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The day that changed music

Jul 9 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE QUEEN and Sir Paul McCartney were among thousands of people to join in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the day the Beatles were born.

They sent messages of good wishes, along with Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr, to Beatles fans who flocked to a festival on the school field in Woolton where John and Paul met as teenagers.

The celebration at Bishop Martin Church of England Primary was among a series of events held over the weekend, which were attended by Beatles fans from around the world.

Angela Gillespie organised the event to raise funds for the school where she is a member of the parent teacher association.

Last night, she said she never expected fans to come from as far as Japan, America, Norway and Belgium.

She said: “I knew we had to do something to mark the 50th anniversary of the day they met, but I never expected it to be so big.

“It is unbelievable the number of people who came, and from so far away. One young man, who was only 22, came all the way from Brazil.

“I am amazed at the response that we got. The emails of thanks that we have already received have been overwhelming.”

The event began on Friday, with a service at St Peter’s Church, before a re-creation of Woolton’s famous grand dance at the church hall in the evening.

A second dance took place on Saturday, before a day of music and old Merseybeat bands in the grounds of Bishop Martin school yesterday.

Tickets were hard to come by for the first two evenings, with just 150 places for each, but yesterday more than 2,500 people attended the event at the school.

It was held in exactly the same location where Paul spotted John playing.

Lennon’s former band members took to the stage for the event, followed by a performance by Beatles tribute band the Mersey Beatles.

Mrs Gillespie said: “At the church service people were in tears. One man, who used to sing in the choir with John, sat in the seat he used to sit in and his eyes filled up.

“When the Quarrymen played they asked the audience if anyone was here 50 years ago when they were on stage. A few people said they were.

“The whole weekend was fantastic and such a good opportunity for dedicated Beatles fans.

“Because the field is now owned by the school it is no longer public property, so people can’t visit that spot anymore.”