Beatles History Blog |

New George and Judy Martin Garden at Strawberry Field

On 27th June, I was honoured to be invited to the opening of the new Sir George and Lady Judy Martin Rose Garden at Strawberry Field, Liverpool.

There were many special guests there, including George and Judy’s son Giles and daughter Lucy, John’s sister Julia Baird who is honorary President at Strawberry Field, Lady Anne Dodd, Ken Dodd’s widow, Beatles Fan Club Secretary Freda Kelly and Cliff Cooper, CEO of Orange Amps, who has donated the garden.

Giles gave a short, but moving, speech saying how Strawberry Field is a place of nurture for those young people in the Steps to Work program, and how his father nurtured The Beatles in the same way. His mother, Judy, was one of the first honorary Presidents at Strawberry Field with Julia Baird.

The garden consists of a wall with a dedication to George Martin’s contribution to The Beatles and music in general.

There is also a fountain as the centre-piece, and a celebration of the famous records he had produced.

A disc for every hit record from George Martin

Giles and Lucy then planted a rose in the garden for their parents.

Rose Garden planted as a tribute to Lady Judy Martin

I then had the pleasure of talking to both Giles and Lucy, and I could tell them how I had met their mother at Strawberry Field at the groundbreaking ceremony many years ago, and I was talking with her for nearly 20 minutes. What a lovely lady she was.

Me with Giles Martin and my Podcast buddy Paul Beesley

It was a great privilege to be there for this historic day and to celebrate two incredible people who played such an important part in Beatles history, and for there finally be a permanent tribute to George Martin.

What if The Beatles never worked with Goerge Martin? Can you imagine that? It is one of 70 scenarios in my latest book, The Beatles: What If? Get your copy now. What do you think? There are 70 key moments in Beatles history that could have worked out differently. See if you agree!

FInd out more about Strawberry Field here https://www.strawberryfield.salvationarmy.org.uk/

Down South

On his latest album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, Paul sings about going on a hitch-hiking journey with George Harrison. They headed down south, and also hitch-hiked to Harlech in Wales.

They set off with their guitars, of course, and spotted a sign for Harlech, made famous in the Welsh anthem, “Men of Harlech”, that they both knew well. Harlech, an ancient town famous for its castle, was welcoming to the Liverpool wanderers, and they settled into a local cafe, listening to the jukebox in the corner.

Paul and George rehearsed with local group The Vikings in the basement of a barbershop, and Gerry Brookes, who owns the Seasons and Reasons General Store on the site of the barbershop, told me about the famous visit to the town.

The Seasons and Reasons General Store where Paul and George Played

The two visiting Liverpool musicians decided to camp in a field belonging to John Brierley’s family and, as Brierley was in a local group, the talk soon turned to music. Paul and George moved from their tent into the Brierley’s house and so, in return for bed and breakfast, they agreed to play with the group. John Brierley and his friend Aneurin Thomas were members of The Vikings, and they were performing regularly at the Queens Hotel, which was run by Thomas’ dad.

The group often played on JULY 1958 Saturday nights, and so one evening, Paul and George stepped up and performed with John and Aneurin as a quartet in Harlech. According to Brookes, the lady who lived in the flat above the barbershop remembers the group rehearsing and making a terrible noise, and local man Bill Crews had kept hold of the tea-chest bass that George played, though eventually he ripped it apart and used it for firewood!

After this story was published in my book, The Fab One Hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles, Aneurin Thomas got in touch with me to talk about the trip and his fond memories of meeting Paul and George.

With the new song on Paul’s new album, Aneurin got in touch again and we are hoping to get him in touch with Paul, which would be so good! Let’s hope!

If you haven’t got my book, the follow up to Liddypool, then you can get it on sale now! It is the favourite of my books, because of what I uncovered people and stories that nobody had done before – that is so exciting as a historian!

Fab one hundred and Four: The Evolution of The Beatles

David

Michael Hill

John Lennon: The Boy Who Became A Legend - John and Michael highlighted — John Lennon: The Boy Who Became A Legend – John and Michael highlighted

Sad to share that my friend Michael Hill has passed away. I didn’t want to say anything until I knew that everyone he knew had been told. His daughter let me know last week that he had died.

I had the honour and pleasure to edit and publish his great book, “John Lennon: The Boy Who Became A Legend“, about his friendship with John through both Dovedale School and Quarry Bank. It was Michael who introduced John to the music of Little Richard, through “Long Tall Sally”, the record Michael had bought in Holland. When John heard it in Michael’s house, he said it was so great that he couldn’t speak. It changed John’s life.

Michael had lived in Australia for many years, so it was great to catch up with him when he visited Liverpool.

We filmed him for our “Looking for Lennon” documentary film, and excerpt of which is shown in the Strawberry Field Liverpool experience. Michael’s book has been sold there with the profits going to Strawberry Field.

His best friend at school, Don Beattie, is the last remaining of the four friends who listened to records at Michael’s house, along with John and Pete Shotton.

His book is still for sale at The Beatles Bookstore if you haven’t got a copy. The last few signed copies are left.

David Bedford

Liddypod 34 – The Boys of Dungeon Lane

The latest episode of Liddypod is published – The Boys of Dungeon Lane! Join myself and Paul Beesley as we meet for our regular breakfast to discuss everything about The Beatles, especially in Liverpool.

In this episode, Bedford & Beesley discuss Paul McCartney’s latest album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, as you will find out where Dungeon Lane is, and why it was so important to Paul.

We also cover Ringo’s new album and the history of country music in Liverpool, as discussed in my book, The Country of Liverpool: Nashville of The North.

We also met inside Liverpool Cathedral, so we discuss the importance of this incredible building.

Tune In To Liddypod – The Boys of Dungeon Lane

Click on the photo below to listen now.

60th Anniversary of Ed Sullivan

Lots of exciting things happening this week.

I’m off to New York on 8th Feb for the Fest for Beatles Fans weekend, where I will be giving some talks and doing panels etc. If you’re going, come and find me.

The latest video on our YouTube channel is with my friend Jude Southerland Kessler, talking about her new audiobook with the incredible Scott McKinley who dies 183 voices!!

Check it out here:

Also this week, my interview in 2 parts with Bruce Spizer as we dissect how the Beatles really got to be on the Ed Sullivan Show. Check those out this week too.

David

60th Anniversary of Ed Sullivan – Part 2

Part 2 of the great adventure of Judith M. Reed back in Feb 64!! In this episode, Judy sees the Beatles first concert in Washington! There is a dive for a Beatle, a lost shoe, Beatlemania and a pair of yellow boots!!

https://youtu.be/WvkhJTKpNwQ

Don’t miss it!!

David

Is Ringo a Great Drummer?

Happy New Year, and welcome to a new video on the youtube channel.

On 3rd February, Ringo’s drum curator Gary Astridge and drummer Rob Brian are starting a new roadshow, looking at Ringo’s drumming.

I interviewed Gary and Rob, and we discussed some of what will be in the roadshow (uk only) and what makes Ringo such a great drummer.

Enjoy the discussion below.

David

Lonnie Donegan by his Friend Vince Eager

Part of an interview with Vince Eager, a skiffle fan who saw Lonnie Donegan on his first skiffle show performance, and then became his good friend and the last person to perform with Lonnie.