Friday, July 6, 2012

John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time: July 6, 1957

image from BeatlesBible.com

The St. Peter’s Woolton Parish Church in Liverpool, England, held a Garden Fete in the field behind the church on July 6, 1957. Among the entertainment were crafts, games, a fancy dress parade, a police dog display, and live music from The Quarrymen. The skiffle group was led by the 16-year-old John Lennon and also featured Eric Griffiths (guitar), Colin Hanton (drums), Rod Davies (banjoy), Peter Shotton (washboard), and Len Garry (bass).

image from BeatlesBible.com

A 15-year-old Paul McCartney was in the audience. Differing reports suggest he was riding his bicycle in the area or came with friends. Either way, he supposedly went to pick up girls. He saw John perform Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula.”

The Quarry Men – The Day Paul Met John

While the group was setting up for a dance in the church hall later that night, Paul was introduced to John via Ivan Vaughan, who sometimes played with the Quarrymen and was a classmate of Paul’s at Liverpool Institute. Paul played Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock,” “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” and some Little Richard songs upside down on John’s right-handed guitar. John “dug him” because Paul looked like Elvis Presley and showed him how to tune a guitar.


Ivan told Paul that John wanted him to join the band. By some accounts, it wasn’t until October while other reports suggested roughly two weeks later. The pair often practiced and wrote songs on the front porch of John’s Aunt Mimi.


Awards for The Beatles:


Resources and Related Links:

1 comment:

  1. It blows my mind to think that this recording was actually made on that very day... also it is surprisingly clear, well done whoever cleaned it up.

    ReplyDelete