It Was 50 Years Ago Today.... John, Paul and George To Play!

(From Liverpool National Archives)

Well it has been 50 years since the Beatles played their very first gig at the Cavern club in Liverpool.

The band had a decent sized following during their stay in Germany, but getting gigs back home was tough going.

It was then drummer Pete Bests mother, Mona, who managed to persuade the Cavern club booking agent to give them a slot.

So during a  Monday lunchtime on 9^th February 1961 John, Paul and George took the stage.

It is unclear if Ringo was there as he was not a member of the band at the time, drummer being Pete Best.

It is not impossible that Ringo was playing;  he was known to stand in.

According to Beatles historian Mark Lewishon:  it was Pete Best playing on this day, and I would side his knowledge on the Beatles against anyone.

It is highly likely that the debut of Ringo, George, Paul and John was a lunch time event on the 21^st Feb 1961, but so little is recorded from these times it is hard to put a definitive on it.

From what George and John have said about the lunchtime gigs, we know they were relaxed affairs where they would eat their sandwiches, have a smoke and drink whilst bantering with people who were in the audience.

They got paid £5 for their troubles, not great but not awful for that time.

(webspace.webring.com)

The image of the club was slightly smarter then as to what is was to become. George was  refused entry on this day as he was wearing jeans…  they were known for their strict NO Rock n’ Roll policy, even though the club itself has been described as dark, dank and sweaty.

8 months later Brian Epstein came across them whilst visiting the club and signed them to their first management contract a few weeks later.

My mother was studying at the time at Edge Hill which is part of the University of Liverpool, she left in 1959.

Though they had to be back in halls by 11.00pm she recalls a few of them going down to the Cavern Club to see the Quarrymen (Johns band) back in 1957.

It was the first time she had heard Rock n’ Roll.

Though it is unclear, as my mother is not the greatest of music fans I would like to think her memory is of John when he chose to play Elvis Presley to a disgusted club owner.

My father was 18 at the time though we don’t think he saw the Beatles in 61 it is known he saw them at the Cavern a good few times over the next couple of years, travelling from Manchester each Saturday night with his brother and friend to hang out on the band scene of Liverpool.

Travelling in their Triumph Herald, the story goes it would travel at 74mph and they ragged the arse off their car going from Manchester to Liverpool travelling the scenic route and taking the roads through Warrington tearing down the countryside roads to get there in time....

If by some ethereal chance I got to ask my dad something as an adult I would love to hear his stories from 60’s as he was a known to be quite a one for the clubs, Rn’R records from the States and the clubs. Being good friends with Eric Burden (Animals) and Paul Jones (Manfred Mann) whom were known along with certain members of the Hollies would poor scorn on Davey Jones whom was to become of ‘Monkees’ fame for apparently just being  a self-absorbed wanker.
 (Not my words.)

So today in Liverpool and across the world celebrations are taking place of what is probably the most influential and greatest band in the world  The Beatles!! (but the Stones may be better) ;)



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