Beyond the Beat

About

The display showcases some of the bands that clamoured to play Liverpool’s music scene in the wake of The Beatles’ monumental fame.

Following the stratospheric success of The Beatles, musicians would flock to play the city's music venues on Mathew Street and beyond, soaking up the success and legacy of Liverpool’s famous sons, including some of history’s most influential American blues artists.

Front and centre at their shows were an army of photographers, including Bill Connell and Les Chadwick from Liverpool studio Peter Kaye Photography. The company documented the performances and crowds that danced to the beat of the clubs during the swinging 60s.

This small selection of photographs, taken from a huge archive by Peter Kaye Photography, captures the essence of the Merseybeat scene. The energy of the clubs, the enthusiasm of the crowds and the power of the musicians to captivate their audiences.

Artists from rock and blues backgrounds including The Yardbirds, The Hollies, John Lee Hooker and The Spencer Davis Group feature alongside local artists who performed during the 1960s.

Beyond the Beat is on display and free to visit in Museum of Liverpool’s Skylight gallery.