Mention the city of Liverpool and the next word which springs to mind is almost certainly ‘Beatle.’
Not the six-legged creepy crawly variety but the Fab Four – John, Paul, George and Ringo.
Scarily, it’s more than 60 years since those four young lads from Liverpool burst into our lives and changed the shape of popular music for ever.
Even more remarkable, perhaps, is the fact their active career as a band spanned only 10 years, yet their legacy has lasted a lifetime.
Between 1962 and 1970, the Beatles recorded a staggering 213 songs, mostly written by the prolific pair John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Small wonder then that Liverpool continues to draw music fans from all over the globe.
Whether it’s to learn more about the origins of the band and their early influences at The Beatles Story (find it at The Albert Dock) or to meander along Mathew Street to the famous Cavern Club, where the Beatles and many other ‘60s bands cut their teeth, folk flock to Liverpool for a slice of the still very evident ‘vibe.’
You won’t want to miss the Beatles Statue outside the ferry terminal (opposite the Liver Building) – though you might need to jostle with a queue if you want your photo with the boys. And if you want to find the Yellow Submarine, you’ll need to drive eight miles out of town to the John Lennon airport.
Such has been the influence of the Beatles – and the Mersey beat in general – that Liverpool now has its own Cavern Quarter.
You don’t need a map to find it; pin back your ears and follow the sound of the throbbing music pouring out of the numerous pubs and clubs around Mathew Street.
It’s a natural magnet for hens and stags at the weekend so maybe not one for the faint hearted. Visit midweek for a slightly less robust experience!
The Cavern Club offers live music seven days a week from opening time at 11am until midnight or beyond and is a ‘must do’ for anyone wanting to see where the likes of Cilla, the Beatles and Billy Fury were discovered. There’s a £5 admission fee (£7.50 if you want to come and go all day) but well worth it to hear some of the city’s best tribute acts.
The original cellar room now has the addition of the adjacent Cavern Live Lounge, offering yet more events – generally ticketed, however, and advance booking is advisable.
If you still need more of a music fix, across the road from the Cavern Club is the Cavern pub where there’s more live music – free this time – every night of the week. Nearby, you’ll find Legends, The Glass Onion, White Star, Flanagan, Scruffy Murphy’s ……..you get the picture?
There’s also a Beatles Museum, Magical Mystery (bus) Tour of the City or, for the real devotees, private escorted taxi tours of the main Beatle landmarks, including the childhood homes of John and Paul.
Now owned by the National Trust, you need to book your visit in advance, however, as numbers are strictly limited to 15 per tour – and there are a maximum of four tours per day.
Finally, if you’re staying in Liverpool overnight, you might want to complete your visit with a stay at the Hard Day’s Night hotel in North John Street.
Of course, there’s much more to Liverpool than the Beatles. Dare I suggest you take a ‘Ferry ‘cross the Mersey’ to the wonders of the Wirral? Or explore the majestic twin cathedrals or the many museums?
But more of that another time!
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