NEW LIVERPOOL EXHIBITION

Los Angeles-based Grammy Museum has brought more than 80 never-before-seen artefacts to town you won't want to miss.

A new blockbuster exhibition opening in Liverpool will tell the story of how 1960's beat groups – spearheaded by The Beatles – conquered the United States.

The show is home to more than 80 never-before-seen artefacts including The Supremes’ costumes and The Zombies’ tour jacket, as well as the opportunity to have a virtual drum lesson with Ringo Starr – see below for how ECHO journalist Alan Weston tackled the challenge.

The exhibition at The Beatles Story at the Pier Head was put together by the Los Angeles-based Grammy Museum, and is drawn from its rich collection of historical music artefacts including costumes and instruments from the Grammy Awards, hand-written lyrics, and audio/video recordings.

It is the first time the exhibits have been seen outside the United States.

Bob Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, was joined by Colin Blunstone – lead singer of The Zombies and one of the bands featured in the British Invasion exhibition - for the launch.

Mr Santelli said the impact of The Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 was still being felt in the United States to this day.

He added: “The British public don’t know what a big impact the British invasion had on America.

”The show will be at The Beatles Story for the next two years, and will allow for new exhibits to be added. One of the first is the late Who drummer Keith Moon’s Premier 12 piece drum kit from 1974.

Martin King, director of The Beatles Story, said the value of The Beatles’ industry to the visitor economy in Liverpool was £71m each year."

It isn’t every day you get a drum lesson from Ringo Starr - even if the ex-Beatle is only present on a video screen loop and you are playing one of those electronic drum kits so beloved of 1980s synth bands.

To hear the sound you make, you have to don a pair of headphones.

Although John Lennon once cuttingly remarked, when asked whether Ringo was the best drummer in the world, that he wasn’t even the best drummer in The Beatles, I think it is safe to say that, based on my efforts, the Ringo kid has nothing to worry about.