1957 Alan Sytner, was the son of a doctor who played at the same golf club, Lee Park, as Nigel Whalley, who was now an apprentice golf professional. Via this labyrinthine route, the Quarry Men booking was made. Despite being a jazz venue, skiffle, with its jazz origins, was just about acceptable in the Cavern Club, although rarely as anything more than an interval attraction. But having performed the most acceptable 'Come Go With Me', John Lennon's brash attempt to follow with Elvis Presley's `Hound Dog' and 'Blue Suede Shoes' was met with much disdain by the Quarry Men's folk purist Rod Davis, and also by Alan Sytner who promptly dispatched a terse note to the stage, "Cut out the bloody rock!" Paul McCartney did not play with the Quarry Men on this occasion because he was away at scout camp.
abortion of his solo during a version of Arthur Smith's 1946 hit 'Guitar Boogie'. McBain's only recorded comment on the Quarry Men this evening was an ambiguous "Good & Bad", scribbled in pencil on their visiting card.
Thursday 7 November Wilson Hall, Speke Rd, Garston, Liverpool
The first of four known Quarry Men performances at this rough, tough venue, built by Francis Wilson opposite the Garston bus depot. Charlie Mac ran "Rhythm Nights" here every Thursday.
Friday 18 October
Saturday 16 November
New Clubmoor Hall (Conservative Club) ( Back) Broadway, Norris Green, Liverpool
Stanley Abattoir Social Club, East Prescot Rd, Old Swan, Liverpool
In addition to his "strict tempo" evenings, south Liverpool dance promoter Charlie McBain — known as Charlie Mac — ran regular rock and skiffle nights at his venues, including Wilson Hall, Garston; the Garston Swimming Baths (known locally as the Blood Baths because of the fierce gang fights which took place there); Holyoake Hall, Wavertree; and Wavertree Town Hall. This one, at the Conservative Club's New Clubmoor Hall in Norris Green, marked the debut of Paul McCartney with John Lennon and the Quarry Men. Playing lead guitar on this one occasion, Paul's first-night nerves proved insurmountable and he made an unqualified
NOVEMBER
Undoubtedly the most peculiar Quarry Men engagement of all: a dance for the social club members of the massive Stanley Abattoir. Various slaughter-house personnel, meat porters and their wives, saw two — allegedly cacophonous — sets by the combo either side of an interval. They were not re-booked.
Saturday 23 November New Clubmoor Hall, Norris Green, Liverpool
A return visit to the Conservative Club. The Quarry Men skiffling at New Clubmoor Hall, 23 November 1957. L to R: Colin Hanton, Paul McCartney, Len Garry, John Lennon, Eric Griffiths, all resplendent in bootlace ties.
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