Clem Dalton, Brian (Jessie) James, and I were in the Liverpool Jazz Society club Temple Street Liverpool 2 (aka Iron Door) drinking tea before we opened the door to allow the first of the members in for the start of the Lunchtime session.
“Guess what! Geoff “I nodded over to where Jess was sitting in one of the booths in the coffee bar area of the club ‘’I was downtown drinking with Lennon last night ( Jess was in the same class as John Lennon at Dovedale Primary ) he said the Beatles were performing at the Cavern yesterday lunchtime, the boys had set up their instruments on the stage, were relaxing in the small band room at the side of the stage, they noticed the band room door slowly moving a face appeared and spoke ‘’Hope I’m not disturbing you I very rarely venture into this part of the club I did have something rather important to discuss with you I’ll come straight to the point. Ray McFall, the Cavern Club owner, commenced addressing the Beatles, saying, “I have a proposition for you all. I would prefer you not to perform at the Iron Door in the afternoons or evenings. In return, I am prepared to guarantee three, perhaps stretching to four, extra bookings per week also double the money I pay you. I want your answer now.” This announcement stunned the Beatles. After a short discussion, they agreed to comply with the Cavern owner’s extraordinary request.
The atmosphere in the room had slowly become more toxic as Jess was narrating this unbelievable information, Geoff addressed Clem “Phone Mona and say you would like to book the Beatles next Thursday “ Clem disappeared to the phone upstairs when he reappeared ‘’ Mona informed me the Boys had instructed her not to take any bookings from the Liverpool Jazz Society “. Members were hammering at the door to be opened, and the discussion temporally ended.
The attendance at the Cavern had dropped to a level that the business was no longer viable. The Iron Door’s new arrangement of organizing all-night sessions was partly responsible for McFall's predicament. The all-night session was not a new phenomenon; most clubs had previously dabbled in. The all-nighters at the Iron Door (aka Liverpool Jazz Society) were on a scale not previously observed, with attendances of up to Two Thousand. The Beatles performing at the Iron Door was not why the Cavern was now experiencing difficulties. Mismanagement also contributed to the club's downfall.
Ray McFall never recovered from this period of severe cash flow. He eventually succumbed to Bankruptcy.
BEATLES STOP PLAYING AT THE IRON DOOR
Discuss the early days of the Club with the manager.
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