Our Hearts Went Boom: The Beatles’ Invasion of Canada by Brian Kendall
In an earlier stage of my writing life, I authored Our Hearts Went Boom: The Beatles’ Invasion of Canada (Viking Canada). It’s a fun look back at those heady days in the early ‘60s when the popularity of the Fab Four swept the world and, in particular, Canada. So I was interested to learn that this year, to mark the 50th anniversary of the band’s breakthrough to popularity in Britain, Liverpool is celebrating the Year of Beatlemania, with special events held throughout the Merseyside city.
Happily for golfers, the Beatles’ hometown also happens to be situated on a prime stretch of linksland extending along the Irish Sea coastline from Cumbria in the north to Chester in the south. Marketed as England’s Golf Coast, it truly is one of the world’s great golf destinations, with a roster of outstanding courses that includes three officially designated Royal layouts — Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham & St. Annes (the site of this year’s British Open), and Royal Liverpool, each of them open to the public.
For fans of both links golf and the Beatles, the timing is exactly right for a visit to a destination where golf is played year-round — and where the Fab Four are forever young.
Highlights of the Year of Beatlemania
An essential stop for every Beatlemaniac is the Cavern Club, where the band perfected its sound during more than 300 appearances. The club is still open seven nights a week, with Beatles tribute bands appearing every Saturday night through the year.
Organized by the Cavern Club, International Beatles Week, August 22-28, will feature bands from more than 20 countries. As well as live gigs, there are exhibitions, memorabilia sales, guest speakers, video shows and sightseeing tours. Highlights include a Paul McCartney 70th Birthday Tribute at the Philharmonic Hall, and the 20th Mathew Street Music Festival, a major outdoor event with five stages scattered throughout Liverpool. The world’s biggest Beatles convention is also part of the festival.
Be sure to check out Mathew Street, home to statues of the Fab Four, shops specializing in Beatles paraphernalia, as well as the Beatles-themed Hard Days Night Hotel.
Concluding the festivities is the Liverpool Philharmonic Beatles Weekend, December 7 to 9. The highlight of musical tributes by numerous entertainers is certain to be the Philharmonic’s performance of such classic tunes as “Imagine,” “Woman” and “Ticket to Ride.”
