The DVD is described as covering the period “from the formation of the Quarrymen in 1957, and The Beatles early years in Hamburg, this 60 minute music documentary uses contemporary film, and recently rediscovered and restored footage to tell the definitive story of The Beatles, their rise to international stardom and their crowning as one of the most successful bands of all time. Containing rare and exclusive interviews from those who knew them best and featuring the musical recordings of Tony Sheridan, an early collaborator of The Beatles.”

The release date if listed as February 19th, 2008

Having written extensively about that day in Before They Were Beatles, and having corresponded with some of the people who shared the stage that day with John, its sad to see such a landmark in pieces. Lets hope that this piece of Beatles history can be restored to its original condition before too long.

It was a fun night, with some great questions and discussions. There were some very knowledgable Beatles buffs in the audience. Thanks also to the boys from Day Tripper for supplying some great music.

• Friday 6th July, Grand Dance hosted by (Whispering) Bob Harris and Colin Hall (Custodian at Mendips) with performances by The Quarrymen.
• Saturday 7th July a 50′s Dance Night with performances from
  The Quarrymen and  Jukebox Eddies – 50′s Tribute Band
• Sunday 8th July ‘The Woolton Music Festival’ featuring live appearances from The Quarrymen, Pete Wylie, The Merseybeatles and The Merseycats.

On a personal note on the actual anniversary day, Friday 6th July, I will be joined by tribute band Day Tripper for an evening of Lennon & McCartney stories, a book signing and music at Book People in Austin, TX. If you will be in the area come on by and help us celebrate.

John was performing with his group The Quarry Men (see photo above) when he was introduced to Paul by thier mutual friend Ivan Vaughan.

The events of that fateful day, perhaps the most important day in Beatles history, are covered in detail in my book Before They Were Beatles.

On the actual anniversary day, Friday 6th July, I will be joined by tribute band Day Tripper for an evening of Lennon & McCartney stories and music at Book People in Austin, TX. If you will be in the area come on by and help us celebrate.

• Special guests – the original Quarrymen.
• Terry Sylvester – former member of Cavern regulars, The Swinging Bluejeans and The Hollies.
• Beatles recording engineer – Norm “Hurricane” Smith
• Mark Hudson
• Larry Kane
• and a host of others.

Full details at the Fest For Beatles Fans website

If any Blog Me Do readers are at the NY event, we hope you have fun and please leave a comment to let us know how it went.

No airdate is given for the programme.

1. THE QUARRYMEN: That’ll Be The Day/ In Spite Of All The Danger (1958): £100,000

THERE is only one known surviving vinyl recording of the band formed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison before they became The Silver Beatles and then just The Beatles. It’s owned by Sir Paul who, even after his divorce, is unlikely to be so strapped for cash he needs to sell it. Named after John’s old school, Quarry Bank High, the fledgling band paid to record this disc of a Buddy Holly hit backed by a McCartney- Harrison original (10″ version). [You can read more about the story behind this recording in my book Before They Were Beatles]

and

8.  JOHN LENNON WITH THE PLASTIC ONO BAND: You Know My Name (Look Up The Number) (1969) Value: £3,000

This bizarre comedy number featuring a sax solo from Rolling Stone Brian Jones, backing vocals from Mick Jagger and sung by Lennon in a cheesey “club-singer” style, became a major release as the B-side of The Beatles’ Let It Be single. But even though Paul McCartney was also heavily involved, it almost came out earlier as a solo Lennon project. Anyone with a test pressing of that disc could pocket £3,000.

 

Hoggart sums up the performance with “and very good they were too. In my view you can’t hear Freight Train too often.“

If you have never seen John’s original band mates perform, here’s a clip of them from the 1998 Chicago Beatlefest performing “In Spite Of All The Danger.”

 

For more on the story of the original Quarrymen check out my own “Before They Were Beatles” as well as Hunter Davies’s “The Quarrymen.”