 |
| Hulme Hall - Port Sunlight |
Although 'The Beatles' were around for a long time performing across Merseyside and Wirral beforehand, it was on August the 18th 1962 that the first official performance of them with Ringo Starr took place. For the first time, 'The Beatles' line up was now officially John, George, Paul and Ringo and they had a two-hour rehearsal before they played at the Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight from 10pm for the local Horticultural Society's 17th Annual Dance. The usual capacity for Hulme Hall was 450 but, due to the popularity of 'The Beatles', it was unofficially enlarged to 500 for this performance.
In 1962 'The Beatles' performed at least 4 times at Hulme Hall. The 7th of July 1962 was the first date, which was a dance for the local golf club.
The third gig on the 6th of October was again promoted by the local Horticultural Society and earlier that day the group had taken part in their first formal autograph signing session at Dawson's Music Shop in Widnes.
Their fourth and final performance at this venue was on the 27th of October and was promoted by the local Recreations Association.
Before taking to the stage that evening at 8.45pm, the group had significantly recorded their first ever radio interview which was for the closed circuit radio stations at Cleaver and Clatterbridge Hospitals. They were asked questions by Monty Lister, Malcolm Threadgill and Peter Smethurst, and the interview was first broadcast on Monty Lister's regular show Sunday Spin. It also takes place following the release of their first single 'Love Me Do,' and before the final version of 'Please Please Me' had been resolved so they still were awaiting their first No.1 chart success.
 |
| Monty Lister & The Beatles backstage at Hulme Hall |
George is asked "By playing lead guitar does that mean that you're sort of leader of the group or are you...?" When George replies in the negative Paul intervenes to say "He's solo guitar, you see. John is in fact the leader of the group."
Interestingly Ringo is so new to the group that he's still keeping track of how long he's been a 'Beatle' by the number of weeks. "You're new to the group, aren't you Ringo?" To which Ringo replies "Yes, urmm, nine weeks now." Ringo is then asked, "Now, I’m told that you were actually in the same form as young Ron Wycherley…", Ringo: "Ronald. Yes."Monty: …now Billy Fury". Ringo: "In St Silas." They were also asked, "Who does the composing between you?" Paul replies, "Well, it's John and I. We write the songs between us. It's, you know, we've sort of signed contracts and things to say, that now if we…" John intervenes, "It’s equal shares." Paul carries on, "Yeah, equal shares and royalties and things, so that really we just both write most of the stuff."
Interestingly Ringo is so new to the group that he's still keeping track of how long he's been a 'Beatle' by the number of weeks. "You're new to the group, aren't you Ringo?" To which Ringo replies "Yes, urmm, nine weeks now." Ringo is then asked, "Now, I’m told that you were actually in the same form as young Ron Wycherley…", Ringo: "Ronald. Yes."Monty: …now Billy Fury". Ringo: "In St Silas." They were also asked, "Who does the composing between you?" Paul replies, "Well, it's John and I. We write the songs between us. It's, you know, we've sort of signed contracts and things to say, that now if we…" John intervenes, "It’s equal shares." Paul carries on, "Yeah, equal shares and royalties and things, so that really we just both write most of the stuff."
That's not Hulme Hall, Hulme Hall is on Bolton road, Port sunlight
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Delete