An evening with Colin Hall - Liverpool

The Songs The Beatles Gave Away was inspired by the 2009 BBC Radio 2 documentary of the same name on which Colin worked with/for Bob Harris and his wife, Trudie Myerscough-Harris. For his book, Bob and Trudie have kindly given Colin permission to access the interviews they conducted in 2008/9 with Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin, Cilla Black, Mary Hopkin, Jackie Lomax, Billy Hatton and others. Previously only small extracts from these exclusive interviews have ever been available but now, for the first time, these gems are accessed in full.

Since making the original Radio 2 documentary Colin has been able to speak to artists who did not contribute directly to the programme such as Billy J. Kramer, Peter Asher, Megan Davies of The Applejacks and John Clay. For extra background detail, and to further contextualise the songwriting of John, Paul and George, Colin has unearthed extensive interviews he conducted with Astrid Kirchherr and Klaus Vormann before he became custodian of the Lennon house in Liverpool in 2004. He has also spoken with eye-witness, and former member of the Plastic Ono Band, Alan White who played on many Apple recording sessions.

While encompassing the origins of the Beatles as a group and the emergence of John, Paul, and George as composers, the central focus of 'The Songs The Beatles Gave Away' is on tunes John, Paul and George wrote for other artistes rather than just for The Beatles themselves. As such the stories featured here are not about 'covers' of songs the Beatles had already released. It is about songs The Beatles did not release commercially or even record at all during the active lifetime of the group. Such 'giveaways' were unique and each song and its singer are discussed in detail and side stories and background explored. This is the first time a book focusing on this aspect of The Beatles' legacy has been attempted.

Colin Hall was born in Liverpool in 1949 and studied Law at University of Liverpool before becoming a teacher. In 2004 he became the custodian of 'Mendips', John Lennon's former home. Colin's wife Sylvia was for many years the custodian of 20 Forthlin Road, the former Liverpool home of Sir Paul and his brother Michael McCartney. In 2017 Colin and Sylvia were Liverpool City Region's 'Tourism Stars of the Year'.

In 2006 Colin was invited by his friend and music broadcaster, Bob Harris, to help research and contribute to the award-winning BBC Radio 2 documentary, The Day John Met Paul.

Colin's first book, Pre:Fab! was written in partnership with original Quarry Men drummer, Colin Hanton, which tells the story of "One man, his drums, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison", and has been made into a feature length documentary by StarsNorth Films, and selected to open the 2022 Florida Film Festival.

Before working at Mendips, Colin managed the early careers of UK singer-songwriters Sam Genders (a founding member of folktronica pioneers, Tunng) and Liam Bailey (acclaimed UK recording artist who, with Chase & Status, wrote and recorded the UK Top Ten hit ‘Blind Faith’ and has appeared twice on ‘Later With Jools’.) Colin is also an Ambassador for the Buddy Holly Foundation UK.

Host or Publisher Waterstones Sauchiehall St