All photos shot with a 1960s Hasselblad 500C. More of this series can be seen on my website at: Beatles Live
The Quarrymen played at the Casbah Coffee Club on several occasions in 1959 and the Beatles played numerous gigs here from 1960 – 1962. The club is in the basement of this house in Hayman’s Green, Liverpool. I recently did a tour of the club which was conducted by Roag Best, brother of Pete Best, the Beatles original drummer. It was a great insight into the Beatles early days, I’ll definately be paying a return visit.
John, Paul and George painted the ceilings in this club and their work can still be seen. John painted the ‘Aztec’ ceiling, Paul painted the ‘Rainbow’ ceiling and all three painted the ‘Star’ ceiling. There’s a hole in one made by Rory Storm when he got a little too energetic during a performance. He ended up head butting the ceiling and left his skull imprint as a lasting reminder!
The Quarrymen played one gig at the Stanley Abattoir Social Club, Liverpool in 1957. The abottoir pictured above is now a market.
The final photo is the Locarno Ballroom, Liverpool. The Beatles played here on Valentine’s Day 1963. Next door in the distance is the Grafton Rooms, another Beatles’ venue.
© Simon Howlett 2016. All rights reserved
Simon Howlett Photography 