Cavern Mecca facts for kids

The Cavern Mecca was a special museum in Liverpool, England. It was all about the famous band, The Beatles. This museum opened in 1981 and was named after the legendary The Cavern Club, where The Beatles often played. The Cavern Mecca was very important because it helped start Beatles fan tourism in Liverpool. It was located right on the corner of Rainford Square and Mathew Street.

The building where the Cavern Mecca was once located

A Beatles artwork once shown at Cavern Mecca, now at the Cavern Club

The Cavern Mecca: A Beatles Museum

The Cavern Mecca was created by a couple named Liz and Jim Hughes. They were huge Beatles fans. They almost single-handedly started the annual Beatles Convention in Liverpool. This event is now a big part of the city's Beatles Week festival.

When the museum and fan club first opened, The Beatles were not as popular in Liverpool as you might think. People in their hometown didn't pay much attention to them.

The Cavern Club's History

The original The Cavern Club is where The Beatles played many times. This was after they returned from Hamburg, Germany. However, the club closed in 1973. It was later filled in because of construction for the Merseyrail underground train line.

In the same year the Cavern Mecca opened, there were plans to dig up and reopen the Cavern Club. The Cavern Club did reopen in 1984. It stayed open until 1989. Then it closed again. It finally reopened in 1991 as both a music club and a museum.

Why the Cavern Mecca Closed

The Cavern Mecca museum closed its doors in December 1984. This happened because its founder, Liz Hughes, became ill. Co-founder Jim Hughes passed away in 2018.

A Record-Breaking Album

In 2003, a special item from the Cavern Mecca made news. A copy of The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was sold. This album was signed by all the band members. It also came with a souvenir program from the fourth annual Beatles Convention held by Cavern Mecca.

This signed album sold for $290,000 at an auction. At the time, this was a record. It was the highest price ever paid for a signed Beatles album cover.