The Cavern: The Most Famous Club In The World
by Spencer Leigh

RC contributor and BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Spencer Leigh confirms his reputation as rock’s leading “oral historian” with another fascinating compendium of eye-witness memories. He tells the 50-year story of the legendary “cellarful of noise” through the words of the musicians, punters, promoters, staff, owners, even the builders. In fact, at times it seems that everyone who ever walked down those narrow stairs (for a long time there was only one way in or out – fire escapes were for wimps) is quoted here. By presenting it all in who-played- when chronological order, it becomes a day-by-day history, detailed enough to satisfy factfiends but vibrant enough to evoke a whole world of hot, sweaty, noisy nights (and lunchtimes). Inevitably the story palls a little after the demolition of the original Cavern in the 70s, but it’s still a story worth telling, and one in which The Beatles, for once, do not dominate – though Macca contributes a neat foreword. As ever, John Firminger’s visual memorabilia are a treat.