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MUSIC FROM THE MERSEY | Pop stories from the Capital of Culture

About this collection

Selections from the BBC archives celebrate the city that lays claim to more chart-topping hits than any other. In 2008 Liverpool was recognised as the European Capital of Culture but, as this collection shows, its musical influence dates from much further back.

Meet Liverpool's first rock 'n' roll idol, Billy Fury, hear stories from the world-famous Cavern Club, and follow the fortunes of the city's musical sons and daughters. Featuring Gerry Marsden, Cilla Black, Pete Wylie and more, it's a story of the blues - and jazz, and good old Rock 'n' Roll.

MUSIC FROM THE MERSEY Collection

Cilla Black

News Report

Brian Epstein

RECORDED
16 MINUTES

Brian Epstein talks about managing The Beatles, Cilla Black and other artists.

go to News Report
Billy Fury

Billy Fury Interview

RECORDED
20 MINUTES

Liverpool's first king of rock discusses his career.

go to Billy Fury Interview
Pete Wylie

Collector's Choice

Pete Wylie

RECORDED
25 MINUTES

Pete Wylie selects his favourite records for Kid Jensen.

go to Collector's Choice
Brian Epstein

Frankly Speaking

Brian Epstein

BROADCAST 1963
28 MINUTES

Beatles manager Brian Epstein speaks about his life.

go to Frankly Speaking
Ken Dodd

The Singing City

BROADCAST 1965
50 MINUTES

How urban regeneration tore the heart out of the Singing City.

go to The Singing City
A poster advertising the Merseybeat ball convention.

24 Hours

Mersey Beat Reunion

BROADCAST 1971
11 MINUTES

Bernard Falk reports from a disappointing first annual Mersey Beat convention.

go to 24 Hours
George, Paul and John from The Beatles.

Bob Wooler Interview

BROADCAST 1973
57 MINUTES

The Cavern Club's DJ lifts the lid on The Beatles.

go to Bob Wooler Interview
Gerry Marsden singing and playing a guitar, in 1963.

Woman's Hour

Gerry Marsden

BROADCAST 1974
6 MINUTES

Gerry Marsden talks about finding fame and fortune with The Pacemakers.

go to Woman's Hour
Roger McGough

Woman's Hour

Roger McGough

BROADCAST 1981
11 MINUTES

Liverpool poet Roger McGough talks poetry, pop, religion and scaffolding.

go to Woman's Hour
The Liver Buildings on Liverpool's waterfront.

Dancing in the Rubble

BROADCAST 1982
44 MINUTES

Mersey Beat is dead: so says Liverpool's new generation of musicians.

go to Dancing in the Rubble
Holly Johnson.

My Top Ten

Holly Johnson

BROADCAST 1984
33 MINUTES

Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson picks some favourite tracks

go to My Top Ten
Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon of the band China Crisis.

City to City

Liverpool

BROADCAST 1986
53 MINUTES

A tour of the UK's musical hubs begins with Liverpool.

go to City to City
A sign for the Cavern Club

Gigs That Changed the World

The Beatles

BROADCAST 2005
26 MINUTES

How did a small backstreet jazz club become the most famous music venue in the world?

go to Gigs That Changed the World

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