Former Beatle stars with World Football Exhibitions Ticket to Ride!
On Thursday 17th January, World Football Exhibitions ‘With a little help from our friends...’ helped launch national transport operator Stagecoach’s brand new automated ticketing system in Liverpool as part of the 2008 European Capital of Culture celebrations.
World Football Exhibitions personnel secured the services of former Beatle Pete Best - the original drummer in the most famous band in the world - to take part in the launch. Along with assembled members of the press, World Football Exhibitions and Stagecoach personnel, Pete took a ‘ticket to ride’ on one of Stagecach Merseyside’s latest fleet editions on a ‘magical mystery tour’ to some of the Capital of Culture’s most significant, Beatles-related sites.
From the famous Casbah Coffee Club, now an English Heritage Grade II Listed site being the first venue ever played by the Beatles, to John Lennon’s former home on Menlove Avenue to world famous locations Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields the World Football Exhibitions-organised tour was a resounding success. At the Casbah, our party were treated to a guided tour by Pete himself including first-hand accounts about the Beatles early days and a chance to see original instruments and equipment used by the band. Our party was also treated to being shown paintings and murals made by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Reflecting on the day, Pete Best said: “2008 is a very important year for Liverpool and the focus will be on the city and it’s cultural heritage. The Beatles changed the face of popular music forever and their influence can be seen all around us today. I’m incredibly proud to have been a Beatle and to be a part of the Beatles story and I’m delighted that public transport in the city will help people discover some truly unique sites”.
World Football Exhibitions Events Manager Anthony Howarth said: “people say that football is the new Rock `n Roll. Today we have put football to one side to concentrate on the original rock `n roll. It’s been great to have Pete’s support today at this launch event - especially as part of Capitol of Culture year”