Goodbye to Len Garry of the Quarrymen, the pre-Beatles

Len Garry has died at the age of 84. Garry, who played alongside John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the band that would later evolve into the Beatles, had been hospitalized for a lung infection but did not overcome the illness.

His daughter Jane Garry confirmed the musician’s death in a statement: “My father Len Garry passed away at home in the early hours of this morning.”

Len attended Liverpool Institute High School for Boys and was introduced to Paul McCartney by schoolmate Ivan Vaughan. He joined the Quarrymen shortly after their formation and was part of the group’s first stable lineup.

He performed with the band at their very first concert at the Cavern Club. He was one of only two members of the group who had not attended Quarry Bank High School.

The Quarrymen, through several lineup and name changes, transformed into the Beatles in 1960.

Paying tribute on X, Paul’s brother Mike McCartney wrote: “Very sad to hear that Len Garry has passed away. He had a great and subtle sense of humor that John adored. Len, say hello to Mum and Dad, George and John.’

The “classic” lineup of the Quarrymen before Paul McCartney’s entry included Eric Griffiths, Colin Hanton, Rod Davis, Lennon, Pete Shotton, Len Garry; the survivors today are Colin Hanton and Rod Davis, and Bill Smith and Nigel Whalley are also still alive, who also passed through the group before it stabilized in the formation listed above.