The Quarrymen’s First Big Break
Saturday 6 July 1957 | Live
The Quarrymen’s journey from Liverpool schoolboys to the beating heart of The Beatles began in earnest on 6 July 1957, at St. Peter’s Church fete in Woolton. The group, led by a teenage John Lennon, performed on a makeshift stage in the parish field, marking a turning point not just for the band, but for music history.
The Event
The Quarrymen were booked to play two sets that day: one in the afternoon on a flatbed truck, and another in the church hall that evening. The line-up included John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Pete Shotton (washboard), Eric Griffiths (guitar), Len Garry (tea chest bass), Rod Davis (banjo), and Colin Hanton (drums).
The band’s fee was modest, but the opportunity was huge. St. Peter’s fete was a big annual event, drawing crowds from across Liverpool. The lads arrived early, instruments in hand, and squeezed together on the truck, nervous but excited.
The Sound of Skiffle
Their setlist was pure skiffle—rough-and-ready covers of Lonnie Donegan, Elvis, and American rock’n’roll standards. The amplifiers were basic, the instruments battered, but the energy was infectious. Most of the audience were families, kids, and curious neighbors. A few, though, were there for the music.
It was on this day that fate intervened. Among the crowd was a 15-year-old Paul McCartney, brought along by a mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan. After the show, Paul was introduced to John in the church hall, where he impressed Lennon by playing “Twenty Flight Rock” and “Be-Bop-A-Lula” on a borrowed guitar.
The Turning Point
The Quarrymen’s performance that afternoon was far from polished. The band huddled together, working through nerves and the unpredictable British weather. They were forced to keep the volume down, as the vicar had warned them about disturbing the neighbors. Still, the show went on—skiffle rhythms echoing across the field, a handful of friends making noise and dreaming big.
Afterwards, the band packed up and joined the crowd for the rest of the fete—cake stalls, raffles, and games. It was a typical Liverpool summer day, but for Lennon and McCartney, it was the start of something extraordinary.
The Aftermath
That night, Lennon wrestled with a decision: should he invite McCartney to join the band? John’s leadership was at stake, but Paul’s talent was undeniable. Within weeks, McCartney was a Quarryman, setting the stage for George Harrison’s arrival and the group’s evolution into The Beatles.
The Legacy
The Quarrymen’s St. Peter’s fete performance is now legendary. What began as a local gig became the spark for the most influential songwriting partnership in history. The band’s humble beginnings—homemade instruments, borrowed amps, and a lot of nerve—are a reminder that world-changing music can start anywhere.
Key Facts
- Date: Saturday 6 July 1957
- Venue: St. Peter’s Church, Woolton, Liverpool
- Line-up: Lennon, Shotton, Griffiths, Garry, Davis, Hanton
- Notable event: First meeting of John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- Setlist highlights: “Rock Island Line,” “Come Go With Me,” “Maggie May”
- Legacy: Marked the beginning of The Beatles’ story
“We were just a bunch of kids playing skiffle, but that day changed everything.” – Colin Hanton
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