A BEATLES' HARD-DIE'S SITE


Beatles' Memorabilia

Albany Cinema souvenir programme (1961)

Front cover

Centre pages

The Beatles were just one of sixteen acts to appear at this 'Star Matinee' concert held on Sunday afternoon, 15 October 1961, at the Albany Cinema in Maghull, Liverpool, in aid of the the local St John's Ambulance Brigade. Topping the bill was comedian Ken Dodd. The Beatles, number 10 on the bill did a ten minute spot. Also featured on the bill is Shirley Gordon, a local club singer. The programme was donated to the collections by Shirley's niece Judie De Wald.

The concert was organised by local agent Jim Gretty who worked at Hessy's music store and sold John Lennon his first guitar.

An early photograph of the group appears on another page with their programme entry, which refers to their hectic touring schedule at the time. Although they came to be known as the fab four, here they are described without any abreviation as fabulous:

"THE BEATLES
We are fortunate in having secured the services of The Beatles as they have only just arrived back from Germany. They are in England for only a short time before embarking upon another European tour. All four are Liverpool born and great favourites with the teenagers, all of whom are of one voice in describing them as "FABULOUS". What more can we say?"

An early photo of the Beatles from their page in the programme

The text on the front cover of the programme reads:

"THE ALBANY CINEMA MAGHULL
Star Matinee in aid of
THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE
WATERLOO AMBULANCE AMD NURSING DIVISIONS
Souvenir Programme price 2/-"

The full line up as listed on in the centre pages is:

"JIM GRETTY presents STAR MATINEE with your compere ARTHUR SCOTT introducing...

1. The Dusty Road Ramblers
2. Les Arnold
3. Joe Cordova
4. Dunn and Markey
5. Bob McGrady
6. Lennie Rens
7. Shirley Gordon
8. Bert King
9. The Eltones
Interval
10. The Beatles
11. Dennis Horton and Gladys Ambrose
12. Jackie Owen and the Joe Royal Trio
13. Edna Bell
14. Jim Gretty
15. Denis Smerdon
16. KEN DODD

At the Lowry Organ - BERT SMITH
At the piano Maurice Ley and Joe Royal
Production and Stage Management - George Martin and Jim Gretty"

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