Book Review: 'All You Need Is Hull' by Lynda Hill

Lynda Hill with the Beatles in 1963.

I recently had the pleasure of receiving the book 'All You Need Is Hull' from it's author and compiler, Lynda Hill. For those of you that may not be familiar with Lynda, she was one of the lucky few who met the Beatles, her story is so wonderful it's like a fairytale, a dream, the inspiration for many fan fictions and the envy of all of us who were not yet born and missed out on that fabulous time. In November 1963, Lynda was a young girl, crazy about the Beatles like all the young girls in Britain at the time and when news broke of the band coming to Hull for their appearance at the ABC, Lynda was going to go and see them.

Her boss at the time mentioned that she would like Lynda to queue for tickets for her and her daughter too. After queuing all night, Lynda realised that she would be late for work and just as she was about the get those golden tickets, she decided to go to work. A difficult choice but the right one.

After sadly telling her boss that she didn't get the tickets, Lynda's boss decided that Lynda's loyalty to her company should not go unrewarded. She rang the Hull Daily Mail and arranged for Lynda not only to attend the concert but to MEET THE BEATLES.

Lynda had no idea about this. She was told by her boss that she had to have her hair done for an interview with the employment exchange who wanted to know how she was getting on with her job. On the day of the concert, Lynda's boss picked her up and they drove to the Hull Daily Mail offices, which was just across the street from the ABC cinema. Lynda's boss instructed Lynda to follow her into the building, mystified, Lynda followed and was greeted by a man who asked her if she knew why she was there, when Lynda shook her head he told her she should probably sit down. Lynda chose to stand and the man continued...

"Well, in about ten minutes I'm going to take you across the road where you will meet the Beatles."

Lynda was in shock. She had to sit down. A plan was hatched, Lynda would be dressed as a cleaner and smuggled into the ABC theatre so as to avoid the attention of the national press. When she was safely in the building, she was allowed to change back into her own clothes. After waiting in the hall, the Beatles appeared and were herded into a room, she caught a brief hello from them all before they were gone. After an agonizing ten minute wait they reappeared and sat down with her and the above photograph was taken.

Lynda's book has all the stories from fans from around the Hull area who either saw the Beatles play in Hull or met them.

It's a wonderful book with many treasured memories from the fans who were there in 1962, 63 and 64 and saw the Beatles play.

What's interesting to note is their first appearance in Hull in 1962 was seen by less than 40 people as it was Hull Fair Week. Their second appearance in early 1963 was more frenzied as Beatlemania in the UK was on the climb. By November that year, their popularity was at an all time high and fans queued overnight for tickets. By the time of their last appearance in the city in 1964, the mania had subsided somewhat. One fan recalled being able to just walk into the box office and buy the tickets and not having to queue in 1964.

You can find Lynda Hill on Twitter @boppyblue_hill

Join the Tea & A Butty Forum!

HEY BEATLE PEOPLE! Do you like to talk (er... type)? Do you have LOTS of opinions? Ever posted on a message board? Then, the new ‪#‎TBTTY‬ ‪#‎Beatles‬ ‪#‎Forum‬ might be the place for you! It's VERY new (like, still kinda-under-construction-NEW), but we're anticipating it's going to be a new favorite for fans of the ‪#‎fab‬ ‪#‎four‬ to have discussions about everything that makes their favorite ‪#‎band‬ GREAT! Join now! And please, feel free to go ahead and share this with your Beatle fan friends!

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This forum is a message board for Beatles fans to come and chat about the Beatles and everything related to them, discuss Ringo, John, George and Paul and everyone involved with them including Brian Epstein, George Martin, Neil Aspinall, Mal Evans and their wives, girlfriends and mistresses.

If you like you can also chat about whatever you like on our General board. You can discuss other popular musical artists and even your favourite TV shows, films and actors or even food! We want to know what you had for breakfast! (We're that nosey, yes!) 

So please, sign up, start posting and you'll make us very happy! We'll respond! We promise!  We look forward to hearing from you! 

There's Nowhere You Can Be That Isn't Where You're Meant To Be... It's Easy!

This one time, many moons ago (aka 2006), I heard on the radio (MaccaRadio, that is) that Paul McCartney was going to be doing a signing of his CD, Ecce Cor Meum, and his DVD, The Space Within US, at the Virgin MegaStore in Times Square (which is now the Disney Store, I believe) in New York City.  I had heard the news on a Monday, I think, and it was something like the following Monday that it was going to occur.  I had a week to decide and had been wishy-washy for most of that time, because getting to meet him wasn't going to be a sure thing.  (Did I mention I live in Texas?)  I had posted a few blogs on MySpace (I know) about the matter, after I'd heard the news, and had received mixed advice on what I should do, but the Saturday before it was set to happen I decided I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by.  The following is a blog post from November 20, 2006, that I saved before I closed down my MySpace.

 - by Erica Williams

---------------------------

As you may or may not know, I was debating whether or not I should go to New York City to meet Paul McCartney.   It was too expensive, not worth the time in the long run, crazy, etc., etc., etc...   BUT, last Saturday I still wanted to go.  I wanted really, really badly to go.  Music is very important to me and the man is like a God in my eyes.  One of the geniuses of our time.  (If you don't agree, please remove yourself from my "Friends" list.)  And, after much whining on my part, my mother thought she'd taunt me a little.

"Stop whining and go! You're not married. You don't have any kids. You can take off from work. You should go. No guts, no glory," she said. (Or something to a similar effect.)

Now, whether or not she really believed I would go, I don't really know.  But I had been to New York a couple of times already and the thought of going alone didn't scare me in the slightest.  So I responded very determinedly,

"All right.  When I get home, I'm going to check flights."  (I would have to leave that day in order to make it to NYC to be assured a place in line, so I never thought I'd be able to afford the flight at the last minute like that.)

Surprisingly, there was a fairly affordable flight.   (Well, except now no one is getting Christmas presents from me this year.)  By this time it was about 3:00 in the afternoon.  I tried to book the flight online, but the flight left Austin at 5:20pm, so it wouldn't let me.  I jumped in the shower and when I got out, I tried to book the flight over the phone, but the woman said I would have to try at the airport.  She couldn't book it because it was so close to the departure time.  So, I threw some stuff in a bag, grabbed my coat and rushed out the door making it to the airport at around 4:30pm.  (But forgetting my reading glasses.   It was going to be an interesting trip not being able to read anything the whole time!  lol!)  The man at the desk said I could still book it, so I did!

I got to LaGuardia around 11:30pm and decided to stay there for a few hours before going to get in line, so I found a gate where there were a bunch of people from a canceled flight (at least I assumed that was why they were there), asleep on chairs and on the floor and I decided to join them.  I don't know if I was too excited or just too uncomfortable, but I couldn't get to sleep.  I tossed and turned for hours.   I slept for about an hour total!  And by 4:45am I was done.   I went to the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and then caught a cab to Times Square.  I arrived at the Virgin Mega Store at 5:30 in the morning and was #46 in line!  I was guaranteed a chance to meet Paul McCartney!

A view of the Virgin Mega Store where I was camped out, from across the street at this hotel where all of us in line kept going to warm up and to use the restroom!

I watched the sun come up in Times Square and the crowds begin to pick up and I made friends with the other people that were in line around me.  It was nice because we knew we all had something in common, otherwise we wouldn't be there.  We all took care of each other's things when we needed to go use the restroom, or to get something to eat, or just to stretch our legs.  They were mostly all New Yorkers (complete with the accent) and they were well prepared with chairs etc. and all I had brought with me was a little blanket, so one of the men that was there gave me a chair to use while we were in line, which was unbelievably nice.  Especially when it started raining!  I would have been completely soaked had I been on my blanket on the ground.

Everyone passing by asked why we were in line, which became pretty annoying after a while.  Some people in line started messing with them, giving them ridiculous answers like, "We're waiting for the parade." and "We're queuing to meet Ali G." and "We're already lined up for the new Playstation!"   (Although now I see the Playstation excuse may not have been so silly after all since people really did line up for that!)  And when we'd tell them we were waiting for Paul McCartney, the reactions were priceless.   I particularly loved this one woman who almost started crying when I told her Paul was going to be at the Virgin Mega Store tomorrow (Monday).

She said, "Oh, I love him, but I have to teach a seminar tomorrow!"  And the look on her face was amazing because you could tell she was really trying to figure out how she could get out of doing it!   lol!  She was an older lady, so I'm sure she had probably been a fan as long as I've been alive, and probably longer!

Lined up to go inside to get our wristbands. The line goes around the corner! Over 400 of us!

And so, Sunday came to an end with me running on about 2 hours sleep.  There were approximately 200 people in line at that point and as it got later, they just kept coming.  We were all wet and freezing to death!  One woman offered me $100 for my place in line.  She must have been out of her mind if she thought that was enough!  I'm not sure there is enough money in the world, really.  By about 1:30am, the pedestrian traffic in Times Square had slowed a little and I decided to try and sleep.  I was exhausted.  I woke up every hour on the hour, but somehow was able to get some sleep in all the bright lights and busyness of the streets.   (Fire trucks and garbage trucks and taxis, oh my!)  I woke up about 5:30 that morning and ran off to get cleaned up.  A friend in line gave me the key to their hotel room while they held my place in line and I popped in and cleaned up.   (I couldn't look like a street urchin when I met Paul!)

At 8:00am they let us into Virgin to buy our CD and DVD for him to sign and in doing so we got our wristbands to meet him.  Then we, all 400 of us by this time, were herded like cattle downstairs and into the tiniest, hottest, most cramped queue ever in the history of queues… and left to die… Or so, it seemed.  I thought I was going to be sick.  It was bad enough my stomach was already in knots over the fact that I was about to meet Paul McCartney, but I was dressed in layers to boot!  Thankfully they moved us into another line that was more spread out and airy, but I still had to go peel off some layers.  I felt nauseous and like I might pass out, but I know that I was not alone.  Other women in line for the ladies room were all expressing to each other that they hoped they didn't "throw up on Sir Paul!"  And I know they were not just joking because that was exactly how I felt.  I made it out of there and back to my spot in line where I would have had a prime view of Paul coming down the escalator, only I didn't anticipate the media circus that was about to begin.

So when he came down the escalator I could barely hold the camera still. I was all nervous as if he was coming down to propose to me!

The Associated Press, The Times, MSNBC, CBS, BBC… everyone… all came down and sat up their equipment RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!   But before long, there he was.  And it was all I could do to stop shaking long enough that I could hold my little disposable camera and snap some pictures.  He was really right there.  I couldn't believe it!  He began walking down the escalator and then he would stop and pose for pictures every few steps.


Like my new Beatles friend, Michael, had said just a little while earlier, it is unbelievable to think all the things he's accomplished in his life.  That his huge twirling, amazing lifeline, that included events like playing the Cavern, filling Shea Stadium, writing with John Lennon, his success with Wings, his solo achievements, his activism, his knighthood… everything, could one day… for one moment… cross with my little lifeline.  Meeting me became, however minuscule, an event on that very same lifeline.  UNBELIEVABLE.

 Flashes were going off everywhere.  People were screaming his name from every direction, including from the upper floors of the store.  He would stop signing and look up and wave to them which resulted in a chorus of screeches.  You would have thought it was Beatlemania all over again.   I can't imagine having spent most of my life like that, the way he has.

By this point, I was so close my knees were shaking, full-on cartoon style!

I took as many pictures as I was able to and then threw all of my belongings into the security basket just like at the airport, and waited to meet "the man."  A sudden sense of calm washed over me.  I wasn't sure what happened, really.  I stopped shaking, stopped being nervous.  (I must have been in shock.)  I had thought about different things I might say to him, but when I got up there I couldn't really remember any of them.  The woman right in front of me, a blond with long hair, had slipped him a little folded piece of paper.  Paul was whistling as he unfolded it, read it really quickly, and then either put it in his pocket, or dropped it on the floor beneath the table, I'm not sure which.  (If I hadn't been so nervous, I should have joked, "If I would have known ahead of time that it was possible, I would have brought you a piece of paper with my phone number on it too!"  I think he would have laughed!  lol!)



But all I could manage was,

"I love you so much, Paul, I came all the way from Austin, Texas to see you."

"Did you?" he asked in a voice that was so familiar.

"Yes, I did.  And I'm supposed to also tell you that my mother loves you, or I'm going to be in trouble when I get back home," I laughed.

He looked at me; right into my eyes.

"Please send her my love as well," he said sweetly.

"May I shake your hand?"

"Suuuuure, sure."

And as we shook hands he looked into my eyes again and said "Thank you, thank you," sort of quietly.

When it came my turn to meet him, a strange sense of calm rushed over me.   I told him I loved him!  lol!  And that my mother did as well, to which Paul wished my mother ALL HIS LOVIN'!!!  Holy God!  Then I asked if I could shake his hand.  I touched the hand that's fingered that Hofner so many times over the years...  I can die happy.

It was strange how, even with 400 people on that lower level of Virgin Records, he could make you feel like you were the only person in the room.  His handshake was firm and he waited for me to be the first to let go (which I must admit was a risk, because I could have held on forever!), rather than sort of shooing me off.  ("NEXT!")  He just stayed there looking into my eyes.  We finally broke and my moment was over.  I was immediately directed upstairs, where I wanted to wait around to get a couple more photos, but it just wasn't happening.  They had to "clear the floor."  So, I rode the escalator up and then back down several times just so I could look at him for as long as possible!  lol!   There he was, a living legend, and I had just met him.  I didn't get sick, I didn't pass out, I didn't even cry.  I was amazed I had held it together so well.



Finally I decided there probably wasn't much hope of seeing him leave the building, so I caught a taxi up to Central Park, to Strawberry Fields, so I could pay my respects to John while I was still in town, as my flight back to Austin left first thing the next morning.  And as soon as I saw the Dakota (which I had already been to twice before on different trips to NYC) and made my way into Strawberry Fields, I began to think about John, and about all of the Beatles, and everything they meant and still mean to music and culture and the world, and especially to me.  And like a lightening bolt, the enormity of what had just taken place hit me.  I had just met Paul McCartney!  Easily one of the most important figures in history.  I began to cry, sitting there all alone in Central Park, and I didn't even care.

And after meeting Paul, of course I had to go pay my respects to John. Well... Lennon and McCartney go hand in hand, don't they?

Central Park was as beautiful as I expected it to be.  I had never been to New York at this time of year, but had always wanted to.  I finally had my opportunity.  I walked back towards Times Square and passed some children getting out of school.  Little spoiled upper westsiders, carrying their backpacks, as they walked alongside their nannies.  And I hung around Columbus Circle for a while watching all the traffic both on the street and on foot.  And when I finally made it back down, closer to Times Square I passed by a man who was calling out:

"Win free tickets to David Letterman today and tomorrow."

I stopped and walked over to him.

"Did you say today?"

"Yes I did."

"What do I have to do?"

"Do you watch the show very often?"

"Well, no, not very often."

"Well, you have to answer a trivia question about the show."

"Okay?" I figured I might as well try.  I didn't have anything to lose.

"What does the 'Grinder Girl' do?"

Is this a trick question?  I wondered.

"What do you mean what does she do?  She just grinds her stomach."

"You DO watch the show!  That's the right answer!"



So, I won a ticket and went to the taping from 7:00 – 8:00pm.  I had nothing else to do and suddenly here I was in the Ed Sullivan Theater, continuing my Beatley adventure!  The theater is much smaller inside than it looks on television. The guests on the Late Show weren't anyone super impressive (Kevin Pollack, Sen. John Edwards, and Will Arnett) but it was still fun!  (And I saw me in the crowd shot on Friday's episode! lol!)

Aaahhh... to be in the old Ed Sullivan Theatre where Beatlemania began in America. What a PERFECT way to wrap up my little adventure!

After that, I wandered around aimlessly, and went over to Rockefeller Center to see if the tree was up yet and sure enough, it was!  There was scaffolding around it because they still have to add the lights, but I always wanted to see the tree in Rockefeller, so I was super excited.  And there were people ice skating just below it!   It was great.  And this guy driving a horse and buggy asked me, in a thick Russian accent if I wanted a ride.  I told him no thanks and then he said it was free for me!  I figured there had to be some kind of catch, so I said no again, but while I was walking away I thought I should have done it!  It sure seemed like my lucky day.


After some more wandering around I decided I was too exhausted to continue, so about midnight I caught a taxi back to LaGuardia, where this time, I had absolutely no trouble sleeping.  I kept my newly autographed CD and DVD secure in my purse.  Purse secure in my lap, with the strap around my arm.  No one was getting those things!  (I officially have prized posessions now!)  I woke up and 3:45am, so I could go check in and get through security.  My flight left New York at 6:00am last Tuesday morning and it took me a couple of days to recuperate.  (Especially considering the fact that Wednesday I turned around and went to Dallas to see Aerosmith play.  Which was great, by the way.)  Actually if I'm being completely honest, I think I've only just now recuperated from my little adventure, so that's why it's taken me so long to share with you guys.

I still can't believe it.

I met Paul McCartney…

And I do it again tomorrow if I had the chance!


(A note about the pictures - I didn't take a digital camera because I had read online that pictures weren't allowed, but it turned out they were, so all I had was a crappy little disposable camera. The pics came out all dark, but they're better than nothing I suppose.)

Beatles/Paul McCartney Fan Has Wisdom Teeth Pulled.

This is what happens when a Paul McCartney fan has her wisdom teeth out and is still under anesthetic.....

Fan Stories: Adriana Tabisova

Adriana with her big sign and fab shirt at Paul's Stockholm concert.

Today we have another fan story! This time all the way from Slovakia! We are excited to welcome Adriana Tabisova on the blog with her story of going to see Paul McCartney in Stockholm, Sweden. Adriana is 16 and is a huge fan of the Beatles and is also Slovakia's Ambassador to The Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool! So, we have a VIP on the blog today!

So, without further ado, here is Adriana in her own words...

Hello! I'm Adriana from Slovakia. I'm 16 years old and I'm a huge fan of The Beatles. I'd like to tell you my story that I've  experienced recently! I'm very lucky to say I've experienced one of the Out There tour concerts. I went (actually flew) to the one in Stockholm, Sweden which is more than a thousand miles from my home in Slovakia, but it was certainly worth it! This was the second time I've been to see Sir Paul and I knew this time I had to do something more than just go to his concert. I wanted to meet him. I started to look for blogs and videos giving advice on how it would be possible to meet Paul, but I thought all the people that met Paul were just pretty lucky and it wouldn't happen to me. I made a huge sign saying "The Beatles Story Ambassador Here, CAN I HAVE A HUG?'' because I was hoping Paul would call me on the stage as he does to many people. 

 

Adriana gets excited to see Paul in Stockholm.

 

 

I'm an Ambassador for the Beatles Story in Liverpool for my country, Slovakia, so I thought that may be a reason he would invite me on the stage. I messaged Brian Ray (Paul's guitarist), thinking there's no chance he would get back to me. But he did! I almost fainted! He told me Paul usually comes at 4.30 - 5.00 pm to the arena for sound check and I should be there and wait for him if I want to see him. Brian is such a nice guy! So I went there pretty early. There were a few people in front of the arena and I didn't give great odds to it. I also had no idea where to go. Then I asked a nice security guy if he knows where should I go to see Paul and he told me to go behind the arena! So I ran there like crazy and there were few people wearing Beatles shirts and stuff like that. I tried to ask them if they knew anything but they all had no idea. 

 

Adriana's wonderful shirt!

 

A few minutes after that, Paul's road manager came and he told us to go a bit further. Nobody trusted him, they thought he was shoo-ing us away! but I knew who he was, I'd read about him on the blogs,  he is a such a nice guy and you should trust him if you want to see Paul drive in. So I did and I started to really think that something unforgettable was going to happen! We waited there for maybe an hour which isn't that long and then Paul came! He drove past! It was only a few seconds, but it was precious! He sent us air kisses, he played air bass (his typical gesture), waved at us, smiled and he was so nice! We all screamed, shouted 'I love you Paul' and 'Thank you'. 

 

Adriana waves at Paul during his drive into the venue.

 

It was just amazing. If you're ever going to Paul's concert, just do this! You will never forget it! I can't even describe how I felt. I know that you understand it well! Who else if not you? 

 

Then, full of euphoria, I went to the concert. I found the playlist of the concert before I went there, but Paul changed it quite a lot and I really liked that. He added 'One After 909', 'Got To Get You Into My Life' and many other songs I love! He told us funny stories, he was in such a great mood, dancing, joking and all the other stuff I'm sure you know about when you've seen Paul. 

 

I realised how much his music connects people, although it's kind of sad that people only scream when he starts to play 'Hey Jude' or 'Let It Be', but on the other side, it's so nice to realise that everyone loves that song and thousands of people sing it together!

 

Adriana's view of the stage.

 

I cried a lot when he played 'Maybe I'm Amazed' (I adore Linda), 'Here Today' (This doesn't need any words), 'Something' (Same with this one), 'The Long and Winding Road', 'Band on The Run' (The best song Paul has ever written, in my opinion!), and during 'Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/ The End' because these songs are very extraordinary for me! But I also felt like crying the whole concert! It's just so wonderful to see Paul McCartney! 

 

The thing with my sign didn't work out, but he didn't invite anyone on the stage. I then realised I don't really know if this is the way I would like to meet Paul anyway. I mean, it would be really cool, but if I had the choice, I think I would prefer to just personally tell him big THANK YOU when there was no one else around. But this doesn't happen every day. 

 

 

 

Anyway, it was a great night, show, great band, people, the best cultural experience of my life and I'm happy to share it with you! 

 

 

Adriana proudly wears her 'Out There' Tour shirt.

 

I also have my blog on Facebook if you'd be interested in more of my crazy Beatle life: www.facebook.com/beatleadriana

 

We'd like to say a huge thank you to Adriana for telling us her story! Be sure to check her out on Facebook! If you want to tell us your Beatles experience, please get in touch with us!

The Beatles Live in Plymouth - 13 November 1963 by Carol Cuffe

British Beatlemania: The front row of the ABC Cinema in Plymouth during the afternoon performance by the Beatles in 1963. Carol Cuffe is to the left of her younger sister with the Beatles jumper on.

This story, courtesy of the UK Newspaper 'The Guardian', tells the story of Carol Cuffe, who had e-mailed the paper after seeing a photograph that was taken at the Plymouth gig she attended with her friend and younger sister. The Beatles were on their UK Autumn tour and played two performances (or 'Houses' as they were called back then). Carol, her sister Brenda and friend Janet seen the afternoon performance.

Here's Carol's account of that tremendous night:

"I was really into the whole Liverpool scene – Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Merseybeats – but the Beatles were something else. They were fantastic. So when I heard they were coming to Plymouth, my home town, I knew I had to see them. One Friday in October 1963, I caught a bus into town after school, made my way to the ABC cinema with my sleeping bag, and sat down on the pavement. At 4.15pm, I was first in the queue for tickets that were going on sale the following day. After a while, a couple of blokes arrived and were annoyed that I was there first. Later, my dad turned up with a flask of soup and some sandwiches. The next morning I got three front-row tickets – for me, my friend Janet and for my younger sister, Brenda. Before the concert, Brenda had hand-embroidered “The Beatles” on the back of her brown woolly jumper. I was wearing my best outfit – a denim pinafore with a black polo neck sweater. Everyone wore black polo necks then, like the Beatles. I was 16, and Brenda was 12."

The Beatles, how Carol would have seen them, at the ABC in Plymouth 1963.

 
"The concert, on Wednesday 13 November, was at the ABC. The cinema screen was rolled up, the 50s gold curtains pulled back, and the Beatles ran on. I screamed and screamed, as did everyone else. You were so thrilled to see these people, so familiar from TV and photographs, right in front of you that you took a deep breath, screamed and didn’t stop. It was a wall of noise. There were no amps back then, so the sound from their small speakers probably only reached row 12. I think I remember hearing them above the din."

"Instead of going straight home, my sister and I hung around outside. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of them after the second performance. There must have been 1,000 people outside the cinema, and I had to keep a tight hold of Brenda’s hand. By the time we realised they’d left, we’d missed the last bus home. We had no money for a taxi so we started walking the eight miles back. After about an hour – it was now around 1am – I saw our father’s car coming towards us. He was livid, and worried. I think he was most upset that I’d kept my sister out so late. I was grounded for a month."


Below is a video with interviews with people and fans who were there for this particular show.

"The next day at school, Stoke Damerel High, my teachers weren’t impressed: this photograph was on page 5 of the Daily Mirror, with the headline: 'Hands, knees and – yeah, yeah, yeah!' I’d lost my voice, too. Most people’s parents got the Mirror, so they all knew I was at the concert.
 
I never saw the Beatles again. When I look back at this photo I think, is that really me, and did I really scream through their whole performance? I was so lucky: it was just before they became superstars; in 1963, we were all young innocents together." - Carol Cuffe


The Beatles returned to the ABC in Plymouth only once more, playing two concerts on the 29th October 1964. By which time they were known the world over.

Fan Stories: Erin Smith

 

Erin Smith enjoying her holiday in Pompeii.

Today on this first day of May we have another Beatles fan story! So without any further ado, here she is, the amazing Erin Smith!

1. What's your name?

 Erin Smith

2. How old/young are you? 

30

3. Where are you in the world? 

Northern Illinois

4. What is your earliest Beatles memory?

The thing that always sticks in my mind as the moment when I fell head over heels for The Beatles is this:  I had just turned 11 and was going with my family on a road trip to visit some relatives in Connecticut.  I brought my portable CD player, headphones and various CDs with for the car in case I got bored with my parents’ choice of radio stations. I should mention that this was the mid-‘90s; I don’t think we had a car with a CD player until a few years later.   

My dad had brought a few of his own CDs with including his favorite Beatles album, Abbey Road.  I knew my dad was a Beatles fan, but I always made fun of him for still liking such an “old” band.  But on the second day of our trip, I had already grown tired of the music I had brought with and decided to pop in Abbey Road.  I had heard my dad play this album at home a few times but had never really paid much attention to it. But for whatever reason something clicked this time; it was like I was hearing it for the very first time. 

I sat completely transfixed as “Come Together” started and as the album played on I couldn’t believe I had so easily dismissed this band before.  By the time “Her Majesty” ended, I was in love.  I started rummaging around through the CDs, anxious to find another Beatles album, but to my complete horror Abbey Road was the only one he had brought with.  I peppered my dad (who I think was pretty bemused with my new overnight obsession) with endless questions about the Beatles throughout that trip, and by the time we got home I listened to his other Beatles albums (although I was in shock that he only possessed 5 of the 13.  This changed very quickly.), and was reading any book I could find on them.   

Shortly after my summer of discovery, The Beatles Anthology premiered on ABC.  I could not believe my luck.  The Beatles were everywhere: on the cover of magazines, on TV, on the radio.  It was like they were making this resurgence just for me!  

5. Did you ever attend a Beatles concert between 1960 and 1966?

Sadly no, as I was not born yet!  My dad was 12 during their last concert in Chicago at Comiskey Park in ’66.  When I asked him once why in the world he didn’t go (or at least try to get a ticket) he told me he didn’t discover the Beatles until the mid ‘70s, when they had already broken up.  Hmmph.   ;) 

6. Have you met any of the Beatles? Or anyone associated with them? 

I shook George’s sister Louise’s hand at my first Fest for Beatles Fans in 1997.  And I was once seated two tables away from Victor Spinetti, although I did not have the pleasure of meeting him.

7. Have you ever seen John, Paul, George or Ringo on a solo tour/appearance?

 I have seen Paul once (his ’05 U.S. tour).  I am dying to see him at least once more, as it was such an amazing show! How he makes you feel like you’re the only one he’s singing to in a room full of hundreds of screaming fans is beyond me.  And I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ringo four times (three times with his All Starr Band, once on his own)

8. In what way have the Beatles inspired you? Did you take up a career because of them?   

The Beatles inspire me in countless ways.   They inspire me to always have a sense of humor, to stand up for myself, to fight for what I believe in.  They inspire me to see as much of the world as I can, to try to find the positive in any situation and to always try to have an open mind.  They’ve inspired in ways that probably  haven’t even occurred to me yet!  I could not be more grateful for this band, and I am of the firm belief that you can’t not come away a little happier, a little more enlightened after listening to a Beatles song.  

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We are very thankful to Erin for taking the time to answer our questions and we want more fan stories so head on over to our Fans page to answer the questions and send them in for us to feature on the blog!

Fan Stories: Erica Williams

 

The Cavern Proudly Presents: Erica Williams in her first appearance at the Cavern.
 Here she is everybody, the woman that stole my heart (alright, alright, I paid her to take it!), Ladies & Genitals, Erica Williams!



1. What's your name?

Erica Williams

2. How old/young are you?

25-35 would be the box I would check here... you know, if there were boxes.  :-p

3. Where are you in the world?

Austin, Texas, The Live Music Capital of the World!! (read that with lots of echo.)

4. What is your earliest Beatles memory?

My EARLIEST Beatles memory is seeing my mom's "Meet the Beatles" record in our record collection when I was really little and used to like looking through her albums.  I really feel like I've always known who they were though.  I became a FAN, however, when my aunt first showed me the film, A Hard Day's Night, when I was about 11.  But, I didn't become COMPLETELY OBSESSED until much more recently, in 2005 when I first saw Paul in concert.

5. Did you ever attend a Beatles concert between 1960 and 1966? 

Unfortunately, only in my dreams.

6. Have you met any of the Beatles? Or anyone associated with them?

I have met Paul McCartney!!  Shook his hand too!  I also met Sam Leach in Liverpool and saw Allan Williams in the same place, but didn't speak to him.  Oh, and I've met Dhani Harrison.  Hey, kids count, right?

7. Have you ever seen John, Paul, George or Ringo on a solo tour/gig?

I've seen Paul five times and Ringo twice.  Sadly, John was gone before I was born and George never toured America when I was growing up.

8. In what way have the Beatles inspired you? Did you take up a career because of them?

The Beatles inspire me to get up in the mornings and breathe in and breathe out all day long, simply by having existed.  They are life.  They also inspired me to try and learn to play guitar, which never actually happened because, unfortunately, they never inspired me to have more patience.

9. Ever been to the UK on a Beatle Pilgrimage? Where did you go and what did you see?

Every trip to the UK is a Beatles Pilgrimage if you're a fan.  Yes, I've been a few times, each time I get to see a little more.  Mainly, as far as Beatley places go, I've been to London and Liverpool.  In London, I've been to Abbey Road, Paul's house on Cavendish Ave., the old Apple HQ on Savile Row, the old Apple Boutique on Baker Street, the old Indica Gallery, and probably other places I can't remember.  In Liverpool, I've been to John and Paul's houses, the Cavern Club, the Grapes pub, the old Jacaranda, Paul and George's school, which is now LIPA, and John's art college.  I still want to go to the Casbah though.

10. What is the craziest thing you have done as a fan?

Possibly the craziest thing I've done as a fan, is when I decided one afternoon to fly that same evening to New York City, from Austin, and sleep on the street for a night and a half for the chance to meet Paul McCartney.  :-)


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Erica is an amateur genealogist and runs an incredible family history website and is always on the lookout for more clients at extremely affordable rates! Check it out at:

http://ourfamilytreesite.blogspot.com/

Fan Stories: Shannon Harper

 Here we have yet again another fan story from the delightful Shannon Harper! Shannon is 18 years old from the

 Midwest of the USA. She is a Musical Theatre actress and former Irish Dancer and is absolutely in love with the boys from

 Liverpool! 

So without any further ado, here she is, Shannon Harper!

Shannon about to see Paul McCartney live in 2013.

What is your earliest Beatles memory?

Watching A Hard Day's Night with my family when I was about 7. I had huge crushes on George and Ringo after that.
 

Did you ever attend a Beatles concert between 1960 and 1966?

No; only in my dreams!
 

Have you met any of the Beatles? Or anyone associated with  them?

Not yet.
 

Have you ever seen John, Paul, George or Ringo on a solo tour/gig?
 

Paul! July 16, 2013. :) Best night of my life.
 

In what way have the Beatles inspired you? Did you take up a career because of them?

 
I knew I had to do something regarding music for a career.  Somehow I ended up with a career in 

Musical Theatre from this thought!

We'd like to thank Shannon for taking the time to answer our questions!  

Fan Stories: Melissa Danielle

Today we have Melissa Danielle, all the way from Melbourne in Australia to tell her story about how she got into that band from Liverpool. Melissa is a photographer and major Beatles fan and we think Paul might be her favourite and judging from his recent Q&A, Our Paul might have a soft spot for Melissa too! hehe

So if we can just have it completely silent for one second while I say......Melissa Danielle!

Melissa with her trusty camera!

What is your earliest Beatles memory?

In primary school we put on a Yellow Submarine stage show where every class performed a different Beatles song.  My class did Please Mister Postman!

Did you ever attend a Beatles concert between 1960 and 1966? (If you were there during their rooftop gig in London in 1969 this counts as a concert too!)

No :(

Have you met any of the Beatles? Or anyone associated with  them?
(This includes people like Stuart Sutcliffe, Pete Best, Brian Epstein, Neil Aspinall, Mal Evans, George Martin, etc..)

I've never met anyone Beatles related, but I've talked to a few over the Internet...Paul McCartney, George Martin and Pete Best are the coolest ones I've spoken too!

Have you ever seen John, Paul, George or Ringo on a solo tour/gig?

I haven't seen Paul but I saw Ringo play at Festival Hall in Melbourne in 2012 on the same stage that The Beatles played on in 1963, which was very cool!

In what way have the Beatles inspired you? Did you take up a career because of them?

They inspire my music taste! And my dress sense.

Paul signs a copy of his 2013 album 'NEW' especially for Melissa.

You can follow Melissa on Twitter: @dollybird1963

Fan Stories: Andrea Robbins

Here's another Beatle fan story on this Halloween (though it's not scary!)

This post features Andrea Robbins. Andrea is 31, lives in Germany but is originally from the United States and is a big fan of the Fabulous Four from Liverpool, especially George!

Honoured by her country, decorated by her Queen and loved here in the Beatle universe, here is Andrea Robbins!

 

Andrea Robbins outside a very famous studio.

Earliest Beatles memory?

There was always oldies music on in my family from when I was born, but it was generally '50s music and Motown. It wasn't until a day in early March 1995 that music really burst into my life in the form of a film, when I happened across "A Hard Day's Night" on television. That opening chord, the first scene, and I was completely blown away by The Beatles. They were like nothing I'd ever encountered before, and their talent, wit, charisma and energy enthralled me. I was hooked, to say the least, and from that point on, lived and breathed Beatles, immersing myself in their music and history. Things haven't been the same since, thank goodness! :)

Ever met or seen The Beatles/a Beatle live?

The closest I've come to meeting any of The Beatles is being in the same concert venue as Paul and Ringo, and on the same continent as George... and, I suppose, by visiting Liverpool, London and Hamburg. As mentioned, though, I have been fortunate enough to see both Paul and Ringo live. Absolutely wonderful and priceless experiences!

The impact of The Beatles?

They inspire me in more ways than I could pinpoint or even fully realize! They've taught me to hold onto my dreams, to be here now, to always keep a sense of humor. They broaden my outlook, and inspire me to travel (for instance, I wouldn't have journeyed to India if not for George). As other second generation fans will probably know from their own experiences, being a Beatles fan meant that kids at school made fun of me for liking an "old band," that adults were amused and predicted it would just be a phase, and that connecting with other likeminded fans wasn't really an option until the internet became a part of daily life. In that respect, The Beatles taught me to always remain true to myself. They impact my thoughts, philosophies, fashion, and quite honestly, all aspects of my life. I'm incredibly grateful for their existence, and I couldn't think of a more fantastic soundtrack to my life than their music, collectively and solo.

They certainly led me to becoming even more of a research buff - looking to collect hard to find articles, interviews and books, for instance; or delving more deeply into their Hamburg days. Suffice to say, I also wouldn't be blogging without this band, because it's really a labor of love for these Liverpudlians (though, admittedly, the focus of the blog is more on George, who as you might have guessed is my favorite). No matter what life has in store, what happiness and sadness, The Beatles and their music are there.

Andrea's Beatle-fied Room. Doesn't it look Fab & Gear?

You simply must check out Andrea's fab blog That Eventuality which puts George (who is her favourite) in the foreground!

We'd like to thank Andrea for taking the time to answer our questions and if you would like to see your story up on here then please read this page: The Fans

Fan Stories: Erika Abrams

This is a new segment I hope I get a good response with and to kick things off we have our first fan story exclusive to Beatles Through The Years. Please click Here if you would like to participate! I LOVE reading about your fan story and I know others do too!


Our first interview is with Erika Abrams. Erika is 37 and is from Rhode Island, USA but now currently lives in Colorado, is a graphic designer and like us at Beatles Through The Years is just crazy about those four lads from Liverpool who call themselves the Beatles, Now today on our blog you're going to be entertained by Erika's story so ladies and gentleman.....Erika Abrams!

Erika Abrams

What is your first Beatle Memory: 

EA: My parents and I were driving from our house to my grandparents', which was about a three-hour drive. So my dad said that we could each have an hour to play the music of our choice. He selected a mix tape of early and middle Beatles songs, none of which I had ever heard before. That hour of music changed my whole world. It was simply magical; even at eight years old, I knew there was something about it that was like nothing else. I kept the tape playing through my hour and from that day on, the Beatles became my number one obsession.

As I was devouring every book, record, and piece of memorabilia I could find, I also got into their solo catalogs. And since Paul McCartney was the most active at the time, I especially gravitated to his music. My first McCartney memory is that I wouldn't play a video game unless the sound was muted and replaced with a Beatles or McCartney album, much to the annoyance of friends who came over to play! To this day I see images of Super Mario Brothers 2 in my head when I hear "Band on the Run."

But the most intense part of my obsession came when Paul McCartney launched his 89/90 World Tour. Oh. My. God. The idea of a real live Beatle, in the same room as me, was too much to handle. I collected every article, magazine, and TV special I could find. And of course, I went to see him. He came to my area twice, and both times I remember dragging my dad out in the middle of the night to stand on line for tickets the moment they went on sale. I also saw him a third time. Once of my dad's coworkers had access to a secret extra performance, where Paul and the band were filming parts of the concert for what became the Get Back film. That was incredible. It wasn't a true concert, since they didn't play every song and the production company stopped them multiple times to adjust lighting or stage positions. But the specialness of that event made it one of the best concerts I've ever been to.

Erika's extensive collection of memorabilia from Paul's 1989/1990 World Tour

Ever been to the UK on a Beatle Pilgrimage? 

EA: Once, in 2001, the only time I've been to the UK. Our itinerary was packed but I did manage to spend a day in Liverpool, find Penny Lane, and see the Beatles Story exhibit. The part that most stood out to me was the replica of the Cavern. That's my clearest memory of the trip—just how small the Cavern was and how much history took place on that stage. A magical moment. 

Ever met one of the Beatles? 

EA: I haven't, but I do have a story about my grandfather, who not only met them, but perhaps is heard on one of their performances. 

My grandfather, Hy White, was the guitarist for the Ed Sullivan Show house orchestra in the '50s and '60s. He was there in 1964 when the Beatles performed the first live performance and recorded the songs that were to be their third appearance two weeks later (which was not live, despite editing that suggested the opposite). My grandfather said that once the Sullivan production company reviewed the tapes, they found that the lead guitar wasn't loud enough, so he was asked to double George's part for that third appearance. He also got an autograph on the back of a rehearsal call sheet that listed the Beatles and other acts on that show, including Davy Jones. 

I'm still doing research on whether this overdub was actually broadcast, but I think the difference in guitar sound between the first and third shows does suggest that they used it. So if that happened, then I'm related to someone who could have been the first musician who ever publicly played on a Beatles performance once they became internationally known (only one degree of separation!). 

Did the Beatles inspire you to learn an instrument or your choice of profession? 

EA: Absolutely! One of the greatest things to me about the Beatles is the way their voices blend and their use of harmony. So while I know how to play a little guitar and piano (badly), I gravitated to singing, eventually earning a musical theatre degree and performing both professionally and locally for a number of years after college. I had always thought about collaborating with my grandfather on an album of Beatles and Beatles solo covers but that unfortunately didn't happen. We still have one of his guitars in the family, so perhaps I'll learn to play it properly and make that album one day after all...

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We'd like to thank Erika very much for taking the time to respond to our questions and we insist you all check out her own site at And We Love Them. It's a fantastic site with more information on her Beatle connections and other Beatle goodness and Erika also loves to hear your fan stories too so don't forget to contact her with them!