The Quarrymen Get Back
Classic show scores a hit with Merseybeat band reunion
Saturday saw two very special performances at the NEC, as The Quarrymen – John Lennon’s original band that, with the addition of Paul McCartney and George Harrison, eventually evolved into The Beatles – performed on the back of a 1937 AEC Matador on the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs’ stand.
The group played 30-minute sets of skiffle and rock ‘n’ roll, marking 60 years since John first met Paul at a Liverpool church fete – where The Quarrymen were also playing on the back of a flatbed truck, albeit a Foden. Even the actual driver of that Foden turned up at the NEC to say ‘hello’.
The AEC was provided by the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society. Huge crowds turned out to witness the band that gave birth to the Beatles, and some were even fortunate enough to to play tea chest bass and washboard – including Danny Hopkins, editor of CCW’s sister magazine, Practical Classics. ‘You don’t get to do that at Paul McCartney gigs,’ quipped guitarist, Rod Davis.