Quarrymen join Fab Beatles show at Liverpool arena

The Quarrymen are set to join The Mersey Beatles in a major Fab Four tribute at Liverpool’s waterfront arena next weekend.

The concert at the M&S Bank Arena on September 30 will see The Quarrymen, who were formed by John Lennon and his Quarry Bank school friends in 1956, supporting the band.

Two members of the original band, Colin Hanton and Rod Davis, will be in the line-up on the night.

And Hanton, the Quarrymen’s drummer, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been invited by The Mersey Beatles to open their huge homecoming show at the M&S Bank Arena. “Nothing beats a hometown show and it’s going to be really exciting to take to the stage for what will be a spectacular night.”

It was while Lennon was playing with The Quarrymen at Woolton Church Fete in July 1957 that he was first introduced to Paul McCartney, a pivotal moment in pop history.

While McCartney went on to replace Davis, Hanton played drums on the group’s earliest recordings, In Spite of All the Danger and That’ll Be the Day.

The Quarrymen line-up for the September 30 event features Davis on guitar, Hanton on drums, Henry Duff Lowe (son of original Quarryman John) on keyboards, and David Bedford on bass.

Above: The Quarrymen. Top: The Mersey Beatles.

Singer-songwriter Edward Rhodes will open the evening.

The Quarrymen will then play a set of skiffle and rock ‘n’ roll classics before The Mersey Beatles come on stage to present their hit-packed tribute to the Liverpool icons at the end of a world tour which has seen them take their show to Europe, the US and Asia.

Mark Bloor, who plays John Lennon in the band, said: “We’re beyond thrilled to announce The Quarrymen as our very special guests. Colin and Rod were there that famous day in 1957 when John first met Paul – the day the world changed forever! “This is our biggest ever show, and in our hometown, so it’s an incredible moment for us. “Our band was formed 24 years ago by school friends who love The Beatles. To be able to have another band of old school friends, who just happened to be in a band that became The Beatles, as our special guests is so fitting. “This is going to be such an incredible night – we just can’t wait.”

The Mersey Beatles and The Quarrymen are at the M&S Bank Arena on September 30. Tickets HERE