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.
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Resources and Related Links:
- The Beatles’ DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry
- ’s DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry
- Paul McCartney’s DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry
- DMDB Facebook post: The Top 40 Songs of John Lennon (8 December 2011)
- Angelfire.com: Lennon-McCartney
- Answers.com: When did John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet?
- BeatlesBible.com: John Lennon meets Paul McCartney
- ThisDayInRock.com: 1956 – Paul McCartney Meets John Lennon of The Quarry Men
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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.
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