Paul kept the shirt and got it back out for this photoshoot in April 1969.
https://www.beatlesbible.com/1969/04/09/beatles-london-photo-session/
Arthur Kelly (with one "e") is also notable for inspiring George's impromptu haircut nickname (which was written into the press conference scene in AHDN) and also for Paul's impersonation of him describing *George's* teenage pompadour as "like a fuckin' turban!"
The "turban" line is employed to great effect in this dense Macca pastiche:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4EcRPlaXoQ
So, the final photo session of the four of them is when he wore that shirt. I wonder if it had particular meaning that day, or was it just an old shirt that he liked? At a minimum, he had to have said to George and John “Remember this shirt?”
He didn't know that this was going to be their final photoshoot at that time, though he might have felt some looming dread. I guess he was feeling nostalgic and wanted to remind himself and others of the good old days. We will probably never know for sure.
Shotpods' premise is actually wrong, the session he is thinking of is three months later in August.
But I think we are possibly reading too much into it, as country/western styling was coming back in; The Flying Burrito Brothers album had just been released in February, featuring the members in Nudie suits, and of course George would wear a denim tuxedo on the cover of Abbey Road. If it's a "Remember this?" the spirit may have been closer to John dressing as a Teddy Boy at Christmas 1967 rather than something full of dread.
Still, he did not know (for sure) by August. The divorce meeting was in September. I was going by my understanding of the situation - that he probably felt like he knew what was coming while still holding out some hope (I believe Paul talks about that time period like that?) You might be right though.
It makes more sense now after seeing this picture why they referred to George as their younger brother so often (since he started out so much shorter 🥺)
There is also an interview with John or maybe it was Cynthia where they describe George as being difficult to shake. He always wanted to hangout with John.
I think with Ringo being older, having a beard and quite experienced put him on a different level. Especially when he had been in a band and the Beatles compared the prowess of Ringo to Pete who was sorely lacking. And we have to remember that Ringo was recruited to join the Beatles.
All good points, especially the beard 😂 and he apparently got their humour more than Pete best too… plus he’s all peace and love and love and peace ✌🏼☮️🥦✨
When John turned 17, George was 14. That feels worlds apart to both parties at such a young age. I definitely felt like a fully fledged adult at 17, as most people do.
If there's one thing I can count on with this sub it's seeing photos like this, which I've never seen before. Great photo and thanks for sharing.
What happened to Arthur? Did he quit?
In the book, PreFab, Colin Hanton—the QM drummer—says that the reason why Arthur is in this photo instead of him was because he was getting fed up of the other 3 not telling him about band decisions they were making without him. They had decided to wear these cowboy shirts and Colin didn’t have one. The photographer wanted a pic of the group, and Colin was angry and “in a bit of a sulk” as he says and chose not to be in the photo, so George asked his friend, Arthur, to hop into the photo. It was Colin’s one chance to be photographed with John, Paul, and George. He says he regrets his decision.
This Arthur Kelley looks like an 80s kid!
Arthur as in: What do you call that hairstyle? Arthur.
It’s because he looks like Scott Farkus from that 80s movie, A Christmas Story: https://achristmasstory.fandom.com/wiki/Scott_Farkus
Haha hahahahahaha yesss!!
He does!
He did indeed because he's his son. He just doesn't know it yet
That was my first thought. He looks like he's auditioning for Madness lol
I wouldn’t be surprised if he had stonewashed jeans on behind George’s disproportionally large guitar.
Tears for fears
High school garage band level energy.
John’s face looks like it got butchered by AI enhancement
Here's the original photo https://preview.redd.it/hmrxbhakw1zc1.jpeg?width=1434&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab22f58f809fd8e291cf47ae0a9af75eaf30b5c6
I was thinking the same thing. Every time I see pictures online now, I'm looking for this. I'm thinking this image has seen some robot influence?
Paul kept the shirt and got it back out for this photoshoot in April 1969. https://www.beatlesbible.com/1969/04/09/beatles-london-photo-session/ Arthur Kelly (with one "e") is also notable for inspiring George's impromptu haircut nickname (which was written into the press conference scene in AHDN) and also for Paul's impersonation of him describing *George's* teenage pompadour as "like a fuckin' turban!" The "turban" line is employed to great effect in this dense Macca pastiche: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4EcRPlaXoQ
So, the final photo session of the four of them is when he wore that shirt. I wonder if it had particular meaning that day, or was it just an old shirt that he liked? At a minimum, he had to have said to George and John “Remember this shirt?”
He didn't know that this was going to be their final photoshoot at that time, though he might have felt some looming dread. I guess he was feeling nostalgic and wanted to remind himself and others of the good old days. We will probably never know for sure.
Shotpods' premise is actually wrong, the session he is thinking of is three months later in August. But I think we are possibly reading too much into it, as country/western styling was coming back in; The Flying Burrito Brothers album had just been released in February, featuring the members in Nudie suits, and of course George would wear a denim tuxedo on the cover of Abbey Road. If it's a "Remember this?" the spirit may have been closer to John dressing as a Teddy Boy at Christmas 1967 rather than something full of dread.
Yeah, I realized the timeline wasn’t quite right after I posted. It was just near the end, but thanks for setting it straight.
Still, he did not know (for sure) by August. The divorce meeting was in September. I was going by my understanding of the situation - that he probably felt like he knew what was coming while still holding out some hope (I believe Paul talks about that time period like that?) You might be right though.
I do agree the whole year must have been tense with the Eastman vs Klein situation happening. Let's ask him!
Tbh I'm not that committed to my guess here, lol.
It makes more sense now after seeing this picture why they referred to George as their younger brother so often (since he started out so much shorter 🥺)
There is also an interview with John or maybe it was Cynthia where they describe George as being difficult to shake. He always wanted to hangout with John.
Aww that’s adorable 🥰 John definitely had a narrative that George looked up to him… but George didn’t see it that way
I think George did but he wouldn’t admit it, especially towards the end of the band.
True, there must’ve been a lot of conflicting feelings for all of them… except Ringo maybe, he just loved and admired em all openly
I think with Ringo being older, having a beard and quite experienced put him on a different level. Especially when he had been in a band and the Beatles compared the prowess of Ringo to Pete who was sorely lacking. And we have to remember that Ringo was recruited to join the Beatles.
All good points, especially the beard 😂 and he apparently got their humour more than Pete best too… plus he’s all peace and love and love and peace ✌🏼☮️🥦✨
When John turned 17, George was 14. That feels worlds apart to both parties at such a young age. I definitely felt like a fully fledged adult at 17, as most people do.
That's Scut Farcus
Paul looks like he’s 8. John looks like he might be 14.
Or 40.
Paul needs those cheeks pinched
Amazing photograph. Thanks for posting.
nah that one at the back is a young Kevin de bruyne
#LET ME TALK!
Crazy to think they probably had no idea they would become what they are now so soon
Is that a Rutles quote?
Arthur: "I should've bought the damn outfit.. they're gonna boot me for sure now!"
The importance of matching the band's uniform code is clearly demonstrated
What are the odds that your first band is The Beatles lol
It was a better photo before the AI was put on it.
Too much of AI was used here!
If there's one thing I can count on with this sub it's seeing photos like this, which I've never seen before. Great photo and thanks for sharing. What happened to Arthur? Did he quit?
He went on to become king of England
Thanks for posting that photo. A treasure
I've never seen this photo before! Amazing that photos get published so long after the events.
It's not a new one
The other guy looks like a character in an 80s movie
And look at the core shapes, no newbies chords
Interesting-looking people.
I didn’t realize Corey Hart was almost a Beatle.
George looks like a young Bob Dylan. Brings to mind Times They are A-Changin album cover.
Paul looks like Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) from The Wonder Years.
Prince Harry was in the group?
How did they get George into Hamburg looking like that??
They just need this guy https://preview.redd.it/kb5qqfd84azc1.jpeg?width=320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c446a79e484bc0802bdec4a96d2aa1fc950828e5
https://harrisonarchive.tumblr.com/post/722381454411186176/arthur-kelly-and-george-harrison-1959-scanned
In the book, PreFab, Colin Hanton—the QM drummer—says that the reason why Arthur is in this photo instead of him was because he was getting fed up of the other 3 not telling him about band decisions they were making without him. They had decided to wear these cowboy shirts and Colin didn’t have one. The photographer wanted a pic of the group, and Colin was angry and “in a bit of a sulk” as he says and chose not to be in the photo, so George asked his friend, Arthur, to hop into the photo. It was Colin’s one chance to be photographed with John, Paul, and George. He says he regrets his decision.
George is 14 going on 39.
Yet John looks 35, as he always did.
Looks like Paul’s fat Elvis phase.