Two local bands were on the bill at a Liverpool music hall when they decided to join up on this day in 1961.
The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers, who knew each other and later would share a manager, had a one-off show as the Beatmakers, performing Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going’ On,” “Hit the Road, Jack,” the Ray Charles hit “What’d I Say?” and another pop tune.
George Harrison and Gerry Marsden both played lead guitar and Paul McCartney took the rhythm guitar. John Lennon played piano but later the players swapped instruments, and Lennon grabbed a saxophone.
The supergroup played together just that one night; a little over a year later, Gerry and the Pacemakers would have a big hit with “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’,” but would always be in the Fab Four’s shadow.
TV host Ty Pennington of TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is 52.
Irish actor Art Parkingson of “Game of Thrones” is 15.
English pop singer Lewis Watson is 24.
Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson — “The Girl on the Train,” 2015’s ”Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation” — is 33.
Singer Zac Barnett of American Authors is 30. We hope today is, for him, just like their hit — “The Best Day of My Life.”
Neon Trees drummer Elaine Bradley is 32.
Actress Gillian Jacobs of NBC’s “Community” and Netflix’s “Love” is 34.
Trombonist Brian Roberts of the ska band Suburban Legends is 37.
Writer-director Jason Reitman – “Juno,” “Up in the Air” – is 39. He’s also son of director Ivan Reitman.
Country singer Cyndi Thomson is 40.
Actor Desmond Harrington – “The Astronaut Wives’ Club,” “Dexter” — is 40.
Actor Omar Gooding, seen in “Deadwood” and in the shadow of his actor brother Cuba, is 40.
Actress Joy Bryant of ”Parenthood” is 42.
Singer Pras Michel of hip-hop legends the Fugees is 44.
Comedian and ”Saturday Night Live” alumnus Chris Kattan – also seen in TV’s “The Middle” – is 46.
”South Park” co-creator and ”The Book of Mormon” director Trey Parker is 47.
Actor Roger R. Cross – “X-Men,” ”Chronicles of Riddick” – is 47.
Former first daughter Amy Carter, now an illustrator and activist, is 49.
Producer, director and actor Jon Favreau – “Swingers,” “The Break-up” – is 50. He was behind the camera for ”Iron Man” (1 and 2), ”Chef” and “Elf.”
Singer-guitarist Todd Park Mohr of Big Head Todd and the Monsters is 51.
Singer and X Factor judge Sinitta is 53.
Singer Jennifer Holliday, who won a Tony for “Dreamgirls” is 56.
Singer-keyboardist Karl Wallinger of World Party and formerly the Waterboys is 59.
Singer Patrick Simmons of the Doobie Brothers is 68.
Singer Jeannie C. Riley, shown in 1968 – sing it: “Harper Valley P.T.A.” – is 71.
Singer-songwriter Gloria Jones, who had the 1964 hit “Tainted Love,” and also sang with T-Rex, is 71.
Actor John Lithgow of “Third Rock From the Sun” and “Shrek” is 71.
Actor Michael Gambon – the ”Harry Potter” movies, ”Gosford Park” – is 76.
Thriller writer John le Carre is 85. His titles include “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold” and ”Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”
The late entertainer and actress Divine was born on this day in 1945. The John Waters darling and co-star of “Pink Flamingos” and “Hairspray” died in 1988 at age 42.
