The Cavern Club : The Rise of The Beatles and Merseybeat

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. From me to you : an introduction Another pool of life Cavern in the town : Cavern owner: Alan Sytner, 1957-1959 Need a shot of rhythm and blues : Cavern owner: Ray McFall, first years, 1959-1961 Soup & sweat & rock & roll : Cavern owner: Ray McFall, the key year, 1962 Rise and McFall : Cavern owner: Ray McFall, final years, 1963-1966 Do it again : Cavern owners: Joe Davey and Alf Geoghegan, 1966-1969 Roll over beat oven : Cavern owner: Roy Adams, 1970-1976 This empty place Cavern walks : Cavern owners: Tommy Smith and George Downey, 1984-1985 Troubled times : Cavern owners, Jimmy McVitie and others, 1985-1989 Run devil run : Cavern owners: Cavern City Tours (Bill Heckle, Dave Jones, George Guinness), 1991 onwards I. A surprising offer II. Beatle festivals III. Tribute bands IV. International Pop Overthrow V. Diary. From the early days as a jazz club, through the Beatles years and the dramatic openings and closings, every page of this book about the Cavern Club abounds with wit and insight. The author is an acknowledged authority on the Beatles and Sir Paul McCartney has written a foreword. Liverpool's The Cavern Club is the most famous club in the world giving rise to The Beatles and Merseybeat.