You are in the Special Features section - Sir George Martin, Peter Sellers, Benny Hill, Rolf Harris, Spike Milligan, Charlie Drake, The Beatles, Abbey Road

Sir George Martin Interview

 

 

 

Sir George Martin - Beyond The Beatles

 

 

 

The name of Sir George Martin is synonymous with The Beatles. Often described as the fifth Beatle, his musical input and technical guidance was a dominant presence throughout their recordings, and he was as much a part of their sound as the four Beatles themselves. Sir George is, today, recognised as the most significant and influential record producer ever, and is respected and instantly recognised throughout the world.

 

Sir George with The Beatles

 

Notwithstanding his achievements with The Beatles, Sir George Martin produced and worked with a huge list of performers in a variety of genres and styles. Here Digger looks at some of this other work and, 'with a little help from' Sir George Martin himself, examines some of the substantial and impressive catalogue of Sir George's other 'non-Beatles' output from the sixties.

Some images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com  

 

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After a prodigious start as a talented and natural musician as a child, George Martin entered early careers as a quantity surveyor and at the war office. He then saw military duty as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm, although, thankfully for the benefit of all of us, he never saw combat, with the war ending before he could join the fray. George Martin left the service in 1947 and headed for the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in the City of London. He graduated and joined the BBC's classical department and then, in 1950, EMI's then very minor label Parlophone.

At that time Parlophone was predominantly a classical label, a genre which was, and arguably is, George Martin's first love, but it also produced a great number of novelty and comedy recording for the stars of the day. George Martin produced many of the greatest 'children's favourites' of the period, as well as more adult-orientated comedy. Here's a small sampling of his output:

 

  
Right Said Fred  Bernard Cribbins
The Hole In The Ground
  
Goodness Gracious Me Peter Sellers (with Sophia Loren)
A Hard Day's Night
  
My Boomerang Won't Come Back Charlie Drake
   
My Brother Terry Scott
   
Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport Rolf Harris
Sun Arise
I've Lost My Mummy
Jake The Peg
   
Nellie The Elephant Mandy Miller
  
Beyond The Fringe Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Jonathan Miller and Alan Bennett

 

 

As well as novelty and comedy, George was also recording jazz, classics, folk, skiffle, choirs and film and TV themes. It was during this period that he established himself as a studio wizard. He merged his classical training and intimate understanding of how music works and behaves with an ability to maximise the effect of the recording equipment and techniques that were available at the time, and in many cases creating new methods and means to produce the right sound. With George Martin now at the helm, Parlophone soon altered from a poor relation in EMI's stable of labels to one which was producing a lot of hits. 

 

   

 Bernard Cribbins

  
Rolf Harris Spike Milligan
   
   
Terry Scott Charlie Drake

Peter Cook & Dudley Moore

 

I asked Sir George some questions about his comedy and novelty productions...


Digger: The list of comedy names you produced is hugely impressive.... The Bernard Cribbins songs, which I adore, have a number of sound effects on them, such as footsteps and screwdrivers. Were these made in a similar way to the effects on BBC radio? 

Sir George: Absolutely.  In fact, I worked with the BBC radio-phonics workshop on a number of occasions.  I also went out into the field (literally and metaphorically speaking) to record sound – always looking for different ‘colours’ and ‘textures’ to use.

Digger: Peter Sellers covered The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night. Can you tell us a little bit about the creative thought processes behind that hilarious version?

Sir George: He just wanted to do a Shakespearian take on the song. He excelled at character voices and just had a great sense of drama, fun and timing.

 

Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com     Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com



Digger: Were there obvious frictions in the studio between Peter Cook and Dudley Moore?

Sir George: Not when I worked with them other than it being part of their act from time to time.  It was very cutting edge given what other mainstream comics/entertainers were doing at the time.

Digger: Was there obvious chemistry between Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren?

 

Sophia Loren

Sir George with Peter Sellers



Sir George: Professionally yes – they worked really well together.  I think Peter may well have imagined that there was more to come “off camera” so to speak, but Sophia was not like that in the slightest.  A lovely lady, I remember those sessions with great fondness.

Digger: Did you adopt a different approach to recording comedy as compared to the production of popular or classical music?

Sir George: Every project is different, even within the same genre.  You have to try and make the best technical recording as possible, but also something that has the ‘honesty’ of the artist at it’s heart.  Something that will connect with an audience.

 

Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com

Abbey Road  Studios

 


Digger: What comedy records/acts would you like to have produced that you didn't?

Sir George: I have worked with some of the greats and I am happy with that.

Digger: Who were the biggest jokers during recordings and what did they get up to?

Sir George: That would be telling!


I
t was with this background and in this eclectic mix of classical, novelty, comedy, choirs, 'traditional' jazz and balladeers that Martin still recognised the emerging popularity of beat groups and bands and started to look around for a pop act for Parlophone to produce. The Beatles, and manager Brian Epstein, were running out of luck and options with the various London-based record companies, who had thus far turned them down. They almost stumbled by accident into Martin's Parlophone offices for a last-hope audition in 1962. Famously, even George Martin was unsure about them, but he saw and heard something that made him want to persist with them and invite them back into the studios.

 
    


Digger: How would you describe your musical tastes and what is your biggest passion when it comes to the incredibly varied material you have produced?


Sir George: I like good music – simple as that – and trying to produce good music and entertainment has always been my passion and goal.

 
Digger: What do you think of the musical snobbery that exists where, for example, a plaque is put up by the council on a house where Handel lived but not on the house next door where Hendrix lived?

Sir George: Each has their work committed to history for everyone to judge, whether they have a Blue Plaque or not is of no consequence.

 
Digger: If you had ever had to make the choice between classical, popular or comedy recordings, which direction would you have gone in, and why?

Sir George: I always like pushing myself.  I am never happy standing still, so naturally I would be unhappy stuck within the confines of one genre.  There are only 2 types of music, good and bad.  As long as I was doing good music I would be happy.

 

 

Martin thus established his now famous relationship with The Beatles and their manager Epstein who had a number of Merseybeat acts signed to his organisation. So naturally it made sense for George Martin to produce these. Gerry and The Pacemakers, The Fourmost, Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas all had a string of hits produced by George Martin, Gerry even having three consecutive number ones (I Like It, How Do You Do It? and You'll Never Walk Alone) and rivalling The Beatles as top Merseybeat group for some time. Of course, many of these hits were also penned by Lennon and McCartney. Parlophone was, virtually overnight, transformed into a hit-making label and the jewel in EMI's crown.

 

Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com

Sir George with Cilla today

 

While George Martin was producing The Beatles' early works and laying the foundations for a seven year relationship with them in the studio which would culminate in ground-breaking works like Revolver, Rubber Soul, Sergeant Pepper and Abbey Road, he was still also producing a host of other acts, from Jazz to Soul, from Matt Monro to Merseybeat. He even wrote the, now famous and instantly recognisable theme tune to David Frost's TV programme.

 


 
Digger: On your Cilla Black productions, I was mesmerised by the quality and creative drumming as well as the very unusual time signatures on tracks like It's For You, Step Inside Love and Anyone Who Had A Heart. How hard was it for these tracks to be laid down and can you recall who the drummer was?

 

 

Sir George with Cilla and Burt Bacharach



Sir George: I’m afraid to say, that I was ultimately responsible for all the ‘unusal’ aspects of those records.  In those sessions we tried to capture the best feeling for the songs and that’s what we ended up with.  I remember the drummers as follows;  Step Inside Love – Kenny Clarke, Anyone Who Had a Heart - Geoff Lofts.

Digger: If you could go back in time with some modern piece of recording equipment or computer technology to re-do a recording in the fifties and sixties at Abbey Road, what would you take with you?

Sir George: I wouldn’t!  Part of what we did and the fun we had at Abbey Road was exactly because we did not have the equipment to do what we wanted.  Multitrack recording and Pro-tools are fantastic to work with (I could not have worked on LOVE without them), but I enjoyed pushing the envelope with the archaic equipment that we had.

Digger: Of your Merseybeat productions such as Gerry and The Pacemakers, Cilla, The Fourmost and Billy J., which gave you the most pleasure and why?

Sir George: When I wasn’t busy chasing Beatle deadlines I enjoyed all the other work – and for different reasons.  I enjoyed them all.
 

 

  
Gerry and The Pacemakers Cilla
   
   
The Fourmost Billy J. Kramer

 

 


Digger: Having recorded such a phenomenal array of performers, who is missing from the list that you would have loved to have produced?

Sir George: I get asked that all the time.  I have been lucky enough to work with the world’s best artists during my time and I am thankful for all that without thinking anyone is missing.  If I was really pushed, I did attend a Sinatra session (at Capitol before my Beatles days) and was mesmerised by how he worked in the studio – what a pro.  Working with him would have been great but that didn’t happen.

Digger: Can you recall what was your brief for the famous David Frost theme 'By George!' and how did you get the job? What was Frost's reaction to the finished product?

Sir George: I guess he must have liked it because he used it!
 

 

 


Always on the look out for new challenges, George Martin was producing acts like Shirley Bassey, Matt Monro, Tom Jones, as well as looking for new talent. Disillusioned with the EMI system which, incredibly kept him to a pathetically small salary and with little career independence or control, he broke out, along with some fellow producers, to form AIR studios. Their first 'signing' was the amazing British Mod/Soul outfit The Action. With their lead singer Reg King's soulful voice and the band's ability to 'imitate' a black American sound in a British mod style, Martin signed and produced a band that were, once again, very different from other acts he was recording. While achieving a cult status that has endured to this day, the band never experienced chart success.

 

 



Digger: The Action are one of my favourite bands. What are your memories of those recordings and which tracks stand out for you?

Sir George: The Action were one of the first bands (if not the first) that we signed direct to AIR.  I loved their ‘mod’ sense of style and their debut ‘Land of 1000 Dances’ was really well received at the time.  Unfortunately, the band did not work commercially.  Perhaps they were ahead of their time?
 


   

 


Digger: Following on from the above, given the fickle nature of the record-buying public and the vagueries of record promotion, could you ever really know what a hit record or group was? I spoke to Shel Talmy who said that a bad song will never make it but a bad group with a great song had a good chance. What's your take on this?

Sir George: No you can never tell – otherwise we’d all be at it!  A good song is vital (although this was more so when we were in the radio-only era.  Although there have always been gimmick releases, now you can have a good hit without a great song, so long as you have the visual image and marketing right.......do you remember that Crazy Frog?)!

 

Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com

 

Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com


 
Digger: Matt Monro was the best balladeer Britain ever had, with Frank Sinatra rating him the same. He had rather idiosyncratic phrasing and timing and I wonder if this ever caused you any problems? What is your enduring memory of Matt and the work you did with him?

Sir George: He was a super man and a great singer.  Sinatra was right and I loved working with Matt.  I get the feeling that he’s currently much under-rated, forgotten even, and I don’t know why.  If you listen back to his records there’s a magic there that’s very rare.  He had super-star quality, no doubt.
 

 

Matt Monro


    

Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey

 

Since those heady days of the sixties, Sir George has produced Paul McCartney (Tug of War and Pipes of Peace), Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck, Elton John, America, Kenny Rogers, Billy Preston, Peter Gabriel, Celine Dion, Phil Collins and Jose Carreras to name but a few. He has received Grammy and Brit awards in abundance and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Hall of Fame, as well as receiving his Knighthood. He has been involved in several Beatles-related projects, including Anthology and, more recently, Love. 

The terms genius, icon, legend and legacy are all over-used these days for any five-minute wonder. However, in the case of Sir George Martin it can be stated quite categorically that he is a true icon of the 20th century, he is a legend whose genius in the recording studio and his musical associations with The Beatles and others will leave a legacy for future generations to enjoy and marvel at.

 


 

Digger: How would you describe the state of the British music and the British Music Industry today and who do you rate?

Sir George: There are some great UK artists coming through at the minute and I am glad to see that some of them are doing very well in the US, which is still the biggest market.  The biggest selling UK record this past Christmas across the globe was..........The Beatles LOVE, which is great from my point of view, but also quite scary considering the band split nearly 40 years ago!

 



Images courtesy of and © copyright www.rexfeatures.com


   

My big thanks to Sir George Martin and Adam Sharp for their tremendous help.

For further reference:

Sir George Martin's website

The Beatles

John, Paul, George and Ringo's websites

Matt Monro

Abbey Road Studios

Air Studios

Cilla Black

The Action

Gerry Marsden

Peter Sellers

Rolf Harris

Please also see the Special Features sections of this site ( www.retrosellers.com ) where there are Beatles-related articles and interviews with Sid Bernstein, Hunter Davies, Tom Murray, Pete Best, Astrid Kirchherr, Klaus Voormann, Victor Spinetti, Mary Hopkin, Pattie Boyd, Margaret Nolan, Bill Harry and Eric Stewart.

 

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Website The Beatles in Manchester
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Throughout all this time we were travelling the length and breadth of the country selling at any show that would have us, admittedly some were better than others and problems and hold ups got in the way, (like when the van broke down the first time we used it!)

Move forward to the present day, and now that we have a website, we're getting closer to world domination, but it's going to take a couple more years! Frankly we're happy to continue selling affordable retro to the masses, just as we are! 

We hope you enjoy our website, and if you see us at a show, please do say hi!

Becky & Glynis

Retro Bazaar
68 Alston Drive
Bradwell Abbey
Milton Keynes
MK13 9HB

T: 01908 310020
E: sales@retro-bazaar.co.uk

Remarks Visit the website for details

 

grandadshirtsonline.co.uk - The Original Collarless Grandad shirts
Website grandadshirtsonline.co.uk
Details The Original Half buttoning L/sleeve Grandad Shirt, Button Through L/sleeve Grandad shirt, The Original Half/Button Grandad in Stonewash Denim, Long Sleeve Stonewash Denim Kurta with sharktooth fastening, Crew neck Style Long sleeved Grandad, Short sleeved Half Button Grandad shirt, Short Sleeve Kurta with Sharktooth fastening, Short Sleeved Moroccan Kurta, Madras Cotton Striped Grandad Shirt

The Original Collarless Grandad shirts evolved from the traditional Indian Kurta shirt. Popularized during the 1960s by the Beatles and numerous other Pop groups who found the guitar strap sat much better with no collar on the shirt. Today we have thousands of customers including numerous guitarists and groups buying our shirts, the collarless grandad shirt has now become a timeless classic. Worn by both men and women of all ages, this casual shirt can be worn with a jacket to give smarter individual look. Who needs a tie? The Original Grandad shirt is destined never to be out of fashion.

Kaboo Trading, is a family business. We have been marketing collarless shirts by mail-order, and now the internet for more than 25 years, and many of our satisfied customers have been with us almost as long. Once you buy your first Grandad shirt from us we are confident you never need to look anywhere else.

As well as providing a first class product we also pride ourselves in providing customers with a top class service. We know that once you have ordered and paid for your shirt you want to receive it ASAP. Orders are processed and posted on the same day up to 3pm. And all UK orders are always dispatched by 1st Class Post .

All of our shirts are made from 100% crimp cotton, which provides warmth and yet is cool in the hotter climates. We have over the years sourced the very best in material and production standards. You can also be assured that all those involved in the manufacture of our shirts are paid fairly and that working conditions are good.

The proven quality and durability of our shirts is now well known by customers worldwide. You may notice that we use the Collarless Shirt Company label and the Kaboo Trading label in our shirts.

We began selling the Original half button traditional Collarless Grandad shirt way back in the early 80s, it is still our best seller today, and the backbone of our business. As you can see from our website we have added to the range since then. We are confident that you will be delighted with our shirts. We also welcome any feedback from you, as we are always looking at ways we might improve further our products and service.

Kaba Kaboo
51 Fore Street,
Brixham,
Devon
TQ5 8AG

Tel. 01803 859911
Email kaba.kaboo@gmail.com

Remarks Visit the website for details

 

 

Dave's Jukeboxes - a major jukebox supplier since 1968
Website Dave's Jukeboxes 
Details Daves Jukeboxes have been a major jukebox supplier since 1968. We also offer jukebox repair, jukebox servicing and a jukebox restoring service.

At our jukebox showroom situated in South West England, we stock a range of Wurlitzer, Rock Ola, Seeburg, Row Ami Jukeboxes. Our vast and ever changing jukebox collection are restored to their original showroom quality in our own Jukebox Shop. Our jukebox sales include classic jukeboxes and CD Jukeboxes for a much greater choice of music.

Dave's Jukeboxes can supply Jukebox spares for Wurlitzer, Rock Ola, Seeburg and Row Ami Jukeboxes - if you are unsure what you need just give us a ring.

We offer jukebox repairs for Wurlitzer, Rock Ola, Seeburg, Row Ami amongst others. We also stock a vast amount of fifties and sixties memorabilia and Pinball machines. Our Jukebox hire service is ideal for your Functions, parties, weddings ,etc. You can choose a classic jukebox or CD Jukeboxes have been introduced recently for extra choice and selection of music .

For any Jukebox services, repairs or sales why not visit us in our NEW SHOP if only for a chat and a cup of coffee.

Mr. D Franklin
Rock Around the Shop
22 St Marys Street
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3LY Tel:
01278444030

Mobile: 07885145406
E-Mail: enquiries@davesjukeboxes.co.uk

Remarks Visit the website for details

 

 

Speciality Jukebox Hire - How would you like to be able to have all of your favourite music available at your party, special event or celebration. all at the press of a button!
Website Speciality Jukebox Hire
Details Ken Hudson, the owner of Speciality Jukebox Hire, is based in the ancient and historic city of York. Ken's musical knowledge is accumulated from a lifetime of collecting music, from 78rpm discs to vinyl, from CD and digital MP3, as well as his extensive twenty  years experience as a mobile DJ. His encyclopedic musical knowledge is extremely valuable in helping you plan your perfect event, making his vast collection of music available to hire for all kinds of parties, special events and celebrations. Get in touch for more details.

Hire the Wurlitzer Princess CD Jukebox from Speciality Music and you'll have music for all those special occasions - you and your guests will be able to select the music to suit the moment.

Start organising your event's music collection and jukebox hire by getting in touch.
  • How about 'Tracks of Your Years for that special birthday celebration?
  • Or for that special day, Wedding Reception memorable music of your choice.
  • To add to your enjoyment of that special occasion, how about
    including a musical quiz? Test the musical knowledge of your guests by
    listening to short extracts of the 'hits' over the years - "What Year?";
    "Who was the artist?"; "What was the title?". Played in groups or
    individually it's a fantastic way to make your occasion even more fun and
    memorable - sheer nostalgia!!

At Speciality Music jukebox hire, you can have your own personal requests put onto CD. You can also add some of your own favourite CDs to the jukebox selection if you wish. Also, given suitable notice, it is possible to transfer any of your favourite vinyl albums to CD to add to the enjoyment of your special event.
 
tel: 07758 002 972
e: info@specialityjukeboxhire.com

Remarks Visit the website for details

 

 

Timeless International Productions - World Class Entertainment 
Website Timeless International Productions
Details Timeless International Productions is one of the largest show producers in the UK. Now an internationally acclaimed company specializing in show production, and supplying the very best in entertainment worldwide.

Formed by Colin Francis and Marie Adele, who together have more than 50 years professional experience, performing and producing shows all over the world.

Some of our breathtaking spectacular shows:

  • A Timeless Collection. 'Music Hall' through to 1970's
  • Showstoppers...A Night of Musicals.
  • Extravaganza on Ice.
  • Memory Lane. Featuring songs from 'Music Hall, 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's.
  • Lets Twist Again. An excellent evenings entertainment, based on all the favourite songs from the 50s & 60's.
  • Rolling Back the Years. Another great show based on the same theme as 'Memory Lane, and 'A Timeless Collection'. This time adding some of the greatest songs from some of the blockbuster Movies and Musicals. Grease, Singing In The Rain and The Sound Of Music, to name but a few.
  • Viva Las Vegas. This show pays tribute to stars such as Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, and includes the amazing 'Las Vegas' showgirls.
  • Moulin Rouge. A brilliant song and dance spectacular.
  • Tribute Acts and Tribute Production Shows currently available include ABBA, Elvis, Take That, Il Divo, and many more.

Timeless International Productions
P O Box 235
Chester le Street
County Durham
DH3 9DL

Telephone +44 (0) 191 3702718
Email. info@timelessinternationalproductions.com

Remarks See the website for details

 

Steve Norris - A Very English Revolution
Website Steve Norris

Buy A Very English Revolution on Amazon
Details Steve Norris is an English thriller writer for the 21st century

Steve has written a new novel, A Very English Revolution, that will change your views on the political stability of Britain forever.
Already attracting a number of rave reviews, the book is available on Amazon (as a paperback and on Kindle - at £2) where you can also see the great reviews.

It is framed around the timeline of a fictional Leeds bi-election in 2009. The vacuum of leadership in government meant minor parties were growing in strength and the book picks up in Leeds where an opportunity emerges for a new style nationalist politician who can present arguments, usually formed in male drinking clubs, in a sexy media-friendly format. The other side of the story is an old fashioned mystery whodunit from the 1980‘s where a journalist stumbles on a cover up of child abuse in the Catholic Church. You think the story is going one way, but wonder where the bi-election fits in. The story draws the reader into a world where questions and connections keep coming, and where coincidence starts to turn into conspiracy. Before the characters realise what they know, they are at the centre of a very dangerous storm.
Remarks See the website for details

 

London 60s Week - celebrating the creative explosion that was London in  the 60s
Website London 60s Week
Details London 60s Week is an annual festival celebrating the golden anniversary of the 60s. The festival celebrates the creative explosion from this special decade with London's past & present creative talent.

London in the 60s was the city of the decade because the young made themselves heard through their energy, creativity and spirit. London 60s Week embraces this passion while looking to the future. Our work goes on throughout the year and culminates annually in a city-wide celebration.

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8123 2940
Email: enquiries@london60sweek.co.uk
Remarks Visit the website for details

 

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

 

BeatlesFest - Moville, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Website BeatlesFest 
  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

 

THOSE OLD RECORDS - Keeping Vinyl Alive
Website THOSE OLD RECORDS 
Details Those Old Records is a vinyl only record shop in Rugeley, Staffordshire (nr Lichfield) with supporting website. 

We stock classic rock, punk/indie, folk, jazz, psych, reggae, classical, 60's, rock & roll and anything that moves the spirit. Thousands of albums, EP's and 7" singles to choose from.

All pre owned records are professionally cleaned and housed in polythene outers to protect the sleeve. The emphasis is on quality rather than quantity. Old school professional service, satisfaction guaranteed. A regular haunt for collectors, dealers and the curious. 

Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 09.30 - 16.30 or by appointment.

Vinyl record collections always wanted - anywhere in the UK.

Call Chris McGranaghan on 07795 548242 or email thoseoldrecords@btinternet.com

www.thoseoldrecords.co.uk

Remarks Visit the website for details

 

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

Remarks See the website for details

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 


 

Sir George Martin interview.

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