Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After following this thread, I've come to think that the Beatles are probably one of the most photographed group of people in the history of the planet...

Here's a very interesting letter written by George Harrison to Archibald/Arthur.... who's identity I can quite figure out. Since George ends the letter with "I hope you are still getting the 8:25 am 25 bus to work. I suppose you have been missing me?" its possible that Archibald/Arthur is a former workmate as George was an apprentice electrician in 1959 and possibly into 1960 (he worked at Blacklers department store which is also where Mona Best bought her son Pete his first drum kit).

The first part of the letter was likely started in late September 1960 as George speaks of his "playing many a rolling rock" (referring to the Indra Club where they played from from Aug 17 to Oct 4). The second part (written "a month" later) is likely October 1960 soon after their contract at the Kaiserkeller was extended to the end of the year. The "Tuesday 19th" mentioned likely refers to Wednesday Oct 19, 1960 as the contract extension happened on Oct 15th. Of course, unknown to George at the time, George's stay in Hamburg would be cut short when he was deported on Nov 29th.

Some interesting things
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- His style of writing is likely influenced by Lennon's creative make believe wording which became a Beatle trademark.

- Refers to Stu as "Stuart Deane" - a reference to James Dean

- Says that new band member Pete is "drumming good"

- Refers to a subsequent trip to Berlin which didn't materialize (possibly/probably just hot air from Bruno Koschmider, telling them of making "60 marks a night" in the future, although we may never know since The Beatles soon had a falling out with the foul tempered club owner)

- Talks about his admiration of Fenders but says that what he wants most is a Gretsch (which he would get in the early summer of '61) and also of an "Everly Brother type massive Gibson" which he and John would get in early '62.

- Calls Rory Storm's group "crumby" and "phoney" but mentions that their drummer (Ringo) is the only one is the group who is any good.

- Refers to Stuart getting a "big" Gibson Les Paul model amp. This is likely the same amp that George was using when they returned to Hamburg.... a Gibson Les Paul GA-40
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Dear Archibald Lad,
How are ye? I am playing many a rolling rock in Germanyingdalebouroughland, and have much Gold. John - Paul + Stuart Deane are also having a luvly time toe. We have Pete Best Mrs Bests little lad with us from Kasbah fame and he is drumming good. His dad is a boxer in the Stadium. I can speak gut Germen now and we are staying here unitl Christ and then we are going with a man toe Berlin. I wont be home for many a dying nig and will miss Santa on the 25th. I bet you were surprised when you received a card and I hope that you had a good time ale in Ireland! How are you Mother and Father Babara + Paul + Red if he is still around. I hope you are all well as we dy a lot here! The food is hitty and are mainly a fried Joseph too. My mum is going to Canada on Friday and the ships are striking back. To see my sister, + her brother. She will stay until April, and may be home at April. We are earning 18 (pounds) a week now and after Chrinbo when we go to Berlin we will earn 60 marks a night [20 (pounds) a week].

Tony Sheridan + his trio are here also but he got the sack tonight as his boss went seint {sp?}. He has not got a Fender Guitar + Amp like Buddy's and I play it well. It also has a vibrato and his bass player has a Fender Bass. {??} is not bad {??} , up and down coming I would call it. Look out as I am thinking of getting yet another guitar. I may leave solids out of it this time + get an Everly Brother type massive Gibson as they are gear. Here is the address to send for your free Fender Catalogue:-
FENDER SALES INC.
1536 EAST CHESNUT
SANTA ANA
CALIFORNIA U.S.A.
I might manage a red fender Stratocaster with gold plating though come to think of it, but the one I want most is the Gretsch.
Anyway I hope Cunards is going good cheerio and write.
frum George. X

Tuesday 19th
Dear Arthur,
It is a month now since I started the letter to you. Everything is going O.K. and I hope you are O.K. My pen has also run out since then and I am writing in pencil. [As you might have noticed!]
Rory Storm + the Hurricanes came out here the other week, and they are crumby. He does a bit of dancing around but it still doesn't make up for his phoney group. The only person who is any good in the group is the drummer.
Stuart has bought a Gibson amplifier 120 (pounds) and is this big -> (drawing). it has a fabulous tremelo in it and is the LES PAUL model.
I have just worked out that I should have saved 100 (pounds) by Christmas. We finish here at 31 December as we have since been signed up for a forther 2 months. [we have been here since 16th Auguse]. We are then supposed to go to Berlin for 2 months!
Anyway cheerio for now and write and let me know how you are getting on. The address is:-
G. Harrison
c/o The Beatles
KaiserKeller
Hamburg. 4.
Grosserfreiheit 36
GERMANY
Cheerio from George.
P.S. I hope you are still getting the 8:25 am 25 bus to work. I suppose you have been missing me?

yup, I think you're right about those.

Soooo interesting. Personally, I'm very glad he never got the strat!

The semaphore letters formed by The Beatles on the HELP! cover are actually 'NUJV'.

Which is not a bad band name.... in the sytle of NRBQ.... but people would always be asking what the letter stood for,
so you'd have to come up with a better answer than "its just a ripoff of the Beatles".

I'm almost sure these are from Carnegie Hall...

VERY COOL! where did you get them? .... I've looked for pix from that gig before without much success.
Those people on the stage had some pretty groovy seats!

You'd think that they would have gotten a drum riser for poor old RIngo. is that Brian Epstein?

brammy wrote:You'd think that they would have gotten a drum riser for poor old RIngo.

Ringo's position in that photo is like most modern-day bar and club drummers. I've never seen a drum riser in any bar I've ever been to (I've been to about 5 bars so far, and none of them had a drum riser).

I read somewhere that George first used his Gretsch Tennesean at Carnegie hall, but these pictures prove that he didn't. I think, actually, it was brought along as a spare on this first US visit.

Glad you like the photos Kent. Happy to contribute!
I found them at the LIFE magazine website. Amazing photographs.

JakeK wrote:

brammy wrote:You'd think that they would have gotten a drum riser for poor old RIngo.

Ringo's position in that photo is like most modern-day bar and club drummers. I've never seen a drum riser in any bar I've ever been to (I've been to about 5 bars so far, and none of them had a drum riser).

Having played in a bunch of them I know of what you speak.... but Carnegie Hall is hardly some bar. I found it curious because the trend in those days was to put the drummer on a ridiculously high riser.

He's definitely getting higher on this pic!

Soulsaman wrote:He's definitely getting higher on this pic!

Must have been after they met Dylan.