CONCERTS, impersonators and art are all going on in Liverpool as the city celebrates Beatles Day 2009.
In the second annual extravaganza mop tops have taken to the streets as the hum of classic Fab Four anthems are played from open air stages.
The day was officially launched at 7am.
John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird joined Merseyside football legends, Big Brother’s Craig Phillips and Lord Mayor Mike Storey as band the Backbeat Beatles played for commuters on a Mersey ferry.
Bands are also playing on four stages in the city.
Phillip Marshall, who plays John Lennon in the tribute band Beatles Forever, played a set in Williamson Square including the mega hits Hey Jude and Lennon’s Imagine.
A throng of fans watched the group play hits in front of a red double decker bus.
Marshall, 45, and from Esher in Surrey, said after his set: “It was a great vibe. There were around a hundred people watching.
“I couldn’t come here and not play Imagine. It’s such a simple song with a great message.
“I identify a lot with Lennon’s rebel side and his politics.”
Marshall and his three bandmates spent the past three days touring Merseyside schools on the bus and playing concerts for children.
The father-of-four added: “The energy we got from the kids and the vibe was fantastic. They were all screaming and it was like the Beatles mania days.”
