The Beatles in Great Yarmouth

4 Responses

  1. Anonymous says:

    Hey! I wrote this newspaper article. Nice to see it here. You can read more Beatle articles I've written on my blog dannyfriar.wordpress.com

  2. wogew says:

    Thank you, Danny!

  3. A.H. says:

    Ironically, the last movie I ever watched at that cinema was 1988's 'Imagine: John Lennon.' Being a local of Great Yarmouth, it saddens me that there isn't some kind of plaque there to commemorate its history. I seem to recall Deep Purple's Gillan performing there in the late '70s / early '80s too. I'm sure further research would uncover more names of legend.

    The 'Market Gates' shopping centre was actually built, completed and opened in the mid '70s as I recall, but the ABC building remained there till it was demolished in the late '80s. It's now a 'Costa Coffee.' It always amazes at how such old, historic, beautiful buildings such as the ABC can be knocked down and replaced with bland, lifeless, red-bricked structures such as the one that now takes its place.

    Someone who has many fascinating things to say about The Beatles' time in Great Yarmouth (however brief it was) is local lad, Peter Jay, who was, back in the '60s, the leader of the band, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers. They were a support act for The Beatles and The Stones (who also played the ABC).

  4. A.H. says:

    Well… Would you believe it?… Since my last comment, some body some where in Gt. Yarmouth has indeed decided to put up a blue plaque outside the former 'ABC'/'Regal' theatre/cinema to commemorate The Beatles' numerous appearances at this former venue. I have taken a photo of it, but I'm not sure if there's any way I can share that here(?). Basically, it states that it was once a venue where many artists performed – although it only makes note of The Beatles on the plaque itself (which is fair enough). However, over the years (and from the top of my head), it also played host to The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, Supertramp, Joan Armatrading, The Jam and many more.

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