It's fall 1956 and a return to school means new friends and new ideas for John Lennon - and one idea, in particular, that will be the catalyst for everything that follows - the formation of a schoolboy skiffle group - The Quarrymen.

This is the story of how one of the thousands of amateur British schoolboy skiffle bands in the mid-1950s evolved into the beginnings of the greatest band in popular history. It’s a story of hope, creativity, and exploring musical boundaries. It’s also a story of tragedy, coincidence, and at times just sheer luck.

It is a story of beginnings, the story of John, Paul, George, and Ringo - Before They Were Beatles.

The music heard in this episode included:

You can find full versions of the music heard in this episode in the dedicated Before They Were Beatles Podcast YouTube channel - 

If you would like to make a comment or ask a question you can follow the podcast Twitter account at @BeforeBeatles, or email me at [email protected]

You can also find copies of the original Before They Were Beatles book on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle editions