In his life – café owner, tour guide and ‘Beatles Brain of Britain’ Richard Porter
THE “Beatles Brain of Britain” Richard Porter has taken more than 7,000 people every year around the awesome foursome’s London stomping ground.
The tour guide, who owns the Beatles Coffee Shop by St John’s Wood Underground station, became enamoured with the group’s music at the tender age of 12. “It’s timeless” he says. His home is a “virtual library” of Beatles literature and memorabilia, including a signed copy of John Lennon’s book In His Own Write on the shelf, which the singer personally handed to his friend.
Richard has taken rock musician Tony Sheridan and Kiss star Gene Simmonds on tours – the latter was given a private view of Abbey Road Studios. But one of the most memorable tours included a group who were originally from North Korea. Richard recalls how they had somehow crossed to South Korea where they discovered and became fans of The Beatles’ music. They came over to England, went along on a tour, and when they got to Abbey Road “they dissolved into tears” Richard says. “I also got them into Trident Studios in Soho where the Beatles recorded Hey Jude.”
It all began when a music producer, Jeff Jarratt, who worked with the Beatles at Abbey Road, published Richard’s book, Guide to the Beatles’ London, and began selling it at the café. In 2006 he retired and sold the store to Richard. It remains popular with both music-mad tourists and locals in need of their morning coffee.
With Paul McCartney living in the area, “people often come in here and tell us they’ve seen him”, says Richard. He recalls one man telling him he had “walked up to a stranger on the street” to ask for directions to Abbey Road, and “realised it was Paul McCartney”.
By: Alina Polianskaya
Source: West End Extra
