The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)

The Beatles gave their 127th lunchtime performance at Liverpool’s Cavern Club on this day.

The group’s lunchtime shows typically lasted from 12-2pm. This was their 220th known performance overall at the soon-to-be-famous cellar venue on Mathew Street in Liverpool’s city centre, including evening appearances.

This show took place shortly after Ringo Starr joined the band, and there was still some animosity surrounding the ousting of Pete Best.

On this day, by the bandroom at the Cavern, George Harrison received a black eye after being punched by one audience member, 19-year-old Denny Flynn.

George Harrison, Liverpool, 1962

The reasons remain unclear. Harrison said the altercation took place after he lost patience with some persistent calls of “Pete forever, Ringo never”. However, Paul McCartney suggested an entirely different reason, a claim corroborated by others in the venue.

George was bopped in the Cavern by some guy jealous for his girlfriend.
Paul McCartney, 18 July 2006
Tune In, Mark Lewisohn

George Harrison, Liverpool, 1962

Flynn, a notorious Liverpool brawler, died of cancer in 1971 at the age of 27.

I was there the day that everyone was going ‘We want Pete.’ Ringo was looking sheepish and McCartney was doing his usual, hands in the air, sorry, but trying to be diplomatic. Lennon couldn’t care less but George Harrison was being sarcastic so he got thumped by Mickey Flynn [sic], who looked like Wayne Rooney.
Dave Dover, Liverpool musician
The Cavern, Spencer Leigh

The precise number of The Beatles’ Cavern performances is not known, although they played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows between 9 February 1961 and 3 August 1963.

Page last updated: 13 February 2025

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2 thoughts on “The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)”

  1. I wonder what this show was like? Routine?

    I wonder how late John stayed out last night. Lol.

    After a near tussle with The Remo Four last night, it is so obvious John just wanted to play, play, play!!

    I too understand this after playing Beatles Rock Band 🙂

    Some songs I would bet they played today:

    Some Other Guy
    Love Me Do
    Kansas City (Hey Hey Hey Hey)

  2. According to the book “Tune In The Beatles All These Years, Volume 1” by author Mark Lewisohn, it was on this date at the Cavern in which George Harrison received his black eye. The assailant was 19 year old Denny Flynn who hit George not for Pete Best but because he enjoyed it.

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