Today’s very special guest is Colin Hanton, who was the drummer in John Lennon’s band The Quarrymen for three years between 1956-1959, during which time both Paul and George joined the group. Colin was with the Quarrymen on that infamous day at St Peter’s annual church fete in Woolton where John first encountered Paul, and he played on the very first single that John, Paul and George ever recorded- their versions of Buddy Holly’s ‘That’ll be the Day’ and the Paul and George composition ‘In Spite of all the danger.’

Colin’s years with the Quarry Men have been documented in his recent biography, ‘Pre: Fab! The Story of one man, his drums, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison’ which Colin wrote together with Colin Hall, who I spoke to in the previous episode. The book has now been made into a feature length documentary ‘Pre:Fab! The Movie’ soon to go on general release.

In 1997, Colin reformed the group with previous members Pete Shotton, Eric Griffiths, Rod Davies and Len Garry. This has taken the band all around the world, playing an important part in preserving the pre-history of the Beatles, but also promoting the history of Skiffle and rock n’ roll.

Colin was wonderful to chat to, and I can’t thank him and his lovely wife Joan enough for inviting me into their home for this once in a lifetime opportunity. 

The Quarry Men Official Website

By Dr Carly Deering.

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In today’s episode it was my great pleasure to speak to Colin Hall, who has been the custodian of Mendips, John Lennon’s childhood home, for almost 20 years. As part of this role Colin and his wife Sylvia lived at Mendips for some time, and have shown around guests including Yoko Ono Lennon, Bob Dylan, Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Voormann along with thousands of others from all over the world.

As if this wasn’t enough, Colin has written two publications: The Songs the Beatles Gave Away, where he conducted interviews with Sir Paul McCartney and Sir George Martin among others, which started out as a BBC radio 2 documentary and Pre:Fab! The story of one man, his drums, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison which written in partnership with original Quarry Men drummer, Colin Hanton, and has been made into a feature length documentary by StarsNorth Films, and selected to open the 2022 Florida Film Festival.

In 2006 Colin worked friend and music broadcaster, Bob Harris, to help research and contribute to the award-winning BBC Radio 2 documentary, The Day John Met Paul. Colin also found time to have a career as a teacher, has managed bands and been a journalist for What's On London magazine. It was a real treat to speak to Colin and hear his unique experiences and I’m so grateful for his time. 

What the trailer for PreFab! The Documentary here.

Colin Hall on Instagram

UPDATE! I did indeed go and visit Phillips recording studio at 38 Kensington Road, Liverpool and was pleased to see the blue plaque had been changed to feature the image of a young Colin Hanton, instead of Ringo as it had previously. Colin Hall was kind enough to tell Colin Hanton, who was pleased!

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To kick off the series, I talk to Dr Holly Tessler, Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool and Programme Leader of ‘The Beatles, Music Industry and Heritage’ Master degree. We talk about new perspectives on The Beatles and how she and her students are decentering the narrative and bringing The Beatles firmly into the 21st Century.

The Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage MA

The Journal of Beatles Studies

Holly on Twitter

Podcast artwork by Bobby Dazzlers

Podcast Music by Joe Bailey.

Thanks so much for listening.

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