Pre-Beatles band The Quarry Men reunite at Abbey Road for new documentary

10 July 2019, 18:19 | Updated: 15 January 2024, 10:54

Quarry Men
Quarry Men. Picture: Daniel Stilling

The surviving members of The Quarry Men have got back together for a special documentary.

Colin Hanton, Chas Newby, Len Garry and Rod Davis recorded footage at Abbey Road Studios to be included in PRE FAB!.

PRE FAB! will tell the story of Liverpool drummer Colin Hanton, who was an original member of John Lennon’s skiffle group, The Quarry Men.

The band famously evolved into The Beatles, with Lennon eventually teaming up with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

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The film is currently being filmed in Liverpool, London, Los Angeles and New York.

Colin Hanton was present on the day when Lennon met McCartney, and was also around when Harrison first made his stage debut with Lennon and McCartney in early 1958.

He was also with Lennon when he made his first showing at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Hanton also played with Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison on their first proper recording - their version of Buddy Holly’s ‘That’ll Be The Day.’

Beatles Performing At The Cavern Club in 1961
Beatles Performing At The Cavern Club in 1961. Picture: Getty

“Viewers of the new film will be given the opportunity to experience the beginnings of one of the biggest bands in the world and to understand how Merseybeat developed,” said Mark Bentley, producer.

“When Colin left The Quarry Men, he left behind the nucleus of what would later become The Beatles. Without The Quarry Men there would be no Beatles, a band that brought recognition to Abbey Road Studios. We thought it important historically to have the foundation of The Quarry Men record at the same iconic location.”

Newby, Davis and Garry were also members of The Quarry Men at various points from 1956 to 1959.

This film promises to be a must-watch for all Beatles fans everywhere, which is basically all of us!

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