THE Songs The Beatles Gave Away starring BBC Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris and former custodian of John Lennon's childhood home Colin Hall heads to Otley Courthouse on December 16.
Bob and Colin chat about songs which Sir Paul McCartney, John and George Harrison penned for other artists including Cilla Black's top 10 hit Step Inside Love, Peter and Gordon's transatlantic number one A World Without Love and Tommy Quickly's debut single Tip of My Tongue and the last Beatles song Now and Then which is the group's 18th UK chart-topper.
"All fans of The Beatles will surely be thrilled to hear one final collaboration from the band of bands. A tender song of love and reconciliation," says Colin. "Now and Then serves as a fitting farewell from the group who originally stole a generation's heart away with their simple plea to 'love me do'. Sitting on top of the singles chart once more where in the sixties they seemed to permanently reside. The Fab Four are once more sending out their messages of love and coming together, messages this world needs now as much as it ever did back then. No wonder we continue to love you Beatles: oh yes we do!"
The stage production was inspired by a Bob-hosted BBC Radio 2 documentary and Colin's latest book.
Bob has interviewed all four members of The Beatles including putting the questions to John for cult BBC2 series The Old Grey Whistle Test while Colin has also interviewed Sir Paul.
For nearly 20 years, Colin was custodian of John's childhood home in Liverpool welcoming the likes of Mark Hamill, Debbie Harry and Yoko Ono. His Sunday Express and BBC Radio 4 featured book The Songs The Beatles Gave Away, which includes a preface from Bob, was published by Great Northern Books last year.
So what does the former teacher think is behind The Beatles' phenomenal popularity?
"Now there's a question! To paraphrase John Lennon, "If I knew the answer to that I'd become a manager and form at least six other bands and manage them!" I'd say without hesitation it's the music, the songs. They are timeless. The Beatles music will never grow old. It remains forever relevant, a marvellous blend of melody, harmony and lyricism. They are not over-sentimental but speak from the heart to go straight to the core of the human condition. They rock, don't preach and touch you with an inescapable honesty and insight. There's a Beatles song for everyone. They reach out to you whatever is happening in your life. I could go on. But they do bring people together from every age group, from all around the world. They leave people feeling positive and happy. They are The Beatles. The band of bands."
The Songs The Beatles Gave Away takes place at Otley Courthouse at 8pm on December 16. There will be an opportunity to meet Colin and Bob after the show. Tickets are available at otleycourthouse.org.uk
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