Lathom Hall
Encyclopedia
Lathom Hall is a former cinema and music venue in Seaforth
, Liverpool
. Built in 1884, the venue became synonymous with Merseybeat
in the 1960s.
was told to "cut [his] hair" as he looked like a girl. Despite this, and their group's performance, Kelly booked the group for the following weekend's dance – promoting them as "Silver Beetles" in the headline slot. The group later failed to notify Kelly that they could not play at the performance (having received an offer to tour Scotland with Johnny Gentle
), leaving him to explain to the audience why the advertised act would not appear. Nevertheless, the group were booked for a number of subsequent concerts in early 1961 – by which time they had changed their name to The Beatles
. Kelly paid the group an average of £8 0s 10d per concert – equivalent to approximately £120 in 2005. The group's final appearance at the hall was on 25 February, George Harrison
's 18th birthday.
club before lying derelict for a number of years. In 1989, it was purchased by Brian Corrigan who renovated the hall and reopened it as a bar and function venue decorated with Merseybeat memorabilia.
Seaforth, Merseyside
Seaforth is a district within the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England. It is located to the north of Liverpool, between Bootle and Waterloo.-History:...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. Built in 1884, the venue became synonymous with Merseybeat
Beat music
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo wop, skiffle, R&B and soul...
in the 1960s.
Music venue
On 14 May 1960, the Silver Beats auditioned at the hall during the interval of a performance by Cliff Roberts and the Rockers, Dick Dale and the Deltones, and King Size Taylor and the Dominoes. One report suggests that the venue's promoter, Bill Kelly, curtailed the group's set after just two songs they performed so badly. Conversely, the Bootle Times reported that the group were "sensational". After the performances, a fight broke out backstage after bassist Stuart SutcliffeStuart Sutcliffe
Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe was a Scottish artist and musician, best known as the original bass player of The Beatles. Sutcliffe left the band to pursue a career as an artist, having previously attended the Liverpool College of Art...
was told to "cut [his] hair" as he looked like a girl. Despite this, and their group's performance, Kelly booked the group for the following weekend's dance – promoting them as "Silver Beetles" in the headline slot. The group later failed to notify Kelly that they could not play at the performance (having received an offer to tour Scotland with Johnny Gentle
Johnny Gentle
Johnny Gentle is the stage name of John Askew . He was a British pop singer who is now best remembered for having briefly toured Scotland with the Silver Beetles - later known simply as The Beatles - as his backing group in 1960....
), leaving him to explain to the audience why the advertised act would not appear. Nevertheless, the group were booked for a number of subsequent concerts in early 1961 – by which time they had changed their name to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. Kelly paid the group an average of £8 0s 10d per concert – equivalent to approximately £120 in 2005. The group's final appearance at the hall was on 25 February, George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's 18th birthday.
Legacy
After the popularity of Merseybeat subsided, the hall became used as a Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
club before lying derelict for a number of years. In 1989, it was purchased by Brian Corrigan who renovated the hall and reopened it as a bar and function venue decorated with Merseybeat memorabilia.