Lesser-Known Beatles Sites in Liverpool
Over half a century since their peak, November 2021 witnessed a remarkable reimagining of the Beatles’ legacy with Peter Jackson’s extensive reconstruction of the group’s iconic 1969 Let It Be album and film. Drawing from approximately 55 hours of unreleased footage that had been hidden away in the Apple Corps vaults, this project presents a new “super deluxe” album alongside a captivating three-part mini-series on Disney+, scheduled to air over three nights starting November 25.
The newly rebranded film, titled The Beatles: Get Back, aims to transform the narrative traditionally associated with a challenging period for the band. But beyond the film, the understanding of the relationship between the Beatles and their hometown, Liverpool, also merits a fresh perspective. Typically, a visit to Liverpool for Beatles enthusiasts means heading to the Cavern Club, famous for hosting 292 performances from 1961 to 1963. However, this modern venue hardly resonates with local patrons who often avoid the current “gift shop with a stage” atmosphere, not to mention that it is not the original Cavern Club, which was lost to demolition in 1973 for a ventilatory purpose that never materialized.
Nevertheless, numerous sites across Liverpool resonate deeply with the band’s formative years, devoid of overwhelming crowds. As a local and avid Beatles aficionado, I present five must-see locations that every fan should explore.
R Jackson and Sons Art Shop
When John Lennon was a student at the Liverpool Institute (now LIPA), he became friends with a talented painter, Stuart Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe briefly joined The Beatles as a bassist during their early Hamburg gigs. However, he left to pursue his artistic talents before tragically passing away from a brain hemorrhage at just 21 in 1962. Today, Sutcliffe’s artwork is celebrated globally, while the shop where he and Lennon sourced their artistic supplies continues to thrive on Slater Street. As one of the UK’s oldest art supply shops, R Jackson and Sons has preserved its charm, remaining popular among art students for its impressive selection of inks, acrylics, pastels, and canvases.
Address: R Jackson and Sons art shop, 20 Slater Street, Liverpool, L1 4BS
Eleanor Rigby’s Grave
Paul McCartney recently disclosed that he was inspired by his mother’s Nivea cream when penning lyrics about Eleanor Rigby, who “keeps the face in a jar by the door.” Interestingly, Eleanor’s headstone is still visible today at St Peter’s Church in Woolton, where John Lennon’s Quarry Men once performed, a pivotal moment marked by McCartney’s attendance. The inscription details Eleanor as “beloved wife of Thomas Woods who died on 10 October 1939, aged 44.” In his newest work, McCartney Lyrics, McCartney reflects on the profound conversations he shared with John during their walks, although he admits he may not have consciously registered the grave at the time.
Address: St Peter’s Church, c/o The Simon Peter Centre, Church Road, Woolton, Liverpool, L25 5JF
