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Bob Wooler at the microphone Aintree Institute 1960

The late Bob Wooler interviewed by Glenn Mitchell
at the Liverpool Beatles Convention 2001

During the 2001 Beatles week I had the pleasure of talking at great length to the one and only Mr. Bob Wooler who, sadly, died on February 8th 2002 aged 76. Bob was, as I’m sure you know, an integral part of the story of The Beatles and many other Liverpool-based Sixties bands. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the 'Merseybeat' era was often called upon by reporters and researchers all around the world. To have the chance to talk to Bob and ask some questions that have been on my mind for years was a golden opportunity for me.


Glenn Mitchell with Bob Wooler, Liverpool 2001

Bob was a man whom I have admired since I first became a fan and researcher on the Fab Four. I‘ve always been interested in the 'inner circle' of The Beatles' career - would have loved to have interviewed Brian Epstein if he was still with us today and Mal Evans would also have been great to have had a pint and a chat with. So, it was with great pleasure that I sat next to Bob at the Adelphi and had a fascinating two hours of conversation with the great man himself. I was writing down what he told me onto a note pad, and it was quite amusing when he asked me if he was talking too quickly! I wish now that I had taken a tape recorder.... but never mind. From f the many things we talked about I started by asking him what records he played the most at the Cavern....


BW: Oh, well I could not get any of the rock'n'roll records at the start - I was interested in the lyrics more so than the music, lyrically. Later I could order records from local suppliers.

GM: Did you ever get any records from the sailors in dock at Liverpool?

BW: No, and no again, this is another of those myths about the 'Cunard Yanks', as they said - I never received any records from sailors at all! My collection was bought. Besides, you could order any obscure records in those days - you never had to ask any sailors!

GM: Did the Beatles bring you any records from Germany?

BW: Mmm... I seem to remember a few times that Paul brought in records that belonged to his father. I had their Hamburg releases and, of course, played them at the Cavern, but they were only the backing band on them - the Tony Sheridan recordings as The Beat Brothers. John played me some tapes of them at the club, poor quality recordings.

GM: What do you remember most about The Beatles at the Cavern?

BW: Well, many memories! You must remember that, at the beginning, there was Stuart Sutcliffe as well and, of course, Peter Best. The Beatles, I knew, would be very big and, of course, they had an 'aura' around them - I mean that in a nice way. They were confident and boyish, they rocked the place with their stomping and the kids loved it and so did I. They would come down in the mornings and rehearse, at times sitting in the empty club, eating sandwiches and drinking tea. I used to play them records and they would learn them. They were always looking for new records to learn before any of the others (other groups) could get their hands on them. They liked the obscure numbers.

GM: What would you describe your relationship was like with The Beatles?

BW: Well, I was older than them - I don’t know, you should ask Paul. I helped them and encouraged them as much as I could. I, of course, did go with them to meet Brian Epstein at his office - I know John told Brian that I was his father!

GM: The Cavern is now regarded as a Mecca for fans. What memories do you have of it?

BW: Well, it was the best of cellars! No, I have memories of it that are personal as well as those that have been recorded - dark, smelly but wonderful!

GM: What do you think of the Cavern today?

BW: Oh dear! You must remember that it is not the same today as it was. I have, of course, been asked this question for many years. Ray here (Ray McFall, the original Cavern club owner, was seated next to Bob at this time) will give you, maybe, a different impression.

GM: Do you think that it lives up to its predecessor?

BW: The Cavern was The Cavern and cannot be the same - it can’t be. No matter what people say, it’s not The Cavern.

GM: What is the difference in the Cavern today and the one in the 1960’s?

BW: People ask this so many times... I really think that it’s a bit of a problem - the memories of the Cavern are here, it's in the same place more or less, it's deeper in the ground now and the stage was to the front as you went down the stairs, now it's to the left. But it's there in Mathew Street, more or less, you know?

GM: Were you consulted on the rebuilding of the new Cavern?

BW: No, I was not approached over this. I went down at the opening and I was shocked at what I saw but, in reality, what could they have done? The old Cavern was no more so, in a way, what you have now is better than having nothing at all.

GM: People have mentioned that the stage is not the same size as the original - do you have any comments on this?

BW: Well, I can’t comment on that - as far as I know it’s the same size. I know that we had a removable stage at the club and we used to bring that out when we had larger groups on. It's hard to remember and a lot of this is unimportant now - why do people always go on about it? It's silly....

GM: I always remember your famous opening line on the microphone from the Cavern......

BW: Well, it was a little saying I had, you know? The boys and girls would like me to say things, pass out requests and messages, and that introduction was recorded on tape. I think Granada TV, who came to record The Beatles, captured it. I used to think of different ways to introduce the bands and that was how it came about. It wasn’t just The Beatles - I used to introduce many others in different ways.

It was then that Bob had to go, but he left saying that 'people should remember places as they are now, not how they used to be' which is, I suppose, very true.
But one thing is for sure - we will always remember you, Bob, and your major contribution to the story of The Beatles.
Glenn Mitchell 2008