The Quarrymen
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Origin | Liverpool, England |
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Website | originalquarrymen |
The Quarrymen (also written as "the Quarry Men") are a British skiffle/rock and roll group, formed by John Lennon in Liverpool in 1956,[2] which evolved into the Beatles in 1960. Originally consisting of Lennon and several school friends, the Quarrymen took their name from a line in the school song of their school, the Quarry Bank High School. Lennon's mother, Julia, taught her son to play the banjo, showed Lennon and Eric Griffiths how to tune their guitars in a similar way to the banjo, and taught them simple chords and songs.
Lennon founded a skiffle group that was briefly called The Blackjacks, but they changed the name before any public performances. Some accounts credit Lennon with choosing the new name; other accounts credit his close friend Pete Shotton with suggesting the name. The Quarrymen played at parties, school dances, cinemas and amateur skiffle contests before Paul McCartney joined in October 1957. George Harrison joined in early 1958 at McCartney's recommendation, though Lennon initially resisted because he felt Harrison (14 when he was introduced to Lennon) was too young. McCartney and Harrison attended the Liverpool Institute.
The group made an amateur recording in 1958, performing Buddy Holly's "That'll Be the Day" and "In Spite of All the Danger", a song written by McCartney and Harrison. The group moved towards rock and roll, causing several of the original members to leave. This left Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison, who performed under several other names, including Johnny and the Moondogs and Japage 3 before returning to the Quarrymen name in 1959. In 1960, the group changed their name to "The Beatles" (chosen for its double meaning and as a wink to Buddy Holly's band, "The Crickets"). The name was conceived of late at night by Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe, by then the group's fourth member, and introduced to the other two the next day. They were initially booked as "The Silver Beetles" by local clubs who saw it as a more sellable name than "The Beatles"[citation needed] and went on to be the best-selling music act of all time.
In 1997, the four surviving original members of the Quarrymen reunited to perform at the 40th anniversary celebrations of the garden fête performance at which Lennon had first met McCartney. Since 1998, they have performed in countries outside the UK and released four albums. Three original members still perform as the Quarrymen.
History
Formation and early performances
History of the Beatles |
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In the mid-1950s, there was a revival in the United Kingdom of the musical form "skiffle" that had originated in the United States and had been popular in the US in the 1920s, '30s and '40s. In addition to its popularity among British teenagers as music to listen to, it also spawned a craze of teenage boys starting their own groups to perform the music. One of the primary attractions was that it did not require great musical skills or expensive instruments to be played.[3] Early British skiffle was played by traditional jazz musicians, with the most successful British proponent of the genre in the 1950s being Lonnie Donegan.[4] The Quarrymen's initial repertoire included several songs that Donegan had recorded.[5] When Lennon wanted to try making music himself, he and fellow Quarry Bank school friend, Griffiths, took guitar lessons in Hunt's Cross, Liverpool, although Lennon gave up the lessons soon after, as they were based on theory and not actual playing.[6]
As Griffiths already knew how to play the banjo, Lennon's mother showed them how to tune the top four strings of their guitars to the same notes as a banjo, and taught them the chords of
Lennon and Griffiths decided to form a skiffle group in November 1956.
The group first rehearsed in Shotton's house on Vale Road, but because of the noise, his mother told them to use the
In July 1957, Canadian impresario Carroll Levis held a talent contest in Liverpool, the winners of which would appear on the television series Star Search.[21] The Quarrymen played Lonnie Donegan's "Worried Man Blues", and were loudly applauded, but a group from Wales (called the Sunnyside Skiffle Group) "jumped all over the stage" and outshone the static Quarrymen, and were asked by Levis to fill in the last few minutes of the contest with a second song.[22] Lennon argued heatedly with Levis backstage, saying the Sunnyside Skiffle Group had brought a bus full of supporters with them, and were given "the upper hand" advantage by Levis.[22] After the competition, Levis used a clap-o-meter (a machine to measure the decibels of the audience's reaction to the groups) as they were asked to walk back out onto the stage. The Quarrymen and the Sunnyside Skiffle Group tied by both reaching ninety on the meter, but after a second test, the Quarrymen lost by a small margin.[23]
Paul McCartney joins the group
On 6 July 1957, The Quarrymen played at the
Vaughan and McCartney left before the evening show which started at 8 o'clock.
As they were walking home after the evening performance, Lennon and Shotton discussed the afternoon encounter with McCartney, and Lennon said that perhaps they should invite McCartney to join the band. Two weeks later, Shotton encountered McCartney cycling through Woolton, and conveyed Lennon's casual invitation for him to join the Quarrymen, and Vaughan also invited McCartney to join.
McCartney made his debut with the band on 18 October 1957 at a
George Harrison's entry and recording
After McCartney's poor performance on lead guitar at the Conservative Club, the group needed another guitarist to accommodate their new rock-focused repertoire; McCartney recommended his school friend George Harrison.
With Harrison's entry, the Quarrymen now had four guitarists. Lennon and McCartney suggested to Griffiths that he instead buy a bass guitar, but Griffiths refused because of the expense.[54] The two subsequently convinced Nigel Walley, still acting as the group's manager, to fire Griffiths.[55] Walley regretted the incident, and as a result gradually severed his ties with the Quarrymen.[56] Around this same time, Len Garry contracted tubercular meningitis, and spent seven months in the hospital, never playing with the group again.[57] This left Colin Hanton as the last of the group of Lennon's Quarry Bank classmates that originally comprised the group. In March, McCartney bought an Elpico amplifier with two inputs, and he and Harrison added pickups to their guitars, giving the Quarrymen an electric sound for the first time.[58]
Percy Phillips operated a studio called
"The rhythm's in the guitars"
Soon after the recording session, Hanton had a fight with the rest of the group and quit.[63] Lowe too lost contact with the group after leaving Liverpool Institute, leaving the Quarrymen as just a trio of guitarists: Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison.[63] Lennon's mother was killed in a road accident on 15 July 1958, dealing him a devastating emotional blow.[64] The group remained mostly inactive throughout the summer, as Lennon took up a job in a restaurant at the Liverpool Airport.[65] McCartney and Harrison, meanwhile, went on holiday hitchhiking in Wales, playing with a local skiffle group called the Vikings.[66] Although Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison remained extremely close, the trio only performed a handful of times in the last months of 1958.[67] When asked why they had neither a drummer or a bass player, they would respond "The rhythm's in the guitars."[68]
In the fall of 1958, the group had another chance to audition for Carroll Levis, nearly a year and a half after the Quarrymen's first Star Search.[68] For the audition, the group changed their name to Johnny and the Moondogs.[69] Lennon was without a guitar, his having broken recently.[69] Johnny and the Moondogs passed the first heat of the competition in Liverpool, and were invited to appear in the finals in Manchester.[69] The group performed Buddy Holly's "Think It Over" to positive reception, but were unable to stay until the end of the competition to receive the results.[70] As they were leaving, Lennon saw a cutaway electric guitar by the stage door, picked it up and walked off with it, later saying that the trip "wasn't a total loss."[71][72]
Following their Star Search audition, Johnny and the Moondogs changed their name to Japage 3 (combining letters from each of the member's names: John, Paul, and George).
The Casbah Club and name change to the Beatles
In the summer of 1959,
The group continued their Casbah residency into the new year, occasionally securing other gigs. In January, Brown grew ill and was unable to play the show. Best, however, insisted that the Quarrymen still pay Brown, but Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison refused; the incident resulted in the loss of their residency at the Casbah and Brown's departure from the group.[86] Shortly after, however, Lennon convinced fellow art school student Stuart Sutcliffe to purchase a bass guitar and join the group.[87] The group had no bookings, but began rehearsing vigorously to allow the musical novice Sutcliffe practice on his new instrument.[88]
In early 1960, the Quarrymen returned to Phillips' Sound Recording Services to record Lennon's new original song "One After 909", although this recording does not survive.[89] Around the same time, the three made a rehearsal tape at McCartney's home. Harrison was absent (as he had an apprenticeship), and the tape features several jams and original songs, including the McCartney instrumental "Cayenne".[90] With few gigs during this period the group often wrote letters to secure bookings, several of which survive.[91] The four disliked the Quarrymen name, and went through several others during this period, including Los Paranoias.[92] By March 1960, Lennon and Sutcliffe came up with a new name: the Beatles.[93] The Beatles (after several line-up changes, including adding Mona's son Pete Best on drums) continued to perform around Liverpool and in Hamburg, Germany, before being signed to Parlophone Records in 1962.
Reformations: 1994 to present
Since the break-up of the Beatles in 1970 and the murder of John Lennon in 1980, members of the Quarrymen have reunited several times. From 1994 to 1995, Rod Davis and John Lowe recorded an album with studio musicians. This album, Open for Engagements, was released in 1995 under the Quarrymen name.[94][95]
The surviving members of the 1957 line-up of the Quarrymen reunited in 1997 for the 40th anniversary of their performance at the 1957
In 2000, producer and the Beatles' historian
Eric Griffiths died in 2005, and Pete Shotton retired, owing to ill-health. Shotton died in 2017. As of 2016, Davis, Garry, and Hanton continued to perform around the world. Lowe occasionally performed with them.[96] In September and October 2010, the band undertook a US tour celebrating the 70th birthday of their founder, Lennon. They appeared in a charity concert for Amnesty International honouring Lennon in New York City on Lennon's birthday, Saturday 9 October 2010.[97] From 2016 former Beatles bassist Chas Newby performed with the band. He died in May 2023. John Lowe died in February 2024.[98]
Since their 1997 reformation, the Quarrymen have recorded three albums, consisting mostly of covers of
Members
- Colin Hanton – drums (1956–1958, 1997–present)
- Rod Davis – banjo (1957); guitar, vocals (1994–1995, 1997–present)
- Len Garry – tea-chest bass (1957–1958); vocals, guitar (1997–present)
- John Lennon – vocals, guitar (1956–1960; died 1980)
- Eric Griffiths – guitar (1956–1958, 1997–2005; his death)
- Pete Shotton – washboard (1956–1957, 1997–2000; died 2017); tea-chest bass (1997–2000)
- Bill Smith – tea-chest bass (1956)
- Nigel Walley – tea-chest bass (1956; Subsequently, became "manager" 1956–1958)
- Ivan Vaughan – tea-chest bass (1956–1957; died 1993)
- Paul McCartney – vocals, guitar (1957–1960)
- George Harrison – guitar, vocals (1958–1960; died 2001)
- John Duff Lowe – piano (1958); keyboards (1994–1995, 2005–2017, was a regular guest, although not a constant member; died 2024), vocals (1994–1995)
- Ken Brown – guitar (1959–1960; died 2010)
- Stuart Sutcliffe – bass guitar (1960; died 1962)
- Chas Newby – bass guitar (2016–2023; his death. Newby also played bass with the Beatles briefly from 1960 to 1961)[98]
Timeline
Discography
- Studio albums
- Open for Engagements (1994) (Kewbank Records KBCD111) (John 'Duff' Lowe & Rod Davis)
- Get Back – Together (1997) (Q Records QMCD 7011) (Eric Griffiths, Len Garry, Rod Davis, Pete Shotton & Colin Hanton)
- Songs We Remember (2004) (BMG Augusta Records AUCK15001) (Eric Griffiths, Len Garry, Rod Davis & Colin Hanton)
- Grey Album(2012) (Generate Records 885767482517) (Len Garry, Rod Davis & Colin Hanton)
- Live albums
- Live At The Halfmoon Pub Putney (2005) (Colin Hanton, Len Garry, Rod Davis & John 'Duff' Lowe)
- The Quarrymen Live! In Penny Lane (2020) (Colin Hanton, Len Garry, Rod Davis & Chas Newby)
- DVD
- The Band That Started The Beatles (2009) (Star-Club Records GRDVD091) (Len Garry, Rod Davis & Colin Hanton)
- Other recordings
- "That'll Be the Day" and "In Spite of All the Danger" (both recorded in 1958) are available on the Beatles album Anthology 1 (1995).
- A number of home rehearsals featuring Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Sutcliffe were recorded in early 1960. Three of these were released on Anthology 1, while others have appeared on various bootlegs.
- A 2000 recording of "Come Go With Me" was featured in the film Two of Us.
- A Unreleased Recording of "Maggie Mae" being used in the film 'Looking for Lennon' (not to be mistaken with the 2009 film "Nowhere Boy")
See also
Notes
- ^ "The Quarrymen's first public performance on 22nd June 1957". Originalquarrymen.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Biographies". Originalquarrymen.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ a b Atkinson, Malcolm. "The Quarry Men's First Recordings". Abbeyrd's Beatle Page. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
- ^ "'Skiffle king' Donegan dies". BBC. 4 November 2002. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 52.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 48.
- ^ "The Beatles Anthology" DVD (2003) (Episode 1 – 0:14:29) Lennon talking about his mother teaching him "Ain't That a Shame".
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 49.
- ^ "The Beatles Anthology" DVD (2003) (Episode 1 – 0:12:39) Harrison talking about Lonnie Donegan and the influence of "Rock Island Line".
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 103.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 50.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 104.
- ^ "Myth Busting". The Original Quarrymen. Retrieved 17 October 2010.
- ^ a b Lewisohn 2013, p. 105, 109.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 51.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 54.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 55.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 108-109.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 65.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 109.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 124.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 57.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 58.
- ^ Miles 1997, p. 25.
- ^ "Myth 12". Original Quarrymen. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
- ^ a b c Miles 1997, p. 26.
- ^ Spitz 2005, pp. 93–94.
- ^ "The Beatles Anthology" DVD (2003) (Episode 1 – 0:21:56) Lennon talking 3> about meeting McCartney.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 95.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 96.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 97.
- ^ O'Donnell, Jim. "The Day John Met Paul". Beatles News Wire. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
- ^ Kozinn, Allan (21 July 1994). "John Lennon's First Known Recording Is for Sale". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 June 2008.
- ^ a b Miles 1997, p. 29.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 99.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 138.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 102.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 108.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 151.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 145, 147.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 146-147.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 153.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 130.
- ^ a b Lewisohn 2013, p. 157.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 125.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 126.
- ^ Harry, Bill. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps: The Tragic Story of Rory Storm & the Hurricanes (page 2)". Bill Harry. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
- ^ a b Miles 1997, p. 47.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 127.
- ^ "The Beatles Anthology" DVD (2003) (Episode 1 – 0:21:56) McCartney talking about Harrison being in the band.
- ^ Spitz 2005, pp. 126–127.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 158, 161.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 160–161.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 163.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 163-164.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 164.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 128.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 163, 171.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 141.
- ^ Spitz 2005, p. 142.
- ^ a b Spitz 2005, p. 143.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 178.
- ^ a b Lewisohn 2013, p. 179.
- ^ Miles 1997, p. 50.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 184.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 187-188.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 193, 195.
- ^ a b Lewisohn 2013, p. 195.
- ^ a b c Lewisohn 2013, p. 196.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 197.
- ^ "The Beatles Anthology" DVD (2003) (Episode 1 – 0:27:11) McCartney talking about Lennon stealing a guitar.
- ^ Spitz 2005, pp. 170–171.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 201.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 200.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 200-201.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 205.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 206-207.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 213-215.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 220.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 223.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 225.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 224-225.
- ^ Lennon 2005, p. 44.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 224.
- ^ Miles 1997, p. 51.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 277.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 276.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 279.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 289.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 287-288.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 290-291.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 291.
- ^ Lewisohn 2013, p. 291-292.
- ^ "Open for Engagements – The Quarrymen | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 19 December 1995. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "Bands and Artists: Q: Quarrymen, The: Discography: Open For Engagements". MusicMoz.org. 19 December 1995. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ "John Lennon's Original Quarrymen". Original Quarrymen. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ^ "The "Happy Birthday John!" Tour". Original Quarrymen. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ a b "Hot News". 26 March 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ a b "Myth 6". Originalquarrymen.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
- ^ a b Lewisohn 2013.
References
- Gilliland, John (1969). "The British Are Coming! The British Are Coming!: The U.S.A. is invaded by a wave of long-haired English rockers" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ISBN 978-0-86369-681-7.
- ISBN 978-0-340-89512-2.
- ISBN 978-1-4000-8305-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7493-8658-0.
- O'Brien, Ray (2005). There are Places I'll Remember: The Venues Where The Beatles Played on Merseyside. ISBN 978-1-904438-28-1.
- ISBN 978-0-316-80352-6.
External links
- The Quarrymen official website
- List of concerts Archived 8 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- Catherine E. Doyle: "From Blackjacks to Beatles: How the Fab Four Evolved"
- The Quarrymen's First Recordings
- The Quarrymen discography at Discogs
- The Quarrymen at IMDb