"The Quarrymen" Become "The Beatles"

1960 saw John Lennon's young Liverpool band known as "The Quarrymen" emerge as "The Beatles". They even spent a couple of months as "The Silver Beatles" before settling on the final, shorter version. 

The Quarrymen were originally formed by Lennon in 1957 with Paul McCartney and George Harrison joining shortly after.  It would be a couple of more years before Ringo joins as the drummer.

For a brief history of these early days check out the BBC article here...

"The Quarrymen"

TTFN... Rob


"Once upon a time there were three little boys called John, George and Paul, by name christened. They decided to get together because they were the getting together type. When they were together they wondered what for after all, what for? So all of a sudden they grew guitars and fashioned a noise."  John Lennon 1960

 

"That'll Be the Day" - The Quarrymen

In their early days the Beatles were heavily influenced by Buddy Holly.  Even the name of the band is a tribute to Holly's "Crickets".  Here is a 1958 recording of the Quarrymen singing a Buddy Holly classic.  Enjoy the pictures from the "early days".

"Words of Love" - Buddy Holly and the Beatles

Buddy Holly - 1960

The Beatles - 1964

Happy Birthday Marilyn - June 1, 1960

Marilyn Monroe turned 34 on June 1, 1960.  I was just a kid! 

"And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did"

Bernie Taupin

"Candle in the Wind" - Elton John

Natali Vud & Robert Vagner

May 31, 1960 - FILMSKI SVET - Yugoslavia

Natalie Wood, still married to Robert Wagner, co-starred with hubby in the 1960 box-office flop "All the Fine Young Cannibals".  Their picture on the cover of this Yugoslavian Magazine reflects the influence of Hollywood even in Eastern Europe.

Wood and Wagner, the 1960 equivalent of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, were the hot Hollywood couple of 1960.  From this film Wood went on to star in "West Side Story" in 1961, by which time her first marriage to Wagner was drawing to a close.

Here, thanks to youtube are some posters and still shots from "All the Fine Young Cannibals"...

TTFN... Rob

Happy Birthday Jack - May 29, 1960

JFK "Jack" Kennedy turned 43 on May 29, 1960.  He was in the very midst of 1960 campaign to win the Democratic Party  presidential nomination. His principle rivals were Hubert Humphrey, Wayne Morse and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Kennedy clinched the nomination at the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles on July 13. 1960.  Significant issues going into the general election were the economy, the space race, Cuba, and Kennedy's Catholic religion.  (see video clip below...)

John F. Kennedy symbolizes the yearning for change that gripped a generation in the early 1960's.  He, his brothers, and the political movement they represented will figure prominently throughout this decade of change.

Happy Birthday Jack!

"If we cannot end our differences,
at least we can help make the world
safe for diversity." 

JFK

JFK 1960 - The "Religious" Issue

This is a significant speech and one whose message is equally relevant today.  We live in Canada and the US with the blessing of many freedoms that derive from the kind of understanding that Kennedy shares here, notably, a clear separation of Church and State. These are freedoms which we should not take for granted and which we need to guard against the assault of religious extremists of various persuasions on both sides of the 49th!

TTFN... Rob

"Stuck on You" - Elvis Presley

Top of the Charts -  May 22, 1960

Elvis Presley as a guest on Frank Sinatra's Timex Show special, "Welcome Home Elvis".