International Beatleweek 2025 took place
from August 20 to August 26 in Liverpool.
Organised by Cavern City Tours, the seven day event gave hundreds of fans from all over the world the opportunity to enjoy all things ‘Beatle’ in Liverpool – from watching live music from international tribute acts in the Cavern and other venues around the city including, notably, the remaining Quarry Men at the Philharmonic Hall on Saturday 23rd, to riding on the Magical Mystery Tour coach visiting famous Beatles’ locations, through to attending the convention day itself held at the Adelphi Hotel, featuring more live music, dealers’ stalls selling every imaginable Beatles’ record, book, poster, dvd and items of clothing, stands promoting local Beatle related places such as St Peter’s Church, Strawberry Fields and Quarry Bank School, a video room, and guest speakers which this year included Stuart Maconie, Judd Lander, Billy J Kramer, Geoff Britton, and making her convention debut, Thelma McGough, ex-wife of the Liverpool poet and Scaffold member Roger McGough, who had previously dated both John Lennon and Paul McCartney (separately).
My usual routine at the convention
involves arriving right at opening, heading straight to the dealer stalls in
the banquet hall to hunt for vinyl solo albums, rare books, and bootleg
records, then checking out the guest speakers in the main ballroom and possibly
grabbing a photo or autograph. Later, I might enjoy a drink with friends in one
of the hotel bars. I rarely watch the tribute bands unless I know someone who
is performing, though I understand it’s a highlight for many.
This year, however, was different. Before the opening, I’d arranged to meet fellow Beatles historian Steve Bradley from the "Arrive Without Travelling" blog and Steven Cockcroft from the much missed "Nothing Is Real" podcast. It had been a few months since I’d seen them, so it was great to catch up on their latest Beatles news and gossip while we waited in line. This was Steven’s first Liverpool convention and only his third visit to Liverpool, which surprised both me and Steve who joked that given its proximity to Ireland, Steven could have practically swam here, had he the inclination.
As soon as we were inside, we spotted Mark Lewisohn, who after attending the last couple of conventions as a fan, was back on active duty this year interviewing the guest speakers. We exchanged pleasantries before going our separate ways for a bit, with me staying in the dealer’s hall, which was already doing brisk trade less than half an hour after opening.
The three of us regrouped in the
ballroom to catch most of Mark's interview with Stuart Maconie, the northern English radio DJ, TV presenter
and writer who was there to officially launch his new Beatles' book, With A
Little Help From Their Friends, which features concise chapters dedicated to
100 individuals who influenced the lives of the Beatles to varying degrees.
Those of you who are acquainted with
Stuart you will know he's a fantastic orator, a quality reflected in his
writing which is replete with humorous observations and lovely turns of phrase.
He was a great guest on stage, Mark Lewisohn only having to ask Stuart the
simplest of questions to elicit detailed, often amusing responses that drew
considerable laughter from the audience.
As an aside, I should say that while I found the book an enjoyable read, I did come across several factual inaccuracies - e.g. Allan Williams did not take Tony Sheridan to Hamburg - and more annoyingly, there were typographical oversights that should have been picked up on – “Shay Stadium” appears with this misspelling in two different chapters. I'll say it here now, I will gladly error check any forthcoming Beatles' book if you send me a free copy!
Mark's third interviewee of the day was
supposed to be Jay Bergen, the New York City trial lawyer who represented John
Lennon in 1975 during the Morris Levy litigation. Jay has recently published
his memoir, entitled Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer - The Untold Story.
For reasons unknown to me at present, Bergen was a no show and so Beryl Marsden
gamely stepped in.
No relation to Gerry, Beryl Marsden is sometimes characterised in Beatles' books as the other female vocalist Brian Epstein considered signing before he settled on Cilla Black. There's also an oft-repeated claim that John Lennon (who called her 'Marzy') initially offered her the Lennon-McCartney composition “Love of the Loved”, before Epstein gave it to Cilla. Not true according to Beryl, who referenced the 2014 ITV drama series 'Cilla' starring Sheridan Smith. In the dramatization, actress Gemma Sutton portrays Marsden performing the song on stage – a scenario Marsden stated never occurred in reality.
Marsden began her career at Wavertree Town Hall, performing with Carl Terry and the Cruisers. After an impromptu performance with The Undertakers at Orrell Park ballroom, she was invited to join the group despite the fact that she was not quite 15. She contributed both lead and backing vocals, but age restrictions prevented her from accompanying the band to Hamburg. Consequently, she began performing locally with other groups, including Lee Curtis & The All Stars and Faron’s Flamingos.
When the All Stars were offered a season
at the Star Club in Hamburg they wanted to take Beryl with them. Because of her
young age she was chaperoned by their manager Joe Flannery (the brother of Lee
Curtis) who sometimes acted as the Beatles' booking agent. She signed a deal
with Decca in 1963, and favouring more soulful, R&B numbers she released
two singles, "I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)" and "When the
Lovelight Starts Singing Through His Eyes", before moving on to EMI's
Columbia label in 1965, where she released her cover of the song
"Break-A-Way" which I consider to be one of her finest recordings.
In 1965,
Marsden supported the Beatles on their final UK tour, experiencing British
Beatlemania first-hand. The following year, she joined the British R&B
group Shotgun Express, whose members included Fleetwood Mac founders Peter
Green and Mick Fleetwood, as well as a young Rod Stewart.
Given the unplanned nature of Marsden’s interview, Mark Lewisohn relied on his extensive knowledge of the era to engage her in discussion, focusing primarily on her associations with the Beatles and, in particular, her recollections of the 1965 tour.
Understandably,
the passage of time has affected the clarity of some of Marsden’s memories. On
occasion, she sought reassurance from her friend (Good Ol’) Freda Kelly, seated
nearby in the audience, to verify the accuracy of her recollections. To her credit if she didn't know, or couldn't remember something she said so, rather than inventing a false memory.
During Beryl Marsden’s interview we had been joined by our friend Obadiah McDougall Jones creator of the excellent “Gimme Some Truth” podcast, who’d travelled up from London that morning. Deciding to skip the next interview we retired to the bar for a drink and catch up. Here we encountered more of our mutual friends. Mark Lewisohn took advantage of some free time away from the stage to join us for a drink with his partner.
The truly awkward moment when Steven Cockcroft had to tell Mark Lewisohn that we didn't need him on our Beatles Quiz Team.* I honestly didn't know where to look.
And then, with the convention still in full-swing but acutely aware that my Fairy Godmother (wife) had warned me that I needed to leave the ball by 4pm before something turned into a pumpkin, it was time to say my goodbyes.
With a slight panic, I realised I hadn’t bought anything all day. Heading back through the dealer’s hall on the way to the exit I quickly grabbed a bootleg John Lennon LP and a book about bootleg records (total spend: a pathetic £45) before leaving for home.
After a great day with friends, it was
time for a great evening with family. The best of both then.
With a Little Help From My Friends:
Steve Bradley:
Steven Cockcroft:
Obadiah McDougall Jones:
Angela Leighton-Jones:
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