Exhiibtion also includes the first photograph of John, Paul and George performing togetherThe special exhibition, at Hamburg’s City Hall, features a rare set of Beatles photographs and letters(Image: Liverpool City Region)A trove of rare early Beatles photographs and letters written by the five original members while in Hamburg is on display in a new exhibition exploring the city’s role in launching the band’s global fame. The special exhibition, titled Harbour Cities-Global Stages has been created to celebrate Liverpool City Region’s role as the official partner of Hamburg’s annual port festival – Hafengebustag. The free exhibition opened on May 7 at Hamburg’s City Hall, the Rathaus Rathausdiele and is on display until May 25.It features historic elements such as the only Lennon and McCartney letter in existence, the first photograph of John, Paul, and George performing together, a photo of their first gig in Hamburg, as well as an insight into how they had started to feel like stars and how they secured their first recording contract.The unveiling of the exhibition comes just a month short of the 60th anniversary of The Beatles final concert in Europe – which was also in Hamburg, on June 26, 1966, at the Ernst Merck Halle.A main feature of the exhibition is an in-depth look at the origin story of The Beatles and how Hamburg shaped their sound and look from 1960-62, which helped to lay the foundations for their global superstardom.Letters to Mike McCartney, Paul McCartney’s brother(Image: Liverpool City Region)Letters donated by The Cavern, Mike McCartney and the Liverpool Beatles Museum reveal the thoughts of John, Paul and George at this influential stage in their career, as well as those of Stuart and original drummer Pete Best, who was hired specifically for their first visit to Hamburg which had been organised by the band’s first manager Alan Williams.The unique set of letters, which are also accompanied by rare photographs of the band from that time, including their first night in Hamburg in August 1960, charts their rise from a fledgling skiffle group to a rock’n’roll outfit that famously performed up to eight hours a night in numerous venues along the Reeperbahn in Hamburg’s red-light district.Some pivotal moments for the band are captured in detail, such as George’s letter to Cavern DJ, Bob Wooler in June 1961, where he explains how the band were signed up for their first record contract. The resulting single, My Bonnie, would eventually catch the attention of Brian Epstein, whose curiosity would lead him to The Cavern and becoming their manager.Stuart’s letter is written several months after he left the band to pursue an arts course in Hamburg. In a letter to Mike McCartney, sent in February 1962, he talks of feeling unwell but ends on a positive note about his plans to make a surprise return to Liverpool to visit his sister and family. Tragically, the visit never materialised as 21-year-old Stuart died just seven weeks later of a brain haemorrhage in the arms of his fiancée, Astrid, in their Hamburg flat.Pete Best’s letter to his mum, in April 1962, was sent just days after Stuart’s death, but without the band knowing. Instead, Pete regales how he, John and Paul had felt like stars boarding their plane having been interviewed by a member of the press about their recent success of being voted Liverpool’s number one band.George Harrison’s letter for Bob Wooler in June 1961(Image: Liverpool City Region)This third visit to Hamburg, in which Pete talks about their hotel and the new venue they will be opening, The Star Club, is a far cry from their first visit in August 1960, when they had driven by van for several days and had to sleep in the back room of a cinema.For Pete, the Hamburg trip was his final one with the band. Only a few weeks after returning to England, and before their first EMI recording session with George Martin in June, Brian Epstein would sack him.Also included in the exhibition is a letter from Paul to his brother Mike, which is unique because it contains a message from John, making it the only existing Lennon-McCartney co-signed letter.This letter, written in May 1962, gives an insight into Hamburg’s flourishing live music scene, with Paul revealing how they’ve been told that American rock ‘n roll legends Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis may soon be visiting the city, and how Paul hopes The Beatles can perform with Chuck. Paul also reflects on a visit to Astrid’s house, just weeks after Stuart’s passing, and how the band have photos by her and Stuart on their walls.The exhibition features a rare set of Beatles photographs and letters written by the band’s five original members whilst in Hamburg(Image: Liverpool City Region)He also talks about buying a camera similar to one Astrid owns, further underlining her influence, having famously cut Stuart’s hair to the mop-top style, which led the band, except Pete, to follow suit and which the world would first recognise them.Paul and John are photographed by Mike McCartney in the exhibition playing their iconic Höfner 500/1 violin bass and Rickenbacker 325 Capri guitars, both of which were bought at the Steinway shop in Hamburg.Dr Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, said: “Both Hamburg and Liverpool have a long maritime tradition that has shaped our economies, cultures, and citizens’ mindsets. Both cities are diverse, cosmopolitan, and connected to the world. They honour their traditions while, as modern metropolises, embracing innovation and progress.”One of the special bonds between our cities is The Beatles, who are from Liverpool and launched their global career with legendary performances on Hamburg’s Reeperbahn. I am delighted that Liverpool is the partner region for this year’s Port Anniversary, which will allow us to strengthen our ties.”
Only known Lennon-McCartney letter on display in rare early Beatles exhibition
