When They Were Boys

This is the story of the Beatles’ harrowing rise to focusing on that seven-year stretch from the time the boys met as teenagers to early 1964, when the Fab Four made their momentous first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. From the boys’ humble beginnings in Liverpool, to the cellars of Hamburg, When They Were Boys includes stories never before told, including the heartbreaks and the lucky breaks. Included are an eyewitness account of that first meeting between Lennon and McCartney, the inside story of how Ringo replaced Pete Best, an exploration of the brilliant but troubled soul of manager Brian Epstein, and the real scoop on their disastrous first visit to Germany and the death of Stu Sutcliffe. With an eye for life in Liverpool during the 50’s and 60’s and over 65 eyewitness accounts from those closest to the Beatles, Larry Kane brings to life the evolution of the group that changed music forever. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are so many people to thank, but let me start with Bill Harry, Tony Barrow, Sam Leach, Allan Williams, Yoko Ono, the staff at Studio One, Ron Ellis, Ellen Ellis, Freda Kelly, Denny Somach, Louise Harrison, Jerry Blavat, Julia Baird, and Tony Bramwell. Also thanks to Chris Carter of KLOS and XM–Sirius Satellite Radio, Alan White, Rod Davis, Colin Hanton, Colin Hall, Len Garry, Hunter Davies, Colin Fallows, Kathy McCabe, Mac Walter, Dave Forshaw, Sir Ron Watson, Joe Flannery, Jude Southerland Kessler, Mark Lapidos, Bruce Spizer, David Bedford, Ed Jackson, Roag Best, the White House Social Office, June Furlong, Horst Fascher, Pauline Sutcliffe, Billy Kinsley, Billy J. Kramer, John Rose, Tony Guma, Jodi Blau Ritzen, Dr. Mike Brocken, Joe Ankrah, Jonathan Davies, BBC TV, Buz Teacher, Spencer Leigh, Kevin Roach, John Gannon, Theo Somach, Jim Turner, Kevin Donahue, Marc Hudson, Joe Johnson, Andre Gardner, and Tim Riley. Special gratitude to my family, to whom this book is dedicated; literary agent Faith Childs; the book’s editor, Greg Jones (this makes three books with him); and Running Press Editorial Director Jennifer Kasius... window.NREUM||(NREUM={});NREUM.info={"beacon":"bam.nr-data.net","licenseKey":"658e85a11b","applicationID":"129129957","transactionName":"NVZRZhMHDUVVVUMKCgwcZkAISRRGGVdTDgwMHFJWDA8NG1VcVhtLEltD","queueTime":0,"applicationTime":163,"atts":"GRFSEFsdHks=","errorBeacon":"bam.nr-data.net","agent":""} Shelley Germeaux, Correspondent, Beatles Examiner “Larry Kane's newest book, When They Were Boys is the most comprehensive and fascinating account to date of all four Beatles' lives in the youthful prelude to fame. Larry's account exudes incredible depth, compassion, and a sense of down-to-earth reality about John, Paul, George and Ringo. When They Were Boys provides a glimpse into who they were at that time—just boys with a shared dream—a dream that was about to change their lives forever. His in-depth interviews with those who were there at the time this was all happening, such as Bill Harry, Allan Williams, Tony Bramwell, and John's sister Julia Baird, make this a most remarkable read. It takes you back to the unfolding of the Beatles and how they became the sensation they did.” Steve Marinucci, Beatles Examiner “Larry Kane's Ticket To Ride is one of the best looks at the Beatles and...