The Beatles for English language learners

When John met Paul

Before You Watch

You are going to read about the first meeting between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Then you will hear more information about this meeting in a slideshow

What do you know about John and Paul?

Write down
a) three things you know about John.
b) three things you know about Paul

What would you like to know about their first meeting? Write down two questions?

Now read the text below. Does it contain the answer to your questions?

Reading



 Now watch/listen to the slideshow below. What does it tell you about the relationship between John and Paul?

Slideshow

Watch this slideshow about the first meeting between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.



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.

Vocabulary




Here are some of the more difficult words in the article:

suburb - area on the edge of a city. In the UK/Canada/USA/Australia suburbs are associated with the middle classes.
fete - a party usually held in the grounds of a church for local people.
tune (v) - to tune an instrument is to prepare it for playing. Guitarists need to tune their instruments before every performance.

Speaking

Paul McCartney went to the Woolton Garden Fete with a friend called Ivan. Ivan also knew John Lennon and introduced Paul to the young singer.

Role play the first meeting in groups of three. Remember that John is sixteen and Paul is fifteen. They go to different schools but may know some people in common.

Mostly they like to talk about music. They both like American rock and roll like Little Richard, Elvis and Doo-Wop groups like the Del Vikings 2337389733_987018c5f4