Abbey Road Film Festival - 29th March 2005

"A Hard Days Night"

On March 29th 2005, I travelled to London to the Abbey Road Film Festival. This is a once in a lifetime experience to see inside the legendary studios as they're not usually open to the public, but for me it was a twice in a lifetime experience! - This time without Boy George! (For those of you who don't know, I visited Abbey Road before. Click here to read why)

During the festival, the studios are showing various films that were scored there - Including, 'A Hard Day's Night'. We boarded the coach from Coventry at 8:15am on a crisp and foggy morning. To get me into the spirit of things, I listened to The Beatles and other 60's bands on my MP3 player whilst en-route to Golders Green Station. We pulled up just after 10am and had an hour to make our way to the studios, which were about 3 miles away. As it wasn't raining, we decided to walk the lengthy Finchley Road, which would lead us to St. John's Wood. Before, when I have visited the studios, I travelled by car, so seeing the surrounding area by foot was interesting too! It was now nearly 11am, the time when the studio doors open, so we decided to get a black taxi for the last part of the journey....Which ended up only being five minutes away! I knew we weren't far from the studios, but didn't realise exactly how far! Outside the studios were huge banners and posters advertising the festival. Unfortunately, the main entrance was blocked off and we had to enter the building through a covered walkway and side-door. BUT, before I went inside, I had to do something very important.... Sign the wall outside! Before, I was too chicken to sign - even though everyone was doing it - But today I wasn't going to miss my chance! I was armed with a black marker pen and scrawled a message on the white wall and also on the grey part below the railings. It was hard to find a space free! Once the job was done, we decided to venture into the studios. After buying a souvenir programme from the lady at the door we found ourselves in a corridor that led to Studios 1 and 2 and the canteen! On the walls were beautiful black and white photographs of starts at Abbey Road including, Morecambe and Wise, Rolf Harris, Adam Faith and Cliff Richard. There was still over half an hour until we had to be seated for the film, so we had plenty of time to view the exhibition in Studio 2.

It's hard to find the words to describe Studio 2. There is most definitely a sense of magic in the air. Around the room were more photographs of the many people who have recorded there. On the left, as you walked in, was a merchandise stand and on the right hand-side of the room, next to the famous control room staircase was a roped off section - Inside which was a screen showing a documentary (narrated by Paul Jones) on the history of the studios and a collection of items I was completely mesmerised by. In front of me was the piano used on 'A Day In The Life', the piano used on 'Lady Madonna' and the Hammond Organ, as used by Billy Preston on 'The Long And Winding Road'. I just stared at them, taking in every detail. The 'ADITL' piano was a light wood piano and the 'LM' piano was much darker. I noticed that the keys were rather worn. In my original sheet music, 'Lady Madonna' was in the key of 'A', so I was trying to imagine (no pun intended!) The Beatles playing it on that very piano! And yes.... I would have loved to play them! Also on view were a microphone and a pair of headphones. As you look around the room and think back to everyone who has recorded in it.... The Beatles, Cliff Richard, Glenn Miller, Peter Sellers, Hannah Tobin, The Hollies.... The amount of musical history is amazing! I kept thinking about the interviews on the Beatles Anthology DVD where they're in Studio 2 and talking about their memories of the place.... But I couldn't help, but remember my own experience too! As soon as I walked through the doors, the smell, the atmosphere all came back to me! - I could hear our recording of 'Karma Chameleon' in my head! It really is a magical and exciting place. I would have been happy to have just stayed in there all day....

But, it was time to move on. So, after a final look around the room, we headed to the canteen for a quick drink and a snack before the film. Well, I say canteen.... It's a very posh/smart canteen! Playing in the background was a collection of Abbey Road songs - Including, 'Move It' by Cliff and 'I Like It' by Gerry and The Pacemakers. There was also another monitor on the wall with a slide show of photographs.

It was nearly 12-noon - Time to take our seats in Studio 1. As expected, it was a huge room, but there wasn't a lot to indicate it was a recording studio. Black curtains had been hung around the room and in the centre was a raised-seating platform. In front of which was an enormous cinema screen. Our seats were fantastic - In fact, I'd say that they were the best in the house! We were right at the back, central and by an isle, so we had lots of space and had a great view. While we waited for the film to begin, I took this moment to soak up the reality of now being in Studio 1 - Where The Beatles broadcast, 'All You Need Is Love' around the world.... Where Cilla Black recorded, 'Alfie'...."I think we had it in take three....".... Suddenly, I was awoken from my daydreaming by the sound of the film starting. Before 'the main feature', we were shown another short documentary about the studios - Similar to the one shown in Studio 2 - But, this time it was narrated by Stuart Marconie! It wasn't long before the sight of The Beatles running towards us - And George Harrison falling over! - Accompanied by the familiar sound of the opening chord to, 'A Hard Day's Night' was before us. I have watched the film many, many times before, but this time it was very different. I had seen it at the cinema, but today it was at a cinema in Abbey Road Studios - Where it all began! The sound was so clear - as was the picture - and you felt like you were part of the film! After each song, you had to try and stop yourself from clapping! - That was until the end, when everyone clapped as the credits finished rolling. I don't think I stopped smiling from start to finish - Just being there, watching that film was absolutely fantastic!

After everyone had shuffled out of the room to more background music, including Radiohead and Gerry and The Pacemakers, we all made our way out of the studios and back into the car park. Time for more photos! Sadly, photography was not allowed inside, but outside it was fine. I noticed another queue forming by the door - It was another group of people waiting to see a different film. For me, the only film to see there had to be 'A Hard Day's Night'! On the opposite side of the road, I could see Richard Porter conducting his famous 'London Beatles Walks'. As I was standing outside the gates I noticed a huge camera looking down onto the street.... I suddenly remembered.... The Abbey Road Webcam! So, I dug out my mobile phone and called Dad at work. Told him to go straight to the Abbey Road Website and the webcam page. Sure enough, he saw us straight away! And here's the proof....

Can you see me?!

Webcam image: www.abbeyroad.co.uk

As you can see, it was very busy! After taking photos of the wall and the studios, there was one photo that had to be re-taken.... Walking across the zebra crossing! I had done it before, but it was several years ago, so I wanted an up-to-date version! It wasn't just me, everyone was doing it! I tried to walk as fast as I could, so as not to hold up the traffic, but some people were doing the proper pose with four of them in a line or standing still in the middle of the road, so that the photo could be taken. The cars were getting a little bit impatient at times like this, which is understandable. After one last photograph by the Abbey Road street sign, we decided to find our way back to Golders Green. Just a few streets away (See, we didn't really need a taxi!), on the Finchley Road, was the St. John's Wood Tube Station - Next to which, was the small Abbey Road Cafe. As well as serving drinks, it had a collection of Beatles items on sale. I bought a couple of postcards and bookmarks. Once we'd had our hot chocolate break - It was now quite cold! - It was time to hop on an old-style, red London double-decker bus to take us back down the Finchley Road.

There was just under and hour until we had to catch the coach home, so we had time to look around Golders Green and have a bite to eat in a place called, KFC! While we were walking down one of the main shopping streets, I recognised a face coming towards us.... It was Henry "Going For Gold" Kelly! As we passed each other, I didn't know whether to say "hello" or not! I sort of smiled, but carried on walking. He seemed in a bit of a hurry. I think he went into a newsagent for something. Anyway, it was soon time to leave London and head for home. It had been a fab day and after initially wondering whether to go or not.... I am so glad I went! My first visit will always be special and I doubt it could ever be topped, but visiting the Film Festival was memorable in it's own way. I don't think watching the film will be quite the same again - at home on an old VHS tape! So, that's it.... My daytrip to London!

Click here to view some of my photos from the day (Link will open in a new browser window)