Dear Sir,
In light of the recent release of the last ever Beatles single ‘Now and Then’, and being 60 years since The Fab Four rose to mega stardom, this year has been a year of music influence and discovery, as my 17-year-old son, Oliver Gibson, began a journey into the world of ‘The Beatles’, discovering for himself just who they were and how they became the biggest influence in the world of music.
During the summer months, he visited key locations in Liverpool and walked in the footsteps of John and Paul, walking the same route from John’s house to Paul’s, as they embarked on their song-writing partnership. He later went on to visit London, seeing their lavish homes, Abbey Road and the location of their unknowingly last ever performance together, ‘The Rooftop’ on Saville Row.
Being a fledgling musician himself, and about to embark on his own music journey, experiencing ‘The Beatles’ has really opened his eyes and music is now the epicentre of everything. But there was just one thing missing, a chance to see and hear ‘The Beatles’ for real, and that came in the form of the world’s most successful Beatles tribute act, The Bootleg Beatles.
Learning that the real Beatles performed at the Stockton Globe Theatre 60 years ago, and incidentally stayed at the now abandoned ‘Eden Arms Hotel’, hearing that ‘The Bootleg Beatles’ were also performing at The Globe, tickets were a must. A V.I.P package was arranged with front row seats but, with an added extra surprise, an opportunity to go backstage minutes before the performance to meet and greet ‘The Bootleg Beatles’ themselves.
It was a very surreal moment as their likeness was uncanny, almost like meeting the actual Beatles for real. They went on to perform to a packed house of around 1800 people, it was a magical night of entertainment with an incredible atmosphere, as though witnessing ‘The Beatles’ for real. It truly rounded off my son’s epic journey and has left him inspired to the hilt. There was ‘The Beatles’, then there was everything else.
Bill Gibson.