The Beatles live: St John’s Hall, Bootle

After The Beatles’ triumphant show at Litherland Town Hall on 27 December 1960, two promoters managed to get backstage to book more appearances by the band.

One was Brian Kelly, who ran Beekay Promotions, and the other was Dave Forshaw, a 17-year-old music fan who was putting on events in Liverpool.

Backstage at the Litherland show, Forshaw booked The Beatles for three dates, each a month apart, at St John’s Hall in Bootle. For this first one they were paid £6 10s (£6.50). Since the venue was almost full on the night, Forshaw had no trouble recouping his outlay.

The Beatles appeared on five occasions at St John’s Hall – on 6 January, 3 February and 3 March 1961, and on 2 March and 30 July 1962. The venue was situated opposite Bootle Town Hall on Oriel Road, but was later demolished.