John Lennon buys first copy of the Beatles’ Now And Then: Superfan Alan Willliams who changed his name by deed poll is at front of queue to buy Fab Four’s ‘last’ song at midnight launch event

• Beatles superfans got their hands on the single at a midnight launch in Liverpool

A Beatles superfan who changed his name by deed poll to John Lennon was the first to buy a copy of the band’s ‘historic final single’ Now and Then.  

Now And Then, written and sung by John Lennon and later developed by the other band members including George Harrison, has been finished by Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr decades after the original recording.

The track is sourced from a Lennon demo recorded in the late 1970s at his home in New York’s Dakota Building, using technology to extricate and isolate his voice.

Beatles superfans were the first to get their hands on the single from the band at a special midnight launch event in Liverpool. 

John Lennon, who changed his name from Alan Williams in April 2022, was pictured holding the first copy of the newly released track at the music store in the early hours of Friday morning.

Beatles superfan John Lennon, who changed his name by deed poll from Alan Williams in April 2022, holds the first copy of the newly released last Beatles song, Now And Then

Beatles fans at HMV Liverpool for a special midnight launch event for the release of the last Beatles song

Beatles super fans were the first to get their hands on the single from the band at a special midnight launch event in Liverpool

The event allowed 200 fans in the home city of the four Beatles members to be the first to buy a copy of the single, in either clear, blue or black vinyl.

Video footage shared on X showed fans flooding through the doors to get the single.

One who said he was ‘ecstatic’ said it was ‘history in the making’.

Another described it as a ‘great day for Beatles fans’.

And another said: ‘Who knew that was going to happen! End of an era.’ 

The Beatles: Get Back director Peter Jackson said it was ‘head spinning’ to be involved in the creation of the ‘last Beatles record’, speaking on the BBC Sounds podcast Eras: The Beatles narrated by actor Martin Freeman.

The song was released on Thursday as a double A-side with the band’s 1962 debut single Love Me Do, and cover art by US artist Ed Ruscha.

New Zealand filmmaker Jackson also directed the music video for the track which is set for release on Friday at 2pm.

Fans queueing up to get their hands on a copy of the single 

Fans crowding the store at the midnight launch event – some said they were ‘ecstatic’

The song was released on Thursday as a double A-side with the band’s 1962 debut single Love Me Do, and cover art by US artist Ed Ruscha

Ecstatic fans said it had been a great day for them

Beatles superfans were the first to get their hands on the single from the band at a special midnight launch event in Liverpool

Rock and Roll band The Beatles posing for a photo around 1964 – (L-R) Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison

Read more: The Fab Four’s final farewell: Beatles fans break down in tears as they listen to band’s poignant ‘last ever song’ Now And Then

Sir Paul said finishing his friend’s lost love song felt like the Fab Four were all back together again, declaring: ‘To still be working on Beatles music in 2023. Wow. It’s probably the last Beatles song, and we have all played on it so it is a genuine Beatles recording. 

‘Every time I thought, say I had a chance to ask John: “Hey John, would you like us to finish this last song of yours?” I’m telling you, I know the answer would have been: “Yeah”.’ 

Yesterday at 2pm, Now And Then was released to the exultation and excitement of tens of millions of fans. 

Listening parties have been held all over the world, including in their home city of Liverpool at The Cavern Club and the Liverpool Beatles Museum. Tears were shed as the song played. 

Liam Gallagher tweeted: ‘Now n Then absolutely incredible biblical celestial heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time long live The Beatles LG x’. 

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