Conference beatle::beatles

Neil Harrison,
Annecy, France


I slowly became aware of the Beatles in the mid-70's,although I have vague
recollections of Yellow Submarine from Primary School Days, By the end of the
70's I was a great fan of the Beatles and John and Pauls work. In 1980 I was at
University in Machester when I heard the news that some madman had shot John
Lennon In NY. I jumped on my motorbike, and buzzed over to Liverpool, and parked
the bike down a dark side street next to the one-time Cavern Club. I stood
opposite the little memorial to the Beatles, which is built into the wall 
opposite where the Cavern Club used to be. If I remember correctly it is a
statue of the Madonna with 4 cherubs around her, which says something like "This
is to the four sons of Liverpool who grew up to shake the world, one of whom has
grown Wings and flown away". 
I guess I will be corrected for a faulty memory on the inscription. Anyway, as I
stood there, there was a constant passage of cars coming past, many of whom
would stop briefly by the small statue and then carry on. The road is not a
thoroughfare, but a narrow back street that goes nowhere in particular. That
evening I saw more limousines and Rolls Royces than I had ever seen in my life
up until then. Occasionally an elegant arm would reach out of an opened door,
and a wreath would be laid out under the statue. There were maybe 4 or 5 others
that stood there throughout the dark night hours with me, nothing was said. Like
most people for whom the Beatles has a special significance, I felt great
sadness and loss.  

Since then, when working in London, I tried to track down Paul McCartneys estate
near Hastings. I finally figured out where it was, and was then torn between
intense curiosity to see more and investigate, and respecting the privacy of
someone who had brought me so much happiness. In the end my dilmna was resolved
by popping into a local pub, and discreetly asking the landlord, about Paul
McCartney. Luckily for me the landlord was quite forthcoming, and told me
stories about Paul ducking in for a drink, but more frequently his drivers used
to call in, and they brought with them plenty of McCartney and Beatles stories.
My curiosity was sated, and I returned home content.
I suspect their music will stand the test of time, this conference is one of the
many indications of the Beatles durability. Thanks for creating it.

Neil