Mersey Beat - Clubmoor Conservative Club

Paul's debut with The Quarrymen

 

Although there is little evidence of the other groups that played at this venue, it is included because of its significance in the story of 'The Beatles' development.

It was at this venue, also known as Clubmoor Conservative Club, behind Broadway in Norris Green, that Paul McCartney made his debut performance with 'The Quarrymen' on the 18th of October 1957 where he and John both wore cream coloured sports jackets. This was the fist of three performances at this Conservative Club venue. The line-up for 'The Quarrymen' at that time was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Eric Griffiths, Colin Hanton and Len Garry. Paul, so eager to impress, unfortunately suffered a case of stage fright and messed up the guitar solo on 'Guitar Boogie' which he had been practising so intensely. Expecting John to be furious with him it was a surprise when shocked he turned to find John laughing out loud. Their follow up performance on November the 23rd yielded what are believed to be the first photographs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney together. The photographer was Leslie Kearney ( see above ).

The promoter was Charlie 'Mac' McBain who promoted at several venues around Liverpool, including Wilson Hall and it was the first of three occasions that the group played there. Also it is believed that on that night, Paul showed John Lennon a song he had written, and John then showed Paul some songs that he had composed. The two started writing songs together from that moment, which marked the birth of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership.

 

N.B. In an interview with GQ Magazine published in August 2020, Paul McCartney recalls that his first public appearance with the Quarry Men was at Wilson Hall. Drummer Colin Hanton has also cast doubt about the date as Len Garry apparently had fallen ill in late September and was out of commission for a long while.

For many years the Railway Bridge at Broadway was daubed with paint 'Solomons Mines', a group from Norris Green (http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2015/10/mersey-beat-solomons-mines.html)

The Railway Bridge at Broadway, Norris Green

See also :-http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2017/06/mersey-beat-wilson-hall-garston.html