Beatles

When Paul McCartney announced he'd be ending the twentieth century playing Liverpool's Cavern Club it quickly became a worldwide event.

The performance on 14 December, 1999 was to promote his new album Run Devil Run.

300 people packed in the tiny club to see McCartney return to stage for the first time since the summer of 1963 when he last played there with The Beatles.

Crowds watch the gig in Chavasse Park

Simultaneously over 12 thousand people braved freezing temperatures to watch the concert on specially erected screens on nearby Chavasse Park.

It was the 281st time that McCartney had played The Cavern, although this time it was in the reconstructed club after the original was demolished in the 1970's.

In a 45 minute set alongside material from his new album McCartney played some old classics including I Saw Her Standing There.

Media organisations from over 30 countries descended on the city to cover the event bringing McCartney's music to fans of a new generation.

The new Cavern club opened its doors for the first time in July 1957 and closed for the final time in March 1973.

The replacement club which occupies much of the original site opened in 1984 as part of the Cavern Walks development.

Paul McCartney back on stage in the Cavern

The Cavern was named by owner Alan Synter after a Paris venue ‘Le Caveau’, it began life as a Jazz venue, the first act was Merseysippi Jazz Band, and for three years the club mainly featured jazz artists until beat music started to take over.

John Lennon made his first appearance at the Cavern with The Quarrymen on 7 August 1957.

In 1960 Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, featuring Ringo Starr on drums, played the first beat evening session.

The Beatles made their first appearance on Wednesday 21 February 1961 and their last on Friday 3 August 1963.

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