All four Beatles signed photo for lucky teen who played guitar with John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Auction date Monday 29th September

AUTOGRAPHS of all four Beatles obtained by a teenage fan in 1963 are heading for auction in Lichfield.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr signed the photograph of the group – with Starr also writing a personal dedication at the top – before a gig in the Midlands at the beginning of Beatlemania.

It goes under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers on Monday, September 29, at The Lichfield Auction Centre.

The vendor, 74-year-old Chris Barrows, said his late brother Phil was at the Coventry Theatre in 1963 with their father Ron, Steinway’s chief piano tuner for the Midlands area.

“My dad came home one day and said he was going to tune the piano ahead of The Beatles’ show and other performances,” said Chris, who now lives in Atherstone.

“I didn’t go as at that time I was more interested in football!

“But my brother had been playing guitar for six months and went along.”

The Beatles were already there when the pair arrived – and the boys’ dad had to ask Ringo to stop playing the drums so he could work.

That gave Phil a chance to visit the band in their dressing room, with the budding guitarist even enjoying a quick jam with the stars.

“He played guitar with John Lennon and Paul McCartney and even had a go on Paul’s left-handed bass,” Chris said.

Phil also returned with a photo signed by the group, with the personal message “To Philip best wishes from the Beatles” written in blue ink at the top of the picture.

John Lennon's signature is in the top left-hand corner of the photograph, with Ringo Starr's autograph cloaked by the group's dark suits yet still visible due to the impression of the pen.

George Harrison’s and Paul McCartney’s signatures are on the reverse side of the photograph.

“This is a super set of all four autographs from the biggest band in the world signed right on the cusp of Beatlemania,” said Rob French, ephemera valuer at Richard Winterton Auctioneers.

“The precise date of the meeting is not remembered by the vendor but it was possibly November 1963 as The Beatles played the Coventry Theatre on November 17 1963.

“What a thrill it must have been for this young music fan to not only meet The Fab Four but to get all their autographs with a personal dedication.”

At the theatre, big-hearted Phil also obtained another signed photograph for his younger brother but that has sadly been lost over time.

However, in the years to follow Chris did get into music and became a drummer, forming a group professionally with his brother who by then played keyboards.

“We did do gigs on our own but most of the time we played with the American acts that came over on tour, such as Del Shannon, Bobby Vee and The Coasters,” Chris added.

Footage of Impala on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1973 with Del Shannon performing Louise, Louise and Kelly can be found on YouTube.

Phil, who had moved to France, passed away last September aged 75 after a lifetime of music.

Dad Ron himself had a star-studded career, travelling to venues across the Midlands to tune pianos for top classical performers and huge jazz stars including Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis.

From 1970 to 1975, he tuned pianos ahead of concerts by stars such as Shirley Bassey, Nana Mouskouri, The For Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Hawkwind, Fats Domino, Al Green, The Rolling Stones, Lou Reed, Dionne Warwick, The Faces, Deep Purple, Status Quo, Humble Pie, Jethro Tull, Bryan Ferry, 10cc, Perry Como and Glen Campbell.

At the request of Steinway, Ron tuned the model ‘B’ grand piano for Elton John at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in 1974.

His services were also called on by the NEC, including for Mike Oldfield in 1979 and Squeeze in 1990.

Estimated at £1,500 to £2,000, the signed Beatles photograph goes under the hammer at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, in the Antique & Home Sale on Monday, September 29, starting at 9am.

Viewing in person takes place on Friday, September 26, between 10am and 4pm.

The catalogue goes live a week beforehand and can be viewed via our Auction Calendar.

For more information, to arrange a free valuation of autographs, posters and all other types of ephemera and memorabilia, or to enquire about a home visit for large collections or house clearances, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or call 01543 251081.