British Beatles Fan Club

The British Beatles Fan Club (BBFC) is run by fans for fans. We currently have over 800 members and bring together Beatles enthusiasts from the UK and across the world. We publish a highly esteemed quarterly magazine and organise Beatles related events in the London and Liverpool areas and across the UK, including monthly get-togethers in London. For those who can't make it to the meetings we have an on-line chat group for keeping up to date with the latest news and in touch with other fans.

BBFC news archives - 2009

Tuesday 15th December 2009

Nowhere Boy - film and soundtrack album review

Richard Porter was lucky enough to attend a press screening of the new movie Nowhere Boy at Studio Two of Abbey Road studios. Richard writes:

"Nowhere Boy is the new biopic about the teenage years of John Lennon. Normally the word 'biopic' fills me with dread, especially where the Beatles are concerned. Remember the 'classic' Birth of the Beatles where the Fabs are walking around Liverpool, pre-fame, carrying Harrods bags! [...]

Read Richard's review of Nowhere Boy in full

Wednesday 10th December 2009

Diary date: London Beatles Day

The final London Beatles Day of the year takes place this weekend, on Sunday 13th December 2009 at the usual venue—the Park Inn (formerly known as the Bonnington Hotel), on Southampton Row, WC1. You will find a Christmas treat for any Beatles fan for sale at prices to suit every pocket!

The London Beatles Day was founded in 1990 by Steve Holmes, Rob Batchelor, Keith Badman and Jason Hobbs who between them have attended many conventions and fairs all over Europe and beyond!

The London Beatles Day has been attracting Beatles fans from all over the globe ever since, originally 2 shows a year were staged but due to increased demand this was increased to the current 4 shows per year. This enables fab 4 fans to come along and buy and trade their Fabs items on a regular basis keeping their collections updated, and of course to come along to meet all the other fans & collectors in the comfort of the recently refurbished Park Inn.

Visit our events page to find out about more Beatles events in London, Liverpool and around the UK

Tuesday 1st December 2009

Nowhere Boy - Original Soundtrack

New film Nowhere Boy, released in the UK on Boxing Day (26th December), chronicles the life of John Lennon from 1955, when he was a rebellious 15-year-old living in stifling suburbia with his Aunt Mimi, delves into the beginning of his music career with his first band the Quarrymen, and ends with his departure for Hamburg with two other unknowns; Paul McCartney and George Harrison.

The soundtrack album is released in advance of the film on 14th December. It's a stylishly packaged deluxe 2CD set which features the soundtrack to the film on disc one, plus a collection of vintage rock'n'roll classics that inspired John Lennon as a second disc.

View full track listing and order your copy of the soundtrack album

Wednesday 25th November 2009

In the studio with The Beatles - a review

For over three years, Dennis Dekker almost literally spent his time in the studio with The Beatles. Every month he listened to a part of the (Nagra) rehearsal sessions, which have been integrally filmed by documentary and moviemaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg in 1969. Dekker wrote a captivating personal transcript that defeats the myth the Get Back-sessions only show the falling apart of the Beatles. The Beatles-fan club in The Netherlands eagerly put these texts on their website. The texts have now been joined together in a unique volume: In the studio with the Beatles.

Ernie Sutton takes a look at the book, published both in English and Dutch, that puts the break-up of The Beatles in a different perspective.

Tuesday 24th November 2009

The Beatles Box of Vision

Following hot on the heels of the 09 September 2009 release of The Beatles' digitally re-mastered catalogue, the highly anticipated The Beatles Box Of Vision is finally available in the UK and Europe.

Officially licensed by The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd., the stunning collection, previously only available in North America, includes the first LP sized book of complete album artwork and storage for the entire Beatles CD catalogue.

Find out more about The Beatles Box of Vision

Tuesday 10th November 2009

The Beatles: Across The Universe - John, Paul, George & Ringo On Tour And On Stage

The Beatles were a global phenomenon, changing all facets of popular culture through their music, image and personalities. While the group's legacy is enshrined through a catalogue of timeless recordings, from the earliest beginnings, the Beatles reputation and livelihood rested as a live band.

How big a part did performing in concert play in the Beatles' success? Would they have achieved what they did without an early grounding in the dancehalls and clubs of Liverpool and Hamburg? After their first year as a headline attraction, why did The Beatles soon tire of the relentless pace of Beatlemania?

These are just some of the questions answered in this stunning book—The Beatles Across The Universe: John, Paul, George & Ringo On Tour And On Stage.

Tuesday 3rd November 2009

The Beatles: Here, there and everywhere - a review

Just when you think you have seen everything there could be to see about the Beatles, a small gem pops up and surprises you. The Beatles: Here, there and everywhere is one such gem.

This 80 minute DVD, released on 28th September 2009, features rare and unseen ITN archive footage of the Fab Four as they made pop history. Wherever they went ITN followed, allowing a fascinating insight into their amazing rise to fame and overwhelming success.

Read Ernie Sutton's reivew of The Beatles: Here, there and everywhere

Tuesday 20th October 2009

Beatles To Bowie: The 60s Exposed

A major photographic exhibition Beatles to Bowie: the 60s exposed opens at the National Portrait Gallery this month, to herald the fiftieth anniversary of the start of the 1960s in 2010. Celebrating the leading pop music personalities and groups who helped create "Swinging London" in the 1960s, the exhibition will show how The Beatles and rivals such as the Rolling Stones and The Kinks set the musical agenda. Bringing together 150 photographs and 150 items of ephemera including record sleeves, illustrated sheet music and magazines, the exhibition will be arranged chronologically in ten sections covering each year of the decade.

More info about Beatles To Bowie: The 60s Exposed

Thursday 15th October 2009

Issue 34 of the BBFC Magazine now available

Issue 34 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale and—wow! What an incredible few months since the last issue. Not only has Paul been continuing his concert tour of North America, but we have had Beatle Week in Liverpool, the new Beatles Rockband computer game has hit the streets and... finally, the long-awaited remastered versions of the entire Beatles back catalogue were released worldwide on 09.09.09.

It has been like Beatlemania all over again!

If you're a BBFC member you should have received your copy of the latest mag in the mail already—and if you're not, you can order it now from our shop (or why not join the BBFC?)

Read issue 34 full contents or visit our shop to buy your copy now

Wednesday 14th October 2009

Beatles mystery in Italy!

Calling all Beatles fans worldwide but especially in Italy! Can you shed light on this mystery?

Earlier this year, BBFC Membership Secretary Terry Bloxham was in Padua (Padova to you locals) and came across this wonderful mural. The woman in the tourist office said she thought it had been done by local university art students.

We would love to know more and to thank the Paduans for their excellent skill and great taste in art. Do you know who made the mural or can you tell us any more about it?

View images of the Beatles mural in Italy

Sunday 20th September 2009

The $11 Million Dollar Picture Show

There is a fabulous collection of Beatles photos on show at the St Giles Street Gallery in Norwich from now until 28th October. The exhibition, entitled the Eleven Million Dollar Picture Show, comprises a collection of photographs taken by some of the most famous Beatles photographers, as well as some memorabilia.

Donna Jackson visited the exhibition and brings us this report.

Donna's report from the Eleven Million Dollar Picture Show

Tuesday 8th September 2009

Beatlemania at the British Music Experience!

Win a pair of tickets to the British Music Experience including a special tour of their Beatles exhibit with museum Curator, Paul Lilley.

The British Music Experience is Britain's interactive museum of popular music. Beatles fans can get a special 'Smarticket to Ride' to visit the British Music Experience for 10 instead of 15, for the whole of September.

Find out more about Beatlemania at the British Music Experience

Sunday 6th September 2009

The $11 Million Dollar Picture Show

To coincide with the worldwide release of the digitally re-mastered back catalogue of every Beatles album on 09/09/09, the Saint Giles Street Gallery in association with the British Beatles Fan Club proudly presents the Eleven Million Dollar Picture Show, a collection of rarely seen original and vintage printed ephemera and photography reflecting the worlds most successful, iconic and popular band of all time.

The centrepiece of the show is an extremely rare original banned Beatles "butcher cover", a printer's proof from the personal collection of John Lennon.

Full info about the Eleven Million Dollar Picture Show

Thursday 27th August 2009

Beatles star on the cover of October 2009 issue of MOJO

To mark the 40th anniversary of one of British music's truly landmark albums, Abbey Road, MOJO has joined forces with a selection of today's brightest talents to present Abbey Road Now!—the latest in MOJO's Beatles re-covered series. Coming to you in the form of a FREE CD with the October 2009 issue of MOJO (issue available to purchase in shops now), this project sets out to provide fresh new musical perspectives on the timeless originals. Abbey Road has been lovingly re-worked by such stars as Cornershop, Gomez, Noah And The Whale, The Low Anthem, Broken Records, Robyn Hitchcock and many more.

Monday 24th August 2009

Klaus Voormann & Friends: A Sideman's Journey

Probably best known for designing the artwork for record sleeves such as Revolver, Klaus Voormann is a long-time friend of the Beatles, bassist with Manfred Man and an artist, musician and record producer. Klaus played bass on many of the old solo Beatles albums. He was on Ringo's first solo album Sentimental Journey, he played on John Lennon's Imagine and on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass.

On A Sideman's Journey, due for UK release on 7th September 2009, Klaus is joined by old mates Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Yusuf (AKA Cat Stevens), Dr. John, The Manfreds (members of Manfred Mann), Bonnie Bramlett, Jim Keltner, Max Buskohl, Van Dyke Parks, Albert Lee, Don Nix and many others.

Five Beetles from 5 Beatles return to Liverpool!

Sir Paul McCartney described the Casbah Coffee Club as "the place where it all started" and now to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this unique and historical venue, the Best family and the Beatles Story will be jointly displaying a bracelet displaying 5 scarab Beetles, bought by the then 5 Beatles in Hamburg, Germany in 1960, as a thank you to Mona Best, club owner and mother of Beatles drummer, Pete Best.

The Beatles (then known as the Quarrymen) played the Casbah's opening night on the 29th August 1959 and went on to play the club many times before becoming the last band to appear there on 24 June 1962.

Tuesday 18th August 2009

Competition - The Beatles: Rare and Unseen

It's all about the competitions this month at BBFC central! Up for grabs today we have a copy this new DVD which includes the earliest known footage of the Beatles on stage in Liverpool, February 1962 and the only existing film on tour in Scotland—Caird Hall, Dundee.

It includes interviews/additional contributions from: Phil Collins, Steve Harley, Norman "Hurricane" Smith, Colin Hanton (their first drummer), Sam Leach (tour manager), Tony Barrow (press officer 1962–1968), Tony Bramwell (friend and roadie), Ken Dodd, Tony Booth, Gerry Marsden, Len Goodman and Sylvie Varten.

Read our review and win a copy of The Beatles: Rare and Unseen

Sunday 16th August 2009

Win a copy of new relese - John Lennon: Solo Bootleg Discography

The various official releases such as Lennon Legend, Acoustic, Menlove Avenue and the John Lennon Anthology, containing previously unissued tracks which have been released since his death, have only really scratched the surface in terms of what is available from the John Lennon archives.

This meticulously researched book by John Eustace and BBFC member Phill Boylett examines the solo recordings of John Lennon including live concerts, demos, outtakes, home recordings, interviews and much more. This is a goldmine of information about the solo years of one of rock music's greatest talents.

Read our review and win a signed copy of John Lennon: Solo Bootleg Discography

Monday 10th August 2009

Tom Murray limited edition photograph of the Beatles in charity auction

Photographer Tom Murray has donated a signed, limited edition of one of his iconic Beatles prints to an auction raise money for GBSS, the Group B Strep Support charity.

GBSS is a UK charity which offers information and support to families affected by group B Streptococcus, informs people how most group B Strep infections in newborn babies can be prevented, and generates support for research into preventing group B Strep infections in newborn babies.

More about Tom Murray's print and the charity auction

Sunday 9th August 2009

Beatles fans celebrate 40th anniversary of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road

On 8th August 2009, Beatles fans congregated in Abbey Road, London, where a mass crossing was held exactly 40 years to the minute since photographer Iain Macmillan captured the iconic image used on the Abbey Road album sleeve.

So many people turned out to show their love for the Beatles that traffic was brought to a standstill—literally!

Abbey Road 40th Anniversary in words and pictures

Friday 7th August 2009

The Fab4D Experience

BFC's Donna Jackson visited the new Fab4D attraction at the Beatles Story's second site—the new Mersey Ferries terminal building on Liverpool's globally renowned waterfront.

The Fab4D experience takes the shape of animated film that was described in the press release as "an exciting multi-sensory 4D journey through the music of the Beatles" and Donna was definitely impressed.

Read Donna's review of theFab4D exhibition

Sunday 2nd August 2009

Win a copy of John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band: Live in Toronto '69 on DVD

Best known as one of the "Famous Four", John Lennon had one of the most successful solo careers after departing from The Beatles in the late 1960s.

This 1969 concert brought John, Yoko and the Plastic Ono Band with famed guitarist Eric Clapton and renowned musicians Klaus Voorman (bass) and Alan White (drums) to Toronto's Sweet Toronto Peace Festival—introducing Yoko to the heroes of her husband's childhood: Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Captured on film by D.A. Pennebaker, this is Lennon's only filmed performance with the Plastic Ono Band.

Read Terry Bloxham's review of this great DVD and win a copy of your own!

Thursday 30th July 2009

Beatles feature in September 2009 issue of Uncut magazine

The September issue of Uncut magazine (now on sale) features a 12-page exclusive feature on The Beatles. It covers how they have made an impact on the music world and how they have influenced the careers of many famous people—from musicians to business people.

The issue also includes a free CD of the artists that influenced The Beatles—including some tracks The Beatles covered themselves. Their versions are probably more well known nowadays than the originals.

Wednesday 29th July 2009

White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon - a review

The inaugural exhibition at the brand new extension to the Beatles Story at the Pier Head is an incredible and moving experience. White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon has been put together by Cynthia and Julian Lennon to tell their story, and it offers to us a very intimate and personal insight.

The exhibition is loaded with audio and video clips, and it really does feel as if Julian and Cynthia are talking directly to you. This contributes greatly to the impact of the exhibition. It really is an incredibly emotional experience—perhaps because it is so personal. You really feel as if you're being invited into Cynthia's and Julian's hearts and souls.

Read Donna Jackson's report from White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon in full

'The Sound of the Nation - Live' - bringing Sixties pirate radio to life

The Sound of the Nation - Live is a stunning stage show that takes its name from a familiar jingle heard frequently on Radio Caroline in the Sixties. he production brings to life the unique atmosphere and sounds of the pirate radio era. Audio-visual material combined with live music is enhanced by the talents of a troupe of energetic go-go dancers, wearing trendy Sixties gear.

It has already proved immensely popular; when Caroline 199 premiered it at the Cavern Club on July 4th, tickets were snapped up within days. The next performance, at the Liverpool Adelphi on Friday 28th August, will entertain a much larger audience as part of this year's Beatle Week.

Full info about The Sound of the Nation - Live

Sunday 26th July 2009

Give Peace A Chance: John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-in for Peace

The current special exhibition at the Beatles Story, Albert Dock, Liverpool, is Give Peace a Chance: John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In For Peace.

In a serious of 29 photographs by Gerry Deiter and 13 other display boards, most of which include smaller images, we are presented with a visual record of the time in 1969 when John and Yoko spent a week in bed at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal in the cause of peace.

Read Donna Jackson's report from the Give Peace A Chance exhibition

Liverpool Beatles Day 2009 - a review

Friday 10th July 2009, otherwise known as Liverpool Beatles Day, was a time for people to show their love for the Fab Four and raise money for local and national charities through the newly formed Beatles Day Foundation.

BBFC Member Gary Peach was there and brings us a report.

Read Gary's Beatles Day report

Tuesday 14th July 2009

Flash mob at Carnaby Street! [permalink]

At 6pm today (Tuesday, 14th July), Beatles fans are expected to make history as they gather on Carnaby Street to sign their own names on a an 11ft by 8ft replica copy of the original Beatles contract signed by John, Paul, George, Ringo and Brian Epstein.

Organised in association with The Imagine Corporation, who are running a national competition allowing one lucky winner the chance to own the original contract (currently insured for £500,000), fans will all 'sign and sing' to the tune of John Lennon's worldwide hit Imagine.

With Bluetooth messages alerting Carnaby Street shoppers during the day, word will spread thick and fast as fans gather to put their stamp on one of the biggest pieces of music memorabilia the world has ever known!

During the 60s and 70s Carnaby Street was the centre of the UK music scene attracting bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Small Faces and The Beatles themselves. Brought to you by The Imagine Corporation, the first fan memorabilia and competition site, the 'sing and sign' will once again see Carnaby Street reunited with its musical roots.

So if you've ever dreamt of signing The Beatles, get yourself to the top end of Carnaby Street (next to Liberty and Mcasso Music) at 6pm on Tuesday... and don't forget to bring a pen!!

For more information about the competition please visit www.imagine.uk.com/fan

Sunday 12th July 2009

Issue 33 of the BBFC Magazine now available

Issue 33 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale. If you're a BBFC member you should have received your copy in the mail already—and if you're not, you can order it now from our shop (or why not join the BBFC?)

This issue features reviews of two of Paul McCartney's recent concerts—at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival on 17th April, and at the newly refurbished venue The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on 19th April.

Also in this issue, Rod Davis—original member of John Lennon's Quarrymen— writes about his remarkable discovery of a previously lost photograph of the Quarrymen taken on 6th July 1957, the day John met Paul.

Read issue 33 full contents or visit our shop to buy your copy now

The Beatles Story to unveil spectacular new '4D' Experience!

Visitors to the Beatles Story will really feel part of the Fab Four's music this summer, thanks to the installation of a state-of-the-art four dimensional experience in the attraction's second home at Liverpool's Pier Head.

Opening mid-July 2009, Fab4D will take people on an exciting multi-sensory 4D journey through the music of the Beatles. Audiences will experience a stunning 3D computer generated animation combined with a dramatic 4th dimension which will stimulate and tease their senses. Using the latest 3D technology and 4D special effects, the 40-seat theatre will thrill visitors by immersing them in a new virtual world which explores the music of the Beatles.

Read more about the Fab4D exhibition

Diary date: London Beatles Day

The next London Beatles Day of the year takes place on Sunday 25th October 2009 at the usual venue—the Park Inn (formerly known as the Bonnington Hotel), on Southampton Row, WC1. You will find thousands of Beatles items for sale at prices to suit every pocket!

The London Beatles Day was founded in 1990 by Steve Holmes, Rob Batchelor, Keith Badman and Jason Hobbs who between them have attended many conventions and fairs all over Europe and beyond!

Visit our events page to find out about more Beatles events in London, Liverpool and around the UK

Sunday 5th July 2009

White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon Exhibition in Liverpool

Musselburgh-based Eastern Exhibition & Display has produced and installed the White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon exhibition, which has been opened at the Beatles Story in Liverpool by Julian and Cynthia Lennon and runs until 31st December 2009.

It tells the emotional and intimate personal story of the life of the Lennon family. Throughout the exhibition Julian and Cynthia recollect their memories, experiences and emotions of their lives with John. The story is brought to you through personal interviews, family photos and the Lennons' unseen collection of memorabilia.

More about the White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon exhibition

Sunday 28th June 2009

Fans On The Run - a visit to Osterley Park

On Saturday 13th June 2009, Paul McCartney and Beatles fans including members of the British Beatles Fan Club gathered at Osterley House in a bid to re-create the classic sleeve photo for the album Band on the Run.

The house itself was built in 1576 and stands in 746 acres and is now owned by the National Trust, who also own the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in Liverpool.

Saturday 27th June 2009

UK's first Beatles Superstore opens in Liverpool

The Hard Days Night Hotel shop, located on the corner of the four-star Beatles inspired boutique hotel in Liverpool, has been transformed into a unique Beatles Superstore. This will specialise in official Beatles merchandise, licensed by Apple, with many exclusive Beatles products.

The new Superstore will be set on two levels. The ground floor will sell products ranging from official Hard Days Night Hotel caps, pins, magnets, mugs and much more through to officially licensed Apple merchandise, some of which is exclusive to the Superstore. Located on the first floor is The Gallery, an exhibition space dedicated to rock'n'roll photography and art.

Follow us on Facebook

The British Beatles Fan Club now has a Facebook page where you can follow our news and chat with other Beatles fans.

If you're not on Facebook, don't worry—we're not replacing our magazine, our Yahoo! group or any of the other bits of the BBFC that you know and love—but it's a great new way for people to find out about us and to keep in touch. We'd love it if you became our fan!

Follow the British Beatles Fan Club on Facebook!

Wednesday 24th June 2009

The Beatles: Remastered

The original Beatles catalogue has been digitally re-mastered for the first time. It is set for worldwide CD release on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 (9-9-09), the same date as the release of the widely anticipated Rock Band video game.

Each of the CDs is packaged with replicated original UK album art, including expanded booklets containing original and newly written liner notes and rare photos. On the same date, two new Beatles boxed CD collections will also be released.

Monday 22nd June 2009

Fab new Beatles gear for you to buy

We all know about Rock Band coming later in the year, but if you can't wait that long for your Beatles fix, we've been looking around for some of the newest Beatles gear available to keep you going.

Read more about a few of our picks: Beatles guitar straps, Jerry Levitan's How I met the Walrus and a docu-film which traces the life of George Harrison

Saturday 20th June 2009

The Biggest Ever Beatles Prize Set To Be Awarded To One Lucky Music Fan [permalink]

The Imagine Corporation is proud to announce the launch of the world's most exciting music competition. One lucky music fan is set to win Brian Epstein's original Contract that John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr signed before they gained global fame and fortune as the legendary Beatles.

This amazing piece of popular music history has only changed hands a couple of times over the decades and was acquired for The Imagine Corporation at Christie's, the world famous Auction House. The Contract is currently insured for £500,000 but is regarded as an irreplaceable piece of musical heritage.

The competition is simple to enter and is open to anyone around the world. The rules are easy to follow and can be found at www.imagine.uk.com/fan. All players have to do is work out what they think the Contract has been valued at by a panel of experts and therefore what it could have sold for if it had been put up for auction in April 2008 at a London Auction House. The competition is like no other and is a dream ticket for any music fan.

Managing Director of The Imagine Corporation Neil Marshall says "I am delighted that we will be able to change one person's life with the winning of the Contract in our inaugural competition. Over the last year we have pulled together an incredible team here at Imagine and everyday I am astonished with the growing list of amazing items being secured for Imagine so that we can give the real opportunity of Obtaining the Unobtainable. Our Imagine website will open up a world of opportunity for our visitors!"

So whether you're the world's biggest Beatles fan, or just want to pay off a mortgage by winning the prize, you can log on to find out how all your dreams could come true by Obtaining the Unobtainable.

For more information and to enter please visit www.imagine.uk.com/fan

Wednesday 17th June 2009

New plans have been unveiled to make the most of The Beatles' connection with the Penny Lane area.

For the past 10 years, there have been discussions about building a new community centre on Grove Mount, based on Penny Lane. The Penny Lane Development Trust (PLDT) was established to oversee this project, and they have been appealing for money since then. The Millennium Green was created to provide a public park, but news of the new centre never surfaced. However, after applying many times for Lottery funding, the PLDT has been awarded £760,000 to make their dream a reality.

Wednesday 10th June 2009

Paul, Ringo, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison were at the E3 conference in Los Angeles on Monday 1st June for the world premiere of The Beatles: Rock Band.

The game will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles' extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band's legendary career. Available simultaneously worldwide for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION3 and Wii on 9th September 2009, it is promising to be one of the most exciting Beatles releases of the decade!

Tuesday 9th June 2009

On 8th August 1969, four men walked across a zebra crossing in St John's Wood. Hardly an earth-shattering event, but since then millions of people have come to the very same crossing to imitate those four men. Of course the four men in question were The Beatles, and the crossing is in Abbey Road. The Fab Four were posing for the photo that was to be used on their last album to recorded.

On 8th August 2009, a special Beatles walking tour will cross the Abbey Road Crossing exactly 40 years to the minute since the Beatles. Fans will be led across by tribute Sgt Pepper's Only Dart Board Band, who will be wearing the same styled clothes as the Beatles on that historic day.

Later the same day, Sgt Pepper's Only Dart Board Band will play a special concert at Peter Parker's Rock and Roll Club. The concert is being promoted by the Beatles Coffee Shop and British Beatles Fan Club. The club is on the site of Regent Sound Recording studio, where the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and Elton John all recorded.

Find out more about our Abbey Road photo-shoot anniversary event

Tuesday 9th June 2009

On Saturday 13th June, a group of Beatles/Macca fans are planning a visit to Osterley Park, Isleworth, Middlesex, to re-create the Band on the Run album sleeve, which was photographed there on 28th October 1973.

The iconic cover photo depicts Paul, Linda and Denny Laine plus Michael Parkinson, Kenny Lynch, James Coburn, Clement Freud, Christopher Lee and John Conteh, dressed as convicts caught in the spotlight of a prison searchlight.

Find out more about our visit to Osterley Park

Tuesday 9th June 2009

George Harrison's first ever career-spanning solo hits collection, Let It Roll: Songs By George Harrison, is to be released on 16th June 2009 by Capitol/EMI.

The new collection features Harrison's solo hits from 1970's All Things Must Pass through to 2002's Brainwashed, remastered, plus live recordings from 1971's Concert For Bangladesh. The 19 tracks have been digitally remastered by Giles Martin at EMI's Abbey Road Studios, and will be available in CD and digital formats.

Monday 25th May 2009

On April 11th 2009, the British Beatles Fan Club visited Tittenhurst Park in Berkshire, to see what the estate is like today.

Tittenhurst was the home of John and Yoko from late summer 1969 until August 1971 when they moved to America, and subsequently the home of Ringo Starr. John bought the property for £145,000 and spent more than double that amount on renovations to the property.

The Beatles' very last photo shoot took place here on 22nd August 1969, with one of the many images from that session appearing on the cover of the Hey Jude album (released in 1970 in the US and 1979 in the UK).

Friday 15th May 2009

A new, 40th Anniversary edition of Hunter Davies's utterly classic (and only authorised) biography of the Fab Four—The Beatles: The Authorised Biography—has been released. Published by Ebury Press on Thursday 7th May 2009.

There's only one book that ever truly got inside the Beatles and this is it. The landmark, worldwide bestseller that has grown with the Beatles ever since. This new edition marks 40 years of the original book and is updated with new material and pictures.

During 1967 and 1968 Hunter Davies spent eighteen months with the Beatles at the peak of their powers as they defined a generation and rewrote popular music. There when it mattered, he collected a wealth of intimate and revealing material that still makes this the classic Beatles book—the one all other biographers look to.

Friday 15th May 2009

The next London Beatles Day of the year takes place on Sunday 5th July 2009 at the usual venue—the Park Inn (formerly known as the Bonnington Hotel), on Southampton Row, WC1. You will find thousands of Beatles items for sale at prices to suit every pocket!

The London Beatles Day was founded in 1990 by Steve Holmes, Rob Batchelor, Keith Badman and Jason Hobbs who between them have attended many conventions and fairs all over Europe and beyond!

Visit our events page to find out about more Beatles events in London, Liverpool and around the UK

Tuesday 28th April 2009

The British Beatles Fan Club were saddened to read of the recent discovery of the body of Eva Rhodes (nee Majlata), in Hungary.

Eva starred in John and Yoko's film Rape and became a close friend of the pair.

Eva Rhodes's family had moved from Hungary to England when she was a child. She became a successful model as well as starring in Rape. She returned to Hungary 12 years ago to set up the Puss in Boots Animal Trust and was a major campaigner for animal welfare. Hungary is a leading producer of fur for the textile profession.

Read more about Eva Rhodes

Tuesday 28th April 2009

On 29th March 1969, press photographer Nico Koster was called by the picture editor of leading Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. The message: "Rush to the local Hilton hotel and get the best pictures of Beatle John Lennon and his fiancée Yoko Ono in bed. They're throwing a press conference and you should be there already."

Nico took a series of photographs but the negatives got lost. Only 40 years later they were found when Nicole, the photographer's daughter, found an envelope with her baby pictures. In the same envelope were also the lost John Lennon-Yoko Ono negatives.

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Issue 32 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale. If you're a BBFC member you should have received your copy in the mail already—and if you're not, you can order it now from our shop (or why not join the BBFC?)

This issue covers the news that on 4th Aprill Paul and Ringo reunited on stage—with a little help from their friends! The concert, ad Radio City Music Hall in New York City, was for a charity benefit for the David Lynch Foundation, which aims to teach at-risk youth about meditation.

Also in this issue we speak to Leslie Cavendish—the Beatles' hairdresser between 1967–1975, and bring you the first in an occasional series of moptop memories by music biz mogul David Stark of SongLink International, LIPA Companion and drummer with the mighty Dave Stark Five.

Read issue 32 contents or visit our shop to buy your copy now

Saturday 25th April 2009

If you will be watching tomorrow's Flora London Marathon, keep an eye out for Lloyd Scott, who having completed the Marathon in previous years wearing a deep-sea diving suit, dressed in a suit of armour and dragging a 130kg boulder, thought this time round he'd need a little help from his friends...

...so for the 2009 Marathon he'll be joined by three other runners as they attempt to complete the course with a Yellow Submarine!

Lloyd will be joined by GMTV presenter Priya Kaur-Jones and Beatles fans Len Boyd and Nigel Jackson from Dunbar Bank, all dressed in the classic Sgt Pepper's uniforms!

The team is undertaking this massive challenge to raise money for The Children's Trust, which provides care, education and therapy to children with multiple disabilities, and runs the UK's largest rehabilitation centre for children with acquired brain injuries. The Trust is 25 years old in 2009 and with your help they'll be able to reach even more children across the country, so please sponsor the team!

Find out more and sponsor Lloyd and his team now!

Sunday 12th April 2009

The British Music Experience (BME) is a completely immersive, interactive exhibition, combining cutting edge audio-visual technology some of the most coveted music memorabilia of all time and the world's only exhibition where you can tag your favourite parts and recordings to keep.

BME combines cutting edge audio-visual technology with some of the most coveted music memorabilia of all time from over 100 British artists; from The Beatles to Sex Pistols, Dusty Springfield to Bat for Lashes, David Bowie to Led Zeppelin.

The British Music Experience sits in The O2's exhibition space, known as The O2 bubble because of its shape, and covers a massive 6,500 square metres.

The British Music Experience is delighted to offer all British Beatles Fan Club Members 20% off your Adult ticket to the exhibition. This offer is valid until 31st May 2009. From John's glasses and Paul's Bass to Ringo's A Hard Day's Night jacket as well as loads of rare Beatles memorabilia from Yesterday and amazing archive pictures and film footage. Use your Smarticket to tag your favourite parts of the exhibition and bring it back home with you.

Get 20% off your Ticket to Ride to the British Music Experience

Wednesday 25th March 2009

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's famous Amsterdam bed-in, Liverpool's Hard Day's Night Hotel has recreated the event in the Lennon Suite using two lookalikes.

Following their marriage on 20th March 1969, John and Yoko used the hype of publicity to promote world peace. They invited the world's press into their honeymoon suite at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel where they staged a week-long bed-in protesting against war.

Tuesday 24th March 2009

[Yoko Ono - Photographer: Tom Haller - Copyright Yoko Ono]

Yoko's latest exhibition, Yoko Ono—Between the Sky and My Head, was held at The Baltic, Gateshead, between December 15th 2008—March 15th 2009.

The exhibition, one of the largest exhibitions of Yoko Ono's work to date, covered more than 1400m² of gallery space containing sculpture, paintings, drawing, photography, films and sound installations, as well as participation works. Among the 50 works featured in the exhibition was Play it by Trust, a conceptual chess set, made from white Italian Carrara marble. A version of the work was first exhibited in London at Ono's legendary exhibition at the Indica Gallery in 1966.

Read Terry Bloxham & Ernie Sutton's review of Between The Sky And My Head

Monday 23rd March 2009

Running until 30th June 2009, a new Beatles exhibition has recently opened, marking the launch of a permanent new Getty Images photographic space at the Movieum of London, County Hall.

The Getty Images Gallery has announced that it will be opening a permanent new photographic exhibition space at the Movieum of London in County Hall. The exclusive Beatles exhibition will feature rare and unseen images of the Fab Four, from famous photographers including Robert Whitaker, who accompanied John, Paul, George and Ringo on their 1966 Far Eastern Tour.

As well as the photo exhibition, there will also be a selection of Beatles memorabilia displayed on show, including one of John Lennon's very own Rickenbacker guitars courtesy of Pete Waterman OBE and participation from legendary actor, Victor Spinetti, who starred in most of the Beatles Movies.

Visit our events listings for more info on the Getty Images Gallery and other Beatles events

Thursday 19th March 2009

Following the sucess of last year's Liverpool Beatles Day, the date for this year's event has been announced as Friday 10th July 2009. It is expected to be 24 hours when people will show their love for the Fab Four and raise money for local and national charities through the newly formed Beatles Day Foundation.

As well as raising money, the main focus of Beatles Day is FUN. The Beatles Day Foundation propose to turn Liverpool into a sort of Beatles Themed 'Disneyland' during the day, with the spectacular climax being The Beatles Day Concert at the Summer Pops, Liverpool Echo Arena, hosted by Ricky Tomlinson in the evening.

Thursday 12th February 2009

The first London Beatles Day of the year takes place on Sunday 15th March 2009 at the usual venue—the Park Inn (formerly known as the Bonnington Hotel), on Southampton Row, WC1. You will find thousands of Beatles items for sale at prices to suit every pocket!

The London Beatles Day was founded in 1990 by Steve Holmes, Rob Batchelor, Keith Badman and Jason Hobbs who between them have attended many conventions and fairs all over Europe and beyond!

Visit our events page to find out about more Beatles events in London, Liverpool and around the UK

Wednesday 11th February 2009

On 27th June 2007, Paul McCartney and his great band shocked the music world by performing a surprise, first ever in-store concert at famed Los Angeles record shop, Amoeba Records. Four songs from this now legendary show were recorded and were made available on limited edition vinyl entitled Amoeba's Secret. Now, this historic performance has been made available for the first time ever on CD and digitally.

The CD is packaged in a unique edition mini-LP jacket and features four songs: Only Mama Knows and That Was Me from McCartney's Hear Music release Memory Almost Full, the Wings gem C Moon and the Beatles classic I Saw Her Standing There.

Monday 9th February 2009

Comic Relief is a British charity organisation which supports long-term projects which help people to help themselves across the UK and Africa. The main way in which Comic Relief raises money is through Red Nose Day, which this year falls on 13th March.

The official Red Nose Day 2009 T-shirts are the most iconic range of charity T-shirts ever created! Designed by Stella McCartney, they feature incredible pictures of The Beatles, Morecambe & Wise and Madonna, with an additional bunny design for kids and babies. They're made from 100% organic Fairtrade cotton and have been manufactured in Africa.

The Beatles design features a photograph taken by Linda McCartney at the launch party for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, held at Brian Epstein's house in Belgravia. Paul wore his to the Grammay awards in LA last night!

You can get one of these t-shirts from T.K.Maxx or from the Red Nose Day website, with at least £5 going to Comic Relief.

Tuesday 3rd February 2009

Last Friday, 30th January 2009, was the the 40th anniversary of the Beatles playing their last ever live performance on the roof of the Apple headquarters. It was the climax of the film Let It Be.

The Bootleg Beatles, Britain's leading Beatles tribute band, had planned to play on the roof to commemorate the 40th anniversary, but Westminster Council wouldn't give them a license over fears of the safety of the building, which has been unoccupied for several years.

However, some lucky BBFC members were shown up to the rooftop on a very special tour!

Photos from the day and more about the 40th anniversary

Friday 30th January 2009

Rokpool, a new rock and pop archive that is setting out to save our music heritage, is inviting Liverpool's music fans to get in touch with rare or long-lost examples of the city's pop heritage—and there may be money in it for owners of the most important material.

The archive, which is due to launch online in the next few months, is keen to hear from anyone who may have important recordings, footage, photographs, out-takes or acetates by any of the countless Liverpool bands that have helped shape pop music—or any other intriguing items that shed light on the city's role as the centre of British rock and pop.

More about Rokpool and how you can help

Monday 26th January 2009

In the lead up to the 2012 Games, Art On The Underground are delivering a series of contemporary art commissions in Stratford that have individuals and communities at their heart.

The British Beatles Fan Club along with Art On The Underground presents an exhibition of Beatles memorabilia at Stratford Station. The exhibition opens today, 26th January 2009.

The Beatles were in Stratford on 5th February 1967 to film scenes for the promo video of their single 'Penny Lane'. The film crew were based at The group were filmed walking and riding horses along Angel Lane (now the Stratford Centre shopping mall) and standing by the side entrance of the Theatre Royal in Gerry Raffles Square.

More details about The Beatles in Stratford exhibition

Sunday 18th January 2009

Issue 31 of the British Beatles Fan Club magazine is now on sale. If you're a BBFC member you might have received your copy in the mail already -- and if you're not, you can order it now from our shop (or why not join the BBFC?)

This issue's big cover story is the release of Electric Arguments by The Fireman. Every so often Paul McCartney comes up with an experimental piece of work that is every bit as good as one of his mainstream albums—and in this case maybe better...

Also in this issue we go to America on tour with The Quarrymen! Len Garry, Rod Davis and Colin Hanton write about their adventures on the road in October.

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'I have really enjoyed reading your fan club magazines and I am proud to wear the fan club pin' - Terje Solbakken, Norway.

Join the BBFC or renew your membership here!

'I spent a wonderful year reading your magazine, which I find very interesting and I hope you'll carry on the good job.' - Dimitris Tacticos, Greece.

'Thanks for the badge and membership card. I wear the badge on my school uniform blazer, which is breaking the school dress code slightly as badges aren't allowed. I don't think the teachers mind much though as it's a band they like as well!' - Roisin Mulligan, age 15.