Christopher Nigel Walley, known to his friends as Nigel, Nige or
"Wallogs" lived in Vale Road, Woolton, behind John Lennon's home on
Menlove Avenue. Pete Shotton and Ivan
Vaughan also lived in Vale Road and together they formed John Lennon's first
gang.
Nigel and Shotton went to Mosspits School (where John had attended
briefly) while Lennon and Vaughan attended Dovedale.
John formed the Quarry Men in 1956 and it was only natural that he
would want his friends in the group, regardless of their musical ability. Nigel
was one of four tea-chest bass players the group had, the others being Bill
Smith and Ivan Vaughan before Len Garry secured the position permanently.
Realising that Nigel was not particularly musical but still wishing to
include him in some way, John decided Nigel could be the Quarry Men's manager. Walley duly
set about trying to get the group some bookings, John promising him an even
share of whatever fee he could get them.
He took the role seriously paying a local printer in Woolton 7s 6d to
produce business cards which he placed in shop windows, and handed them out to
anyone who would book them so they'd remember who they were for next time.
Reportedly he also had flyers made which he sent to local ballrooms and social
clubs advertising that the Quarry Men were available for hire.
