Allan Williams, The Beatles ’ first manager and original owner of The Jacaranda has died aged 86.
Tributes
have begun to pour in for the man who personally drove the van to take
the young band to Hamburg in 1960, where they gained the vital
showbusiness experience that led to their emergence on the world stage.
The Jacaranda posted the sad news on their Facebook page tonight and tributes have begun to flood in.
The venue said: “Today is one of the saddest day in our history.
“Our original owner and the man who discovered The Beatles, Allan Williams, has sadly passed away at the age of 86.
“All of our thoughts and wishes go to his family and his wife Beryl.
“His
legacy has allowed to remain at the heart of the Liverpool music scene
for almost 60 years and his memory will live on through every band that
plays our famous stage.
“Allan, you will be missed.”
The Cavern Club tweeted their condolences.
They said: “We have
just heard the very sad news about the passing of Allan Williams.
Sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.”
The Beatles Story said they were ‘shocked’ at news of his passing.
They
said: “The Beatles Story team is shocked and saddened to learn of the
passing of original booking agent and first manager of The Beatles,
Allan Williams.
“Allan played a significant role in the story of
the Beatles. His involvement in the Beatles’ early years in Liverpool
and onto Hamburg helped shape the band in to what we see and know today.
“He personally drove the van to take the young band to
Hamburg, Germany in 1960, where they gained the vital show business
experience that led to their emergence on the world stage.
“In
May this year Allan was awarded with a top civic honour in recognition
of his contribution to the music industry in Liverpool.”
In 1958
Williams leased a former watch-repair shop at 21 Slater Street, which he
converted into a coffee bar. He named the venue the Jacaranda, after an
exotic species of ornamental flowering tree.
The Jac opened in September 1958 and The Beatles were frequent
customers, with John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe attending Liverpool Art
College nearby and Paul McCartney being at Liverpool Institute.
Asking
for the chance to play the club, Williams made them redecorate. Lennon
and Sutcliffe had to paint a mural for the ladies room, before playing
gigs there between May and August 1960.
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