Beatles Story to host first its Literary Festival

Apr 28 2008 by Philip Key, Liverpool Daily Post

Beatles Story in Liverpool

THERE have been more books written about The Beatles than practically any other music act in the world.

So it is only natural that the Beatles Story, the visitor attraction at the Albert Dock celebrating the Fab Four, is to stage its first Literary Festival.

During May, four leading Beatles specialists and writers will be appearing in a series of free events, talking about the group and related subjects.

The mini-festival will open on May 14 with an appearance by Mark Lewisohn, long regarded as the world’s leading authority on The Beatles. He has documented the group in an almost hour- by-hour, day-by-day process in a series of books, as well as co- authoring The Beatles’ London.

He is currently working on a three-volume definitive history of the group to be published over the next 12 years. He is followed on May 22 by Julia Baird, John Lennon’s half-sister, who has written two books of memoirs, John Lennon: My Brother and Imagine This: Growing Up with John Lennon.

She will be joined by broadcaster and popular music specialist Spencer Leigh whose books include Twist and Shout!, Bob Wooler – the Best of Fellas and a new book The Cavern – The Most Famous Club in the World.

On May 28, music journalist Paul Du Noyer, author of the music book Liverpool – Wondrous Place, will be talking about The Beatles and Liverpool and how to break into the competitive world of music journalism. He will be joined by Jamie Bowman, press officer at the Beatles Story, who has written for Uncut, Heat and The Word.

All the events start at 7.30pm and are free but booking is essential. Ring Charlotte Martin on 0151 709 1963 ext 232 or charlotte@beatlesstory.com

Alongside the Literary Festival there will be family workshops on May 10, 18 and 24, all starting at 2pm, open to visitors paying admission on the day.

There will also be a free valuation day on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, between 10.30am-4.30pm when experts will value Beatles memorabilia, from Cavern membership cards to limited edition EPs.