The Cavern was entered by queuing for some time before getting to the entrance door. There were very steep steps to go down into the cavernous space below. (Hence the name)
A cloakroom lady stood behind a small opening to your right as you got to the bottom of the stairs. Macs and heavy top coats were handed to her and she gave you a ticket. Sometimes the girl was Priscilla White. You will know her as Cilla Black.
There was a bar at the back of the room where drinks were bought. There was never any alcohol sold in the Cavern.
The actual room was created from three brick vaulted cellars, which had no dividing walls between them. The brick arches provided the support for the brick vaulted roofs. The cellar was part of Liverpool's maritime history, having been used to store imported goods, immigrants and slaves.
The room was about 75 feet long by about 65 feet wide. It didn't take many people to fill it to capacity. The heat from the bodies created condensation that dripped from the brick walls and roof. There was a constant smell of perfume, sweat, and detergent. The toilets were adequate.
At the far end of the middle vault was the tiny stage. It was only just big enough to hold a drum kit/drummer, and three guitar players. The amplifiers were 'something else' in such a small and confined space. You could feel the thud of the bass and the pounding of the drums, through your heart, lungs, liver, bladder and any other part of your body. The whole building did shudder with the beat of the music.
I saw every band that came out of Liverpool in those days; The Big Three, Herman's Hermits, The Mojos, The Searchers, Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, et al. (
)
There were padded benches along the sides of the outer vaulted areas, wher one would pass the time in pleasant conversation with a new friend from the opposite sex.
When I hear mention of The Cavern, the first thing I remember is the unique smell of the place. The next memory is off the pounding thud of the music blasting its way through my body.
When Elizabeth comes to visit, I hope to be able to take her to the newly created Cavern, that is a few doors from were the original Cavern used to be.
I grew up one mile from Strawberry Fields, which was a children's home. I travelled to work each day passing the Firestation were that 'Fireman' was based and then passed Penny Lane and the Shelter opposite it.
If we have enough time, I'll show lizzie some of these places, in her flying visit.
"Bipolar is a roller-coaster ride without a seat belt. One day you're flying with the fireworks; for the next month you're being scraped off the trolley" I said that.
