This show, in collaboration with The Cavern Club, is part of The Summer of Sound a summer-long series of special musical events taking place from 24th July – 29th August at the Museum of Liverpool. The riverside venue will host a series of acts each Saturday evening throughout the summer, honouring the verve and heritage of Liverpool’s infamous music scene.
This show gave a musical insight
into the Swinging 60’s and helped the audience experience and re-live the thrilling
birth of the Mersey Sound. The show commemorated the music that launched the
British invasion and changed pop music history forever. It featured the Cavern
Club’s resident beat combo The Shakers, guest stars portraying pop music icons such
as Cilla Black and Gerry Marsden and was hosted by Liverpool Everyman and
Playhouse actor Paul Codman. The energetic production recreated the sound and spirit
of Liverpool’s most exciting musical era.
Host for the first part of the
show, Dale Roberts from the Cavern Club, informed the audience that it will be
The Cavern Club’s 70th birthday next year and that there will be a
special exhibition held in the Exhibition Hall where this show took place. He
then went on to introduce resident Cavern Club band, The Shakers, who
entertained with various 60’s hits such
as ‘Some Other Guy’, ‘Rock and Roll Music’, ‘Love Potion Number 9’ and ‘Love Me
Do’. There was also a nod to Buddy Holly with ‘That’ll Be The Day’.
Neil Ainsby entertained with a
medley of Gerry Marsden (Gerry and the Pacemakers) hits followed by Victoria Jones singing as Our Cilla (Cilla
Black).
After a short interval, compere Paul
Codman introduced the audience to hits of 1963 with The Shakers performing a
medley of Beatles hits and ‘Gerry’ and ‘Cilla’ following on with more hits from
the exciting musical period.
The show was atmospheric of the
Merseybeat era and recreated the Mersey sound which was much appreciated by the
audience who sang, clapped and danced to the hits of the 60’s. Hit songs from
The Searchers, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Billy J. Kramer and The Big Three were also
featured.
The show ended with all acts on
stage singing and dancing to ‘Twist and Shout’, ‘Ferry Across The Mersey’ and ‘You’ll
Never Walk Alone’.
It was a special, nostalgic night
for many of those attending who lived through the Merseybeat era and they
showed their appreciation throughout.
Full Cast List:-
Compere/Narrator - Paul Codman
The Shakers:-
Tony O’Keeffe - Drums,
Kevin Benson - Bass/vocals,
Tom Benson - Rhythm guitar/Backing vocals/Harmonica
Liam Mannion - Lead guitar/Vocals
Keyboards - Toni Baker
Cilla - Victoria Jones
Gerry Marsden - Neil Ainsby
For more information see https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/summer-of-sound.
Reviewer: Anne
Pritchard
On: 8th August 2026
