Liverpool’s Central Library will be home to more than a paperback (writer) on Saturday as Fab Four fever takes over.
The library, which is home to Beatles memorabilia including Sir Paul McCartney’s award-winning school essay about the Queen, will play host to 60s icon Pattie Boyd who inspired what many regard as one of the greatest love songs.
Throughout the afternoon musical muses Pattie Boyd (former wife of George Harrison and the inspiration behind Something and Eric Clapton’s Layla and Wonderful Tonight) and her sister Jenny (once married to Mick Fleetwood and inspired Donovan’s Jennifer Juniper) will take part in three informal meet and greet and book signing sessions during which they will talk briefly about their experiences of the music industry, read extracts from their books and all also answer some questions from the public.
Taking place in the beautiful surroundings of the Hornby Library, the free sessions will take place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm – no booking is necessary, but spaces are limited. Pattie will be signing copies of her book Wonderful Today: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me, and Jenny will be signing her book It’s Not Only Rock ’n’ Roll.
Providing the soundtrack to the afternoon will be a host of international Beatles tribute acts who will take to the stage in the Discover area of the library:
- 12pm – Karavai (Russian Balalaika Quartet
- 12.50pm – Gui Lopes (Brazilian Acoustic Trio)
- 1.40pm – Beatles Bossa Duo (from Turkey)
- 2.35pm – Cellophane Flowers (from Finland)
- 3.30pm – The Shouts (from Argentina)
- 4.25pm – The End (LIPA graduates)
- 5.20pm – Britain’s Finest (from America)
Beatles related archives will also be on display in the Picton Reading Room for people to enjoy as part of the event. These will include Paul McCartney’s award winning school essay written to mark the Queen’s Coronation, school registers showing the Beatles names and correspondence from Brian Epstein regarding the Liverpool homecoming and Hard Day’s Night film premiere in 1964.
The free event has been organised by the city council in partnership with Cavern City Tours to form part of International Beatleweek, which runs from Wednesday 24 to Tuesday 30 August.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for culture, tourism and events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:
“This is the second year that the library has been involved with International Beatleweek and I’m delighted to see such a packed programme!
“It will be a real thrill for Beatles fans, and music fans in general, to hear Pattie and Jenny’s enthralling tales and see these tribute acts take to a stage in such a unique setting.
“I’m sure it will be a hugely popular day and will be one of the highlights of this incredibly successful week.”
Bill Heckle, Director of Cavern City Tours and one of the organisers of International Beatleweek, said:
“Once again, we’re thrilled to be able to use the fab setting of our city’s library for some of our International Beatleweek events this year.
“Not only do we have the inspiration behind classic songs, Something, Layla and Jennifer Juniper in Pattie and Jenny Boyd, but we also have our own ‘Beatles Anthology’ of bands, a fantastic and eclectic mix of acts from all over the world.”
For more information visit www.internationalbeatleweek.com.