LIVERPOOL BEATLE WEEK 21 Aug 2003

Robert Whitaker's photo exhibition
Concerts at Cavern Pub and Cavern Club
'This Is Merseybeat' at Cavern Club

How wonderful to be back in Liverpool! For the sixth succesive year! Who could believe that, when we first arrived here in 1998?


Exhibition!	Robert Whitaker

ROBERT WHITAKAR was The Beatles' official photographer during 1964-66. He managed to compile a remarkable dossier of the 20th century's most astounding musical phenomen. No one will forget the 'Butcher Cover' and many more classical photos. This week he guested his wonderful exhibition at Mathew Street Gallery signing posters.

THE FABS are from Argentina and have been touring in their home country, playing to packed houses, since they were formed in 1997. An enthusiastic band playing many earlier Beatle hits.

JOHNNY SILVER comes from Osnabruck in Germany. His uncanny resemblance to John Lennon and his remarkable simular voice has gained him worldwide recognition as one of the greatest Lennon impersonators. And tonight he and the band made a very good show.

'62, a five-piece band from Wyoming, U.S.A. played many rock'n'roll songs from The Fab Four's early Hamburg days with great success. What a beat!

LOS ESCARABAJOS (meaning beetles in Spanish) made their debut in 1993 at the Spanish Beatles Convention in Seville. Nice to see you in Liverpool!

THE BEATRIPS comes from the Osaka/Kyoto area of Japan. Formed three years ago. Very happy to have been invited to Liverpool Beatle Week. A great band with lots of enthusiastic Japanese fans made this a very entertaining concert.

THE REPEATLES from Stockholm, Sweden was a new acquaintance for us since we come from the west-coast. A great, solid band not only playing The Beatles, but also The Who, The Kinks, The Byrds and many more 60's bands. The members are Jan Leonard (guitar), Arne Brox (bass), Pete Beck (guitar) and Steve Kling (drums).

Now tonight's great event: THIS IS MERSEYBEAT at Cavern Back. A Hot, Hot, HOT evening with lots of classical bands that played at The Cavern during the 60's. So get your dancing shoes on and do the Cavern Stomp!


Oh Mike! This is show-time!	Beautiful guitar! 'Peggy Sue'

DUKEBOX EDDIES with singer MIKE BYRNE made a swinging, enthusiastic start. Lots of Elvis rockabilly numbers, Buddy Holly and much more. You're a real show-man, Mike! Well-known compere at many Beatle Weeks and Mathew Street Festivals. And look at the happy guitar-player! (Do you know his name?)

THE UNDERTAKERS is a legendary Liverpudlian band. Fantastic to see them back at The Cavern! They played in Hamburg in the same years as The Beatles did. The band can also be seen in several documentary films about The Beatles and the Mersey Beat Phenomena. The guitar player of The Undertakers helped John Lennon to attach a Bigsby vibra in his Rickenbacker when John wanted to modify his instrument in the early Beatle years. (Thanks to Tapani, Finland for the facts.)

	We were devastated when we first heard that TONY SKEGGS no longer was a member in one of the best bands ever that has performed during Beatle Weeks - The Overtures! Tonight he performed with his new band including members of Gary Gibson's band. Thank you Tony for a great performance! You will find him on more occasions during Beatle Week later...
Tony Skeggs