65th Anniversary of the Cavern Club
Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club celebrates its 65th anniversary on 16 January 2022. It became world-famous with the Beatles and Meseybeat in the mid-1960s.
Derek Shelmerdine, author of Rock’n’Roll Unravelled
is one of the guests on Tony Higginson’s Book Club.
Live on Facebook and Zoom
Facebook – Beyond Books Media Ltd
…7.30 to 10.30 pm (UK) Monday 17 January
……take the opportunity to join in the conversation
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65th Anniversary of the Cavern Club
65th Anniversary of the Cavern Club on 16 January 2022
Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club opened its doors for the first time on 16 January 1957. It was named after a jazz club in Paris. Owner Alan Sytner loved jazz, tolerated skiffle and hated rock’n’roll.
This show takes a look at the Cavern’s halcyon days of the 1950s and first half of the 1960s. The international success of the Beatles and other Merseybeat groups gave the Cavern a global reputation. This show also looks at the wider picture of what was happening in Liverpool around this time.
The Liverpool music scene in the 1960s was one of the most vibrant in the country. As well as the Cavern Club, Liverpool was home to host of clubs including, Iron Door, Jacaranda, Casbah, all with a story to tell.
Merseybeat groups
Some of the Merseybeat groups found international success. The Beatles are still considered to be the greatest group – ever. Other Liverpool groups, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Searchers, and Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, all found success in America in the mid-1960s with the advent of the British Invasion. Other Liverpool groups were very successful locally but never quite made the big time. Great bands such as The Big Three, The Undertakers, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, The Mojos and so many other great groups in Liverpool at that time.
Behind the groups were the people who made it all happen. Brian Epstein managed the Beatles and a host of other highly successful Liverpool acts. Sam Leach was one of the most successful promoters. His Big Beat nights attracted thousands of fans to his dance events. Alan Williams secured the Beatles’ first Hamburg trip. He also owned a number of nightclubs, including the Blue Angel and Jacaranda. Percy Phillips ran his own recording studio. He made early recordings with Billy Fury and the Quarry Men, who eventually became the Beatles.
The show ends with a look at the rest of the Cavern story: demolition, reopened by the British Prime Minister, multiple new owners and directions, name changes…
Derek Shelmerdine presents the outline of the story, with Tony and his other guests adding their own comments and memories. Plus, live music, poetry readings and some very lively conversation.
Tony Higginson’s Beyond Books Book Club
Every week Tony Higginson hosts his Beyond Books Book Club, which goes out live on Zoom and Facebook at 7.30 to 10.30 pm (UK) on Monday Evenings.
If you are watching the show live on Facebook – join in the conversation.
Author of Rock’n’Roll Unravelled, Derek Shelmerdine is a regular monthly guest on the Beyond Books Book Club.
The Book Club has a regular panel of writers, poets, musicians and book-lovers in general. The discussion is wide ranging with readings, poetry recitals and live performances from the musicians.
A signed copy of Derek Shelmerdine‘s book Rock’n’Roll Unravelled
is available from Tony Higginson’s online bookshop.
65th Anniversary of the Cavern Club – Beyond Books Book Club
Recorded live on Facebook and Zoom on 17 January 2022.
