GH leaves school: I Me Mine I Me Mine (Harrison). (Harrison).

The Casbah: author's visit and Beatle! Beatle! (Best [also Best background]). (Best [also Best background]).

PM meets Dot Rhone: Rhone to the Daily Mail Daily Mail (11 Oct. 1997). (11 Oct. 1997).

Stuart Sutcliffe: The Stuart Sutcliffe Retrospective The Stuart Sutcliffe Retrospective (University of Liverpool, 2009); author's discussion with Pauline Sutcliffe and her book (University of Liverpool, 2009); author's discussion with Pauline Sutcliffe and her book The Beatles' Shadow The Beatles' Shadow.

Paul's 1959 art prize: Liverpool Record Office; and PM's comments in Paul McCartney: Paintings Paul McCartney: Paintings.

Trip to Caversham: author's interview with Mike Robbins (quotes).

Allan Williams: author's interview (quotes). Also interview with Howie Casey. Background reading: The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away (Williams). (Williams).

Band name: author's interviews including Royston Ellis and Bill Harry (both quoted). Thanks also to Ellis for his unpublished memoirs (used with permission), and to Spencer Leigh. PM attributes the final spelling of Beatles to JL in the Anthology Anthology (book) and elsewhere. (book) and elsewhere.

JL on the origins of the Beatles name: Being a Short Diversion of the Dubious Origins of Beatles Being a Short Diversion of the Dubious Origins of Beatles (Lennon), published in (Lennon), published in Mersey Beat Mersey Beat (6 -20 July 1961). (6 -20 July 1961).

Johnny Gentle tour: author's interview with Gentle (quoted).

Tommy Moore's girlfriend - 'You can p.i.s.s off!' - The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

PM on Janice the Stripper: Mersey Beat Mersey Beat (6 Sept. 1962). (6 Sept. 1962).

Bruno Koschmider meeting: author's interview with Williams, who says Koschmider was crippled in a fall. Klaus Voormann writes in his book Hamburg Days Hamburg Days that Koschmider's leg was shot off. Thanks also to Howie Casey and Horst Fascher. that Koschmider's leg was shot off. Thanks also to Howie Casey and Horst Fascher.

PM's exams: Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now (Miles) and (Miles) and Shout! Shout! (Norman). (Norman).

Leaving Liverpool: author's interviews. Also John John (Lennon); (Lennon); McCartney McCartney (Flippo) and (Flippo) and Shout! Shout! (Norman). (Norman).

3: HAMBURG.

Hamburg: author's visit and local interviews.

Details of 1943 RAF bombing are from Churchill: A Life Churchill: A Life by Martin Gilbert (London: Pimlico, 2000). by Martin Gilbert (London: Pimlico, 2000).

PM - 'but with strip clubs' - Mersey Beat Mersey Beat (20 Sept. 1962). (20 Sept. 1962).

Horst Fascher meets the Beatles: author's interviews (quoted).

The Indra: author's local enquiries and interviews with Howie Casey, Horst Fascher, Ruth Lallemann (later Reeves) and Rosi Haitmann (later Sheridan), both of whom are quoted. Background reading includes The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

Details of Bambi Kino accommodation: Hamburg Days Hamburg Days (Kirchherr). (Kirchherr).

Meeting the Exis: author's interviews with Astrid Kirchherr and Jurgen Vollmer (both quoted from the author's interviews, except where indicated). Background reading: The Beatles in Hamburg The Beatles in Hamburg (Vollmer) and (Vollmer) and Hamburg Days Hamburg Days (Kirchherr and Voormann). (Kirchherr and Voormann).

Kirchherr - 'I thought it was like ...' - her book Hamburg Days Hamburg Days.

Dialogue about Paul's hair: The Beatles in Hamburg The Beatles in Hamburg (Vollmer). (Vollmer).

Ruth Lallemann and Rosi Sheridan quoted from author's interviews.

PM - 'We were kids let off the leash ...' - the Anthology Anthology (doc.u.mentary). (doc.u.mentary).

GH is quoted on losing his virginity from the Anthology Anthology (book), and Pete Best from his memoir, (book), and Pete Best from his memoir, Beatle! Beatle!

Erika Wohlers quoted from author's correspondence.

Tony Sheridan quoted from author's interview.

The fire: Paul's interviews (various) and his contemporaneous letter reproduced in the Anthology Anthology (book). (book).

Returning home: Thank U Very Much Thank U Very Much (McCartney) in which is reproduced a letter from Ma.s.sey & Coggins showing PM was paid to 8 March 1961. Other little jobs: author's interviews; Miles refers to the post office job in his book (McCartney) in which is reproduced a letter from Ma.s.sey & Coggins showing PM was paid to 8 March 1961. Other little jobs: author's interviews; Miles refers to the post office job in his book In the Sixties In the Sixties.

Allan Williams quoted from author's interview.

The Cavern: author's interviews with Tony Bramwell, Frieda Kelly and Ray O'Brien (all quoted). Also w.i.l.l.y Russell. Background reading: The Cavern The Cavern (Leigh). (Leigh).

Williams's regrets: The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away The Man Who Gave the Beatles Away (Williams). (Williams).

PM breaks guitar: a 1964 interview with Beat Instrumental Beat Instrumental, reprinted in The Beatles Book The Beatles Book (Feb. 2001). (Feb. 2001).

PM's altercation with Stu: dialogue from The Beatles' Shadow The Beatles' Shadow (Sutcliffe). Ruth Reeves and Tony Sheridan quoted from author's interviews. (Sutcliffe). Ruth Reeves and Tony Sheridan quoted from author's interviews.

GH on fighting Stu: Fifty Years Adrift Fifty Years Adrift (Taylor). (Taylor).

'My Bonnie' makes number 32 in Germany: Hit Bilanz Hit Bilanz (Hamburg: Taurus Press, 1990). (Hamburg: Taurus Press, 1990).

Gerry Marsden quoted from author's interview.

The trip to Paris: author's interview with Jurgen Vollmer.

Brian Epstein (BE): background: author's interviews with E. Rex Makin (quoted) and others. Background: Brian Epstein Brian Epstein (Coleman), including Queenie Epstein quote. (Coleman), including Queenie Epstein quote.

BE - 'I was one of those ...' - A Cellarful of Noise A Cellarful of Noise (Epstein), and BE's exchanges with GH and PM. (Epstein), and BE's exchanges with GH and PM.

Allan Williams and E. Rex Makin quoted from author's interviews.

PM's comment - 'I hope ...' - Brian Epstein Brian Epstein (Coleman). (Coleman).

4: LONDON.

The contract: the agreement, eventually signed by BE and dated 1 Oct. 1962, was reproduced in the press prior to auction in 2008.

'Greatest recording organisation ...': EMI publicity material reproduced in The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

EMI history: www.emi.com; also The Incredible Music Machine The Incredible Music Machine (Lowe); and the Royal Warrant Holders' a.s.sociation. (Lowe); and the Royal Warrant Holders' a.s.sociation.

Tony Barrow link and all Barrow quotes: author's interview.

Aldershot gig: Sam Leach to author; also his book The Rocking City. The Rocking City.

Decca audition: Barrow interview; The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn) and the (Lewisohn) and the Anthology Anthology (CD Vol. 1 liner notes). (CD Vol. 1 liner notes).

BE quoted from his memoir A Cellarful of Noise A Cellarful of Noise and and The Beatles Book The Beatles Book (May 1992). Mother sighed: (May 1992). Mother sighed: I Should Have Known Better I Should Have Known Better (Ellis). (Ellis).

George Martin (GM) personality and background: author's meeting with; his memoir All You Need is Ears All You Need is Ears and interview with and interview with Melody Maker Melody Maker (21 Aug. 1962). GM quoted from last two. (21 Aug. 1962). GM quoted from last two.

Stuart Sutcliffe's demise: author's interviews with Astrid Kirchherr (quoted) and Pauline Sutcliffe, who is quoted from The Beatles' Shadow The Beatles' Shadow; also the Stuart Sutcliffe Retrospective Stuart Sutcliffe Retrospective (University of Liverpool, 2009) and (University of Liverpool, 2009) and Hamburg Days Hamburg Days (Kirchherr). (Kirchherr).

PM - 'My mother died when I was 14 ...' - Shout! - Shout! (Norman). (Norman).

Astrid Kirchherr quoted from author's interview.

At the Star-Club: author's background reading and interviews with, among others, Horst Fascher and Kingsize Taylor (quoted).

GM offers a contract: The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

Meeting GM: All You Need is Ears All You Need is Ears (Martin [quoted]). (Martin [quoted]).

The slow version of 'Love Me Do' can be heard on the Anthology Anthology (CD Vol. 1). (CD Vol. 1).

GM's comment on Pete Best - 'almost sullen' - in interview for the DVD release of A Hard Day's Night A Hard Day's Night (Special Features). (Special Features).

PM's comment on GM taking them aside: the Anthology Anthology (book). (book).

Bob Wooler on Best: Mersey Beat Mersey Beat (31 Aug. 1961). (31 Aug. 1961).

Fan club: author's interview with Frieda Kelly.

Trip to Manchester: Bobbie Brown's letter reproduced in The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

Bill Harry quoted from author's interview.

Dot Rhone is quoted from the Daily Mail Daily Mail (11 Oct. 1997) and (11 Oct. 1997) and The Beatles The Beatles (Spitz). (Spitz).

Paul had VD: author's interviews with Peter Brown, Horst Fascher and E. Rex Makin (quoted).

Dialogue between BE and Pete Best: Beatle! Beatle! (Best). (Best).

PM's call and comment about saving money: Shout! Shout! (Norman). (Norman).

Neil Aspinall's affair with Mona Best/birth of Roag: thanks to Roag Best (quoted). Suicide attempt: Beatle! Beatle! (Best). (Best).

Ringo Starr (RS) background: author's interviews; the Anthology Anthology (book); (book); The Encyclopaedia of Beatles People The Encyclopaedia of Beatles People (Harry) and (Harry) and Ringo Starr: Straight Man or Joke? Ringo Starr: Straight Man or Joke? (Clayton ['it was like joining ...']). (Clayton ['it was like joining ...']).

RS - 'I can read, but ...' - the Anthology Anthology (book). (book).

Mick Jagger quote: induction speech at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame 1988.

Tony Barrow quoted from author's interview.

GM and Richards quote: The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

Recording 'Love Me Do': author's interview with Andy White (quoted).

Rhone on 'PS I Love You': Daily Mail Daily Mail (11 Oct. 1997). (11 Oct. 1997).

PM's Lifeline: thanks to Frieda Kelly (quoted).

Iris Caldwell on PM and recalled dialogue: quoted from author's interview.

First car: PM to the Daily Mail Daily Mail (24 Nov. 1984). (24 Nov. 1984).

All Frank Ifield quotes to author. Background: I Remember Me I Remember Me (Ifield). NB: Ifield doesn't remember the Liverpool Empire story the same way as Iris, but notes, laughing, that 'they might have had a guilty conscience'. (Ifield). NB: Ifield doesn't remember the Liverpool Empire story the same way as Iris, but notes, laughing, that 'they might have had a guilty conscience'.

Gerry Marsden quote to author.

GM - 'You've Just made ...' - The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

Ruth Lallemann quoted from author's interview.

Mal Evans background: the Anthology Anthology (doc.u.mentary). (doc.u.mentary).

Broken windscreen: The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

Beatle sandwich: the Anthology Anthology (book). (book).

Break-up with Iris: quoted from author's interview.

5: THE MANIA.

Recording the first alb.u.m: All You Need is Ears All You Need is Ears (Martin) and (Martin) and The Complete Beatles Chronicle The Complete Beatles Chronicle (Lewisohn). (Lewisohn).

d.i.c.k James deal: sources include Ray Coleman's books Brian Epstein Brian Epstein and and McCartney Yesterday & Today McCartney Yesterday & Today; also Shout! Shout! (Norman) and the (Norman) and the Guardian Guardian (13 Feb. 1965). (13 Feb. 1965).

PM on the James deal: Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now (Miles). (Miles).

PM on the moment he knew he'd made it: interviewed by David Frost (26 May 1986), reported in Club Sandwich Club Sandwich # 41.1 # 41.1 PM meets Jane Asher: Radio Times Radio Times (2 May 1963) and her 9 Oct. 1965 (2 May 1963) and her 9 Oct. 1965 TV Times TV Times interview. interview.

JL quote from Mr Confidential Mr Confidential (Hutchins). PM told Hunter Davies for (Hutchins). PM told Hunter Davies for The Beatles The Beatles that he had thought Jane a 'rave London bird'. Thanks also to Alvin Stardust. that he had thought Jane a 'rave London bird'. Thanks also to Alvin Stardust.

The Ashers at Wimpole Street: author's interviews with Tony Barrow (quoted), Barry Miles and Lord St Germans. Background reading: articles about Asher in the TV Times TV Times (9 and 30 Oct. 1965); (9 and 30 Oct. 1965); Who's Who Who's Who and and Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now.

Background on Dr Asher: author's interview with Miles and the Sunday Express Sunday Express (19 April 1964), reporting his disappearance. (19 April 1964), reporting his disappearance.

Dr Asher's suicide: death certificate (in which the cause of death is given as 'Killed himself') Wimpole street literary a.s.sociations: Flush Flush (Woolf); (Woolf); A Reader's Guide to Writer's London A Reader's Guide to Writer's London (Cunningham) and Lord St Germans. (Cunningham) and Lord St Germans.

Speeding conviction: Liverpool Echo Liverpool Echo, 26 Aug, 1963, with thanks to Peter Hodgson and Kevin Roach at Liverpool Record Office.