Today, I made it my mission to trace the history of the popular 20th century music group The Beatles”. The sites I was interested in were all in the east of the city, a considerable walk from my location in Lydia Ann Street. This being the case , I took a train to “Mossley Hill”. This particular station was a mere 15 minute walk from “Penny Lane”. This particular street was, of course the inspiration for the song of the same name . It was originally written intended for the album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, but was instead released as a double-A-side single, along with a song inspired by another location in the area, which will feature later in my discussion. At this time in musical history it was common for an act not to include previously released singles on albums. This changed over the next 20-30 years.
I walked down “Penny Lane” with the song playing through my Bluetooth headphones. I did indeed find a barber. Several, in fact. I could not verify whether any one them had photographs of every head they’ve had the pleasure to know but I’m sure they would provide a quality service.
From there, my next stop was the birthpace of George Harrison at 12, Arnold Grove before a long walk to “Strawberry Fields”. This was the inspiration for the other side of “Penny Lane”. It was previously a Salvation Army children’s home located very close to the childhood home of John Lennon. Here I took respite in the form of coffee, and a cake which I was delighted to note had a basis in the eponymous fruit that gave the name to this location.
From here, I visited said childhood home of Mr. Lennon, before arriving at St. Peter’s Church. Here there were no less than two location of significance. First, the grave of one Eleanor Rigby, inspiration of the song of the same name. The graveyard in question was quite beautiful, and very well “packed”. In fact, there was not enough room for me to take a photograph of the grave without climbing over others so in order to show what I felt was the proper respect, I took my image from the side.
Opposite was St. Peter’s church hall, where on Saturday 6th July 1957, a 16-year-old John Lennon, met a 15-year-old Paul McCartney for the first time. Mr. Lennon was playing as part of a group called “The Quarrymen”. I noted that many streets around the area have “Quarry” as part of the name. To use a cliché, the rest is indeed history. This was a monent that essentially changed the world with these two people forming the most iconic songwriting partnership, and the most iconic popular music group of all time. I was pleased to find that the church very much embraces this history with a plaque on the wall, and annual celebrations of the anniversary.
From here, it was another 30 minute or so walk to the childhood home of Paul McCartney in Forthlin Road, and then 20 minutes to Liverpool South Parkway Station. This was my route to Moorfields, the “Merseyrail” station closest to The Cavern Club. Here the Beatles made 292 appearances between 1961, and 1963. It is regarded as the club where they “cut their teeth” before becoming very famous indeed. Given the “touristy” nature of the area I was somewhat reticent in entering. However, the queue was not particularly long and I realised quickly that my somewhat epic walking tour really needed a logical conclusion. I took a deep breath, and followed the various “stag” and “hen” parties into the venue
I was glad to have changed my mind. Where the modern-day club is rebuilt, as opposed to original, it was lots of fun. There was a band playing covers from the 1960s, who were very good indeed. I noted material from The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Bob Dylan, and of course The Beatles themselves. I wandered the albeit rather crowded venue enjoying the beer, music, and atmosphere, feeling taht I really had succeeded in making my very own “Beatles Tour”.
I left to take dinner from an establishment serving Lebanese food, which I enjoyed back at my apartment. I chose the movie “Nowhere Boy” as an accompaniment, as this seemed logical given the experiences of the day. This was all very much enjoyed.