A Day In The Life - 45 Years Ago Today

On February 19, 1963, photographer Michael Ward spent the day shooting photographs of a little-known group for Honey Magazine. With them he traipsed around the band's hometown of Liverpool scouting for good back drops for his photographs, before retreating to their manager's record shop to escape the cold, and then to a local basement club to prepare for and play a gig.

At the time it didn't seem a particularly momentous 24 hours to Michael, but that day the earth shifted on its axis. For the four lads from Liverpool it was one of the last days they would ever be able to walk the streets of their hometown with only the occasional smiling fan to help subvert their photographer's efforts. Or play their songs live to a quietly attentive audience. Or, indeed, go anywhere without danger of being mobbed. The band Michael Ward was photographing was The Beatles, and as they prepared to go on stage that evening at The Cavern Club, with Michael still taking pictures, they learnt that they had just gone to Number One in the UK charts for the first time. Cue Beatlemania.

Only a few of the shots Michael took that day have ever been seen since. Now 24 of them are available as part of Genesis Publications' first ever signed, limited edition portfolio. 'A Day In The Life' quite literally represents one day with The Beatles and features 24 varnished lithographs and an accompanying book signed by Michael Ward, all housed in a hand-made Indian-silk Solander box. Click here to read more.

In addition these prints, along with the portfolio, are now on display at Square One Gallery in London where they are causing much excitement. Click on the links below to see what the press are saying:

Liverpool Echo

BBC News Online