Norman became a member of the Silver Beatles for a short time during the summer of 1960. When Tommy Moore left the group following a gig at the Jacaranda coffee bar on Monday 13 June of that year, the Beatles were desperate for a replacement. They were pondering over the problem one night while sitting in the coffee bar when they heard the sound of drumbeats from across the street. Almost directly opposite the Jacaranda in Slater Street was a picture-framing establishment. Norman Chapman worked there as a picture-framer and renovator, and played drums as a hobby, practising on a hire-purchase kit in the offices of the firm in the evenings. They went into the street, trying to find where the sound was coming from. They knocked on the doors of the National Cash Register Office and Chapman popped his head out of an upstairs window of the building. They offered him the position of drummer with the band. Chapman, an imposing six-foot-two in height, accepted the job. However, he only managed to appear with them on three Saturday night gigs at the Grosvenor Ballroom, Birkenhead, on 18 and 25 June and 2 July, before he was called up for National Service and was conscripted for two years in Kenya and Kuwait.
I got his number from the phone book and just called to say that I was in Liverpool from NYC doing research for a book. I asked if I could possibly interview him about his Beatles' days. He was so surprised and self deprecating on the phone and said it was impossible. But I persisted saying that it was really important for my project to meet with him. He finally agreed to see me, but only if I would be his guest at a charity show for kids he would be attending that very evening.
I arranged to meet up with Mr. Chapman at a working men's club somewhere in Anfield later that night. Perhaps I took a taxi to the address he gave me because I seem to remember the cab driver questioning the advisability of being in that area, at that time of night. The club was not easy to find, but eventually I got there, and the doorman had been expecting me.
He bought me into a large darkened smoky room that was a cross between a theater and a pub. Then I was presented to a table of about four or five nicely dressed men in their late forties. Norman Chapman, the biggest of the bunch, stood up, shook my hand, and introduced me to his table of friends saying, "This guy has come all the way from New York City just to interview me for his book."
That got a great laugh from his friends and sort of broke the ice. He immediately asked me what I wanted to drink, and I said, "the same as you, please." I seem to recall that he wound up ordering about half a dozen pints of 'mild,'a type of beer that I had never had before.
The rest of the evening, except for the surprise of watching Ken Dodd on stage, is a bit of a blur, I'm afraid. He brought me there strictly for entertainment value. He really did not want to be the center of attention; that was my role, as far as he and his friends were concerned. And I was happy to play along with the lark.
I had a great time that night. Everything Mr. Harry said in the above post was true. He was a gentle giant, wearing glasses and a long, very un-Beatles looking leather overcoat. A real sweetheart and gentleman. Mr. Chapman completely played down his role as temporary pre-Hamburg Beatles member and reveled in his role as host.
It was a once in a lifetime event for me. Unfortunately, the book did not get finished.
I enjoyed that story Ligger. It's a pity no one really interviewed him before his death, or took photos. I remember exactly the place where he used to rehearse because on the ground floor there was a shop which used to frame paintings and I got them to frame my one and only oil painting, a portrait of Virginia I did in 1960. If I knew how to put images onto this I could show you. I would also have liked further details of the Tommy Moore story. In the meantime, I wonder if any Beatle friends can help me. I've written a piece about the 'Ringo' special from April 1978 with Carrie Fisher, Angie Dickinson etc, but I have no illustrations for it. Does anyone have any images from that special?
In the meantime, I wonder if any Beatle friends can help me. I've written a piece about the 'Ringo' special from April 1978 with Carrie Fisher, Angie Dickinson etc, but I have no illustrations for it. Does anyone have any images from that special?
No plans at the moment, although discovering this site has gotten me thinking about revisiting all the memories of the interviews that I did in Liverpool nearly twenty years ago. I met some warm and welcoming folk with many stories still untold.
That's why I enjoy your postings especially, Bill. With each of your writings, I uncover another piece of an incredibly complex and sometimes puzzling tale that still needs to be told. At least for lifelong Beatles fans like me.
Since you just mentioned Ringo, I have to say that my favorite recent Bill Harry revelation is the information that little quiet George Harrison was the person most responsible for ousting Pete, and then acquiring Ringo from Rory. And the reason was so so fundamental. George and Ringo had a special rapport. Many of us had just assumed that it was Paul's jealousy or George Martin's less than positive comments.
I wonder why Paul has never invited Pete Best to play on a session. What a warm gesture that would be. Just one song.
Bill, do you have another example of the George and Ringo connection from that time? I'm sure all of us forum cave dwellers would appreciate any recollections.
it is probally a good thing that norman did not stay with them as the business eats nice guys for lunch....and norm was to gentle a soul to sacrifice.....
I enjoyed that story Ligger. It's a pity no one really interviewed him before his death, or took photos. I remember exactly the place where he used to rehearse because on the ground floor there was a shop which used to frame paintings and I got them to frame my one and only oil painting, a portrait of Virginia I did in 1960. If I knew how to put images onto this I could show you. I would also have liked further details of the Tommy Moore story. In the meantime, I wonder if any Beatle friends can help me. I've written a piece about the 'Ringo' special from April 1978 with Carrie Fisher, Angie Dickinson etc, but I have no illustrations for it. Does anyone have any images from that special?
ok bill there are sites that generates url for pictures...once you have a url you can post the picture....some sites require nothing in the way of sign up or anything....there is image shack http://imageshack.us/ zshare is another one http://www.zshare.net/
if you have a file on your computer either a picture or audio,one of these programs can generate you a link for posting a picture here....you can even create your own avatar....after you have the link you can pick the post image link below and put your url in the middle and viola!!!you haave posted a picture...bill if you need help with this pm me or email me...you know my address...
Great story Ligger. Shame about the book though. Do you still have plans to get it published someday?
Hi - I've just stumbled across these posts while doing some research myself. Norman Chapman was my Dad and unfortunately, he died from cancer over 10 years ago. I read somewhere that someone said he was a teacher down South. What a load of old rubbish . He opened his own picture framing business in Southport, where he was very happy indeed. The problem with Dad was that he was a fantastic picture framer, a really artistic man, but he was a generous type of person who would give things away rather than charge a proper price for them!
It's lovely to hear some of then nice things that people remember about him; he was indeed a very gentle character who was reluctant to talk about his very brief stint with the Silver Beatles. He only has one remaining sibling left, who lives a five minute walk away from the Jacaranda. When I was in Livepool two years ago, my Auntie Maria took me to the Jacaranda, where my Dad's old drumkit is hanging above the bar. I've only got one or two pics of Dad; one with the Saturated Seven, and old Joe Royal. He and Dad continued to be friends and even though old Joe passed away some time ago, young Joe still remembers to send my Auntie a christmas card.
I have to tell you that the picture that's been posted on this site is not my Dad! I laughed my head off when I saw it...can't wait to show my kids tomorrow!
Yes - I've got two pictures and one or two other family pictures with two of my children, but of course you won't want those . I've got one with him at the drums, with Joe Royal, and another one of him sitting in a bar with a group of young men. I don't know any of them but others might do. I'll scan them next week but not sure if I know how to attach. I'm new to this...but I'll give it a go.
thank you ever so much and we hope you'll become a regular and who says we don't want to see your kids i have 3 myself.... this is jazmyn rose my little girl.....
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. He opened his own picture framing business in Southport, where he was very happy indeed. The problem with Dad was that he was a fantastic picture framer, a really artistic man, but he was a generous type of person who would give things away rather than charge a proper price for them! 
