Previously unseen photos of the Beatles show McCartney, Lennon and an 18-year-old Harrison
Written by Beth on October 4, 2022
Two previously unseen photos of the Beatles – or an early version of the band – have been released in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of one of their major singles.
The images, taken in July 1961, show John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison performing at the Cavern Club, the famous Liverpool club known as the rock band’s birthplace.
Sorry Ringo fans – he doesn’t appear in the images. The band’s drummer at the time was Pete Best, and Ringo Starr joined the band in August 1962.
The Beatles released their single “Love Me Do” in October 1962, their first single on the Parlophone label.
The photos were released by Tracks Ltd., a UK-based dealer of music memorabilia. The photos were taken by a fan of the band who is still alive and lives in the suburbs of Liverpool, but who asked not to be named, Tracks confirmed to USA TODAY.
Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn said in a statement to USA TODAY that the photos were taken during a lunchtime or evening show after the band played a slate of shows in Hamburg, Germany. He said at that time Lennon would have been 20 years old, McCartney and Best would have been 19, and Harrison would have been 18.
“So slender has this marathon made them, it’s as if their heads and bodies are strangers, a look emphasised by the unusual clothes – leather trousers and cotton tops,” Lewisohn said.
“Three months from here, John and Paul went to Paris and returned with what became known as ‘the Beatle haircut.’ Days later, Brian Epstein saw the Beatles in the Cavern, offered to become their manager, and set them on course that changed our world,” he added.
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Epstein signed the Beatles to a management contract in January 1962. He managed the band until his death in 1967.
The Beatles are known as one of the most influential rock bands of all time, earning 20 Billboard number 1 hits and 34 top 10 hits.
Starr last month told USA TODAY that, after his decades-long career, his “aim is to be Frank Sinatra” while onstage.
“My aim is to be Frank Sinatra and just stroll on, like, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’ I saw him once and I wish I could do that. He started singing behind the curtain, so relaxed. He was so great. I still haven’t managed to do that. I have a moment of fear and then I run on and as soon as I grab that mic, I’m home. It all just fades away and we’re there to have fun,” he said.
