Beatles
The Quarrymen will join The Mersey Beatles on stage at the M&S Bank Arena this month
1 year ago
Legendary Liverpool group The Quarrymen will join The Mersey Beatles for the city’s biggest ever Fab Four tribute show.
Originally formed by John Lennon in 1956, The Quarrymen – featuring founder members Colin Hanton and Rod Davis – continue to tour the world to global acclaim. And they will be heading home to the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday September 30 to open the show for The Mersey Beatles.
Quarrymen drummer Colin, who will soon be the feature of the documentary film “Pre-Fab”, based on his hit memoir which charts the birth of The Quarrymen, The Beatles and Merseybeat, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have been invited by The Mersey Beatles to open their huge homecoming show at the M&S Bank Arena.
“Nothing beats a hometown show and it’s going to be really exciting to take to the stage for what will be a spectacular night.”
The Quarrymen’s pivotal role in The Beatles’ story is etched into music folklore.
It was while playing with the band that John Lennon first met Paul McCartney at Woolton Village Fete on July 6th, 1957. McCartney and then George Harrison joined the band which would eventually become The Beatles.
While Paul replaced Rod in the band, Colin played drums on the famous Percy Phillips recording session that produced ‘In Spite of All the Danger’ and ‘That’ll Be the Day’ which were both featured on The Beatles’ first Anthology album.
The M&S Bank Arena show will see The Quarrymen – now a four piece with Colin on drums, Rod on guitar and vocals, Henry Duff Lowe on piano and Dave Bedford on bass – play a collection of skiffle and rock’n’roll classics before The Mersey Beatles delivering their globally acclaimed hit-packed tribute to the Fab Four,
Just like The Quarrymen, The Mersey Beatles – widely regarded as the world’s best loved Liverpool-born Beatles tribute and rated by The British Beatles Fan Club as “the best Beatles tribute band around” – started life in small gigs in and around their home city.
They were the resident Beatles tribute in the world-famous Cavern Club for more than a decade, before leaving to play to sell-out crowds around the world with a truly authentic show no fan will want to miss.
The Mersey Beatles 2023 World Tour takes them to the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia – with all roads leading home to Liverpool on September 30.
Mark Bloor, who plays John Lennon in The Mersey Beatles, said:
“We are beyond thrilled to announce The Quarrymen as our very special guests. Colin and Rod were there that famous day in 1957 when John first met Paul – the day the world changed forever!
“This is our biggest ever show, and in our hometown, so it’s an incredible moment for us.
“Our band was formed 24 years ago by school friends who love The Beatles. To be able to have another band of old school friends, who just happened to be in a band that became The Beatles, as our special guests is so fitting.
“This is going to be such an incredible night – we just can’t wait!”
Singer songwriter Edward Rhodes, who has supported The Mersey Beatles several times – including at their recent album launch event at Liverpool’s Strawberry Field – will kick the show off on September 30 before The Quarrymen take to the stage.