Linking The Beatles to Eurovision.

Have you ever wondered how The Beatles link with Eurovision?

A new art installation has been unveiled in the world-famous Cavern Club that explores the links between the Beatles and the countries competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

The Cavern played home to The Beatles 292 times between 1961 and 1963. The project, simply titled ‘The Beatles & Eurovision’ offers 37 facts that directly relate The Fab Four to each of the countries taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.

The 10ft-wide fact-filled artwork situated next to the iconic stage in the Club, aims to provide a focal point and photo opportunity for visitors. The project is the brainchild of Cavern Club Managing Director and life-long Beatles fan Bill Heckle. Bill Heckle adds

“The Eurovision Song Contest actively unites people by music, and it occurred to me that the same is often said about The Beatles. We see this every year at our Beatles festival where people from over 20 countries travel to Liverpool with one common interest – the music of The Beatles. 

 Every day throughout the year we welcome music fans from all over the world to the Cavern Club. Through this installation, we’re highlighting the way that music can transcend borders and bring people together.” 

Fab Four examples of the Beatles connections include:

1. PORTUGAL – Did you know that Paul visited Albufeira in Portugal in May 1965 with his then girlfriend Jane Asher. On arriving by plane, it was a five-hour drive to his villa, and it was on this long drive that Paul put the lyrics down to ‘Yesterday’ which till this date had a working title of “Scrambled Eggs”.
2. MOLDOVA – Moldova has a large Beatles following and The National Symphony Orchestra of Teleradio-Moldova performed sell out shows in the capital of Chisinau with their performance of ‘The Beatles Symphony’.
3. LATVIA – The Beatles never played in Latvia, but Beatles fans often meet at St. Peter’s Church in Latvia built in 1209. This has the same name as St. Peter’s Church in Woolton, Liverpool which famously is the site of John and Paul’s first meeting on 6th July 1957.
4. GREECE – John, Paul and George took a holiday on the Greek Islands in 1967. They loved it so much that they decided to buy a Greek Island where they could escape periodically from the exertions of Beatlemania. All the papers were ready to sign off, even obtaining permission from the Greek Government for the purchase. However, at that point The Beatles backed out!

As well as issuing a special Eurovision 2023 limited edition Cavern t-shirt, the proceeds of which will go to a charity to help the people of Ukraine, the world-famous cellar venue has changed its lighting to blue and yellow. The change comes to honour Eurovision 2022 winners Ukraine, on whose behalf the UK are hosting 2023s contest.

Cavern Director Jon Keats says

“As a venue that has played host to some of the biggest names in music history, we understand the power of music to bring people together. Eurovision is the perfect example of this. 

We’re proud to be a part of a collective effort to represent 2022s winners, Ukraine. We hope that our art installation and music programme that we have to offer will be well received by visiting Eurovision fans and delegates. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to The Cavern.”

‘The Beatles & Eurovision’ is open to visitors of The Cavern Club from Thursday 27^th April.