Liverpool Music Roots: Cavern co-owner Dave Jones reveals his extensive memorabilia collection of famous Cavern DJ and compere Bob Wooler in a brand-new book
Liverpool Music Roots vividly tells a tale in photographic images and words that deserves to be widely known. It’s the story of the amazing career of influential Cavern DJ and compere Bob Wooler, who oversaw one of the most important periods in musical history. But it’s more than that. It’s about the iconic environment in which The Beatles perfected their stagecraft, readying themselves for an assault on the world. But it’s more than that. From the late ’50 onwards, and from jazz, skiffle and blues to rhythm and blues, rock’n’roll and beat music, it’s the story of the many diverse acts from the Merseyside music scene and those who called by from America or across the UK to inspire within and in turn be inspired by that famous cellarful of noise and nearby feted venues that also played a part in a remarkable story. It’s about the movers and shakers who brought them to the stage or helped spread the word too. And it’s about the fans who queued to see their idols, helping create that essential buzz and vibe. But it’s more than all that.
Lovingly honed from an extensive memorabilia archive of almost 1,000 individual items, initially but not exclusively collected by Bob Wooler, and in more recent years sought out, catalogued, coveted and painstakingly curated by modern-day Cavern co-owner Dave Jones, this impressive publication carries more than 400 photographs, handbills, posters, items of correspondence and rare printed matter that brings the subject to life and takes the reader right back to that momentous scene and key cultural happenings that effectively spread the news around the world about what was going on in the beating heart of Liverpool.
Speaking of his collection Dave Jones says:
“Bob Wooler was regarded by many as the most important person on the Liverpool music scene in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, other than the artists themselves. Bob collected a vast amount of items associated with the Merseybeat scene from 1957 onwards.”
“I started to acquire items from Bob Wooler’s collection in 2011. My aim was to create an archive solely comprising items from Bob’s own collection, one that provided a clear picture of his involvement and contribution to the Merseyside music scene. In particular, I wanted to highlight the eight years he spent at The Cavern.”
Having co-owned the world-famous Cavern Club for the past 30 years, Dave was a friend of Bob Wooler from 1986 until he passed away in February 2002. The 276 full-colour page This Day In Music book shows the care, respect and passion that Dave and This Day In Music Books publishing team, have for telling this phenomenal story of Bob’s involvement in a phenomenal time for Liverpool’s music scene that spread around the world.
‘Liverpool Music Roots’ is available to purchase from our online store priced Price £29.95 Click Here
The book is accompanied by free access to the Bob Wooler archive. Visit www.liverpoolmusicroots.com
To find more music history books published by This Day In Music please visit www.thisdayinmusicbooks.com
