What If John, Paul, George & Ringo Didn’t Meet?

What If The Beatles Never Met Each Other?
What If The Beatles Never Met Each Other?

The Beatles: What If?

Why did we write the book? Why another Beatles book?

My friend Andrew and I spent ages at a Fest of Beatles Fans debating various situations when Beatles history could have worked out differently, and by the end of the conversation had agreed to write the book.

Why? Because we all have “What If” moments in our lives, when something happens and it changes the course of our lives, maybe in a small way, or maybe in a big way.

For me, it was being signed off work back in June 2000 for 1 month, which became 3 months then 6 then a year and then I was told I would not be returning to my job. At 35, my working life was over. I had a wife and three young children. It completely changed my life.

However, out of the madness of giving up work, I ended up with this Beatles life which has been incredible. It ended up being a blessing. But it completely changed the lives of me and my amazing family.

What is your “What If” moment or moments?

I am sure when it comes to the life and career of The Beatles, you can think of many career-changing moments, but probably the biggest and most important was the meeting of John and Paul, which only came about because of Ivan Vaughan. If that doesn’t happen, we have no Beatles! What if Paul and George don’t meet on the bus because they were at the same high school? What if Ringo doesn’t join The Beatles and Pete Best stays? What about Stuart Sutcliffe? So many meetings and chances.

Others we will discuss: what if they don’t meet Brian Epstein? What if Decca DOES sign The Beatles? What if they don’t get onto the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964? What if Brian doesn’t die? What if John doesn’t meet Yoko?

The book contains 70 key moments in Beatles history, and we look at four possible outcomes: “Let It be”: nothing changes. “The End”: it would have been the end of The Beatles. “Tomorrow Never Knows”: we can guess but we don’t know the impact of the event/ incident. And “You Can’t Do That”: things they did which could have ended up with The Beatles being finished, but they got away with!

You don’t have to agree with us! But, once you get your mind into ‘What If?”, you will find yourself debating these points with other Beatles fans, and you won’t stop, before you head down many rabbit holes!!

It is meant to be fun, whilst also looking at the incredible story of The Beatles. Only then, as we found when writing the book, we realised that phrases like “destiny” and “written in the stars” don’t even begin to describe what really happened.

This is a unique and fresh look at the story of The Beatles that will have you hooked.

If you haven’t already, get your copy now by clicking below.

Thanks for supporting my work!

David

New George and Judy Martin Garden at Strawberry Field

Sir George and Lady Judy Martin Rose Garden at Strawberry Field
Sir George and Lady Judy Martin Rose 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.

Giles Martin

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

Tribute to George Martin
Tribute to George Martin

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

The Fountain
A disc for every hit record from George Martin
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
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
Me with Giles Martin and my Podcast buddy Paul Beesley
With George and Judy’s daughter Lucy
With George and Judy’s daughter Lucy

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/

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

6th June 1962 – The Beatles Audition with George Martin

On this day in 1962, The Beatles rolled up at EMI STUDIOS in Abbey Road, London, to do their audition with George Martin.

It didn’t all go well, plus there were conversations which led to misunderstandings, which led to The Beatles getting rid of drummer Pete Best.

What really happened that day?

Find out in my latest video.

David

The Beatles EMI Audition

Chas Newby – My Time As a Beatle

In part 2 of my interview with the late Chas Newby, we discuss one of the most important concerts in Beatles history and the part he played.

27th December 1960 at Litherland Town Hall was the first taste of Beatlemania.

Listen to this fascinating interview with one-time Beatles bass player, Chas Newby.

Chas Newby – The Beatles Bass Player

David Bedford

Liverpool- the Fifth Beatle?

The latest video on our Brightmoon Liverpool channel is the first podcast episode of Liddypod, with myself and good friend Paul Beesley.

We cover the history of Liverpool and ask the question: is Liverpool the Fifth Beatle?

What do you think?

Liddypod Episode 1
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