The Cavern (Liverpool)
The Cavern is one of the most famous locations in the fascinating city of Liverpool.
It is the cellar bar in Matthew Street where the Beatles first came to prominence.
The Beatles originally were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best. A peripheral member, Stuart Sutcliffe, died before the group achieved their worldwide fame, and as they were about to make the big breakthrough drummer Best was replaced by Ringo Starr.
Brian Epstein took over as their manager, and was responsible for much of their early promotion and public relations. George Martin was the first record producer to listen to their music seriously, and his genius helped to bring a magic to their recordings.
After the band split up, John Lennon was murdered in New York, and George Harrison died after a long illness. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr continue to be prominent performers.
The original Cavern was removed when a new underground railway was being constructed. Immediately above, however, is a Beatle-themed collection of shops and coffee bar.
A few doors away is a faithful reproduction of the Cavern itself.