1957
(Undated) John gets his first guitar, though his Aunt Mimi Smith, his guardian, cautions, "A guitar’s all very well, John, but you’ll never make a living out of it."
Jan. 16: The Cavern Club is opened. Originally a club for jazz and skiffle groups, it later becomes a rock club. The Beatles perform there 274 times, giving their final performance on Aug. 3, 1963, topping a bill with the Merseybeats, Johnny Ringo and the Colts, the Escorts, the Roadrunners and the Sapphires.
(Summer) The Quarrymen is formed by Lennon and some classmates. The earliest known picture of the group (with Lennon visible) is taken at a church festival.
July 6: One of John Lennon’s friends, Ivan Vaughan, brings Paul McCartney to meet John at a church picnic in Woolton. McCartney is later invited to join the group. A tape, which research by Jim O'Donnell, the author of "The Day John Met Paul, has confirmed is from this day, has surfaced and is now owned by EMI. The tape has performances of "Puttin' On the Style" and a cover of Elvis Presley's "Baby, Let's Play House" with vocals by John.