The Beatles & the MV Royal Iris Connection

[@mainman127]

Beatles Forever!

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

What history the Royal Iris. Has had i wish. It luck and hope it comes back to life

[@TudorSmith]

Wouldn’t that be good if it was restored!

[@doktoruzo]

Good one Tudor. Sad to see it so dilapidated. I'm old enough to remember it on the Mersey but too young to have seen The Beatles on it! Back in the mid 1970's my mates and I would get on one of the ferries and as long as you didn't get off on the Birkenhead side you didn't have to pay any fare. We would stay on for hours, back and forth across the river pretending we were on a some big huge cruise to foreign lands...lol. You could even get a cup of tea and biscuits on board for just a few pennies. Great memories, different times. Thanks

[@TudorSmith]

Yes a sad ending for the old girl. I believe there was some petition raised around 2010 to have her brought back to Liverpool. Amazing that you were able to ride the ferry without paying- what an adventure 👍

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Wow! Never knew what Paul was referring to on ‘That Was Me! Venues waste away, but the music lives on! One your best! I knew there was a reason I subbed to this channel! Great video, Tudor!

[@TudorSmith]

@michael Surprising what you can find out with a little digging. Talking about finding out, I heard this in the car on the radio the other day (I still listen to the radio sometimes). I was surprised to hear that Robert Plant is a thoroughly humble and down to earth guy. I’ve never really followed LZ but I may now have to give their tracks a listen! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j52TenZ6mspsqMU

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

@@TudorSmith Great interview! I hadn’t heard this before, thank you! You know, all of the members of Led Zeppelin (at least when Bonzo wasn’t drinking to the point of almost falling down!) were pretty soft-spoken! They spoke softly, but like The Beatles, carried a mighty big stick (or in their case ‘Four Sticks’)! As usual, love your whole delivery! Your that nice tall cool glass of water that tastes so refreshing after a long hot day! A mere soda won’t do!

[@artangel4172]

that s amazing! Very nice Tudor! Thanks!

[@TudorSmith]

Just a quick short video - a taste of some future Beatles fun 👍

[@artangel4172]

Looking forward! 😁

[@davidtaylor3942]

I had a summer job there with my dad 1988 & 89. Great days

[@TudorSmith]

Bet you had some great memories 👍

[@thereunionparty]

How sad to see it in such poor condition, looking like it's way beyond any plan for restoration. And to think the Beatles actually played on it several times. What a great experience that must have been for anyone lucky enough to be on board.

[@peterthomas22]

Thanks Tudor, i didn't know anything about the Royal Iris before this video, i wonder if Mr Lewisohn has tuned into it in his vast tome.

[@TudorSmith]

I’m finding new things out myself about the Beatles as I dig for info for my videos. I’ll have to go on Mastermind with the Beatles as my chosen subject lol! I'm sure Mark Lewishon is aware of the gigs on the Royal Iris as he digs back to the Quarrymen right?

[@Paisly17]

Great information Tudor, I had no idea of it. I wonder if Macca is aware of its condition?

[@TudorSmith]

If he does I'm sure it's in the past for him....yesterday you might say lol!

[@philipeaton3102]

there is something i did not no about you learn some thing every day beatles and fish and chips sounds good

[@thereunionparty]

I re-watched Get Back Part 3 recently and, as good as the concert on the roof was, it's a pity no-one suggested the Beatles played their climactic concert on the Royal Iris as it cruised along the River Mersey. They had done it before of course, they could have had a proper audience and they wouldn't have had PCs Dagg and Shayler trying to close things down prematurely!

[@TudorSmith]

That would have been prefect - and in their home town. I reckon it would have been more memorable than Savile Row!

[@telabib]

Would be nice if paul mcCartney would fund it's restoration.

[@TudorSmith]

It would be a great idea. Imagine if it was restored and placed in a dry dock, then turned into a bar/bistro with a place for live bands to play 👍

[@lisaheard941]

Can tell me if still see river iris boat to public as me my husband love get some photos it

[@TudorSmith]

I was there filming that last february. I can't imagine it's been moved and it's moored on the Thames Walkway, so you can stand right next to it. Here's a google maps link: goo.gl/maps/NY8YySQaF8xxTWFE9

[@adrianburn7178]

Interesting video. Who owns it now? It seems way beyond repair, so presumably will continue to slowly rot away where it's moored. Rather sad

[@TudorSmith]

I’m not sure who actually owns it but I did read that it’s listing due to a hole in the hull. Apparently it will take a 6 figure sum to get it back into floatable condition.

[@willaitken6098]

@@TudorSmith Thanks for this - I live not far from this and had no idea of the Beatles connection. No idea who owns it, but the rumour was they sailed it to Woolwich to set it up as a restaurant. but it was never safe enough for that to go ahead. Something like 15 years ago there was someone living on the Iris in a caravan.

[@TudorSmith]

I had read that squatters took up residence for a while lol! It just sits there languishing now. So sad but for now you can go stand next to it which always evokes thoughts and ideas of the late 50s and early 60s