I would like to start by presenting an overall view of the the way I felt in Liverpool as compared to London. While touring Liverpool, whether by bus or on foot, the people were always friendly. The Beatles, a band that has not been together in over forty years, is still a huge source of revenue. The Beatles were and are a huge part of London, but they really are not something that anyone gives much thought about. Liverpool is a small city with a population of approximately 500,000 and is very dependent on tourism for it's economy. The shipping industry that sustained the economy had been largely lost after WWII . The claim of fame for Liverpool for many years was that it was the home port of the Titanic, and the birthplace of the Beatles. London however, is an international city were over 300 languages are spoken and 8 million people live. Therefore the history of the Beatles and their movements is not very significant except to those die hard fans who are still interested in all things Beatles.
The reason I started this entry with the comparison between the two cities is that it helped me to understand why so many of the important sites in London were in disrepair. The building at 3 Seville Row where Apple Corporation had their offices and a recording studio in the basement is a building that is in poor condition. This is also the roof top where the Beatles played their last live set. From what our guide said, there did not appear to be any plans to do anything to bring the building back or make a museum out of the property. If this building had been in Liverpool it would be treated as a national treasure. Although, even in Liverpool they tore down the original Cavern Club. There was some amazing things to see in London both on our walking tour and the extended tour some of us took with Professor Roos.
To see the offices of Paul McCartney's publishing company was incredible. The story of John Lennon's glasses coming about as a joke. When Lennon was refused entry to the Ad Lib Club a local comedy television show fixed up a public toilet and named it the Ad Lav Club. Lennon, at the last minute, put the glasses on and proceeded with the bit. These were the glasses that the government gave out to poor families who could not afford better glasses. The kids refused to wear the glasses because it meant that your family was poor. After Lennon wore the the glasses they could not find enough pairs to satisfy the kids. This was a small example of the kind of power the Beatles had over the young. When it became known where the Beatles bought their clothes, the shops were mobbed so the group could no longer shop their. This is the type of power the group had in the sixties.
Spending the entire day going from site to site the lack of acknowledgement of the Beatles presence in the city is amazing. There are obviously exceptions like the Abbey Road studio and the famous crosswalk where we all had our pictures taken. There are numerous plaques on buildings that refer to John Lennon since he has been dead long enough to be recognized. I believe that the group is held in high esteem everywhere, but after spending time in London I realize that nothing matters that is under a couple hundred years old. We walked through many neighborhoods that were older than our country. The British just do not think like we do about anything. I am sure as soon as George Harrison is dead for twenty years he will receive his plaques. The things that we think of as being old are just not seen the same way.There were many things that were certainly worth seeing like Ringo's apartment where John was busted for weed. Knowing the history of this arrest and then seeing the apartment really helps make the whole thing more real. This small event was used by the US government to keep him out of the US. And after he was here his lawyers continually fought extradition. Walking around the city and seeing where many of my favorite Beatles songs were written and then going to the National Library and seeing the hand written lyrics was worth the trip. The opportunity to cover songs in the classroom and then see the locations fleshed out on the streets of London and Liverpool is an opportunity I will never have again.
The reason I started this entry with the comparison between the two cities is that it helped me to understand why so many of the important sites in London were in disrepair. The building at 3 Seville Row where Apple Corporation had their offices and a recording studio in the basement is a building that is in poor condition. This is also the roof top where the Beatles played their last live set. From what our guide said, there did not appear to be any plans to do anything to bring the building back or make a museum out of the property. If this building had been in Liverpool it would be treated as a national treasure. Although, even in Liverpool they tore down the original Cavern Club. There was some amazing things to see in London both on our walking tour and the extended tour some of us took with Professor Roos.
To see the offices of Paul McCartney's publishing company was incredible. The story of John Lennon's glasses coming about as a joke. When Lennon was refused entry to the Ad Lib Club a local comedy television show fixed up a public toilet and named it the Ad Lav Club. Lennon, at the last minute, put the glasses on and proceeded with the bit. These were the glasses that the government gave out to poor families who could not afford better glasses. The kids refused to wear the glasses because it meant that your family was poor. After Lennon wore the the glasses they could not find enough pairs to satisfy the kids. This was a small example of the kind of power the Beatles had over the young. When it became known where the Beatles bought their clothes, the shops were mobbed so the group could no longer shop their. This is the type of power the group had in the sixties.
Spending the entire day going from site to site the lack of acknowledgement of the Beatles presence in the city is amazing. There are obviously exceptions like the Abbey Road studio and the famous crosswalk where we all had our pictures taken. There are numerous plaques on buildings that refer to John Lennon since he has been dead long enough to be recognized. I believe that the group is held in high esteem everywhere, but after spending time in London I realize that nothing matters that is under a couple hundred years old. We walked through many neighborhoods that were older than our country. The British just do not think like we do about anything. I am sure as soon as George Harrison is dead for twenty years he will receive his plaques. The things that we think of as being old are just not seen the same way.There were many things that were certainly worth seeing like Ringo's apartment where John was busted for weed. Knowing the history of this arrest and then seeing the apartment really helps make the whole thing more real. This small event was used by the US government to keep him out of the US. And after he was here his lawyers continually fought extradition. Walking around the city and seeing where many of my favorite Beatles songs were written and then going to the National Library and seeing the hand written lyrics was worth the trip. The opportunity to cover songs in the classroom and then see the locations fleshed out on the streets of London and Liverpool is an opportunity I will never have again.
I'm really glad to have been a part of your experience on this trip, Dennis. A real pleasure!
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