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In this episode, Richard and Robert explore the origins of The Beatles, through an examination of the Skiffle phenomenon in post-war Britain; the Quarry Men and the core of John, Paul and George coming together.
Songs include: “Mama Don’t Allow,” “In Spite of All the Danger,” and “I’ll Follow The Sun.”
Do check out this.
Christmas is coming and the Something About The Beatles 2016 calendar is here!
Informative and enjoyable as ever – gonna go and renew my passport now as going abroad to Scotland next week haha.
Interesting show as always – with a great selection of musical gems that we’re so lucky to have.
Ref at 17:00 you say Eric Clapton was named ‘Eddie Clayton’ on ‘Wonderwall’. Interestingly in the February 1969 edition of The Beatles Monthly Book, there is a feature on page 7 entitled ‘Your Album Queries'(questions from readers about the White Album) answered by Mal Evans. Question no 12 asks ‘Who plays guitar on ‘While my guitar gently weeps?’Answer: ‘Eddie Clayton’, and adds specifically – ‘but not the Liverpool Eddie Clayton …’
Perfect! They must’ve assumed their readers would be familiar with the earlier EC!
A few corrections. Colin Hanton remained with the group until early 1959. His exit was due to a drunken fight he had with Paul McCartney after a gig. Len Garry was not on the recordings of “That’ll Be The Day” and “In Spite Of All The Danger”. He was in a hospital at the time, recovering from tubercular meningitis. He was no longer in the group when George Harrison came on board, but I believe, was present, when George auditioned for them, playing “Raunchy”. The line-up that made that record was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, pianist John “Duff” Lowe and drummer Colin Hanton. Before being brought into the Quarrymen, George was briefly in a group with his brother, Harry called, The Rebels. After Colin Hanton left, the Quarrymen essentially broke up. George briefly played with a band called, The Les Stewart Quartet, while John and Paul organized themselves into a comedy act, The Nurk Twins.
You referenced two books during the podcast (both of which you praised). One was Alan Williams; The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away. What was the other? Thanks!
Hi Ed,
I know we mentioned Tune In by Mark Lewisohn – was that it? Otherwise, maybe it was this terrific but largely overlooked volume: http://www.amazon.com/Became-Beatles-Definitive-History-1960-1964/dp/0525248234
The year of the Carroll Levis contest was 1959 not 1958 and they entered the competition as Johnny and the Moondogs not the Quarry Men or JAPAGE . It is confused with a failed audition for ABC television a year before (Mark Lewisohn, ‘The Beatles Live’).
I heard years back through buying a guitar magazine around 94/95 that eric was named eddie clayton when he played guitar solo on while my guitar gently weeps and that george harrison was credited as l’angelo mysterioso when he returned the favour playing on creams badge.. something to do with their polydor and apple contracts i think at the time.