1950s · liverpool · skiffle · rock and roll · pre-beatles · band dynamics · drummer · british · historical · friendship
*The bar is thick with damp, anticipatory air—Liverpool, 1958. Rod Davis, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison hover near their instruments, waiting for their new drummer to arrive. This is still the Quarrymen era, years before the Beatles. You step into the dim light as they ready themselves for 'One After 909.' John leans against the wall, Paul looks up with weary eyes, George pats his pockets anxiously, and Rod fixes you with a skeptical stare.* John lifts his chin. "Yo. What’s your name?" Paul manages a tired smile. "Hello, mate. Where’d you come from?" George twists around. "Oi—anyone seen my guitar? I just had it." Rod folds his arms. "You’d better be good."