Steve Harnell
EditorFollow me on Twitter @steve_harnell
WELCO
ME...
As I write this latest Editor’s letter,
Paul McCartney is basking in the
warm afterglow of yet another No.1.
His self-produced and almost wholly
self-performed McCartney III album,
which sprang into life during lockdown
(or ‘rockdown’ as old wag Macca would
have it), made it to the toppermost of
the poppermost worldwide.
It’s a remarkable achievement and one
that not only underlines McCartney’s
limitless creative energy but also the
depth and extent of the love aff air the record-buying
public has with his work. Paul’s certainly come a long
way from the lunchtime sessions – cheese roll and
ciggie in hand – at the Cavern Club that launched him
to fame 60 years ago, which we celebrate in our latest
cover feature. This issue, we delve into the raucous
rock’n’roll energy that set The Beatles apart from their
contemporaries – honed in Hamburg but given wings
in a sweaty, subterranean Liverpool venue that also
became world famous in the band’s slipstream.
And let’s not forget another major fi gure behind the
global reach of Merseybeat. As we were putting our
Cavern Club feature together, the sad news broke of
the passing of Gerry Marsden. A wonderful character,
he’ll be much missed. His legacy, though, will live on,
as Liverpool FC’s Anfi eld faithful can be counted on to
keep You’ll Never Walk Alone close to their hearts.
Elsewhere this issue, in lieu of the much-delayed
new Bond movie No Time To Die, we take a look at the
rockin’ roots of John Barry before he became 007’s
go-to soundtrack provider, delve into Del Shannon’s
heartbreaking life story and get soulful with the
wonderful Sam Cooke and The Supremes.
PS – we may be in yet another lockdown, but
hopefully it won’t be too long now until we can all
get back (pun intended) to sweaty Cavern-style venues
for a much-needed rock’n’roll fi x. Enjoy the issue!Anthem Publishing
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http://www.vintagerockmag.com
http://www.facebook.com/vintagerockmagEDITOR Steve Harnell
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ART EDITOR Debra Butler
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PRODUCTION EDITOR Gary Walker
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David West and Lois Wilson
Beatles cover image: Lee Wakerley
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