Thames, Photographer: Tom Murray]

Sixties society photographer Tom Murray had the great unexpected honour of photographing The Beatles in what was one of their most famous official photographic assignments.

From two rolls of film there are 23 surviving shots, which have been hailed as some of the most important photographs ever taken of the group. The shoot was so last minute and the schedule so hectic, the collection of images became known as the Mad Day Out.

Sunday 27th July 2008 is the 40th Anniversary of the Mad Day Out and Tom Murray will be appearing at the Park Gallery, Glasgow, on the first day of their exhibition hosting signed limited editions of the photographs. The exhibition continues until 10th August 2008.

Thursday 24th July 2008

The Magical Mystery Tour was the first Beatles film project following the death of manager Brian Epstein in August 1967. The film was unscripted as various 'ordinary' people travelled on a charabanc bus, having 'magical' adventures en route.

Wienerworld will be releasing an upbeat rockumentary film on 25th August 2008, featuring the vivid memories of those who witnessed the making of the cult Beatle movie.

It features Tony Barrow, Mike McCartney, Miranda Ward, Spencer Davis, Tony Bramwell, Neil Innes, Freda Kelly, Dame Peggy Spencer and Victor Spinetti, sharing their memories, with Victor supplying a fascinating commentary to the film.

Find out more and pre-order your copy of this great DVD now!

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

31st July 2008 is the 40th anniversary of the Beatles recording Hey Jude in Trident Studios, London.

To celebrate the anniversary the BBFC have organised a special tour of Trident Studios - 40 years to the day since the recording.

The Beatles also used the studio for some tracks from the White Album and many solo and Apple projects. Other famous recordings made there include David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust album, Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side and Carly Simon's You're So Vain.

Full information and ticket details on our Events page

Monday 21st July 2008

The next London Beatles Day of the year takes place on Sunday 12th October 2008 at the usual venue -- the Park Inn (formerly known as 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 Park Inn.

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

Friday 11th July 2008

Pete Best, the original drummer for The Beatles, will release a CD entitled Haymans Green on 16th September 2008.

The autobiographical album exposes Pete Best's thoughts and feelings as he takes us from the time he was a Beatle, which included the famous Hamburg, Germany tour dates, BBC, Polydor, Decca, and EMI recordings, before mysteriously getting fired, to the anguish of losing the gig and then finding his own way as the famous band went on to super-stardom.

The eleven tracks recorded by The Pete Best Band are a musical documentary encapsulating Pete's mindset and reflections about those now famous days, as well as the trials and tribulations of life in general.

Read full info about Haymans Green, including track-by-track commentary from Pete Best

Thursday 10th July 2008

The Beatles stayed at Roman Camp Hotel, Callander for two nights on 29 April 1964. They were rising stars -� signed in by their road manager at that time Neil Aspinall �- but they didn't escape the glare of the camera or popularity of fans because news of their arrival to what they called the 'hideaway hotel' soon spread.

Hotel owner Eric Brown remembers it well as it was the year he came to live in Callander and he says it caused quite a stir in the village. Eventually the head master came and dispersed the crowd of about 100 children back to school.

The Roman Camp is still a functioning hotel -- and you can stay in the Beatles' room!

Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Issue 29 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale and has been posted out to our members.

It features a five-page review of Paul's visit to Liverpool for the Liverpool Sound concert at Anfield Stadium in June.

There's also a four-page tribute to Neil Aspinall including an obituary by Hunter Davies, as well as a review of the performance of Ecce Cor Meum at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (attended by Paul) and all the usual book/dvd reviews, letters, events and more.

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

Thursday 26th June 2008

A Lost Beatles Interview, previously unheard outside of Scotland, will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 1.30pm on Tuesday 1st July.

Sixties star Helen Shapiro presents the story of a lost TV interview with the Beatles that was recorded in April 1964 and recently found languishing in a rusty film can in a garage in South London. Experts say it's the earliest surviving interview where Lennon and McCartney talk about how they met and discuss the song writing process. With contributions from the original TV interviewer Paul Young - who had never seen the footage, which was part of a regional television programme broadcast only in Scotland - Beatles expert and writer Mark Lewisohn and Dick Fiddy of the BFI.

You can listen to the broadcast online through BBC iPlayer

Saturday 7th June 2008

We're thrilled to report that the British Beatles Fan Club came top of Fab4Radio.com's poll to find your favourite Beatles fanzine, leading with a massive 89% of the vote. It's always lovely to receive some recognition and we'd like to thank everybody who voted for us -- it really means a lot.

Speaking of polls, the BBFC have been contacted by Glenn Cooper, former Head of Digital at Island Records UK. Glenn has recently launched a website to invite the public to vote for their Top 5 albums (and films and books) in an evolving poll to find the Greatest Albums, etc. of all time -- pollthepeople.com. The site was borne out of frustration at the number of TV and press polls based on very little research or the opinions of a few journalists. So now the people have a chance to be heard and vote for their favourite albums (and films and books) to create a truly definitive global poll.

Why not visit pollthepeople.com and make sure the Beatles' albums get their rightful place!

Friday 23rd May 2008

One of the show gardens at this year's Chelsea Flower Show is called From Life to Life: A garden for George. It was designed by Olivia Harrison and Yvonne Innes and was inspired by the life of George Harrison, who not only gained international fame from his time in The Beatles, but was a dedicated and inspired landscape gardener.

The garden is divided into four areas to represent George's life story -- his boyhood years in Liverpool, the 60s, George's mature gardening years and his spiritual life -- linked together by a path, which changes in colour and texture as you progress along it.

The BBC are holding a vote to find the readers' favourite garden in the BBC RHS Peoples' Award 2008 and the Life to Life garden has got through to the shortlist of four finalists. The winner will be announced Saturday evening UK time.

Visit the BBC Chelsea Flower Show website now and cast your vote for From Life to Life, A garden for George

Wednesday 21st May 2008

Fab4Radio.com (The Global Beatle Network) is a fabulous 24/7 online radio station geared to the serious Beatle appreciator. Playing songs by artists that influenced the Beatles -- Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Eddie Cochrane and many more, as well as all the bands The Beatles have affected -- ELO, Elvis Costello, Badfinger and plenty more. Add to that some interviews, some novelty songs and it all sounds pretty good.

Fab4Radio are running a vote on their site to find the world's Favorite Beatles Fanzine. The British Beatles Fan Club are currently in the lead but there are still 11 days to go -- so pay them a visit and vote for us -- we'd love to come top of the pops.

Visit Fab4Radio.com and vote for us now!

Friday 16th May 2008

Paul McCartney's latest studio album, Memory Almost Full will be appearing as a free give-away with the UK newspaper Mail On Sunday this weekend, 18th May 2008.

The album was originally released last year on the Starbucks Entertainment/Concord Music Group-owned Hear Music label, where it sold 100,000 copies in the UK, reaching number five in the album chart. The Mail On Sunday hopes to repeat the sales success it received when it gave away Prince's album Planet Earth last July. This generated an extra 600,000 sales of the paper.

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 - Photographs of John Lennon]

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wednesday 16th January 2008

[Paul, Venice, 1976, � 1976 MPL Communications Ltd., Photographer: Linda McCartney]

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.

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