ROAG BEST – Beatles Magazine

A PAINTING OF THE BEATLES BY A WELSH ARTIST ONE OF JOHN LENNON’S FRIENDS IS UNVEILED BY JULIA BAIRD AND ROAG BEST

A painting of the Beatles by artist Jonathan Hague is unveiled at the Beatles Museum in Liverpool by Julia Baird, the half sister of John Lennon, and Roag Best, the half brother of former Beatles drummer Pete Best.

A Beatles portrait created by a Welsh artist, and one of John Lennon’s best friends in art college, has gone on display.

The figurative painting of the Fab Four in their Sgt Pepper uniforms was created by Jonathan Hague in 1984 and is similar to another of his works which was bought by Lennon in 1967, but has never been seen since.

The painting was unveiled by Lennon’s sister Julia Baird at the Liverpool Beatles Museum on the city’s Mathew Street on Thursday.

Ms Baird said her brother and Hague, who were known as “the two Johns” at the Liverpool College of Art, had maintained their friendship after the Beatles found success.
Lennon even bought a house for his college friend, who went on to become an art lecturer.

She said: “Some of Jonathan Hague’s paintings were Beatles-inspired and John did sponsor him.

“John and Paul (McCartney) together sponsored his exhibition in 1967 at the Royal Academy of Arts and John bought the original, if you like, the sister painting to this, and nobody knows where that is.
“It might turn up now.”
She said Lennon was a fan of the figurative art style and was believed to have paid £50,000 for the original work.

Hague, born in Llandudno, North Wales, painted the second piece for himself after John Lennon was fatally shot in New York in 1980.
Museum owner Roag Best, brother of the original Beatles drummer Pete Best, said the work had been donated by the family of Hague, who died in 2015.

He said: “Jonathan Hague was a country boy so when he came to Liverpool, John Lennon took a soft spot to him and showed him how to become streetwise, showed him how to dress, showed him how he should do his hair.

“It became a bond that continued right through their lives.”

The painting joins hundreds of exhibits of Beatles memorabilia in the five-storey museum, which opened in 2018.

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LIVERPOOL IS GETTING A NEW FIVE-FLOOR BEATLES MUSEUM ON MATHEW STREET

By Beatles Magazine Friday, June 29, 2018 In ROAG BEST 0 ROAG BEST, THE BEATLES 12

A new Beatles museum packed with memorabilia is opening in a former Victorian warehouse in Liverpool this summer.
Created by Roag Best, brother of ‘fifth Beatle’ Pete, it will tell the story of band’s history through 300 items from his personal collection.’It’s going to blow people’s minds’ he said.
Magical History Museum will take up five floors of the building – at number 23 Mathew Street, next to the Grapes pub – which has been completely gutted and refurbished.
Roag said: “It’s going to blow people’s minds.
“We will be taking people on a journey though the Beatles’ career but unlike any other museum before it, every part of the journey will be accompanied with memorabilia. Many things they will never have seen before, others they will have seen back in the day but not for many years.”
Objects include George Harrison’s Futurama guitar, John Lennon’s Sergeant Pepper medals, the cello from I Am The Walrus and Pete Best’s Premier drum kit.
Roag has around 1,200 items of Beatles memorabilia in his personal collection, which he keeps in storage units.
As well as buying them himself, he was given many objects by his, and Pete’s mother – and by his father, Beatles roadie and later head of Apple Corps Neil Aspinall.
He said: “I’ve been collecting forever and I’ve always made a point of finding rare items.
“Despite being over five floors, the museum will fit 300 items at any one time so the collection will be on rotation.
“Every January we will change 25% of it. There will always be something new to come back and see.”
Magical History Museum, 23 Mathew Street, will open on Friday, July 20.
Tickets will be priced £15 for adults, £7.50 for children, under-fives go free.

source:liverpoolecho

PETE BEST PERFORM AT QUEEN BEE´S ON MARCH 30

By Beatles Magazine Tuesday, March 13, 2018 In PETE BEST, ROAG BEST 0 PETE BEST, ROAG BEST 18

On March 30-31, he and his brother Roag will be performing, answering questions and signing autographs at Queen Bee’s (3925 Ohio Street) for the San Diego Beatles Fair.
Pete said: “I have my style and Ringo has his. My style was christened the ‘Atom Beat.’ I can’t remember Ringo’s style getting a name. Maybe it did and I don’t know,” he said. “1. John 2. Paul 3. George 4. Stuart [Sutcliffe, original Beatles bassist] 5. Pete. Yes, that’s what I was and part of who I am. I enjoy being me,” he added.

At the Beatles Fair, Pete will be backed by local band the Falling Doves, which is usually fronted by Chris Leyva, who is responsible for turning this English dream into a Californian reality.
“I’m flying out on this occasion specifically for the San Diego Beatles Fair,” Pete said. “Chris Leyva of the Falling Doves contacted my brother Roag to discuss some business. I believe Roag guested on drums for them in Liverpool. They became friends. From there, we all hooked up in LA and discussed the San Diego Beatles Fair. Chris asked if I’d like to do it. And guess what? I’m doing it,” he added.
The fair, which happens each year around this time, will also feature tribute bands Ringer Star, the Baja Bugs and a performance of John, Paul and George’s solo-era songs from the band True Stories.
“[Fans] can expect to have a great time. See a fun show. Share some warmth and love. Knowing what to expect, if I wasn’t on the show, I’d go to it myself,” Pete said.
The San Diego Beatles Fair will run March 30-April 1.

source:nbcsandiego