Where
Paul was asked to join The Quarrymen
The Beatles were probably the
most popular band in the world. Somehow the blend of the lads personalities, musical
talents and tastes baked into worldwide success and a self-supporting industry
worth millions of pounds. Though they released only ten hours worth of songs
nearly everyone across the planet knows them. Separately would John, Paul,
George or Ringo have become musicians? Would John who
headed The Quarrymen have ended up working in factory or would George have
ended up become a car salesman?
Here I am at a street corner in suburban Woolton in Liverpool where Paul was asked to join The
Quarrymen. Had he not joined the group The Beatles probably wouldn’t have
evolved. John would probably have ran The Quarrymen as a hobby but been forced
to get a job (and still been alive now.)
Paul was asked to join the group in October 1957.
About two months earlier the 15-year-old schoolboy wandered around Woolton’s church summer fete on a stultifying hot day. In a
field behind the church he saw 16-year-old John playing with his skiffle group The Quarrymen and thought he held the show
well. He hadn't heard of them even though they'd been playing around Liverpool
for a year at parties, dances and cinemas (doing cover versions.) After the
garden fete concert Paul chatted with John and played a few songs on a guitar. John
was impressed - as was Pete Shotton who was in the group.
Days later they talked over whether or not to ask Paul to join the band. They
decided it would be a good idea and about two weeks later Phil Shotton was near this corner where I’m standing. He
happened to see Paul on his bike. They chatted and Pete asked Paul if he’d like
to join The Quarrymen. After some thinking about it Paul agreed.
In the next few weeks all the members of The
Quarrymen left (except John.) Paul kept bringing his young friend George with
him. John thought the 15-year-old kid too young to join them. However he kept
turning up with Paul and John saw he had an expensive £30 Hofner
President guitar (£500 in today’s money) and allowed him to join. After trying
several names they chose The Beatles in August 1960 and took up residency in
Hamburg, Germany.
I took these photos on a mild Sunday afternoon.
Further down the road some men were outside gripping some pints of beer and
wondered who or what I was waiting for. I was waiting for them to go inside but
they didn't so I got on with the salutes and photos (I have to take four photos
to get one good one.) If Paul and Peter Shotton
hadn't bumped at this junction here The Beatles might not have evolved. They
might have asked someone else to join - you never know.
The Quarrymen...
