Music History

Have a look (or stay) inside a Beatles landmark

Photo of young George Harrison playing guitar next to a present-day photo of a floral couch and guitar.

Plenty of people like the Beatles, and many even love them. But it takes a special kind of devotion to do what Ken Lambert ’96 did when he bought George Harrison’s childhood home in Liverpool, England. Lambert now runs the property as an AirBnB and museum with his friend Steve Lee ’96, who he met in 1992 during their freshman year at UMass. Lambert spoke to the New York Post about the house, its future, and what it means to him.

Lambert, 48, who hails from New Hampshire, never dreamed he would one day own a piece of Beatles history, until he put in an offer for £171,000 (which equates to $250,000) and no one else bid any higher.

Now Lambert, who is in commercial construction, is only the third owner to have ever owned the home since the Harrisons.

Blue historical plaque commemorating the childhood home of Beatle George Harrison.

“I really started to think about what I was going to do with the property. I’m not a wealthy individual. It’s not like I go around buying up properties. I’m a Beatles fan, yes, but I am a big George Harrison fan specifically.”

Located at 25 Upton Green in the suburb of Speke, the historic house was used as the band’s main practice spot in the late 1950s, with the group known as The Quarrymen at the time. Harrison and his family had initially moved into the home in 1949, when he was just 6 years old. They lived in the residence until 1962, when Harrison was 18, according to Omega Auctions, which handled the sale.

Lambert revealed that what prompted him to turn the home into an Airbnb and house museum for weekly tours was the realization that the other members of the band—John Lennon and Paul McCartney—had house museums dedicated to them, but Harrison did not.

“I think it was a shame that George’s house had no relevance to millions of Beatles fans, but they’re waiting in line to walk into John Lennon’s house,” Lambert said. “George is my favorite Beatle. I want to respect his legacy.”

Read the full story in the New York Post, and check out (and perhaps book a stay in) the AirBnB property.

Black and white photo of Steve Lee and Ken Lambert, each playing an acoustic guitar

Steve Lee ’96 (left) and Ken Lambert ’96 (right)

We’re on the lookout

Share your most intriguing nooks, niches, coordinates, or curiosities on campus or anywhere in the region. Email magazine@umass.edu and we’ll investigate!