The Cavern Club: Rise of Beatles and Merseybeat

by Spencer Leigh, Paul McCartney (Foreword by)

Overview

This is the story of the Cavern Club - the most famous club in the world. The Cavern saw the birth of the Beatles and Merseybeat, and more. Respected author, music journalist and Merseybeat historian Spencer Leigh - with a little help from Sir Paul McCartney, who provides the foreword - tells the Cavern's history by talking to the owners, hundreds of musicians who played at the club, the backroom staff and fans. Spencer paints a vivid picture of the Cavern, from its days as a jazz club, through the Beatles years to the present.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857160973
Publisher:	McNidder and Grace
Publication date:	03/29/2016
Pages:	260
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

The journalist, acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster Spencer Leigh is an acknowledged authority on popular music, especially the Beatles, and he has interviewed thousands of musicians. He has written many music biographies to include most recently Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the latest book on Bob Dylan. Leigh broadcasts an analytical music show each week for BBC Radio Merseyside.

Table of Contents

About the Author iii

Acknowledgements iv

Foreword Sir Paul McCartney vii

From me to you: An Introduction viii

1 Another Pool of Life 1

2 Cavern in the Town 1

Cavern owner: Alan Sytner, 1957-1959

3 Need a Shot of Rhythm and Blues 34

Cavern owner: Ray McFall, first years, 1959-1961

4 Soup & Sweat & Rock & Roll 75

Cavern owner: Ray McFall, the key year, 1962

5 Rise and McFall 104

Cavern owner: Ray McFall, final years, 1963-1966

6 Do it again 158

Cavern owners: Joe Davey and Alf Geoghegan, 1966-1969

7 Roll over Beat Oven 176

Cavern owner: Roy Adams, 1970-1976

8 This Empty Place 186

9 Cavern Walks 191

Cavern owners: Tommy Smith and George Downey, 1984-1985

10 Troubled Times 196

Cavern owners, Jimmy McVitie and others, 1985-1989

11 Run Devil Run 199

Cavern owners: Cavern City Tours (Bill Heckle, Dave Jones, George Guinness), 1991 onwards

I A Surprising Offer 199

II Beatle Festivals 203

III Tribute Bands 205

IV International Pop Overthrow 206

V Diary 209

Contributors 238