History & Legacy
The Jacaranda played a pivotal role in the creation of the Merseybeat phenomenon, a movement that took the world by storm in the 1960s. Opened in 1957 by Allan Williams, the club quickly became a hotspot for up-and-coming artists, providing a stage for new talent in Liverpool.
Among its regular customers were local students John Lennon, Stuart Sutcliffe, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney, who frequented the venue during their early days. In fact, Sutcliffe and Lennon paid for rehearsal space by painting murals in the cellar, some of which remain iconic pieces of the club’s history.
Allan Williams, the Jacaranda's first manager, secured the band’s defining first tour in Hamburg in 1960, a key moment in shaping their future success. He also introduced them to Richard Starkey (later known as Ringo Starr), who was then the drummer for Rory Storm & The Hurricanes, a leading Jacaranda regular. However, Williams and The Beatles parted ways after a dispute over management fees, leading to Williams stepping aside as their manager. Soon after, the band’s management passed to Brian Epstein, who guided them to global fame.
The Jacaranda proudly hosted the first-ever performance of The Beatles in August 1960, with the original five-piece lineup of John, Paul, George, Stuart, and Pete Best. This performance marked the beginning of their journey to becoming the world-renowned Fab Four.
For over sixty years, The Jacaranda has been the stage on which generations of young artists have aspired to make their mark. Its contribution to Liverpool's rich musical heritage is unrivalled, a legacy that cannot be replicated. The Jacaranda is more than a venue—it is a living piece of music history.
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The Beatles played their first show at The Jacaranda with their new drummer, Pete Best, marking their first performance under the name The Beatles. The band improvised microphone stands using broom handles held by fans, and performed for about two to three hours in the basement of the club. This performance was a defining moment in their early career, setting the foundation for what was to come.
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The first time The Beatles set off for Hamburg, they departed from The Jacaranda. The five members of the band – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best – along with their manager Allan Williams, his wife Beryl, her brother Barry Chang, and friend Lord Woodbine, all set off from The Jacaranda club in Williams’ green Austin van.
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Ringo Starr first met The Beatles at The Jacaranda. Recalling the event, Ringo said: "We were down at the Jacaranda club in Liverpool one afternoon, shortly before we were to go to Butlins. They usually had a steel band downstairs at night, but this afternoon there were three guys down there messing around on their guitars. Rory, Johnny Guitar, and I wandered down to see what was happening there. I didn’t know them: it was John and Paul teaching Stuart Sutcliffe to play bass. We were the professionals, and they were the boys, the struggling artists. They didn’t have a big image in my head. They meant nothing in those days – they were just a group of scruffs."
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Cynthia Lennon recalled that John Lennon finished writing the lyrics to "One After 909" at The Jacaranda, after starting them at home. Although the song was written early in their career, it wasn’t used until the Let It Be album, when the band looked back for inspiration. During those sessions, The Beatles revived "One After 909" and invited Allan Williams, the former owner of The Jacaranda and their first manager, to join the sessions. In footage from those sessions, John can be heard saying, "Where do you think you are? The Jacaranda?" While the context of the comment is unclear, it’s evident that when they reflected on their past, The Jacaranda was one of the places they thought of.