Gigs That Changed the World | The Beatles

In the early 1960s, Liverpool's Cavern Club was one of the stop-off points for touring trad-jazz bands, but the rise in popularity of rock 'n' roll music and 'beat' groups changed all that. In this documentary, Muriel Gray speaks to Liverpool historian Spencer Leigh, jazz musician George Melly, 'Mersey Beat' magazine editor Bill Harry and Alan Sytner, founder of the Cavern, to chart its place in popular culture.

Although the original Cavern closed in 1973, the current Cavern Club occupies almost the same position on Mathew Street. Bob Wooler, a noted music expert and promoter, started hosting lunchtime dances at the Cavern in 1961 and became the compere and host there. He is credited with introducing The Beatles to their eventual manager, Brian Epstein, having turned down the position himself. Hear more from Bob Wooler in 'Sound Archive: Bob Wooler