- The Observer, Sunday January 20 2008
I'm from Liverpool. I do feel that because my childhood was here. It doesn't matter where I live, and I've lived in a several countries, never mind towns. So, yes. 'Where are you from, lad?'. 'From Liverpool'. There it is. But it is damp, and I had TB.
I left in 1964 so today it's almost unrecognisable. On my recent visit back for the city's launch as the European Capital of Culture, I went to see my old school - Dingle Vale Secondary, which is now Shorefields Technology College. I said to my driver if he dropped me off anywhere there I would never find my way home because so much has changed.
The school was great, it is so modern. It was much smaller when I was there - and they've moved the football field. I believe they're knocking down the street that I was brought up in. They'll build something else. Let's hope it's better.
So, in my soul I'm still from Liverpool. And the atmosphere of the city, that doesn't change. It's an atmosphere that's around Liverpool. It has its own sense of humour, its own way of feeling.
People say 'Oh, you've lost your accent'. My mother always used to say 'Christ, son, you're losing your accent. Do you know where you're from?' Yes, I know where I'm from. I'm from Liverpool 8.
When I was around in the Fifties and Sixties, all the guys who went to sea were bringing music back from America, so we got music earlier. It's in our blood. I started because skiffle came so if you had the instrument, you were in a band. I was in a couple of groups and then first joined Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.
Now you have to be able to play. The joy and blessing is that when I was 13, I wanted to be a drummer in a band, to play with good players, and I achieved that. And I'm still doing it. So the dream goes on.
The Beatles was a lot of fun and we made great music. I was an only child and suddenly I had three brothers. Do I think about it every day? No. You don't wake up and think 'Oh, what about those days?'.
Being the European Capital of Culture will achieve new recognition for Liverpool. I think it is an incredible thing. When I was here, it was known as a port. When I left it was known for the Beatles. And I know it has really grown up. So I think it is great to dispense that message that there's more to Liverpool than the Fab Four.
