The American Influence on The Beatles – Part 1

The influence of American artists on the aspiring musicians of Liverpool was without doubt the most important catalyst in the formation of bands like The Beatles.

Rock ‘n’ roll came to Britain at a time when the country was struggling for its musical identity. Jazz had dominated the music scene in the 1920s and ’30s, but, with the transition of silent movies to “talkies”, there was suddenly a large number of musicians who had been playing in the cinemas looking for work.

In a bold step in 1932, the Musicians’ Union in the UK placed an embargo on foreign jazz musicians playing in the country. Jazz was booming in Britain after the Second World War, and although there was a whole host of American Jazz musicians, they could not visit the UK because of the embargo. It didn’t apply to blues or gospel musicians, and importantly in the late 1950s, to rock ‘n’ roll musicians from across the Atlantic. The music of black Americans was available in the UK and becoming increasingly popular. Artists like Huddie William “Lead Belly” Ledbetter and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup are often cited for their influence on popular music and artists like Elvis Presley.

In Liverpool, Alan Sytner, a 21-year-old jazz enthusiast, opened his first jazz venue, The 21 Club, at 21, Croxteth Road, Liverpool. Having been inspired by visiting Le Caveau de la Huchette in Paris, Sytner wanted to recreate that atmosphere in Liverpool.

The Cavern was a member of the National Jazz Federation and one of the largest music venues in the country. In 1958, Sytner sold the Cavern Club lease to Ray McFall and headed to London to manage a new venue owned by Harold Pendleton, a friend of his from Merseyside. Together, they established the now-world-famous Marquee Club. Pendleton was one of the most influential men in the history of British music, a fact that Cavern Director Dave Jones passionately relates. Pendleton created the first National Jazz Festival and, with the help of Chris Barber, a jazz trombonist who was director of the National Federation of Jazz Organisations of Great Britain, The Marquee Club quickly became the country’s premier jazz venue.

In Chris Barber’s band was one Anthony James “Lonnie” Donegan, a guitar and banjo player who entertained audiences with blues and folk songs that became so popular, that he recorded an up-tempo version of “Rock Island Line” in 1954 which became a massive hit two years later.

Donegan’s appearances in Barber’s band triggered the skiffle craze that swept Britain in 1957 and 1958.  On 6 July 1957, as John and Paul were meeting for the first time, Donegan was at number one in the charts with “Gamblin’ Man”/ “Putting on The Style”, the latter song being in The Quarrymen’s repertoire that day.

With the dearth of new jazz musicians in the country, and the absence of the American stars, Donegan’s skiffle was a breath of fresh air to young people across the country. Because of Donegan’s association with Chris Barber’s Jazz Band, skiffle was also acceptable in jazz clubs. Sytner and Pendleton suggested that Donegan take his music north to Liverpool and perform at The Cavern, which he did, on 11 October 1958.

On 29 August 1959, on the outskirts of Liverpool in West Derby, Mona Best opened The Casbah Coffee Club. With a marked absence of jazz music, Liverpool’s first rock ‘n roll club was established.

In January 1960, The Cavern hosted the first Liverpool Jazz Festival, though there were appearances by such notable non-jazz groups as The Blue Genes–who became The Swinging Blue Jeans–and Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, featuring Ringo Starr. When Rory Storm’s set included some rock ‘n roll songs, their fee was halved! However, the seed of beat music was sown, and on 25 May 1960, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes returned for the first advertised beat session at The Cavern. Jazz music was rapidly disappearing and, although the Musicians’ Union embargo was lifted in 1958, it was too late for jazz. However, it would be an opportunity for American rock ‘n’ roll musicians to head for Britain.

At the forefront of this first wave was Bill Haley and His Comets, whose song “Rock Around the Clock”, and the film of the same name, are recognized for introducing rock ‘n’ roll to Britain. Buddy Holly’s March 1958 appearance in Liverpool would be of greater importance to the musicians, but American music and culture were suddenly all the rage.

All Lennon, McCartney, and their friends had to do was get their hands on those American records.  [Stay tuned for Part 2!]

-David Bedford

Featured photo: The Quarrymen (public domain) Other photos:  Cavern Jazz  – copyright Dave Jones; Le Caveau, Rock Island Line – copyright David Bedford Collection