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FeaturesYou are in: Liverpool > Capital of Culture > Features > Cunard Yanks  The guitar that George Harrison bought Cunard YanksBy Paul Coslett The pop pioneers who brought music and fashion from New York to Liverpool and paved the way for the Beatles are remembered in a new documentary film. The story of the Liverpool men who imported music and fashions that became the basis of Merseybeat is the subject of a new documentary film. Liverpool’s Cunard Yanks, features five men who worked as merchant seaman sailing from Liverpool to New York and back on the Cunard line. Audio and Video links on this page require Realplayer The merchant seaman would bring back the latest music and fashion from New York and are often credited with returning from the US with the rock and roll music that influenced The Beatles.  The Cunard Yanks today “It’s a hidden history that in a way is hidden no more,†says producer and director Mike Morris. “The Beatles themselves, in their Anthology acknowledged as Ringo Starr said, that Liverpool was all about the sea.†Super-Information HighwayOne of the five men featured in the film, Ivan Haywood, sold a black Gretsch guitar to a young George Harrison which he had bought in New York in 1957.  The men sailed to New York Mike Morris believes that the Cunard Yanks story is highly significant in Liverpool’s musical development, “If you look at the significance of these guys sailing to New York on the liners, it was really like the first super-information highway.†“The music wasn’t available, the clothes were of a completely different style and quality. The real significance lies in the link through to the Mersey Sound and The Beatles. And why Liverpool as a port was different to any other place and the country at that stage. The one hour documentary, Liverpool’s Cunard Yanks, narrated by Paul Gambiccini premiered at the Liverpool Philharmonic on 21 June, 2007. The film was made by Souled Out Films with the support of the Liverpool Culture Company. last updated: 22/06/07 SEE ALSOYou are in: Liverpool > Capital of Culture > Features > Cunard Yanks |
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