Hunter Davies, the author best known for his official biography of The Beatles, has reflected on his extensive work chronicling the lives and careers of the iconic band. Over several years, Davies amassed a substantial collection of documents, notebooks, photographs, and memorabilia related to The Beatles, including rare handwritten lyrics and personal artifacts.
Davies began his research during the height of The Beatles’ fame, conducting interviews and gathering material that ultimately filled 39 notebooks. His documentation extended even to tracking down lesser-known figures connected to the band, such as Ringo Starr’s biological father and a woman who babysat Starr during his childhood. However, Davies emphasized that his original focus was less on their early lives and more on their careers as The Beatles, including their touring and recording activities.
Among his most valuable holdings were handwritten drafts of Beatles songs, some collected directly from the floor of Abbey Road Studios during recording sessions. In 2013, Davies donated several of these lyric sheets, including working versions of “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “She Said She Said,” and “In My Life,” to the British Library in exchange for tax relief. These items are now preserved alongside historic manuscripts in the library’s Manuscript Room. In September 2022, Davies added another 14 boxes of materials to his Beatles collection, selling them to the British Library for £30,000 with the stipulation that they remain available to future researchers. Additional items are on permanent loan, destined for the nation upon his death.
Despite receiving offers of up to £1 million from private collectors for a handwritten lyric sheet of “Yesterday”—given to him by Paul McCartney—Davies insists he has no regrets about keeping the collection intact and accessible to the public. He said that profiting from the artifacts would have damaged his relationship with the band members, which he valued deeply.
Davies still maintains some personal Beatles memorabilia, including a pair of Paul McCartney’s swimming trunks from a 1968 holiday in Portugal. He recounted hosting McCartney and his then-fiancée Linda during their visit and shared a lighthearted anecdote about joking with McCartney’s daughter Mary about her conception.
His extensive notes have recently been catalogued and served as the foundation for his latest book, which features anecdotes such as the selection process for the famous Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. Davies recalled asking why no footballers were included and noted John Lennon’s eventual choice to incorporate Albert Stubbins, a Liverpool player from Lennon’s youth.
Davies acknowledges that John Lennon once criticized his book as a “whitewash” due to its omission of certain adult themes. Nevertheless, they reconciled, and Davies confirmed that the band’s early years involved a typical youthful lifestyle with groupies, managed carefully by their manager Brian Epstein to avoid potential complications.
Though Davies has lost contact with Ringo Starr, who now resides primarily in the United States, he maintains a friendship with McCartney. He last saw McCartney two years ago and noted that the musician continues to live part-time in London. Davies recounted attending one of McCartney’s recent performances at the O2 arena, praising the singer’s stamina and stage presence.
Currently engaged in several writing projects and recently separated from a long-term partner, Davies plans to take a holiday in the West Indies early next year. Reflecting on his career, he credited his persistence for gaining access to exclusive environments, such as a year spent in the dressing room of Tottenham Hotspur football club. When asked whether modern stars have similar close relationships with journalists, Davies offered a cautious response, suggesting that such intimacy is rare today.
Davies’s latest book, “Get Back: The Boys Who Became The Beatles,” is available now.