Beatles FAQ

Liverpool in the 1940s.   Photograph: Bernard Fallon All four Beatles had what Mark Lewisohn calls ‘unvarnished working class roots’ in an industrial city that had seen better days. Liverpool was heavily bombed during the war and its docks long in decline. The rationing of food and clothing (until 1954) added to a general austerity.  John’s parents were married but did not live together. His father, Alfred (Freddie) Lennon, went back to sea before John was born. He never really came back. The couple were legally separated in 1942. In October 1940, Alf and Julia Lennon took their new-born baby home. On paper, they would be living with their (Stanley) in laws on Newcastle Street, in the inner city. Within weeks, however, the façade of a settled family began to crumble. A suitable home? While Alf was at sea Julia worked as a barmaid. In 1945, she had a second child, a daughter named Victoria. Julia put Victoria, up for adoption but kept custody of John. Towards the end of 19...

Paul & Mary McCartney Paul McCartney has recently suggested a ‘subconscious’ inspiration for the line I said something wrong/Now I long for yesterday  was his regret at once chiding his mother for ‘talking posh’:

 

57 Wimpole Street where Paul lived with the Asher family

Worldwide sales of physical singles are difficult estimate accurately but we can say the following.

In 1962 Brian Epstein was the best man hastily arranged wedding of John Lennon and Cynthia Powell in Liverpool. 

The 'Paul is Dead' rumour began in early 1967. The Abbey Road cover photo provided new 'clues.' 

  The most famous photo in the history of pop music was what artists call a 'happy accident'. 

"Nobody wanted to play bass in those days."

  We were first introduced in about 1974 by Elizabeth Taylor.