Beatles Geek Alert: Site of First Quarrymen Gig Gets Landmark Designation

Thank you, Pete Best's mom. The Casbah Coffee Club — where the Beatles played their first show — was set up by Mrs. Best in the converted coal cellar of the family home in West Derby, England. In August 1959 John, Paul, and George played there together as the Quarrymen, and after Best joined they all played the Casbah many times before it closed in 1962. And now generations of Beatles-worshiping Anglophiles will be able to check out the remarkably well-preserved venue, which still has murals and paintings done by members of the band decorating the walls. A U.K. culture minister recently designated the Casbah Grade II, which apparently means that no one can mess with it.

"It is absolutely right that the club where the group first learnt their craft should be badged as an important part of our heritage, and receive the extra protection from harmful redevelopment that listed building status affords." Righty-o. Is it weird that you can now gaze upon a chair John Lennon once sat in from behind a velvet rope like you're on a class field trip to the Amish country? Yes, yes it is. Are we dying to do it anyway? Yes. We are.

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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