The British Music Experience has announced that they have obtained John Lennon’s ‘Rock Island Line’ disc which was personally owned by him. The disc was originally performed by Lonnie Donegan and played an influential role in the British skiffle movement. The disc, along with its B-side ‘John Henry’, was first recorded on tape on 13 July 1954, and was released by Decca on a 78rpm Blue Label Jazz series which later reached sixth place in the Hit Parade in January 1956.
Lennon bought the disc from fellow Quarryman Rod Davis when the band had shown the song in its setlist at St Peter’s Church garden fete on 6 July 1957. Lennon only had temporary possession of the disc, as Rod bought it off him before he became distracted by rock ‘n’ roll.
Rod explains, “I lived in Woolton and first met John Lennon, Pete Shotton, Nigel Walley, Ivan Vaughan, and Geoff Rhind at St. Peter’s Sunday School when we were very small boys. Eric invited me to join The Quarrymen in early 1956 just after I bought a banjo. Rock Island Line was a firm favorite amongst the friends and was included in the group’s set for their performance at St Peter’s Church garden fete. It was at this show that John Lennon met Paul McCartney for the first time, who within just a few short months would join the band.”
Rod left the band at the end of July 1957 when the other Quarrymen left Quarry Bank School and he stayed on into the Sixth Form. His vacant place was filled by Paul McCartney. Nevertheless, before leaving the band, he bought John’s copy of ‘Rock Island Line’ from him. It is uncertain what he paid for the record.
This disc is a cleanly preserved yet scratched artefact that diligently coheres post-war British music. It was the biographical center point for Lennon’s personal collection, the anthem of the Skiffle craze, and inspiration for pop, rock, and blues of the 1960s. It represents the birth of British popular music.
The British Music Experience is a museum that has a collection of stage outfits, objects and instruments that chart the beginnings, rise, and influence of British pop from 1945 to the present day. It is a registered charity with a mission to advance the appreciation and understanding of the art, history, and science of popular music in Britain
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
