Fab Beatles 5: Casbah

The club run by Pete's mum, the Casbah, became home ground to the Beatles. Rory Storm and the Hurricanes along with Gerry and the Pacemakers provided stiff competition. These groups all appeared in Hamburg, the Beatles often providing backing to Tony Sheridan. Bert Kaempfert recorded Sheridan for the Polydor label, singing 'My Bonnie'. The Beatles provided backing but were listed as the Beat Boys. Beatles' girlfriends Cynthia and Dot visited Germany, while Stuart and Astrid became closer.When the Beatles arrived back in Liverpool, wearing their leather clothing and performing tighter, some locals thought they were a German group speaking surprisingly good English. They became popular and Priscilla White and Richie Starkey enjoyed watching them at lunchtime sessions at the Cavern.John's college friend, Bill Harry, commenced Mersey Beat for youngsters keen on reading about the music scene. The 'man from NEMS', Brian Epstein, became manager to the Beatles, suggested changes and sought for them a record contract. The group had enough popularity for a Fan Club. Nevertheless, they attracted little interest from the BBC and record labels operating out of London.