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An interview with Astrid Kirchherr.
Astrid was the young German photographer who, accompanying
boyfriend Klaus Voormann, happened upon The Beatles in a dingy bar
in Hamburg in 1960 and was immediately smitten by Stuart Sutcliffe,
the enigmatic fifth Beatle and close friend of John Lennon. The Beatles
were also drawn to Astrid 's pale and waspish beauty and a
strong friendship developed with all of them and at the same time
a passionate love affair with Stu specifically. Astrid took
many photographs of the boys in their formative steps to stardom and
was a strong influence on their 'greaser' image at that stage (an
image which Brian Epstein was later to totally eradicate in favour
of Saville Row-tailored suits). Astrid 's sweetheart Stu was
soon to tragically die of a brain hemorrhage, leaving her and best
friend Lennon distraught. The remaining Beatles, John, Paul, George
and Pete Best, were to return to England and, for three of them at
least, stardom beyond imagination. Astrid married another
musician but ultimately reunited with Klaus Voormann, her original
boyfriend and the one who actually introduced her to The Beatles in
the first place.
These days, Astrid 's photographs are recognised as the best
and definitive of The Beatles in their formative years. Astrid
very kindly agreed to answer some questions for www.retrosellers.com and here is
that interview.
This interview is the intellectual property of www.retrosellers.com
and cannot be reproduced without express permission.
Astrid in the early sixties in Hamburg
Digger : 'A picture is worth a thousand words', so they
say. Which photographs and photographers are your favourites and
why?
Astrid : My most favourite photographer, as far as music
pictures are concerned, is Annie Leibowitz, because she’s got
so much humor and that’s what I like. Other photographers are
Irwing Penn, Richard Avedon, Jim Rakete and Reinhard Wolf of course.
Digger : Which of your photos are you most proud of?
Astrid : When we talk about the Beatles pictures, I most
like the one I took of Stuart on the Baltic sea - the portrait where
you can see all his freckles as well as the one of John and George
in my attic at Eimsbütteler Strasse where George is standing behind
John and John is sitting down.
Digger : What do you think of Linda McCartney’s work?
Astrid : I haven’t seen a lot of her work but I was
most impressed by her picture of Paul wearing a fur coat and holding
his little son. That is my favourite picture.
Digger : What do you think of the modern digital technology
and how it is impacting photography, music and so on?
Astrid : Well it’s hard for me to answer that question
because I haven’t got a clue about computers. But we have got
to go on with it because that is the future. We’ve got to see
what it will do. I just hope it doesn’t influence the art of
photography, that one has got to think about the picture before
he takes it and not just taking any pictures, put it in the computer
and that’s it. It has got to be art. Always.
Digger : What do you think of the Internet?
Astrid : I think it’s a great invention but I’m
sorry I have never been in the Internet or even think about it because
I’m afraid of the Internet.
Digger : Are you a nostalgic person?
Astrid : Not at all. I’m not a nostalgic person, I
don’t think of the past, I think of the future as far as fashion
and music is concerned. I think it’s very, very bad for an
old person like I am to just think of the past. Then you don’t
feel young anymore.
Digger : What was it like growing up in the war and what
lasting effects did this have on you?
Astrid : Well, as far as my childhood was concerned it
was wonderful because we were evacuated to the Baltic sea and the
only horrible thing I have seen at the time was when the ship "Cap
Arcona" and the "Deutschland" were bombed and there
were dead people on the shore. But otherwise, I had a nice childhood.
And after the war we came back to Hamburg where everything was broken.
But nevertheless our place was comfortable and cozy even though
we only had a kitchen with broken windows, but my mother did everything
nicely so when I think about it I quite liked it. I haven’t
got any regrets.
Digger : How would you describe the creative buzz in the
sixties?
Astrid : I think it was a very, very wonderful time because
it was even though it sounds really weird so soon after the war
and everything had to start again...when you think about art, photography,
fashion and music. So there was a big urge for young people to be
creative and to be individual which I do miss now.
Digger : The explosion of music and the arts in Britain
in the sixties was a result of a youth backlash to the austerity
after the war. I find it ironic that Germany was so instrumental
in grounding the Beatles who were the kings of that cultural revolution.
Why do you think this was?
Astrid : Well because it was new and fresh. So that was
where we got our inspirations. We didn’t want to get our inspirations
from the past because our past was the war, was Hitler, was uniforms,
so we were searching for something new and fresh and creative.
Digger : Do you think that what happened in the sixties
is relevant or interesting to the youth of today?
Astrid : In a way it is relevant because that’s where
it all started. But I do think the young people of today are far
too ignorant to see that. Or "ignorant" is maybe a too
hard expression. Thinking about, when I was 17, I didn’t want
to know about things which happened 40 years ago. So let them find
their own way and maybe when they are 40 years old they know where
the inspiration came from.
Digger : What do you think of the current music scene?
Astrid : I think it’s wonderful because there are
so many gifted young people who make music. And even though they
get inspired now by disco music or by old songs from the sixties
and change it and make it up over the computer I think it’s
great. It’s wonderful that they put their own thing into their
music.
Digger : Who are your heroes?
Astrid : Today’s music or all-time? All time heroes
I start of course with the Beatles, then Jim Morrison from the Doors,
David Bowie...then a long time nothing...and from today my favourite
band is Jamiroquai as well as Jay Kay as a singer, because I think
he’s very creative. He picks up things and invents new things
and that is what I really, really like.
Digger : What about films? The French movies apparently
influenced you a lot in the past?
Astrid : Well I think the French movie industry
has changed a lot, and all the very gifted directors like Truffaut,
Jean Cocteau and so on and on were a big influence on me at that
time.
Astrid recently
Digger : Which Beatles-related question do you most get
asked?
Astrid : Of course it’s their haircut which I do get
furious sometimes because it has got nothing to do with the genius
of the Beatles. That was just a little tiny part which helped them
to put them on their way.
Digger : What do you think were the most significant events
of the sixties and what lasting effects have there been?
Astrid : The Beatles again have changed the whole music
industry. They also influenced the fashion industry. And another
thing which I thought was great was when punk came in. There happened
a lot concerning fashion and music and that I liked very much.
Digger : Can you tell us your favourite sixties music?
Astrid : The Beatles again, American singers like Chuck
Berry, Little Richard, Al Green and Otis Redding or groups like
the Miracles or the Walker Brothers. Oh I could go on and on and
on...
Digger : And what about sixties films?
Astrid : Well, when I think about the cinema in the sixties,
I just went to see the French movies which then were old because
Cocteau did all his wonderful work in the fifties...or at the end
of the fifties...and then Truffaut’s movies came in...and Vittorio
De Sica which I liked. So the German movies were absolutely ridiculous
so I never went to see them and I can’t give a statement about
them.
Digger : What projects are you currently engaged in?
Astrid : Well, together with my friend and manager Ulf
Krueger, who puts it all together, I’m doing exhibitions of
my work and selling the pictures as original prints and posters.
We also made a book (together with Klaus Voormann and Ulf Krueger)
called "Hamburg Days" which was published by Genesis publications.
This is a book about our relationship to the Beatles when they were
working in Hamburg, when we met them first. We tell our life stories
in the book, Klaus and myself, and Klaus did all the drawings of
places and events I never took pictures of.
Digger : How would you describe your life so far?
Astrid : Wonderful.
Digger : What do you see as your biggest achievements and
what are your biggest disappointments?
Astrid : My biggest achievements are that I had the pleasure
to become friends with John, Paul, George, Pete Best and Ringo which
last until today and which brought me a lot of happiness. I’m
still very, very proud of what they did.
And my biggest disappointment...I haven’t got any disappointments...
Digger : At the end of the sixties many of your photographs
were overlooked when people focused on the ones with the Beatles
in. Was this upsetting?
Astrid : No, it wasn’t such a big disappointment.
If I had the strength and if I had been a bit older I wouldn’t
have cared so much. But anyway that I gave up photography was the
reason that people didn’t recognise all my other work and I
was very unsure if I am a good photographer. But I think now I was
far too young for all this fame as far as my photos of the Beatles
were concerned.
Digger : What would you still like to do?
Astrid : I still would like to do going to Liverpool every
year with my friend Ulf and have a good time and go on living my
life like I do it now, be happy, be healthy and feel young at heart.
And if you ask me what I’m looking forward to it’s the
Beatles convention in Berlin next year which my friend Ulf is in
charge of. So that should be fun for me to go there and see all
the people and I hope there will be a lot of them.
Digger : Do you think talent will always triumph or does
it need a bit of luck and a helping hand?
Astrid : I do believe that talent will always triumph. And
it will help to have a little help from your friends but first of
all it’s the talent and the charisma. Whatever you do, if you
are a musician, a fashion designer, a painter or a writer, charisma
for me is so important. And humour as well.
Digger : Please tell us your happiest memories from your
Hamburg Beatles days.
Astrid : Well, as long as I’m with one of them, even
now, it is a happy moment. So there were so many, many happy moments
in my life and not only with the Beatles but with all my other friends
that makes my life complete. So I couldn’t spot one moment.
| Them
Beatles - Beatles Tribute Band extraordinaire |
Website |
Them
Beatles |
Details |
Clark - John Lennon
Joe - Paul McCartney
Craig - George Harrison
Grahame - Ringo Starr
Forming through a mutual love of The Fab Four, Them
Beatles have quickly become one of the best known
Beatles tribute acts in the UK. Having wowed the
crowds in venues such as the Carnegie Hall, Blackpool
North Pier Theatre and Aberdeen Beach Ballroom Them
Beatles have built a solid live show, helping
audiences relive the early 60's Beat era, the
psychedelic studio years through to the White album
and beyond......
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thembeatles
For bookings:
King Arthur Promotions
99 King Edward Road. Onchan
Isle - Of - Man. IM3 2AS
Tel: 01624 664 636
Mobile: 07973 986 161
Email: kingarthuriom@manx.net
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
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| Roy
Cameron - Unpublished Beatles Photographs |
Website |
Roy
Cameron - Unpublished Beatles Photographs |
Details |
Checking over the DVD of
the Magical Mystery Tour I realised that had I been on
the Hoe at Plymouth where the Fab Four stopped I
would've been unable to take the 4 in front of the
bus. Luckily I called them out of the hotel after they
had lunch and was able to take the only pictures of
the Beatles in front of the Magical Mystery Bus. It
was a chance moment in life to be at the right place
at the right time to take these historic pictures of
the world's No 1 band of all time.
Roy Cameron is a Professional Photographer now selling
his unpublished rare Beatles photographs taken in
September 1967 in Black & White during a lunch
break while filming Magical Mystery Tour.
Photographs printed 20x16 ins (50x40cm) hand signed on
front and supplied with certificate of authenticity
also signed and with details of how the photographs
were taken. Note - pictures on the web site are low
resolution copies and the prints I will send you will
be the originals hand printed from the negative. Cost
of prints £195 including post and packing Please
state which photo required. All 3 prints signed only
£495 including post and packaging.
Roy Cameron trained in photography and joined the
Royal Air Force as a photographer serving in UK and
Germany. Worked as a Newspaper Photographer Freelance
& staff from Aberdeen to Plymouth and won 3 first
prizes in Press work -Dennis & Margaret Thatcher,
Prince Charles playing polo and child being brought
back to life after house fire. Photographed numerous
personalities including Sean Connery, John Cleese,
Peter Cook, Rowan Atkinson, Tony Hancock, Susan
Hampshire, Vanessa Redgrave, Lorraine Kelly, Ulrika
Johnson, Margaret Lockwood, Johnny Cash and family,
Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Cliff Richards, Ronald &
Nancy Regan, Clint Eastwood, Bing Crosby, Jack Lemon,
Billy Connelly, Terry Waite, Archbishop Desmond TuTu,
Moon Walker Neil Armstrong etc.... All British Prime
Ministers from Harold Wilson to Tony Blair, Princess
Diana and most of the Royals.
Contact Roy at 01382 370 340 for any other information |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
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| beatlestributeband.co.uk -
A splendid time is guaranteed for all! |
Website |
beatlestributeband.co.uk |
Details |
The Beatles Tribute
Band, featuring Martin Reynolds as John Lennon, have
been performing to ecstatic audiences since they
formed in 1997.
Having played at leading
venues in the UK and overseas they are now
recognised as one of the premier Beatles tribute
bands in the UK.
The boys reproduce all
the songs with astounding accuracy to the point
where it becomes impossible to distinguish the sound
from the original recordings.
For Bookings and
enquiries contact Martin Reynolds on 0776 1005309
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
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| The
Four Seasons Hotel - Hotel in Perthshire,
Scotland where The Beatles stayed in 1964 |
Website |
The
Four Seasons Hotel |
Details |
In 1964 The Fab Four, The
Beatles stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel on the banks
of Loch Earn. Now Beatles fans can follow in the
footsteps of John, Paul, George and Ringo and
experience a memorable stay at the Four Seasons hotel
and chalet.
Though the famous four stayed only two nights we
are offering a three Day Beatles Break. This includes
Dinner, Bed and full Scottish Breakfast, and a copy of
'The Beatles in Scotland' by Ken McNab; a great
hardback book that is a fascinating and intimate
journey of memories, insights and influences.
A uniquely Scottish 'magical mystery tour', as many
tours are so frequently in this part of the world.
More details here: Four
Seasons Hotel Beatles break
01764 685 333
|
Remarks |
See the website for details |
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| The Beatelles - all-female
Beatles tribute |
Website |
The Beatelles |
Details |
We are the only Female Beatles Tribute band
in the UK and are all 'scousers' just like the Fab Four themselves.
We believe that the Beatles made the best music ever written and it is our
mission to play it with the soul and passion it deserves, with a feminine
edge of course. We love all the Beatles music but above all we enjoy playing
the later material from legendary albums such as Abbey Road, Revolver, and
The White album, the songs that broke the mould back in the day, and the
little gems that most people don’t realise the Beatles made but still sound
as fresh and contemporary as ever.
With an ever growing fan base at our live shows, we perform across the UK
and Europe - including shows at Liverpool's own world famous Cavern Club.
The band consists of four fabulous girls.
- Catherine Cook - Rhythm Guitar
- Louisa Roach - Bass Guitar
- Nadeen Kemp - Drums
- Stephanie Kennedy - Lead Guitar
Being the first female Beatles Tribute from the UK has created opportunities
to perform with famous bands and solos acts, including The Persuaders, Denny
Laine (from Moody blues and Wings), Hal Bruce and his summer of Love band,
The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Pete Best Band, and not forgetting our best
friends, Liverpool's own The Mersey Beatles.
We have played the Matthew St festival here in our own city of Liverpool
since 2007.
To get in touch, please use one of the following options:
Email - TheBeatelles@live.co.uk
Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Beatelles/24884315504
MySpace -
www.myspace.com/femalebeatlestribute |
Remarks |
See the website for details |
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| The
Cavernites - a Sixties tribute show that recreates
the vibrant sounds and atmosphere of the Swinging
Sixties |
Website |
The
Cavernites |
Details |
The Cavernites are a
Four piece band in the classic Sixties style, from
Liverpool, who perform a Sixties tribute show that
recreates the vibrant sounds and atmosphere of the
Swinging Sixties. The band take their name from the
fan club members of The Cavern Club in Liverpool,
the most famous club in the world, the club that saw
the birth of The Beatles and showcased all the top
bands during the Sixties.
Britain in 1962, and especially Liverpool, was a
place where the Rock n’ Roll of the fifties had
been fused with American R’n’B by the local beat
groups, to create a raw, high-energy brand of music
which was honed in sweaty pubs and clubs, such as
The Cavern Club in Liverpool, and The Kaiserkeller,
Indra and Star clubs in Hamburg.
The Cavernites re-create those days and the birth of
what became known as Mersey Beat or The Liverpool or
Mersey Sound a musical style that took the UK by
storm, influencing countless groups across the
country. The Cavernites recreate this era performing
classic hits from groups like The Beatles, The
Searchers, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Mersey’s,
The Hollies, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who
and many other hit groups from the Sixties.
The Cavernites bring The Sixties back to life,
taking the audience on a Magical Musical History
Tour, through One of the greatest musical decades of
all time, it's a fast and vibrant show, designed to
get everyone dancing along. The Cavernites are
an accurate live recreation of a Sixties pop group
during the Beatlemania years as seen on shows like
'Ready Steady Go’ and ’Top of the Pops'
authentically recreating not only the look but the
live sound of the bands they perform, bring back the
vibrancy and passion of the original bands and
transporting the audience right back to the Sixties.
The Cavernites use original instruments from the
period, names like Rickenbacker, Epiphone, Gibson,
and the famous Hofner Violin Beatle Bass, together
with a Black Ludwig drum kit, they also use original
amplifiers, names such as Marshal and Vox. The
Sixties look is completed by the use of original
stage clothes including the classic Sixties style
Black thin lapelled suits, narrow leg trousers,
White button down collared shirts, thin ties and the
famous Cuban heeled Black Beatle boots.
The Cavernites can be contacted at
01745 355977 Mobile: 07769856164
Email at TheCavernites@yahoo.co.uk
|
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
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| BeatlesFest
- Moville, Co. Donegal, Ireland |
Website |
BeatlesFest |
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Gerry McLaughlin runs
the only annual Beatles festival to take place in
Ireland. A mixture of Beatles tribute acts and
covers bands, special guests and other
Beatles-related festivities, the BeatlesFest event
takes place at Moville in the beautiful countryside
of Donegal.
The BeatlesFest is quickly growing in reputation and
stature as a major Beatles event, as can be
witnessed by the calibre of acts and guests it
attracts. The combination of great location,
terrific atmosphere and hospitality and Beatles
music is proving a winner.
More information on the event can be found at the
Craicon website:
www.craicon.com
Tel: 00353 74 93 82973
Email: gerrymclaughlin01@eircom.net |
Remarks |
Visit the website for
details |
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| The
Beatles in London Tours - THE Beatles tours in London |
Website |
The
Beatles in London Tour |
Details |
Beatles walks by Richard
Porter, organised by London Walks. Discover
Beatlemania in London - sites where John Lennon, Paul
McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr lived and
worked. Abbey Road and much more!
The Beatles In My Life Walk
- A Hard Day's Night and Help! film locations
- Registry office where Paul & Ringo got
married
- Apartment frequented by Ringo, John & Yoko
- The house where Paul lived with Jane Asher and
wrote Yesterday
- The Beatles 'Apple' shop
- Abbey Road
- The Beatles Coffee Shop
- And much, much more
The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour
- The Beatles 'rooftop session' location
- Paul McCartney's Offices
- The 'birthplace' of Beatlemania
- The Studios where the Beatles recorded Hey Jude
- Abbey Road Studios
- The Beatles Coffee Shop
- And much, much more
London walks: 020 7624 3978
Richard Porter: 07958 706329
Email: richardandirina@tiscali.co.uk
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Remarks |
See the website for details |
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| The
Beatles Coffee Shop - just around the corner from
Abbey Road |
Website |
The
Beatles Coffee Shop |
Details |
Formerly known as the Abbey
Road Cafe, we are positioned at the entrance to St
John's Wood underground station on the Jubilee Line.
Whether you are a regular traveller passing through
the station, a cricket fan on your way to Lords or a
tourist coming to visit the sights made famous by the
Beatles, call in and visit us for the best espresso,
cappuccino, café latte, hot chocolate or a choice of
teas. We also have some of the tastiest sandwiches
around, some delicious pastries and a selection of
cold drinks. London Transport buses passing by the Café
include route numbers 13, 46, 82 and 113.
Opening Hours:
Mondays to Fridays from 7am to 7.30pm
Saturdays 8am to 7.30pm
Sundays 9am to 7.30pm
Beatles Coffee Shop
St. John's Wood Underground Station
Finchley Road, London, NW8 6EB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7586 5404
Email: richardandirina@tiscali.co.uk |
Remarks |
See the website for details |
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| The VOX Beatles |
Website |
The VOX Beatles |
Details |
The VOX Beatles are the South Coast's
fantastic Beatles Tribute Band available for theatres, corporate events,
parties, weddings and all other special occasions.
Their passion, enthusiasm and superb musicianship capturing their famous
counterparts, along with years of experience will guarantee that your
function will be definitely one to remember and a roaring success!
On a more technical note, authentic amplification, instruments and stage
lighting are used to provide a high quality sound and visual experience.
Different packages can be tailored to suit your requirements and also
interval and background music can be supplied at your request.
PACKAGES AVAILABLE INCLUDE:-
Option 1 - 1 hour Beatles set
Option 2 - 2 x 45 min Beatles sets
Option 3 - 2 x 1 hour Beatles sets
All supplied with interval music, lighting and visuals.
Phone Mike for further info - tel: 07796484605
Email:
mountfordmike@googlemail.com |
Remarks |
See the website for details |
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Many thanks to Astrid for the fascinating
interview.
Many thanks to Thomas Schmidt and to Ulf Krueger for their help
and support.
Astrid 's famous images of The Beatles and
contemporaries in Hamburg and Liverpool are available at the following
web site:
http://www.center-of-beat.com/
K & K U l f K
r ü g e r o H G
Laufgraben 16
20146 Hamburg - Germany
Phone: *49-(0)40-450 59 06
Fax: *49-(0)40-450 59 95
O p e n i n g H o u r s:
Mo-Fr: 10-13 and 14-18
Sa: 10-14
For more information, email info@centerofbeat.de
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