When John Lennon was in his late teenage years, he had one thing on his mind and one thing only — rock and roll. He was obsessed with music, Elvis in particular, and getting his hands on a guitar. Here’s the story of his first guitar, and the story of his first group, the Quarrymen.
John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi broke down and bought him a guitar
As soon as the Elvis craze got to Liverpool, Lennon was bought in. It was all he wanted to talk about at his Aunt’s house (where he grew up) and his mother and stepfather’s house. Mimi quickly grew weary of all the Elvis talk.
“Elvis Presley’s all very well, John, but I don’t want him for breakfast, dinner and tea,” she told him, according to the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi broke down and bought him a guitar
As soon as the Elvis craze got to Liverpool, Lennon was bought in. It was all he wanted to talk about at his Aunt’s house (where he grew up) and his mother and stepfather’s house. Mimi quickly grew weary of all the Elvis talk.
“Elvis Presley’s all very well, John, but I don’t want him for breakfast, dinner and tea,” she told him, according to the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
- 4/30/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the late 1950s, before The Quarry Men became The Beatles, and years before Ringo Starr joined the band, completing what would become the Fab Four, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Colin Hanton, and John “Duff” Lowe recorded their first-ever recording.
Although some might think “In Spite of All the Danger” is an early John song, Paul initiated it with George’s help. Therefore, it is the only song with a “McCartney-Harrison” writing credit.
The Beatles | Hulton Archive/Getty Images How The Quarry Men formed
In the late 1950s, John formed a skiffle group called The Quarry Men, named after his school, Quarry Bank High School. Later, in July 1957, the band performed at the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church. They were playing The Del-Vikings‘ “Come Go With Me” when Paul arrived.
Eric Griffiths was on the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo,...
Although some might think “In Spite of All the Danger” is an early John song, Paul initiated it with George’s help. Therefore, it is the only song with a “McCartney-Harrison” writing credit.
The Beatles | Hulton Archive/Getty Images How The Quarry Men formed
In the late 1950s, John formed a skiffle group called The Quarry Men, named after his school, Quarry Bank High School. Later, in July 1957, the band performed at the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church. They were playing The Del-Vikings‘ “Come Go With Me” when Paul arrived.
Eric Griffiths was on the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo,...
- 3/4/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney thought John Lennon was “ingenious” the first time he saw him performing with The Quarry Men. There was something about John that Paul instantly connected with, and they became bandmates soon after.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Gab Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney had seen John Lennon around before they officially met
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
“I’d seen him a couple of times and thought, ‘Wow, you know, he’s an interesting looking guy,'” Paul told John’s youngest son Sean Ono Lennon during a BBC Radio 2 special commemorating what would have been John’s 80th birthday.
Then, Paul saw John at a fish and chips shop and...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Gab Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney had seen John Lennon around before they officially met
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
“I’d seen him a couple of times and thought, ‘Wow, you know, he’s an interesting looking guy,'” Paul told John’s youngest son Sean Ono Lennon during a BBC Radio 2 special commemorating what would have been John’s 80th birthday.
Then, Paul saw John at a fish and chips shop and...
- 2/18/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney said it was typical that John Lennon had someone else tell him he could join The Quarry Men. The future songwriting partners met in 1957 and instantly connected.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney and John Lennon met at a village fete in 1957
On a hot summer’s day in 1957, Paul and his school friend, Ivan Vaughan, attended a village fete (garden party) at St. Peter’s, Woolton’s Parish Church in Liverpool. When they arrived, they saw a band performing, John’s skiffle group, The Quarry Men.
During an interview for Beatles Anthology, Paul remembered that he landed eyes on John immediately as he came to the church’s field. He seemed “cool,” wearing his checkered shirt and playing a guitar “guaranteed not to crack.”
Eric Griffiths played the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo, Pete Shotton a washboard,...
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney and John Lennon met at a village fete in 1957
On a hot summer’s day in 1957, Paul and his school friend, Ivan Vaughan, attended a village fete (garden party) at St. Peter’s, Woolton’s Parish Church in Liverpool. When they arrived, they saw a band performing, John’s skiffle group, The Quarry Men.
During an interview for Beatles Anthology, Paul remembered that he landed eyes on John immediately as he came to the church’s field. He seemed “cool,” wearing his checkered shirt and playing a guitar “guaranteed not to crack.”
Eric Griffiths played the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo, Pete Shotton a washboard,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.