George John and Paul, 1957, working as wedding singers

[Nittersing]

They were 14,16 and 15

[flying_wahini]

1. Can you imagine being able to say that "they played at my wedding"?

[ZonkerHarris]

9. that would be wild

[zanana1]

2. Look at those baby faces.

It's cute.

[ShazzieB]

14. Especially Paul and George.

To be fair, John was older than the other two,

[Bayard]

3. Thanks for posting

[Boomerproud]

4. Paul's brother Mike took that picture.

It was at their Auntie Gin's house at the wedding of their cousin Ian.

[70sEraVet]

5. So, their first gig as wedding singers was for Paul's Aunt?

I wonder how many people at that wedding doubted that the boys could earn a living playing music?

[malthaussen]

27. No, they had other gigs, but photographic evidence is rare.

This was during their Japage 3 period. Gigs were few and far between because they had no drummer (or any rhythm section at all: all three played guitar).

This is not actually a "gig," it's a family wedding where the three played as their part of the festivities.

-- Mal

[moreland01]

29. Video?!?

I'd LOVE to hear them play at this wedding.

[malthaussen]

30. There is no video. The pictures were taken by Paul's brother Mike. n/t

[msongs]

10. let 'em in nt

[Yavin4]

23. Great catch. Lyrics

Someone's knockin' at the door
Somebody's ringin' the bell
Someone's knockin' at the door
Somebody's ringin' the bell

Do me a favor
Open the door and let 'em in, yeah, let 'em in
Sister Suzie, brother John
Martin Luther, Phil and Don
Brother Michael, auntie Gin
Open the door and let 'em in, yeah

[Pluvious]

6. Sadly...

It's unlikely anyone saved the play list

[Marcuse]

7. They'll never make it.

[ShazzieB]

13. Yeah, if they want to get anywhere, they need to do something about that hair!

[Hamlette]

8. amazing photo

[Wild blueberry]

11. Thank you!

[planetc]

12. John's aunt Mimi is famous for saying ...

"The guitar is fine as a hobby, but you'll never make a living at it." Also, in the picture, Paul's tie has been loosened and the top button of his shirt is undone. He has apparently disliked wearing ties all his life. He rarely wears one unless it's really necessary.

[cstanleytech]

18. I can't blame him over ties as I hate them as well as any shirt that are tight around my neck.

[Archae]

22. I destroyed all my ties...

Haven't worn one in decades.

[nuxvomica]

15. Look at the haircuts!

They probably couldn't imagine then how much they would change everyone's hair style.

[edbermac]

16. John, Paul, George and Dennis

'George had only just turned 15 and this may well have been his first performance with the group.' - Mike McCartney
Cousin Ian's wedding reception, Liverpool, 8th March 1958. The second earliest colour photograph of John, Paul and George together as the Quarrymen with family friend, Dennis Littler.

[liberalla]

17. George is just the cutest fella!

[Warpy]

19. Paying their dues for years

before becoming overnight successes.

Now we know where those harmonies came from.

[DoBotherMe]

20. George!

🥰🥰🥰🥰😍

[orleans]

21. more photos at this link -- including b&w of paul & john writing i saw her standing there

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/01/revealed-beatles-first-ever-colour-photograph-taken-paul-mccartneys/

no paywall:
https://archive.is/mcRaI/again?url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/01/revealed-beatles-first-ever-colour-photograph-taken-paul-mccartneys/

and this piece in new yorker was pretty interesting
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/10/25/paul-mccartney-writing-eleanor-rigby-beatles

[Hekate]

24. Awwwww. So young. ❤️

[Beatlelvr]

25. I bought a copy of this pic at Beatlefest

In Los Angeles about 20 years ago, but never knew the story behind it. Also bought a bumper sticker saying "Still pissed at Yoko." The event used to be held at the Bonaventure Hotel on Thanksgiving weekend.
These guys helped me get through adolesence for sure.
Thanks for posting!

[malthaussen]

26. And bombed to the gills.

Note also the huge pimple on George's face under his lip. He's what, 15 in this pic? 14 even?

-- Mal

[GiqueCee]

28. The Fab Four...

... made a lasting mark on my life, and I'll always love them.
The first piece I ever sold as an artist was a cartoon about the Beatles that appeared in The Saturday Evening Post when the cover story was about them appearing on the Ed Sullivan show. Would have been February of '64. I got $75 for it! I was a junior in high school, and was famous for about a week. Then I went back to being the kid who drew pictures in the back of algebra class.
I saw them live at Suffolk Downs in the summer of '66. My soon-to-be wife and I, with two friends crammed into my Triumph Spitfire. Couldn't hear a word they sang for all the screaming of heartsick girls.
Good times.

[Martin68]

31. Love these cute red-cheeked lads!

[Vinca]

32. Several years ago I met an older man who was selling stuff from his house at a

yard sale. I noticed his British accent and asked where he was from since my roots are in Great Britain. He said Liverpool and we got in a longer discussion since that's where my grandfather was from. In any case, somehow we got around to the Beatles and he told me he had been asked to go to their first live performance as a band which took place at a local venue. It turned out he had something better to do that night. He's regretted it ever since. Can you imagine??