Newly discovered John, Paul and Helen Shapiro photo
©Copyright Tracks.co.uk
This is a recently discovered photograph of John Lennon and Paul McCartney with Helen Shapiro outside of the Gaumont Theatre, Hanley on March 3rd 1963. This was the final night of the Helen Shapiro package tour. By this time the Beatles had been elevated in the line-up from playing the 1st spot on the bill to the final act in the first half. The photograph was taken by a young female fan from Stoke-on-Trent.
An improved and colourised version of the photo appeared on Facebook.
Incidentally, several weeks earlier backstage at the Kings Hall, Stoke-On-Trent John and Paul began writing «Misery», a song they intended to donate to Helen Shapiro whom they met a week later.
This week it will be 60 years since The Beatles first played in Stoke. To commemorate this occasion Tracks, the Lancashire based Beatles and music memorabilia specialists, are holding a valuation day at Stoke F.C. on the 20th January between 10:30am and 4.30pm. You are invited to bring any rare item of music memorabilia for a free valuation.
Kara McKune published an article this week called Taking a trip down musical memory lane: Inside The Beatles appearance at Wakefield cinema, which you can read online at Wakefield Express. It’s about one of the tour stops.
For what it’s worth, looking at Street View, this appears to be in the street Pall Mall at the back of what is now called the Regent Theatre, looking roughly south east. The building with the distinctive rooftop on the left is still there. It looks like the one on the right is too. (I was bored.)
I love all of your posts! Always something new and fascinating. Than you for all you do!
Wow, that’s a very impressive bit of colourisation and sharpening of the original photo!