Welcome to the Quarrymen’s Official Website
2000
"Two Of Us" uses Quarrymen recording - Mar 2000
VH1's 90 minute film, "Two of Us" directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. The film is a dramatized imagination of a real event - the final meeting of John and Paul in New York in 1976. It stars Aidan Quinn as Paul and Jared Harris as John.
As the Quarrymen were of course present at their FIRST meeting which took place at St. Peter's Garden Fete in Liverpool on Saturday 6 July 1957, director Lindsay-Hogg thought it was especially appropriate to use a Quarrymen recording immediately after the audience sees their LAST meeting. In particular he chose to use a recording of the Quarrymen singing "Come Go With Me" - which (according to Paul's memory) was the song which the group were playing onstage as Paul first set eyes on John.
The Quarrymen recording plays over the final credits. This song is NOT on the Quarrymen's 1997 "Get Back Together" album. The version used in the film was recorded by Beatles historian Martin Lewis, who was consultant to the filmmakers. It was taped in June 1997 - at the Quarrymen's first rehearsal in 40 years. This took place as they were rehearsing for Liverpool's 40th anniversary celebrations of "The Day John met Paul" - which included a recreation of the afternoon garden party and evening concert at which the group had played.
For the full story on the "The Two of Us" film - please visit the Abbey Road Beatles website - which features in depth coverage of the film.
Aug 2000 Quarry Bank and LIPA
On Sat Aug 26 the Quarrymen had the great pleasure of returning to the school from which they took their name as part of the Liverpool Beatle Convention 2000. The large crowd of Beatle fans from all over the world was entertained by a selection of lookalike/soundalike bands from as far afield as Japan and Brazil, whose music and appearance contrasted sharply with the 1950's skiffle and rock 'n' roll served up by the Quarrymen, now fast approaching their 60th birthdays! Nevertheless the group's performance was much appreciated by the fans. One of them, Dennis Rolfe from Holland, later wrote "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the joy I had listening to you......thank you for being the Quarrymen, thank you for the music, thank you for the living history."
The Quarrymen at LIPA
The following day, just to be fair, the Quarrymen played a concert at LIPA, the old Liverpool Institute, where Len Garry, John Duff Lowe, Paul McCartney and George Harrison had all been pupils. This show lasted the best part of two hours and featured many of the significant tunes which were milestones in the development of the group, from "Rock Island Line" which had sparked off their original interest in music,"Putting on the style", as recorded on 5 July 1957 and now the most expensive recording in the world; "Come go with me" - which the Quarrymen were playing as Paul first set eyes on John; " In spite of all the Danger", on which Colin Hanton played the drums and which appears on the "Anthology", and "Twenty Flight Rock", which was the tune with which Paul so impressed John that he invited him to join the group. All these and more were wrapped up with jokes and anecdotes in traditional Liverpool humour.
The Real John Lennon - Sep 2000
On Sat 30 September the TV documentary "The Real John Lennon" was screened as part of Channel Four's "John Lennon Night". The programme, made by the Liverpool-based production company, Planet Wild, featured interviews with many people who had played a part in John's life including Cynthia Lennon, Julia Baird, Nigel Walley, Rod Murray and of course the Quarrymen, who were seen playing in St. Peter's Church Hall. The programme provided a fascinating insight into many aspects of John's life which had hitherto been left unexplored.
Rod Davis was lucky enough to be able to take up Planet Wild's invitation to the recording of a tribute to John which was made at Sir George Martin's Air Studios in Hampstead. Cynthia Lennon, Rod Murray & Alan Williams were there, together with June - the life model whom Lennon drew at the Liverpool College of Art.
Amongst the performers was Lonnie Donegan himself, to whom Rod presented a Quarry Bank School tie. Lonnie produced a fantastic version of "Lost John" which really got the audience going.
John's Birthday Concert in Liverpool
On Monday October 9 the Quarrymen were in Liverpool to play at John's Birthday Concert at the Royal Court Theatre. Also on the bill were Instant Karma, Gary Gibson and his band and a selection of acoustic musicians. The show was a total sell out and the audience and the musicians had a great time wishing John a Happy Birthday!
Earlier that day Len Garry and Colin Hanton attended the planting of an oak tree behind St. George's Hall in Liverpool to commemorate John's Birthday, and in the afternoon they were joined by Rod Davis at Strawberry Fields for the dedication of a John Lennon Children's Playground, the funds for which had been raised by the Merseycats, the charitable organisation formed by musicians from the groups which featured in the history of Merseybeat.
"Mendips" plaque unveiling
Loads of Beatles fans were on hand for the unveiling of the English Heritage Blue Plaque on Aunt Mimi's house, 251 Menlove Avenue, Woolton. The weather however was very unkind and it simply bucketed down during the proceedings. John's cousin, Stanley Parkes, unveiled the plaque and the entire assembly then boarded a coach to go to Liverpool's Town Hall where they were welcomed by the Lord Mayor.
Lloyd Grossman, who besides his many other roles, also works for English Heritage, explained that this was the first Blue Plaque outside London.
Amongst the crowd of guests were John's two half-sisters, Julia and Jacqui and other members of John's family including his cousin Stanley, Colin Hanton, Len Garry, John "Duff" Lowe and Rod Davis, Bill Harry, Tony Crane and Billy Tinsley from the Merseybeats, Bill Heckle and Dave Jones, former Cavern owner Ray McFall, Paddy Delaney, Sam Leach, Spencer Leigh from Radio Merseyside, Jean Catharell from the Liverpool Beatles Fan Club and many more. (Apologies to those whose names are omitted here - I didn't get to meet everyone)
The highlight of the visit to the Town Hall was the cutting of the splendid cake in the form of John's Blue Plaque itself. Mind you, the blue from the icing did come off on your fingers!
I’m sure Mimi would have been proud of the Blue Plaque and I hope John would be also. Great to be commemorated in your home town.
Dec 2000 Quarrymen in London's West End!
The Quarrymen appeared on a concert to commemorate John's life - "All you need is...." which took place on Sun Dec 10 at the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. This was the group's first appearance in London. Unfortunately it was marred by the indisposition of Pete Shotton who attended the rehearsal but who was unwell on the day of the show. The remaining four Quarrymen had a great time and were thrilled to appear on the stage of such a wonderful theatre to commemorate John and his music. Heading the cast was Gus McGregor, the star of the long-running musical "Buddy", himself a great Lennon fan, who performed some of John's best known songs.
Also featured were Paul Roberts of "The Stranglers", fingerpicker Phil Edmonds, and the London Oriana Choir! The show was produced by Dragon Productions, the producer was Robert Gabriel and the Musical Director Alex Kira.
The performers and the audience all had a ball, John's music was as great as it ever was, what a way to be remembered!