Update: When we originally wrote this up, it was our feeling, based on pictures in the Hunter Davies' book "The Quarrymen" (available from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca in Canada) that it appeared to us the photo may have been taken June 22, 1957, two weeks before Lennon met Paul McCartney on July 6. (John is wearing the same shirt in a photo in the book from that date, as is Len Garry.) But Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn told us via email that, in his opinion (and others, as well), the picture was indeed taken July 6, the day John met Paul. Which makes the photo that much more historic and even more incredible.
Notice the sign above the right-hand window that says "Quarrymen" on it. According to information on the Quarrymen website, Davis found the photo in a collection of black and white negatives and color slides left to him by his father, James Davis, an amateur photographer. The photo was printed in the Daily Mail, but not in the version online. The elder Davis had previously searched for any additional photos, but had been unsuccessful.
The Quarrymen will also be the subject of a documentary called "The Quarrymen -- The Band That Started the Beatles." The film, premiering on June 14, will be the opening segment on a new series with Horst Fascher, "Star-Club TV." Beatle fans remember Fascher as a friend of the Beatles during the Star Club days whose voice was heard with the Beatles on the Star Club tapes.
More info: The Quarrymen website.
(Note: We are deferred our usual Beatle News Briefs post from its usual time spot because of this historic Quarrymen post. We plan to post a Beatles News Briefs here on Examiner.com by noon PT Friday and then later in the day for Saturday.)
Comments
do you have any info about where we will be able to see the documentary?
Kathy: That's all the info I have now. I'll try and see what I can find out.
Hi Steve,
I wrote about this photo in my blog on May 10th, and thought it was from July 6th, 1957. The truck driver, Douglas Chadwick, says that the Quarrymen sign was used to identify the band in the parade at the Woolton fete. Chazz Avery also has this as July 6th on his Savage Young Beatles site, where the photo has this caption: "The photo was surely taken sometime between 2:00-3:00pm during the procession to the fete. According to the programme... "leaves Church Road, via Allerton Rd, Kings Drive, Hunt's Cross Ave; returning to the church field""
Awesome! Thanks. You can pre-empt anytime w/ something like that. :)
Roger: Although it's possible that it was taken on July 6, I'm going with the June 22 date because of the identification in the Hunter Davies "The Quarrymen" book. In the picture in that book, as I noted, both Lennon and Garry are wearing the same clothes, but the other guys aren't. I think if it was July 6, they'd all have the same clothes, though if it was a warm day, that might not be the case. And the identifications of July 6 are really just guesses based on the fact the fete was held that day. June 22 is based on a published fact. I think that's the safer bet, at least now. And one Beatle historian I talked to in the process of putting this up agreed with me.
Hi Steve
Wow - what a picture of the Quarrymen! I would say it was taken on the day John met Paul - ie July 6th 1957. The Quarrymen are wearing the same shirts and before the St Peter's Fete they took part in a parade through Woolton and played on the back of a lorry - this pic seems to be from the parade.
Historic indeed!
Richard Porter
London Beatle Walks
www.beatlesinlondon.com
Thanks, Richard. I still think it's June 22 based on Hunter Davies book. I think in his research he uncovered something -- I don't know what -- that led to that conclusion.
As I indicated above in my update, it looks like I was wrong on the date. The new date makes it that much more historic.
Wow that is amazing! thanks for the update, Steve.
Whatever the date it is a fantastic photograph..
Unusual Liverpool Beatles related pics on my site..
Here >> www.Liverpooldays.com
Dear Quarrymen-Fans,
so far only the German version can be seen on "Volksmusik TV" that is broadcasted in U.S.A. and Canada via "Boxx TV" (boxxtv.com). Find all dates here: regional-tv.com/programm1.html
We´re working on the broadcasting of the original English version in U.S.A./Canada.
The DVD/bluray will be availabel on www.GaryLand.de approx. in 2010.
Sorry for my bad English,
all the best from Germany,
Garrelt Danker
Producer / Star-Club TV "The Quarrymen - The Band that started The Beatles"
P.S.: Best wishes to you aswell Steve ;)
Steve, where can I see the picture referred to in this article?
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