56 years ago in February 1963 The Beatles brought their Cavern Club show to King’s Heath’s old Ritz Ballroom. Source Birminghampress
The Ritz was one of four venues run by Irish couple Ma and Pa Regan in the 1960’s. Originally scheduled to appear in January, the Beatles had been prevented by blizzard conditions from getting to the Ritz from another of the Regans’ venues – the Plaza at Old Hill.
When they did make it on 15th February, they had just got to number one in the charts with Please, Please Me and had to enter the rear of the venue from Milford Place by a ladder. “Tell them to turn that racket down,” is what Pa Regan is said to have shouted to his wife while The Beatles were tuning up before the gig. But he was a very happy man really because he had persuaded Brian Epstein they should appear for their original fee even though they were now chart toppers.
Now King’s Heath Walk Of Fame will present a unique day long celebration of this historic event on Sunday 11th February 2018 that will conclude with a performance by the current Cavern Club resident band Made in Liverpool as history repeats itself!
From 3pm to 6pm a great selection of local musicians will perform their favourite Beatles songs in a special pre-Valentine’s Day All You Need Is Love session at Fletchers Bar opposite the burnt down ruins of the old Ritz Ballroom. Expect a range of musical styles including the acoustic sounds of Acoustica, the jazz soul of Blue Silk, the folk rock of Mr Apollo, the legendary Eggmen plus singer songwriters Matilda Pratt, Tim Walkerdine, Peters plays Lennon with more musicians to be added.
At 7pm doors will then open at the Hare and Hounds for an evening concert by top tribute band Made In Liverpool to conclude Beatles Fest 2018. Born and bred in Liverpool the band perform at venues world-wide with recent performances being as far afield as Russia, USA, Australia, Switzerland, Europe and the Far East
Originally named The Fab Four they were the first Beatles tribute band to play the Cavern when it re-opened and are mentioned in music writer and Merseybeat historian Spencer Leigh’s book The Cavern, The Most Famous Club in the World. And they still continue to play at the Cavern on a regular basis.
Tickets for the Beatles All You Need Is Love Session at Fletchers cost £4 in advance from Kitchen Garden Cafe or £4.40 here Any remaining tickets will cost £5 on door.
Tickets for Made in Liverpool at the Hare & Hounds are available here
