Rare Quarrymen Photo Unearthed!

L-R: Paul, John and George, circa 1959. Image: PA Media

A rare photograph of the Quarrymen has emerged. The grainy image is believed to have been taken in mid-1959 in Liverpool and shows John, Paul and George playing their guitars.

Pete Best confirmed on Twitter that the photo was taken in the living room of 8 Hayman's Green, which is above the Casbah Coffee Club and the photo may have been snapped by his mother, Mona Best. This may have been one of the first times they started performing at the venue and the photo could have been during a rehearsal. It would seem that it was taken while they were performing as a trio before Stuart and Pete joined them and the band came to call themselves the Beatles. A marvellous and rare photograph of three friends who couldn't know they'd go on to shake the world just four years later....or perhaps they did? Is that a knowing smile from John in the picture?

The photograph emerges on the 50th anniversary of Paul McCartney announcing he was quitting the group in 1970.

And In The End...

The Beatles in the 'Hello Goodbye' promotional film, 1967. Photo: Apple Corps

Well, it's been a while since I posted last on here but I have returned! (As John said in Help! "Let's go back and get 'em, eh?")

"Where have you been?" I don't hear you ask! I've been busy over on our sister website Tea and a Butty and its podcast so if any of you are interested in British and American culture and the clashes that happen frequently between them, head on over and take a listen to us and most of all, let us know what you think! (We love to hear from you!)

The Beatles ceased to be a working band unofficially in 1969 and officially in 1970 when Paul announced he was quitting. Would they have gotten back together if John hadn't been killed will be the eternal question on the minds of all their fans both old and new. It is destined to be debated until time runs out.

Himesh Patel as Jack Malik in the 2019 film 'Yesterday' Photo: Universal

I hope everybody is enjoying this website and continues to. I don't plan on deleting it and its here forever* I am simply one of many out there that seek to put all of the facts as we know them up on here and discuss the news of Paul, Ringo and everyone else who was involved in this fantastic story. Isn't it amazing that over 50 years later we are still discussing a band that had extremely humble beginnings in Liverpool? Much art has been devoted to them and the most recent of them being the Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis film 'Yesterday' which features Himesh Patel as struggling musician Jack Malik who, due to an atmospheric phenomenon, finds himself one of only three people who remember the Beatles and their music.

I want to keep this blog open and update it when I feel like it but if you want to keep up with me, head on over to Tea and a Butty and check us out on there!

The White Album at 50 Years Old

The Beatles eponymous 1968 double album turns 50 today. Forever known as 'The White Album' thanks to its stark white cover, this is a collection of songs that has some fans and critics saying they topped their previous release 'Sgt Pepper' and some citing this album as the beginning of the break up.

My opinion is the White Album today remains the benchmark over which future albums were measured by. Most of the songs were written during their trip to Rishikesh, India in early 1968 and demoed at George Harrison's house in Esher, England before the album was recorded. This trip produced a huge volume of songs from John, Paul and George. So much that it was decided that the next album would be a double album. Their producer, George Martin, didn't feel that it should have been and the songs should have been condensed into one single album which led to a little tension during the sessions.

During interviews about the excellent 2018 remix of the album, George Martin's son, Giles compared his father's dislike of the album to an argument he himself had with his father over not measuring Pimm's. "The white album was the Beatles not measuring Pimm's!" is what he said in the interview.

The remixes sound incredibly fresh. Some have expressed discontent with some of them, While My Guitar Gently Weeps being one coming under fire for not having the bass and drums centered in the mix. Personally, I prefer the remix of Good Night to the original one but the Esher Demos and studio takes are the big draw for many fans in the deluxe package. All of them cleaned up and remixed.

What is your favourite remix from the White Album? Do you prefer it to the original mix?? Let us know on Facebook in the Tea & A Butty group!

Hello Good Buy - George Harrison - Let It Roll

Here's a great birthday gift idea for all you George Harrison fans - Let It Roll: Songs by George Harrison.

The Beatles 50 A Hard Days Night Shirt

The Beatles 50 Men's T-Shirt

It really will be a Hard Day's Night if you don't have this shirt! This is the Beatles 50 Large Men's T-Shirt in A Hard Day's Night print.

This is available on eBay and is perfect for those looking to complete their Beatles 50 collection!