I was a young teenager during the 1960’s and one of the first questions posed in the school playground was; “Do you like the Beatles or Rolling Stones?” Being independent minded I always replied “Neither, I like the Kinks”.

In 1968 I bought my first album and it was Pink Floyd’s ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’. I played this very loud, much to the annoyance of my brother who was an Elvis fan. The next year however I “discovered” the Beatles.

During my last term at Campion High School for Boys, the English Master challenged the class to bring some modern ‘Pop Music’ to school, and convince him it was worth listening to. After school had finished about 10 of us, plus the English teacher, went to an empty classroom with a record player. 

Each boy had brought along their favourite album and was allowed to play one track for the rest of us to listen to. I was clutching Pink Floyd under my arm, but the trendiest kid in our class had brought the Beatles White Album. He played ‘Dear Prudence’ and I was transfixed by the haunting sound.

I thought that the Beatles were just a ’singles’ band who played short catchy pop tunes, but Dear Prudence opened my eyes (and ears)! My Mother bought me the White Album (mono version) that xmas, and there were more delights waiting for me;  Happiness is a Warm Gun, Helter Skelter, Blackbird, and something more weird than even Pink Floyd – Revolution No.9.

I was converted, I bought the whole of the Beatles back catalogue and have been a fan ever since. So thank you John, George, Paul and Ringo, you have given me a great deal of pleasure over the years, and I’m very grateful.

John McNally