John Lennon Archives |

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/

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

The Day John met Paul – Audio from 6th July 1957

It is amazing that, not only did John and Paul only meet through Ivan Vaughan, their only connection, but their friend Geoff Rhind took a photo, and another friend, Bob Molyneux, recorded them that evening.

This is the audio that survived.

The Day John Met Paul

Enjoy!

David

The Quarrymen: Pete Shotton and John Lennon

In Episode 5 of my new series on how The Quarrymen became the Beatles, using rare interviews, I look at Pete Shotton, John Lennon’s best friend.

Pete Shotton and John Lennon

Give Peace a Chance at Strawberry Field

Today, 2nd May 2023, a new Peace Monument for the people of Ukraine was unveiled at Strawberry Field in Liverpool.

Watch the video below and at the end of it is a link to the Liverpool Signing Choir performing “Give Peace a Chance” and “Imagine “.

Unveiling the Peace Monument at Strawberry Field

Liddypool Walks is Back! John, Cynthia, Brian and Ringo

Happy New year to you.

Brightmoon Liverpool is back after our successful 12 Days of Beatles Christmas videos in December. If you didn’t see, them, catch up now.

We kick off 2023 by going back to the walking tour, this time looking at Falkner Street and Myrtle Street Hospital, with stories to tell!

David

Watch the video now

Inside Julia Lennon’s House

I had the opportunity to take a look inside 1 Blomfield Road, home to Julia Lennon, her partner John “Bobby” Dykins and their daughters Julia and Jackie.

John, of course spent a lot of time there with his mother and family. It was here that Julia taught John how to play banjo chords on his guitar, and so much more.

Come inside with me now:

Inside Julia’s House

The Fab Four Photo – The Lennon Connection

The first photos that Brian Epstein commissioned of the new Fab Four were taken on waste ground in north Liverpool.

Little did John know of the significance of the location.

Find out more in this video

The Dublin Connection

Imagine Lennon at Strawberry Field

What connects “Imagine” and “Strawberry Fields Forever”? There’s a new art exhibition at Strawberry Field in Liverpool which connects the two, plus John’s sister, Julia Baird, explains why Strawberry Field was so important to John. #strawberryfield #johnlennon #imagine