Beatles in London

The first glimpse of London by the Beatles would have been as they left Euston Station on there way to the Royal Hotel, only half a mile away in Southampton Row, where they were booked to spend their first night in London. They were in London to try to get a record deal with Decca records. Decca at the time were the top British record label with their head offices on the Albert Embankment, across the River Thames from the Tate Gallery (now known as Tate Britain). They were unsuccessful that day as the Decca bosses thought that groups were on the way out and that solo singers were where it was at. They were also turned down by Columbia records part of E.M.I. John Lennon said jokingly that there was always Embassy records, a cheap Woolworth stores own label that had unfamous artist copying chart toppers with there own renditions, selling for half the price of the originals with two A sides. Through the E.M.I chain they arrived at Parlophone records part of E.M.I and their audition tapes that they had recorded at Broadhurst Gardens for the Decca audition tapes where played, where they received a very different response by Mr. George Martin, who could see their potential.

Beatles come together

Above is the front entrance to number 57,
below is the buzzer to flat "L" 4th down on the right.

Paul McCartney's residence in the early sixties was at his London girl friend, Jane Asher's family home at 57 Wimpole Street, where her father Sir Richard Asher a noted psychiatrist, had his surgery on the ground floor, Paul’s rooms were in the attic. It was here that John and Paul wrote "I want to hold your hand".

Brian Epstein’s house was at number 24 Chapel Street, Belgravia. He moved in here in December 1964 and lived here until his death of a drug overdose, Epstien died in this house on 27 August 1967.

Marylebone Station first opened in 1899 and was used in 1964 as the Beatles film location for the opening scene of "A Hard Day's Night" the Beatles first film.

The Police Station where Ringo was taken to in the film A Hard Days Night.

This corner of Manchester Square was once the site of the E.M.I Head office, where the Beatles album covers, "Please Please Me" "Beatles/1962-1966" and "Beatles 1967-1970" were taken, with them looking over the balcony. The building has now completely disappeared and this new office block now stands on the same site.

The Apple Corps H.Q.

The Beatles Apple headquarters at number 3 Saville Row in Mayfair, where the Beatles played their last gig anywhere in the world. They performed live their latest recordings from the 'Let it be' album, the free concert on the roof was stopped by the police after 45 minutes, and this last performance was filmed and later released for the 'Let it be' film.

The ex office of George Harrison's Handmade Films set up by George in 1979.

George Harrison had just arrived at Heathrow Airport when he met up with the Monty Python's team who were waiting for a flight to Morocco. They had just been given the news that their film backers were pulling out because of the religious content of the film "Life of Brian" that they were about to make. George ask how much they needed to make the film and duly wrote them out a cheque and so started Handmade Films. Ask years later why he had taken such a risk and paid out so much money he said “ I just wanted to see the film”.

All content of this site is the property of knowledgeoflondon.com and must not be reproduced without permission. Every effort is made to ensure the details contained on this site are correct, however we cannot accept responsibility for errors and omissions.
© 2004 - 2008

Contact us | About | Home Page | London Chatroom