Beatles At Smethwick Baths 1962 AKA Loneliness of Long Distance Drummer by Ivan Stevens (Original Painting)

‘Beatles at Smethwick Baths 1962′ was selected for The 2019 National Outside In Environments National exhibition and Exhibited at the Piano Nobile Gallery at Kings Place London 2019 28th October to January The famous Beatles performed at the Smethwick Thimblemill Baths, back in November 1962:- just as they were achieving widespread fame. A member of my family was in the audience that night. I regularly swam at the pool and often looked up to the stage area whilst swimming…. thinking of all the famous 60’s groups that performed there. The Smethwick Baths closed in 2024 and was a great multiuse Environment catering over the decades since 1930’s for swimming, Ballroom Dancing and Concert uses engaging with the community across diverse recreation activities, to provide an inclusive environment responding to change and needs overtime. It is a listed building which has stood the test of time. The Swimmer in the picture is me .The Beatles are pictured very young as they looked 1n 1962 and on that day: November 19th 1962, they performed 3 times Firstly at the Cavern Club Liverpool in the Afternoon, and then down 85 miles to Smethwick near Birmingham for an early evening performance and then on to West Bromwich for the Final performance. The Hectic performance schedule was especially tiring for the energetic Drummer who had to set up the drums 3 times and then engage with a physically demanding performance. The momentarily distant expression on Ringos face reflects he has not yet realised [since he is positioned behind] that the rest of the band are all smiling for photos. Hence the alternate Title for the painting: The Loneliness of the long Distance Drummer’