#georgewriting

Top Ten Club Hamburg-Altona 136, Reeperbahn Germany

1st June

Dear Bob, 

It’s just as well we have parents who attend the ‘rock’ shows at Liverpool, otherwise would never get to finding out what is going on at home! I know you are very fond of the sarcasm, so that is why [obscured*] ‘Wonderland by night’, approached us and said, saying “are you English,” to which we replied, replying, “only if you pay us 10 marks each!” We didn’t see him again! Another man came up and spoke, speaking, “I am Bert Kaempfert, play some original tunes please.” We then played some original tunes [♫♩♬?𝄞]  Afterwards he said, “Those tunes were original, come to this address tomorrow, [giving us a card] and speak to Mr. Somebody or Other.” A few days later another man came to see us and said, saying “You can have a contract with ‘Polydor’ record company if you come and sign the contract on Monday.” So now Bob, you know the story how the BEATLES got a contract to make records [applause]. Bert Kaempfert is our producer or A&R man, and he has yet to decide what we are to do. He particularly liked one of our home-made instrumentals, which I think he intends us to record first, but we don’t know if it will be coupled with a vocal, or another able to get them at ‘Nems’. Who knows!  Apart from that, nothing worth mentioning has happened, so I will close for now. Give all fans of ours, our regards, and we hope to be home the first week in July, if nothing else crops up.  Also regards to:- Vick - Sam - Ray McFall - Brian Kelly - Rory + The Hurry-canes - Gerry + The Pacemakers - Big 3 - Dominoes - Seniors - Cliff Roberts - and that very special friend of MINE “HIS LORD JUSTICE FARON”.  Hoping you are fighting fit, - try and write soon, all the best from George [Harrison] Beatle No. 3.  [Excuse everything as I am very illiterate!]

This is a letter from George sent to Cavern DJ, Bob Wooler, dated the 1st June 1961. The letter was found in a lock up after Bob Wooler died and was some of the memorabilia bought by The Cavern Club. This replica is from the new Cavern 60th anniversary book which was sent to me (a little early!) by a good friend of mine who works for The Cavern. Quite out of the blue and quite aptly it arrived last Wednesday, the 29th November, a rough day every year for all George and Beatles fans - but it cheered me up a little bit to read the words of 18 year old George and how he describes himself as “Beatle No. 3″ - just another reason to love him oh so much. 

* I couldn’t read this bit from the photos. I will check the original and edit later. EDIT: Still can’t read it. I think there’s a line in between which is illegible. EDIT2: The song mentioned is. ‘Wonderland by Night’ as that was Bert Kaempfert’s big hit - it knocked a Elvis single off the top spot in the US. 

Please excuse the photos too, I will scan it properly when I have time later! 

1/13

Sgt Pepper is 50 years old! 

Here are photos of John’s and George’s actual Sgt Pepper suits, which formed part of an exhibition at the V&A museum. Beneath are photos of a page from George’s 1967 diary, from the 1st April 1967. He writes, “Recorded Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band part 2.” Below is a telegram which George has stuck into his diary about ‘Within You Without You’. Lastly is a photo of George’s sitar. 

Apologies for the poor photography - they’re my own photos and taking photos wasn’t actually allowed, but the exhibition was called Records and Rebels 1966-1970… So I rebelled. 

Dear Astrid,[...]

I bought you all the records I told you about years ago, and they are still at home covered in dust, so if you have decided where about's you are living lately, then let me know and I will send them to you.[...]

Fat Betty has seen all the Happy holiday Photo's, hasn't she? but I haven't, oh no - you won't show them to me will you! Actually if she had not come to England with King Size, then I would still be wondering which part of the world you where in.[...]

I bought a Jaguar (car) last month, and I think you would like it. I will send you a photograph of it, with the records as soon as I get back to Liverpool.[...]

Could you look through your photographs and find some - or all of the photos that have The Beatles either all together or separately, or that have any of us with other people in them, in fact any photographs at all that may be of interest and then if you felt in a HAPPY ASTRID MOOD, do you think you could either give or lend them to me.[...]

You know that Paul and John are going to be very rich soon, when they collect the money they have made by writing all those songs, and I don't think that you would like to see me poor and hungry, so I have decided to make a book. It won't be a DA SADE type book, but a daft story about the BEATLES, with some photographs in it, and then I hope to sell it to all the nice people and then I can buy food with the money... Can't I? I would like to have some pictures that the people haven't already seen in all the other books, so that is why I am asking you. It would be very nice of you, even if the pictures were old at the Indra and Kaiserkeller and Top Ten.[...]

I have been ill all week, feeling tired all the time. The doctor gave me a tonic which is like liquid preludin. My balls have been aching too, and banging around on stage! We will be in Paris for three week in January. 

I will write again with the records cheerio and love from Georgie (your friend who wants the photos)

Excerpts from a letter written by George to Astrid during The Beatles' six-night residency at the Gaumont Cinema, Bournemouth, 19th-24th August 1963. George was feeling unwell and was advised to stay in his hotel room at the Palace Court Hotel, Bournemouth. This gave him the time to write his first song, Don't Bother Me - perhaps just to save him from being poor and hungry! It was also in the hotel that Robert Freeman took the iconic 'shadow' photograph for that forthcoming With The Beatles record cover.

I can’t decide if he intends the irony of complaining that he might be “poor and hungry” once the Beatle bubble has burst, right after he says he bought a Jag last week!