Jon Keats shared what it really takes to keep the Liverpool institution thriving
The Cavern Club on Mathew Street
The man behind a world famous Liverpool venue has given his verdict on a “long-standing” rumour. Jon Keats, the director of The Cavern Club and Cavern Pub, has shared what it really takes to keep the Liverpool institution thriving, and the importance of grassroots live music venues.
In the latest episode of Three Landlords Walk Into A Bar podcast, Jon shared stories from the Cavern’s past and present, including an intimate gig from singer Adele before she reached the heights of fame she has today. Jon also recalled his childhood hero “casually” strolled into his workplace, leaving him in a state of disbelief.
Elsewhere in the episode, the hospitality industry worker, addressed the hearsay around the visits of one of the most influential guitarists. Jon told co-hosts Jodie Kidd and Merlin Griffiths: ‘’There’s rumour that Jimi Hendrix played the Cavern.
“It’s one of those weird ones – did he or didn’t he? Well, we say he didn’t because we’ve never been able to prove it. He’s not on the back of the t-shirt, he hasn’t got a brick in our wall of fame.
Jon Keats on the Three Landlords Walk into a bar podcast(Image: Three Landlords Walk into a bar podcast)
“But there’s talk he was playing the empire, the big theatre, and he came down and had a row with his girlfriend in the car park.”
The podcast episode comes as Jon, alongside the Music Venue Trust, pushes for government support and protection for live venues.
He said at the Cavern the same mission plays out every night. He added: “We’re losing so many of these grassroots music venues. There are less and less places for people to learn the trade.
“There’s so many more buskers on the street as there’s less and less opportunities for new bands because new music – it doesn’t put money in the till.
‘’Music is at the heart of the Cavern. The Beatles played 292 times at The Cavern. It’s a place of pilgrimage – but for not only Beatles fans but music fans in general.
Jimi Hendrix
‘’You talk about the Cavern and you’ve got to talk about the Beatles. We wouldn’t be here without them. But the Cavern story isn’t just about the Beatles. As owners, as custodians of it – it’s our job to tell the whole story of it.’
‘’The Cavern is all things to all people. It’s about that shared experience of music. We have live music on every night – and no one night is the same.
“You might go in one night and there’s a Brazilian Samba band who are visiting. Next night it might be a local school or college doing their end of year showcase.’’