The Quarrymen at Stanley Abattoir Social Club

Leaving Merseyside to head home I drove through the Old Swan area and stopped outside one of the building’s where the lads played. It was the meat and fish market and The Quarrymen played - well at the adjoining social club. It was a Saturday night dance on 16th November 1957 and most of the audience were fish porters with their families. John had just turned 17 years old and Paul had only been with the band for a month. The 14-year-old George hadn't joined yet as John said he was too young.

This stout red-brick building was built in 1830 and bought by the council 1901. An extension housed a large livestock area and abattoir (costing £670,000 - a fortune at the time.) It employed so many people there was a social club for the staff, their families and friends. The gig there didn't go well. Nobody knew The Quarrymen in 1957 and the lads weren't locals - they were from the south of the city in L25 not L13. They were nervous before the gig and drank too much in the Cattle Market pub. Perhaps this is what resulted in a poor performance - they weren’t asked to return.

Looking at old photos of the place the exterior of the building hasn't changed much - nor the industry and it's still known as the Liverpool Fish & Meat Market. The social club which was to the left of the building has been demolished. The Cattle Market pub where they lads drank too much has been replaced by a small business park.

I parked up opposite the building in a disused petrol station and had a wander around. There isn't a single photo showing the lads playing here. I went passed what must have been the security lodge and took some photos. Some lads on a coffee break were watching as I did a few salutes and poses. They shouted something but I'm not sure what (I used to it.) I did a salute and left.

The Cattle Market pub has now gone...