When John Met Paul

Read about the first meeting between John and Paul.

What does it tell you about their personalities?

What do we learn about their relationship?

Listening

Listen to this description of the first meeting between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.



John meeting Paul.

The song playing in the background is the one Paul hears John sing: the Del Vikings 'Come Go with Me'.

True or false?

You can check your answers at the end:

a) John and Paul have similar personalities

b) They like similar music.

c) John is the lead singer.

d) Both boys smell of alcohol.

e) Paul notices that John forgets the words to 'Come Go with Me'.

f) Paul is a better musician.

g) John is a little jealous of Paul

g) Paul decides to join The Quarrymen immediately.


Answers

Answers

John meets Paul (listening):


1. a) False b) True c) True d) False (only John) e) True f) True g) false h) False


Tapescript: Their first meeting between John Lennon and Paul McCartney tells us a lot about their relationship. In many ways the boys are very different but they are drawn to each other.

John Lennon is the leader of the group. At sixteen he is already a charismatic figure on stage. In the photograph he is the one we look at. He is creative and changes the words he can't remember. But he is also a little lazy and doesn't tune his guitar

The alcohol on his breath shows the 'wild' side of Lennon’s character. Boys admire him. Girls find him attractive.

John Lennon quickly spots something in McCartney. He notices the younger boy's talent and their similar taste in music.
Lennon's a little jealous, too. Paul McCartney is a potential partner - and rival.

Paul big decision

Paul McCartney also reveals a lot about himself. A natural musician, he is technically better than Lennon. He has the confidence to play guitar for the older boy. He bravely tells John, 'your guitar is out of tune.'

Paul hesitates before joining the Quarrymen. He admires Lennon but notices his ‘dangerous’ side. Typically he takes some time to consider John's invitation. Then he makes one of the most important decisions in the history of pop music. .

When John Lennon met Paul McCartney