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Episode 2

Pete Best, The Beatles' original drummer, celebrates the significant venue where the famous foursome enjoyed a residency prior to their time at the Cavern Club.

The Casbah: Birthplace Of Merseybeat celebrates the somewhat neglected and hugely significant venue where The Beatles enjoyed a residency prior to their later and more often recognised success at the Cavern Club. The documentary is presented by original Beatles' drummer Pete Best whose mother Mona both owned and ran the club.

The Casbah, a private members club in the basement of the Best family home, was distinctive in a number of ways having opened as a strictly Rock'n'Roll venue. The majority of Liverpool clubs in the late 50's having had roots in Jazz, Folk & Country music. It was also notable in that it was run by a woman, Mona Best, in an era when music/club promoters were invariably male. The documentary will explore the history of the club (decorated by The Beatles and now awarded Blue Plaque status) while examining the broader context of the boom that came to be known as Merseybeat.

Including contributions from Merseybeat newspaper founder Bill Harry alongside merseybeat veterans Mike Pender of The Searchers, Georgie Spruce (AKA Earl Preston of Earl Preston & The TT's), Howie Casey (of Derry & the Seniors-the first Liverpool combo to play in Hamburg and secure a recording contract), and Geoff Nugent (of The Undertakers). The programme also features the recollections of Casbah Club members and a fleeting, though noteworthy, contribution from Paul McCartney.

Part 2.

First broadcast on Radio 2.

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 8 Nov 2017 02:00

Music Played

  • The Undertakers

    MONEY (THAT'S WHAT I WANT)

    • JUST WALK IN MY SHOES - THE SONGS OF THE MOTOR CITY.
    • SEQUEL.
    • NEMCD-378.
  • SANDON, JOHNNY AND THE REMO FOUR

    LIES

    • BEAT MERCHANTS.
    • SEE FOR MILES.
    • SEECD-430.
  • The Beatles

    P.S. I LOVE YOU

    • PLEASE PLEASE ME.
    • PARLOPHONE.
    • CDP-7 46435 2.
  • Lee Curtis & The All Stars

    Let's Stomp

    • 7" Single.
    • Decca.
    • 45-GD 5028.
  • Faron鈥檚 Flamingos

    DO YOU LOVE ME

    • LET'S STOMP-LIVERPOOL BEAT 1963.
    • EDSEL.
    • ED-103.
  • PRESTON, EARL & THE T.T'S

    THUMBIN' A RIDE

    • Let's Stomp! Liverpool Beat 1963.
    • Edsel Records.
    • ED 103.
  • The Big Three

    CAVERN STOMP

    • THE BIG THREE - CAVERN STOMP.
    • Edsel.
    • ED111.
  • The Big Three

    What'd I Say

    • CAVERN STOMP.
    • DERAM.
    • 844-006-2.
  • The Beatles

    THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE

    • LIVE AT THE 成人快手.
    • APPLE.
    • 7243 8 31 796-2 6.
  • The Beatles

    KANSAS CITY/HEY HEY HEY

    • ANTHOLOGY.
    • EMI.
    • CDPCSP-727.
  • The Beatles

    ONE AFTER 909

    • ANTHOLOGY.
    • APPLE.
    • 7243 8-3444 2 6.
  • The Futureheads

    Radio Heart

    • CD SINGLE.
    • NUL.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Boxing Day 2012 00:00
  • Wed 18 Dec 2013 00:00
  • Wed 24 Sep 2014 02:00
  • Wed 1 Feb 2017 02:00
  • Wed 8 Nov 2017 02:00