Hamburg and the Sea, the Block is Over, Beatles and Norman

Every once and a while I block about a place, strangely it is usually a place I loved and found so very interesting, happening Hamburg is such a place. After a trip to Düsseldorf I arranged to rail hop over and was blown away by the city and its eclectic grasp. So working and busy with exceptional beauty, all anchored with a live and let live attitude.

While recouping on a snowy and icy night I picked up a book that I have had for a bit, John Lennon, The Life by Philip Norman. It was an amazing read especially the Hamburg days. Memories of the Reepersbahn even though just a few months ago were vivid. I happened upon the Indra Club, where first gig was, really.

I laughed when I read about the popping of Preludin (phenmetrazine) an over the counter weight loss tablet tablets, it causes the eyes to pop like ping-pong balls. I took the picture of the working girl just a block away. Had I been to Hamburg in those early days I might have popped a Preludin and picked Lennon up off of the floor, George was only seventeen and Europe picking up the pieces. The writing block is now gone.

Reeperbahn and the Beatles

Thanks to a website I found done by a Beatles fan I cruised the Reeperbahn before boarding my train this morning. I went past several of the sites listed in the quiet of morning; I could almost feel the vibes. I stood in front of the Top Ten Club where the boys played and actually lived in the attic for a bit. It was from there that George was deported. It occurred to me that it would only have been a city like Hamburg that would have given the Silver Beatles a break. Everyone gets a break in Hamburg! http://webs.wichita.edu/mschneegurt/hamburg/hamburg.html

Beatles and the First Gig in Hamburg

I was on my way to visit with Kathrin Beulshausen who works for the high design hotel East in the St Pauli section of Hamburg when I ran into some Beatles info. There was a small little ramshackle place called Indra with a sign stating the Beatles played there on Aug. 17 1960 and that was their first engagement and started their career. A tour bus was parked outside and the blinds drawn tight, perhaps some new super stars in the making?

Leaving Dusseldorf and Rolling to Hamburg

I am up early and writing this as the sun also rises. I am leaving Dusseldorf today, a city that has been really great to explore. From centuries past to the modern skyline of today, Dusseldorf really has a lot to offer and I am actually looking forward to my return in a few days.

I will hit the rails today and head to Hamburg, from all accounts another thriving city with plenty to do. It was in Hamburg at the Star Club where the Beatles cut their teeth playing clubs. Rolling on!