Liverpool pays tribute to Beatles Cavern Club debut (part 2 - report, pics)

We have some additional reports from Wednesday's celebration at the Cavern Club for the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' first performance there. 

• See new pictures in the slideshow at the left.
• See our first report with pictures and reports from the 50th anniversary celebration here

It was a fantastic day at the Cavern, and, even though we know it isn’t the original club, it didn’t matter because it has the feel and atmosphere of the original – the disinfectant and the sweat were still in evidence! The Mersey Beatles are superb at recreating the buzz and the music and it was great to see The Cavern packed at lunchtime with Liverpool people enjoying the memories. You could see on the faces of 70 year olds that they were 20 again and reliving every note and harmony as the music bounced off the walls. They maybe couldn’t do the Cavern stomp anymore, but in their minds they were twisting and shouting like it was 1961.

 

During the evening, I was privileged to be invited to the private party before the Mersey Beatles came back on, where Cavern co-owner Dave Jones and marketing man Jon Keats reminded us of what has been achieved at The Cavern, both originally and since it re-opened, as a great venue for “live” music. 

 

It was great to talk to local tour guides and representatives of the business associates that work so closely with The Cavern, plus also to chat with Geoff Nugent from the Undertakers who had many great nights at The Cavern; Julia Baird who is also a director of Cavern City Tours; Jerry Goldman from The Beatles Story and Roag Best, brother of Pete. 
 

It was a pleasure to be there to mark such a great occasion. 50 years may have passed, but the magic is still there, and the current Cavern Club, occupying 50% of the original site, is part of the legacy of The Beatles in Liverpool and hopefully will still be here in another 50 years.

The celebrations culminated with a special show in the back room of the Cavern (where Paul McCartney has performed). The Mersey Beatles returned to entertain the packed room with two hours of fabulous Beatles' music, including a rare performance of Some Other Guy in tribute to the only existing footage of the Beatles playing the Cavern. 

 

The audience included some specially invited guests, and I spotted several Mersey Beat era stars in the crowd. At the end, everyone in the room was on their feet cheering and dancing to Twist and Shout. 

 

Today has proved yet again how totally magical the Beatles were ... and still are! Their music can still thrill and inspire a crowd fifty years later!!