Product Reviews

 Gibson Guitar factory Raided by Armed Police

Your Guitar Could Get You Arrested

Bad news for owners of guitars especially vintage ones. The US authorities have decided that many of the woods used in the production of fine guitars such as the Gibson Les Paul are illegal. Indian rosewood is the immediate target. See the Video

 The History of The Pathfinders

There were over 300 bands playing in Liverpool in the early 60's. Only a handful managed to get a recording contract. One such band was The Pathfinders. Tony Aldridge the drummer of the band has painstakingly put together a beautiful website chronicling the history of the band. Ok they didn't make it, but it looked like they had a whole load of fun. To visit The Pathfinders story click here

Merseycats at The MSF

On the Fab Four Family stage floating on Salthouse Dock at The Albert Dock. Bands are:

Sunday 28th: Beatclub, Memphis Nites, The Bogeymen, JPS.
Monday 29th: Tempest, Big Shed

Allan Schroeder's Mersey Sounds

Listen in to Allan's new radio show which is all about Liverpool music of the 60s. It's on every Thursday from 2.00PM - 4.00PM. You can listen worldwide via the internet by going to WWW.VINTAGERADIO.ORG.UK
Allan would like as many requests as possible for a new section of the show. Contact him on :-

info@vintageradio.org.uk or before the show to
themerseybeatstory@hotmail.co.uk

 Horst Fascher DVD Released

Next year sees the 50th anniversary of the Star Club in Hamburg. Horst Fascher the man who booked the Beatles and many other famous stars tells his story in full for the first time. This promo video features Lee Curtis and many of the stars who played at the club.

 Undertakers Storm The Lathom

The Undertakers with Jackie Lomax in the line up stormed the Lathom last week. Great to see three of the original players back together again Brian Jones, Jackie Lomax and Geoff Nugent pictured here with Liverpool Beat historian and drummer extraordinaire Arty Davies. (Photo: Mave Atherton)

 Jorgenson Back In Liverpool

Tickets for John Jorgenson's gig with his Electric Band at The Haig House Club In Liverpool on 19th October are now available.Tickets are £15 and can be ordered from: FRANK DONOVAN, 78 DUNBABIN ROAD, CHILDWALL, LIVERPOOL L16 7QH

Great News - Searchin Are Back

Searchin' have spent the last couple of months honouring gigs in the diary  following the departure of  Andy and Peter from the band. Mike pictured on the left, has told Liverpool Beat that it has been difficult period but feedback has been good and now Mike and Steve have decided to carry on with the band and are currently auditioning for a bass player and a drummer.

Mike has asked us put on record their thanks to Peter ( Big Shed), Bobby ( Tempest) for standing in for them on gigs and also  special thank you to Ritchie Taylor  ( Bass) who has been brilliant and is now a friend who only wants the best for the band. They hope to be back playing with the new line up in September. Please visit their  website for updates. www.thesearchin.co.uk

 Save The Liverpool Coast Guard

Bernie Prescott Chairman of MerseyCats who spent most of his career as an officer in the Coast Guard has sent this appeal and we strongly support the petition. How can you have a coastal city of the size of Liverpool without a Coast guard?

 Dear Dave
You may know about the intended closure of Liverpool Coastguard. Please take a look at the petition I have linked below and sign if you are at all concerned.
Having spent over 26 years in the Coastguard Service I believe this plan to be criminally dangerous.
 
Bernie Prescott
 
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-liverpool-coastguard.html 

 The First Annual Merseybeat Reunion 1971

A sad look back on what might have been for those musicians left behind in Liverpool.

Merseybeat Reunion 1971

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/mersey/5177.shtml

Rory Storm - A Bright Light That Ended Too Soon

It's nearly 40 years since Rory Storm died suddenly, but his name lives on with so many people. In Liverpool, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes were every bit as big as the Beatles in the early 1960s. But while the Beatles went on to international superstardom, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes saw players come and go, including the departure of Ringo Starr to the fab four.

Source: Liverpool Echo 

 The Star Club 50th Anniversary Show

Horst Fascher the manager of the Star Club and the man who first booked The Beatles, is organising a 50th anniversary celebration of the Star Club on Friday April 13th 2012. 50 years to exactly the day and date when the now defunct club opened. In an effort to get as near as possible to the original location, the show will take place at Grosse Freheit 36, The Star Club was at no 39. Horst tells me the line up that day was The Beatles, Tex Roberg & The Graduates, The Bachelors and Roy Young. Thus far, Horst has lined up a FAB selection of bands and artists from the era including The Undertakers, Karl Terry & The Cruisers, The Mojos, Lee Curtis backed by his German band The Bonds and Mike Pender’s Searchers. The line up is not yet complete, so keep checking back. Details of tickets for the show will be published as soon as we know. Once again, and perhaps for the last time, its time to “Mak Show”.

 The MERSEYBEATS to celebrate 50 Years

One of the legends of the 60s, THE MERSEYBEATS are to celebrate 50 years together with a special show at the Cavern. Details as follows:

The Cavern Club, Liverpool

on September 9th

Tony & Billys 50th Anniversary 1961  - 2011

Celebration show with THE MERSEYBEATS
Tickets On Sale Now via The Cavern / Ticketmaster

Read our feature on THE MERSEYBEATS

Footage of The Beatles at The Cavern 1962

Just released is this extended video of The Beatles playing Some Other Guy at the Cavern. Click the video to see a larger version.