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Post by brewmaster on Sept 10, 2014 9:37:50 GMT
The Cavern only had one entrance/exit, used by groups and fans alike. So the regulars were blase about even the best-known groups making their way through the crowd to, or from, the bandroom. I remember when Heinz made an appearance to plug his "Just Like Eddie" single. After his spot his management disguised him in a hat, overcoat and dark glasses, then hustled him through the crowd. Cavernites were saying "Allright Heinz" to him. Those days at the Cavern were priceless, and I really enjoyed every session.
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Post by Amadeus on Sept 11, 2014 16:06:10 GMT
We love hearing about all this stuff because to the majority of fans around the world it's only stories and legends. It's different to someone who was IN the scene and that it was hometown boys.
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Post by brewmaster on Sept 11, 2014 19:40:10 GMT
Thanks Amadeus. I'll try to remember some more that might be of interest. Quite a few big names played the Cavern, some before they were famous, others as established acts. There was a phase were several of the American R&B/Blues stars made appearences, such as John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley and Howlin Wolf. I enjoyed them, but, to be honest, I preferred the Rock 'n Roll/Merseybeat groups. One of the best stars I ever saw was Little Richard. This was'nt back in the Cavern, but about eight years ago, when he was appearing at the Olympia, just outside the city centre. I was working next door, and nipped in to see him do three numbers, including the fantastic "Long Tall Sally" His voice was just as powerful as back in the Sixties, and his piano playing was terrific. What a rocker!
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 11, 2014 20:02:21 GMT
Little Richard on at the Olympia!! I never heard that and I have lived in Liverpool all my life! I saw Robert Plant at the Olympia a couple of years ago. What a venue. Shame it's not used more often
Spencer Leigh's Cavern book gives a day by day account of who appeared at the Cavern. It's a must read for anyone.
I wonder if you and I know each other Brewmaster? Even if just by sight.
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Post by brewmaster on Sept 11, 2014 21:33:23 GMT
I'm re=reading the Cavern book at the moment. I don't go to many music events etc now; I've only been to Beatles Week once, so I doubt we've bumped into each other.... but you never know. By the way, when Little Richard appeared, the Olympia was almost empty, a great shame.
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Post by pothos on Sept 11, 2014 22:06:28 GMT
Mr M did you hear Robert Plant gig broadcast on Lauren Lavern's show on 6 music.
I really enjoyed it.
I read in Johnny Guitars diary online that he watched Sister Rossetta Tharp so talk about bringing in a wide variety of acts to the Liverpool audience.
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 11, 2014 22:32:11 GMT
No I didn't Pothos but I will try and find it.
Apparently Robert Plant is asking Jimmy Page about a reformation.
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Post by ROCKY on Sept 12, 2014 0:43:49 GMT
By the way, when Little Richard appeared, the Olympia was almost empty, a great shame. He played there April 30th, 2005. Did you know Little Richard is 81! Long live Da Man! Also I don't think The Beatles ever played the Olympia, but played The Grafton which is next door, three times in 1963, Jan.10,June 12th and August 2nd, the beginnings of Beatlemania!
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Post by brewmaster on Sept 12, 2014 9:40:18 GMT
Little Richard was in his late seventies when I saw him, and was physically very limited. Basically, he was rooted to the piano while a young guy did all the moves on stage. However, his voice was amazing, still belting out those hits with full power. I think the problem with attendance is that the Olympia management didn't like to spend money on advertising and promotion. I didn't even know he was appearing until I walked through the venue. I never saw the Beatles, but my sister saw them at the Grafton, probably that final August date.
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Post by Amadeus on Sept 12, 2014 18:45:05 GMT
So,,, The Grapes and all that were dingy in those days? Of course that whole alley way is a tourist area now so everything is 'beautified'.
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Post by brewmaster on Sept 13, 2014 3:28:16 GMT
Mathew Street was warehouses, mainly for fruit & veg. The two pubs, the Grapes and the White Star were for the workers. Very different now. I walked though today and there were lots of tourists taking photos.
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Post by pothos on Sept 13, 2014 11:51:38 GMT
Did the Old Swan district of Liverpool have a good reputation and do you know anything about either the Automatic and Electric Company on Edge Lane or the Cotton Exchange on Old Hall Street.
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Post by brewmaster on Sept 13, 2014 12:07:01 GMT
Back then Old Swan was a decent district. It was a good shopping area, without going into the city centre. I went to school quite near to the Swan.Nowadays, it's a high crime area, with lots of shootings. The Automatic was a large factory, later Plessey's. A friend of mine worked there for a short time. The Cotton Exchange is a wonderful building. We used to visit a printers in there.
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Post by mrmustard on Sept 13, 2014 12:16:33 GMT
You would certainly avoid drinking in the pubs in Old Swan now.
I go past 54 Broad Green road at least once a week. I wonder if the current home owners realise the history.
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Post by ROCKY on Sept 13, 2014 18:17:19 GMT
mrm remember this street map pothos found of it. www.zoopla.co.uk/property/54-broad-green-road/old-swan/liverpool/l13-5sh/12267020 (just click on the STREET VIEW box.) Johnny lived at 37 Oakhill (across the street) and the Morgue was at 25 Oakhill. Looks like they were doing something at the Morgue's address. Did you ever stop by and see what they finally stuck there? I would never want to intrude on people's privacy, but wouldn't it be neat just to sit at their table and think of Mrs. Caldwell making tea for Rory and the boys. A lot of music history happened at that house after hours.
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Post by pothos on Sept 13, 2014 22:29:53 GMT
Wow I am shocked what has happened to the district. I actually fear for the place now.
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Post by ROCKY on Sept 14, 2014 0:12:13 GMT
You know pothos I had a dream one night I hit on the lottery and went over and bought that house for a quarter of a million dollars and made a museum out of it. lol ....Now you are dashing my dream from ever happening! ha-ha
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Post by pothos on Sept 14, 2014 8:58:55 GMT
I seriously thought of buying it if ever I hit big with the lottery and asking the National Trust to run it. the area looks lovely on screen.
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Post by brewmaster on Sept 14, 2014 11:54:12 GMT
The above mention of the Morgue prompted me to think about how important the coffe bars were to the beat scene. There were quite a few that catered to what are now called teenagers, in contrast to the normal chains of coffee bars run by Empire Catering [Wimpy etc]. I distincltly remember the older lads talking about going into town and hanging around Streates, the Jac, and the KD. I never visited Streates, in Mount Pleasant, but did venture into the Jacaranda a couple of times. [Recent photo of The Jacaranda]
It was something of a hovel, and I'm sure that The Morgue in Broadgreen was just as bad, if not worse. Objectively, these venues were just places that served bad coffe, with poor lighting and decoration. But that was exactly what the kids wanted. We wanted a place to hang out together, chatting about music and chatting up the opposite sex. Later the Jacaranda became a night club called Maxi San Susi, and I went there many times. The KD was the Khardomah, a mainstream chain of cafes frequented by all age groups. However, the KD on the corner of Whitechapel and Stanley Street - next to Hessey's music shop, was the nearest place to the Cavern where you could get a coffee, so was popular with members of the groups and fans.
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Post by pothos on Sept 14, 2014 17:56:14 GMT
Thank you for that information. The Morgue was the cellar of a private house. The house that replaced it was online but has been taken down off various sites. it was about 5 minutes walk from Stormville and Earnest Caldwell (Rory's dad) built a small tage. Rory, Johnny and Paul Murphy painted the whole cellar black and some of their arty mates (you do wonder who) painted skeletons on the walls with luminous paint that glowed under the one fluorescent bulb. It was named the Morgue due to it being damp and cold and was owned by the parents of Marjorie Thompson who let them use the space. It opened on March 13th 1958/closed April 1958 and George Harrison auditioned for the Quarrymen and got in on the opening night so is profoundly important. It was open for just over a month due to the neighbours led by a Mr Brown having the Police land every time the place opened. Alan who was the manager dealt with all the Police issues.
It was based at 25 Oakhill Park
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