Continuing The Beatles theme

Monday, 13 July 2009 09:00

I suppose for any Beatles fan The Cavern is a name written in stone! Literally, as the old club where the Beatles first played is no longer.

The old Cavern was where Brian Epstein was introduced to The Beatles. It was started as a Jazz club and gradually it was taken over by the aspiring Skiffle, Blues and Beat bands. It was quite a unique venue - an underground cellar, a former air raid shelter, hot, smoky and noisy.

It is in Matthew Street

In February 1961 The Beatles appeared on the stage - the rest, as they say, is history! 292 appearances later in 1962/3 they finally became too "big" for the club. A parade of well known musicians played the Cavern Club in the next decade.

The club closed in 1973 and was filled in during the construction of Merseyrail.

When the site was developed a new club was built in 1984, using the bricks and covering 50% of the original Cavern Club site. The new club resembled the old as much was possible. Due to the economic climate in Liverpool in the late 80's it closed for 18 months.

The Cavern Club reopened in 1991 and is still very much a popular music venue today. In December 1999 Paul returned to play his last gig of the 20th Century and over 40 bands play there every week.

Entrance to new Cavern Club

Wall of Fame plaque and well know names who have played the Cavern

Of course it is also a huge tourist attraction as many visit to have their photograph taken on the famous stage. When I went into Matthew Street there were many having their photo taken with this statue!

John Lennon leans on the "wall of fame"

As the tourists crowded into the "new" club I wandered on down Matthew Street on my way back to Epiphany. On my right my eye was caught by some bill boards. It was the original entrance to the old Cavern Club.

Old entrance

It is now used as the fire exit for the new club and was identified from photos of fans queuing in the 1960s - even down to one particular brick!

In "The Cavern Quarter" are two Victorian pubs.

The Grapes built in 1804 on the site of a Medieval tavern

The White Star, built in the 1880s was where The Beatles were paid by Bob Wooler (DJ at the Cavern) and Alan Williams (original Beatles booking agent).

The White Star

Returning, finally I was amused to see these parading through Liverpool One, drumming as they walked.

From Beatles to Beetles!